New lights coming to
city sports fields
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Tallassee City Council has been talking about lights for the city’s sports fields for months.
At its Tuesday meeting the council approved installing new LED lighting from Musco. It is similar to the lighting being installed at the new 17 Springs sports complex in Millbrook.
New lights will be installed at the softball complex, the Babe Ruth baseball complex and the Dixie Youth baseball fields.
Two of the biggest issues causing the need for replacement lights have been safety and maintenance. The vast majority of the lights are old and hard to find bulbs and ballasts for and the wooden poles they are installed on are decades old and deteriorating.
“We were looking at just two complexes but did all three because of safety concerns,” Mayor Sarah Hill said. “It would save some for mobilization for a third. We will also save some on electric because of the LED lighting.”
The lights will come from Musco lighting under a state bid contract. The company leases the lights to the town for 10 years at a cost of approximately $200,000 per year. At the end of the lease the town owns the lights.
The lights also come with a 25 year warranty covering parts and labor.
The lights would not be installed until fiscal year 2025 allowing the council to put the expense in the upcoming budget.
“We didn’t have to move any money
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI Elmore County commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson moderates a discussion on broadband in Elmore County.The map shows areas of Elmore County where Central Access from Central
Camp Hill man arrested for 5 counts of child porn
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
On Wednesday, June 26, special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force,
Police Reports
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
JUNE 30
• A domestic dispute was reported on First Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Friendship Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Delta Road.
JUNE 29
• A suspicious person was reported on Second Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on East Patton Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gunshots were reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A motor vehicle accident without injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Highway 229.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.
• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Gunshots were reported on South Tallassee Drive.
JUNE 28
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on McNeal Road.
• An arrest was made on Barnett Boulevard.
• A domestic incident was reported on West James Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Taylor
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Little
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Oak Heights
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Softball
LIGHTS
Continued from A1
conducted a search warrant in the 14000 block of Highway 49 South in Camp Hill. The search warrant was served in relation to an ongoing ICAC investigation. Special agents arrested Kristopher J. Henderson, 25, of Camp Hill, for five counts of posses-
sion of obscene matter involving an individual under 17. Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing. Once completed, the findings will be turned over to the Tallapoosa County District Attorney’s Office.
HENDERSON
• An animal complaint was reported on Sunset Drive.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Thelma Drive.
• Theft was reported on Noble Road.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A domestic incident was reported on Friendship Road.
JUNE 27
• An animal complaint was reported on East Patton Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.
• Menacing was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street.
• Suspicious activity was reported on New Quarters Road.
• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street, Highway 229, Redden Avenue and Washington Street.
• A runaway juvenile was reported on First Avenue.
JUNE 26
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Little Road.
• A verbal altercation was reported on Jefferson Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.
• Animal control was requested on Highway 229.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street.
around,” Hill said. All of the parks are in the Tallapoosa County section of Tallassee but the council is working towards a quality of life project creating a new recreation center on Gilmer Avenue in Elmore
• An animal complaint was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street and Highway 229.
• Harassment was reported on Bucks Pocket Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.
• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Cricket Ridge.
• A runaway juvenile was reported on Wallace Drive.
JUNE 25
• An arrest was made during a traffic stop on Highway 229.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.
• An assault was reported on South Ann Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.
• A welfare check was conducted on Eubanks Street.
• Harassing communications was reported on Cedar Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Paxton Drive.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
JUNE 24
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Second Avenue.
County with the county commission providing the large percentage of funding. To do so, the city shop will have to be moved. The council briefly discussed plans for a new shop at the city’s airport property between the Babe Ruth fields and the hangar. In other action the Tallassee City Council:
• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Third Avenue.
• Animal cruelty was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Harassment was reported on Oak Heights Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Eubanks Street.
• Animal control was requested on John Street.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Cotton Ridge Road.
• Animal control was requested on John Street.
• Theft was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• A Black male was arrested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A private property accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Kent Road.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.
JUNE 23
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Highway 49.
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Industrial Parkway.
• Reckless driving was reported on Oak Heights Road.
• A Black male was arrested on Friendship Road.
• Approved minutes of the June 11 meeting.
• Heard project updates from engineer Jeff Harrison.
• Learned advertisements for bids for the dilapidated structures demolition grant program start July 3. The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9.
Emanon celebrates graduating seniors and more
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Fourteen recent Elmore County graduates were recognized for their achievements by the Emanon Group.
The group formed 21 years ago to celebrate the efforts of students, teachers and parents. One student recognized was recent Wetumpka High School graduate Lamyah Mitchell who received six of the 16 scholarships awarded during a tea honoring students from across the county. Mitchell plans to use the scholarship funds to attend Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia where she plans to attend nursing school. She was in the medical services program at the Elmore County Technical Center when she discovered the nursing career path was for her.
“I found out I really enjoyed what you do in nursing and helping people,” Mitchell said. “I want to do it for the rest of my life.”
It helped that Mitchell helped care for her diabetic grandfather. She was also around the nursing profession quite a bit after Mitchell was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa, a non-contagious chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by painful nodules, abscesses and scarring. Overcoming the diagnosis was noted as one of the reasons for several of the scholarships she was awarded by the Emanon Group. Mitchell won the Emanon Group Leadership, Cora Crosby Francis, Dedrick D. Bowden, James H. Adams Sr. and the Lewis E. Washington scholarships.
Other recent graduates honored by Emanon at this year’s tea were India Allen of Tallassee High School; Elmore County High School’s Kylie Mosher and CJ Wilkes; Montgomery
Catholic’s Caleb McCreary; Stanhope Elmore’s Karley Earl, Aysia Jackson, Sydney Jackson and Olivia Stephens; and Wetumpka’s Kaiya Dixon, Ashley Fulmer, Gabrielle Jackson, Lamyah Mitchell, Emma Wasden and Kylie Winfree.
Emanon Group president Desirae Lewis Jackson said the Emanon Group is an educational advocacy group that honors graduating seniors with scholarships and academic achievement, recognizing parents for their hard work. It also recognizes teachers.
Emanon also honored students who still have a few years to go in school, including the following: Airport Road Intermediate School fourth graders Arabella Banks, Alec Crosby, Aiden Daniels, Avery VanHouten and Eli Watson; Coosada Elementary School second graders Riley Sky McQueen, Romelo Frank McQueen and Paisley VanHouten and kinder-
garteners Mariah Roberts and Braelyn Zeigler; Millbrook Middle School sixth grader Cierra D. Gilder Jr., seventh grader Kayson Kendrick and eighth graders Mason Hearn and Jacob Thompson; Stanhope Elmore eleventh graders Sha’Hollene Smith, Caleb Thompson and Savannah Williams; Tallassee High School eleventh grader Kinsley Kennebrew; Redland Elementary School third grader Abram English; Redland Middle School eighth grader Alora Logan, seventh graders Lindsay Arianna Davis, Tristyn Lowery Davis and William McBride; sixth graders Ella Kate English, Heaven Scarbrough and Regan Summerlin; Wetumpka Elementary School third graders Joshua Gipson and Ca’Zariah Webster, second grader Karson Jeffery and first graders Jada Mitchell, Cor’Zaviah Webster, Cor’Zavious Webster and Tianna O’Neal Winston; Wetumpka Middle School eighth grader Xavier Mor-
Reeltown Elementary welcomes new principal
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
A new face has joined the Rebel family.
Katy Conradson has recently stepped in as Reeltown Elementary School principal after former principal Lisa Hornsby stepped down to take a position in the central office.
Conradson was previously the director of curriculum and instruction for the Alexander City School system. Prior to that she was an assistant principal at Auburn City Schools. This being her 16th year in education, Conradson said she is excited about getting to help lead RES.
“What makes a really good administrator is someone who is willing to listen; I have a goal of having open and transparent communication between the school administration, students, teachers and community members,” she said.
Her overall vision for the school is staying committed to a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.
“The Reeltown community and people are what make this school so special because community involvement is so important; I plan to foster a strong relationship with parents and community stakeholders,” she said. “Our students deserve a team working together to
support them, I really want to hone in and cultivate those relationships.”
Conradson first got into education because she understood the profound impact educators can have on a person’s life from both her own experience growing up and watching educators in her family make a difference with their students.
She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Auburn University, her master’s degree in instructional leadership and administration from Troy University, her educational specialist degree from Auburn University and her doctorate in administration
of elementary and secondary education from Auburn University.
Outside of work, Conradson enjoys traveling with her family. Her husband is Josh and together they have two kids. Jack is in fifth grade and will be attending Reeltown this year and her daughter is Milly, who is three years old. Conradson also enjoys tennis, attending Auburn sporting events and reading.
“The teachers I have met have all been wonderful,” Conradson said. “The families have been great. I’m just excited to be a part of this community and get the school year started.”
ris, fifth graders Jabari Jernigan, Demetria Leonard and Octavious Reeves and third grader Shontae Leonard; Wetumpka High School ninth graders Nicholas Carrell Davis and Brianna Reeves, tenth grader Winston McBride and eleventh grader Alana Morgan Eaves; Eclectic Middle School fifth grader Angel Matthews, fourth grader Chase Matthews, third graders Taleria Matthews and Ja’Shya Milner; Holtville Middle School fifth grader Madyson Robinson; Marbury High School eleventh grader Mackenzie Elaine Houser; Chandler High School eleventh grader Ariel Washington; and homeschooler tenth grader Dallass Warren Tucker, eighth grader Alexander Monroe Tucker and fifth grader James Federick Tucker.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
The Emanon Group recently honored 14 recent area graduates and more than two dozen other students for their success in and out the classroom. The group handed out 16 different scholarships to the graduates.
