February 2017 Elmore County Living magazine by Tallapoosa Publishers

Elmore County Living

Saying "I Do"

Kayak Fishing The year's best movies Game Over?

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From the Managing Editor's Desk Our annual wedding issue of Elmore County Living magazine just might be my favorite, though I’ve probably said that about our annual gardening issue in March and our annual summer calendar issue in May, as well. It’s not that I’m undecided; it’s that every new magazine is fun and exciting. I love seeing each one roll off the press and into your hands. I love it when you tell me you love this magazine, from the Business Spotlight article on page 8 through the great goings-on across the county to the pages of Out & About pictures and MK Moore’s Southern Delights column on page 46. I fall in love with every issue of Elmore County Living. But the February issue is special. In February, I fall in love with a magazine about falling in love. Our staff is privileged to tell some of the most beautiful love stories of the year in this issue, as well as offer some practical how-to articles for next year’s brides. In this year’s dedicated wedding issue, we found two fabulous venues at Syrup Mill and Tangarray and feature two brides who made each wedding uniquely her own. Turn to page 12 to see how Kayla Syck turned Nov. 12 into a memory focused on faith, family and her future with husband Matthew Drost at Tallassee’s Syrup Mill. Then, allow yourself to be drawn into the magic of the day when Shay Weldon married Shelby Nobles at Tangarray on page 18. Of course, wedding pictures are a big part of the day, and on page 16, Jessica Johnson Anderson offers some tips to help couples capture the magic by choosing the right photographer. Then, we talked with Rick Bailes at Cloverdale Jewelers in Millbrook on page 10 about taking care of those wedding day baubles through the long happily ever after. It’s the best of the best bridal issues, but this issue also holds the story of another best-of-the-best: Kayak fishing! Jackson Kayak Pro Matt Ball and Hobie Pro Jay Wallen, the reigning kayak fishing champions, this month will fish for the nation’s top title in this adventure sport that’s sweeping the country. They’ll spend four days in Elmore County, and television camera crews will follow them around as they vie for the championship in our own Coosa River and Lake Jordan. Get the scoop on what makes this area the ideal location for just such a competition on page 22. Check out what’s coming up next month in our calendar listings on page 40, too, and if you have a favorite summertime event, drop us a note on the Elmore County Living Facebook page, so we can include it in that annual summer calendar issue in May. We’ll see you Out & About on page 32 until my next favorite issue when we celebrate gardening with our March edition.

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com

President & Publisher Steve Baker

steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com

Managing Editor Betsy Iler

betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

Assistant Magazine Editor Lonna Upton

lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com

Distribution Manager David Kendrick

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Consultant Brandy Bowman

brandy.bowman@thewetumpkaherald.com

Marketing Consultant Stacy Adams

stacy.adams@thewetumpkaherald.com

Creative Services Audra Spears

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

Suellen Young Jeff Langham Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor Corey Arwood

Amanda Hannon MK Moore David Granger Bill Goss Cory Diaz

Jessica Johnson Anderson Jadie Lynn Photography Kevin Lanier Photography To subscribe to Elmore County Living, $25 a year for 12 issues, please call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 For Advertising Inquiries 334-567-7811 For Editorial Inquiries 256-234-4281 All content, including all stories and photos, are copyright of

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 99 300 Green Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-7811

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor

STAFF

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER Shay and Shelby Nobles staged their dream wedding at The Columns at Tangarry and celebrated with a reception at Tangarray's Red Barn. Photo by Kevin Lanier

46 Columns

Features

In Every Issue

Movie Man

Forever Jewelry

Extra! Extra!

The Gamer

Syrup Mill Wedding

Business Spotlight

Community Care

Capture the Magic

Back in the Day

Wedding at Tangarray

Southern Delights

Best of the Best

30 31 46

Award Winners Game Over?

It's Flu Season

Tallassee Indians Berry Sweet

Caring for Rings and Pearls Sweet and Sentimental

Wedding Day Photography Classic, Vintage and Fun Kayak Fishing Finals

News Briefs

Bridal Extravaganza

Out & About

In Elmore County

Coming Up

Fun Activities for Everyone

Where to Find Us Distribution List

Star Dust

New Exhibit at The Kelly

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Bamboo

at Lake Jordan The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources dropped bamboo structures in Lake Jordan to attract bass and crappie. The stalks were set in concrete inside cinder blocks and lowered into 10 to 20 feet of water to create habitat where anglers would likely find fish. The locations of the bamboo stands can be found online at conservationgis.alabama.gov/dcnr.

Chocolate Decadence Grandview YMCA in Millbrook will host a Chocolate Challenge Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prizes awarded for the top three chocolate desserts. YMCA staff and members will vote on submitted entries throughout the day with final judging at 4 p.m. Entrants should register by Feb. 22. Entry fee is $5. For information, call 334-290-9622.

Heading Home Tallassee's Becca Mahoney was one of 16 drivers who helped a dachshund named Merle and a chihuahua named Nina to reach forever homes in South Carolina. The Highway Heroes Rescue Transport members gave the dogs a ride along a 1,600-mile journey that started in Texas. Highway Heroes arrange and provide free transportation for companion animals to adoptive homes. Learn more about Highway Heroes Rescue Transport at highwayheroestransport.weebly.com.

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Extra! Extra! News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Picture Legacy Paint the Park More than 200 runners and spectators turned out Feb. 4 for the Third Annual Paint the Park for Jody 5K Color Fun Run at Gold Star Park to raise scholarship funds in the name of the late Wetumpka High School cross-country runner Jody Stanford who passed away in 2014.

The Eclectic Public Library has copies of the new Elmore County coffee table book for sale. Elmore County: A Legacy of Spirit features the works of local photographers who have captured the beauty and spirit of Elmore County in pictures. The recently relased book illustrates the towns, cities and picturesque natural scenery of Elmore County.

Santuck Reopens Santuck Flea Market is scheduled to reopen for the season on March 4. Located on Highway 9 in the Santuck community, this market is one of the state's largest and longest running outdoor flea markets and features more than 400 booths from which vendors sell their wares. Proceeds benefit the Santuck Volunteer Fire Department and the Santuck Community Center. Visit them online at www.santuckfleamarket.com.

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Bridal Extravaganza Story by Betsy Iler Photo by Amri Leon

newcomer to Elmore County, LaToya King has burst upon Wetumpka with a new business and a civic center project to benefit local businesses and future brides. King, who will open a formalwear shop on Main Street next month, has coordinated the city’s first bridal fair with some 60 vendors who will help engaged couples plan their dream weddings. The Bridal Extravaganza will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center, 410 S. Main St., on March 5 and in addition to local vendors will feature services from premier wedding vendors in Atlanta, Phenix City, Columbus and Prattville. Live entertainment will be provided by Eric Nettles. “There will be caterers there with food samples; monogramming companies that can help brides choose keepsake gifts for their attendants; wedding coordinators, florists, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, boutiques. We’ll have a fashion show with rehearsal dinner outfits, a honeymoon trousseau, bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ attire and jewelry vendors,” King said. King moved to Wetumpka from Columbus, Georgia, last November with her husband, Scott King

Jr., who recently took a job at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery. “It was a very good opportunity for him, so I am transplanting my business to Wetumpka,” said the owner of the new King Bridal and Formal Boutique, which will open March 11 across the street from the Wetumpka Civic Center. The store will offer prom, bridal and other formalwear, tuxedoes and accessories. “I have been in the bridal industry since 1993,” King said. “I started working for a bridal company in Georgia at age 16 and worked at Men’s Wearhouse for 18 years before I opened my own shop – King Formals – in Phenix City. “When you are passionate about something, it’s just fun to do what you do.” Through her previous shop, King coordinated an

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Business Spotlight

The Bridal Extrvaganza in Wetumpka will help couples plan dream weddings

annual Bridal Extravaganza event to showcase the options local vendors could offer brides. “Someone who came to that event got a dream wedding, and that’s something we want to do in the future here,” King said. “We’ll do a prom giveaway first though.” The prom giveaway will include clothing, dinner, flowers and more for the entrant who makes the best case for a free dream experience. “Entrants will write their stories and explain why we should treat them out for prom,” King said. King, who lives in Redland, said she no sooner finished unpacking from the move before she started organizing a dream team to put Wetumpka on the wedding map. She started working on the project in early January, first securing the civic center as the perfect venue and then signing up spon-

sors that include the City of Wetumpka, Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and Dream Team of the South. “My Dream Team out of Columbus, Georgia, will be here to help set it up,” she said. Admission to the Bridal Extravaganza will be $5 per person; tickets are available for purchase at the City Administrative Office or at the door on the day of the event. Vendors may exhibit for free by contacting King at 334-580-9770.

