Flying the waters February/March 2009 • www.LakeWedoweeLife.com •
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Table of
February/March 2009
Contents
Vol. 2 No. 1
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Special this Month 8. Faces around Lake Wedowee: Swanee River Boy settles on Tallapoosa 11. The Creative Side: Wedowee native plays music his way 17. Flying the Waters: May uses Lake Wedowee as a runway for his floatplane 27. Music and Arts Festival: Doug Stone headlines Clay County Music and Arts Festival in Lineville 29. When I think of Wedowee: Photographer Scott Ford captures images of the area
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Monthly Features
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7. Enjoy Life! - Letter from the Editor 15. Simply Fabulous 20. Hooked on Lake Wedowee 24. Lake Map 30. Wedowee Currents 34. Redneck Adventures
Contributing writers Darlene Bailey, Reed Montgomery and Skeeter Lake Wedowee Life 5
On the Cover Rick Bloomfield captured Bob May preparing to take off in his float plane last summer. The pair are good friends and neighbors on the lake.
General Manager LEISEL CALDWELL
Editor KELLY CALDWELL news@lakewedoweelife.com (256) 276-7959
Advertising Sales LAVOY CALDWELL ads@lakewedoweelife.com (334) 863-0737
Lake Wedowee Life 18285 Highway 431 Wedowee, AL 36278
Even Lake Wedowee Life
Lake Wedowee Life magazine is published six times a year and available around the Lake Wedowee area which includes Randolph and Clay Counties in Alabama as well as parts of West Georgia. Distribution locations available by request. Paid mail subscriptions are available for $12 a year.
Who is ready for Lake season? There are some people in this world that actually like cold weather, but I am not one of them. It is barely February, and I am already looking forward to the days I will spend on Lake Wedowee this spring and summer. That is when this part of the world really comes to life. The weekenders come back to visit, and the activity on the lake is significantly greater. Granted, I am sure the fisherman are enjoying this time of year, but I tell you I will trade my sweaters and boots for tank tops and flip flops any day! We decided to try something new in this issue, and it all came about because of a random conversation last summer after Grover Poole’s car lot was cleaned up. The sign was always there and I always wanted a picture of it. Well the sign came down in July and I was crushed (just like the sign.) My opportunity to capture that image was gone. Not long after that I was told Scott Ford had taken pictures of the sign and my hopes of having that image were renewed‌ His wife, Tommie, emailed the picture to me along with a few others and what I saw led me to what you will find on page 29. This magazine is about showcasing the area, and Scott Ford captures a different side of Wedowee worth showing. There are a number of fantastic photographers visiting this area, and in future issues we will showcase their talents as well. If you are one of those photographers interested in having your work shown in Lake Wedowee Life, please contact me. Lake season will be here before you know it, and there will be some beautiful, warm weather days ahead of us sooner rather than later! (I hope!)
Enjoy Life! Kelly Caldwell
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Swanee River Boy settles on Tallapoosa As one of 11 children born to an east Alabama sharecropper in the early part of last century, Buford Abner did not have a lot of options growing up. There was always work to do and the only time the family wasn’t working was on Sundays when they would go to Mt. Pleasant Church (located on County Road 129 in Wedowee) where he got an education that became his ticket to freedom from the sharecropper’s life. In the 1930s Abner would spend his summers in “singin’ school” and by the time he was 15, he left home to sing tenor with his brother Merle for the Pepperel Manufacturing Company quartet in Columbus, Ga. “That was my first trip on a Greyhound bus,” Buford said of the experience.