SUBMITTED TPI
Katy Conradson, right, is the new principal of Reeltown Elementary School with former principal Lisa Hornsby moving to the central office.
Our View Opinion
Add mocktails to the menu
Some of the TPI family spent the weekend at Perdido Key Beach Resort in Orange Beach for the annual APA conference and awards banquet. The resort was beautiful, complete with a pool and steps-offthe-beach access. But what stood out to me wasn’t the delightful food and the gorgeous views. What really stood out was the mocktails on the menu.
Remember your pets this holiday
The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate pride we have for our nation.
From indulging in American cuisine like hot dogs and hamburgers, to spending time with our loved ones, the day is a representation of American pride. After all, it marks the most important events of American history — the signing of the Declaration of Indepence, separating the 13 colonies from Great Britain, rendering the nation free.
Although the spectacle of fireworks brings joy to those watching, we need to make a conscious effort for those who may not be so amazed.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs hear frequencies as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hz. Most humans can only hear between 15,000 and 17,000 Hz. If you find fireworks loud, how much louder do you think it is for them?
The first few fireworks that go off may be a bit startling to us, but because we know the cause of the sound and how to safely avoid being hurt by it, fireworks become a thrilling activity. Pets on the other hand have no concept of what a firework is, or why a loud, repetitive sound keeps going off. This can cause extreme anxiety in pets that could lead to howling, barking or even running away.
If you want to keep your pet comfortable and safe this Fourth of July, keep their ears in mind. To keep them comfortable next Thursday, the AKC recommends soothing them, keeping them inside, walking them before setting off fireworks or playing white noise. For those who want to be fully certain their pets are safe and comfortable, pet ear muffs can keep your pet calm and collected during the celebration.
While The Fourth is one of the most fun days for many Americans, it might not be for your pets. Be sure to keep them in mind.
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Obituaries: 35
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As a recovering alcoholic who is going on six years (God willing) of being sober, there’s nothing like the feeling of inclusivity when it comes to drinking. There’s nothing worse than be the only alcoholic in the room and being relegated to the kids’ drinks. You have no idea how many times I’ve been to a wedding or banquet and ended up with juice or Capri Sun because there’s no non-alcoholic options. See, just because we gave up alcohol doesn’t mean we gave up the feeling of wanting to drink an
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
adult drink. There’s something nice about still getting a fruity or frozen drink without the liquor involved. We want to feel pretty and grown up too.
Not only did the Perdido Key Beach Resort have virgin frozen drinks such as pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris, but it also had a small mocktail menu complete with our very own selection of alcohol-free beverages. Some used ginger beer and others had Sprite as the main drink, but the bar used items it would in other alcoholic drinks, making it so easy to have liquor-free options. I encourage more bars locally to add mocktails to the menu. Despite being sober, I like to frequent local spots. Some plac-
es, such as The Funky Goat in Dadeville and I’m sure many others, will adjust their cocktails to be alcohol-free upon request. But there’s something so refreshing about having the special options.
Even being sober for more than five years, it’s still a difficult journey. There’s a reason people say, “Take it one day at a time,” because some days are harder than others. One of the toughest things about being a recovering alcoholic is feeling like an outsider, especially when it comes to being around people who are drinking.
This selection of mocktails, however small or large, goes a long way in making everyone feel included.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi. gwin@alexcityoutlook.com.
Their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honors
In the summer of 1974, the United States was at a crossroads.
The Watergate scandal raged, and Congressional hearings revealed the shady dealings of the “plumbers” who had done President Nixon’s bidding for him: dirty deeds such as breaking into the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist (Ellsberg had been a whistleblower with the release of the Pentagon Papers); secretly recording every conversation on an elaborate tape system in the White House; and, of course, the infamous break-in at the Watergate office building, home to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee.
The Vietnam War was winding down; returning prisoners of war were greeted with a society that had radically changed in their absence, while Vietnam veterans faced indifference or outright hostility.
The oil embargo was also happening during this time. Gas prices soared as Americans thought, “can this get any worse?”
On July 4, 1974, radio commentator Paul Harvey aired a special edition of his News & Comment show. He detailed the “rest of the story” of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Some were wealthy, but died in rags; some moved countless times to evade harassment; others lost not only their money, but their families. These weren’t ordinary guys. They were experienced thinkers, politicians, landowners, businessmen. They were leaders, though at the time they were revolutionaries.
Below, I would like to share some of Mr. Harvey’s words. May we all have a greater understanding of the men and women who founded this great nation – who fought for liberty. Happy Independence Day.
“The United States of America was born in 1776. But it was conceived 169 years before that. All others of the world’s revolutions before and since were initiated by men who had nothing to lose. Our founders had everything to lose, nothing to gain. Except one thing … their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
“Fifty-six men placed their names beneath that pledge. Fifty-six men knew — when they signed — that they were risking everything.
“They knew if they won this fight, the best they could expect would be years of hardship in a struggling nation. If they lost, they’d face a hangman’s rope.
“All of the Americans who lived in those times ‘paid the price’. John Adams wrote years later that all through the Revolution he would have given anything to have things returned to the way they were. He wasn’t lamenting his own losses. Any human who has ever seen the suffering of the soldiers and innocents in a war zone has to wonder if an armed conflict is ever a worthy price for change.
But the clock can’t be turned back. The deed was done. And from it a glorious country emerged. They had learned that liberty is so much more important than security, that they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
“Of the 56 signers of the Declaration, few were long to survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died; twelve had their homes – from Rhode Island to Charleston –sacked and looted, occupied by the enemy or burned.
“Two of them lost their sons in the Army; one had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 died in the War from its hardships or from its more merciful bullets.
“I don’t know what impression you’d had of these men who met that hot summer in Philadelphia, but I think it’s important this July 4, that we remember this about them: they were not poor men, they were not wild-eyed pirates; these were men of means, these were rich men, most of them, who enjoyed much ease and luxury in personal living. Not hungry men, prosperous men, wealthy land owners, substantially secure in their prosperity.
“But they considered liberty – this is as much I shall say of it –they had learned that liberty is so much more important than security, that they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. And they fulfilled their pledge – they paid the price, and freedom was born.”
Michael Bird is a retired music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Pets, livestock
‘petrified of’
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
Before we get into Fourth of July pet advice – our shelter and thrift store will be closed on Thursday but back open normal hours Friday. Our Tail’s End Thrift Store will also start Christmas in July on Friday with all Christmas items, to include pet Christmas clothing, on sale for 50% off. It may be hot right now, but Christmas really isn’t all that far away so come check out our sale and get ahead while getting great deals.
This year’s Fourth of July fun started quite early with fireworks in Wetumpka on Saturday. So this is likely to be a long week of noisy celebrations where our pets are concerned. Now is the time to make sure your pet has identification on their collar — rabies tag, personalized ID tag (which we can make in the shelter in a few minutes for $10), or write your phone number on their collar in indelible ink. And microchips are simply perfect as long as your phone number is current on the registry — call your veterinarian for an appointment. Fireworks are at the top of the “Petrified Of” list for pets and livestock. The simplest way to keep your pet(s) safe during fireworks is to bring them inside before any fireworks start and keep them in until well after all the fun has finished. Close curtains, turn up the TV and turn on more lights. They may still be scared and hide in the house, but at least they will be safe at home. If your pet cannot come in the house, then consider containing it in your garage, shop or barn as long as it isn’t so hot to be
fireworks
dangerous to your pet; and make sure any hazardous materials/ items are safely out of reach of your pet no matter where they stay. If you live where fireworks may continue late into the night, then please just keep your pet inside all night long. Now, if the worst happens and your pet is lost, don’t delay looking for your pet. Pet owners who immediately start searching exponentially increase the chances of finding their pet. If your pet is lost, use social media soon as it truly works. Post photos and information about your lost pet on your personal page as well (make sure to make it ‘public’) as a finder might just go to your page to validate your ownership. Make sure your posts say where (street/ neighborhood, city, state) your pet is missing from and for how long so as to not confuse people when your post ends up shared in a different county or even a completely different state. Add a phone number on your posts so people with information can get in touch with you immediately – that means you have to then answer phone numbers you do not know. Update your post often and if your pet is found please also update soonest. For pets lost in Elmore County call us at 334-567-3377 and leave a message if we are closed. On Facebook we diligently monitor the “Elmore County Alabama Lost & Found Pets” page.. You can also email information and pics to us at hselco@ bellsouth.net as we do print all of those and keep in our Lost & Found files and will check email even on the days we are closed. For finders — given that
so many of us don’t answer unknown phone numbers, if you think you have found someone’s missing pet, it may be best to text info and pics. Take the found pet to most any veterinarian or shelter to be scanned for a microchip, And please don’t jump to conclusions about a pet’s condition as you have no idea how long that pet may have been missing or if it spent the last two days in brambles and mud. Finders do not have the legal right to refuse to give a pet back to its legal owner and if true neglect or cruelty is suspected then you must get law enforcement/animal control involved. It is also considered extortion (a crime) if you refuse to give a pet back to an owner unless they pay a fee (of course, owners - if you have offered a reward, please do pay up if your pet is found safe and sound). Also for finders – that pet is not yours to rehome/giveaway/sell. Finders must make all reasonable efforts to help a pet be reunited with its owner and there are no legal number of days for private citizens like there is for bonafide shelters. If contested in a courtroom it will come down to a question of did both the owner and the finder make all reasonable efforts to reunite the pet with its proper owner. This is one reason we often recommend the pet come to the Shelter as we are in the business of verifying and reuniting pets and have decades of experience doing so.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County
CommunityCalendar
JULY 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION: The Town of Coosada is hosting a Fourth of July Independence Day Fireworks Show July 4 at the Coosada Community Center on Pecan Grove Road. Festivities start at 2 p.m. There will be music, vendors and more.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION: The Lake Jordan HOBOs are organizing Fourth of July activities on Lake Jordan. First off is the boat parade at 10 a.m. at the state ramp.
