Former reeltown students rally to honor Charles Boles
By ABIGAIL MURPHY
Multimedia Reporter
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Logan Steers, left, poses with Tallassee Rotary Club president Stephanie Weldon after Steers was announced as a Paul Harris Award winner.
Obituaries
MS. PAMELA KAY HAYNES
1951 - 2024
A Celebration of Life Service for Ms. Pamela Kay Haynes, 72, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 10:00 am at Carrville Cemetery
Pamela Kay Haynes, affectionately known as Pam to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2024, in Alexander City, Alabama, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on November 1, 1951, in East Tallassee, Alabama, Pam’s life was a testament to her vibrant spirit and loving nature.
An avid Alabama fan, Pam’s rallying cry of “Roll Tide!” could be heard during every game, embodying her enthusiastic and spirited personality. Her free spirit shone brightly through her many interests. Pam found solace in the rhythmic waves and warm
Police Reports
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
SEPT. 29
sun of the beach, with the Florida Keys holding a special place in her heart as her favorite getaway destination. A lover of nature, she took great pleasure in tending to her plants, which flourished under her care. Her home was a sanctuary filled with symbols of her passions, from mermaids that hinted at her love for the ocean to horses that spoke of her wild heart. Pam will be remembered as an excellent cook, whose fried chicken and sweet tea were the highlights of many family gatherings. Her recipes and culinary legacy will continue to be cherished and savored by all who were fortunate enough to taste them.
Friends and family will recall Pam’s laughter and stories, which often filled the room with joy and warmth. She had a knack for making others feel loved and welcomed, and her
• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Highway 229.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Friendship Road.
• Theft was reported on Hickory Street.
• A verbal altercation was reported on Poplar Street. SEPT. 28
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Ice Plant Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Zion Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gun fire was reported on McNeal Street.
• Burglary and theft was reported on Main Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Barnett Boulevard and Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A domestic incident was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A vehicle pursuit was reported on Jefferson Street. SEPT. 27
• A domestic incident was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gun fire was reported on Ransom Drive.
• Harassment was reported on Lilly Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hudson Place.
• Animal control was requested on Herd Street.
• Theft was reported on East Roosevelt Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• A Black male was arrested during an intoxicated person call on Second Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Laurel Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Third Avenue.
sense of humor was contagious. Her loving spirit created a bond with everyone she met, making each encounter memorable and special.
Pam is survived by a close-knit family who were the center of her world. She leaves behind her husband, John Harrison; her son, Gavin Faughender and his wife, Casey; her daughter, Jessica Bassler and her husband, Jonathan. The legacy of her kindred spirit will live on through her cherished grandchildren, who referred to her as BG, Jayde Harrison, Cheyenne Harrison, and Savannah Haynes.
Pam’s siblings, Deborah Johns and Dana Haynes Sr. along with his wife Marilyn, will hold her memory dear, as will her nieces and nephews, Shannon J. Owings, Stefanie Haynes, Darryl Haynes Jr., Jonathan Johns, Justin Johns, Dana Haynes Jr., and Dustin Haynes.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Wood Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Ice Plant Road.
• Theft was reported on Worthington Circle.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Identity theft was reported on East Roosevelt Street.
• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231. SEPT. 26
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Central Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Magnolia Street.
• A child custody dispute was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on North Ann Avenue and Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested on West Patton Street.
• Animal control was requested on Bellview Circle and Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to medics on East Patton Street. SEPT. 25
• An intoxicated person was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Hudson Place.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Noble Road.
• Trespassing was reported on Third Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Zion Street.
• Gun fire was reported on Cliff Street. SEPT. 24
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Outer Drive.
• A fight was reported on East Patton Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
Preceding her in death were her beloved son, Brandon Haynes; her brother, Darryl Haynes Sr.; and her parents, Jesse Dee Haynes and Mary Charles Haynes, who have now welcomed her into eternal peace.
Pam’s life was a journey of love, laughter, and the pursuit of happiness. Her spirit and love will continue to inspire those she has left behind. As we bid farewell to Pamela Kay Haynes, we celebrate the indelible mark she made on the world and the countless hearts she touched. Her memory will be a guiding light to all who knew her, a reminder to live each day with passion, kindness, and a generous helping of humor
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome. com.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Pamela Kay Haynes.
• A private property accident was reported on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• An animal complaint was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Highway 229.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Lilly Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Noble Road. SEPT. 23
• Assistance was given to another agency on South Tallassee Drive.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Main Street.
• Harassment was reported on Stroud Street.
• A suspicious person was reported on Main Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Joy Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Main Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Friendship Road.
• Trespassing was reported on Ransom Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.
• A suspicious person was reported on Main Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Quail Run Drive.
• Theft by deception was reported on Highway 229.
• An animal complaint was reported on East Patton Street.
• Harassment was reported on Delta Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Second Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Quail Run Drive and East Patton Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.
SEPT. 22
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• A suspicious person was reported on Evergreen Street.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Keep your pets safe, protected
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
October is National Animal Safety and Protection
Month to remind us of the responsibility that comes with owning domesticated animals and pets. So how can you be the best animal/ pet owner while also keeping them safe and protected?
• Do your homework before getting whatever animal you are thinking of to make sure you can provide the kind of environment it will need to be healthy and happy. Know the source of your pet so as to not support inhumane breeding practices.
• Think about the lifespan of that particular species to make sure you are willing to commit to it for its entire life or have a solid plan
So how can you be the best animal/pet owner while also keeping them safe and protected?
for its care and well-being if it outlives you.
• Make sure you can afford the food, water requirements, living area, veterinary care, coat care, handling equipment & transportation requirements for whatever animals you choose to join your life.
• Secure a veterinarian knowledgeable about your species of animals BEFORE you add them to your home/farm or before there is an emergency.
• Keep your animals up to date on all necessary immunizations, use appropriate internal & external parasite control, ensure routine coat, skin, nail, hoof & dental care is maintained.
• Provide your pets with a diet & exercise to
promote physical & mental health.
• Pet-proof your home and property. Remove or secure choking hazards and toxic chemicals. Fix or build fences so they will safely contain your dog, horse, cow, donkey, pig, etc. Check fences routinely and especially after storms to look for downed trees and damaged fence lines. Ensure gates are always securely closed.
• Don’t allow indiscriminate breeding of any of your animals. There are simply too many unwanted dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, etc.
• Make sure your pets have identification. Microchips are perfect for dogs, cats, horses, donkeys and more but
you ALSO have to make sure your pet’s microchips are registered and your contact information is kept current.
• Take photos of your pets/livestock and be able to access those photos, especially during times of emergencies.
• Know the local and state laws in regard to owning/caring for your animals.
• Learn basic pet/ animal first aid to cover those times until a Veterinarian can help your pet.
• Have a disaster plan that includes your pets/ livestock.
• Learn how to watch for changes in physical and mental conditions as your animals age and seek Veterinary assistance as necessary to help them age with dignity.
• Train your pets to walk on a leash, or stay
Peeta is a male 7-month-old dog who weighs about 45 pounds. He was one of a litter found and brought to us earlier this year. He is just too funny with his huge ears. Peeta has tons of personality, loves people, is great with other dogs and loves chasing a ball, but he’s also happy to then be a couch potato when playtime is done. Those ears never miss hearing a snack bag opening up.