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Forever Jewelry Regular point checks and maintenance keep wedding rings and pearls looking their best

Story by Betsy Iler Photo by Suellen Young

illbrook State Farm insurance agent check the prongs and have them retipped. Come in Mandi Fortner didn’t give much and have the setting checked and steam cleaned. thought to the damage everyday We can advise you of any repairs that are needed.” wear could do to her wedding If the ring snags on clothing or catches threads, rings until she discovered a diait’s a good indication that maintenance could be mond was missing on the band required, Bailes explained. And a prong check and that husband Josh had slipped on steam clean only takes about 10 minutes. her finger more than seven years ago. “It can be done while you wait, and you’re wel“I had no idea where I could have lost it or how come to watch us work,” he said. long it was missProfessional ing,” Fortner cleaning is akin to Rick Bailes checks the points said. “It could a day at the spa, he on a ruby and diamond ring have been misssaid. The ultra-sonic ing for two weeks cleaner dissolves before I noticed oils and hand lotion it. I hardly ever buildup, and while took them off, so the ring is in the I thought, ‘what shop, he will check could happen to the prongs. them?’” Every few years, She learned white gold should the hard way that be redipped in the answer to her rhodium plate – at a question was: cost of under $100. Quite a lot. And once the Fortner took rings are home her rings to Rick again, take extra Bailes at Clovercare with them. dale Jewelers in “Take jewelry off Millbrook, and when you get home Bailes gave her and put them in a some care tips after he replaced the lost stone with safe place – not by the kitchen sink,” he suggested. another. He discouraged the use of basket-type clean“The cost of maintenance is minimal to the cost ers for jewelry, as it is too easy to forget to remove of the diamond,” Bailes said. “So every six months, rings in a timely manner.

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“If you leave them in too long, you can ruin them,” he said. “Take the rings off when you work or play. If you swim a lot or clean house, chlorine will attack metals in the ring, and it can fall apart. “And don’t ever clean rings with toothpaste and a brush or household cleaners,” he added. In addition to the care of wedding rings and colored stone rings, Bailes said a string of pearls – especially vintage pieces – also require occasional attention. A bride often wears a mother’s or grandmother’s pearls on her wedding day, and it’s important to keep those pieces clean and well rested. “Pearls should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Oils in the skin get on the pearls and affect their appearance,” he said. “Make up, perfume and oils can attack and change the color and appearance of the pearls.” To clean them, Bailes explained, place the string of pearls on a towel and rub them gently with microfiber cloth and a small amount of biogradeable cleaner that is safe for pearls and will help to maintain their luster; then, leave them flat until completely dry. “Do not hang them up or the silk cord may stretch,” he said. Lay the string in such a way that the pearls do not touch one another. “The knots on a string have a two-fold purpose. They prevent loss of an entire string of pearls if the cord breaks, but they also protect each pearl from rubbing on the one next to it, which would damage them,” he said. Pearls should be restrung occasionally, he suggested, as frequently as every three years, depending on how often they are worn. Bailes, a Gemological Institute of America alumnus, moved his vintage jewelry business from Cloverdale to Millbrook about four years ago. He specializes in antique pieces, takes selected consignments and custom designs and makes jewelry. Bailes also makes all types of jewelry and repairs watches in-house and on-site, along with insurance appraisals. “Most everything in the shop is vintage and oneof-a-kind,” he said. Fortner said she now takes better care of her wedding rings, and she’s grateful that Bailes took the time to teach her how to do so. For more jewelry maintenance information, visit Cloverdale Jewelers at 3326 Main St., Millbrook, or call 334-201-8444 for an appointment.

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Matthew and Kayla Drost found the perfect location for their wedding at Mason Farms' Syrup Mill

Syrup

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Mill Wedding Story by Lonna Upton Photos by Jadie Lynn Photography

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T Kayla's bridesmaids wore short purple dresses with the maid of honor in a maxi

The bride's bouquet included sunflowers, roses, blackeyed Susans and baby's breath Handmade signs lined the road to the barn

he Syrup Mill at Mason Farms in Tallassee provided the perfect backdrop of rustic beauty for the Nov. 12 marriage of Kayla Syck and Matthew Drost. Although The Syrup Mill is located less than 10 minutes from her home, Syck said she had never noticed the location until her mother-in-law saw the sign one day and told Syck she should probably check on it as the wedding location. An avid horsewoman, Syck knew a pasture and barn would be her dream wedding location, and The Syrup Mill fit the bill perfectly. Syck wanted to be hands-on in the wedding preparation as much as possible, and she drew a great deal of inspiration from Pinterest. Family members built, sanded and stained nine large wooden signs on which the bride wrote verses from First Corinthians 13, the Biblical definition of love. As part of the decor, the signs leaned against staggered hay bales lining the drive to the barn on the wedding day. Although she wanted to follow the traditional something old, new, borrowed and blue for her wedding, Syck also knew she wanted something a little different. “I saw on Pinterest that a girl had her new married name embroidered on the lining of her wedding dress. My mom’s close friend – I call her my aunt – lives in Ohio, and she embroidered Mrs. Drost on fabric for the lining of my dress. It was beautiful and very special,” Syck said. Her wedding accessories included a pair of boots, almost always her footwear of choice, which became an exceptional prop for photos with her bouquet and rings. The ceremony in the pasture was simple, yet elegant. Syck walked down an aisle runner between two groups of chairs with tree trunk side tables cut by Drost. Each of the tree trunks held a candle in a lantern to line the aisle. The cross at which the ceremony was conducted was borrowed from their church, Santuck Baptist, and decorated with a sunflower wreath made by the groom’s mother. The couple’s youth pastor, Chad Middlebrooks, officiated. For their unity ceremony, Syck wanted their strong faith to be symbolized, so the couple braided a rope while their pastor read Ecclesiastes 4:12, explaining that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Syck and Drost braided their individual ropes with another rope in the center, signifying that Christ would be the center of their marriage. Syck’s uncle hand made the unity cross and placed it with the entwined ropes as a keepsake for their home. Drost’s 2-year-old nephew was also a member of the wedding party. He entered the wedding riding in a Radio Flyer wagon pulled by his mother. The wagon had great significance since it had belonged to Syck as a child and to her mother before that. After the I dos, the bridal party and guests moved to the barn for the reception.

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“There is so much character to that barn,” Syck said. “It was fantastic. There’s nothing like it.” The barn has a Western feel to it, featuring cast iron skillets on the walls, an old carriage and a plow, old license plates, saddles and historical photos and a menagerie of antiques, along with a fireplace. As part of the decor, Syck, her family and friends decorated jelly jars collected by her mother-in-law and grandmother who have canned fruits and vegetables for years. Raffia and a leaf decoration were hand-tied on each jar to use as drink ware. Drost’s mother and sister hand-crocheted coasters in the shape and color of fall leaves for the table decorations, as well as red and green apple coasters for each family to take as a favor. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were placed in Mason jars for the bridal party table decorations. In addition to the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances, Syck also had a mother-daughter dance before gifting her bridal bouquet to her mother to honor her. “If I become half the woman my mother is, I will have succeeded,” Syck said. Syck said she thought she would remember very little from the day, but the opposite has been true. She said the photos help her remember every detail. “I loved the photo of me pretending to pull Matt away from his friends. He was such a good sport about that. And I love the picture of our bridal party covering their eyes while we kissed,” she said. “Most of all, I was so anxious about being the center of attention, but the minute I hit the runner, all I saw was Matt. He made everything perfect.”

