FYI 2024 by Tallapoosa Publishers

FYINewcomer's Guide to Elmore County

Welcome to Elmore County

Get ready to fall in love with Elmore County, where the number of exciting activities and adventures is constantly growing. From the diverse lodging, dining, shopping and recreational options to the rich arts culture, history, hiking trails and lake recreation, there’s always something new to discover. Whether you enjoy breathtaking thrills or slow walks through the woods, this annual newcomer’s guide offers just a few ideas to get you started.

Cliff Williams has watched 17 Springs come to life and is well-versed in the project’s history, current status and future developments. He’s put all that information in a nutshell for you on page 12, so you can key in on the aspects that most interest you.

On page 34, Dalton Middleton has the lowdown on hiking in Elmore County. With numerous options, from the historic Forever Wild trails below Martin Dam to the Swayback Bridge Trail in Wetumpka, you’re sure to find the perfect trail. So, lace up your boots, grab your hiking sticks and pack plenty of water for a fun day in the woods.

If you love to fish, turn to page 18, where Dalton shares the ins and outs of casting for Lake Jordan's Spotted Bass. He might even reveal a few fishing holes that are known to produce well.

Don’t miss Cliff’s article on The Kelly on page 16 to learn about upcoming exhibits, arts education classes, local artists and more events at this unique public gallery.

This year’s guide also includes essential information to help you settle into the community, from local schools to setting up utilities and internet connection. You’ll find a list of great places to eat on page 28, churches on page 48 and healthcare facilities on page 32. To help you get involved in your new community, we’ve added a list of nonprofit and volunteer organizations that need your support on page 25. Whether you need to contact local government leaders, first responders, chamber of commerce members or local libraries, you’ll find the information quickly and easily in this year’s FYI.

There’s so much more in these pages to help you find your favorite places to go and things to do as you become more acquainted with your new home in Elmore County, Alabama. New adventures await, and we can’t wait to meet you.

Tippy Hunter TPI General Manager

On the cover

Boat captains were encouraged to decorate their boats for the Lake Jordan HOBOs Fourth of July boat parade. The event has been held for about 30 years.

FYI: A Newcomer's Guide to Elmore County is an annual publication of TPI. It is designed to acquaint newcomers with the towns that comprise Elmore County.

STAFF

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

General Manager

Tippy Hunter

Editor-in-Chief

Betsy Iler

Editor Ben Smith

Contributors

Kenneth Boone

Lizi Gwin

Cliff Williams

Dalton Middleton

Abigail Murphy

Henry Zimmer

Melody Rathel

Creative Services

Audra Spears

Marketing/Advertising

Gena Kay Dixon

Carmen Rodgers

Renee Trice

Samantha Himes

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010

(256) 234-4281

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Photo by Cliff Williams

Elmore Co. Retail

Shop small businesses in Tallassee, Millbrook and Wetumpka

STORY & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

TThere is no shortage of places to find goods and services in Elmore County. There are the big box stores, such as Walmarts, large grocery stores and Bass Pro Shops, all within minutes in Elmore County. But what many might miss are the unique momand-pop shops.

“We just have everything here in downtown,” said Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shellie Phelps-Whitfield. “I very rarely drive my car. I can buy cheese, milk, meat, olive oil, wine –and that is just for my kitchen. There are also shoes, clothes and more. It’s all within walking distance.”

In downtown Wetumpka, there are no national chains. There is boutique shopping at The Shoppes Downtown and Aida with Love, and there are small, friendly coffee shops, such as River Perk and Restoration Coffee House.

Foodies will enjoy the famous hotdogs and daily salad specials at Grumpy Dog and sandwiches at Copperhouse Deli. There are plenty of options for burgers and drinks at Coach’s, WOW and the Coosa Clever.

Beyond the historic downtown Wetumpka, shopping options become the national retailers, franchises and chain restaurants one might expect. But there are plenty of other places with similar local shops and restaurants as you near the riverside town of Tallassee.

Grove Station offers a butcher, bakery and market, as well as specially crafted dining experiences. Downtown Tallassee has a flower shop, The Petaler; a home décor shop, McCall and Company; and a quaint coffee shop, Restoration 49.

Millbrook doesn’t quite have the same downtown scene as Wetumpka or Tallassee, but there are still plenty of mom-and-pop restaurants to discover and

Enjoy a personal, friendly experience shopping in the

Local businesses offer no shortage of unique items and products

and a

and

Wetumpka downtown area

Grab

cup of coffee

marvel at the unique interior of Restoration Coffee House

Grove Station is a butcher shop, bakery, market

purveyor of unique dining experiences

enjoy.

There are smaller, specialized businesses available in Millbrook, such as Ingram’s Farmers Market and Vicki’s Amish Traditions. Restaurant options include the Catfish House, Fantail, The Front Porch Grill, Smokehouse BBQ and Joe Mama’s American Grill. There is even a small donut shop – Kingdom Dough.

“One thing I love about Millbrook is it is intimate, homey and very family oriented,” said Brenda Dennis, the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce executive director. “A lot of communities don’t like to be called a bedroom community, but we are proud to be one.”

Shop small for fresh, local goods

Developing a Future

STORY BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILLBROOK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PPhase II of 17 Springs is coming to life.

Six baseball diamonds are already turfed, and construction on the adjacent fieldhouse is underway. Soon, the football field at the state Route 14 complex in Millbrook will be turfed.

It is all part of a $100 million project aimed at stimulating economic development and tax revenue in Elmore County, both now and for years to come.

“It’s an economic boom for all of us,” said Elmore County Economic Development Authority Director Lisa Van Wagner. “There is nothing else in this state that can compete with this. This will draw visitors from all over. Once the marketplace is developed, it will be a gold mine of continuous revenue for the county and our municipalities.”

The development includes commercial space in front of the athletic facilities, which could include two hotels.

“It is going to perpetually serve and benefit us,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer said.

The complex will attract guests who will shop, eat and stay in the area. The growth in sales and lodging tax has enabled the commission to commit to funding another $20 million to quality-oflife projects across Elmore County. There is more artificial turf coming to baseball diamonds in Holtville and Eclectic and to football fields in Tallassee.

The recent drastic uptick in development is drawing attention from across the state.

“We don’t bring it up, but everybody asks about it,” Mercer said. “They ask, ‘Hey what is it that y’all are building in Elmore County?’ Of course, we love to tell everyone about it.”

Mercer and other officials across Elmore County are quick to note that no single entity could have done this alone. It is truly a team effort.

“I have told multiple people this is an example of what you can do when you extract personal agendas and egos and operate as governmental entities,” Mercer said. “If you truly want to serve the people

17 Springs will provide a substantial economic boost to the Millbrook area and beyond

you represent, this is what it looks like.”

The project in Millbrook involves five main partners: the City of Millbrook, Grandview YMCA, Elmore County Commission, Elmore County Economic Development Authority and Elmore County Board of Education. Everyone works in tandem to bring these projects to fruition.

At 17 Springs, property was donated to the YMCA with the purpose of creating athletic opportunities for area children.

“The property was a catalyst for a lot of this back in 2013,” Grandview YMCA Director Bill Meyers said. “We had a very generous family to donate the property, and it allowed us to dream big and get other partners on board.”

The YMCA did not have the needed capital to pull together such a large-scale project in the Millbrook area. Conversations started with the City of Millbrook and the county commission, and eventually, a partnership formed. Millbrook purchased more property and provided funding. Elmore County provided funding and services, such as site work.

A.J. Hernandez is the new CEO of the Montgomery YMCA. He said that 17 Springs is the only YMCA facility of its type in the country.

“It is really the future of the ‘Y’,” Hernandez said. “This will be the example they will use around the country.”

Phase 1 of the project was completed last year and involved the creation of 4 multipurpose fields, 12 tennis courts, 12 pickleball courts and a grass practice field, among other amenities, such as a concession stand and restrooms. Since being completed, the project has

already drawn more than 100,000 guests. There have already been multiple tennis, soccer and football tournaments hosted at the complex. Junior college soccer teams are coming later this year from Florida, Texas and Louisiana.

Phase 2 will involve the creation of a fieldhouse, track, multipurpose stadium, six turf baseball diamonds and a visitor complex. The project is slated for completion by January 2025. Once completed, Mercer envisions even larger events being held.

The fieldhouse at 17 Springs will be over 80,000 square feet and large enough to house four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts or a dozen wrestling mats. The facility can even be used for conferences and company training seminars. The facility is being set up for outdoor concerts as well.

The entire campus is pedestrian friendly. There are prep kitchens for catering events, although the facility will mainly offer stadium food.

“For this to work, there has to be a ‘wow’ factor,” City of Millbrook projects manager Stuart Peters said. “It has to be a destination where the younger generation wants to come. This isn’t the biggest stadium or complex in the state or the Southeast. But, it is going to be the nicest, with the best quality and the best construction.”

It is those amenities the partners believe will attract next-level events from places like Atlanta, Birmingham and Nashville. It also helps to be centrally located in the state, just 1 mile from Interstate 65.

County tourism falls under the Elmore County EDA. Wagner believes all of the quality of life projects, including 17 Springs, will help in developing Elmore County beyond athletics.

“It touches all aspects of economic development,” Wagner said. “Families are going to want to move here because of this. Families who are already here will want to stay because of it. It will draw the eyes of other developers and potential industries looking for a place to locate. It will be incredible.”

17 Springs during an early phase of construction for the fieldhouse and multipurpose stadium

A space for artists

The Kelly injects arts into the heart of downtown Wetumpka

STORY & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

IIt’s the best view in Elmore County.

Through wide, spacious windows, Bibb Graves Bridge can be seen crossing high over the Coosa River. The rocks in the river point to the rim of the Wetumpka Impact Crater.

It is a picturesque scene. And it is only one instance of beauty and art that can be seen inside this building, the Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts.

The Kelly has been around since 2011, and while the organization’s location has changed a few times, its mission hasn’t.

“The Kelly is here to preserve and promote art and artists,” Executive Director Jennifer Eifert said. “We are here to preserve the art history of the area and promote current artists.”

Always on display is something related to the building’s namesake, Kelly Fitzpatrick, who is credited with founding the Dixie Art Colony on the shores of Lake Martin. A few years later, it moved to Nobles Ferry on Lake Jordan.

Permanently on display in The Kelly are works by Fitzpatrick, Shiney Moon, Louise Smith Everton and Karl Wolfe – all of whom were members of the original Dixie Art Colony. Their art is always on display, alongside four major exhibitions shown throughout the year, and up to five smaller exhibitions.

“My first job is to make sure the art is taken care of, and my second job is to show

in having it and nobody gets to see it.”

The Kelly is located at the intersection of Hill Street and Orline Street in downtown Wetumpka. The location puts the building at the center of a wide range of downtown Wetumpka events, such as the Coosapaloosa Brewfest. It provides opportunities for many to wander into the museum space and discover the art inside.

A small museum shop sells cards and items related to the art in The Kelly.

There is also a space for an artist in residence. The studio space rotates and allows guests to see a local artisan at work.

The children’s area is both old and new age. There are easels and paint for those wanting to experience traditional art techniques, and digital stations allow children to create and print electronic media. All thanks to a grant, Eifert said.

Throughout the year, The Kelly has plenty of events to educate and entertain residents of Wetumpka, such as classes, plein air events, workshops, children’s library programs and a holiday market.

“Everything is open to the public,” Eifert said. “The only charges ever involved are to help cover the cost of supplies.”

“There is no point

The Kelly hosts the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival, an animal and art-focused event that spans downtown Wetumpka into Gold Star Park. Through this event, the Kelly forged a partnership with the Alabama Wildlife Federation. The festival features a wildlife-themed art contest, called Art Gone Wild. Other attractions at the festival include animal themed craft vendors, live music, a dog jumping competition and much more.