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 Peeta 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.
RC&D grants benefit theater, fire departments
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Three organizations have a little extra funding thanks to Mid-South RC&D.
The fire departments from Redland and Slapout and the Wetumpka Depot Players received state funding recently through the RC&D program. Additional funding will contribute to the purchase of rescue equipment, a new fire hose and new microphones.
“We're doing all sorts of community outreach including the project that is very dear to all of us that was awarded a grant through this great organization, the Penguin Project,” Wetumpka Depot Players artistic director Kristy Meanor said. “We take students with special needs and pair them with a non-disabled peer mentor. They walk through the steps of putting a show together
The kids who are disabled are making friends and gaining confidence. The kids who are not disabled are walking in somebody else's shoes, learning sympathy and learning to be better human beings.”
Children with special needs play the main characters alongside their partner. . The RC&D grant allowed the Wetumpka Depot Players to purchase special microphones that will aid in projecting the voices of the actors.
In addition to helping local organizations, the RC&D grant allowed the Holtville/Slapout Volunteer Fire Department to purchase water rescue equipment, such as dry suits to allow divers easier access to cold water, special ropes and an inflatable raft to aid the department in potential water rescues and recovery operations.
“Hopefully, we won't have a fatality (with the new equipment),” Holtville/Slapout firefighter Charles Bromley said. “We do have all the equipment necessary. That would not be possible without the senators, the legislature and groups like Mid-South RC&D.”
The Redland Volunteer Fire Department purchased much needed fire hose. Last year, it lost nearly 6,000 feet to testing as the hose aged
See GRANTS, Page A5
calmly in a crate, or stand tethered (horses), or respond to your calls/ treats so as to enhance the ability to calmly control them in emergencies.
• Protect your pets from roaming and people that may harm them; conversely do not let animals that can harm people or other animals roam or cause problems for your neighbors/community. Be especially careful with all interactions with children.
• Know your animal so you are aware of behavior changes that may indicate a medical or behavioral issue and get help before it progresses.
• Have a plan and be prepared for the costs of letting your pet/livestock die with dignity and then the required burial/cremation/disposal costs.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Cherokee Road, Alexander City
Pet of the Week — Peeta
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Representatives from the Wetumpka Depot Players, the Redland and Holtville volunteer fire departments, staff of Mid-South RC&D pose with state senators Will Barfoot and state representative Troy Stubbs at the Wetumpka Depot.The organizations came together to celebrate grant funding for needed projects.
Our View Opinion
Homecoming is another memory to soak up
They say the grass is always greener on the other side.
That’s definitely true when it comes to age. When you’re a kid, all you want to do is grow up and be on your own. And once you finally do, you realize you had it made when you were a kid.
We were reminded of how fantastic it can be to be a kid this week as Holtville hosted its homecoming festivities. Schools throughout Elmore County are all celebrating homecoming in the next few weeks, and we are here to remind you to soak up every memory you can make.
Once you become an adult, there’s a lot less weeks surrounded with fun and celebration, and we seem to need an excuse to cut up a bit.
But for high school-aged kids, this is the perfect time to cut up with your friends and make memories you won’t get a chance to otherwise.
Whether it’s being a part of the band or dance team or if you dive into your academics head first, find your niche in high school. Find the people who will support you and be those lifelong friends you can make only when you’re young.
Once you grow up, you’ll look back on these times and miss them. So dress up silly, go to the dance, attend the football game, cheer with your friends.
These are memories that can only be made once.
Obituaries:
the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Tribune, The Herald or The Observer.
Unless you don’t have social media, you’ve seen the photo circulating of Six Flags over Georgia completely flooded. It’s a photo of a roller coaster almost totally covered in water. It circulated after Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast last week. It had more than 200,000 shares last I checked. I even heard people talk about it in real life.
It’s a photo from 2009 — more than 15 years ago.
This isn’t the only recent example of a viral photo that has circulated since Helene. Just Tuesday morning, I saw a clearly AI-generated photo of President Donald Trump wading through flood waters. It was shared 145,000 times in 15 hours — and counting. These are clear examples of people just not checking their sources. It’s always important to check your sources, but especially when you see something online.
Don’t believe everything you see
Believing everything you see online is dangerous for multiple reasons.
We’ve seen recently where threats of violence have been made toward schools online, and we’ve even seen where a threat wasn’t made but someone simply started a rumor about an active shooter situation at Dadeville High School.
There’s nothing illegal about posting falsities, unfortunately. There’s almost no repercussions when someone makes these types of posts.
Facebook attempts to do a decent job of taking down poten-
tially harmful or false posts, but it can’
This is why it’s important to verify what you see online. little bit of time to look into a post before you share it. The more it gets shared, the more likely people are to believe it.
If you see a post about flood waters over a famous place, take a second to Google it. See if the photo is current — or even real. With artificial intelligence, there are more and more opportunities to simply make stuff up. And it’s scary what people will believe. When in doubt, don’t share something unless you know it to be factual. Stop spreading rumors that people take as truth.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the man aging editor of Tallapoosa Pub lishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi. gwin@alexcityoutlook.com.
In this presidential election season, it is easy to get caught up in the partisan politics along with the rest of the world. Name-calling, mud-slinging, and sometimes even flat-out lying are all, sadly, a part of the process and show no signs of going away. It makes one ponder, why would anyone want to be President of the United States if this is how they have to get the job?
I set aside a few nights recently to reflect on some of our more memorable presidents of the past hundred years: Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt; Ronald Reagan; and Bill Clinton. Two Democrats, two Republicans.
“The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” is another masterwork by filmmaker Ken Burns. It aired on PBS a couple of years ago and has been in rotation since, but is also available on Amazon Prime. I recommend watching it in pieces because there’s a lot of territory to cover and it is a little challenging to digest in a bingewatch scenario.
THE ROOSEVELTS: AN INTIMATE HISTORY (PBS; AMAZON PRIME)
Ken Burns has presented the definitive documentaries on the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, World War II, Country Music, the Vietnam War, and more. But perhaps for the first time, his focus is on a single family: a two-term President, a nephew who also becomes the nation’s first and only four-term President, and a niece who becomes the most consequential First Lady in history.
Historian Jon Meacham is one of the central voices in this series, and he compares the real-life Roosevelt dynasty to something that could have been imagined by the playwright William Shakespeare.
Theodore Roosevelt was born just prior to the Civil War and the first two episodes gallop across nearly 50 years of American history, sketching out Teddy’s young life as an asthmatic teenager who, through force of will, made himself into an athlete and adventurer. We also witness his ascent to the Presidency when William McKinley is assassinated. T.R. was the “man in the arena,” and having become famous for his bravery
in battle with the Rough Riders, was the perfect person to lead the charge into the 20th century – the American century.
He loved to say, “Bully!” and when it was time to step away from the political spotlight, he couldn’t help himself and started a third political party through which he could run for President again. He took a bullet during a speech – and continued giving the speech. He tried to enlist to fight in World War I even though he was in his 50s. And the old adventurer survived an Amazonian expedition that was so harrowing, he nearly died. Progressivism, expansionism, and American exceptionalism are emboldened and embodied by this legendary man. There just hasn’t been quite another man in the arena like T.R.
