Name:   jcope - Subject:   Sinclairs Date:   3/1/2013 7:52:49 PM

Restaurant reopening mid-April
_{New Kowaliga and Kaw-liga rapidly taking shape}!

   The rebirth of the Kowaliga Restaurant is coming along at a brisk pace, and excitement is building in the community. Headed by Executive Chef Russell Bodner and Manager Stacy Jones, the family eatery and lake hangout is undergoing a transformation. New covered deck space is being added for dining, a new bar area and lots of rearranging, painting, refinishing and redecorating are well in the works. It won't be long now until the docks are full of happy boaters cruising in for a great meal.

The Fourth Rising of Kaw-liga
The original Kowaliga wooden Indian — the one made famous in the Hank Williams song — according to local businessman, Fred Dobbs, came from an Alexander City Pontiac dealership, but was kidnapped long ago, never to be seen again. His successor, who was found at a Sylacauga Pontiac dealer, was also spirited away without a trace. One might imagine that some thought was given to Kaw-liga's obvious portability when the third, concrete statue was created. Although he managed to not be abducted, he suffered many assaults over the years, including fire and vandals.

That current, broken, often-repainted iteration is about to be retired to The Discovery Center at Russell Crossroads making way for a more historically accurate wooden rendition. Titus, AL, wood carver, Cory Worden is currently crafting the fourth rising of the stoic greeter for the restaurant. The massive figure will watch over the comings and goings of happy Lake Martin residents and visitors from his safe perch inside the establishment. After all the hard work of Mr. Worden, and the remaking of this Lake Martin landmark, it would be a shame for him to go AWOL once again.