Faces around Lake Wedowee Story by Kelly Caldwell Photos courtesy of the Buford Abner family That trip was the start of something extraordinary for Abner, although if you ask him, he just shrugs. “I was born, I did some stuff and now I am here,” he said recently in the confines of his home near Mt. Pleasant Church where he began his singing career more than 75 years ago. But, it’s the “stuff he glides over that is most interesting. In 1938, Abner was a founding member of the Swanee River Boys Quartet along with his brother Merle, George Hughes and Billy Carrier. Merle came up with the 8 Lake Wedowee Life
A life of stories: Buford Abner, above center and left, organized the Swanee River Boys quartet in the 1930s along with his brother Merle. The group performed for more than 30 years and entertained thousands with their smooth harmonies. Abner traveled the world with the group performing with celebrities like Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Dianah Shore and Ray Rogers and Dale Evans. The group first performed on radio in Chattanooga, Tenn.
name of the group after Stephen Foster’s song “Way Down Upon the Suwanee River.“ However, to be more recognizable the letter u was dropped because Merle thought Swanee was easier to remember. The group, known for the way they sung Negro Spirituals, were called the smoothest white quartet in the nation. “Since they were on the radio, there were times they would be booked at black churches and it was a big surprise to many a congregation,” Dorothy Abner, Buford’s wife of 68 years, said. “But their harmony was really something to hear.” The group began their soft harmonies in gospel but the Swanee River Boys were better known as secular artists earning a living singing popular, country and spiritual numbers. The group didn’t turn strictly gospel until much later into the 30year career. Abner took time out of the group in 1944 when he, along with his brother, served his country in World War II. “Mickey Rooney was his bunk mate,” Dorothy said. “That’s when Mickey was married to Miss Alabama Betty Jane Rase.” During his tour of duty, Abner performed with the Special Services entertaining the troops in the show “Yanks A-poppin.” “He tells the story of his audition for Yanks aPoppin,” Dorothy said. “He was in a room with all these serious looking officers and
Honored by the masses: Abner had a host of responsibilities for the group like playing the guitar, perfecting the vocal arrangement and even writing some of their hits. He was honored in 2002 by the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
they said to me them laugh. Well, he did.” Abner performed with the Swanee River Boys until he retired in 1971 entertaining thousands of people along the way. After his return from his stint in the army, Abner began writing music. His first song “I Ain’t Got Time” was recorded in 1948 by James and Martha Carson. “That started the floodgates of his love of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in song writing,” Dorothy said. Abner has more than 200 songs registered with BMI and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002. According to the plaque presented to him at the time of induction, “Abner pioneered Southern Gospel through his longstanding service with the Swanee River Boys… The quartet appeared on radio and television in various parts of the nation… Buford was responsible for the vocal arrangements for the quartet.” “My dad was never interested in hunting or fishing,” Pam Starkey, Buford’s daughter, said. “It has always been reading the bible, singing and writing music.” The Abners moved back to Wedowee more than 10 years ago with their daughter and her husband Marty Starkey. Abner, now 91, doesn’t sing as much as he used to after suffering a stroke a few years ago, but according to his daughter he still has one of the best voices she has ever heard. Lake Wedowee Life 9
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Wedowee native plays music his way Most gifts to a 4-year-old do not have the lasting impression like Barry Waldrep’s did, but it didn’t start out that way. “My first guitar was a gift to me in 1966 when I was 4,” he said. “I didn’t really do anything with it until I was 6 and started listening to my dad play. Then I got really into it.” Since that fateful day in 1968, Waldrep has been playing music. “My first influence was obviously my father, (James Waldrep)” he said. “When I got interested, my dad starting showing me chords and then I started picking up stuff on my own from watching other people play.” Waldrep was raised in Randolph County between Wedowee and Roanoke. And, got his bluegrass education from the likes
The Creative Side Story By Kelly Caldwell of Bill Monroe and New Grass Revival. “In 1976, we did a lot of shows with Bill Monroe. I got to play on stage with him a lot and at that