Wetumpka native Thomas Harris was involved in the planning of the Art Gone Wild exhibit, the original idea that evolved into the Wildlife Arts Festival.

“He was inspired by the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina, and the wildlife arts festival in Thomasville,” Eifert said. “He wanted that for Wetumpka.”

The Third Annual Wildlife Arts Festival is scheduled Oct. 19, 2024. For more information about The Kelly and its upcoming events and exhibitions, visit the website at thekelly.org.

The Kelly has artwork on display year-round

Elmore County First Responders

Elmore County Emergency Management Agency

8917 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka

Director: Keith Barnett Elmorecoema.com 334-567-6451

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Elmore County Sheriff’s Office

8955 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-5546

Elmoreso.com

Sheriff: Bill Franklin

Coosada Police Department

5800 Coosada Rd., Coosada 334-285-3700

Chief: Leon Smith Jr.

Eclectic Police Department 145 Main St., Eclectic 334-541-2148

Chief: Robert Head

Millbrook Police Department 3950 Grandview Rd., Millbrook 334-285-6832

Chief: P.K. Johnson

Prattville Police Department 201 Gin Shop Hill Rd., Prattville 334-595-0208

Chief: Mark Thompson

Tallassee Police Department 214 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee 334-283-6586

Chief: Todd Buce

Wetumpka Police Department

4950 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-5321

Chief: Ed Reeves

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Elmore County Firefighter’s Association: made up of 20 volunteer and combination fire departments; coverage of seven municipalities with a total population of more than 88,000 from about 450 firefighters. Elmorecofire.org 334-514-9242

Buyck Volunteer Fire Department 125 Laurel Creek Rd., Titus 334-514-0410

Coosada Volunteer Fire Department 5830 Coosada Rd., Coosada 334-285-6200

Deatsville Volunteer Fire Department 6930 State Route 143, Deatsville 334-285-1821

Eclectic Volunteer Fire Department 140 1st Ave., Eclectic 334-541-4425

Elmore Volunteer Fire Department 1275 State Route 143, Elmore 334-567-3480

Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department 1785 Old Ware Rd., Wetumpka 334-514-4357

Friendship Volunteer Fire Department 4544 Friendship Rd., Tallassee 334-283-6463

Holtville/Slapout Volunteer Fire Department

5615 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka 334-569-2461 Hsfd-r.com

Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department 1240 Prospect Rd., Eclectic 334-857-3648

Lightwood Volunteer Fire Department 6250 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 334-569-1818

Millbrook (combination) 3820 Grandview Rd., Millbrook 334-285-6707

Redland Volunteer Fire Department 6941 Redland Road, Wetumpka 334-514-6787

Real Island Volunteer Fire Department

1495 Real Island Rd., Equality 334-857-3233

Santuck Volunteer Fire Department 7211 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 334-567-5144

Seman Volunteer Fire Department 15915 Central Plank Rd., Eclectic

World Class Fishing

STORY BY DALTON MIDDLETON

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

IIt’s tough to beat fishing at Elmore County’s Lake Jordan.

Lake Jordan, a 6,800-acre area with 188 miles of shoreline, is home to some of the best fishing the state of Alabama has to offer. That’s due to the type of fish that Lake Jordan is home to – the Coosa Spotted Bass.

Better known as Alabama Spotted bass, the fish varies anywhere from 3 pounds to over 5 pounds. In most places, a good-sized spotted bass is 2 pounds. But at Lake Jordan, the spotted bass are consistently larger.

“I fish with people all over the country, and I still hear people talk about how much of a fight the Coosa Spotted Bass gave them and how much it’s unlike any other bass they’ve ever caught,” professional fisherman and Wetumpka resident Greg Vinson said. “That’s what

you’re after when you come to Lake Jordan. The lake is a world class fishery, top to bottom.”

Lake Jordan is a partial river and partial reservoir, being the last lake on the Coosa River chain. It’s home to some of the cleanest water on the Coosa River.

That, combined with the currents caused by water moving through the Mitchell, Jordan and the Walter Bouldin dams attracts the Coosa Spotted Bass to the area in large numbers.

“That water movement is the trigger for the Spotted Bass most of the year,” Vinson said. “But you also have a lot of water willows on the lake that line the shores around islands and points and sticks above the surface. That’s sort of the main home for largemouth bass.”

Vinson recommends Lake Jordan newcomers fish

Large Spotted Bass can be regularly found in the waters of Lake Jordan

lar to a crappie jig, but it has a bass-sized hook on it instead.

Vinson likes to Texas rig a worm on the jighead, decreasing the chances it will fail. His favorite worm to use is a Netbait T-mac worm. His preferred color is called Bama Bug, which is a combination of JuneBug and Green Pumpkin, considered by many to be two of the best colors in bass fishing.

After putting a little JJ’s Magic chartreuse dipping dye on the tail, Vinson is ready to cast, at any point of the year.

“When you cast that worm out there, the head goes to the bottom, but it makes the tail of the worm stand up. It drives the bass crazy in such a good way,” Vinson said. “They love it, and it’s hard to beat out there.”

One of the biggest differences between lakes, such as Lake Martin and Lake Jordan, to Vinson, is the number of fish one can catch in a single trip. For Lake Jordan, Vinson recommends exercising some patience.

around the many islands that dot the waters. Any kind of visual point, such as a rock above the water, or a rock wall that can cause a current, is the perfect place to begin. One of Vinson’s favorite spots is the Bouldin Canal, due to its heavy current.

“Those spotted bass’ favorite place to be is somewhere the current is going to catch,” Vinson said. “Anywhere you see a rock or a point that sticks out is the place to be, especially where the current hits and creates an eddy. The fish use those eddies to sit and wait for prey. You want to target those heavily.”

Throughout his long, successful career, Vinson has used many different baits and lures to attract fish. But he always comes back to one specific lure when he’s on Lake Jordan – the trusty shaky head.

The shaky head is just a simple jighead lure, simi-

“You’re targeting better class fish at Lake Jordan. And the bigger spotted bass it has is unique to this region of the country,” Vinson said. “You may not get as many bites at Jordan as you would at Martin or others, but when you get one, it’s going to be a nice one.”

Jordan is a relatively small lake compared to other lakes in Alabama and along the Coosa River. That is helpful for most casual fishermen, as it’s not necessary to have a larger boat. Fishermen with smaller boats are still able to enjoy the waters and catch the prize Coosa Spotted Bass.

“You don’t need a huge boat on Lake Jordan,” said Vinson. “If you have a way to get on the water, chances are you’re going to be around some really good fishing spots.”

Vinson advises using a shaky head lure when fishing Lake Jordan

The Rex

A unique, Texas-inspired social experience

STORY BY DALTON MIDDLETON

PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH

TThere aren’t many places in Alabama like The Rex.

The Rex, located at 3630 Edgewood Road in Millbrook, is a small glimpse into Texas life. It offers families a place to eat, drink and hang out, providing a wide selection of alcohol, a playground for the kids and a fenced-in acre of land that serves as a place for food trucks to park.

On Friday nights, the food trucks come in droves, lining the acre while local musicians play from the concert stage. For owners Cassie and Derek Pegg, the venue is exactly what was missing when they moved to Millbrook from San Antonio a few years ago.

“In Texas, you have these places all over,” Pegg said. “There are bars with playgrounds and food trucks. You can bring your kids and eat and just let the kids play. You don’t have to worry about babysitters, and everyone is safe. We found this lot and looked at each other and knew it was the perfect spot for The Rex.”

The Peggs opened The Rex in October of 2020, and since then, they have seen the Rex grow consistently.

“It’s been a journey,” Pegg said. “We can’t imagine not having it. The community of Millbrook has been so incredible. The people we’ve met have been absolutely amazing, and we just wanted a place where you could bring families and where people would feel comfortable bringing their children. The community has really come together and supported us.”

The couple makes sure to institute themed nights in order to draw crowds. Every Thursday is trivia night, and once a month, The Rex hosts music bingo. Cassie said the twist on the classic game has grown into such a hit that they’ll likely have to begin hosting musical bingo more regularly.

Food trucks and local musicians typically come on Friday nights, but sometimes also on Saturdays.

The Rex does not sell liquor, but does offer a wide selection of beers, seltzers and wine. Adults can drink while their children explore the playground or play a variety of games, such as darts and cornhole. In the winter, there is a fire pit that groups can sit around.

“It’s really just a fun environment,” Pegg said. “It’s a good time, and everyone comes and has fun. The kids can run around and have fun.”

The Rex is also open to hosting other events, such as charity events, birthday parties, class and family reunions and weddings.

There are a few rules regarding drinking and eating at The Rex: No outside beverage containers are allowed in at The Rex. Water, soft drinks, tea, beer and wine are available for purchase. On nights when there is no food truck, outside food is allowed; however, no food can be brought in when a food truck is scheduled.

The biggest rule, however, is no liquor is allowed.

“Because we have the playground and it’s a location that is family friendly, no liquor being allowed was kind of a given for us,” Cassie said. “We don’t want to deal with any problems with that, and we want to keep it family friendly.”

The bar is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and

on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pegg oversees scheduling, and the venue can be reached at rexvenue.com. Visitors can also email the venue at rexvenue@gmail.com or call at 334-517-6022.

Patrons enjoy the warm summer breeze blowing in from the patio as they drink, socialize and play games

Outdoor seating is complimented by soft yellow lighting at night

Get involved, lend a hand

Whatever your philanthropic passion for making a difference, you can find many opportunities to engage in community-related activities in Elmore County. From hobbybased groups to nationally affiliated organizations and nonprofits, Elmore County offers something for everyone.

SERVICE/NONPROFIT AGENCIES

Elmore County Pregnancy Center

334-567-1955

Hopewetumpka.org

Elmore County Community Foundation

334-567-4321

Cacinfo.org

People That Care Wetumpka 334-567-8135

Elmore County Farmers Co-Op 334-567-4321

Alafarm.com

Humane Society of Elmore County 334-202-1381

Elmorehumane.org

Elmore County Food Pantry 334-567-3232

Main Street Wetumpka info@mainstreetwetumpka Mainstreetwetumpka.org

HandsOn River Region 334-264-3335

Handsonriverregion.org

River Region United Way 334-264-7318 Riverregionunitedway.org

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

Alabama River Region Arts Center 334-578-9485 www.arrac.org

Alabama River Region Quilters Guild 334-451-2493

American Legion Post No. 7 334-514-4367

American Legion Post No. 133 334-285-3730

Central Alabama Master Gardeners 334-567-6301 Aces.edu

Coosa River Paddling Club Coosariverpaddlingclub.com

Elmore County Historical Society 334-567-5097

Friends of the Forts 334-567-3002

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama GirlScoutsSA.org

Lake Jordan Home Owners & Boat Owners 334-301-0730 Lakejordanhobo.org

Leadership Elmore County Leadershipelmorecounty.org

Millbrook Kiwanis Club Millbrookkiwanis.org

Millbrook and Prattville Rotary Prattvillemillbrooksunriserotary.com

Operation Combat Bikesaver 334-541-2101

Outdoor Women Unlimited 334-398-2335 bawhunt@aol.com outdoorwomenunlimited.org

Red Hill Historical Preservation Association 334-541-2474

Retired Senior Volunteer Program 334-285-411 sastewart@macoa.org

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1921 Tallassee Armory Guard

Commander Randall Hughey 334-283-6888

SCV Camp 2260 7th Alabama Calvary

Commander Billy Thompson 334-478-3416

Talisi Historical Preservation Society 334-415-3154

Trail of Legends Association 334-567-9090 info@trailoflegends.org

Wetumpka Lions Club 334-300-9771 or 334-799-7174

Wetumpka Rotary Club 334-399-8014

VFW Post 4572 334-567-9293

West Elmore Historical Society 334-285-4430

ELMORE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Elmore County Public Schools

