Backpack program starts at SMS
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For the last several years, students at Tallassee Elementary School have had the opportunity to take part in a backpack program to supplement food over the weekend.
Eventually students were promoted to Southside Middle School where there was no backpack program. That is until principal Brittany Spencer moved from the TES to the SMS last year and the program soon followed. “It was started here because
some of our TES Backpack Club Members rolled to SMS and wondered if it would happen here,” Spencer said. “Since I transitioned with them and helped with Backpack Club at TES, they knew I would understand what they were asking about.”
Spencer is a member of the Tallassee Lions Club and approached members about doing something at SMS. Deborah Mason who helps manage the Backpack Club at TES with the help of First Baptist Church explained to the club how it worked.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Although Liz Britt is not a native of Tallassee, she has called the city home since 1962.
Since then she has done all she could to make it a better place. For her efforts, the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce presented her the Lifetime Achievement Award at its awards banquet last month. The award has Britt’s name on it, but she feels it’s not solely hers.
Lions Club member Laurie Rygiel and Spencer set about getting volunteers for the SMS version. Students from Tallassee High School’s Leo Club, as well as the First Methodist Church offering up space.
Dream come true
Soon-to-be Tallassee graduate selected for AU majorette line
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Macy Crain still has two more months to walk the halls of Tallassee High School.
Even before she gets her high school diploma Crain is completing a dream of being an Auburn University Marching Band majorette. Crain took time out of spring break to try out.
“I have always wanted to do it,” Crain said. “It has been a dream since I was little.” Crain will now be a majorette at her favorite school at Auburn’s A-Day
game this Saturday.
“It will all be in the stands for tunes there,” Crain said.
The tryout process for the Auburn majorette line was rigorous. Crain first submitted a video of her skills. Then there were three different in-person activities.
“We had a group routine,” Crain said. “They taught us in 30 minutes and had to perform it right after. It is basically to see how fast we can learn.”
Next was a “traveling portion.” It included many
“It feels good to get the award but I say the award should be dedicated to multiple teams,” Britt said. “It’s everyone I have been involved with.” After the award and more than six decades of volunteering, Britt will take some time going forward to be with family; however, she hasn’t ruled out a return to helping her second home in the future.
60 years of volunteering in Tallassee, Britt doesn’t take the sole responsibility for any of her efforts.
From Day 1 in Tallassee Britt has been involved in parent organizations at school and the chamber and she founded the Friends of Tuckabatchee. Even with more than
Tallassee Chamber of Commerce president
“No community undertaking is a one-person journey,” Britt said. “I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by other dedicated volunteers, family and friends. They had passion and a vision for what could be done. I have been surrounded by those people.” Britt came to Tallassee with three young children under the age of 2. When she rode into See BRITT, Page A6
Lifetime Award winner
and chamber director Jerry
banquet. Britt has volunteered in Tallassee for more than six decades and is the founder of Friends of Tuckabatchee.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Michelle Cole, left, poses with
Liz Britt, her son Chris Cole
Cunningham at the annual awards
SUBMITTED | TPI
Macy Crain, center, poses with her parents Jake and Jennifer Crain. The Tallassee High School senior achieved a childhood dream of being selected as one of 14 majorettes for the Auburn University Marching Band.
Obituaries
BETTY LOU SMITH HUMPHRIES
Betty Lou Smith Humphries, born to John Henry and Mary Smith, was raised in Tallassee, Alabama and graduated from Tallassee High School. She met and married her husband, Ralph Thomas Horn in Tallassee then moved to Montgomery, Alabama where she raised her family. Betty became an x-ray technician and worked for a group of orthopedic surgeons. They were her home away from home for over 30 years. She loved everyone in that office, the doctors, her coworkers… especially her patients. She loved
JOHN T. “JOHNNY” KIRBY
the medical profession, literally talking about it on the day she passed away, in the emergency room of Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. She was talking to these precious medical professionals about what a blessing it was to be able to help people and how wonderful they were and that she loved them. She meant it. She was the sweetest, most compassionate, most beautiful (inside and out), and most hilarious Southern lady. After Betty’s husband of 37 years passed, she got remarried to a handsome gentleman in her Sunday school class, Billy (Bill) Eugene Humphries. They married in 1995.
They enjoyed retirement together, buying a lake house that all their family and friends enjoyed. They spent many hours listening to music, watching old TV shows and talking.