time I had discovered Sam Bush and New Grass Revival,” Waldrep said. “Three of my musical influences were in the same band. Courtney Johnson was my favorite banjo player and then I learned a lot by listening to John Cowan on vocals and Sam Bush on the mandolin. (collectively known as New Grass Revival).” As a teenager, Waldrep focused on the new bluegrass sound, but as time passed he also discovered Southern Rock from bands like the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Charlie Daniels Band. “Most people would not call me a traditional bluegrass musician because of the way I look,” he said. “I was raised traditional, and I can listen to it all day long. But, that’s not what comes out of me when I play.” Lake Wedowee Life 11
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In the late 1980s Waldrep joined Telluride playing electric guitar. A few years later he co-founded Rollin’ in the Hay with band mate Rick Carter. The band is a mixture of bluegrass, southern rock, country as well as rhythm and blues. “It’s a combination of all the music he has been involved with,” Barry Waldrep’s website says. “It’s not Bluegrass. It’s not Country. And, it’s not Rock. It’s MUSIC.” As Telluride, the band played a traditional rock circuit throughout the Southeast and not many would take a chance on this new band. Two, however, did. “Our first gig as Rollin’ in the Hay as at the Oasis in Birmingham,” Waldrep said. “And then the next night we played at the War Eagle Supper Club in Auburn. I think there was five people there tops. “Melissa Isbell (The Oasis) and John Brandt (Supper Club) supported us time after time,” he said. “Everyone thought we were crazy for trying to play the kind of music we play on the rock circuit. But, they gave us a shot and we will always play there for as long as they will have us.” In the 16 years of playing with Rollin’ in the Hay, the following has grown and the fans are just as eclectic as the music the band plays. “Someone once said we attract the Hippies and the (Cowboy) Hats,” Waldrep said. He plays a variety of instruments including the banjo, Dobro, mandolin, bass guitar, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. He has traveled the country not only with Rollin’ in the Hay but also with the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Zac Brown Band, Widespread Panic and the Allman Brothers to name a few. “I have gotten to play with a lot of people that as a kid I never thought I would,” Waldrep said. He has released three solo albums and does studio work. For more information on Waldrep, visit www.myspace.com/barrywaldrep.
Playing with heroes: Barry Waldrep has performed with some of heroes beginning with his dad, James Waldrep at a very early age. He has also played with the likes of Gregg Allman, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown Band, Widespread Panic and Phish. His band Rollin’ in the Hay has played all over the country.
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Finding your pot of gold H
ave you found your pot of gold? Me either! However, I have found a few golden recipes sure to have your Leprechauns leaping at your St. Patrick's Day party.
Simply Fabulous Story by Darlene Bailey Photos by Kelly Caldwell Traditionally "green" is the color of choice, so green it is. And, what St. Patick's Day would be complete without a rainbow? Keeping that in mind I have taken an angel food cake and added a rainbow twist. I have prepared a Pistachio Congealed Salad that will certainly bring the luck of the Irish to you. To cut calories, try sugar free Jell-o, light pineapple and fat free cool-whip. You can also try different colors for your cake layers and icing to make it fit any party theme. Top of the mornin’ to ya’ and Let's Get Cookin’. I would like to say congratulations to Lake Wedowee Life for a very successful first year! Great Job! Call Glass Slipper Events at 256.449.2946 or baileydp1@aol.com for weddings, anniversaries, birthday's, prom, senior tea, reunions and tent rental.
Pistachio Salad 1 pkg.(4 oz) pistachio in1 cup miniature marshmalstant pudding lows 1 can(20 oz) crushed pineap1/2 cup pecans( chopped) ple (un-drained) 11/2 cups Cool-whip Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and pecans together. Add cool-whip and blend gently. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Rainbow Cake 1 box Angel Food Cake Mix 1-1/4 cups water
1 can Homestyle Cream Cheese Frosting Food Coloring
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare cake following box directions. I poured 3/4 of my batter into a different bowl and added a couple drops of green coloring. Blend well. Spoon in a layer of green batter then white and then another layer of green into pan. Bake and cool following directions on package. Heat frosting in microwave for 20-30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup of warm glaze. Spread remaining glaze over sides and top of cake. Separate 1/4 cup of glaze into different bowls and add your coloring. Using a spoon drizzle glaze around edge of cake so it will run down sides.
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Flying the waters
May uses Lake Wedowee as a runway for his floatplane It’s not uncommon to see a variety of boats and wave runners on Lake Wedowee and for the last six years people have grown accustomed to seeing another mode of transportation on the waters of this lake. Bob May has piloted a float plane on Lake Wedowee for more than six years and he has become a celebrity of sorts because of it.