Autumn leaves have just begun to turn in the pasture backdrop of Kayla Drost's bridal portrait Kayla chose bright fall colors to decorate the pasture setting

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Capture the magic in pictures A Wedding Day Photography Guide for Brides

Story by Jessica Johnson Anderson Photos by Jadie Lynn Photography & Kevin Lanier Photography

any, many moving parts contriband details that they find appealing. ute to the magic of a couple’s Montgomery area wedding photographer Holland wedding day, and one of the Williams, who also has shot numerous weddings biggest parts is the photography around Elmore County, said that for her, the relationand the ship between photographer perand bride is more than just son behind the camera lens. business. Considering that most brides “My brides are my proclaim their wedding day friends,” she said. “At the to be the best day of their first consultation, I’m trying lives, careful consideration in to get to know her and gauge the selection of a photograher personality. I generally pher is critical. prefer that a bride does not Josh Moates, a Montgombring Pinterest boards or ery-based 12-year veteran photos. If a bride chooses me, wedding photographer with I want it to be because she Kim Box Photography, has likes my work and personal shot many weddings around style. If I’m constantly referElmore County and said one ring to a stack of printed phoof the most important things tos, it’s more likely for me to in selecting a photographer miss something genuine from Jadie Lynn captured the is to define the wedding vibe their own special day.” detail of Drost's ring against and choose a photographer Equally important, Moates the lace and chiffon dress portfolio that matches that said, if budget and time alvibe. low, book an engagement A more serious couple might want dark and moody or bridal portrait shoot. This allows a couple and the photos, while a light and airy one might choose photographer to form a relationship, allowing both pictures with a zany flair. One bride might care about parties to get to know how the other operates. detail shots of her gown’s lace but also want tons of And don’t be afraid to think outside the box when reception action shots. Moates suggested spending it comes to hiring a photographer. Just because the some serious time cruising potential photographer’s wedding will be held in a specific city does not mean websites and making note of specific photos, styles the photographer has to be from that city as well.

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Wetumpka bride Elizabeth Brasher used Birminghambased Megan Kennedy of Megan Kennedy Photography to capture her wedding at First Baptist Church Wetumpka after seeing her work on Facebook. “I wanted someone who wasn’t afraid of color. And I didn’t want to jump up and down on pews or trash my dress. She was a perfect fit,” Brasher said. Most photographers in the South, and especially Look for a photographer in Atlanta, Nashville, that is skilled at lighting Birmingham, Mobile and dark situations, like the Montgomery are willing late afternoon rainstorm to travel so if a bride is during Shay and Shelby impressed with photos Nobles' reception she saw on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram, she needn’t be put off if their home-base isn’t local; there’s never harm in an email or phone call to inquire. A Day Of photography schedule can seem daunting when a couple wants to capture the priceless images in an already jam-packed day, but one way to prepare for that is to be specific in the initial meeting with the photographer. Moates said it’s critical to make sure the photographer’s vision matches that of the couple, but it’s equally important for the bride to relax. “What we do is kind of stressful,” he explained, “but you can plan for things to be stressful, battle it that way and work around it. I did a wedding where the bride got there 20 minutes beforehand, and I had to just figure out what was important to her.” The most important thing to remember is that photographers are hired based on the best of their previous work. Let them do what they do best, he said. “Some brides truly love the photography process and will allow me more time to get creative,” Williams said. “Some want efficiency and more traditional photos. Each wedding is unique and different and should be treated that way.”

Most photographers build extra time into the Day Of schedule to include unexpected or extra shots and good and bad lighting. Moates, who also acts as a mentor to many budding wedding photographers, said that’s one of the key elements to creating a Day Of schedule. “My goal is to not create stress,” he said. “As a photographer, you want to be ‘Everything is ok, it will work out.’” Both Moates and Williams said natural light is critical to their specific styles, and as such, their Day Of schedules are based around when the light is really good. Moates pointed to the Whitewater Ridge location in Wetumpka as a great place to shoot a wedding. Look for places such as this, as melding the ceremony site with the reception site is easy on guests, decor and the photographer, he said. With Whitewater Ridge, the natural backdrop and wooden platform create beautiful photographs. Moates’ final tip for getting shots that will preserve memories no matter the location is to trust the photographer. “The best brides are the ones that don’t really try to over think things. Let things happen. If someone is late, it’s whatever; they are late. I want to do this for them; if we walk in a grass field and there’s a pretty tree and pretty light, we’re going to get beautiful shots. Go do cool photos. Always be careful with your dress but push the envelope. It’s your day, not my day,” he said. “I am paid to be there to do the best I can. It’s important for the bride to get to know the photographer’s work, but it’s also important for the photographer to know his place. I like doing it. It’s a rush. You have to be there and blend in, man up and take some cool shots.”

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Story by Lona Upton Photos by Kevin Lanier Photography

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Tangarray Nuptials

A 1950s Chevy pickup truck lent an air of whimsy to the Nobles' wedding celebration

hay Weldon and Shelby Nobles were married under a cloudy sky last year in June; they had fought the rain off all day, she said. However, the memories made, especially when a torrential rainstorm started during the reception, provided a great story for the two of them plus their 450 family members and friends in attendance. Shay and Shelby have known each other for years. Both graduated from Wetumpka High School and both attended Auburn University-Montgomery. When he proposed, they knew they wanted their wedding to be unique, not like all the others they had attended, and the search began for the perfect place. “Shelby’s parents had been friends with Rita Falk for a long time. When we found out that the house she built was also a wedding venue, we knew that was the place. We wanted an outdoor wedding, and Rita and her daughter decorated beautifully. The two of them made us love Tangarray even more,” Weldon said. The picturesque setting at The Columns at Tangarray includes a beautiful Georgian colonial home, a red barn and pastures and horses. With the full package at Tangarray, Weldon used the master bedroom and bath as a bridal suite where her bridesmaids and she dressed for the wedding. The groomsmen were upstairs in a game room, where they kept the nerves calmed with a pool table and a big screen TV.

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Weldon said there While guests arrived, Shelby and Shay celebrate their are numerous places Weldon, a self-proprouncement as husband and wife to stage a ceremony at claimed daddy’s girl, Tangarray, but she and hung out with her dad her groom decided they at the barn before they would be married on rode together on the the front steps of the back of a pickup truck home. Guests entered across the pasture to the the ceremony through ceremony. two large double doors “Our ceremony that led them down an was really special for outdoor aisle to their us. We wrote our own seats in church pews. vows, and we had not Weldon said she shared them until the loved what her friend ceremony. One of the Carrie Pinkard did most special parts was with the flowers, as a tribute to our parents. the mix of coral and We had someone sing white peonies and roses Mama’s Song by Carrie contrasted nicely with the bridesmaids’ navy and junior Underwood as we went down to hug them and to give a bridesmaid’s coral dresses. special bracelet to both our moms,” she explained. The men wore khaki linen suits with blue and white Weldon’s grandmother passed away just a few months plaid shirts; the men wore vests and jackets with navy before the wedding, and Weldon included tributes to her Vans, and the groom provided Argyle socks patterned in as part of the wedding. First, her something blue was a navy and coral. heart-shaped fabric swatch taken from her grandmother’s

The bridal party gathers around the truckfor a picture

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clothing and sewn into her wedding dress directly over her own heart. She also used diamonds from one of her grandmother’s rings in her own wedding band and in the mothers’ bracelets. “I wanted color in my rings, so I have an oval diamond in the center, but the outside stones are blue diamonds. The wedding band has the blue diamonds alternating with my grandmother’s diamonds. I love that I have her with me every day,” Weldon said. Weldon is an elementary school teacher in Wetumpka, and she reserved two pews up front for the 20 students who attended. She also had former students serve as a junior bridesmaid and a junior groomsman. Another former student sang Daddy by Abby Anderson as a surprise for her father when they danced. At the end of the ceremony, the couple rode to the house on the tailgate of a 1950s Chevy pickup truck and enjoyed a quick bite and a few minutes alone while their guests were treated to a hay ride from the ceremony site to the barn for the reception where barbecued pork and chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, a trail mix bar and cotton candy for the kids waited. The Nobles surprised the crowd with their first dance. Unknown to anyone, friends who own a dance studio had given them lessons and the choreography of their first dance as a gift. They danced formally to Never Stop by Safety Suit; and then, they made a sudden switch to twirls, tosses and tricks dancing to Maroon 5’s Sugar. “The reception was a hot mess, but we had so much fun. With the weather predication not so great for the day, I had finally agreed to a large white tent, just in case. The morning of the wedding, Shelby and his friends built a frame to hold a tarp to cover the band. Everyone we knew brought a tailgate tent for us to use. We had just gotten in the dances, and the bottom fell out of the sky. By the end of the downpour, men were using sticks to punch the tent roof to get the standing water off so it wouldn’t cave in, and the ground under the tent was flooded,” Weldon said. During the reception, guests visited a photo booth and chose from a variety of props for the pictures. At the end of the evening, the couple had a photo book that included a copy of every photo strip taken that night. “Besides Rita being so amazing at Tangarray, the thing we loved most are the photos and video. Kevin Lanier Photography (www.kevinlanierphotography.com) in Alexander City took the photos, and his son Evan Lanier, who owns Theory Y Videography, did the video. We love our pictures and video. They were phenomenal,” she said. The newlyweds staged an early fake getaway under the wet tent as guests lined up with glow sticks. They pulled away in the pickup but returned to dance the night away with their family and friends with more than just a little bit of mud, but lots of joy and many lasting memories.