Finally, Betty’s most favorite hobby, requiring no special skill, just gas in the car and money (green or plastic) in her purse, was shopping. Clothes/ jewelry. Clothes always on sale, jewelry usually costume. She loved buying it! She loved wearing it! She was just a charmer. Betty Humphries was predeceased by her first husband, Ralph Thomas Horn, her daughter, Pamela (Pat) Toole, and her siblings, Dorothy (Jim) Hayes, Frances (Charles)
Hathcock, and Raymond (Billie Ruth) Smith.
She leaves behind her husband of 29 years, Billy (Bill) E. Humphries; her children, Myra Roberts and Melanie DeRamus; her step-children, Cindy Posey, William (Rattana) Humphries, Warren (Shannon) Humphries, and Steve (Tottie) Humphries; her grandchildren, Zachary (Whitney) Clifton and Anna Rose Roberts; her step grandchildren, Austin Posey, Michael Humphries, Daniel Humphries, Joseph Humphries, Amanda (Jeremy) Peavy, and Lauren (Dakota) Brown; her great-grandchildren, Edward James Clifton and Oliver Jude Clifton.
at Tallassee High School.
Mr. John T. “Johnny” Kirby, a resident of Tallassee/Lake Martin for many, many years (currently Slidell, LA) went to be with our Lord on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the age of 79. He was born August 8, 1944, in Tallassee, Alabama, to Earle and Lois Lanier Kirby. Johnny is survived by his best friend and wife for over 30 years, June Morein Kirby; daughters, Paige Templet (Kenny Scully), Beverly Allred (Ron) and Anna Cureton; step-daughter, Kim Fowler (Gary); step-son, Vincent H. Fontenot, Jr. (Dreu); granddaughters, Kristen Mitchell, Linsey Templet, Lana Sue Harwick, Emma Rose Cureton and three great grandsons, Gauge, Maverick and Rogue Mitchell; step-granddaughters, Lauren Lee DeLuca and Caroline Renée Fonte-
not, step-grandsons, Devin DeLuca (Terry), Henry J. Fontenot, Ian Daniel Fontenot and Russell Joseph Fontenot; two great step-grandchildren, Claire and Lee DeLuca and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Johnny is preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Ledbetter Kirby; parents, Earle and Lois Lanier Kirby and sister, Ginger Earle Haggard. Johnny worked for his dad at the tv/radio store in downtown Tallassee, for General Electric Credit Corporation in Montgomery, Alabama, Lafayette LA and Metairie, LA. He lived in Slidell, LA For 14 years and moved back to Tallassee when Sue became ill. He worked at the Bank of Tallassee for many years as Senior Vice President, was a member of the Civitan Club and served eight years on the City Council as well as teaching Junior Achievement
After he retired, he would visit the nursing home with our lil’ Schnauzer, which brought smiles to the residents’ faces. He loved his classmates (and all people really.) He had a very loving heart- loved his pets, Lake Martin, God and really loved his Auburn Tigers. The family will receive friends Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 1:00PM until service time at 2:00PM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Jay Woodall officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tallassee, Alabama, In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any and all donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. 1-800-822-6344
Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.
Two Elmore County criminals denied parole
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Two men connected to crimes in Elmore County will spend more time in prison.
Jeremy James Hadden, 44, and Chadwick L. Maddox, 44, were denied parole at hearings before the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
Hadden was convicted of several property crimes between 2012 and 2014, including receiving stolen property, two counts of second-degree escape and two counts first-degree theft in Elmore County;
Police Reports
first-degree theft in Lee County; two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card in Baldwin County; and third-degree robbery in Cullman County.
Hadden was sentenced to 35 years in prison and has served almost 12 years.
According to court records Hadden has filed
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
APRIL 1
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Rickey Lane. March 31
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• A white female was arrested
several motions for his sentences to be served concurrently and has also filed to serve his time in a community corrections program. Judges have denied the motions.
At Hadden’s March 20 parole hearing, a representative of The ARC and a family member spoke in favor of his release. The Attorney General’s Office spoke against his release.
Hadden’s minimum release date is 2038 and next parole hearing is scheduled for 2029. He is currently incarcerated at the Red Eagle Work Center. Maddox has served
14 months of a five year prison sentence for a 2023 third-degree theft conviction.
Maddox has 2013 convictions for two counts second-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance. According to court records, Maddox pleaded guilty and saw a second-degree theft charge dismissed. He also has to pay more than $6,000 in restitution.