Text 334-580-0308 to get a number for judging of a decorated boat.
The pier contest is open to anyone who decorates with red, white and blue. Text name, address and location on Lake Jordan to 334-318-9471 to enter.
Fireworks will start about 8:30 p.m. but weather could impact the time.
group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Friday at Wetumpka Public Library.
ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL
Jaimie is a 6-month-old Terrier mix that came to us as one of a multi-dog intake. She is a small gal, only about 25 pounds so she should be in the 30-35 pound range when fully grown. She is great with other dogs, bouncy, talkative little gal. She has a very high pitched bark when she wants attention. She is playful and wants to be a part of a loving family. The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly.org.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY GRACE
POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail. com.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION: The City of Prattville is hosting a Fourth of July Parade in downtown at 9 a.m. Prattville will also hold a Cardboard Boat Race at 10:30 a.m. at Pratt Pool. Fireworks will be at 8 p.m. centered on the Clock Tower.
JULY 11-27
HOORAY FOR HARRY WOOD: The Wetumpka Depot Players are performing Hooray for Harry Wood July 11-27. It is set in post World War 2 Hollywood and the comedy highlights the struggle of a former silent film star moving into retirement.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
MEN’S CONFERENCE: Village
Church of Wetumpka is hosting a men’s conference. The keynote speaker is Rick Burgess of Rick and Bubba.
JULY 15-19
THEATER CAMP: The Wetumpka Depot Players are hosting a Heroes and Villains theater camp for children ages 8 to 15 July 15 to 19. The cost is $225. To register email Kristy Meanor at kmeanor@wetumpkadepot.com.
AUG. 17
CAR SHOW: Cars on the Coosa will be Aug. 17 at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka.
ONGOING
SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support
MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.
NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.
OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.
RED HILL COMMUNITY CLUB
MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club
Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events.
MOUNT HEBRON CHURCH OF CHRIST: Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025
LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and
SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@ santuckbaptist.org.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/Wetumpka. Call 334-567-0476 for more information.
AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka.
RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.
MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE: If you have gardening questions you can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-252-4769. The helpline starts March 1 and ends in August.
CHILDREN’S HARBOR: Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store Located on state route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of children’s harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.
Pet of the Week — Jaimie
New ice cream shop opens in Tallassee
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
An urge to have ice cream led to The Scoop in Tallassee.
A few months ago
Samantha Segrest was wanting a milkshake. The
ice cream machine at a local restaurant wasn’t working.
“It was kind of like a temper tantrum,” Segrest said.
Three days later the stars aligned for a business venture between Segrest, her
sister Whitney Newman and Newman’s husband Johnny.
Segrest was navigating the downtown Tallassee paving to get to The Petaler on Sistrunk when she parked in front of the florist’s old store on South Ann Avenue.
“I saw the ‘For Rent’ sign,” Segrest said.
She called Johnny Newman and told him she had an idea for an ice cream shop and The Scoop came to life — quickly.
Segrest and the Newmans have six children between them. There are also plenty of neighborhood kids who are just as much their children.
“We knew we could staff it with who we already have,” Segrest said.
Segrest knew they wanted an ice cream shop the community would like. The location once was part of a pharmacy and had milkshakes and malts. They quickly shared the idea with the children.
“I think the kids got as excited as we did about working in an ice cream shop,” Segrest said.
Newman’s full time job
is as a contractor. Between everyone, they knew people from various trades to help get the building ready for cool treats.
The children helped with the painting, but their involvement is just as involved in product testing and selection.
The Scoop will rotate a few flavors from Blue Ribbon Dairy as they want to support local businesses. They found other ice cream from a dairy in Wisconsin. But it wasn’t just put in the shop. It had to be tested.
“They actually sent us a sample box,” Segrest said. “We had a birthday for one of the kids. We said try
these flavors. They were just astonished.”
The children were involved in developing the shop’s waffle cone.
“They made probably 500 before we opened,” Segrest said. “They were at my house one day making cones and throwing them away until they got what they wanted for a recipe.”
Segrest believes the waffle cone makes the shop unique.
“I think we are the only place for something like 45 miles with a waffle cone,” Segrest said. “We are making them here. They are not premade. They are handmade, hand-turned
that day.”
The children have been involved and not taking a normal summer break from school.
“We kept telling the kids the faster we get this done the faster we can get it open,” Newman said.
“Abby has been up every morning at like 8 a.m. Normally she sleeps to noon or later.”
The Elmore County Health Department was helpful. Segrest shared the idea of the ice cream shop and asked what needed to be done to open. When she was satisfied she had done everything, Segrest took the paperwork to the health department to ask for an inspection.
“I took all the paperwork to them on a Thursday and said ‘How fast can you get me open?’” Segrest said. “They were here at 9 the next morning.”
The shop is now open and the excitement is still there.
“The children are begging to work more than we have them scheduled,” Segrest said. “It’s crazy. The kids are excited about it as we are.”
ALEA details boater safety for July 4
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
With the July 4 weekend and holiday incoming, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency wants to remind citizens of how to stay safe on the water during the holiday.
Officer Johnny Walker and Corporal Rod MacLeroy detailed safe boater practices and boating behaviors at the ALEA post at Wind Creek Friday.
“We want to make sure everyone has a good, safe weekend,” MacLeroy said. “Boating-wise, we want to make sure everyone has personal flotation devices for everyone on board and it’s the proper wear.”
The main point of emphasis for ALEA is for boaters and riders to remember to have Coast Guard certified life jackets for every person on board. Many children’s jackets are not Coast Guard certified; therefore, they are not considered life-saving.
ALEA cautioned families to check each jacket to make sure the proper safety precautions are met and followed.
With the influx of nighttime boaters on the lake for fireworks, it is important to make sure their navigation lights are working before getting on the water after sundown. To be even safer, carry extra bulbs or boating glow sticks to illuminate a vessel as much as possible at night.
During firework shows — make sure the navigation lights are on.
During the day, showing boating courtesy will go a long way in keeping everyone safe. Walker noted the next 10 or so days would be a bad time for novice boat drivers to get behind the
PARK Continued from A1
Members of the SCV camp spent part of last week installing more stones on the camp’s private property. One remembers Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Its inscription honors the Confederate militia, home guard and some University of
wheel and for those dragging skiers or tubers to do so in the middle or most open parts of the water.
Walker also encourages boaters to check their horn before leaving, as many boats come with electric horns that may be impacted by water intake.
Having your family or passengers aware of surroundings at all times will further keep citizens safe on the water. Only having one person watching for people in the water or other vessels can lead to unwanted consequences.
In many ways, boating is just like the highway. The most important of those similarities is to operate your vehicle sober. The standard rule of “drive sober or get pulled over” also applies on the water — especially during a holiday celebration.
“If you are going to drink, make sure you are not the one operating the boat,” Walker said. “If you know you are going to operate the vessel, do the
Alabama cadets who rode to the train to Tallassee to help defend the Tallassee Armory from Union Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson’s
The Union soldiers had just left Selma where they had destroyed an arsenal and were looking for the Tallassee Armory where new carbines for the Confederate Army had been
The few Confederate forces were able to confront Wilson’s Raiders in two skirmishes near the railroad and near Franklin. They quickly moved towards Columbus, Georgia.
“They knew Forrest was hot on their tail and they didn’t want anything to do with him,” Hughey said. “They decided to forget about Tallassee and the armory.”
Another of the stones
right thing.”
With that in mind, ALEA will have as many marine patrol officers on the water as possible in the coming days. The troopers are not looking for anyone or anything in particular, but rather for anything that may put lives in danger.
To avoid danger, ALEA suggests for every boat to have a fire extinguisher, an engaged kill switch if applicable, a sound producing device for emergencies and for a Type-4 throwable if your boat is over 16 feet. A Type-4 throwable can be something such as a safety ring.