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The bride steals a moment for reflection Attendants make a heart with helping hands

Fishing from a kayak offers access to places where a traditional boat cannot go

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Kayak Fishing Wetumpka poised to lead the nation Story by Lona Upton Photos courtesy of Kayak Bassin' | Heliconia

etumpka is in the captain’s seat to become a destination spot for kayak fishing tournaments and kayak fishermen from across the United States, said Gerry Purcell, Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and local businesses are excited to jump on board. “With three events already on the calendar for 2017, there is lots of excitement about what kayak fishing will bring to our city. We are on the cusp of a very fast growing sport,” Purcell said. Although relatively new as a competitive sport, fishermen have enjoyed fishing from kayaks for years, especially in coastal communities. The Alabama Kayak Anglers website lists 10 clubs in Alabama; two of those clubs are focused on fishing the Coosa River. The clubs in Alabama often work together to plan big events and bring competition to the state.

Simply put, kayak fishermen enjoy being able to enter the water without a boat ramp and fish in areas where boats just can’t go. Enthusiasts also appreciate that, after the initial kayak purchase, they do not incur high ongoing costs in the sport, unlike those who fish from larger, motorized crafts that require extensive maintenance and fuel purchases. Kayak fishing tournaments are also much different in the assessment of a fisherman’s success than the more familiar bass fishing tournaments. Bass fishing tournaments require competitors to catch the fish and bring them all in to be weighed before the fish are released; in kayak fishing tournaments, a catch-photograph-release app allows anglers to record catches in a photo, submit GPS location information and then immediately release fish for others to catch. Chris and Therese Carter, owners of Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka, are excited for the chance to be part of the growing enthusiasm

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for kayak fishing in Fishing from a kayak Wetumpka and for allows an angler to the sport in general. keep a low profile Chris Carter said they are all in to support tourism in Wetumpka, and he loves the buzz that inland kayak fishing is creating across the Southeast. “I have been kayak fishing on the Coosa for at least 15 years, and I can say learning to slow down has made me a better fisherman. With the sport taking off, we have a chance to show what we have right here in our own backyard,” Carter said. Fishermen need education, especially about the evolution of the kayak, Carter said. Fishermen who are skeptical about kayak fishing because they see kayaks as vessels exclusively for recreational whitewater use need to look again, he said. New lines of fishing kayaks by industry leaders are

built so anglers can sit on top in a comfortable lawn-chair fashioned seat. Many of these kayaks allow standing capability and include live wells where fish can be held. They can also be fitted with depth finders and other tools and fishing aids. Promoting the Coosa River as a prime fishing location has been Carter’s goal for years. He believes the 7-mile stretch of the Coosa from Jordan Dam to the Bibb Graves Bridge is the most fertile fishing ground for spotted bass in the Southeast. “There are four reasons I think the 7-mile stretch is perfect. First, most of the river is unspoiled – a natural habitat. Second, the rapids on approximately 20 percent of the trip are not difficult and can easily be walked around if fishermen don’t want to go over them. Third, we have a warm water river with temperatures hitting

Kayak fishing tournaments are an up and coming sport nationwide

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the mid-80s in the summer and hovering at 55 degrees in the winter. If you do get wet, it is not cold. And last, the water is always on, and we have special water releases designed specifically for fishing,” Carter explained. Much of the excitement for kayak fishing competition has been through social media generated by Chad Hoover, owner of Kayak Bass Fishing, Kayak Fishin TV, Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear and All Pro Rods. “After he fished on the Coosa with a friend, Chad called me to talk about planning a kayak fish-off in Wetumpka. He is known as the guy who has done amazing work promoting kayak This catch of the day was fishing and kayak fishrecorded on an app and ing tournaments, so released immediately having him promote our area is very good,” Purcell said. Purcell, who is always on the lookout for events that will bring people to Wetumpka and provide revenue for businesses in the area, saw this as a great opportunity. Tournaments can bring fishermen and their families to an area for three or four days, giving a boost to local hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Hoover’s idea is to spotlight Wetumpka as a kayak fishing destination Feb. 23-26 when the city hosts Best of the Best, a fish-off between two kayak fishing champions. Purcell announced the Best of the Best weekend on Facebook and has had more than 43,000 views, the highest number of views yet on any city announcement. “We are ecstatic to have the champion from the 2016 National Championship and the Kayak Angler of the Year fishing on our river. We also have Mardi Gras happening the same weekend, so it will be exciting,” Purcell explained. One of the champions is Jackson Kayak Pro Matt Ball, the 2016 National Champion and the first to receive that title in the history of the sport. Ball set the world record for earnings in a single kayak-fishing tourney. His competition is Hobie Pro Jay Wallen, who beat more than 500 kayak bass anglers across the U.S. by showing consistent high performance and year-round dedication to the sport. Wallen can claim the Kayak Bass Fishing Angler of the Year title.

The night before the Best of the Best tournament, the public will be invited to a reception to meet Ball and Wallen. Beginning the next day, television crews will be on the water to document the two champs for one day of pre-fishing and three days of competition to see how well they analyze, prepare and execute on unfamiliar water. The filming also will include scenes from Wetumpka and the surrounding area. The men will fish on the Coosa one day, Lake Jordan the next day and select either the Coosa or Jordan for the last day of competition. For Wetumpka’s second big event in 2017, the weekend of May 5 and 6, Kayak Bass Fishing Trail will host a competition in Wetumpka, bringing in kayak fishermen from all over the state and other parts of the U.S. Purcell said the chamber plans to make the day a family event with music in the park, the Rotary Club’s Duck Dash and other activities designed for the families of the fishermen to enjoy while the competition is going on. This tournament will allow anglers to choose either the Coosa River or Lake Jordan for fishing. Wetumpka’s biggest coup will be the Oct. 21 Alabama Kayak Fishing Classic, which is open to any fisherman in a kayak, canoe or other approved vessel. The fishing classic will determine the Alabama champion. This event is put together by kayak fishing clubs across the state and will feature two divisions. The Open Division is for kayak anglers at any level, from novice to experienced. The Championship Division is for the top 10 anglers from each participating club; these anglers will be entered into the championship bracket. “No pun intended, but a rising tide lifts all boats,” said Purcell. “Wetumpka is a perfect fishing destination, and we want to be where the excitement is happening around kayak fishing so that all of our businesses rise.” For more information on kayak fishing, visit alabamakayakanglers.com and kayakbassfishing.com. The 2017 Alabama Kayak Fishing Classic also has a Facebook page. Be sure to follow the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for updated information about these events.

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AWARD WINNING PICTURES The awards season for motion pictures has been going strong since the first of the year. The Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards early on created the festive competition among movies and their stars. As the Academy Awards come and go this year, it is time for you to make sure that you have not missed the opportunity to see this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Picture winner, as well as the nominees.

ARRIVAL

Critics far and wide have praised this mind-blowing science fiction film featuring mysterious alien spacecraft and a kindly linguistics professor tasked with interpreting the language of its crew. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) and starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, Arrival has not only been a critical darling but also a box office blockbuster. I sprinted to the theatre to see it in the early days of its release. While I appreciated all of its technical aspects, this film left me bewildered and somewhat disappointed. I am committed to watching it again and hope that the second viewing will be more satisfying.

FENCES

August Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name is masterfully brought to life via the screenplay he wrote himself before his death in 2005. The film stars Denzel Washington (who also directed)

and Viola Davis. Both are deservedly Oscar nominees for their remarkable performances. Denzel portrays an embittered father struggling to raise his family in the 1950s. Unforgettable and highly recommended!

HACKSAW RIDGE

The jaw-dropping true story of World War II hero Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Andrew Garfield grabbed an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Doss (Trivia fact: Doss spent the final years of his life in Piedmont, Alabama). The film also marks a comeback for director Mel Gibson, whose bad-boy behavior landed him in Hollywood purgatory for the past several years.