100 H.H. Robison Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-1200

Superintendent: Richard E. Dennis

Board Members:

District 1 – Millbrook: Bill Myers

District 2 – Millbrook and Wetumpka: Wendell Saxon

District 3 – Holtville and Millbrook: David Jones (Chairman)

District 4 – Holtville and Wetumpka: Michael Morgan (Vice Chairman)

District 5 – Wetumpka and Redland: Leisa Finley

District 6 – Eclectic, Redland and Wetumpka: Brian Ward

District 7 – Eclectic: Jason Lett through end of 2024; Joey Holley to take over for 2025

ECLECTIC

Eclectic Child Development Program

35 Harden St., Eclectic

334-541-4532

Director: Starla Riddle

Eclectic Elementary School

35 Harden St., Eclectic

334-541-2291

Principal: Timothy Turley

Eclectic Middle School

170 South Ann St., Eclectic

334-541-2131

Principal: LaTresia Robinson

Elmore County High School

155 North College Ave., Eclectic

334-541-3662

Principal: Jason Eason

HOLTVILLE

Holtville Child Development Program

287 Whatley Dr., Deatsville 334-514-5858

Director: Aimee Mehearg

Holtville Elementary School

287 Whatley Rd., Deatsville 334-569-2925

Principal: Chris Holley

Holtville Middle School

655 Bulldog Ln., Deatsville 334-569-1596

Principal: Lee Jackson

Holtville High School 10425 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 334-569-3034

Principal: Sean Kreauter

MILLBROOK

Coosada Elementary School 5260 Airport Rd., Millbrook 334-285-0273

Principal: Janice McKenzie

Airport Road Intermediate School 384 Blackmon Farm Ln., Coosada 334-285-2115

Principal: Marcia Stephens

Millbrook Middle School 4228 Chapman Rd., Millbrook 334-285-2100

Principal: Tarica Lamar

Stanhope Elmore High School 4300 Main St., Millbrook 334-285-4263

Principal: Ewell Fuller

WETUMPKA

Wetumpka Child Development Program

499 Alabama Street., Wetumpka 334-514-3925

Director: Taunya Ballenger

Wetumpka Elementary School

510 Micanopy St., Wetumpka 334-567-4323

Principal: Gigi Hankins

Wetumpka Middle School

1000 Micanopy St., Wetumpka 334-567-1413

Principal: Loukisha Brooks

Wetumpka High School 1251 Coosa River Pkwy., Wetumpka 334-567-5158

Principal: Kyle Futral

Elmore County Technical Center

800 Kelly Fitzpatrick Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-1218

Director: Emilie Johnson

TALLASSEE

Tallassee City Schools

308 King St., Tallassee 334-283-4338

Superintendent: Dr. Brock Nolin

Board Members:

District 1 – April Warren

District 2 – Don Bryant

District 3 – Sonja Moore

District 4 – Ruthanne McCaig

District 5 – Melanie Goodman

District 6 – Heather Hawkins

District 7 – Dr. Steve Burak

Tallassee Elementary School

850 Friendship Rd., Tallassee 334-283-5001

Principal: Shanikka Beacher

Southside Middle School

901 E.B. Payne Sr. Dr., Tallassee 334-283-2151

Principal: Brittany Spencer

Tallassee High School

502 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee 334-283-2187

Principal: Drew Glass

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Adullam House Christian Academy 7469 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 334-478-3888

Headmaster: Rachel Harborth

Chapman Christian Academy 4711 Chapman Rd., Millbrook 334-285-5354

Headmaster: Jon Chapman

Edgewood Academy 5475 Elmore Rd., Elmore 334-567-5102

Headmaster: Susan Barner

Victory Christian Academy 3151 state Route 14, Millbrook 334-285-0211

Administrator: Jill Pastorelli

OTHER

Elmore County Alternative Program

124 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 334-567-1298

Director: Dr. Blair J. Andress

The Edge: Elmore County Virtual Program 707 Micanopy St., Wetumpka 334-514-3931

Principal: Cindy Hines

Ingram State Technical College 5375 Ingram Rd., Deatsville 334-285-5177

President: Annette Funderburk

What to Eat?

WETUMPKA

Bush’s Diner

7495 U.S. Route. 231 334-478-4130

Champs Barbecue 10486 U.S. Route 231 334-514-4742

China Garden

621 South Main St. 334-514-8862 wetumpkachinagarden.com

Coaches Corner Bar & Grill

203 Orline St. 334-514-3410

Coachescornersportsbarandgrill.com

Copper House Deli

100 East Bridge St. 334-452-3354

The Coosa Cleaver

106 Company St. 334-731-1190 Coosacleaver.com

Coosa River Craft House

191 Spring St.

334-569-9779

Donuts D-Lite

3371 state Route 14 334-285-1001

El Patron Mexican Grill

5791 U.S. Route 231 334-478-3092

El Rancho Grande

915 U.S. Route 231 334-567-5956

FIRE Steakhouse

100 River Oaks Dr. 866-946-3360

Frios Gourmet Pops

120 Company St. 334-478-3034 Friospops.com

Georges’ River Market & Butchery

201 Spring St. 334-478-7771

Grumpy Dog

200 East Bridge St. 334-478-5005

Hacienda San Marcos Mexican Restaurant 5311 U.S. Route 231 334-514-7071

Hog Rock Bar-B-Q

7585 U.S. Route 231 334-567-4545

Los Mayas 4666 U.S. Route 231 334-567-2663

Must Stop Café

60 Village Loop 334-567-9955 Muststopcafe.com

Nancy’s Thai Market

409 South Main St. 334-567-2299

Our Place Café 809 Company St. 334-567-8778

River Perk

109 Company St. 334-478-4970

Smokin’ “S” Bar-B-Que

5826 U.S. Route 231 334-567-0605

Bbqfordinner.com

Taste at The Fain

101 East Bridge St. 334-478-4393

Tastemgm.com

Top of the Hill Grill

245 Mountain View Rd. 334-514-0145

Restoration 49

Woodcraft Cafe

Woodcraft Café

10806 U.S. Route 231

334-478-3704

Woodcraftcafe231.com

Yummy Thai

4053 U.S. Route 231 334-514-5686

ECLECTIC

Cotton’s Alabama Barbecue 4485 Kowaliga Rd. 334-541-2217

Cozumel Mexican Grill

62 Claud Rd.

334-541-2231 Thecozumelmexicangrill.com

El Gran Rodeo 58 Kowaliga Rd. 334-541-2230

Kickin Chicken

1606 Kowaliga Rd. 334-541-4000

Kowaliga Restaurant 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd. 256-215-7035 Kowaligarestaurant.com

The Social Lake Martin 2001 Castaway Island Rd. 334-458-0260 Lakemartinsocial.com

WOW Catering

35 Kowaliga Rd. 334-639-0010

TALLASSEE

1220 Café

1220 Gilmer Ave. 334-252-1220 1220cafe.com

American Deli 427 Gilmer Ave. 334-991-4585 Americandeli.com

Acapulco Mexican Grill 2867 Gilmer Ave. 334-283-2725

Blue Ribbon Dairy 5290 Chana Creek Rd. 334-207-5979

Blueribbondairyal.com

Buck’s Café

4570 Chana Creek Rd. 334-639-0635

Cozumel Mexican Grill

405 Gilmer Ave.

334-252-0099

Thecozumelmexicangrill.com

Great Wall

468 Gilmer Ave. 334-283-1168

Larry Melvyn’s Restaurant 2340 Notasulga Rd. 334-252-0799

Louie’s Chicken Fingers 1410 Gilmer Ave. 334-991-4367

Mae Pop’s Barbecue 3010 Notasulga Rd. 334-991-4686

Restoration 49* 101 N Ann Ave.

MILLBROOK

Ban Thai-Sushi 173 Ashton Plaza St. 334-285-1750 Thainaka.us

Catfish House 3011 Cobbs Ford Rd. 334-285-7225 Catfishhousemenu.org

China King 3861 State Route 14 334-290-0008

Chinatown Restaurant 129 Kelley Blvd. 334-285-5335 Chinatownmillbrook.com

El Cerrito Mexican Grill 2330 Cobbs Ford Service Rd. 334-517-6145

Epicure & Jack’s Tavern 2060 Downing St. 334-285-7255 Epicureandjackstavern.com

Front Porch Grill

106 Deatsville Hwy. 334-285-7888 Thefrontporchgrill.com

Grits Café

200E Deatsville Hwy. 334-517-4799

Habanero’s 3811 State Route 14 334-285-2085

Joe Mama’s 63 Wisteria Place 334-285-1881

Kingdom Dough 2880 Main St. 334-290-5031

Legacy Seafood Market 3553 state Route 14 334-517-6960

Millbrook Hibachi Express 5951 Main St. 334-440-4131

Neighborhood Grill & Catering 3553 State Route 14 205-755-2220 neighborhoodgrillandcatering.com

Plantation House Restaurant & Catering

3240 Grandview Rd. 334-285-1466 Plantationhouserc.com

San Marcos Mexican Restaurant 3599 State Route 14 334-285-7022

Smokehouse Pit BBQ

2461 Main St. 334-517-4949 Smokehousepitbbq.com

The Rex

3630 Edgewood Rd. 334-517-6022

Tia’s Cantina 2534 State Route 14 334-517-6322

DEATSVILLE

El Patron 65 Lightwood Rd. 334-543-2001

Sheila’s Pizza 119 Lightwood Rd. 334-569-1116

Medical Services

Ivy Creek Healthcare Ivycreekhealth.com

HOSPITALS

Elmore Community Hospital

500 Hospital Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-4311

Services: Detox Program

Radiology

Inpatient Unit

Respite Care

Laboratory

Surgical specialties: general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, podiatry, endoscopy, and pain management

Pharmacy Department

24-hour physician-staffed emergency department

Hospice

Home Health

PRIMARY CARE

Ivy Creek Family Care of Tallassee 2256 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 334-283-2542

Ivy Creek Family Care of Holtville 4412 Hogan Rd., Deatsville 334-543-4851

Ivy Creek Family Care of Millbrook 4081 state Route 14, Millbrook 334-285-6555

Ivy Creek Family Care of Wetumpka 525 Hospital Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-5626

River Oak Family Medicine

277 Huntress St., Wetumpka 334-567-3309

OTHER HOSPITALS

Tallassee Community Hospital 805 Friendship Rd., Tallassee 334-283-6541

Chal.org

Services: Cardiopulmonary

Community Home Care

Community Hospice Care

Community Skilled Care & Rehab

Emergency Room

GI Laboratory

Intensive Care Unit

Laboratory Medical/Surgical

New Day Senior Care

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Radiology Speech Therapy

The Jackson Clinic Multi-Specialty Clinic

277 Huntress St., Wetumpka 334-293-8888

Referral required Jacksonclinic.org

URGENT CARES

Wetumpka Urgent Care 11 Cambridge Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-8633

American Family Care 4452 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-472-3150

MainStreet Family Care 1401 state Route 14, Millbrook 334-310-6059

Convenient Care Millbrook 101 Kelley Blvd., Suite D, Millbrook 334-440-3432

Physical Express Urgent Care 3769 state Route 14, Millbrook 334-285-3222

Elmore County Health Department 6501 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-1171

PEDIATRICS

Wetumpka Pediatrics 815 Jackson Trace, Wetumpka 334-567-2882

Carlile Pediatrics 78 Cambridge Court, Wetumpka 334-576-6915

Tallassee Community Hospital

T Take a Hike

Discover and explore the miles of hiking trails in Elmore County

STORY BY DALTON MIDDLETON

PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH, AUDRA SPEARS & KENNETH BOONE

There is no shortage of trails to hike in Elmore County. Whether you’d prefer a scenic route along one of Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association’s trails on Lake Martin, or an easy afternoon stroll in Wetumpka or Millbrook, there’s a trail for everyone’s tastes.