We are introduced to Franklin and Eleanor, fifth cousins, through the Roosevelt family tree which is divided somewhat into the Oyster Bay Roosevelts and the Hyde Park Roosevelts. Franklin could be seen as the ultimate spoiled mama’s boy, complete with silver spoon. However, he worked just as hard, and had as many dreams, as his uncle – and though their political paths would intersect over the years, they could not have been more different with their approaches. Eleanor, however, was not naturally outgoing and hid deep insecurity by throwing herself into volunteering for various causes. Franklin served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy during the booming 1920s and became more familiar with the levers of power in Washington. We also learn about the complicated marriage partnership of Franklin and Eleanor. While they complemented one another, it was not a sweeping romance like one might think: it was really more of a business partnership. But what a grand partnership it was. FDR is stricken with polio and struggles to keep his public image of
vigor alive. He is enormously successful in hiding his private battle as he emerges to lead the country, and the world, out of the Great Depression. FDR had a keen instinct for how to connect to the common man despite his upper-crust origins. His radio addresses, known as “fireside chats,” gave the country hope during one of the worst periods in its history. Roosevelt also had the ability to wield his political power to rewrite the American social contract with the New Deal programs that are still in existence today: Social Security, the TVA, FDIC, and FHA for example. The documentary takes us from sepia-toned photographs to blackand-white, and finally living color by the time we reach World War II. Roosevelt is elected to a third, and fourth, term as the war rages. Yet, he proved to be the right man at the right time because his leadership turned out to be just what the world needed. Initially, Franklin tried to stay out of it, but once the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor, he throws his energies into making the United States into the leader we always knew we were. The film details the Roosevelts’ close relationship with Winston Churchill and other world leaders of the period. Franklin and Eleanor truly shaped the postwar world that we inhabit today as we see through their handling of the various crises in the 1940s. As the series winds down, FDR passes away and World War II ends. Eleanor discovers that Franklin had continued to see his longtime mistress despite his promises that they weren’t talking anymore. She channels her energies into forming the United Nations and becomes an early champion of the Civil Rights movement, friendly with the wellknown figures of that era such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is given the final, moving words of the documentary – and after 14 hours of the Roosevelt story, which is also part of our American story – it connects the viewer with genuine emotion and gratitude for the Roosevelt family’s many contributions.
Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University
Caring Transitions comes to town, helping seniors with big life transitions
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
A new service is coming to Lake Martin and surrounding areas to help with the moving process for seniors and their family.
Caring Transitions is a nationwide company with Dadeville native Brandi Weaver opening up a local branch. Caring Transitions of Lake Martin serves Alexander City, Dadeville, Eclectic, Equality, Wetumpka, Union Springs, some of Montgomery and most of east-central Alabama.
Weaver first got acquainted with Caring Transitions as a bidder through its auction site. The auction service is just one aspect of Caring Transitions’ relocation services.
When someone has decided to move from their home to assisted living or a continuing care facility or sometimes even to other family member’s homes, Caring Transitions helps with the packing process and works with the client on what they can and can’t part with.
“It’s a little bit of coaching and listening to them, mostly listening," Weaver said. “And making sure they know they are not alone. We try to stay positive, not talking about what they will be missing or giving up but more about what they will be gaining. They will be surrounded by friends, they will not be in the house alone. Some facilities offer trips, more ways to socialize. They can have a life beyond what they have been having.”
“It’s a very open concept on the book selection. We are not trying to hide it.”
Stephen King.
“We have a lot of girls interested in the book club and I was expecting romance,” Hoffman said.
“But they were like, ‘Oh, we like, like a mystery thriller, kind of almost scary.’”
At the suggestion of a parent whose child is in the book club Stephen King’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon was chosen as the first book.
“We thought, with parents being here and the parents knowing exactly what we’re reading, it will be OK,” Ernest said.
GRANTS
Continued from A3
Ernest and Hoffman ran the idea of the club by administrators before starting it.
“It is the beginnings of something special for the Tallassee community,” Tallassee City School deputy superintendent Dr. Tessie Williams said.
The book club meets biweekly at Restoration 49 coffee shop. It gives everyone a chance to read a few chapters each week and be ready to talk about the selected book.
“We just kind of wanted it to be more relaxed, not in a classroom setting,” Ernest said of Res-
After packing and moving, Caring Transitions helps them get settled into their new home. Weaver said sometimes clients want things as close as possible to their former space and their team does the best they can to keep it similar. With the items that are left after the move, Caring Transitions will help ship pieces to family members and will auction off remaining pieces, which will go toward a client's moving expenses or if a client rather the funds go to charity, Caring Transitions will coordinate that as well. Caring Transitions’ auction site has over a million certified bidders, which helps clients get more for their items.
Weaver said Caring Transitions and its mission resonated with her due to her own experience after her dad’s
toration 49. “It’s comfortable and we love this beautiful coffee shop.”
The format of the club has students and parents reading the same book. It allows for more family conversations.
Students who can’t attend the in-person meetings aren’t left out either. They read the same book at the same time as the rest of the club and communicate with them via group chat.
death.
“My dad passed away in 2020 and my parents had lived in the house for over 40 years,” Weaver said. “I knew when he passed away, we had a big job ahead of us sorting through everything — it was just overwhelming. It was 40+ years of memories. Everything we touched held a memory. It was extremely hard."
Working through that process, Weaver said she knows firsthand how difficult that transition can be, it’s a big change. Depending on the case, people are losing their old home, they might have recently lost a spouse, they are losing a way of life or even losing their independence. Weaver said that’s why it’s so important that they can help take the burden off
the family, allow everyone to take a breath and help people see the good that can come.
Weaver decided to bring this service to the area because she knows so many people in her own life who could benefit from it, and she can only imagine the many more out there who need something like Caring Transitions.
Caring Transitions of Lake Martin’s grand opening and ribbon cutting is at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 and it is already accepting clients. Individuals can get in contact with Weaver by email at bweaver@ caringtransitions.com or by phone at 256-269-0023.
Caring Transitions of Lake Martin is located at 353 North Broadnax Street, Suite #7, next to the First United Methodist Church.
The Bean There, Read That book club isn’t super serious. It’s meant to be fun and allow students to enjoy reading outside the classroom. Parents are encouraged to join in giving families a chance to discuss the books and their subject matter.
“I have some students with jobs who can’t get their schedule to work out to come,” Hoffman said. “This allows them to take part in the discussion. Maybe some of the conversations happen in the hallways of the school.”
Ernest and Hoffman also want to see members of the community join the group to bring a different perspective to discussions about the books.
The teachers hope
the formula of the Bean There, Read That book club keeps the students interested in reading. “Science based research suggests reading increases test scores and it increases the vocabulary, which also increases
rest of the legislature approved state funding for seven RC&D districts across the state. Elmore County is in the Mid-South district. The program allows for smaller grants to affect change more effectively.
“They do a great job of identifying
CommunityCalendar
OCT. 2
WOMEN IN WEALTH: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and Valley Bank are hosting Women in Wealth. It’s a business expo with breakfast, coffee, networking and presentations from Dr. Belle and Becca Stackhouse. It is from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Wetumpka Depot Players.
OCT. 5
OCT. 9
their test scores, especially on the ACT,” Ernest said. “We are going to drink coffee, have fun and hopefully let them see a different side of reading.”