Maddox has a minimum release date of 2024 and another parole hearing in July.
during a welfare check on Central Boulevard.
• A welfare check was conducted on South Tallassee Drive.
• Trespassing was reported on Howard Street.
• A reckless driver was reported on Highway 229.
• A suspicious subject was report-
ed on Notasulga Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on North Ann Avenue.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Wall Street.
MARCH 30
• Assistance was given to a
See REPORTS, Page A3
HADDEN MADDOX
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Heartworm prevention a year round job
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and we cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your pet(s) on heartworm prevention from your veterinarian 12 months per year. Heartworms are transferred through mosquito bites and result in actual worms living in the heart of an affected dog or cat. Heartworms cause damage to the heart and other organs so affected pets often die far too young from complications such as congestive heart failure, pulmonary inflammation, kidney issues, etc. All it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito for your unprotected pet to get heartworms. Preventing heartworms is so easy and cheap compared to the danger and cost of trying to clear them after your dog has become infected. You
REPORTS
Continued from A2
motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Reckless driving was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Herd Street.
• Harassment was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A reckless driver was reported on East Patton Street.
• A white female was arrested during a theft call on Gilmer Avenue.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Third Avenue.
• A verbal fight was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Loitering was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Hillcrest Street.
• An arrest was made on Barnett Boulevard. MARCH 29
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Main Street.
• Panhandling was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Golden Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on First Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Notasulga Road.
cannot look at your dog and know if they are or are not infected with heartworms which is why your dog must go to your veterinarian for a quick and easy blood test. Once your veterinarian determines your dog does not have adult heartworms, they can then prescribe prevention to protect your pet. The drugs to prevent heartworms are completely different than the drug necessary to treat a dog with heartworms so it is very important to never give your pet heartworm medicine until it has been tested by your veterinarian.
The good news is heartworm prevention is safe, easy and relatively inexpensive. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection in both dogs and cats, including monthly tablets and chewables, monthly topicals and a six-month or 12-month injectable product (available only for dogs), all available
• An animal complaint was reported on Washington Street.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard. MARCH 28
• A fight was reported on James Street.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Macedonia Road.
• A fight was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Weldon Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Weldon Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Harris Street.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
MARCH 27
• A domestic incident was reported on Floyd Lane.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• A fight was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A Black female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Loitering was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Shiloh Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on McNeal Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on West Patton Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Washington Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Hudson Place.
MARCH 26
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint
from your veterinarian. These products are not available for you to purchase at a pet supply store, your local feed store or on-line without a prescription – you must get these from a licensed Veterinarian! Please do not purchase heartworm prevention from on-line sites that do not require a prescription from your veterinarian as you may be purchasing potentially low-quality, poorly stored/shipped products or, worse, fake products. These preventatives are extremely effective, and when administered properly will prevent heartworm infection by interrupting the life cycle so they cannot become adult heartworms. An added benefit from keeping your pet on heartworm preventative is many of them also prevent other parasites like roundworms, whipworms and hookworms (a few also prevent tapeworms), and some products also
was reported on Hickory Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Macedonia Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Mott Lane.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on South Tallassee Drive.
• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Notasulga Road.
• A domestic incident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
MARCH 25
• A suicidal subject was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Hillcrest Street.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Cliff Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Barnett Boulevard.
• A tree was reported in the roadway on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Theft was reported on Third Street.
• A Black female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassing communications was reported on West James Street.
• A Black male was arrested during a gunshots reported call on Hillcrest Street.
MARCH 24
• A noise complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Hicks Store Road.
prevent fleas and ticks. Most of us only think about dogs when we think heartworm prevention, but more and more studies are finding our cats are also at great risk and there are preventives (oral and topical) for cats too. So please talk to your veterinarian about heartworm prevention for your dogs and cats (and, FYI, Ferrets too). In the long run keeping your dog (and cat) on monthly heartworm prevention will not only keep your pet healthy it will save you a lot of money and heartache for a very expensive, lengthy and risky adult heartworm treatment. Face it, here in the south, mosquitos can be year-round, so please, please, please keep your pets current on heartworm prevention all twelve months.
Rea Cord is the executive director for the Humane Society of Elmore County.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Quail Crossing.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
MARCH 22
• Harassment was reported on the Coosa River Parkway. MARCH 21
• Theft and forgery was reported on Kelly Fitzpatrick Road.