It is as important to stay safe on the water as it is anywhere else. If citizens follow the rules set before them, everyone can have a safe Fourth of July weekend and beyond.
“We want to make sure everyone has a good time, but everyone goes home safely,” MacLeroy said.
remembers Confederate president Jefferson Davis. Robert E. Lee is also memorialized in the park with a new stone.
Over the years the SCV camp has improved the area. Members have used their welding skills to raise the barrier over the drop off and add fencing to prevent falls. Picnic tables have been installed. The welding skills were also used to install boards created by other members to tell the SCV narrative.
Hughey said the Tallassee SCV camp has received funding from its members, the state SCV and the Alabama Historical Society in renovating the home used by the camp and to create the park. He said Rick Dorley has been instrumental in helping with fundraising efforts.
“Once he gets some-
thing on his mind like a project, he is going to see it through,” Hughey said. “It has fired everyone else up.”
The Tallassee SCV camp is also trying to restore the armory just down the bluff from the park. It was first a textile mill and was later rented to the Confederacy to manufacture carbine rifles. After the Civil War it returned to textiles. According to Hughey it was used by Mt. Vernon Mills until the 1970s.
At one time the building had a bell tower. The Alabama Historical Society has awarded a grant to restore the bell tower.
“It was used to notify workers it was time to come to work,” Hughey said. “Workers would hear it and come to work. We already reroofed the building and hope to do the belltower soon.”
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Marine patrols from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will be patrolling Alabama’s waterways during the holiday weekend to keep boaters and those on the water safe.
God will forgive our sins
OJACKIE WILBOURN Columnist
n January 15, 1892, a young man took an old sheet of paper and wrote down 13 rules for formulating the invention of a new game, which came to be called basketball. James Naismith formulated basis rules and wrote down a few handwritten notes on an old piece of plain paper and called the new game “basket ball”. Later, these two yellowish-brown sheets of paper with both typed and handwritten notes on them, appraised for $5 million dollars. Can you imagine rules of such great worth? Taken from the National Basketball Association Interactive Franchise Valuations, the average NBA team is worth $4 billion dollars! James Naismith, M.D. never got one penny from his invention of the sport although his name proudly adorns the world’s only Basketball Hall of Fame! In God’s Word, we find the Jewish people putting tremendous value on the rules God
gave them. The Psalmist wrote, “I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches” (Psalm 119:14 NIV), and “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold” (Psalm 119:72).
Although there were volumes of rules to be obeyed, it was virtually impossible to remember all these laws and rules but impossible to obey all the laws and rules. Today, you and I give much value on the Ten rules that God gave Moses to write on the tablets of stone. American General Douglas MacArthur, (who famously
Tallassee Churches
broke a lot of rules) coined the phrase, “rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind.” Lots of current day transgressions or rule breaking can be attributed to the fact that we are simply to lazy to do the right things. (Ex. Do you break the speed limit because we are too lazy to be prepared to leave just a bit earlier or perhaps we are involved in a fender bender because we are pushing the yellow caution light). We are lazy people who hide behind authority!
Isaiah 43:25 reads, “I, even I, am He who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers our sins no more.” 1 John 3:4 describes sin as a “transgression” of God’s spiritual law! So much truth to the ole adage, “call it what it is, sin is sin” but … God will forgive and forget our sins. God will blot our transgressions! God will reset our hearts and minds on the path of righteousness! In life, it takes an effort to obey but remember forgiveness is within reach!
Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Disaster Team.
Surrounding Area Churches
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Tallassee finishes runner-up at 7-on-7 tourney
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Tallassee showed teams across Elmore County exactly what to expect out of the Tigers under head coach Lawrence “L.A.” O’Neal.
Tallassee, playing in the second annual Battle for the County 7-on-7 Tournament at the Wetumpka
Sport Complex Friday, finished runner-up and went an impressive 4-1-1 to grab its second place finish. The Tigers beat every team in the county at least one time before falling to Wetumpka, 18-17, in the championship game.
“I thought our guys played really hard,” O’Neal said. “We played six games and played hard and fought
through some adversity. We have some stuff we can learn from but we just have to finish some small details. I’m proud of them.”
Tallassee went 3-0-1 in the round robin portion of the tournament with some thrilling games. In the first matchup of the day, as an onslaught of rain poured down, Tallassee was able
at the one-yard line to beat Elmore County.
ANSLEY SEES SECOND CAMP AS A SUCCESS
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Roughly 200 kids took the field at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Saturday morning.
Tallassee alumni and current Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley hosted his second annual Driven Athletes Free Football Camp for kids aged 5- to 14-years old.
Much like his first camp a year ago, it was a massive success with kids from all over the local area turning out with a plethora of professional coaches to learn from.
“It’s been a fantastic turnout,” Ansley said. “We just wanted to come out here and include everyone and teach inclusion. We want to give everyone the opportunity to experience what we’re teaching today. We’re just trying to teach basic fundamentals. We want to teach them how to get in a stance and how to run through a drill, run through a bag or block a guy. We just want to teach them the fundamentals of how to be a good
football player.”
Nearly 100 coaches were spread out working at 10 different stations of kids across the field.
That included current and former Tallassee and Reeltown players, former Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama football players, and even other NFL coaches such as Shaun Dion Hamilton, a former Carver alum who now works for the Detroit Lions.
“This whole camp has been a joint effort,” Ansley said. “A lot of coaches have come together to put this one for the kids. There’s a lot of friends, former Trojans and teammates. It’s really been 25 years of relationships out here coaching.”
Ansley has one of the best football careers of any Tallassee alum. He played defensive back for the Tigers and put together two stellar seasons in 1998 and 1999. In those two years, he earned back-to-back All-State honors for his abilities and helped the Tigers earn a 13-1 record and a third round playoff appearance his senior year.
The team’s 13 wins is still the most in school history.
That season, he was also named to the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game, the only Tiger to ever appear in the contest.
He went on to shine at Troy State where he started 40 games for the Trojans and intercepted 19 passes. For him to be able to come back and give back to the community that he once shined in means the world to him.
“My heart and soul is for these kids,” Ansley said. “I went to school with a lot of their parents so it’s been good to be able to come back and put on this event. I also get to see these kids grow the youth programs and middle schools and eventually the high school.”
Ansley’s coaching career has also been an impressive one.
He started his coaching stint as a defensive backs coach at Huntingdon College in Montgomery. After four seasons there, he was given
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Wetumpka will hold its trophy for another year.
The Indians beat Tallassee, 18-17, in the second annual Battle for the County 7-on-7 tournament held at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. The Indians, which also won last season, went 5-1 and beat every single team in the county.
“We lost our first game in the weather and our downpour,”
Breaking
We are now only 65 days away Wednesday from the beginning of the college football season. This is a great opportunity to take a sneak peek at the Auburn Tigers upcoming 2024 football schedule. Sports Illustrated rates the Tigers schedule in terms of difficulty at No. 52 of 134 teams. The College Football News ranks it as the 64th hardest in the country.
(Aug 31) vs. Alabama A&M – The Bulldogs will be making their third trip to Jordan-Hare since 2012. The combined score in the first two matchups was 106-7 in favor of Auburn. A&M went 5-6 in 2023.
(Sept 7) vs. California – The Tigers traveled to Berkeley last year and now the Bears make the cross-country trip to complete the home and home. Auburn threw for less than 100 yards, only converted four third-downs and turned the ball over four times. Yet, somehow found a way to win the game 14-10. It would be a harbinger of things to come.
(Sept 14) vs. New Mexico (Homecoming) –The Lobos posted a 4-8 record in 2023 losing the opener to Texas A&M 52-10. The Tigers should be 3-0 and be able to work out the kinks after three straight out-of-conference home games to begin the season.
(Sept 21) vs. Arkansas – Sam Pittman is definitely on the hot seat in 2024. That means the Razorbacks will be a desperate team and desperate teams can be dangerous. Auburn hammered the Hogs last year 48-10 and have won seven of the last eight matchups.
(Sept 28) vs. Oklahoma – The Sooners righted
Wetumpka coach Bear Woods said.
“We’re in the process that you can’t speed up with the new offensive coordinator, new quarterback and new receivers so I’m not surprised that we played better in the last game instead of the first game.”
Tyler Johnson led the Indians’ offense the entire tournament, and he found a ton of success after the onslaught of rain that plagued every team in their first games. Following the first game, Johnson was able to lead Wetumpka to
the ship last season under Brent Venables winning 10 games. There is a lot of expectation in Norman, but also a lot of unknown as they enter the SEC. The Tigers have only matched up with Oklahoma twice (1972 & 2017) losing both games. If AU could open the season 5-0, which is possible, look out!
(Oct 5) at Georgia –We all know how good the Bulldogs are by now. They have kicked Auburn’s teeth in quite a bit the last decade or so. The Tigers will never be true contenders until they beat the Dawgs in Athens.
(Oct 19) at Missouri – Eli Drinkwitz has significantly raised the talent level in Columbia and an 11 win season in 2023 was proof positive. Mizzou will take on Texas A&M two weeks prior to Auburn and Alabama the week after. That’s a pretty tough stretch.