The club meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Monday.
worthwhile projects that help communities,” Barfoot said. “We don't have the time or the resources to ensure that it is a worthwhile project. They do so much more than even just that. They make sure that the money gets to where it is supposed to go.”
bake sale, kids carnival, silent auction and more.
TRADE DAY: The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Tallassee Trade Day 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in downtown Tallassee. There will be merchandise vendors, food vendors, entertainment, children’s activities, hay bale maze, balloon artists, face painting and more.
OCT. 24
MACDOWN: The Family Sunshine Center is hosting the second annual Cookin’ on the Coosa MacDown: Mac & Cheese Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 5 at the Wetumpka Farmers Market. COOKIE DECORATING CLASS: Coosa River Cookie Company will be hosting a retro Halloween cookie decorating class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 5. The cost is $26. For tickets, call 334391-4030.
OCT. 5
ANIMAL ADOPTION EVENT:
The Cat Lady Rescue and Cait’s Critters Rescue are hosting an animal adoption event at Calvary Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cats and dogs will be available for adoption and the event will also have music, activities and vendors. If you are interested in volunteering or vending, email catladyrescuewetu@gmail.com for an application.
OCT. 5 — OCT. 6
HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: Heron Springs Farm in Eclectic will be hosting a two-day Robbie Potter Horsemanship Clinic, which will focus on furthering your horsemanship and your ability to build a solid relationship with your horse. For more information, contact Lee Ann Lutz at 336-926-5584 or via email at lalutz.ll@icloud.com.
OCT. 7 - 30
ART SHOW: The Elmore County Art Guild Fall Show will be from Oct. 7 to Oct. 30 at The Art Mill on Grandview Road in Millbrook.
ART GUILD: The Elmore County Art Guild will meet Oct. 9 at The Art Mill on Grandview Road in Millbrook.
OCT. 10
BROOMSTICKS & BREWS: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting a spooktacular sip, shop and stroll event, Broomsticks & Brews, from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Downtown businesses will have themed merchandise, sips and more. Be sure to dress up.
OCT. 12
COTTON FESTIVAL: The 31st annual Cotton Festival will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 in Eclectic.
OCT. 17
PINE NEEDLE BASKET
WEAVING: The Tallassee Community Library is hosting a free pine needle basket weaving workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 with Annette Jordan. Registration is required at checkitout.tclibrary@ gmail.com or by calling 334-2832732.
OCT. 19
WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is hosting the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival in downtown Wetumpka Oct. 19. FALL FARMERS MARKET: The City of Wetumpka will be hosting a Fall Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
ANGELFEST: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will be hosting an AngelFest arts & crafts festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 in Millbrook. There will be a
TUNES ON THE GREEN: The City of Millbrook is hosting Charlie C and the Cuzamatics from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 as part of its Tunes on the Green at Village Green Park. The free event will feature music, food trucks and a kids play zone.
OCT. 26
ART SHOW: The Downtown Artists are hosting the Don Sawyer Fall Art Show starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in downtown Wetumpka.
BOO FESTIVAL: The City of Millbrook is hosting the 15th Annual Boo Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. There will be vendors and food trucks.
NOV. 7
GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Great Balls of Fire Golf Tournament at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. Lunch will begin at 10:45 a.m. with a noon shotgun start. Contact the chamber at 334567-4811 for more information.
Nov. 9
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting the Downtown Wetumpka Holiday Open House Saturday, Nov. 9. There will be deals and seasonal specials at downtown businesses to kick off the holiday season.
DEC. 7
HOLIDAY MARKET: The City of Wetumpka Farmers Market is holding its annual holiday market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the farmers market on Coosa Street.
Read the book
reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! I pray the day is going well for anyone reading this column. The mornings have cooled off for the time being. Thankful the afternoons are beginning to follow suit!
A few weeks ago, I engaged in a favorite pastime of mine. I ventured into Sweet Home Books in downtown. I love independent bookstores, and we are blessed beyond measure to have one in our community again. Thanks Diane Castro! I was not looking for anything in particular. There were a couple of books I needed to order, but other than that I was browsing. As I passed the “Featured Selection” table, one title caught my eye. A copy of Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance sat
perched on the table. I picked the book up and began to peruse it. I was unaware of the book until Vance was named as Donald Trump’s running mate. Since that time, I have heard many references to it. Some have been constructive, but most have been overly critical. Since autobiography is my favorite form of literature, I decided to purchase and read it. My political identifications are known to most people who know me. I have been a registered voter for forty years. My political views land me squarely in the Independent category. I pledge no allegiance to either of our two main parties. At present, I am equally disgusted with both parties, but I digress.
I do not typically read in public places, but on occasion
I do. A common question has come from the few who have observed me with this book. That question is, “Why are you reading that?” It is a legitimate question.
Some ask it because they assume that my politics are of the opposite variety of the book’s author. As it turns out, in many instances they are not. I find much in common politically speaking with today’s conservatives. Many people assume that because I am an ordained Presbyterian Minister, I am more progressive. Actually, I am a progressive conservative.
Others ask out of general curiosity. A recurring question between folks who like to read is, “What are you reading these days?” That question is typically followed by “What’s it
Tallassee Churches
about?”
I will reserve commentary on J.D. Vance’s book for another day. Suffice it to say that I think that, by reading the book, I understand the person on the Republican ballot for Vice President a little better. Thank you, Mr Vance, for the information. What my experience with the reading of this book has brought to my attention is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received. I cannot remember where I first learned it or who taught it to me. I do know it has been with me all of my adult life.
That advice / wisdom is “Read the book”. In the case of Hillbilly Elegy, there were a host of folks trying to tell me what the book was about and what its implications are. Rather
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
than allow others to provide that information, I decided to read it for myself. I am very glad I did. The wisdom behind the advice is simple enough. It is better to formulate one’s own opinions than it is to allow others to do that for us. I am grateful for the voices that led me to read the book. I simply leave those voices outside the book and let the author speak for themselves, This wisdom applies to all things. There is nothing wrong with being encouraged to consider anything. Allowing that encouragement to define us is where things go wrong.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
www.TallasseeTribune.com Wednesday, October 2, 2024 • Page A8
Tallassee comes back from a bye week
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
TALLASSEE (2-2)
VS CLEBURNE COUNTY (1-4)
THE PLAYERS
TALLASSEE: WR Jordan King has been the leader in the passing attack for the Tigers. …
FOUR DOWNS
QB Trent Morris is an athletic quarterback that can use his legs and his arm. …RB Tiny Green has been a dominant back for the Tigers all season.
Last week, Tallassee has a bye week; Cleburne lost to Wellborn, 41-10 Cleburne has been outscored 177 to 79 through five games.
Tallassee has already doubled its win total from last year where they went 1-9. Tallasse has never beaten Cleburne County, the all-time
record between the two is 0-2.
NEXT UP: Tallassee at Handley; Cleburne County at Saint James.
ELMORE COUNTY (3-1) VS CLAY CENTRAL (6-0) THE PLAYERS
ELMORE COUNTY: RB Tyler Payton has 42 carries for 383 rushing yards and 4 TDs. …
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Holtville came out and dominated Maplesville on Friday night, where sophomore Daishun Zeigler stepped up on the offensive side of the ball.