HELL OR HIGH WATER

This is one of those little films that comes out of nowhere and garners plenty of acclaim and box office receipts. This gritty film follows two brothers who have the misguided notion that engaging in a series of bank robberies can help them save their family ranch. Spoiler alert: Their actions do not result in a happy ending. Three solid performances by stars Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster anchor this fascinating and heartbreaking movie.

HIDDEN FIGURES

Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, this rousing crowd-pleaser is about female African-Amer-

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ican mathematicians at NASA in the 1960s. The winning cast includes Taraji P. Henson in a welcome departure from her role as Cookie in TV’s Empire; Alabama’s own Octavia Spencer with another Oscar nomination to boot; Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons and Mahershala Ali. Don’t miss this powerfully inspiring treat!

LA LA LAND

With a historic 14 Oscar nominations and a clean sweep of all of its Golden Globe nominations, La La Land is the full package: A romantic musical comedy drama. Young director Damien Chazelle made quite a first impression a couple of years ago with his film Whiplash. Handsome couple Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone ignite the screen as a musician and an aspiring actress who meet and fall in love and sing and dance and dazzle us all in modern day Los Angeles. This is a must-see with an unforgettable score, enchanting dance numbers and a final scene that will linger long after the lights come up in the theatre.

LION

A heart-wrenching true story about a 5-year-old Indian boy who gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of miles from home. He eventually ends up with a kindly couple in Australia, but haunted by his past, he sets out to find the family he lost 25 years earlier. As you can imagine, this movie packs quite an emotional wallop and features heralded performances by star Dev Patel and the radiant Nicole Kidman.

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

Lucas Hedges proves to be a real find as Casey’s teenage nephew shattered by the death of his dad. In a limited amount of screen time, the astonishing Michelle Williams offers a performance that we will still be talking about years from now.

MOONLIGHT

Another little film that has made a big impression, Moonlight centers around the journey of a young black man in Miami from childhood to adulthood. Writer/director Barry Jenkins has assembled a top-notch cast that includes Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris and Janelle Monae. As the Golden Globe winner for best drama, Moonlight may take home the top prize on Oscar night. Don’t miss any of these nine amazing movie treats! I also need to give equal time to another list of nominees: These six films have been nominated for “Worst Picture of the Year” in the 37th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies. And the nominees are as follows: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; Dirty Grandpa; Gods of Egypt; Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party; Independence Day: Resurgence; and Zoolander 2. I can proudly assert that I haven’t seen any of these films, nor have I even had a desire to see any of them. If you have not experienced this year’s Oscar-worthy films, take the opportunity to do so now. Happy viewing! Until next month ...

Jeff Langham

MOVIE MAN Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and

Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.

Casey Affleck is favored to take home the Oscar this year for his powerhouse performance in this searing drama. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan masterfully blends humor and heartbreak in this tale of families coping with incomprehensible loss. Newcomer

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GAME OVER? What games to play when there's less time for the console? Life is a journey, and if you’re a gamer, that journey will take you through many lives. You’ll swing a sword at a bloodthirsty opponent, solve an ancient puzzle or explore the far reaches of space in a massive craft. But there’s one constant: When you put down the controller, you’re headed back to reality in a snap. You’re back to work, cleaning, sleep, exercise and other daily tasks. There’s nothing wrong with that, but as a recent college graduate, it’s given me a different perspective on gaming. One of the biggest changes I had to deal with was an immediate lack of free time. While I appreciate having a job directly out of college, there’s an inherent, bittersweet feeling that comes with knowing the academics have paid off; at the same time, I’m now running the marathon of full-time work. This destruction of my leisure time constituted a number of changes for my new, adult life. The most noticeable change is that I spend less time playing video games.

Adults had told me for years, “You’ll spend less time playing those things when you’re older.” I never listened: I was going to buck the trend. Unfortunately, in this case, they were right. There was a time when I spent hours every day playing video games, escaping to imaginary worlds filled to the brim with like-minded players and amazing personalities. I don’t regret having spent so much time in these worlds, as gaming is part of my identity; however, now I am left with an imposing question: How do I choose which games to play? This has been the most difficult part of being a gamer grad. To put my plight in perspective, there are unfinished games in my collection that I have not touched since the end of 2015, when I was on my last Christmas break from college. I keep telling myself, “I’ll go back and Pokémon play them!” but I’m no Go closer to touching many of the titles that were left under

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the Christmas tree. I have to choose the games with which to spend my time now. Being that I’ve always found pride in my aptitude with so my different genres (other than puzzle games, because they’re evil), this creates a huge dilemma for me. This has resulted in my spending time with the games that are marketed heavily, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it makes me wonder, “What else am I missing out there?” Sure, I can play the latest Battlefield or other popular game into the ground, but there are so many titles on the docket for 2017 that I feel suffocated in even thinking about trying to play them all – even the big releases. In short, I’m playing fewer games and playing the same games for shorter amounts of time. By the time I’ve gotten good at one of them, the next release is already breathing down my neck. Due to this phenomenon, I’ve sometimes found myself apathetic toward the idea of opening a new game and embarking on another 10-hour adventure. But not all is dark and dreary in my gaming bubble. Since graduating, I’ve discovered a new love for mobile gaming – titles that can be played on a cellphone or other handheld device. Some recent big names in mobile gaming include: Clash Royale, Super Mario Run and Pokémon Go. As someone who has been so thoroughly involved with big-name game releases for so many years, looking at mobile gaming was difficult. I had, in fact, argued in the past that mobile games are diluted experiences. Living as a tried-and-true adult, I’ve come to find that these games have their place and can be quite fun. For instance, I played Pokémon Go with friends I hadn’t seen in years when it came

out last summer. It was an absolute blast, and there’s a part of me that hopes people come back to the game with warmer weather. Downtown Prattville was the most epic spot to catch Pokémon when the game was seeing record numbers. If someone had a phone out and was walking around, I had a guaranteed friend in them. In fact, I drove 40 minutes to and from the city for about six weekends in a row to meet with friends and play Pokémon Go. Admittedly, many of the games in this archeSuper type follow something Mario Run of a pay-to-win model. This means that to really succeed, you’ll need to spend some cash boosting your characters’ attributes and equipment. These ‘micro transactions’ have become a lynchpin of mobile gaming. Again, though, this isn’t all bad. Adults spend a lot of time working and likely have more difficulty putting in the man-hours on a game with no payback. For many of us, spending $10 on a batch of Poke Balls or some other in-game item isn’t going to set us back in any massive way, but the small price could put us far ahead or help us catch up to our young adversaries who have plenty of time on their hands. The long and short of it is this: Graduating, finding work and waving goodbye to the dog-and-pony show of my youth has forced me to change my habits as a gamer. I’m still going to try to play the big games, especially the ones that interest me. But I’m done trying to knock down games that have been sitting in my library of titles for two years now. If I haven’t gotten to them by now, all they’re doing is holding me back from enjoying newer video games, even the mobile ones.

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Jacob Saylor

THE GAMER Video games journalist

Jacob Saylor has covered the massive

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. Follow Jacob on Twitter @skulldrey.

Flu Season in Full Swing Amanda Hannon

COMMUNITY CARE

Amanda Hannon is ivy creek clinic

administrator and a business major at

Faulkner

university.

The geographic spread of flu-like illness because you may have the flu. is up significantly, according to the Alabama The best way to protect yourself and your Department of Public Health; it’s time to take family from seasonal flu and its potential precautions and better protect ourselves from severe complications is to get the flu vaccine, influenza. Peaden said. Flu vaccinations are typically Dr. Michael covered by insurVisit your doctor or an Peaden, who has ance. urgent care facility if flue had a family mediAdditional presymptoms appear cine practice in cautions include Tallassee for more covering the nose than 20 years and and mouth when recently joined the coughing or sneezIvy Creek network, ing; throwing away noted that peak tissues and washing flu season is from the hands with soap January to Februand water frequentary; however, the ly; avoid touching entire course of flu the eyes, nose and season historically mouth. Also, do not runs from December forget to clean and through March. disinfect surfaces The flu virus is with which you have very dangerous for come in contact. the elderly and school-aged children. Thou“Early detection of the flu virus is a key sands of children younger than 5 years of factor for getting better faster,” Peaden said. age are hospitalized with severe symptoms If suffering from flu-like symptoms, see a every year. Dr. Peaden recommended that all doctor immediately; getting Tami-flu can help children aged 6 months and older get the flu reduce the duration of the illness, but it must vaccine. be administered within 48 hours of the onset Flu shots are still available, and they do of symptoms to have the greatest benefits. help protect people from contracting the If it is not possible to see the primary care illness. According to Dr. Peaden, it is a physician in a timely manner, seek other altermyth that a person could contract the flu natives for health care. Urgent care facilities from taking the flu vaccine. are a great alternative when a patient cannot “The flu shot is not a live virus; howget in to see the primary care physician. ever, it does help your body to recognize Most urgent care facilities can see walk-in the virus and build up an immunity to patients with little or no wait time, and no help your body fight off the illness,” he appointment is necessary. Many are equipped explained. with on-site X-ray and lab service to quickly It might be helpful to be mindful and efficiently assess illnesses, and most inof the following symptoms: surances are accepted. If you suddenly start feeling While it’s best for a patient to see his or her bad – your body aches, you are primary care physician, urgent care offices are feverish, your head is stuffy, a great option in non-emergency situations and you are sneezing – see when needing to see a doctor and get care your doctor immediately quickly.