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
Losing our religion
For two decades in The Tallassee Tribune, I have been privileged to write a lot about music and entertainment. Occasionally some of the things I write have come across as too conservative, while others may have been read as too liberal. I have always subscribed to a ‘no label’ type philosophy, staying in the middle of the road when it comes to politics.
That ends today.
Sometimes, being that my column appears on an opinion page, I have let my glass-is-half-full politics show. And that’s when people start calling me names.
One man attacked me at the grocery store as he poked his finger in my chest, saying, “you ain’t nothin’ but a liberal because you’re a member of that teachers’ union.”
Another reader has angrily approached me and accused me of being in the tank for abortionists, and even called me a “baby killer” (as the father of seven, I am obviously very pro-life). This same person also denounced me for being Catholic, because President Biden is Catholic – and, to this person, is also a baby killer.
All of this has happened during the past seven or eight years, as politics and religion have become ever more intertwined. A recent book uncovers some of this, and I’d like to use my space this week to draw your attention to it.
Russell Moore is an evangelical Christian minister. Before becoming the editor of Christianity Today magazine, he was the president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
In other words, if there’s a theological perspective worth at least listening to, Rev. Moore has earned the right to be able to speak his mind.
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omeone recently told me I was rich. I’m sure I spit out whatever I was drinking — in laughter and in shock. Me? Rich?
I’m a journalist. Let’s just say: I didn’t do this for the money. But I do have one thing going for me when it comes to finances, and I’m here to share my secrets. They’ll make you “rich,” according to some. I say that with laughter in my words still.
I’m a journalist. Let’s just say: I didn’t do this for the money. But I do have one thing going for me when it comes to finances, and I’m here to share my secrets. They’ll make you “rich,” according to some. I say that with laughter in my words still.
alcohol. Again, I say with a laugh because I know that’s not realistic for most people. But let me tell you being sober is a serious money-saver. My husband isn’t a big drinker either, so we save $12 for a cocktail every time we go out to dinner, and that adds up quick. Plus, I’ll just say having a BYOB wedding was possibly the best idea we’ve ever had.
that’s for emergencies only. We put an extra $150 per month toward that account and never touch it unless absolutely necessary. It’s not much, but it’s a comfort blanket should we ever fall.
to have a strategy for saving. Every little dollar can make a difference.
But it’s all about saving a little money here and there. My family has never been super well-off people. My mom worked three jobs when I was growing up, and her main source of income was as a first-grade teacher. Again, not really a family getting into “rich” careers. But my mom was always really good with money. We never spent a lot. We didn’t have a lot of new clothes and we never had the latest technology. We had a beautiful home though, and my mom always knew what she was doing with her money. Even if we didn’t always. My first secret is don’t drink
Wput a little extra money toward our bigger purchases, like our home or our vehicles. Instead of paying $327 per month for our truck payment, we make it an even $350. That’s only 23 bucks per month, and it’ll end up saving us several months worth of payments in the long run. I also recommend multiple bank accounts. There’s some thing great about money being out of sight, out of mind. When we purchased our truck, we opened a bank account at Heritage South Credit Union — highly recommended, by the way — and we now use that as a true savings account
e Americans are going to the polls in seven months, to elect the next President of the United States. Election day is November 5. We are getting set for a rematch between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Americans are not too enthused to see this replay. I have never seen two candidates with as high negative polling numbers in my lifetime. The old political truism that more people vote against someone than for someone will definitely come into play in this presidential race. If indeed Biden and Trump are the nominees, you will see the lowest percentage voter turnout in American history come November. Several television pundits have referred to it as a three-way race between Trump, Biden and the couch and the couch is going to win. The Republican National Convention is July 15 through18 in Milwaukee, and they will officially nominate Trump, the 78-year-old, as their nominee for President for the third time. The Democrats will coronate Joe Biden, the 82-yearold octogenarian, as their nominee at their convention in Chicago August 19 through 22. The only competitive betting odds are not whether Biden will be the nominee, but it is probably 50/50 as to whether he makes it to August 22.