ELMORE COUNTY TAKES ON ONE OF THE TOP
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
ETEAMS IN 5A
lmore County is coming off its bye week after suffering its first loss of the season to Beauregard. However, they face an even more intimidating opponent in undefeated Clay Central this Friday.
The Volunteers went into last week as the third-best team in all of 5A, according to the Alabama Sports Writers Association, and will most likely retain their spot after taking down Scottsboro 35-21.
The biggest challenge for Elmore County will be defending Clay Central’s dominant offense. This season, the offense is averaging a ridiculous 40 points which
is a cause of concern for the Elmore County defense. Besides its game against Beauregard, the defense had not surrendered over 10 points.
“I think this is probably their most explosive team offensively that they’ve had in a really long time,” Elmore County coach Kyle Caldwell said. “They get five or six guys every time they touch the ball, they’re a threat to score. It’s gonna take a tremendous effort and focus and execution to stop them defensively, stop their offense because they’re literally that good.”
The Panthers will have to match that level of firepower with their own offensive production. The rushing attack for the Panthers has been
one of their strongest aspects with a two-head backfield of Tyler Payton and Eli Thames leading the pack with a bulk of the carries. The biggest thing for them offensively is to play technically sound football if they hope to come out with an upset over one of the top teams in the state.
“We got to be productive on first down for sure,” Caldwell said. “We got to win first down all night, just so we can have a good chance to put ourselves into a position and put points on the board because if we’re going three and out, it’s going to be a long night for everybody, even the fans. We just got to take care of the small details, we got to win first
The Bulldogs leaned on their rushing attack to move the ball down the field, and Zeigler dominated with the carries he received. Last week, Zeigler gained a total of 177 yards and the ground and made his way into the end zone on three separate occasions.
“We’ve kind of been able to attack the ground game with multiple guys this year,” Holtville coach Cory Lee said.
“Daishaun, he had the hot hand Friday night, as far as just when he was touching the ball. Positive plays were happening, the vision was good. He was hitting the holes over there. He was running strong and gaining yards after contact. All of a sudden, you look up, and he had 177 yards.”
After dealing with an
injury in the offseason, Zeigler is now 100% and he’s making opposing teams pay. As only a sophomore he is showing he is going to be a problem for defenses for years to come as he gains more experience as the season goes on.
“We’re really excited, obviously, with him being a sophomore, he’s only going to continue to get better this year,” Lee said. “The sky’s the limit for him moving forward. He’s someone we can lean on again. He comes to work every day, he doesn’t say a lot. He’s really kind of a quiet kid, but he leads by how he handles the field every day and again. But having him in our backfield and the way he’s playing, the past couple weeks, he’s excelling each week, he’s getting better and better.”
There is still much of the season to be played for Holtville, where Zeigler can see his impact on the offense come in
Holtville’s Daishaun Zeigler runs through Maplesville’s undefeated start Tallassee dominates against Loachapoka
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
The Tallassee flag football team has been on a tear as of late and it did slow down in the team’s game against Loachapoka. The girls came away with a 35-0 victory led by quarterback Regan Easterwood. Easterwood finished the game with four touchdown passes for the Tigers hitting her receivers Kam Tate, Cheyann Easterling and London O’Neal for scores. The signal-caller is not just a dom -
inant passer but also has the athleticism to get things done on the ground for the Tigers.
“She did pretty good,” Tallassee coach Pat Love said.
“Early on, we were kind of missing our passes, the first two drives, and she made some adjustments. She hit Kam Tate on a 60-yard pass. She adjusted really well and after the first couple of drives right there, she got pretty dialed in.”
Defensively it is never easy to get a shutout, but it is much easier when you force turnovers. Tallassee snagged three interceptions by three
different defenders; Marlee Osbourne, Easterling and Easterwood. While the front of Alli Smith and Abbi Carwile halted Loachapoka from gaining any momentum running the ball.
“They stayed in their zone right there, and we just kind of kind of took the pass away,” Love said. “Our rushers, Allie Smith and Abbi Carwile, they pretty much took the rushing away.” Although there were many positives to take away from the game against Loachapoka,
Holtville’s Daishaun Zeigler rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns against Maplesville last Friday.
Tallassee’s Regan Easterwood threw for four touchdowns in a win against Loachapoka last week.
MONDAY, SEPT. 30
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
4 Holtville at Montevallo, 6 p.m.
4 Stanhope Elmore at Percy Julian, 6 p.m.
4 Morgan Academy at Edgewood Academy, 5 p.m.
High School Flag Football
4 Ta llassee at Lee-Scott Academy, 5 p.m.
STUDENTS
Continued from A1
early teaching career as well.
“He was just fun, he kidded with kids a lot,” Gibson said. “I noticed on a couple of pages where his obituary was posted, the older kids that have already graduated that have started families, they reminisce about being on his bus. He drove a route up by the lake and they would always stop at Walnut Hill and get biscuits in the morning before they came to school.” Gibson said Reeltown is a family. When she saw the obituary she wanted to make sure the schools honored him. Part of his request instead of flowers
“It meant a lot to get it,” Steers said. “It reinforces that what we are doing is good and that we are involved in the community.”
Steers moved to the Tallassee community in 2019 and was looking at ways to serve in the community “I was invited to a Rotary meeting and to join the
TALLASSEE
Continued from A8
SPORTS CALENDAR
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
4 Holtville at Trinity, 6 p.m.
4 Chilton County at Stanhope Elmore, 6 p.m.
4 Elmore County, Brewbaker Tech at ACA, 4:30 p.m.
4 Chambers Academy at Edgewood Academy, 5 p.m.
4 Tallassee at PCA, 5:30 p.m.
4 Beauregard at Wetumpka, 5 p.m.
was to send donations to the Lake Martin Animal Sanctuary. Gibson coordinated for both RES and RHS to collect donations at the front office, and RHS principal Audrey Stockdale spread the reach more by putting out a post on Facebook.
“We didn’t want to forget him,’ Gibson said. “He is a part of the Reeltown family. I wanted him to be remembered by our staff, by our faculty, by our community. He kept a lot of people safe, made sure they got to school, made sure they got back home to their parents.”
Former RHS graduate and current instructor at Edward Bell Career Tech
Tabatha Smith said she remembers riding on Boles’s bus when her bus driver needed a substitute, and he was
club when I first moved down here,” Steers said.
“After I went a few times, I thought it was a great place to be.”
Steers helped bring the idea of the ball drop fundraiser to life. It now serves as one of the main fundraisers for the organization and helps fund student scholarships.
“We have also donated to ball teams to help support their efforts,” Steers said.
RB Eli Thames has 44 carries for 266 rushing yards and 2 TDs. … Lb Jackson Mann leads the Panthers with 32 total tackles through four games.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Elmore County had a bye week; Clay Central beat Scottsboro, 35-21. Clay Central has outscored opponents 240 to 68. Elmore County has yet to beat Clay Central, 0-6 in all-time matchups. Elmore County averages 189 rushing yards per game.
NEXT UP: Elmore County at Valley; Clay Central hosts Holtville.