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Bill Goss

BACK IN THE DAY Tallassee's

bill goss has been writing historical accounts for area magazines since

2003.

Local Champions Tallassee Mill team takes state title in 1938 In the summer of 1937, the Tallassee Mills Indians semi-pro baseball team, sponsored and financed by the Tallassee Mills, was organized with Tallassee High School coach John Edward (Hot) O’Brien (1906-1977) as its manager and second baseman. The league consisted of players from the textile-mill towns in east-central Alabama, the Valley (Shawmut, Fairfax, Langdale), and west Georgia. By mid-season, the Tallassee Mills Indians were leading the league. Charles Edward (Eddie) Britt (1906-1971), who played left field and catcher, led the hitters with a .321 average. In 1939, Eddie Britt played Class D professional baseball with the Tallassee Indians. Hot O’Brien, second baseman, had a batting average of .312 for 64 at-bats, which was the fourth best on the team. Jasper Otto (Jack) McCollough Sr. (1906-1977) joined Hot O’Brien in 1937 as a line coach at Tallassee High School and played on the 1938 Tallassee Indians team. Edward Owen (Johnny) Westbrook (1913-1984), pitcher, a member of the 1938 champion team, played Class D professional baseball with the Tallassee Indians in

1940 and 1946. Author W. C. Bryant in his book, Hot & His Boys noted that O’Brien brought Samuel Perron (Tex) Shoemaker Jr. (1916-1963) from the University of Alabama to Tallassee to bolster the team’s potential as alternate catcher. Shoemaker also played Class D professional baseball for the Tallassee Indians in 1939 and 1941 as a catcher and outfielder. In the 1938 Alabama semi-pro baseball tournament in Demopolis, the Tallassee Indians won four of six games and defeated the Shawmut Mills team to earn the consolation trophy. Later at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, the team overpowered Sam Mason’s Martex Towels for the right to represent Alabama in the National Baseball Congress (NBC) Semi-pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. In the 1938 NBC Tournament, the Tallassee Indians won one, lost one and advanced again on a forfeit before losing in the double-elimination. They placed 12th among 48 teams. Two of the Tallassee Indians – Hugh Kirkland, pitcher, and Curtis Chambliss, catcher – were selected for the 1938 NBC All-American Team.

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OUT & ABOUT

Tallassee Chamber Banquet

January 26, 2017 Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Rob and Laurie Rygile 2. Dustin Funderburk 3. Johnny Hammock 4. Brittany Norrell and Whitney Hester 5. Bill and Sandra Patterson 6. Adolphus Gauntt 7. Pam Shipman, Marilyn Speake and Wade Shipman

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OUT & ABOUT

Elmore County Spelling Bee February 2, 2017 Board of Education, Wetumpka 1. Tim, Sakia and Kaiya Dixon 2. Sara, Jeremy and Haley Kersey

3. Kim Stephenson and Linda Williams 4. Tony and Bella Molinski 5. Rhonda and Alexias Naylor 6. Beth Jones, Robin Swicord and Sara Barlet 7. Cindy Cochran, Monica Harrison, LaToya Davis and LaShelia Garrett 8. Mike, LaKeisha, M.J. and Addi Ray

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OUT & ABOUT

The GLAM Project

February 4, 2017 Good Hope Baptist Church 1. Fran Taylor, Jennifer Byrd and Karen Jones 2. Holley and Libby McGhee 3. Angie Warren and Jess Hammonds 4. Courtney Owens and Kitty Graham 5. Kathy Stewart and Angie Reese 6. Marilyn Speake and Kaela Colley 7. Cason Thompson, Kelli McGhee and Jennifer Morrow 8. Bonnie Mothershed, Anna Applin and Allie Grooms

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OUT & ABOUT

Mardi Gras Run February 4, 2017 Grandview YMCA, Millbrook 1. Scott Cobb and Scott Aspen 2. Joe and Kate Woodail 3. Eddie and Jess McClelland 4. Thomas Webber, John Luterman and Leslie Rodrigues

5. Evan, Noah, Jennifer and Hudson Sniker 6. Amber, Rich, Madison and Seth Bullard 7. Jay and Bill Myers 8. David Fleck 9. Rachel Anderson 10. Camille and Gillian Finley 11. Joy Deaile and Danielle Riggs 12. Heather Kirklin and Kathy Bell 13. Gina Underwood and Andrea Folks

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OUT & ABOUT

MLK Day and Parade

January 16, 2017 Tallassee 1. Heaven Bell 2. Harrison Gilmore and Shawna Rivers 3. Johnny and Hunter Hammock 4. Dr. Brian Pleasant, Rev. Primus Brown and Rev. Joseph Rowser

5. Suzannah Solomon and Darrell Wilson 6. Joann Long 7. Bessie Morris, Jahazel Hooks, Regina Capps, Jessica Travis, Aldord Rivers and Betsy Dejarnett 8. Geraldine Driscol, Rosa Phillips, Bryanna Duffy, Denise Thompson, Dot Dejarnett, William Holey, Naomi Robinson, Dimonette Hutchinson and Harrison Gilmore

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OUT & ABOUT

Murder on the Menu

February 5, 2017 Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Lori Rader-Day 2. David Putnam 3. J.K. Kennedy 4. Miranda (Dean) James

5. Catherine Gula and Janet Kissane 6. Catherine Custard and Cliff Heard 7. M.W. Burdett 8. Margaret Fenton 9. Shannon Baker 10. Andrew Grant

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OUT & ABOUT

Paint the Park for Jody Color Run

February 4, 2017 Gold Star Park, Wetumpka 1. Reagan and Riley Greene 2. Haley Turner, Marissa Campbell and Haylee Ellis 3. Amber Sprayberry, Lauren Davis and Payton Butler 4. Macy Barnes, Danielle Adams, Bella Bertarelli and Jeremy Sanford 5. Jessica Perez and Laynie Estes 6. Will Jackson, Jordan Singleton, Miki Jackson, Wanda Estes, Angie Freeman, Grace Jackson and Rebecca Ballard

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OUT & ABOUT

Polar Plunge

January 21, 2017 Kowaliga 1. David Hodge and Joann Norman 2. Mary Margaret Fay 3. Robert Gunn, Charles Borden and John Thompson 4. Parker Mitchell and Bryan McEntire 5. Sarah Sladick and Austin Gleason 6. Staci Bailey, Chelsey Jordan and Abby Dark 7. Mickey Turberville 8. Katherine Dearing

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Feb. 18 Alabama Bass Trail Fishing Tournament

The payout for this year’s tournament on Lake Jordan tops $566,000 in cash and a grand prize boat giveaway. The City of Wetumpka hosts this event, which will have a $10,000 prize guaranteed for first place and will pay 40 places. To register for this team event, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.

Feb. 18 Getting Down with the Dawgs

This annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Elmore County is always a great time. Held at the Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center at 100 River Oaks Dr., ticketholders have a chance to win the $10,000 drawdown, and you don’t have to be present to win it. Tickets are $100 each and include a buffet dinner and door prizes in addition to the drawdown entry. Cash bar.

Tickets on sale now at the shelter, 255 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka. For information, call 334-567-3377 or email hselco@bellsouth.net.

Feb. 18 Millbrook Mardi Gras Parade

Laissez les bons temp rouler! Let the good times roll at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade in Millbrook. This annual festival is the largest north of Mobile and features more than 60 vendors. For parade entry and booth information, visit www.millbrookrevelers.org.