(Oct 26) at Kentucky –The Wildcats are always tough, especially at home, and 2024 will be no exception. The Tigers have only played Big Blue three times since 2010, but are 18-1 headto-head since 1967.
(Nov 2) vs. Vanderbilt – Obviously, this should be a mark in the win column unless the world is completely upside down. Well, let’s not go there. Quarterback Diego Pavia transferred to Vandy from New Mexico State who infamously upset Auburn a year ago.
(Nov 16) vs. ULM –
19 points, 19 points, 37 points, 33 points and 18 points. Johnson has made big plays for Wetumpka before. As a freshman, he led the Indians on a game-winning drive against Stanhope Elmore to put Wetumpka in the playoffs. After transferring out of the program, he’s back and leading the offense for one last season.
“I thought Tyler was tremendous,” Woods said. “Physically, he showed he was the best on the field.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Tallassee’s JD McKenzie, left, celebrates with quarterback Trent Morris after knocking down a pass attempt
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Tallassee alum Derrick Ansley speaks to kids at his second annual Driven Athletes Free Football Camp held at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Saturday.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Wetumpka quarterback Tyler Johnson rolls out to throw the ball against Tallassee in the Battle for the County 7-on-7 tournament. Johnson and the Indians went 5-1 and won the championship for the second-consecutive year.
See RUNNER, Page B3
ANDY GRAHAM Columnist
See ANSLEY, Page B2
the opportunity to join the SEC and coached defensive backs for Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.
He was able to coach greats such as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey at Alabama, then took his coaching abilities to the game’s highest level.
He coached defensive backs for the Oakland Raiders before returning to Tennessee and then joining the Los Angeles Chargers.
There, he was promot-
ed to Defensive Coordinator for one season. For this upcoming year, he is now in Green Bay serving as the Packers’ defensive passing game coordinator.
“I like it a lot up there,” Ansley said of the Packers. “Green Bay is a historic place with a lot of tradition. They’ve been playing ball on those grounds since 1919 and you can feel that. The community support is second to none and I love that. It’s a small town that has a college feel and on Game Day, it explodes into one of the best environments in football.”
ANSLEY Continued from B1
PHOTOS BY DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Tallassee graduate Derrick Ansley, now the defensive passing game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, held his second annual Driven Athletes Free Football Camp for kids aged 5- to 14-years old at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Saturday. The free camp saw roughly 200 local kids attend and nearly 100 coaches spanning from former Tallassee and Reeltown players to Detroit Lions coach Shaun Dion Hamilton helping out. Ansley and his coaching staff wanted to teach the local kids the fundamentals of playing good football.
to score two late touchdowns and hold off Wetumpka, 18-12, to go to 1-0.
The Tigers then beat Stanhope Elmore and Holtville before facing off with rival Elmore County.
In that game, Elmore County led the entire time and took a 12-6 lead into the final 15 seconds of the matchup. With one play left, Tallassee’s offense struck gold to keep from suffering a loss. Quarterback Trent Morris found Josh Griffin in the end zone on a last-second Hail Mary pass. The touchdown tied the game, 12-12, and no extra point attempt was given.
In the semifinals of the elimination portion, Tallassee and Elmore County played again. It was just as thrilling as the first matchup.
Tallassee scored two early touchdowns to go up, 12-4, but Elmore County fought its way back. The Panthers
BATTLE Continued from B1
intercepted a pass to cut the lead to 12-7, then had the chance to take the lead on one final drive. They drove all the way down inside the five-yard line and had four attempts to score a touchdown.
They came up just inches short on a pass, and mass confusion ensued as it was called both a sack and incomplete pass as time expired. The referees gave Elmore County one final play, untimed, and Tallassee’s JD McKenzie knocked it down at the goal line to give Tallassee the win.
“That was some adversity that we had to face,” O’Neal said. “We got a stop at the 1-yard line to win it. It seemed like we gave them six chances to score a touchdown but our defense showed up and got a stop so we could play in the championship game.”
That win put Tallassee in the championship game against Wetumpka.
The Indians led, 18-9, with under a minute left when the Tigers were able to score a touchdown on a pass from
He showed he could make every throw. He loves the deep ball and he was launching it, and when Evan Dillard was catching them for touchdowns it was incredible. He’s doing a great job and he’s really only three weeks into the new system. The sky’s the limit for Tyler.”
Dillard was the team’s best scoring threat on Friday night. He scored in four of the team’s six games and lit up rival Stanhope Elmore in the final round robin game. In that matchup, he scored four touchdowns and led Wetumpka to the highest scoring total of the night by any team – 37 points.
He had eight touchdowns on the day.
“Evan is really fast and he’s jittery,” Woods said. “A lot like his brother Mike, he has a high football IQ and he understands football. He understands coverages and he knows where the defense opens up. He’s able to really put his routes in a spot to be successful.”
In the bracket portion of the
BREAKING Continued from B1
The Warhawks lost 10 straight games to finish
BROADBAND
Continued from A1
Morris to Griffin.
Only down 18-15, the Tigers then forced a turnover on downs to secure two more points and gave themselves a
tournament, Wetumpka was the No. 2 seed and faced No. 3 seed Holtville in the semifinals.
The two teams went back and forth and were tied with under a minute left when Dillard caught a wide open deep pass for the game-winning touchdown. Holtville had one chance left and the Bulldogs were able to get down inside the five-yard line before running out of time. In the championship game, Wetumpka played a Tallassee team that beat the Indians earlier in the day and was previously undefeated. That didn’t matter, however, as Wetumpka jumped out to a 18-6 lead with just a few minutes left on the clock. The Tigers were able to cut the lead to one point, 18-17, after an interception, turnover on downs and a touchdown pass, but Wetumpka’s defense forced a sack on the final play of the night to secure the one-point win. “They made two plays to win that first game in the rain and for both teams to make it back to the championship just shows that both teams competed well,” Woods said.
the season last year after opening with two wins over Army and Lamar. (Nov 23) vs. Texas A&M – Mike Elko takes over after Jimbo Fisher
as when people needed electricity 70 and years ago. It is a big part of the infrastructure now and is really needed.”
CAEC owns broadband provider Central Access. The two entities provide electricity and internet service to Elmore, Autauga, Chilton and Coosa counties.
CAEC joined the internet service provider segment out of necessity. It had six officers and two dozen substations and needed communication between them all. It looked outside of the coop to find a provider.
“We realized we can’t communicate and that is where our members are,” Stackhouse said. “If members can’t get communication, that is why they aren’t living on the family farms like they used to. They are beginning to move away.”
Elmore County commissioner Bart Mercer said communication, in particular broadband access, is crucial for rural areas to survive.
“Broadband is as important as water,” Mercer said. “We feel everybody needs to have access.”
chance on offense.
On the first play of the drive, Tallassee was sacked and time ran out with Wetumpka leading, 18-17.
“We were in the championship game and were one point away from tying it and two points away from winning it,” O’Neal said.
“We played a good Wetumpka team who is going to win some games this year, but we’re going to win some too.”
was fired for perpetual mediocrity. There is unquestionably a lot of talent in College Station, but a new coaching staff and new attitude are hard
Mercer said broadband access affects where homes are built and businesses are located.
“It can limit access to a proper education,” Mercer said. “It could limit access to telemedicine. We really saw it in 2020 when COVID shut things down. It became more obvious how broadband access and lack of it can affect the local economy.”
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic CAEC was able to create Central Access to not only serve its needs but that of the community. At the time an estimated 35% of Elmore County was either underserved or unserved in terms of broadband access. In building out the system Central Access was able to provide broadband access to many of its customers along the way, about 10,000 of CAEC’s nearly 48,000 services. Within that original core, more than 50% of the CAEC customers with the ability to get Central Access have it.
Elmore County was ahead of the curve in serving broadband as students were sent home in March 2020 for the pandemic. But a foundation was laid and county leaders, educators and Central Access were able to put a plan together to deliver broadband thanks to knowing
to predict. The Aggies open with Notre Dame. (Nov 30) at Alabama – No more Nick Saban! No more Nick Saban! The Tide still has one of
where broadband access points were on a map and laying over a bus route map from the Elmore County Board of Education. Leaders also had a map of already established hotspots. Within a few hours it was determined locations for 25 hotspots across the county could easily be installed to allow the required at-home learning.
At the same time Montgomery County installed fewer than 10 hotspots.
The groundwork was laid in 2017 when the county and the Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) conducted a broadband accessibility survey. Just because Elmore County had identified broadband access deficiencies, it couldn’t solve the problem.
“Broadband infrastructure is not owned by the government,” Mercer said. “It is owned by non-governmental entities such as a co-op like Central Access or Spectrum, a private business. We couldn’t affect positive change directly. We had to partner with other people to do it.”
Early on, the county could be only a cheerleader. It couldn’t spend funds on broadband access or many other things.
the most talented rosters in the country and Kalen DeBoer has been fantastic everywhere he’s been. However, I say again… No more
The county provided backup by passing resolutions supporting businesses such as Central Access and Spectrum to apply for federal broadband access grants.