News to Know Story by Kelly Caldwell Photos by Rick Bloomfield and Bob May “It’s really neat to see people’s reactions to seeing the plane,” he said of the red and white Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. “Even though my neighbors are used to it now, I still get a lot of waves and pictures taken. It kind of makes me feel like a celebrity.”
Flying for fun: Bob May, above, flies a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser around Lake Wedowee and anywhere else he can find a landing strip. He bought the plane in Canada six years ago.
Landing strip: Lake Wedowee doesn’t have any restrictions to when May can fly his plane. But, he usually doesn’t go out when there is heavy boat traffic on the lake because the rough waters could damage the floats on takeoff. The plane built in 1946 was fully restored in 2003 by Canadian Richard Potvin. May flew the plane back from DalbeauMistassinnia town in northern Canada. The trip back took 27 hours of flying over the course of three days. “You can’t be in a hurry in a float plane,” May said. “It doesn’t go very fast.” The 150-horsepower single engine plane flies at 85 miles per hour with the floats attached. Technically, the plane is a three-seater but according to May the bench seat in the back requires passengers to be either very petite or very good friends. He is also very generous with plane giving hundreds of rides over the years but in the beginning not everyone was used to seeing the float plane flying above Lake Wedowee. “I remember I was flying around here when I first got the plane and there was a call to the 18 Lake Wedowee Life
Sheriff’s office saying a terrorist was headed to the dam and there were two bombs attached to the plane,” he said. “People weren’t used to me flying around at that
point. Luckily Sheriff (Jeff) Fuller knew me, so he just laughed and told the caller he knew what was going on.” May began flying when he was 14 and has had his seaplane certification for close to 30 years. He is a fulltime pilot for Delta and is based out of New York. “Float planes are a lot more common in the north, but the people at some of the places I have visited have never seen this kind of plane in person,” he said. “So there is a lot of picture taking and I have made the front page of several small town newspapers.” May keeps his plane at his home on Lake Wedowee, where he has lived for 20 years. “It‘s nice having a runway right behind my house,” he said. “It’s fun and I enjoy it.” While May uses the plane for pleasure most of the time, he does donate his time in the aircraft for
Canada remade: When May bought the plane, he had to get his pilot’s license in Canada before flying back. It was originally registered there. The trip took 27 hours of flying time over the course of three days. the annual Lake Cleanup every fall. “A couple of weeks before the cleanup, I go up and scout the lake for areas that need our attention,” he said May has spearheaded the cleanup since he first came to the lake. “Before we started the cleanup, you wouldn’t believe how trashy this lake was,” he said. “We have worked diligently to make a difference. Our best year we got about 34,000 pounds of trash. We don’t get that much now, but that’s a good thing.” May has also been known to help local authorities when needed. “A few years ago a prisoner escaped and I helped with the search,” he said. There are no restrictions on Lake Wedowee concerning aircrafts on the lake and according to May there isn’t really a danger to boats. “Here on our lake it’s not a matter of running into the boats, it’s the boat wake that can make things tough for me,” he said. “It gets so rough out there that it can knock the floats off on take off.” May has never heard of a float plane, boat collision for one simple reason. “The difference between boats and a float plane is the boat can only go left or right. I can go up if I need to. I have an option that boats don’t have.” Lake Wedowee Life 19
Winter is your best chance for trophy bass predator and the prey Records show more will likely be homereally big, trophy-sized steading the same walargemouth bass (those exters. During early Febceeding ten pounds), have ruary these big bass still been taken out of this relaroam around a lot usutively small man made imally staying with the poundment (of only 10,660 schools of small baitfish acres) than any other lake in they constantly dine on. Alabama in years past. These really big bass That's really saying a lot, instinctively continue to with so many other choices put on the needed of much older lakes and of weight to survive a cold some much larger impoundharsh winter, feeding ments in Alabama to concontinuously before