“There are trails in Elmore County, but most of our trails at CRATA are just across the river in Tallapoosa County on Lake Martin,” CRATA founder Jimmy K. Lanier said. “But there are some great trails in Elmore County down below Martin Dam, and there are great trails all the way up to Smith Mountain. There are fire towers that have been restored to the public and great educational graphics for children, so we have some great venues and trails.”

In Elmore County, non-CRATA trails such as the Swayback Bridge Trail in Wetumpka or the Alabama Nature Center Trails in Millbrook offer easy walking paths and plenty of miles to walk on.

Swayback is 12 miles long and has both casual walking and advanced trails, featuring areas for walkers, hikers and mountain bikers. The Nature Center is only 5 miles long, but it is ripe with boardwalks and scenic views.

For more experienced hikers, CRATA offers tough trails such as the James M. Scott Deadening Alpine Trail. The deadening is a 4.2 mile loop and features a 3.1 mile crossover route along with an emergency trail to the parking lot.

“The difference in an easy and challenging trail is usually just how steep it is and the amount of rock formations you encounter on the path,” Lanier said. “If a trail is basically flat without much elevation change, it’s considered an easy trail. Deadening is our most difficult because we have a lot of climbs up the rock. There’s not technical mountain climbing or anything

of that nature, but it has several steep areas and rocks to maneuver around.”

No matter the experience of the hiker, Lanier has a set of rules he believes every person walking the trail should follow. The first is to have a good pair of boots or shoes, and the second is to always know where they are in relation to the trail.

“Look at the trail maps and make sure the hike you’re on isn’t beyond your ability to do so,” Lanier said.

John B. Scott Forever Wild Trail

Hikers should always carry water, especially on a long hike or a warm day. Most importantly, Lanier recommends carrying a cell phone with you and using a navigation app called “what3words.”

“Dehydration is the number one enemy on a trail, but having a precise location is also extremely important. That’s why I like that app. If you do have an emergency medical problem out there, you can get rescued with that app,” he said.

Take a look at some of the hiking and walking trails Elmore County and the surrounding area have to offer:

SWAYBACK BRIDGE TRAIL

Swayback Bridge is one of the longest trails in Elmore County, at 12 miles, and ranges in difficulty from casual walking to advanced trails. It is used not only for walking and hiking, but also for mountain biking. It is located in Wetumpka on U.S. Route 231 North, roughly 3.5 miles north of the state Route 14 junction.

ALABAMA NATURE CENTER TRAILS

Located in Millbrook, the Alabama Nature Center covers over 350 acres of forest, fields, streams and more. Inside the Nature Center is 5 miles of trails and boardwalks located in three separate areas of the park. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. No pets or mountain bikes are allowed.

BARTRAM ARBORETUM TRAIL

Another trail located in Wetumpka is the Bartram Arboretum Trail, which spans 2 miles and is an interpretive wooded trail on the grounds of Fort Toulouse Park. The Park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is used for both walking and hiking as the trails are not suitable for biking.

CHEROKEE RIDGE ALPINE TRAIL AT OVERLOOK PARK

This trail actually consists of three separate trails all tied together by CRATA, allowing hikers to range anywhere from 1 mile to 7 miles on their trip. There is a picnic area, along with one of the best views of Lake Martin. There are also great views of mountain longleaf pine, native azaleas and mountain laurel.

JAMES M. SCOTT DEADENING ALPINE TRAIL

This trail is arguably the most challenging trail on the list. It is a 4.2 mile loop, but also contains a crossover route that is 3.1 miles and an emergency trail to the parking lot. While challenging, it is also rewarding, as the Tallapoosa River cliffs, Needles Eye and the Jasmine Bluff rock formations all await hikers.

JOHN B. SCOTT FOREVER WILD & CHEROKEE BLUFFS DAM RAILROAD TRAILS

Located on the 6,000 acres owned by Alabama Forever Wild, these are two of the better trails in Central Alabama. The John B. Scott trail is 4.7 miles long and weaves beside the Tallapoosa River, alongside several creeks.

The Cherokee Bluffs Trail follows the historic railroad bed that was used in the construction of Martin Dam. Hikers can travel the 2.7 miles to Channahatchee Creek or follow the railroads to proceed to Saddle Rock Mountain, the highest point in Elmore County.

Alabama Nature Center Trails

TTaking a day trip to Wetumpka? Don’t forget the dogs.

All Dogs Welcome

Hit the town and take your dog with you

With multiple groomers, a dog park in the works and restaurants with outside seating to accommodate dogs, Wetumpka is one of the most dog-friendly locations in the area.

Spaces for pups are important to residents across the state. Alabama is one of the nation’s top dog-friendly states, ranking No. 11 in the country in dog ownership. In addition, 46.9-percent of households in Alabama own at least one dog, according to a study by Forbes and the American Veterinary Medical Association. With this in mind, steps have been taken to shape Wetumpka into a place for both humans and canines.

Talyia Porterfield and her husband Chris are two locals who have worked diligently to make Wetumpka more dog-friendly. Being dog lovers themselves, they considered starting a doggie daycare in Auburn. But the couple wanted something closer to home, so they created Fur Baby University in Wetumpka, a luxury dog resort that includes doggy daycare, enrichment courses, boarding and grooming. Fur Baby University is one of

STORY BY DALTON MIDDLETON

lived in,” Talyia Porterfield said. “It’s a good fit for people in this community. Just from being around various stores in the community, we learned there are a lot of fur babies in the area with nowhere to go outside of the dog park in Montgomery. So, to keep business in our hometown and give them somewhere to play during the day, we felt the need to open our business seven days a week.”

Fur Baby University features a dorm-style campus for dogs, where each canine-co-ed is assigned a locker and dorm room. There’s also a kitchen that pet parents can take advantage of. Food for the dogs is cooked in the kitchen, and even special protein bowls with chicken rice and carrots are offered for parents who want to treat their pups to special meals during their stays at FBU.

Along with rooms, dogs get mailboxes and lockers and have windows between kennels to allow them to see the dog next door. There’s a large indoor recreation area and an outdoor play yard.

In addition to boarding, Wetumpka is full of outdoor spaces for walking dogs. Gold Star Park and downtown Wetumpka are both dog friendly, and leashed pets are welcome at all times. There are even downtown restaurants with outside seating that allow patrons to

bring their pups. Coaches Corner, Copper House Deli and Grumpy Dog, among others, all offer outside seating where pups can enjoy a nice lunch alongside their owners.

There are also talks of plans for building a new dog park in Wetumpka, but information is limited on the construction at this time.

While Porterfield believes there will be pros and cons to an outside park with no health regulations, she believes it will be a benefit for the community to continue adding dogfriendly locations.

“I really feel like we need more dog friendly places,” Porterfield said. “I think a park would be a good thing for our location to have, because it does give our families options of where to take their pets.”

Wetumpka is a town with plenty of dog friendly spaces, and as the populations grow, so will the options for boarding, walking and playing with pets.

PET GROOMING

A Wiggle and A Wag Grooming Spa 42D Tucker Dr., Wetumpka 334-430-8038

Boarding the Ark Pet Grooming & Boutique 10147 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 334-543-2015

Fairy Tails Grooming Salon 3571 Grandview Rd. Suite G, Millbrook 334-590-5141

Grooming at Sniffanies 3332 Main St., Millbrook 334-782-5193

Peace N’ Paws Petite Grooming Palace 239 Homewood Dr., Millbrook 334-301-6994

Sittin’ Pretty Shampooches

Grooming 1686 Dark Corners Rd., Tallassee 334-306-3496

The Furry Kid 135 Company St., Wetumpka 334-478-7000

Urban Tails Pet Salon Spa 305 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee 334-991-4592

Vanity Fur Pet Salon and Resort 5550 Main St., Millbrook 334-290-0193

VETERINARY CLINICS

All Creatures

234 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook 334-721-1400

Allcreaturesanimalmillbrook.com

Services: boarding, dental care, digital radiography, heartworm testing, surgery

Ark Animal Hospital 3076 State Route 14, Millbrook 334-285-4210

Arkanimalvets.com Services: senior pet screening,

vaccinations & parasite control, dental care, nutritional counseling, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, diagnostic services

Better Life Veterinary Clinic 8502 Holtville Rd., Slapout Wetumpka 334-543-4230

Britt Veterinary Services 2762 Notasulga Rd., Tallassee 334-283-4071

Bryson Veterinary Clinic 11146 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-4185

Byrd Creek Veterinary Mobile Service 345 Aaron Park Rd., Eclectic 334-744-2503

Camellia Veterinary Hospital 4061 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-514-9495 Camelliavethospital.com

Castaway Animal Clinic 20 Castaway Island Rd., Eclectic 334-918-2130

Four Daughters Vetrinary Services 2565 Love Rd., Notasulga 334-991-9030 4dvet.com

Kowaliga Veterinary Care 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 334-857-1816 Kowaligavet.com

Mitchell Veterinary Hospital 1615 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 334-283-8387

After-hour emergency: 334-2772867 Mitchellvet.com

Welch Veterinary Clinic 3966 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-4353 Welchvetclinic.com

Elmore County Humane Society 255 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 334-567-3377

Elmorehumane.org

UTILITY SET UP

POWER AND GAS

Alabama Power Company

800-245-2244 alabamapower.com

Central Alabama Electric Cooperative

637 Coosa River Pkwy., Wetumpka 334-567-8855

Caec.coop

Spire (previously Alagasco)

800-292-4008

Spireenergy.com

GARBAGE

Arrow Disposal (Deatsville, Eclectic, Elmore, Wetumpka, Unincorporated Elmore County)

866-440-3983

Arrowdisposal.net

Waste Management (Millbrook, Coosada, Tallassee)

1303 Washington Blvd., Tallassee 866-252-0458

Wm.com

WATER AND SEWER

Central Elmore Water & Sewer Authority

716 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka 334-567-6814

Cewsa.com

Eclectic Water Works & Sewer Board

334-541-2840

Elmore Water & Sewer Authority 1633 AL HWY 14, Elmore 334-285-6109

Elmorewatersewerauthority.com

Five Star Water Supply District 251 Lakeview Dr., Wetumpka 334-567-1366

Friendship Water Works 4540 Friendship Rd., Tallassee 334-283-6463

Holtville Water Authority 334-569-2105

Tri-Community Water System

2630 Main St., Millbrook 334-285-4267

Wetumpka Water Works & Sewer

2909 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka

334-567-8404

Wetumpkawater.com

CABLE AND TELEPHONE SERVICES AT&T Att.com

Bright House Networks/Spectrum 855-860-9068

Spectrum.com/contact-us

Central Access

888-706-4754

Caec.coop/broadband-project/

Com-Link Cable TV/Troy Cablevision 800-722-2805

PROPANE/GAS

Apex Gas & Appliances

9945 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 334-569-3325

89037 Tallassee Hwy., Tallassee 334-283-2795

7616 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-8833

1603 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 334-283-2795

Thompson Gas 8768 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 334-569-4277 Thompsongas.com

Superior Gas Inc.