Recent legislation changes now allow local governments to help. In the last year the Elmore County Commission cut out years of red tape to help supply backup fiber to the facilities of the Elmore County Board of Education.
For eight days in the fall of 2023 Elmore County Schools lost internet access. It was a huge hiccup as many of the current education methods require internet access.
In the process of Central Access extending fiber to the schools, it has allowed more Elmore County residents to gain access to broadband.
“We are slowly but surely able to reduce to about 17% [in Elmore County] that are unserved or underserved,” Mercer said.
Currently Elmore County is trying to be strategic where it spends money on broadband. There are numerous grants ISPs can apply for. In the case of the county schools, the county covered a portion of the costs to allow Central Access to build
Nick Saban! Andy Graham is the co-host of Auburn Blitz and his columns appear here weekly.
out the system in less than a year after the school internet outage. The grant process is far longer.
It’s those partnerships ECEDA director Lisa Van Wagner is concentrating on, especially broadband access since it’s a requirement in every economic development deal.
“Everyday I work on broadband,” Wagner said. “I have about 30 other projects and broadband takes up the majority of ECEDA’s time.” Mercer serves on a national committee of county commissioners broadband task force. The main topic is broadband access. In Alabama, Elmore County is ahead of the curve but the county’s efforts are also garnering attention nationally through a broadband report from the National Association of County Commissions. It highlighted how leaders seek partnerships to pull projects together.
“It has taken a group of people to get us where we are,” Mercer said. “Our broadband hotspot program was one of the featured programs in the report. We still continually seek out partnerships to better serve the county.”
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Wetumpka’s Evan Dillard runs a route during Friday’s 7-on-7 tournament. Dillard, a rising senior, caught eight touchdowns in the event and four against rival Stanhope Elmore.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
The Tallassee football team celebrates after beating Elmore County, 12-7, in the semifinals of the Battle for the County 7-on-7 Tournament.
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Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION OF ABANDONED VEHICLES
* Please take notice that Central Alabama Automotive & Towing, will offer for sale at Public Auction to the highest bidder for cash, for the following vehicles: 1.) 2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO vin: 1GCUYDED1MZ144705 2.) 2007 MUSTANG GT vin: 1ZVHT82H975306216 3.) 2012 BMW 328i vin: WBA3A5C51CF257827 4.) 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER vin: 1N6DD26T14C464614 5.) 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN vin: 2C4RDGBGXDR732744
The Public Auction will be held at Central Alabama Automotive & Towing, located at 839 Rock Springs Dr. Tallassee, Al. 36078 during the business hours of 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on August 2nd, 2024. The seller shall have the right to reject any bid that is unreasonably low and may postpone the public aucand place. In addition, the seller
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p expressly reserves the right to bid and purchase at the public auction.
CENTRAL ALABAMA AUTOMOTIVE & TOWING 839 ROCK SPRINGS DR. TALLASSEE AL. 36078
Tallasee Tribune: Jun. 26 and July 3, 2024 AV/21 CHEVY PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Separate sealed bids for the demolition and clearance of unsafe structures in connection with CDBG Project No. LR-CEPF-19-028 will be received by the City of Tallassee, Alabama in City Hall, 3 Freeman Avenue, Tallassee, Alabama, until 10:00 AM CST, July 19, 2024, opened and read aloud.
The Information for Bidders, Form of Bid, Form of Contract, Bond, Performance and Payment Bond, and other contract documents may be examined at the following location: Building Department
Tallassee City Hall 3 Freeman Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078
Copies may be obtained upon payment of $50 for each specpayment represents the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, therefore, no refund will be issued. Please contact Eric Jones, Building Inspector, at 334-283-6571.
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Each bidder must deposit, with its bid, security in the amount of, form of and subject to the conditions provided in the Information
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Public Notices
ELMORE COUNTY PREPS FOR FOOTBALL SEASON
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Elmore County is entering the 2024 football season with high hopes. The Panthers are entering Year 3 of the Kyle Caldwell era and are coming off back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances. Caldwell will look to continue that playoff streak with a feast or famine schedule this season.
The 10 teams that Elmore County will suit up and play had a combined record of 47-58 a year ago. Only four of the teams had winning records (Central Clay, Valley, Holtville and Beauregard) although seven teams reached the playoffs. No teams made it out of the first round.
Six teams had losing records. Three of the six teams had four wins while the other three had two wins or less.
TRENDS
Elmore County opens its season against three consecutive teams that had a losing record last season. Dadeville went 4-5, Tallassee went 1-9 and Carroll-Ozark went 4-7. This will be Caldwell’s first game against Dadeville, his alma mater. The Panthers
have not had much success against Dadeville in the past as they’re just 3-9 against the Tigers since 2007.
Elmore County beat Tallassee last year for the first time since 2015.
All four of the teams with winning records come in a row for Elmore County’s schedule. The Panthers will face Beauregard, Valley, Central Clay and Holtville in a five-week stretch around a bye week. Elmore County has never beaten Clay County (0-6), the defending region champs.
Elmore County then ends the season with three matchups with Marbury (2-9), Sylacauga (2-8) and Chilton County (4-6).
GAMES TO WATCH ELMORE COUNTY VS. TALLASSEE, AUG. 30
Even with Tallassee moving down to Class 4A, the two teams stayed on each other’s schedules this season. This rivalry has been one of the most intense in recent history, but it has been dominated by Tallassee. The Tigers had won seven straight before Elmore County’s 34-20 win last year. The last two seasons have been closer games than normal. In 2022, Tallassee pulled
All four of the teams with winning records come in a row for Elmore County’s schedule. The Panthers will face Beauregard, Valley, Central Clay and Holtville in a five-week stretch around a bye week. Elmore County has never beaten Clay County (0-6), the defending region champs.
out a 26-20 win which was the first time in seven years it had been decided by less than three touchdowns. Last year, it was back-and-forth before Elmore County pulled away late.
ELMORE COUNTY VS. VALLEY, OCT. 11
Elmore County and Valley played in one of the best games of the season last year. The Rams came to Elmore County and after trailing all game, threw a game-winning
Hail Mary touchdown in the final minute of the game. The game pushed Elmore County to a three-seed and didn’t allow the Panthers to host a playoff game. With a lot of Valley’s star players gone, expect Elmore County to be looking for sweet revenge.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
LOGAN COPPEDGE, CHILTON COUNTY QUARTERBACK
Coppedge may not have all the stars and hype that other
players in Alabama have, but the quarterback was extremely efficient last year leading Chilton County’s offense. The rising junior passed for 1,701 yards with 15 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. By the time Elmore County faces Coppedge in the final week, he will likely be in full form.
LADAMION BOYD, CENTRAL CLAY COUNTY RUNNING BACK
Boyd will be one of the top skill players Elmore County will face this season. Even after going down with a leg injury and missing the final two games of Central Clay’s season last year, Boyd finished his junior campaign with 154 carries for 1,621 yards and 22 touchdowns. He averaged more than 10.5 yards per carry.
ZJ GRADY, BEAUREGARD LINEBACKER
One of the top defensive players Elmore County will face is ZJ Grady, a linebacker from Beauregard. The rising senior is the No. 52-ranked player in the Class of 2025 in Alabama and is ranked as a three-star. Last season, he recorded 75 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble. On offense, he had 37 carries for 251 yards and three touchdowns.
Arts & Entertainment
Kowaliga Country celebrates 20 years in radio
By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
For the past 20 years, Kowaliga Country 97.5 has been a staple on the radio dial. Serving Tallapoosa, Clay, Elmore and Coosa counties, Kowaliga Country is celebrating its two-decade birthday this week.
“In some ways it’s like dog years because it seems like it’s been a lot longer, but it also goes by so fast,” station owner John Kennedy said. “It does feel good; it’s an accomplishment to
get to 20 years with the same format and the same market. You don’t see that as much anymore.”
Locally, Kowaliga Country actually started on 100.3 but it was July 4, 2004 that the flip was switched to 97.5 and it’s remained at that spot on the dial ever since.
Kennedy took over the station July 1, 2007 and has seen it evolve over the years. He really got to see firsthand how the internet and streaming would play a role in radio for years to
Artist paints windows around Lake Martin, East Alabama
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Driving around town, onlookers might notice window paintings along businesses, casting works of art for the wider community.
While there are multiple window artists in the area, one is Venda Naomi Cowan.
Cowan started as a portrait artist and had done some murals in the past. Last year, the owner of a gas station out in Beauregard, asked her to paint his windows.
“And I said, ‘I guess so; I never thought about it,” she recalled. “I have painted on glass before, so sure. I just got up there and I started painting.”
The gas station owner had called up a few other business owners, telling them about her work and one year later she’s painting windows as a full-time job.
Cowan paints in Dadeville, Opelika, Auburn, Columbus, Phoenix City, some in Orange Beach, Alex City, LaFayette, Eufaula, Union Springs and Hurtsboro, where she lives.
Most of Cowan’s clients know her well enough that they can give a few key ideas and tell her to go for it from there. With her client’s trust, she said her creativity gets to run wild making it a freeing and exciting experience.
Cowan said she has been blessed to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
“I’m a Christian and I
would not have met so many awesome people if God hadn’t been involved with this,” she said. “These people become like family.”