the sider. lakes waters really cool Past records show more in February. Warming of these big largemouth trends move the bait bass (some on record fish shallow around weighing from 10 to 15 sparse cover due to low pounds, while others lake levels. weighing a little over 16 These huge bass also pounds), have been taken feed a lot on crayfish. out of Lake Wedowee's High in nutrition, craydeep, timbered waters dur- Big day on the lake: Warm, sunny days on the lake can produce results like these in the winter months. fish can be found lake ing the month of February. wide. Shad look-a-like With an upsurge in Big lures or crayfish imitating lures Bass activity about every five have fooled a lot of really big bass years since the lake was imon Lake Wedowee during winter's pounded, its time for another "big past. Low water concentrates bass bass bonanza" to take place on and prey around rocky banks, rock Lake Wedowee this winter and by Reed Montgomery bluffs and boulder-strewn banks spring season. during winter. Places they feed in So, in short, if your looking to all winter long. dowee. go after a real, trophy-sized bass, Lake Wedowee is the place to be LOW WATER - FROM EARLY WINTER UNTIL APRIL COOL WATER and COLD this winter season during the Planning any trip to Lake WeFRONTS month of February. In addition, With these cold nights and cold dowee during the winter and we can add the month of March days consecutive, the lakes waters early spring months an angler can as a pre spawn month, when call 1-800-lakes-11 and get the cur- can cool considerably, often in the many of these really big largerent lake levels (and water genera- low to mid forties, if a severe cold mouth bass make their move tofront exists for more than one tion schedules), before heading wards the lake's shallow, spawnweek. Warmer water can be found out to the lake. The lake is going ing grounds. in the deeper depths, if an angler to be down from the full pool levAny time an angler prepares stumbles onto that big bass school. els, so boat navigation should be for a fishing trip he has to conconsidered and extreme caution is sider the conditions he will be up WARM FRONTS advised. against. So here's some suggesAn easier way to find more acLow water concentrates the tions for fishing all the right tive big bass in warm water is to entire lake's fish population durplaces and being there at the right constantly watch your water teming winter. This means both time, this winter on Lake We-
Hooked on Lake Wedowee
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perature gauge. Fishing sundrenched pockets and other shielded banks (those that receive a lot of sunshine), can show much more active bass by the mid day to late evening period. Generally the lakes northeast banks, including small cuts, pockets and feeder creeks, get the most, "water warming sunshine" in a day’s time. HEAVY RAIN During winter, rains can occur for several days. With the incoming headwaters of the Big and Little Tallapoosa Rivers the mid-toupper lake can get very muddy. Any major feeder creek can be downright muddy for days when heavy rains occur. If faced with this problem an angler has two choices. 1. Either fish the mid-to-lower lake where stained to muddy water is filtered out displaying generally clearer water during rainy conditions. 2. Or an angler can explore clearing areas such as the lakes headwaters, the backs of creeks, or any of the many small cuts and pockets with little or no run-in to muddy up the water. He can choose to fish with lures that emit sound and put out a lot of flash and vibration when confronted with stained-tomuddy water conditions. LURES FOR WINTER BASS
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FISHING LAKE WEDOWEE BOTTOM LURES - This lure line up can be many, with so many lure choices being made today. Lures meant to be drug on the lakes bottom (or just above the lakes bottom) have increased over the past few years. Worms - Generally an angler can fish a six inch worm or go for bigger bites with a 10 -12 inch worm, rigged Texas style. Slow is the key. Lizards are great lures year round for big bass bites. Like worms they can be fished Texas style or rigged Carolina rigged with a 1-3 foot leader that is drug across the lakes bottom, only it rides higher in the water than Texas rigged lure. You can fish small 4-6 inch lizards for many bites or go for fewer bites (but bigger bass) with a 8 -10 inch lizard imitation. Tube baits have been around a long time, but still a lot of anglers fail to even give them a try. They too come in small 2-4 inch sizes or you can try bigger models of 5-8 inches for that bigger bass bite. Rigging the bullet weight inside of these tube baits creates a very weedless lure. Fish slow and watch for strikes as the Tube bait is falling. Creature Baits - Like other poured plastics these odd looking lures can be rigged Texas-rigged or Carolina-rigged. Most creature