8561 U.S. Route 231, Wetumpka 334-567-5421

Superiorgas.biz

PROBATE JUDGE

100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka 334-567-1140

probatejudge@elmorecounty.org

Judge John Thornton Divisions: Probate Court, Recording, Elections

DRIVER’S LICENSE

Alabamadl.alea.gov – make an appointment, renewals, CDL, suspended license help, driver records

100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka Renewals: 334-567-1184 ext. 5047 Mon. to Fri.: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TAG DEPARTMENT

100 E. Commerce St., Room 101, Wetumpka 334-567-1166

Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Services: tags, titles, boats, business licenses

DMV

303 Hill St., Wetumpka 334-567-8871

Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MILLBROOK SATELLITE OFFICE

4864 Main St., Millbrook 334-285-3054

Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Services: driver’s license renewals, tags, titles, boats

TALLASSEE SATELLITE OFFICE

3 Freeman Ave., Tallassee 334-252-1804

Driver’s License may be obtained Mondays 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

*Elmore County residents will need to go to the Wetumpka Court House for other services

ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF REGISTRARS

100 E. Commerce St. Suite 100, Wetumpka 334-567-1150

Elmoreco.org/board-of-registrars

Chairman: Angie Gardner

Voter registration forms found at Millbrook Satellite Office at 4864 Main St.

To find polling location: sos.alabama.gov/Alabama-votes

PROPERTY TAXES

Revenue Commissioner: Thomas “Lee” Macon IV

100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka 334-567-1184

Elmorerevenuecommissioner.net

Elected Officials

Elmore County Commission:

The Elmore County Commission conducts work sessions at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Elmore County Courthouse, 100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka. Business meetings begin immediately following work sessions, typically around 6 p.m. Office: 334-514-5841

Elmoreco.org

District 1 – Henry Hines

205-533-4496

Henryrh41@aol.com

District 2 – Mack Daugherty 256-234-9216

Daugherty001@windstream.net

District 3 – Dennis Hill 334-850-2431

Dhill6@aol.com

District 4 – Bart Mercer 334-399-8156

bart@merceremail.com

District 5 – Desirae Lewis Jackson 334-245-5655 des@des4D5.com

WETUMPKA

The City of Wetumpka Administrative Building is located at 408 S. Main St. and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office number is 334-567-5147. The Wetumpka City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6 p.m. at Wetumpka City Hall, 212 S. Main St. Learn more at wetumpkaal.gov/government_ wetumpka/contact-the-council.

Mayor: Jerry Willis 334-567-1314

mayor@cityofwetumpka.com

District 1 – Kevin Robbins 334-462-9696

District 2 – Cheryl Tucker 334-296-1202

District 3 – Lynnes S. Justiss 334-467-9940

District 4 – Steve Gantt 334-467-0385

District 5 – Joe Brown 334-322-3915

TALLASSEE

The Tallassee City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month with a work session at 5 p.m. and a business meeting to follow. The City of Tallassee City Hall is located at 3 Freeman Ave., and the office number is 334-2836571. Learn more at tallasseeal. gov/council-committees

Mayor: Sarah Hill 334-283-6571

mayor@tallassee-al.gov

Ward 1 – Jeremy Taunton 334-415-3901

Jtaunton12@gmail.com

Ward 2 – Linda McNeal Mosher 334-201-7027

lindaintalisi@yahoo.com

Ward 3 – Damain Carr 334-252-8916

Damaincarr72@yahoo.com

Ward 4 – Bill Hall 334-312-6971

mhallb@yahoo.com

Ward 5 – Terrel Brown 334-415-8922

terrellove@yahoo.com

Ward 6 – Bill Godwin 334-300-3566

Godwinhill31@gmail.com

Ward 7 – Fred Randall Hughey 334-201-4756

wacq@wacqradio.com

ECLECTIC

The Eclectic Town Council meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Dr. M.L. Fielder Municipal Building at 145 Main St. Work sessions are held at 6 p.m. prior to the regular council meetings. The Town of Eclectic can be reached at 334-541-4429.

Mayor: Gary Davenport

334-541-2180

mayor@townofeclectic.com

Council Place 1 – Jackie Stearns 407-619-2117

Council Place 2 – Stephanie Stepney 256-820-5530

Stepney-stephanie@gmail.com

Council Place 3 – Lindsay Mothershed 334-399-3162

Enviro1982@toast.net

Council Place 4 - Linda Thornton

Reed 334-303-2094

Council Place 5 – David Goodwin 334-220-3339

davidgoodwin@gmail.com

COOSADA

The Coosada Town Council meets every second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 5800 Coosada Rd. The office can be reached at 334285-3700.

Town Clerk: Breyona McCall

Mayor – James “Jim” Houston 334-850-0003

Mayorcoosada@elmore.rr.com

Place 1: Councilwoman Smiley Rogers

Smileyrogerscouncil1@gmail.com

Place 2: Councilwoman Lucille Parker-Landrum

Landrumcouncil2@gmail.com

Place 3: Councilman Brent Post

Postcouncil3@gmail.com

Place 4: Councilman Howard Goza

Gozacouncil4@gmail.com

Place 5: Councilman Roosevelt Watkins Watkinscouncil5@gmail.com

DEATSVILLE

6930 State Route 143

334-285-9881

Mayor – Clayton Edgar 334-285-9881

Council Members

Joey Acre

Bill Gunter

George Porter

Brian Smith

Laura Shell McGlamry

ELMORE

The Elmore Town Council meets every second Monday at 7 p.m. in the Carmichael-Mercer Community Center at Elmore Town Hall, 485 Jackson St. Contact town hall at 334-514-5988.

Mayor – Margaret White

Place 1 – Harold Wilson

334-285-6685

Place 2 – Jamie Snider 334-322-9652

Place 3 – David Foster

334-567-6861

Place 4 – Debra German

Place 5 – John Glasscock

MILLBROOK

Millbrook City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the Millbrook Police and Municipal Court Building at 3900 Grandview Rd. Millbrook City Hall is located at 3160 Main St., and the office can be reached at 334-285-6428.

Mayor – Al Kelley

334-285-6428

mayoralkelley@yahoo.com

Ward 1 – Jacquelyn Thomas 334-467-0724

Ward 2 – Michael Gay 334-285-0258

Ward 3 – Jimmy Harris

334-301-6625

Ward 4 – Justin Jones 334-303-3969

Ward 5 – Chris Bath

334-290-2904

O Red Hill Dance Hall

On Friday Nights, a former schoolhouse hosts live music, dancing and good-ole-fashioned fun

STORY BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH

On most days, drivers on state Route 229 might mistake the little red brick schoolhouse for an abandoned building. It sits up on a hill, and the building is surrounded by a gravel parking lot that sits empty most of the time, apart from the occasional tractor trailer. The school has been closed for nearly six decades, after its students were moved to larger schools in Eclectic and Tallassee in the late 1960s. The schoolhouse’s hardwood floor has been worn from years of basketball. And more recently, dancing.

For the last 20 years, come Friday night, the schoolhouse floors are once again occupied. Not by students, but by people looking to sing, dance and have fun.

“I have been coming to Red Hill for over five years,” said Ruby Alexander, who, since last summer, has been in charge of scheduling bands for the Friday night festivities. “They volun-told me to be the stage manager.”

The schoolhouse has a longstanding history of musical use. In the summer of 1944, Hank Williams performed in the building. Tickets were a quarter, and children under 12 got in for a dime.

Today, the deal is even better.

“We don’t charge anyone for coming in. But, we do have a donation jar,” Alexander said.

Couples dance slow and fast to renditions of Hank Williams, Percy Sledge and more

A variety of bands have performed on the old wooden stage, which looks out over a dance floor surrounded by a handful of folding tables and chairs. The Drifting Cowboys, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours, Roy Acuff and more have also taken the stage at the Red Hill schoolhouse. Bobby Luster recently performed at the venue, a classic country artist who has recorded music at the legendary FAME recording studios in Muscle Shoals. Even for Luster’s performance, tickets cost just as much as Alexander described: a donation jar at the door.

All it takes is a strum of the guitar, and gentlemen are asking ladies to dance.

In the spring of 2023, Alexander helped organize the new Red Hill School band‚ Highway 229. The band played songs by Percy Sledge and other classic tunes such as Sitting on the Dock of the Bay .

In addition to music, food is also provided.

“Our people who come every Friday night bring food to share with everyone,” Alexander said.

She has the Red Hill Ramblers onstage on the second Fridays of the month.

“They do a little bit of everything, a little country,” Alexander said. “They do music to line dance, fast dance and slow dance.”

The schoolhouse is intimate, and everyone knows everybody. New guests are easily picked out of the crowd, and by the end of the night, they leave the dance hall with a few more friends.

“We have people that come from Columbus, Georgia, almost every Friday night,” Alexander said. “There is Sylacauga and Childersburg, too.”

There is rarely ever an issue. Alexander is the boss of the stage. She tells band members to check any issues before coming in the door.

“I make everyone be positive – even the bands,” Alexander said. “When you play for me, if you’re mad at your dog or wife or nextdoor neighbor, leave it in the trunk of the car when you come on my stage.”

It all makes for one big, happy, family atmosphere.

The Red Hill Community Center celebrates 20 years of dancing nights in October

Calendar of Events ANNUAL

Taste of Elmore County

JANUARY

Taste of Elmore County: This annual event hosted at the Wetumpka Civic Center showcases local restaurants and caterers. Proceeds benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry.

FEBRUARY

Mardi Gras celebrations: The Millbrook Krewe of Revelers host an annual Mardi Gras Parade and Festival the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. This must-attend event is one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in Alabama north of Mobile. With a mile-long parade along Main Street and over 60 vendors selling Mardi Gras-themed food and items, thousands turn out for this event. The Order of Cimarron in Wetumpka also hosts a Mardi Gras Parade that includes entertainment, vendors and children’s activities, as well as the parade in downtown Wetumpka.

Murder on the Menu: Friends of the Wetumpka Library host an annual fundraiser featuring popular mystery authors in a roundtable format.

Paint the Park for Jody 5K Color Fun Run: In memory of Wetumpka high school student and cross-country athlete Jody Marie Sanford, this fun run raises money for a memorial scholarship in her honor.

ECAG Winter Show: Elmore County Art Guild hosts its annual winter art show with an awards ceremony and a reception.

MARCH

Easter Egg Hunts: The Alabama Wildlife Federation presents an annual Nature Eggstravangza at the Alabama Nature Center with activities for children. Included in the event are egg hunts, games, crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Various Easter egg hunts are also held throughout the area in Eclectic, Wetumpka, Millbrook and Tallassee. They are sponsored by the towns’ local organizations and churches.

APRIL

Big Fish Bass Tournament: The Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual fishing tournament at Bonner’s Landing on Lake Jordan the Saturday before Easter, with hourly weigh-ins for biggest fish.

AWF Wild Game Cook-off: Hosted by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, this event invites participants around the county to compete with their best wild game dishes. Attendees have the chance to taste the food and enjoy the entertainment, which draws hundreds of visitors.

Coosapalooza Brewfest: Nearly 40 breweries gather in Merchants Alley offering samples of their unique brews. The event, taking place along the Coosa River, is for ages 21 and older. Proceeds benefit Main Street Wetumpka’s downtown revitalization.

Tallassee Annual Golf Tournament: The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual golf tournament at Wynlakes Country Club.

MAY

Wetumpka FFA Alumni Rodeo: Hosted at the Wetumpka Sports Complex, this annual rodeo features bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, break-away and more. Proceeds benefit the Wetumpka FFA.

Millbrook Farmers Market: The season kicks off in May with the weekly farmers markets on Main Street every Tuesday morning through August.

Millbrook Mayfest: Sponsored by the City of Millbrook Cultural Arts & Special Events committee, this new event brings residents in contact with talented, local vendors and their wares. The event includes music, activities for the kiddos, food and more.