HOLTVILLE (2-3) VS BEAUREGARD (4-2) THE PLAYERS
HOLTVILLE: Last week, RB Daishaun Zeigler rushed for 177 yards and 3 TDs. …QB Jacob Burgess threw for 83 yards and rushed for 13 yards with 2 TDs. … DB Brock Godwin led the team with 5 total tackles.
BEAUREGARD: QB Cub Jones had completed 72 of 116 pass attempts for 1,045 yards and 12 TDs. …RB Kajaden Holloway has 76 carries for
TEAMS
Continued from A8
downs. We can’t turn the ball over. We can’t have dumb penalties. We can’t have pre-snap penalties, we just have to give ourselves a chance to win second down and third down. But you can’t do that until you win first down.”
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
4 Macon East Academy at Edgewood Academy, 7 p.m. HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL 4 Marbury at Holtville, 6 p.m.
4 Stanhope Elmore at Prattville, 6 p.m.
4 PCA at Elmore County, 5:30 p.m.
4 LAMP at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.
4 Montgomery Academy at Wetumpka, 5 p.m.
a faithful supporter of all things RHS. He even drove the band buses as well as the regular school day buses. Reeltown High School bookkeeper Nancy Baker said she has known him since she started at the school as a secretary in 2003.
“He was a very kind man, but you knew where he stood,” Baker said. “Sometimes he would say things, nothing ugly, but he told you how he felt. The main thing I remember about him of all things is he was dedicated to the school and these children, but when it came January he was going to take some time off because he was an avid hunter.”
Baker said his kindness and his spunkiness will always be remembered by those who knew him.
The Paul Harris Award was created in memory of the Rotary International founder Paul Harris. The organization formed in Chicago in 1905.
Current Tallassee Rotary Club president Stephanie Weldon said the Paul Harris award often goes to the president of the club. She has now served as president three different times and been given the award in the past.
“It often goes to the
433 rushing yards and 7 TDs. …LB Caled Piner leads the team with 60 total tackles through six games.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Holtville beat Mapleville, 35-7; Beauregard lost to Andalusia, 28-27.
Beauregard defense allows 13.6 points per game.
Holtville averages 20.6 points per game on offense.
Beauregard leads in all-time matchups against Holtville at 9-1.
NEXT UP: Holtville at Clay Central; Beauregard has a bye.
STANHOPE ELMORE (3-2) VS RUSSELL COUNTY (5-1) THE PLAYERS
STANHOPE ELMORE: RB Arthur McQueen has 130 carries for 1,026 yards and 11 TDs. … QB Zac Holcombe has completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 186 yards and 2 TDs; adds 255 rushing. …Zachariah Goodson leads the team with 36 total tackles.
RUSSELL COUNTY: QB Bryson Riggins has completed 96 of 167 pass attempts for 1,447 passing yards and 19 TDs. …RB Devin Brown has 66 carries for 623 rushing yards and 10 TDs. …DE Kameron Reese leads the team with 6 sacks in six games.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Stanhope Elmore beat
The play from Elmore County’s front will be vital if either the offense or defense looks to have any success. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be a tough task, but Elmore County will be up for the task.
DOMINATES
Continued from A8
Love wants his girls to take advantage of their first drives of the game.
START
Continued from A8
COUNCIL Continued from A1
a bid for $361,000 for installation. The lighting equipment is being purchased through a lease program with MUSCO lighting.
“Several people who live in the area work with the company and they went after the bid aggressively,” Hill said.
Elmore County commissioner Mack Daugherty spoke with the council one last time before he retires in November. Tallassee and Eclectic are the two municipalities in his district. He said it has been a privilege to serve Tallassee and Elmore County for two terms.
“It is amazing what can be accomplished when everyone works together,” Daugherty said.
The commissioner noted almost $11.5 million has been appropriated by the commission to the city That includes about $300,000 from
president because of the extra efforts they put it in,” Weldon said. “So it’s not just for the role in the club but for the community service and volunteering as well.”
Steers said those seeking to help in the community through volunteering should look at the service organizations such as Rotary.
“Any small thing can make a difference,” Steers said. “There is so much more that can be done when
Smiths Station, 20-0; Russell County beat Valley, 45-27.
Stanhope Elmore averages 329.2 rushing yards per game. Russell County has outscored opponents 229 to 103.
Stanhope Elmore has never lost to Russell County, the all-time record is 16-0
NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore hosts Pike Road; Russell Count has a bye week.
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (1-3) VS CRENSHAW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (4-1) THE PLAYERS
EDGEWOOD: Last week, QB Brock Whitt completed 8 of 22 pass attempts for 89 yards. …WR Avery Haskew is the team’s top receiver. … DB Landon Smith is a dynamic piece in the secondary for the Wildcats.
FOUR DOWNS Last week, Edgewood lost to Lowndes, 46-0; Crenshaw beat Jackson Academy, 50-12. Crenshaw is on a four game win streak after falling Week 1. Edgewood has been outscored 50 to 124 through four games.
Edgewood leads in all-time matchups over Crenshaw with a record of 10-7.
NEXT UP: Edgewood at Banks Academy; Crenshaw Christain at Sparta Academy
“We gotta be very productive on the offensive line and defensive line,” Caldwell said. “We gotta sustain our blocks and not get shook. Then defensive line, we got to be able to get off blocks or sustain a double team so our linebackers could make a play. That’s gonna determine the outcome of the game up front is the offensive line and the defensive line.” Elmore County will have to play some of its best football if they hope to derail the undefeated Clay Central team. However, the extra preparation due to the bye week could prove to be beneficial this Friday.
“I’d like to start a little faster than we did in Loachapoka,” Love said. “We don’t need to take two drives before we kind of get going. On that first drive let’s be productive and not
many different ways according to Lee. Whatever way he is needed there is no doubt that he will do it.
“If that requires us to hand
internet sales tax to Tallassee City Schools, a $400,000 appropriation to refurbish the downtown water tank, $200,000 towards water distribution on Little Road and $20,000 towards a new park in Jordanville. The vast majority of allocation is starting to come to fruition through $10 million for a turf field at J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium and new recreation center. Those projects are either under construction or in the design phase.
IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved minutes of the Sept. 10 meeting.
• Approved closing of downtown streets on Oct. 19 for the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Trade Day.
• Set trick or treating from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
• Approved the fiscal year 2025 calendar.
The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 8.
a group of people is working together. Collaboration makes a difference in community involvement.”
necessarily score, but let’s at least get on their end of the field before we have to punt. Just start fast on offense, and then on defense, let’s get just a little bit better on tackling, a lit -
the ball to them 25 times, and need him to score three or four touchdowns to win the ballgame, then I hope he gets it done,” Lee said. “If we need him to carry it 10 times and catch four or five balls out of the backfield those are my expectations for him. He’ll do those things, that’s who he is.
tle bit better on pulling the flags.”
Tallassee faced off against Lee-Scott on Monday, where the offense and defense look to continue its success for another week.
