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News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Elmore County first Charters of Freedom location

The Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution and Bill of Rights are coming to Elmore County, thanks to the efforts of Boy Scout Rhett Pinkston and the Elmore County Commission working with Foundation Forward, Inc.

Known as the Charters of Freedom, the replicas of the documents that founded America will be permanently installed on the grounds of the Elmore County Courthouse, hopefully by this summer, in time for its dedication in the fall. “We are honored for Elmore County to be the first location in the state of Alabama for the Charters of Freedom setting,” Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs said. “These timeless documents will be on display at the courthouse grounds for our community to enjoy. We are thrilled to see this great project move forward in 2020.”

Every setting will contain a time capsule to be opened on the 300th anniversary of Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2087.

Anti-Litter Critters advocate for change

The Elmore County Commission last month introduced a new awareness campaign to curb litter with signs of wildlife the county is calling its Anti-Litter Critters.

“There are many different litter critters on display,” said Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs. “We are looking forward to placing these throughout the county. These are Elmore County’s latest voices to help keep our natural resources rich and our county beautiful. They are here to remind our citizens to dispose of trash and litter and to advocate to participate in cleaning up areas of our county and to eliminate illegal dumping.”

The signs should start appearing throughout the county in the next few weeks.

ECHS Alumni set to give two scholarships to seniors

The Elmore County High School Alumni Committee held its 2020 ECHS Alumni Ball last month at The Eclectic Warehouse.

The organization is set to give two $1,000 scholarships from the proceeds raised from the dance to one male and one female ECHS graduating senior. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is March 31.

For more information about the ball, the scholarship fund or for a scholarship application, visit echsalumniball.com.

Rollin' in good times

While the day of a Mardi Gras parade is filled with fun and celebration, the planning that goes behind constructing and decorating a Mardi Gras parade float takes time, effort and materials.

In the case of the Millbrook Revelers, it is an all-hands-ondeck affair to ensure the krewe’s floats, four in all for 2020, are worthy of rolling down the streets of Millbrook.

Members of the Millbrook Revelers meet the Thursday night before the annual parade to decorate the floats, three of which are constructed out of old cotton trailers.

Millbrook Revelers publicity chair Becky Adams said many of the floats’ decorations are handmade from wood that is cut into shapes, such as masks and fleur-de-lis, painted, and affixed to the floats. The krewe added a fourth float – its first double-decker that holds 75 people – to its lineup for 2020.

Party Gras

It was one big party as parade-goers lined the streets for the Order of Cimarron’s annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Wetumpka last month. Float riders tossed beads, candy, Moon Pies, stuffed animals and other goodies to the crowds.

THS choirs rock the stage

Tallassee High School show choirs performed last month at the Southern Show Choir Competition at Opelika High School. The Divas, Gold Edition and New Image all took the stage to sing, dance and show off their talent among nearly 30 other choirs. Gold Edition won second place in the men’s division, and The Divas and New Image took 5th and 6th place, respectively, in the women’s division.