She said since window paintings also aren’t forever, there is something special about getting to create something you know is only temporary. Cowan comes from a family of artists and grew up being homeschooled where her mom and other family members introduced her to music, art and poetry.
Aside from their artistic influence, family is a large part of Cowan’s life. Her mother has cancer and her sister is handicapped, so spending time with them is extremely important to Cowan. Window paintings’ flexible schedule allows her to also spend quality time with her family whether they come with her while she paints or she takes window painting jobs at her leisure.
“It gives you a really intimate look into our society, our cultural society,” she said, turning to think of her work on a wider scale. “It’s been really special. I’ve enjoyed it. Not just as a job, not just that it pays my bills, but it makes me happy.”
Those interested in having their window painted can contact Cowan through her Facebook or Instagram page.
come.
“The streaming world has been a big game changer for us,” he said. “But we always believe content builds reputation in a market, and our goal is always to be hyper local in entertainment, and of course, we really like our sports division.”
Some of the highlights of Kowaliga Country’s repertoire include Kenny Dean and the Front Porch morning show and Brady Sapp’s midday lineup.
Lawson blazes trail in music, social media
HENRY ZIMMER
Editor,
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Doug Segrest and Kristy Meanor are doing it again. After Meanor adapted Segrest’s
SUBMITTED TPI
Venda Naomi Cowan does window art in Dadeville, Opelika,Auburn, Columbus, Phoenix City, some in Orange Beach, Alex City, LaFayette, Eufaula, Union Springs and Hurtsboro.
The cast of Hooray for Harry Wood poses
photograph. The play is about the lives of actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood and will be performed
COWAN
Fermenter’s hosts events all summer
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
Those who want a break from the heat of summer can make their way downtown to Fermenter’s Market on the Green.
Fermenter’s is an Alexander City staple when it comes to local nightlife. For years, locals have made memories with friends and family at the bar on Alabama Street. This summer, more memories can be made with the variety of events held throughout the week.
To kick off the week, guests have the option of playing a game of cornhole with their friends on Monday nights. Depending on the week, there may be live music by local artists on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Bar manager Deborah Blankston said the bar normally hosts karaoke Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these nights, guests have the opportunity to sing their favorite songs to their hearts’ content. Last Friday, the town showed out to sing their favorite songs at the bar. Some chose to give a solo performance while others decided to take the stage with their friends.
Although the venue hosts events sure to satisfy anyone, what makes it a classic is its wide drink selection.
“What stands out for Fermenter’s is the friendly service, good bartenders and great selection of alcohol,” Blankston said. “We have a good selection of liquors, spirits, craft beer and regular beer.”
Blankston said she sources some beer from breweries in surrounding areas, like The Wicked Weed brewery in LaGrange. In fact, one of the bar’s most unique selections is sourced from that brewery.
“We’ve started carrying the Pernicious from The Wicked Weed,” Blankston said. “It’s a strawberry apricot cocktail that you put on the draft wall. We serve them like we would a draft beer, except it’s a cocktail.”
Blankston also sources some craft beer from in-state breweries in Birmingham and other surrounding areas. While Fermenter’s beer selection is wide, the cocktail and shot variety is selfsame. The beer drinker and cocktail connoisseur alike are sure to find something that will soothe the palate.
No matter what day of the week you find yourself at Fermenter’s, you will almost certainly catch some drink or shot specials.
To keep up with Fermenter’s weekly events, you can follow its page on Facebook, Fermenter’s Market on the Green Alex City. Fermenter’s also has a location in Sylacauga.
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artistic director Kristy Meanor said. “We would be reading about some of the character actors and their lives. Their lives were far more interesting than anything you see on film. That is how the characters were born in this play.”
In writing the play, Meanor and Segrest compared notes on the numerous films they had watched. They quickly developed characters they wanted to see on stage. Meanor has always been in theater, and Segrest is a sports journalist with a love of theater.
“We have a lot of fun writing together,” Meanor said. “We think alike. Working with Doug is like having your own drama trudge fact checker. He has an encyclopedia brain for not only sports but movie trivia.”
The characters and story lines came from old movies such as My Girl Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can’t Take It With You.
The main character Harry Wood is the epitome of leading men of the time as movies transitioned from silent to sound. Wood decides he is better suited as a stuntman.
“All of the characters are identifiable,” Meanor said. “There is a newspaper touch which is fun for Doug because he is a journalist. Anything he writes there is going to be a journalism thing in it. The newspaper gets involved in a story that is going on.”
Most of the play is set around the guesthouse of a Spanish revival home in Burbank, California once owned by Harry.
“He built this big Hollywood mansion,” Meanor said. “He lost all his money because of bad investments and living in the guest house of this mansion because the old lady who bought it let him stay in the guest house. He has adopted some industry friends who aged out of the business with him. It’s snappy dialogue.”
The cast has been rehearsing for the show that opens July 11 and runs through July 27. Tickets are available through the Depot’s website at www. wetumpkadepot.com. Currently Meanor and others are working on the stage including building Harry’s Spanish revival home and guesthouse.
“It is a beast of a set,” Meanor said. “It will be ready by July 11. You have to make a mess to make some nice stuff. We are at the mess stage.”
Down at the BoonDocks
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor, Tallapoosa County
It was well worth the wait.
BoonDocks at Bay Pines has finally opened, and every second spent waiting for Lake Martin’s newest bar has paid off.
On the water down a few miles from Lakewinds Golf Course in Jackson’s Gap, BoonDocks offers a variety of frozen and on tap drinks and live music offerings at this distinctive venue.
On the same ground as the already existing Bay Pines marina, both locations work in tandem to please adults and kids alike. You can park your boat on either side of the peninsula, come aboard dry land and grab a slice of pizza in the marina and wash your troubles away with a cool drink.
When I went to BoonDocks, I had a goal in mind: I wanted to spend the day watching soccer and drinking one of the Bushwackers I had heard so much about.
I ordered a large Bushwacker on the recommendation of someone in the parking lot. He was telling someone about how they should have gotten a large size instead of the regular size, so I kept that in mind. The large runs $14 while the regular size cup is $10. You can get a floater of liquor for an additional $4.
I opted to just stay with the large and no topper and was highly impressed. The service at the bar was fast and efficient, as droves of boaters came and went to grab themselves their own Bushwackers for a day on the lake.
My drink was extra chilly and extra chocolatey and paired well with extremely warm weather between spurts of rain. BoonDocks also has a number of other frozen drinks from margaritas, strawberry daiquiris and
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because I grew up in church,” Lawson said. “I was always around music because of church, but in high school, that is when the content started.”
Lawson is somewhat of a global superstar in terms of TikTok, with her two pinned videos garnering over five million views. To date, she has received over 10 million likes.
Originally, Lawson didn’t have an avenue like TikTok but did skits in person and with friends. When TikTok started gaining its traction in 2018, Lawson hopped aboard and has been a staple face on the app ever since.
“I just blew up,” Lawson said. “It is really dope. It is a great thing. I go places and see people and they recognize me as the girl from TikTok.”
Despite being from Goodwater, a town of roughly 1,500 people, Lawson can go anywhere in the country and be recognized. Whether it be from her music or her online personality, Lawson has carved out her own corner of the internet.
“It is a great thing to have your name out there,” Lawson said. “It is pretty cool. People always want to take pictures.”
Being big on the internet wasn’t ever something Lawson set out to do. She wanted to play basketball in high school, but gave that dream up in favor of track.
Athletics ended up not being her avenue, instead taking her talents to phone screens and headphones across the world. Even still, there is plenty of room for career growth in her eyes.
Miami Vice’s. Non-alcoholic slushies can be purchased in the marina and both locations do have varying menus. The bar has a pair of televisions and also a handful of on-tap options to go with a number of canned drinks. I had to partake in a couple chilly Miller Lites on draft as I watched Germany eek out a win over Denmark. The venue itself is accommodating for quite a number of people, with indoor and outdoor seating available. There is a live music stage near the bar and additional outdoor seating on the opposite side of the marina. Maybe this is more of a personal quirk, but I enjoyed the restrooms set up. The restrooms are converted out of an old shipping container and the facilities were quite nice.
While I did not partake myself, there were also ring toss games setup by the bar
“Being from a small town and being global like this, it is a great thing,” Lawson said. “I am still waiting for my moment though. I still feel like I haven’t even reached my full potential.”
At 22, Lawson recorded her first song. Music was something that had been with her her whole life, and even before the internet fame, was something she knew she could do.
“I knew I could sing, but at that time I was just trying to find myself and find my era,” Lawson said. “I have multiple talents, so I started with music first to see how it goes.”
Nowadays, Lawson is a consistent face at local sporting events and large community gatherings around Tallapoosa County. She performed her newest single “Let’s Party” to a raucous reaction at the Coosa v. Benjamin Russell alumni basketball game.
When she isn’t creating content, Lawson organizes and performs for the Sunday FunDay youth events around Alexander City. The events are a community-wide gathering after church to bring youth from Tallapoosa County and beyond together for a day of outdoor activities.
“Getting the community together, I have come to realize that is one of my lanes,” Lawson said.