baits have 4-6 trailing legs, arms, appendages or tails for that added enticement. Creature Baits also create more water displacement aiding the bass in finding these lures in off colored water. Jigs and Jig Combos - Some anglers fish rubber skirted (or silicone skirts) jigs right out of the package with no trailer. Others add a pork chunk, plastic chunk, plastic crayfish, worm, lizard or other trailing appendage to their jigs, creating a jig combo. These are deadly lures on Big Bass in the winter months, perhaps simulating the crayfish crawling across the lakes bottom these big bass are constantly constantly eating. Give Lake Wedowee a try this winter for a chance at some really Big Bass action and discover some techniques all your own. But keep in mind there are some very big bass in this lake. My advice; leave the light tackle, light line and small lures at home. You can call on Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133! For guided trips to Wedowee lake or any Alabama lake year round! Be safe this winter season! Always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. Bring spare clothes, fire starting material and a lighter for emergencies! Thanks and Good Fishin'
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Doug Stone headlines Clay County Music and Arts Festival Springtime in East Alabama means it’s time for the annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival. Festivals are an important part of small town life and Clay County loves its festivals, too. This year the event will be at Lineville City Park May 16. The annual festival is great fun for the whole family. Clay County and surrounding counties are overflowing with talented musicians and artists who love to perform and show their talent. There’s plenty of food, music and art to make this a great day of family and community fun. This year’s musical lineup features national recording artist Doug Stone as the headliner as well as local musical groups covering everything from easy listening jazz, gospel, country, blue grass
and southern rock. They’ll be music, fun, arts, crafts, and food from 10 am until dark. An important part of the annual event is the Festival Art Contest open to all students in Clay County Schools including public, private and home schooled. There are three divisions: Elementary, Middle and High School and prizes will be awarded in each category. The Festival Art Contest entries should feature themes to promote the annual event and should include the following elements: • 3rd Annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival • May 16, 2009 • A message/theme that combines through your art .... Clay County, Music, Arts, Fun and our Community. Winning artists in each division
will receive a cash prize. In addition, winning entries will be on display at the Festival as well as in prominent places in government buildings throughout the county and state during 2009. The deadline for submissions is April 3 and must be delivered to the Chamber of Commerce office. All mediums will be accepted and a good size is 12” by 12”. Digital artwork accepted if in highresolution format. If you are interested in reserving a vendor booth we want to hear from you, too. Space is limited so contact us soon. For more information, visit www.claycochamber.com. Vendor applications are available there as well as necessary contact information regarding the event. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well.
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When I think of Wedowee‌ By Scott Ford
Ford first visited the Lake Wedowee area six years ago while dating his wife, the former Tommie Sledge. Tommie grew up in Wedowee and they frequently come back to visit.
Wedowee Currents Author Don C. East Book Signing in Ashland and Lineville Alabama Saturday, Feb. 6 - Clay County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. and Lineville City Library at 2 p.m. Book signing by author Don C. East for his recent book "A Historical Analysis of the Creek Indian Hillabee Towns; and Personal Reflections on the Landscape and People of Clay County, Alabama." Over-the-Hill Revue IV Wedowee - Friday, Feb. 13 The East Alabama Arts Society presents its Over-the-Hill Revue talent show at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Wedowee at 7:00 p.m. Sell-out expected. For ticket information all 256-357-2361. SPORTS AND LEISURE SHOW at Quintard Mall Oxford - Feb. 13 & 14 9th Annual Sports and Leisure Show!