Feb. 23-26 and March 2-5 Leading Ladies

Millbrook Community Players presents this hilarious comedy in which author Ken Ludwig plants two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearean actors on the Moose Lodge circuit in Amish country. When they hear

March 2-4

Annual crater tours take you back in time Learn about the biggest star that ever fell on Alabama and see the impact crater it left 85 million years ago at this annual lecture and tour event hosted by the City of Wetumpka and the Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission. Dr. David King, the Auburn University geologist whose research confirmed the impact of a meteor at the site, will present his most recent findings at a lecture March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The lecture is open to the public and free of charge. Then, teachers can reserve tours for students on March 3 by calling Marilee Tankersley at 334-567-4637, and the public can take 1-1/2 hour tours of the crater, starting at 9 a.m., on Saturday. Cost for the public tours is $20 for adults, $10 for children up to age 12 if accompanied by an adult. For additional information and to make reservations, contact Valencia at 334-567-5147 or email her at vsmith@cityofwetumpka.com.

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that an old lady is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long-lost English nephews, they decide to pass themselves off as her relatives to get the cash - except that the nephews are actually nieces. Call 334-782-7317 for performance times and ticket prices.

Feb. 23-26 Best of the Best Fish-off

Wetumpka will host kayak fishing champions Matt Ball and Jay Wallen in a contest to see who is the best. The two will attend a reception on the evening of Feb. 23 to meet the public and pros. Television crews will chronicle the three-day competition, which will take place on the Coosa River and Lake Jordan. For information, visit the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Feb. 25 Wetumpka Mardi Gras

Let the good times roll at Wetumpka’s annual Mardi Gras party, hosted by The Order of the Cimarron. Vendor booths will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the pararde start at 1 p.m. To rent a booth, contact Leeann Rouse at 334-324-8667; for parade entries, contact Grif Pritchard at 256-496-0032.

Feb. 25 Russell Forest Run

Help to support local education through the annual 5K and 10K Russell Forest Run at Russell Crossroads. There will be prizes for age categories and the famous grits bar and beverages at the post-race party at The Stables. Register at active.com. For information, call Robert Gunn at 256-397-1019.

March 12 Bridal Extravaganza

Find everything for a dream wedding all in one place as florists, caterers, decorators and venue representatives gather at the Wetumpka Civic Center from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for this inaugural bridal fair. Live entertainment by Eric Nettles. A fashion show at 3:30 p.m. There will be giveaways and food. Tickets are $5 and are available at the City Administration Office or on site the day of the event. For vendor information, contact LaToya King at 334-580-9770.

March 14 River City Band

The River City Band will perform at 7 p.m. in the Tallassee High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The band has a foundation in jazz and continues to be centered in that genre; however, they play a range of musical styles.

March 15 DAC Lunch & Learn

Dixie Art Colony Foundation will sponsor a free Lunch & Learn event about DAC artist Carlos Alpha “Shiney” Moon at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5375 U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka from noon until 1 p.m. The 60-minute program will include a slideshow about the life and work of Shiney Moon. A light lunch and informative handouts will be provided. For information, contact Mark Harris at 334-328-0730.

March 18 Lake Martin Ultra 100

No walk in the park, Lake Martin’s endurance trail race at Russell Crossroads includes distance options at 100, 50 and 27 Karl "Speedgoat" miles. RegistraMeltzer entered tion for all races last year's Lake is now open at Martin Ultra 100. lakemartinPhoto by John 100mile.homeEvans SLC Utah stead.com. Racers arrive from across the country for this uniquely beautiful trail on the ultra circuit. The entire race is run in Russell Forest on carriage paths and gravel roads that are not accessible to automobile traffic. Aid stations will be set up along the trail and this year will include sandwiches, hot soup, hot chocolate, coffee and more. A great race for a beginner ultra runner. Entry fee for the 100-mile race is $220; the 50-mile race fee is $100; and the entry fee for the 27-mile race is $55. See the website for details, schedule and contact information for race organizer David Tosch.

March 30 Good Evening Millbrook

State Farm’s Michael Gay will host this month’s meet, greet and network event at the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce office, 3453 Main St. from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Contact the chamber office at 334-285-0085 for details.

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Season-Long Events Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. until noon, hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced ANC naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or ID plants and animals; splash through the creek; or catch insects in the meadow. General admission applies. NaturePlex General Admission: $5per person with a $20 maximum per family. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

A labama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature

Every Monday and Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m., come learn about Alabama’s woods, water and wildlife. Get up close and personal with some of the creatures you may find in your own backyard and even some you may have never even heard of. General admission applies. NaturePlex General Admission: $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

Tallassee Civitan Club

The Civitans meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Budde Building on Gilmer Avenue. This volunteer organization serves individual and community needs by funding and hosting special events for people with developmental disabilities. A social time at 5:30 p.m. preceeds meetings.

Countywide Cleanup Day

The Elmore County Commission sponsors free cleanup days for residents on the second Saturday of odd numbered months. Drop off household and yard trash free of charge at the following locations: old highway department in Kent; old highway department shop in Holtville; Crenshaw Park, Sweeten School, Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center; county jail; Shaylee Place at Hwy 231 and Tutus Road; Old Central Transfer Station; Anne Building in Elmore; CEW&SA parking lot at Redland Road facility. There is no longer a drop-off at the intersection of Redland, Firetower and Dozier roads.

Electronics Recycling

On the first Saturday of each month, electronic items for recycling are accepted at the Wetumpka Recycling Center on East Charles Avenue. There is a $10 fee to recycle tube televisions; other electronics incur no charge.

Come from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other accepted electronics include computers, monitors, cell phones, chargers, modems, remotes, printers, batteries and more.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on Highway 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children's Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Master Gardeners Lunch and Learn

Bring a sack lunch to the Elmore County Extension Office in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month for a gardening presentation hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Event is free and open to the public. Drinks provided. For information, call 334-567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/ counties/Elmore/.

Cruise-In Car Show

Pull into the Super Foods parking lot on Gilmer Avenue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the third Saturday of each month for a look at the spectacular wheels.

Wetumpka City Pops

Wetumpka City Pops Community Band rehearses on Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wetumpka City Administration bulding. Any woodwind, brass and percussion players are encouraged to participate.

Dixie Art Colony Foundation Exhibit

Regular gallery hours are held from 10 a.m. until noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at 219 Hill St., Wetumpka. Appointments and small group tours are available upon request. Special tours include a 16-minute video, Dixie Art Colony: A Look at Its Lasting Legacy. Exhibits rotate every four months. A selection of periodicals and books from the DAC Foundation Resource Library also are on display. For information, contact Mark Harris at 334-3280730 or email him at mhcCreative.com. To have your upcoming event featured in the Elmore County Living’s ‘Coming Up!’ pages, email information to editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com by the first of the month.

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Star Dust exhibit to open at The Kelly The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery next month 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the gallery. will open a new art show. Entitled Star Dust: The Then high school students who register by Feb. Alabama Pastel Society’s 2017 National Exhibition, the 28 will attend a pastel workshop with Atchison on exhibit will run from March 13 through June 2 with April 7. There is no charge for this workshop, but works from pastel artists across the country. This space is limited, so all attendants must register by the exhibition, curated by Wetumpka’s Kathy Atchison, deadline. Students should bring only soft pastels (no usually is held in Birmingham. oil pastels), smocks and bottled water. Paper will be Pastels, Atchison said, are pure pigments that have provided. For details, visit www.thekelly.org. been used in artwork for centuries. Scotty Kirkland of the Alabama Department of “The colors are Archives and History rich and vibrant, will present a lecture and they are used on London pastel artjust as watercolors ist Roderick Mackenor oils are used,” she zie at noon on April explained. “The dif18. Mackenzie grew ference is that pastels up in Mobile where are not mixed. They he executed a widely are applied directly acclaimed series of to the surface. pastel drawings of 2017 “Many great Alabama Pastel Society steel mills. The State artists used pastels, National Exhibition Capitol Commission Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery including Dali.” 408 S. Main Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 March 13, 2017 - June 2, 2017 commissioned MackIn addition to the enzie to produce exhibit, The Kelly eight murals for the will host three Lunch and Learn meetings through the rotunda in Alabama’s State Capitol in Montgomery. Tuesdays with Kelly program, as well as a reception, On April 24 and 25, Cameron Hampton, a Masters and workshops for students, educators and adults. Circle Member of the International Association of The exhibit is expected to include more than 100 Pastel Societies, will conduct a workshop for adult pieces when it opens in the second floor gallery at the artists at The Kelly. Find details and sign up at The Wetumpka City Administration Building at 408 Main Kelly website online. St. Visitors are encouraged to browse the collection The final Tuesday with Kelly event will take place during business hours Monday through Friday from at noon on May 16 when Director of the W.A. Gayle 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Planetarium-Montgomery Rick Evens talks about the Local educators will be invited to A Chill & A Chat night sky and the bright stars by the garden wall. on March 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to learn more Drinks and desserts are provided during Lunch about teaching pastel techniques to students. and Learn activities, and attendants are encouraged The first Tuesday with Kelly event will be held to bring their own lunches. from noon to 1 p.m. on March 21 in the gallery, where The exhibit will close June 2. pastel artist and floral designer Robina Keith will For more information about the exhibit and the demonstrate a spring tablescape and share decorating activities surrounding it, visit thekelly.org. Click on concepts and lead a discussion on art. the Learning Lab for details. On April 4, the public is invited to a reception from

