Lakeside community hosts appreciation lunch for area military, emergency personnel

By:
0
2039
Local emergency personnel and military veterans enjoy lunch at Smith Lake RV and Cabin Resort. (Sara Gladney for The Cullman Tribune)

CRANE HILL, Ala. – Larry and Sandy Harris, owners of the scenic Smith Lake RV and Cabin Resort in Crane Hill, recently hosted a community appreciation event for area firefighters, first responders, EMTs and military personnel. Lunch was provided by residents of the community and Johnny’s Bar-B-Q.

This was the second year the resort has hosted the event, and the Harrises say it will be an annual celebration for the residents to show their appreciation for the emergency personnel who travel to the resort to help the private lakeside community in times of crisis.

“We did it the first time two years ago and it was a huge success. We love, honor and respect all of our first responders and military. We were raised to respect, and we still do,” said Sandy Harris. “They do help us. We’ve had a few calls in here lately. We see different services come in here and help us, so we just want to say thanks.”

Resort resident Karen Marlar said, “We appreciate them when they come out. We’re a community of mostly senior citizens, and they had to airlift a lady out of here about a month ago. We do appreciate our first responders.”

Larry Harris, developer with Edgewater Land, LLC, said he bought the land to build the resort in 2005. He has 170 lots and has sold around 150. 

“I thought we might have a few small little buildings, but then about four or five years ago it took off,” he said.

The Harrises now sell lots to people from all over the country, including New York, Las Vegas, Washington and Texas.

Larry Harris is former military, as are many of the resort’s residents. He said he places a high value on service to one’s community.

“Everybody here loves their country,” he said, “and we appreciate what people have done in service.”

Learn more about the resort at www.smithlakervresort.com.

Copyright 2022 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.