Whatever workload we put on him, he takes it and doesn’t complain about it.” Holtville faces off against a talented Beauregard team this Friday, where the offense will lean on its rushing attack with Zeigler to help propel them to another win on the season.
practical.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today the only New Moon all year in your sign is occurring, which makes this the ideal day to take a realistic look in the mirror and assess your image. How can you improve your game face? Wardrobe changes? Haircut? Shoes? Tonight: Make lists.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This is the best day of the year to think about your spiritual life. We all have beliefs, even if our belief is that we believe in nothing. Take inventory. You also might ask which areas in your life are you the most self-defeating. What springs to mind? Tonight: Privacy.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today’s New Moon takes place in your House of Friendships, which means it’s your chance to think about how to improve this aspect of your life. Do you have as many friends as you want? Do you reach out to others, or do you expect them to come to you? How friendly are you? Tonight: Advice.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today the only New Moon all year is taking place at the top of your chart, which means it’s your best chance to think about how you deal with your relations with parents, bosses, supervisors and the police. You also might ponder where you want to be one year from now. Ideas? Tonight: Show respect.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) It’s important to continue learning. Today’s New Moon is the perfect time to think about learning and studying new information. Might you take a course? What about travel? Travel is a wonderful way to broaden one’s horizons. Tonight: Learn. PISCES
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Middle school gets new sign
to have the same font.”
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Parents have a new way to get information about the happenings at Eclectic Middle School thanks to a new digital sign. The sign is located at the entrance to the school and provides a place to inform the public.
“This provides another way beyond social media and handouts to let parents know what is happening at school.
The new $22,000 sign replaces a sign that had become inoperable. Robinson has been at the school for 14 years and has been principal for three years. The sign was high on the priority list but
“As parents wait in the car line, they can see what is happening at the school,” Eclectic Middle School principal LaTresia Robinson said.
funding was an issue. At the urging of staff, an application to Mid-South RC&D was made. The school was $22,000 of the nearly $30,000 cost of the sign.
“I broke the news to parents at awards day,” Robinson said. “I'm still learning how to do it. I'm the only one that actually has access to do it, so we don’t mess up the sign.”
With the new sign Robin -
son and others will not have to walk down the driveway of the school bringing letters with them for the intended message.
Until Robinson learns the ins and outs of programming the sign and teaching others how to use it, she will maintain control of it.
“I can change it often,” Robinson said. “You probably can see I'm really picky about stuff, because every slide has
The sign allows Robinson to put multiple messages up that rotate. Some could be about upcoming events. Other messages could be about awards or giving thanks. One such message of thanks was up recently recognizing the Mid-South RC&D who provide funding for the sign.
“We would have been able to get this without their help,” Robinson said.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Eclectic Middle School principal LaTresia Robinson explains what a new sign at the school can do. It was funded in a large part thanks to a grant from Mid-South RC&D.
Artistry abounds at Lake Martin Living’s art contest reception
TPI Staff
Despite the dreary weather, dozens came out for an evening of champagne and the arts this past Thursday.
Lake Martin Living hosted its annual Art & Photo Contest with over 30 artists submissions. The contest reception was held at, and benefited, the Dadeville Per-
forming Arts Center, where the winners were announced.
In the art category, Mimi Anderson, #22, took home third place, Dawn Davis, #3, received second and Mark Mortensen, #35, won first. In the photography category, Paul Adams, #8, received third place, Charlie Kuykendall, #45, won second and Adrienne Gaines took home first place. In the children’s
category, Johnny Spears won first place and the People’s Choice award went to Kim Anderson.
First place winners received $200, $150 awarded to second place winners and third place received $100. The People’s Choice winner was awarded $100 and the children’s category winner
CARS AND COCKTAILS A HUGE HIT
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For Wetumpka local
Clay Mundy, 3D printing started as only a hobby.
However, what started as a gift from his wife has quickly turned into a product line for T-Rex mugs and more.
“I have ADHD,” Clay said. “She got me a 3D printer. It helped me with making fidget stuff and to make stuff for a family.”
Mundy started out small making small things with patterns he found online, and for the last 14 months he has been developing his craft.
“I kind of ran with it some,” Mundy said. “Somebody was like, ‘where did you get this?’ It steam rolled from there.”
A year after his festival debut with 3D printing, Mundy was back and just as popular as ever.
“It’s still early and I’m already low on inventory,” he said of this year’s Oktoberfest.
Munday quickly grew from his one printer.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be a business,” Mundy said. “I have six printers now. They are running
pretty much all the time. They run 24/7. I have already run one into the ground.”
The couple started selling tumblers at festivals and to friends and family about three years ago.
“The market got saturated,” Mundy said. “We moved to laser engraving.”
It’s selling fast enough that Mundy doesn’t do all the designs himself. He subscribes to several Patreon sites that allow commercial usage.
At Saturday’s Oktoberfest Munday had cases for cigarette lighters, dragons and other mythical creatures. Some even have movement.
“We make a lot of dragons that are intricate,” Mundy said. “I made one with kids in mind, made with ball joints so they can pull apart and put it back together. It’s very strong. Adults can play with it as well, but they normally want something smaller or larger.”
After almost selling out Saturday in Wetumpka, the Mundys returned to their home to make sure the printers were still going with projects for their next festival and sale.
Fire up your creativity: One Oak Pottery offers fall workshops, classes
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
One Oak Pottery Garage has all kinds of plans in store for the fall and holiday season.
Already the pottery garage has hosted a Friday the 13th Party last month, a Tailgate Party and Halloween Holiday Party the first day of October. Now, every Saturday this month, One Oak is hosting fall workshops with pumpkin-themed items, fall platters and leaf motifs.
“They can build whatever they want to,” owner Misty Woods said. “We’ll build it around fall, but if they don’t want fall that’s totally fine. If they want to do Christmas and all that stuff, they can do Christmas too.”
The workshops are all from 10 a.m. to noon. Woods said it is a come and go as you like process. Since it’s relatively freeform and a shorter duration, most people choose to build their piece or glaze an already existing piece. But people are welcome to build a piece and then come back another time to glaze it. It’s open to all levels and all ages with kids accompanied by an adult.
Along with workshops, One Oak will start its four-week class from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Woods said the classes are different from the workshops because it’s 2-hours for four consecutive Fridays. With the classes, attendees get a bag of clay, tools and people can make several projects over the four-week period from building to glazing.
Woods said October is also when they start bookings for private parties for the Christmas season. She said it starts to get busy after October with everyone prepping gifts for the holidays.
To get into the holiday spirit, One Oak is hosting a Sip and Mold Ladies Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Woods said it’s one of the few adult-only events and they will be building Christmas trees. Come December, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, One Oak will have ornament glazing parties.
Along with the workshops, parties and classes, One Oak does special order pieces and also offers memberships. With One Oak memberships, a member has access to the pottery garage anytime to work independently “I am accommodating,” Woods said. “Whatever somebody needs I am out there to say ‘yes,’ within reason.”
For more information, or to book a reservation for one of its events, visit its website at oneoakpottery.com.
Local mixologist hosts monthly drink making class
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
Throughout human history, cocktails have brought people together in many social experiences.
From trying a decadent dessert drink after a fine dining experience, to trying unique flavors while on vacation, people enjoy cocktails to enhance any experience. Enjoying a handcrafted cocktail is easy as a patron; however, there is an entire process behind it — and Crayton Walton is here to give the community a glimpse of it.
As the head mixologist at the Local at 41 Main, Walton hosts Crayton’s Bar Class on the third Saturday of every month where he teaches
guests how various cocktails are crafted, as well as why each element of a drink is incorporated into the cocktail.