Sounds and Sirens Music Festival: The Tallassee and Friendship fire departments host a night of music in downtown Tallassee to raise funds for firefighting activities and equipment. Bring a chair and a cooler and to this free event and hear talented musicians play well into the night.

Coosa River Whitewater Festival

JUNE

Tallassee Summerfest: This summer event features vendors, kids’ activities, pancake breakfast, dog costume contest, a baking contest and more.

JULY

River and Blues Festival: The River and Blues Fest is a day full of music, entertainment and vendors. This popular event is held in downtown Wetumpka along the Coosa River.

Fourth of July events: Lake Jordan HOBOs hosts a fireworks show on Lake Jordan every year, which can best be seen by boat. It also hosts an annual boat parade on Lake Jordan. The City of Wetumpka usually displays fireworks over the Coosa River, which residents can enjoy from Gold Star Park. Russell Lands on Lake Martin hosts fireworks and a concert at the Lake Martin Amphitheater in Eclectic each year, along with Russell Marine July 4th Boat Parade, starting at Kowaliga Marina and parading past Children’s Harbor. Grandview YMCA hosts a fireworks display and cookout on its grounds during the week of July 4th.

AUGUST

AWF Youth Fishing Rodeo: Designed to give youth the chance to experience the outdoors and learn about fishing, this annual event is held on Lanark’s grounds in Millbrook. The rodeo is open to anyone 15 and under, and admission is free.

SEPTEMBER

Reimagine Women’s Summit: A convention for women hosts a line-up of inspirational speakers who encourage attendees to reimagine their lives. The event includes a business expo, networking opportunities, gourmet lunch, fashion show and more. The event is hosted by the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce.

Titus Bluegrass Festival: For more than two decades, the Titus Community Center has presented live music throughout the day in its shady grove with multiple artists performing, along with food vendors and booths filled with crafts, cookbooks and peanuts.

OCTOBER

MAX4Kids 24th Annual Charity Golf Tournament: Played at RTJ Capitol Hill in Prattville, Max Credit Union hosts this annual fundraiser benefiting children’s charities and high school scholarships in the region.

Alabama Cotton Festival: For nearly three decades, the Town of Eclectic has brought in thousands of visitors, vendors and loads of entertainment for all ages.

Coosa River Whitewater Festival: This two-day annual event, sponsored by the Coosa River Paddling Club, includes kayaking competitions, activities for amateur boaters, live entertainment and more. Proceeds benefit nonprofits dedicated to environmental protection.

Coosa River Challenge: This team-adventure race course combines trail running, mountain biking, paddling, repelling and surprise obstacles along the way. Individuals may participate as well. The route incorporates the Coosa River and its shorelines and concludes in downtown Wetumpka.

Titus Bluegrass Festival

Millbrook Farmers Market

Paint in the Park 5k Color Run

Halloween events: Each town holds a candy walk or festival and churches host various trunk-or-treat activities.

Boo Festival: Sponsored by the City of Millbrook, this festival includes a costume contest, pumpkin patch, hay mountain, food trucks, games and more.

Alabama Frontier Days: Visit Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Historic Site in Wetumpka for a reenactment of Alabama’s frontier days from French Colonial times to the Early American period. It includes Native American reenactors, period traders, merchants and entertainers.

Wetumpka Zombie Experience: Spook yourself this Halloween season with a 1/4-mile guided hike through a haunted trail in rural Wetumpka. Armed with a paintball gun for protection, fend off hordes of undead attackers and see if you have what it takes to survive the trail.

NOVEMBER

Great Balls of Fire Golf Tournament: The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual tournament to raise funds for year-round programs and events.

Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival: This one-day festival in downtown Wetumpka and celebrates art and the great outdoors through various animal-themed events, vendors, presentations, demonstrations, an art contest and much more.

DECEMBER

A Downtown Dickens Christmas: This joint event, hosted by the chamber, city and Main Street Wetumpka, celebrates Christmas over two nights with a tree lighting set back in time. Participants adorn period costumes from A Christmas Carol, and there are photo opportunities with Father Christmas, authentic vendors and decorated downtown businesses.

Christmas Parades: Tallassee, Millbrook, Wetumpka and Eclectic all have Christmas parades throughout the holiday season that feature organizations in the community, along with festive decorations. The parades are typically accompanied by other events, such as open houses, tree lightings and festivals.

An Eclectic Christmas: Hosted by volunteers from An Eclectic Ministry, this annual live showing of the Christmas story draws crowds from all over the country. Experience the story in an outdoor walking trail and be part of the live drama that is set during the Roman Empire. Usually taking place the first week of December, guests must make reservations, but admission is free.

Christmas on the Coosa: The City of Wetumpka hosts this annual event on the second Saturday of December. The full-day event features activities throughout Gold Star Park and along the Coosa River, including arts-and-crafts vendors, kids’ activities, live music, a street parade, fireworks and the highly anticipated wakeboarding Santa.

Millbrook Mayfest

AREA CHURCHES

TALLASSEE

Baptist

Bethlehem East Baptist Church 7561 Upper River Rd. 334-541-2426

Calvary Baptist Church

293 North Wesson St. 334-558-8104

Carrville Baptist Church 2436 Notasulga Rd. 334-283-2221 carrvillebaptist.com

East Tallassee Baptist Church

314 Central Blvd. 334-283-5808

Elam Baptist Church 4686 Notasulga Rd. 334-283-2800

First Baptist Church 1279 Friendship Rd. 334-283-2287 fbctallassee.com

Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church 1024 Flat Rock Rd. 334-283-6388

Liberty Baptist Church 574 Liberty Rd. 334-283-6338

Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Rd. 334-799-3625 providencepbc.org

Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Rd. 334-857-2638 myrefugebaptist.com

Rehoboth Baptist Church 8110 Rifle Range Rd. 334-657-1302

Riverside Heights Baptist Church 495 Little Rd. 334-283-2660 riversideheightsbc.com

Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd. Tallaweka Baptist Church 1419 Gilmer Ave. 334-283-2279 tallawekabaptist.com

Westside Independent Missionary Baptist Church 1825 Gilmer Ave. 334-398-0891 wibctallassee.org

Catholic

St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church 620 Gilmer Ave. 334-283-2169 stvincent-tallassee.com

Christian/Other

East Tallassee Church of Christ 501 Central Blvd. 334-283-2533 easttallassee.church

Macedonia Christian Church 2685 Macedonia Rd. 334-283-4774 macccokeana.com

Mount Olive Community Church 492 Kent Rd.

Tallassee Church of Christ 209 Gilmer Ave. 334-283-5437

Episcopal Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave. 334-252-8618 epiphanytallassee.org

Methodist First Methodist Church (global) 1 Jordan Ave. 334-283-2195 fmctallassee.com

New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church (global) 3523 Ashurst Bar Rd.

St. Paul United Methodist Church 82 Log Cir. 334-306-3175

Oak Valley Station United Methodist Church 162 Parsonage Rd. 334-252-0102

Independent Abundant Life Church 2634 Lower Tuskegee Rd. 334-399-4790

All Nations Pentecostal Foundation Churches, Inc. 30 Stewart St.

Tallassee First Assembly of God 185 Friendship Rd. 334-283-6818

Tallassee Holiness Church 94 Honeysuckle Lane

God’s Congregation Holiness Church 508 Jordan Ave. 334-283-8116

WETUMPKA

A.M.E. Zion

Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2492 Crenshaw Rd. 334-659-7938

Rogers Chapel AME Zion 609 West Bridge St. 334-314-8095

Assembly of God Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Route 231 334-567-5754 bethelwetumpka.org

Crossroads Church 504 Autauga St. 334-391-1118

New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd. 334-569-2825

Baptist Atkins Hill Missionary Baptist Church 1650 Atkin Hill Rd. 334-569-1141

Beulah Baptist Church 2320 Grier Rd. 334-313-5043

Blue Ridge Baptist Church 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd. 334-567-4325

Calvary Baptist Church 504 West Osceola St. 334-567-4729

Cathmagby Baptist Church 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd. 334-567-4787

Central Baptist Church 3545 Central Rd. 334-541-2556 cbccentralrd.org

Faith Baptist Church of Wetumpka 64 Chapel Rd. faithbaptistchurchofwetumpka.com

First Baptist Church 205 West Bridge St. 334-567-5191 fbcwetumpka.com

Galilee Baptist Church 95 Old Georgia Plank Rd. 334-567-4178

Good Hope Mission Baptist Church 1389 Willow Springs Rd. 334-567-7133 goodhopechurch.org

Grace Baptist Church 304 Old Montgomery Hwy. 334-567-3255 gbcwetumpka.org

Hillside Baptist Church 405 Old Montgomery Hwy. 334-567-9695 myhillsidechurch.com

Holtville Riverside Baptist Church 7121 Holtville Rd. 334-514-5922 riversidebc.info

Liberty Hill Baptist Church 961 Crenshaw Rd. 334-567-8750

Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church 1125 Weoka Rd. 334-567-2141

Mountain View Baptist Church 1025 Rifle Range Rd. 334-567-4458

New Home Baptist Church 5130 Elmore Rd. 334-567-8750 newhomebaptistchurch.net

Redland Baptist Church 1266 Dozier Rd. 334-567-8649

Saint James Baptist Church 1005 Nobles Rd. 334-567-6209

Santuck Baptist Church 6868 Central Plank Rd. 334-567-2364 santuckbaptist.org

Second Missionary Baptist Church 760 North Bridge St. 334-567-8601

Spring Chapel Baptist Church

400 Jasmine Hill Rd.

Tabernacle Baptist Church 1020 West Tallassee St. 334-567-0620

Thelma Baptist Church 810 Weoka Rd. 334-567-3665 tlifeonline.com

Tunnel Chapel Baptist Church 2845 Central Plank Rd. 334-567-2589

Catholic

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 545 White Rd. 334-567-0047 ologchurch.org

Church of Christ

Elmore Church of Christ 470 Ceasarville Rd. 334-567-6670

Church of Christ at Georgia Road 4013 Georgia Rd. 334-567-2804

Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd. 334-514-3656 rrcoc.com

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge St. 334-567-6561

Church of God

Gethsemane Church of God in Christ 705 Cotton St. 334-567-9886

Congregational Christian

Cedarwood Community Church 10286 U.S. Route 231 North 334-567-2457

Union Congregational Christian Church 8188 Lightwood Rd. 334-569-2122 unionlighthouse.com

Episcopal

Trinity Episcopal Church 5375 U.S. Route 231 334-567-7534

Holiness

New Beginnings Holiness Church 865 Crenshaw Rd. 334-567-9211

Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St. 334-514-3114

Jehovah’s Witness

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Route 231 334-567-8100

Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd. 334-245-9739

Presbyterian First Presbyterian Wetumpka 100 West Bridge St. 334-567-8135 firstpreswetumpka.org

United Methodist

First Methodist Church Wetumpka (global)

306 West Tuskeena St. 334-567-7865

wetumpkafirst.com

Mulder Global Methodist Church 3454 Firetower Rd. 334-567-4225 Mulderchurch.com

New Style United Methodist Church 76729 Tallassee Hwy.