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Biking, camping, kayaking, fitness, dance, karate, hunting and beyond. This show was designed to let you know all the GREAT things you can do right here at home. Enjoy a variety of displays throughout the mall and see demonstrations from local businesses BOAT SHOW at Quintard Mall Oxford - Feb. 9 - 14 See the latest in watercraft from area dealers at our Ultimate Boat Show. Boats will be displayed throughout the entire mall. Valentines Day Theatre Rentals at The Ashland Historic Theatre Ashland (- Feb. 13, 14, and 15 Rent the theatre for a private showing for you and your special someone. Watch your wedding video, family memories, or favorite romantic comedy. Cost $75 includes 2 hour rental to watch the film of you choice, 2 boxes of popcorn, 2 soft drinks, and a box of
candy. http:// www.theashlandtheatre.com "Sweeney Todd" (Jacksonville) Jacksonville - Feb. 19-Mar. 1 "Sweeney Todd" 256-782-5648. www.jsu.edu/depart/drama. Admission charged. Jacksonville State Univ.-JSU Drama and Music departments present this musical with sophisticated, macabre, intense drama which is filled with hysterically funny moments of dark humor as well as frightening surprises. 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Spring Theatre Production - Southern Union Community College Wadley - Feb 25, 26, 27 and Mar. 1 For times and more information: http://www.suscc.edu/ Snow White And Seven Dwarfs at The Historic Ashland Theatre Ashland (on the square) - Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, Mar. 1
A children's theatre play for all ages! $8 adult tickets and $4 student tickets.http:// www.theashlandtheatre.com 2009 District VI Masters Games of Alabama Valley - Friday, Mar. 6 Valley 2009 District VI Masters Games of Alabama 334-756-5282. www.cityofvalley.com. Free. Valley Community Center--For men and women ages 55 & over who reside in Chambers, Talladega, Clay, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa Counties. Sporting events: basketball free throw, billards, bowling, horseshoes, softball throw, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, golf, and more. JAKES - Turkey Hunting Talladega - Saturday, Mar. 7 J.A.K.E.S. 256-362-2909. Free. www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/ alabama. Talladega National Forest, Shepherd Branch Shooting Range--An event designed to encourage children and families to spend time together turkey hunting. 9 a.m.-noon. HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO at Quintard Mall
Oxford - Saturday, Mar. 7 Come join us for the 4th Annual Health and Wellness Expo sponsored by Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, CableONE and Quintard Mall. Enjoy FREE health screenings and find out tips on how to stay healthy. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Talent Show Auditions at The Historic Ashland Theatre Ashland (on the square) - Saturday, Mar. 7 from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All ages community wide talent show. Be prepared to perform the song, dance, musical piece, monologue, etc. you wish to showcase at the talent show. We will select the best to compete Mar. 21 for a cash prize! Dance Concert - Southern Union Community College Wadley - Mar. 10 - 13 at 7:00 p.m. For more information: http:// www.suscc.edu/ Community Wide Talent Show at The Historic Ashland Theatre Ashland (on the square) - Saturday, Mar. 14 at 7:00 p.m. Come see the best and the brightest talent from our own community! Cash
prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Admission $4 adults and $2 students 195th Anniversary of Battle of Horseshoe Bend Dadeville - Mar. 28-29, 195th Anniversary of Battle of Horseshoe Bend 256-234-7111. www.nps.gov/hobe. Free. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park-Celebrate the park's 50th anniversary and enjoy this festival of culture and history on the grounds of Alabama's first national park. Enjoy Creek hunting camps, military camps, dance, cannon fire demonstrations, exhibits, and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Lost Arts Series: Southern Storytelling Workshop Anniston - Thursday, Apr. 2 Anniston Lost Arts Series: Southern Storytelling Workshop 256-782-5681. http://epic.jsu.edu. Admission charged. Jacksonville State Univ. Planetarium--Join storyteller Renee Morrison for workshop on how to tell your own stories, story prompting, and building character sketches. 6-7:30 p.m.
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Lake Wedowee at the Atlanta Boat Show Jan. 14-18
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Index of Advertisers A & E Metal Air/Electric Aliant Bank Ashland Family Care Ava Hills Assisted Living B&L Glass Bank of Wedowee Benefield Masonry Chad Lee Clay County Chamber of Commerce El Chilar Emerald Realty Farmers Insurance Fishing Alabama H&M Drugs High Point Coffee & Books Jimmy Stephens Construction Lakeside Grill Lake Wedowee Bait and Tackle Lake Wedowee Rentals Mac McKinney Properties
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M.L. Awbrey Inc. Partners’ Pit BBQ Randolph Co. Industrial Development Council RE/MAX Lakefront, Kelly and Leisel Caldwell RE/MAX Lakefront, Josephine McGuire RE/MAX Lakefront, Tony Motley RE/MAX Lakefront, Linda and Grady Stone RE/MAX Lakefront Rice Pavilion and Boat Storage SmallTown Bank Southern Union State Farm Steele Chiropractic Summit Storage Superior Gas Thackston & Son Tallapoosa River Electric W & M Grocery Wedowee Building Supply Wedowee Marine Wellborn Cabinet Factory Direct
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You see, hunting has always been something I could do and at the same time sit back and reflect on my passed hunts, friends that I have had the pleasure to hunt with, and even problems that needed some serious thought. One of my favorite hunting spots over the years is a “high” ridge, facing east overlooking a large field with a creek running through the center, it is a natural deer funnel, and I have killed my share of deer there without having to put out a lot of effort. Just keep your eyes peeled and sooner or later they’ll show up.