Walton’s most recent class surrounded 1920’s prohibition era. He demonstrated making four popular prohibition cocktails — The Pink Lady, The Scofflaw, The Twelve Mile Limit and The Corpse Reviver no. 2. In addition to learning about various cocktails and their components, Walton provided the drinks’ historical backgrounds and why they were so popular during this specific time period. “I like to give an understanding of why we have the liquor we did,” Walton said. “We made The Twelve Mile Limit, which is the legal dis -
tance you had to be off the shore of the United States in order to drink legally on a boat during Prohibition.”
While some of his classes surround various decades and popular drinks during that time, Walton has been centering many of his classes around specific liquors. For October ’s class, he will teach guests how to make four whiskey cocktails.
“I’ll be talking about whiskey from all over the world,” he said. “There’s five major geographic regions, and we’ll study the effects and the cocktails from each one.”
Aside from the historical aspect and effect the liquor has had on various regions, Walton goes into depth about how each whiskey is crafted
and distilled. Depending on the type of class and type of liquor Walton discusses, he teaches various methods for drink making.
“Every class is going to be a little bit different based on what the theme is,” Walton said. “I always try to do some technical cocktails to teach some cool tricks you can show off to your friends and family, such as incorporating egg whites that create that super thick and velvety cocktail. We also occasionally do layered cocktails, so I teach them how to layer them in a glass to get that divided look to them.”
Although his classes surround bartending practices, Walton is a trained mixologist. He got his start during
college in South Carolina. While training at a five-star hotel, he received his training from bartenders who have been recognized on an international level.
“They told me a lot about the history and where to start my adventure,” he said. “The rest of it has been me working in the field and gaining knowledge as I go.”
Despite his bartending experience, he is responsible for creating specialty drinks for the menu as a mixologist.
Walton’s next class will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Local at 41 Main. To sign up, message the Local at 41 on Facebook. Admission is $35 per person and each participant will receive a recipe sheet to take home.
13th Pottery Party. Soon One Oak will be kicking off its fall workshops in October. LEFT: One Oak Pottery Garage has all kinds of pieces to create for spooky season and the upcoming holiday season.
MELODY RATHEL TPI
ABOVE: Crayton Walton, head mixologist at Local at 41 Main, hosts Crayton’s Bar Class on the third Saturday of every month.
RIGHT: Guests at Crayton’s Bar Class learned how to properly use a shaker at the September class.
Enjoying a little chicken sandwich with family
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
I can’t say I’m a regular at the Generals Cafe in New Site.
I eat there about every 10 days, almost always surrounded by family. But there are others who eat there more often than I, like my mom and dad.
It doesn’t look like much from the road. It’s got rough sawn lumber for the walls both inside and out. The tables are homemade and adorned with love messages decades old.
It’s a staple in New Site right on Highway 22 near the Horseshoe Bend School.
It’s a place where everyone knows everybody who comes in the door and most can order without the help of the menu.
My dad even knows the offmenu selections. It’s almost always a special cheeseburger.
It takes an extra patty to make and the cooks take their time with the special smash burger.
I hear the “DW Burger” might be on the menu someday. If you order it, just go ahead and loosen your belt.
I like the fish fingers and most everything from the meat-and-three menu served almost daily.
My son almost always gets a large plain cheeseburger with special sauce. Though this time, he caused my parents and myself to give him a look
Fresh drinks on tap at Lake Martin Piano Bar
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Over the weekend, I ventured out to Dadeville in search of a place to sit down for a drink and watch football. I had asked for recommendations earlier in the week because I knew the drink spotlight was coming up and our lovely multimedia reporter Melody Rathel told me about the Lake Martin Piano Bar. I trusted her advice and was not disappointed.
When I walked in, fittingly, the piano was being played and the game was on. I made my way to the bar where I wanted to try one of their specialties. The first drink I had was the Bourbon O’Brien; Crafted High West Bourbon, muddled blackberries, mint and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Now, I feel I’ve made it evident throughout the drink spotlights that I’m a very simple man when it comes to drink and the Bourbon O’Brien was something out of my element.
Although I would not consider myself the biggest bourbon fan, the addition of the muddled blackberries and squeezed lemon provided a fruity taste that paired well. Even with the fruits added to the cocktail, the bourbon was still the star of the drink. I found the drink to be quite strong, but not in a bad way I still had an enjoyable experience while drinking it. I knew after I finished my first I was in need of a second, I juggled between a couple of different drinks which included the Ol’ Fashioned among many others. The one drink that stood out to me was a Lemon Drop Martini. I was already in the deep end of things while out of my element so why not bring it up a notch and have my first martini?
I’m not afraid to
when he ordered wings. He said they were good by the way. Lately I have found myself eating the Quarterback.
The Generals Cafe crafts a sandwich with Texas toast but this ain’t no patty melt. It’s a few chicken fingers with bacon covered in pepper
jack cheese. The cooks add some lettuce, tomato, onion and their own special sauce. The quarterback is good and will fill you up. It comes with a side of fries that I often drown in
that was
to
of
$12. Many other drinks caught my eye while I was there, but again I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the Lake Martin Piano Bar.
received $50. Additionally, at least one piece from each artist’s submission will be featured in the October edition of Lake Martin Living. All entries were required to reflect the nature, beauty or lifestyle of Alabama.
The night of the reception brought with it hors d’oeuvres, champagne, live music by Luke Keel and door prizes from local businesses. Everything’s Art and Pennington Park were the presenting sponsors, Tallapoosa Publishers and Lake Martin Tallapoosa County Tourism were gold sponsors and Greg Shelton was a sponsor.
The following organizations and individuals aided to making this event a success: Stacey Jeffcoat, Alexander City Schools, Kenneth Boone, Dorothy Littleton, Lake Martin Area United Way, Floyd’s Lawn and Garden Center, ACT II, Koon’s Catering, Dadeville Police Department, Kim Walls, Kurt and Leigh Pfitzner, Paradise Bed and Breakfast, Self Care at the Square, Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce and Ellaby Boutique.
d’oeuvres, and Blue Ribbon Dairy served up its Boozy Alice cream. Segrest said nearly 60% of their sales are from the romance genre with anything from Amish romance to extreme adult romance. She said it felt only right to have an event around it.
The Book Nook is the first Main Street bookstore in Tallassee, and they hope to host more events in the future like its upcoming Dark Harvest Ball inspired by A Court of Thorn and Roses.
The ball is another 21 and up event beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at 5290 Chana Creek Road. Guests can dress as casual or formal as desired.
The Book Nook also has two book clubs that people can join, and sometimes craft
instructors will come in and offer crafting classes like doormat painting. Segrest said they want to provide people with connection whether it be through a book or a community of readers and artistry.
“We are really hoping to get more involved with the community,” Segrest said. “We are trying to put together a trunk or treat here, trade day is coming up. We fully believe that a well read community, whether it be fiction or nonfiction, is a very intelligent community. Not to say this community hasn’t been intelligent for years and years and years but the amount of community thoughts that we can come together and discuss greatly varies when we are open and having conversations about books.”
The romance Spicy Nite event was at 6 p.m. Sept. 19.
ABIGAIL MURPHY | TPI
The Book Nook hosts its first event since opening with a night dedicated to romance novels.
ART
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