“The (most recent) Sunday FunDay had a great turnout. The kids feel safer when they are around someone that loves them. And I love the kids and want them to have a good time.”
Across the board, the Sunday FunDay organizers host the events because they didn’t have such gatherings when they were kids. No one around town certainly had someone like Lawson around
that saw constant action between waves of people. There was a constant flow of bodies coming in and out of BoonDocks, many accompanied by dogs, but the venue never felt packed or overwhelmed. The bar staff pumped out as many frozen concoctions as humanly possible, and people came and went with smiles on their faces. The boat slips themselves never got backed up either, as many people came ashore for their drinks to go. BoonDocks is at its zenith over the weekends. Its dining tables are filled with families and friends who all want to partake in its beachy atmosphere. I have enjoyed plenty of cold drinks and fun bars around the lake, but this may be my new favorite. Pay the staff a visit, have a Bushwacker, watch some soccer and have a BoonDocks kind of day. I don’t think you will regret it.
growing up, so she takes it upon herself to show youth they can have a career in media.
“It is very inspiring, especially from where I came from,” Lawson said. “Growing up in Goodwater, you didn’t see too much of that. Now I am able to have that for them and show them that this is what they can do. It is always great to do.” Lawson is unabashedly herself and portrays that in her music and skits. Her message to youth is to be the same and never change because someone else wants you to.
“To kids, just stay consistent,” Lawson said. “You don’t have to switch things up just because somebody is telling you that you have to do this or that. Just be you.”
The beauty of Lawson’s music and media talents is at any moment, she can create another viral video or another hit song. She doesn’t necessarily have a plan or schedule, but more so waits for the right time.
“I can’t ever say what is next. It’s whatever God sees fit,” Lawson said.
Tallapoosa County’s internet celebrity is well on her way to stardom. Some would say she is already well established in that regard. Lawson doesn’t see herself as a celeb however, but more of an artist. It takes a lot to make a video for millions of people, or a song for car rides at any time of day. And Lawson is always ready to lay down a catchy hook or gut busting video.
“I want to do both,” Lawson said. “Today I could make a funny video and go to the studio and record. It is all the same thing. It’s all art. It is all the same thing, it is just how you do it.”
MELODY RATHEL TPI
Guests at Fermenter’s Market on the Green sang some of their favorite hits Friday night. Those who chose not to sing enjoyed unique craft cocktails and beer while supporting their friends.
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
A cold Bushwacker at BoonDocks just might be the best way to stay refreshed on a warm summer day.
Box gears up for her fourth Lake Martin Songwriters Festival
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
One of the festival’s primary songwriters will be returning to the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival who has been there since its inception.
Terri Jo Box first came to Lake Martin for a songwriters retreat at The Pace Place. She received an invitation at the last minute and arrived a day late. She spent her time playing and writing. While staying there, Box met the owners and heard about the future committee beginning the festival. She
Food Spotlight
has been at the songwriters festival every year since.
Box first got into music through church, and she had plenty of family members who played as well.
Her mother played piano and sang, her grandmother played piano and her maternal grandfather was a musician too.
Box is originally from Texas, and she said each time she sees Lake Martin, it reminds her of her favorite lake back home. But the thing that is always stunting about it is how clean and clear it is.
Box has been part of the Nashville music scene for the past two
Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor, Elmore County
When I was in the Alex City Outlook office last week, I went looking for somewhere to quickly eat lunch. I found Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers on the map, so I made the short drive over.
I am a huge lover of chicken fingers, whether that is Raising Cane’s, Zaxbys, Abners, Huey Magoos or a hometown place.
I went in with high expectations and I left with those expectations met.
I ordered the Finger and Wing combo, which came with three tenders, four wings, a piece of bread, french fries and two sauces.
My total came out to right around $16, which is expensive for a chicken place but I did get one of the largest combos on the menu. Wasn’t an issue.
And once the chicken hit my table, it definitely wasn’t an issue.
I was very impressed with the size of my tenders. It wasn’t like a trip to Zaxby’s where many of your tenders are the size of one of your fingers. These pieces of chicken had some meat on them.
The wings did as well. I feel like wings are usually hit or miss. You can get tiny ones from places, but you never really get large ones. These were probably some of the largest wings I’ve gotten from a fast food chicken place. I ordered mine with hot sauce, and the flavor was fantastic. I dipped it in ranch and it was a perfect blend. Not too hot and extremely flavorful.
I was split down the middle on the fries. They were cooked fantastic and had a great crunch to them, but man were they small. Over half of the fries were smaller than a battery. Some as small as the size of the fingernail on your thumb. Both of the sauces I got were very sweet, which wasn’t a bad thing. I usually think of a special sauce to be like a Raising Canes type sauce, but these were much sweeter. Not my favorite chicken sauce, but I’d still eat it again.
One of the best things about my trip was seeing the hospitality. When my food was brought to my table, I was asked if I needed something else. I responded no, but then all of a sudden I was having napkins and an extra plate brought to my table from the server.
I’ll take hospitality I didn’t ask for.
The table next to me also got some hospitality. From what I gathered, they ordered wings but wanted all flats. I don’t know if they asked or just changed their mind, but they asked the server for all flats when it was brought to the table.
So what did they do? Left the whole plate of wings and brought them more that were just all flats.
That’s good customer service. And it was fantastic food.
I’d rate my experience a 9/10 and I would eat there once a week if I lived in Alex City.
decades and she has earned placement on four Grammy-nominated albums. She has also recorded with Eric Church, Joe Nichols, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Trent Tomlinson and more.
However, for this upcoming festival she is excited to play with songwriter Pam Tillis and to return to the people of Lake Martin.
“Just seeing all the locals again that we get to see every year — that’s always fun because we have made friends there now,” Box said. “It’s fun to see all our lake folk.”
The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival will be July 24-28.
While most locations around Lake Martin offer food alongside extensive and unique drink menus, The Social offers brunch for the days you want to stay on dry land. Those who want a break from the sun can enjoy a daytime performance by Cade Rowland starting at 2 p.m., followed by the Brandon Jordan Band at 7 p.m. Saturday. To wrap up the week, David Jones will be your go-to-guy for the brunch enthusiast. His jazzy set will start off at 11 a.m.
THE SOCIAL HOSTS EXTENSIVE SUMMER LINEUP
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
No matter if you’re a local or visitor spending the summer on Lake Martin, The Social has your entertainment needs covered.
So far The Social has seen multiple bands perform this summer, and they are preparing to have plenty more from here on out. General manager Garry Williams and assistant manager Michael Williams said they were happy to have a full lineup this summer.
Last week, the bar saw four different performers from Thursday to Saturday. Johnny Turner kicked off the weekend Thursday night, and the Ricky Fitzgerald Band followed Turner’s performance Friday night. Although he is known locally as Ricky Fitzgerald, he goes by Hank Williams IV, as he is the nephew of Hank Williams Jr., the managers said. The Hunter Hogan Trio took the stage Saturday night, and Chris Eiland concluded the week Sunday night.
For those overwhelmed with local events during Fourth of July week, The Social will cure any fear of missing out as they have events planned during the entire week.
The holiday week began with a performance from Michael Mears, as well as karaoke for those who wanted in on the live music themselves.
The remainder of the week is booked full as Shades of Gray will start jamming out at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
On the Fourth, the Firehawks’
The
set will start at 7 p.m.; however, the events don’t stop there. Mello Jelly will kick off weekend festivities at 7 p.m. Friday night. While most locations around Lake Martin offer food alongside extensive and unique drink menus, The Social offers brunch for the days you want to stay on dry land. Those who want a break from the sun can enjoy a daytime performance by Cade Rowland starting at 2 p.m., followed by the Brandon Jordan Band at 7 p.m. Saturday. To wrap up the week, David Jones will be your go-to-guy for the brunch enthusiast. His jazzy set will start off at 11 a.m.
In the past, The Social has hosted artists and bands from both near
and far. The Mark Kelley Band, the Patrick Barnett Trio and Wesley Hill are just a few to name. Local duo Kasey Kaschak and Alex Matthews have also performed at the lakeside bar, and will be back later this month. “It’s a really unique venue,” Kaschak said. “It’s probably the closest I’ve ever played to the water. We had a blast and are excited to go back later in the month.”
Following the holiday week, guests can prepare to see performances from Alex Walker, Mother Moonpie, Tony Graydon and more. To find out more about when your favorite artist will be at The Social, be sure to follow the bar’s Facebook page.
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Terri Jo Box has been a staple at the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival, and she will return in 2024.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Jim Bob’s Finger and Wing combo, which features three tenders, four wings, a piece of bread, french fries and two sauces.
MELODY RATHEL | TPI
Hank Williams IV and The Lost Highway Band jammed out at The Social last Friday. They played a variety of old classics and new hits to help guests wind down from a day on Lake Martin.
MELODY RATHEL TPI
Hank Williams IV and
Lost Highway Band got people on their feet last Friday. Many enjoyed dancing with their loved ones as the band played.
CHUCK’S
HOSTS LIVE MUSIC
PHOTOS BY MELODY RATHEL | TPI