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. Route 231 334-567-0121

Pentecostal

Victory Church

1173 Old Montgomery Hwy. 334-567-7779

Victorychurch.faith

Other

Grace Point Community Church 78223 Tallassee Hwy. 334-398-3113

Gracepoint.info

Centerpoint Fellowship Church 9301 U.S. Route 231 334-478-7826 Centeringlives.com

Words of Life

105 Cousins Rd. 334-514-2730

ECLECTIC

Assembly of God

Agape Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd. 334-541-2006

Agapeagchurch.com

Baptist

Vessel Church

205 Ellis Lazenby Rd. 334-640-5056 Vesselchurchonline.com

First Baptist Church

290 1st Ave. 334-541-4444 Fbceclectic.com

Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 South Fleahop Rd. 334-541-3837 Goodhopebaptist.org

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 1327 Pleasant Hill Rd. 334-541-5018

Prospect Baptist Church 1364 Prospect Rd. 334-315-5581

Rushenville Baptist Church 10098 Georgia Rd. 334-541-2418

Mt. Zion III Missionary Baptist Church 1813 Luke Paschal Rd.

Church of Christ

Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Rd. 334-541-2025

Congregational Christian

Seman Congregational Christian Church 15970 Central Plank Rd. 334-541-3305

Methodist

Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy. 334-541-2552

Eclectic Methodist Church 1035 Main St. 334-541-3681

Eclecticmethodist.church

MILLBROOK

Assembly of God

First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln. 334-285-5403

Baptist

Abraham Baptist Church 3520 Boxwood Dr. 334-285-5213

Brookwood Baptist Church 3011 Grandview Rd. 334-285-6792

Goodship Baptist Church 1554 state Route 143 334-285-0094

Grandview Pines Baptist Church 346 Deatsville Hwy. 334-285-5125

Harvest Baptist Church 2990 Main St. 334-285-6700

Lake Elam Missionary Baptist Church 4060 Gober Rd. 334-285-5714

Lighthouse Baptist Church 2281 Main St. 334-285-6008

Springfield Baptist Church 91 Deatsville Hwy. 334-782-6765

Victory Baptist Church 5481 Main St. 334-285-5082 Victorymillbrook.com

Church of Christ Grandview Pines Church of Christ 165 Deatsville Hwy. 334-285-6327

Gvp.church

Church of God

Church at the Brook 2890 state Route 14 334-285-5783

Churchatthebrook.com

Victory Tabernacle AOH 2080 Main St.

Church of the Nazarene River Region Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd. 334-285-7509

Riveregionchurch.com

Episcopal St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 5941 Main St. 334-285-3905

Stmichaelallangels.com

Holiness

Summit Holiness Church 1801 State Route 14 706-215-1544

Summitholinesschurch.org

Methodist

Millbrook First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood Rd. 334-285-4114 Mfumc.org

Robinson Springs United Methodist Church 5980 Main St. 334-285-2488

Robinsonsprings.com

East Chapel Methodist Church 4291 Airport Rd. 334-285-3008

Presbyterian

Millbrook Presbyterian Church 3480 Main St. 334-285-4031

Millbrookpca.com

Other

Central Bible Chapel 3270 Main St. 334-285-6524

Centralbiblechapel.com

Grace Bible Church 3515 state Route 14

New Life Church 4230 state Route 14

COOSADA

A.M.E. Zion

Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd. 334-285-1412 jacksonchapelamez.com

Baptist

Coosada Baptist Church 5687 Coosada Rd. 334-285-4225 Coosadabaptist.org

ELMORE

A.M.E. Zion

Jones Chapel A.M.E. Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. 334-285-0511

Baptist

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 371 state Route 14 334-567-4408

Methodist

Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St. 334-569-1308

Seventh Day Adventist First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist Church 210 Lucky Town Rd.

TITUS

Baptist

Antioch Baptist Church Church

1115 Antioch Rd.

Living Water Baptist Church 1745 Grass Farm Rd. 334-514-7304

New Home Baptist Church 1605 New Home Rd. 334-567-0923

Newhometitus.com

Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church 17877 U.S. Route 231 334-567-9818

Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church 16621 U.S. Route 231 334-567-3668 Mountpisgahmbc.weebly.com

Methodist

Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd.

Providence Methodist Church 1540 Providence Rd. 334-567-8420

DEATSVILLE

Baptist

Deatsville Baptist Church 184 Church St. 334-285-4874

deatsvillebaptistchurch.org

Mitts Chapel Baptist Church 935 Cold Springs Rd. 334-430-7390

New Hope Baptist Church 6191 Lightwood Rd. 334-569-1267

New Lily Green Baptist Church 6504 Deatsville Hwy. 334-290-5182

New Nazareth Baptist Church 7497 state Route 143 334-285-1500

Saint James Baptist Church 101 Gantt Rd. 334-567-3006

Shoal Creek Baptist Church 2961 Coosa River Rd. 334-567-2482

Shoalcreekchurch.org

Wadsworth Baptist Church 2780 state Route 143 334-300-0016

Wadsworthbaptist.com

Church of Christ

Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 state Route 143 334-365-6101

Coldspringschurch.com

Lightwood Church of Christ 7717 Lightwood Rd. 334-569-1510

Lightwoodchurchofchrist.com

United Methodist

Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church 96 Lightwood Rd. 334-569-2375

Cainschapelchurch.org

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

The following individuals and businesses are members of the Tallassee, Millbrook and/or Wetumpka chambers of commerce

Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce

Adullam House Thrift Store

ASE Credit Union

Elmore Community Hospital, Ivy Creek Healthcare

Hampton Inn Wetumpka by Hilton

Jim L. DeBardelaben Attorney At Law

Main Street Wetumpka

Wharf Casual Seafood - Wetumpka

1Social Buzz Marketing Firm

A Beautiful Creation

A Touch of Class

A&M Tile and Remodeling LLC.

Absolute Termite and Pest Control LLC

Adams Drugs

Adobe

AFC Primed

Aida with love

Air Conditioning by Luquire

Alabama Association of Nonprofits

Alabama Bass Trail

Alabama Cooperative Extension

System Elmore Co Office

Alabama Legal & Investigative Services, Inc.

Alabama News Network

Alabama Power Company

Alabama River Region Arts Center

Alabama’s Little Bit of Texas

Aldridge, Borden & Co. Certified Public Accountants

Alexander City / Chamber of Commerce

Alfa Insurance

All About Repairs, LLC

All Occasion Creations

Allen’s Heating & Cooling, LLC

ARC Realty

Arrow Pest Control, Inc.

Ashley Cousins Environmental Strategies & Solutions, LLC (dba AC ESS, LLC)

Ashley Raye Photography

Autauga Elmore Developmental Services

Ayers, Todd

Barganier Davis Williams Architects

Associated Barrett, Brian E, DMD, PC

Baseline Forest Services, Inc.

Bass Lumber Company, Inc.

Bennett’s Archery Indoor/Outdoor Range

Bern, Butler, Capilouto & Massey, CPAs, P.C.

Beth’s Heirloom Sewing

Better Business Bureau Serving

Central & South Alabama

BHB Groundworks LLC

Big Block Designs, LLC

Blue Ridge Mountain Water

Bolin, Art

Bottom 2 Top Cleaning Services, LLC

Bridge and Hill Holdings LLC

Bryson Veterinary Clinic

Buck Realty LLC

Buffalo Rock

Business Council of Alabama

Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center

Cafely

Camp Chandler - YMCA

Carla D’Andrea

CASA of the River Region

CB&S Bank

Centerpoint Fellowship Wetumpka

Central Alabama Community College

Central Alabama Community Foundation

Central Alabama Electric Cooperative

Central Alabama Regional Planning & Development Comm.

Central Elmore Water Authority

Chamber of Commerce Assoc of Alabama

Chambliss, Clyde Senator

Chapel Lakes Apartments

Chrietzberg Photography

Circuit Clerk’s Office

City of Wetumpka

Coaches’ Corner

Coleman, Spencer J., M.D.

Collier Ford, Inc.

Combined Insurance

Community Action Partnership of Middle Alabama

Company St Mercantile

Connor Hogan Insurance Agency

Cook’s Pest Control

Coosa River Adventures

Cornus Kennels

Courtyard by Marriott - Prattville

Cousins Insurance Agency, Inc

Creed Gym

Cumulus Broadcasting

Darden Communications Consultants Inc

Dentistry for Children, P.C.

Destinations Travel, LLC

Dinkey Dots LLC

Diversified Alarm Services, Inc.

Dixie Art Colony Foundation

Domino’s Pizza Store # 5363/Pizza

G’s Enterprises LLC

Dozier, Larry

Drinkard Group, LLC

Dunn & Schreiber Orthodontics, PC

E&S Suit Warehouse

Edge Home Finance Corporation

Edgewood Academy, Inc.

Edward Jones Investments

Edwards and Edwards Law Firm

Elevation Strategies, LLC

Elmore Community Emergency Management/Homeland Security

Elmore County 9-1-1

Elmore County Black Heritage Museum

Elmore County Board of Education

Elmore County Commission

Elmore County Economic Development Authority

Elmore County Family Resource Center

Elmore County Finance

Elmore County Food Pantry

Elmore County Historical Society

Elmore County Museum

Elmore County Revenue Commissioner

Elmore County Sherriff’s Office/Jail Elmore County Tag Department

Elmore County Technical Center

Emerald Mountain Golf Club

Emerald Mountain Homeowner’s Association, Inc.

Eternal Networks LLC

EXIT Realty Pike Road

exploreMedia

F & E Sportswear

Fain, Dennis and Lynda

Family Sunshine Center

Montgomery Area Family Violence

Program

Family Support Center

Fire Steakhouse at Wind Creek

Wetumpka

First Baptist Church

First Choice Women’s Medical Center - Elmore County

First Community Bank of Central Alabama

First Methodist Church of Wetumpka

Friends of the Forts - Fort Toulouse Foundation

Ft Toulouse/Ft. Jackson

Fur Baby University, LLC

Gantt, Steve

Gardens of Wetumpka Assisted Living

Gassett Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC

Girl Scouts of South Central Alabama, Inc.

Goodwyn Mills Cawood LLC

Greater Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce

Grumpy Dog

Guardian Credit Union

Heart of Alabama Food Bank

Holmes, Patsy

Homesouth Roofing, LLC

Hope Grows Therapy

Houston, Randall

Humane Society of Elmore Co.

Impact Home Solutions LLC

IndusTREE Timber, Inc.

Information Transport Solutions, Inc.

Ingram State Technical College

It’s Personal Boutique

Ivy Creek Cafe’

Ivy Creek Hospice

J P Millwork, Inc.

Jackson Thornton

Jenilyn’s Creations, Inc.

Jennifer L. Berry LLC

John Thornton

Just Bouncin Around LLC

Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery

Kennedy, Phyllis Kelly

Kmarks Web & Computer Solutions

KOA FOAM SOLUTIONS LLC

Kona Ice of Lake Martin

Kreative Moments

Land Bank

Lani Hudgins, Insurance Agent |

MAX Insurance Services

Larry Ray Insurance Agency

Leadership Elmore County

LENNY’S TAX SERVICE, LLC

Lewis Advertising

Lewis, Circuit Judge Bill

Lightspeed Web Design

Little Mountain Growers

Liveoak Agency Inc

Local Realty of Montgomery

Low Country Floating Classroom

MADIX

Marcia Weber Art Objects, Inc.

Mark’s Service Ctr. & Body Shop

MAX Credit Union

Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base

McCulloch, Stephen P. DMD, P.C

McQuick Printing Company

Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce

Montgomery Area Assoc/Realtors

Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce

Moon & Melvin, LLC

Moore Company Realty, Inc.

Mystical Heights Aerial Yoga

Nancy Oates- ReMax Cornerstone Plus

Our Place Café

Panther Playroom LLC

Pemberton Inc

Pest Pro Services, LLC

PH&J Architects

Phoenix Physical Therapy Wetumpka

Pine View Memorial Gardens

Pops BBQ Pit, LLC

Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce

Ranger’s Ridge LLC

Rawls, Michelle

RE/MAX Cornerstone Realty Group, LLC

Realty Connection

Restoration Coffee House LLC

Retired Senior Volunteer Program

Rick Beauchamp

River Bank & Trust

River Region Lactation

River Region United Way

Riverside Chevrolet

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill

Russell Construction of Alabama, Inc.