Redneck Adventures By Skeeter Red and I grew up within about a half a mile of this ridge, so I have roamed most of the hills and hollers for a long time. Having done this gives me plenty of food for thought while waiting on what ever is headed my way this morning. This season I recollected back on some of those dirt roads we had been down together. Now let me tell ya’ll a whole lot of my life has been spent on Randolph and Chambers County dirt roads, and let me tell you that anything that can be done on a dirt road, Red and I did it. You are probably thinking we got into a lot of “DEVILMENT” that is what Miss Flora, Red’s MaMa called it, and yes we did find our share. Randolph County being “dry”, meant if you wanted a cold beer you had to go to a “bootlegger” and you guessed it, most all of the “bootleggers” were down some dirt road. If not we always took
one either going or especially coming back. We were always needing to try out a new gun during the off season or burn up a brick of .22 cartridges and the best place was some trash dump on some dirt road. And what about those off season crow hunts, what a blast. Heck, we would only get off the dirt roads just long enough for a big breakfast at the Hub or maybe some hoop cheese and souse meat for lunch in downtown Penton, Ala. When hunting season was in, we really burnt the dirt roads up cause all good hunting has to be done down a dirt road. The bucks always grow bigger racks on dirt roads, duck swamps have more ducks and turkeys just seem to feel more at home down some backwoods dirt road. Let’s not forget about all those trips to Needham’s Bottom before the dam was built, getting stuck and having to walk ten miles to the closest house. How would a person ever get to the islands on Hillabee Creek or to the Irving Shoals on the Tallapoosa River without a dirt road, SLAP DAB IMPOSSIBLE. I believe growing up on those old back roads was really a blessing. They kept us off the highways and out of the “honky-tonks” (for the most part) and kept us in the woods or on the creeks and rivers learning the lessons of the outdoors. Not to mention the lessons of living with respect for our parents and friends that would help us as parents in days that would follow. I don’t care to watch very many, if any, of the hunting shows on TV, they are just not my cup of tea, but just last week I was flipping the
channels and come across a hunting program showing a man and his 6-year-old son on a deer hunting trip. I couldn’t help but watch it. Now don’t get me wrong I think it’s great the father was taking his son hunting at an early age, but to see the young boy shoot a deer, then turn to his dad and say “I smacked that one, didn’t I Dad”, just about made me sick. The boy had no knowledge of hunting at his age and to him it was probably no different than a video game. The father was talking later to the camera saying “Yea, this is what it is all about, taking this youngster out to kill his first deer”. Well let me tell you something, Dad, if you think that is what it’s all about you need to stay at home and keep your butt out of the woods, Cause You Don’t Know Jack! Young kids need to be given the opportunity to learn how to be hunters at an early age, but if the only way you can keep their interest is to let them kill something, then leave ‘em at home until they have matured a little more. Maybe I am being too critical, but I think there is a lot of things these youngsters need to learn about hunting besides sitting in a shooting house overlooking a green field and “SMACKING” a deer. My advice would be to take them into the woods before deer season, do some sitting, some looking around and some listening while teaching them some general knowledge of the woods and wildlife. After all they do need to know the difference between a red oak and a pine tree. If nothing else load ‘em up and take ‘em for a ride on a dirt road. There is always something to do and something to be learned there. SKEETER
REMAX
Lake Wedowee Life 3