SHORELINES

3 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2015 Vol :2 If Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, July 4 shifts summer into high gear. But before we celebrate hot fun in the summertime, those two holidays – honoring our war dead and celebrating U.S. independence – are a perfect reminder that we should salute those who served our country. In this issue of Shorelines, we pay tribute to two World War II veterans, one living and one dead, who reunited six decades after their war years. Louis Hanks and Henry Phifer served together in the South Pacific and Japan. Hanks, who owns property on Smith Lake, reconnected with Phifer after seeing a picture of Phifer's son Gene in Shorelines. Hanks tracked down the elder Phifer and renewed his friendship with him just a few weeks before Phifer died. Telling the story of their improbable reunion is Alabama Power's Michael Tomberlin, who also has served his country. Tomberlin is a lieutenant colonel in Alabama's National Guard who has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. Now that summer is here – unofficially and officially – let's talk about the fun stuff. It's tough to beat a cookout on the lake, especially when the recipes are quick, easy and delicious. We've got you covered with great recipes for barbecued ribs, cheddar- stuffed burgers, marinated tomato salad, mixed berry cobbler and more. On Lake Martin, there could be more weekends spent grilling – and boating, fishing, wakeboarding, or just plain relaxing – if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) agrees with Alabama Power's recommendation to keep lake levels higher through the fall and winter. Restaurants, marinas, shops and grocery stores in towns near the lake and even property values stand to gain. This issue of Shorelines also features the Royal siblings, Tyler and Hannah, who know how to have a blast on Lake Jordan. The two are champion wakeboarders. Twenty-year-old Tyler is the reigning national champion in the Outlaw Division in the INT League. Hannah, soon to be a sophomore at Wetumpka High School, won the state division. They have spent countless hours on the lake honing their craft. As their father, Jeff, says, "It's a family thing on a good lake." Enjoy! — BOB BLALOCK WATER WHYS Left: Photo by Billy Brow n — Sisters Lillian and Sophie spend an afternoon at Lake Martin. 3

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