Russell Do-it Center

Russell Mosquito Control, LLC

SCORE/Earl Heath

SECURE-A-WILL

Security Finance Loan and Tax Service

Servpro

Sharon Wilson

Sievers & Company, PC

Smirnoff Heating and Cooling, LLC

SNC Real Estate LLC

Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons, LLC

SouthernLinc Wireless

Speaks, Larry E. & Associates, Inc.

Spire Energy

Square Foot Consulting. LLC/

Minority Vendor Prog

Stacked Intent

State Farm Insurance/Jackson

Hagan Agency

State Farm Insurance Company Ken

Owen

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company

Stiff Contractors, Inc.

Stone Martin Builders

Studio 231/Elmore County TV

Suncho School of Music

Sunshine and Pixie Dust

Sunshine Travel Planner

Tallassee Community Library

Taste at the Fain

Taylor Athletic Wear, Inc.

The Gab Salon

The Lil’ Farmhouse Market, LLC

The Montgomery Independent

The Party Palace LLC

The Shoppes Downtown

The Tallassee Tribune

The Wetumpka Herald

The Worx Auto Detail, LLC

Tiers of Sweetness

Top Storage

Trinity Episcopal Church

Tru-Turn, Inc./TTI Companies

Turner, Carson

Turner, Gwen

Valley National Bank

Village Church Wetumpka

Vision Center South

VIVA Medicare Plus

Vogel Law Firm

WealthMark Financial Solutions, LLC

Webb Law Inc.

Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce

Wetumpka Crater Commission

Wetumpka Depot Players, Inc.

Wetumpka FFA Alumni Chapter

Wetumpka Health and Rehabilitation, LLC

Wetumpka High School

Wetumpka Lions Club

Wetumpka Public Library

Wetumpka Raceway

Wetumpka Village LTD

Wetumpka Villas

Wetumpka Water Works

Wetumpka YMCA

White Wings Catering

Whorton, Janice

Wind Creek Casino & Hotel

Wetumpka

Wood, Jan

Woodcraft Cafe

Wynn’s Grain and Spice, LLC

Yamato Japanese Restaurant

Zap Pest Control, Inc.

Millbrook Chamber of Commerce

1Social Buzz

7 Healing Waters

A Lil’ Something Extra

ABS Technology, LLC

Absolute Termite and Pest Control LLC

Adobe

Advanced Appraisal Services, LLC

AirNow Home Services

Alabama Army National Guard

Alabama Dance Theatre

Alabama One Credit Union

Alabama Power Co.

Alabama Wildlife Federation

Alfa Insurance-Judson Vaughan

AGENT

American Legion, Post 133

AMS Studios LLC

Ann Cooper Consulting

Ark Animal Hospital

Arrow Pest

ASE Credit Union

Ashlyn’s Cake Cottage

Autauga Elmore Developmental Services

Azalea Training Center

Bajaj ConEagle

Bama Chill Co

Barrett Heating & Cooling

Blake’s Towing LLC

Bloom Salon and Boutique, LLC

Brenda Kelley

Bridal Boutique & Tux Shoppe

BSKC Soil and Septic Services LLC

Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy

Cent

Byard Associates, LLC

Cask & Vine

Catfish House, DBA

Central Access

Central Alabama Community College

Central Alabama Electric Coop

Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission

Central Alabama Works!

Chance Catering, LLC

Church at the Brook

CJ Rentals

Cloverdale Jewelers, LLC

Cobblestone Learning Center

Coca Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.

Coosada Baptist Church

Courtyard By Marriott Prattville

Cumulus Media

Cutter’s Electrical Services

CWG/Talkin Tables

Days Inn & Suites Prattville

Diversified Alarm Services, Inc.

Don Duncan’s All American Auto and Tire

Dunn & Schreiber Orthodontics

Ector Accounting & Tax Service LLC

Elevation Strategies, LLC

Elite Realty, LLC.

Elmore/Autauga News

Elmore County Board of Education

Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA)

Elmore County Extension Office

Elmore County Technical Center

Emily Claire Myers, Realtor with EXIT River Rock Realty

Epicure & Jack’s Tavern

Essence of Beauty

F & E Sportswear

Family Home Furniture

Family Sunshine Center

Family Support Center

Fast Forward LLC, dba explore Media

First Assembly of God

First Community Bank of Central Alabama

Floyd, Hunter & White, P.C.

Food Outlet

Fountain City Properties

Front Porch Grill Restaurant

Gable Peaks Home Design, LLC

GameDay Clips

Garner Electric, Inc

Garry S. McAnnally, LLC

Grandview Family YMCA

Guardian Credit Union

Gumptown Magazine LLC.

Hamilton Signs & Graphix

Heart of Alabama Food Bank

Home Helpers Home Care

Homesouth Roofing

Honey Dew, LLC

Hudson Valley Airporter

Imperial Manufacturing, Inc

Ingrams Farmers Market & Garden Center

J&T Creations

Jackson and Scott, LLC

Jackson Thornton & Co.

Janelle’s Studio

Jenilyn’s Creations, Inc.

Jones Drugs

Judge Joy Booth

Kingdom Dough Inc.

Kristey Taunton

Landmark Engineering

LGL Customs LLC

Liveoak Insurance Agency, Inc

Lucretia Cauthen Realty

M-L-B Enterprises

Made by Molly, LLC

Main Street Vintage Market

Max Complete Auto Care

MAX Credit Union

Millbrook Civitan Club

Millbrook Community Players

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Orangetheory Fitness

Overhead Door and Fireplace

Company, INC.

Pane N the Glass

Pest Pro Services LLC.

Print Center

Raghav Inc. dba Key West Inn

Right at Home

River Bank and Trust

River Region Lactation

River Region United Way

S & M Essential Party Rentals

S and B Apiaries, LLC

Senator Clyde Chambliss

Smokehouse Pit BBQ, LLC

South Point Home Mortgage

Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons

Springhill Suites - RAM Millbrook

Hospitality LLC

Stacy Jay Photography LLC

Successful Connections

Sunrise + Sheridan

Sweet Hart Coffee Co.

Tammy Giordano - Medical Massage

Therapist

The A-Team with Local Realty

The Elms

The Gathering Place

The Sweet Carte, LLC

The Worx Auto Detail, LLC

Top Talent Recruiter

Vicki’s Amish Traditions

Waffle & Co

Walmart Supercenter

WW Restoration Professional Roofing

ZenBusiness

Tallassee Chamber of Commerce

1220 Café

1st Franklin Financial Corportaion

3am Growers, Inc

AES Industries

Alabama Ag Credit

Alabama Gazette Publishing/

Tallassee Quarterly

Alabama Power Company

American Deli

Ann Christian

Apothecary, The Baker, Vicki Oliver

Benson, Linda D. Brantley Signs

Britt Veterinary Services

Britt, Elizabeth

Bulls Eye Pest Control

CARPDC (Central AL Regional Planning & Devlp Comm)

CB & S Bank

Central Alabama Electric

Cooperative

City Collision

Community Hospital Inc.

Covington Healthcare LLC.

Cozumel Mexican Grill

Darrell Wilson(Tallassee City Council

Ward 3)

Dash of Fashion, A

E & I

East Tallassee Pharmacy

Erica’s Hair and Tan

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

Factory Connection

Faulkner University

First Baptist Church

First United Methodist Church

Five Points Station

FRIOS Gourmet Pops

Gazette Publishing LLC/Tallassee

Quarterly

Godwin, Bill

Godwin’s Flowers

Griggs Law Firm

Guardian Credit Union

Gulf Packaging, Inc.

Hardee’s

Hepburn Pest Control LLC

Herren Hill Pharmacy

Herring Chiropractic Clinic

Home Integrated Solutions

Hornsby & Son Body Shop LLC

HR Management Solutions

Hughey Communications Inc. – WACQ

Humane Society of Elmore County

Ivy Creek Urgent Care of Tallassee

J. Alan Taunton & Company LLC

Jeffcoat Funeral Home

John Thornton

Lake Martin Chiropractic Health Center

Learning Tree Inc., The Lee Staffing Inc. DBA Allegiance

Staffing

Lewis, Bill

Linville Memorial Funeral Home

Louie’s Sno-Kones

Mack Daugherty – Elmore Co.

Commissioner Dist. 2

Mason Rentals

Max Credit Union

Michael Dozier (Circuit Clerk Elmore County)

Mt. Vernon Theatre

Nabors Service Center

Natural Resource Consulting

Neptune Technology Group

New Stone Realty

Operation Combat Bikesaver

Parker Tire & Service

Parker Wholesale Cars

Patterson & Duke, P.C.

Patterson, Bill

S & S Services, LLC

SCF Buildings LLC

Servpro of Montgomery

Sistrunk, All Things Desired

Sizemore & Sizemore

SPECS Education Consulting Service

State Farm (Albert Elmore)

Steve Martin Engineering & Surveying

Stinson Drafting Corp.

Studio B Dance Center

Subway of Tallassee

Succentrix Business Advisors

Suzannah’s Photography

SWAT Exterminating Co. Inc.

Talisi Florist

Talisi Historical Preservation Society

Tallassee Armory Guards-SCV Camp 1921

Tallassee Automotive

Tallassee City Board of Education

Tallassee Community Development

Corporation

Tallassee Eagle Convenience Store

Tallassee Family Dentistry

Tallassee Industrial Development Board

Tallassee Jewelry & Gifts

Tallassee Power & Equipment

Tallassee Septic Tank Service

Tallassee Super Foods

Tallassee Tribune-Tallapoosa Publishers

Tallassee True Value

The Segrest Law Firm

Tiger Paw Trustmark

VIVA Medicare Plus

WebDevil Design

WTLS/Tallassee Times

FYI 2024

FYINewcomer's Guide to Elmore County

Welcome to Elmore County

On the cover

STAFF

Elmore Co. Retail

Shop small businesses in Tallassee, Millbrook and Wetumpka

Developing a Future

A space for artists

The Kelly injects arts into the heart of downtown Wetumpka

Elmore County First Responders

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

World Class Fishing

The Rex

A unique, Texas-inspired social experience

Get involved, lend a hand

SERVICE/NONPROFIT AGENCIES

ELMORE COUNTY SCHOOLS

ECLECTIC

HOLTVILLE

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

OTHER

What to Eat?

ECLECTIC

Read more books

ECLECTIC PUBLIC LIBRARY

TALLASSEE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Medical Services

HOSPITALS

PRIMARY CARE

OTHER HOSPITALS

URGENT CARES

PEDIATRICS

T Take a Hike

Discover and explore the miles of hiking trails in Elmore County

SWAYBACK BRIDGE TRAIL

ALABAMA NATURE CENTER TRAILS

BARTRAM ARBORETUM TRAIL

CHEROKEE RIDGE ALPINE TRAIL AT OVERLOOK PARK

JAMES M. SCOTT DEADENING ALPINE TRAIL

JOHN B. SCOTT FOREVER WILD & CHEROKEE BLUFFS DAM RAILROAD TRAILS

All Dogs Welcome

PET GROOMING

VETERINARY CLINICS

UTILITY SET UP

PROPANE/GAS

TAG DEPARTMENT

ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF REGISTRARS

PROPERTY TAXES

Elected Officials

WETUMPKA

TALLASSEE

ECLECTIC

COOSADA

DEATSVILLE

ELMORE

MILLBROOK

O Red Hill Dance Hall

Calendar of Events ANNUAL

Taste of Elmore County

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

AREA CHURCHES

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

CHAMBER DIRECTORY