Star Dust

THE

KELLY

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Business & Service Directory

334-567-7811

Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Wetumpka

Publix – Zelda Rd

Adams Drugs

Eclectic Town Hall

Publix - Vaughn Rd

Bennett’s Archery

Bell Chiropractic

Moose's

Publix - Taylor Rd

First Community Bank

Wetumpka Urgent Care

Russell Do It Center

Aliant Bank

Bumper’s

A Beautiful Creation

Karen’s Mane Tamers

Austin’s Flowers

River Ridge Steakhouse

Camo Country

Emerald Mountain Store

Alabama State Employees

Lake Pharmacy

Redland Market

Credit Union

Russell Lands

The Golden Frog

Seivers Accounting

Smokin S BBQ

Russell Marine

The Boy’s Store

Wetumpka Depot Players

Elmore Community Hospital

Nail’s

First Community Bank

A Touch of Class

Wetumpka Preschool

Angel Locksmith

Wetumpka City Library

Verizon Wireless

Wetumpka Chamber of

Kent Eagle

Unplugged

Commerce

Verizon Wireless

Y Petro

Must Stop Café

City of Wetumpka

First Community Bank

Parker Tire

Alfa Realty Wetumpka

Administration Bldg.

Lucretia Cauthen Realty

RoadRunner

Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty

Coosa River Adventures

Bliss Salon

Herron Hill Pharmacy

Wachovia Bank

Stoddard’s Bait Shop

Millbrook Chamber of Commerce

Friendship Grocery

BB&T

Collier Ford

Realty Central

The Apothecary

Jackson Thornton

The Prissy Hen

Stone & Britt Law

Community Hospital

Lee’s Auto Repair

Wee Ones Daycare

Gene Jones Insurance

Tallassee Health & Rehab

McQuick Printing Company

Wetumpka Health & Rehab

5 Points Store

Hankins Insurance

Canal Grocery

Ben Atkinson Motors

Hog Rock BBQ

Kim’s Corner

Eclectic Library

Prattville

Johnson’s Furniture Tropical Tan Zone

Publix – Cobbs Ford Road

First Community Bank

Slapout Lake Martin

Cotton’s BBQ

Tallassee Millbrook

Montgomery Publix – Atlanta Highway

Wetumpka YMCA

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Our Advertisers â&#x20AC;˘ To Join, Call 334-567-7811 Cloverdale Jewelers......................................................................... 1 1 Collier Ford.................................................................................... 4 7 Community Hospital........................................................................ 4 8 Jackson Thornton.............................................................................. 3 Karen's Mane Tamers...................................................................... 4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.................................................................. 4 4 Mark's Service Center...........................................................................4 7 Tallassee Health & Rehab, LLC.......................................................... 4 7 The Eclectic Warehouse................................................................... 1 1 Wetumpka Flea Market.................................................................... 4 7

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Don't see your ad in this issue of Elmore County Living? Neither did the thousands of potential customers who read our magazine monthly. To advertise please contact Stacy Adams or Brandy Bowman at 334-567-7811 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092

Berry M.K. Moore

SOUTHERN DELIGHTS Mary Katherine Moore is an Alabama State Fair pepper jelly

champion, has butchered a wild hog in

her kitchen and grows

heirloom to-

matoes in her backyard.

Sweet

Ah, February. It is the time for groundhogs, days that get longer in tiny increments and Valentine’s Day. We have talked before about the sweet perfection of the homemade gift. I’ve taught you how to make handmade chocolates and entire dinners designed to delight your sweetheart more than anything store-bought, but some of you have told me that, while the notion of making something is sweet, the projects were perhaps too ambitious. So I have the perfect thing: A dish that is super easy and just shouts “Be mine!” The chocolate-covered strawberry. You literally dip a strawberry in chocolate. What could be simpler? With a little supervision, even the kids can do this. And of course I have some tips to help you along. Get some strawberries. These days, early fresh berries are coming out of Florida. Look for the package that has the most all red fruits. You may have to buy a couple of packs in order to come up with 12 ripe ones that are not mushy. If the berries are in a plastic pack, flip it over and examine the bottom. If you see any mold or slimy stuff, select another pack. Once you get the berries home, don’t wash them until you are ready to make the treats. Just store them, unwashed in the fridge. Ready to dip? Carefully wash the berries and dry them really well by patting them in a towel. A real towel. Paper towels won’t cut it. You want the fruit to be extra dry, so the chocolate will stick. Pull the leaves up to make a little handle. Now, get out a cookie sheet and line with some foil, cling wrap or waxed paper. And let’s talk chocolate. In all the cooking shows, the chefs talk about tempering and how chocolate is finicky. Well, it is, sort of, but for this beginner project, forget all that and just be careful melting the chocolate – a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips to be exact. The easiest and safest way to do

this is to put the chips in a glass bowl with 2 tablespoons of butter and nuke them in the microwave. Have patience, grasshopper! You are going to nuke for 30 seconds, stir; nuke for 30 seconds, stir; 30 seconds, stir; until the chocolate is melted. Don’t rush this. Really. Don’t rush this, or you will end up with a burnt, chunky mess. Also, do not let any water or liquids come in contact with the chocolate, or it will seize up, never to recover. Now, you are ready to coat. Coat, you say? I thought we were dipping! You can dip, but to get a nice even layer of chocolate all the way up to the berry’s shoulders, the trick is to hold the leaf handle you created with the berry positioned over the chocolate bowl and spoon melted chocolate over the berry, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. You want a nice, even layer that is not too thick. Put the berry on the prepared tray and move on to the next. If your chocolate cools too much to spoon, microwave for 30 seconds, stir, etc. That is it! Want to get fancy? Throw on some sprinkles or chopped nuts while the chocolate is still wet. Or, let the chocolate dry, melt some white chocolate, dip a fork into it and drizzle over the base coat to create a pattern. The one killer of chocolate-covered strawberries is refrigeration. After they have cooled, and you have arranged them nicely on a plate or in a box, leave the berries on the counter. They will keep for 24 hours (unless you eat them, of course). If you chill them, that old enemy moisture will collect, making the berries mushy and the chocolate slide off. There is a direct connection between heart and hands when you make something, especially food, for someone special. It is a sign that you are willing to spend some time and effort showing that you care. Every meal you make for your family, every casserole you take to an ailing friend, every batch of cupcakes you bake for a birthday expresses your love. Maybe your culinary efforts aren’t prefect, but it is the warming, loving thought that counts, which no store-bought item can ever match.

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Wetumpka

Flea Market & Antiques BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE. CALL FOR INFORMATION.

334-567-2666 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wetumpka, AL Winn Dixie Shopping Center â&#x20AC;¢ Behind KFC

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The Swing Bed Program AT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

killed Care and Reh S y t i n u m ab Com Helping Patients Transition from Hospital to Home 805 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 (334) 283-6541 • www.chal.org

When Rehabilitative Care is Needed. • Generalized weakness • IV medication therapy • Recovery following an accident • Rehabilitation following surgery, stroke, or heart attack. • Rehabilitation following acute care inpatient hospital stay

Why Choose Community Skilled Care and Rehab? • Low patient to nurse ratio • 24-hour physician in-house • Dietary, nutritional, and social services • Team approach to recovery & discharge • Coordinated & planned activities program • Nursing care provided by experienced RNs and LPNs • Physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy

For more information call: (334) 283-3848 or E-mail: bnelson@chal.org Community Skilled Care and Rehab A division of

Community Hospital 48

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