To say that Biden and Trump are the two oldest people running against each other for President is a bygone conclusion. Probably second place competitors would be decades younger at least. People age differently in life. Biden appears to be the one affected the most adversely by his advanced age. He is obviously the one who
Most Americans don’t have enough money to survive more than two months if something were to happen to their everyday income. My husband and I went through that early on in our relationship, and it taught us a lot about the value and importance of saving. He had to have shoulder surgery and was out of work for five months. Not only was it hard on him mentally and emotionally, it was certainly a challenge on the bank. He had a few weeks of vacation time he was allowed to use, but after that, we were on our own. You never think it’s going to happen to you — until it does. Make sure you have a strategy of savings and a fallback plan. You may even come across as “rich” to your friends too.
looks and acts his age. In fact, his age and diminished capacity are the underlying reason he is underwater in the polls. When you look at his policies or issues, or at least those of his handlers, his administration has embraced the actions a liberal deficit spending Democratic President is expected to enact. His Achilles’ heel, among his own Democratic base, which are younger than the Republican base, are his demeanor and senility. Democratic voters like “old Joe,” but do not want to see him in the White House supposedly leading the Country. They think to themselves, “Bless his heart, old Joe looks like my great-grandfather that should be running for President of his Delaware nursing home, rather than President of the United States.”
I really do not think he knows where he is or what meeting or country they have taken him to. It would be comical, but other nations and world leaders see this and chuckle at our nation’s decrepit leadership. The senility of Biden would not be so devastating if we did not have a nuclear bomb capability. I am afraid he will roll out of bed from his afternoon nap and hit the button by accident. As one senator recently quipped, “I wouldn’t trust Biden with my TV remote control, much less the red button that could trigger Armageddon.”
Trump is better cognitively than Biden, but most independent voters have thought he was crazy all along. A good many
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.
Presidential race looks like a Biden/Trump rematch
Republican voters think he is, too. They just like his policies as a very Republican President. Trump is considered a clown by most Americans. They still see him as a reality TV show celebrity actor. Recent scenes of him on the golf course reveal that he has a girth similar to William Howard Taft. Therefore, his actuarial timetable might not be much better than that of Biden. This race will be a real comedy show. It will be fun to watch two octogenarians perform. It will be like a circus. It will be interspersed with kangaroo courts in Democratic venues, in Democratic bastions, in Democratic courthouses, in New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia. If the side show in Atlanta actually occurs, it will really be something to behold and will help Trump be elected.
These silly indictments are so transparently, politically orchestrated, that it has angered the Republican base to rally behind Trump. This Democratic ploy has backfired. Every time one of these cases occurs, it explodes the enthusiasm of the Republican base. Remember, more people vote against someone than for someone. The GOP base is more enthused with Trump than Biden’s base is for him. It will be a fun show. Biden may not make it through the show, but his handlers will keep him hidden and probably not tell us if he makes it. How many of you have seen the movie, Weekend at Bernie’s?
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
Creature Chronicles
Raptor Ridge educates public on caring for the birds around us
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
There are little things we do every day that can make a big difference in a raptor’s life.
Raptor Ridge Wildlife
Education founder Valerie Castanza said raptors face many man-made threats from pesticides to lead poisoning to general pollution.
Each of the birds at Raptor Ridge are education ambassadors, who cannot be re-released into the wild for a number of reasons.
Some of the raptors have physical impairments such as missing wings or psychological impairments such as imprinting on humans.
As education ambassadors, the raptors aid in teaching people about raptors and the importance of caring for the environment.
Castanza said a common issue is trash along roadways. Sometimes people throw apple cores out of the car window thinking it’s biodegradable, so it does no harm. While it is biodegradable, it also attracts animals to the roadside. Some of these animals, like mice, are raptor’s prey and when they dive for a meal, it increases the risk of raptors being struck by vehicles.
Another popular issue for raptor wellbeing, and
by extension wildlife wellbeing, are balloon releases because the balloons eventually fall from the sky and can lead to animals ingesting the remains or getting tangled in the strings.
These are just a few of the many examples as to how humans and raptor’s interact. Raptor Ridge also partners with local schools and libraries for Reading with Raptors, as an additional activity for kids to learn more about raptors.
To learn more or schedule a live animal presentation contact Raptor Ridge at 334-201-4957 or Raptor. Ridge.WE@gmail.com.
Pet of the Week — Gunner
Gunner is a male Lab mix who weighs about 50 pounds. He was 1 ½ years old and came to us as a stray that was never reclaimed. He loves to run and run some more, great on a leash, great with other dogs. He loves running then stopping for some attention, then playing some more, getting more attention. He is a fun boy!
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
VET TREK
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.
RES pre-k visits 4D Veterinary Services
ABIGAIL MURPHY | TPI
Reeltown Elementary School pre-k students went on a field trip to Four Daughters Veterinary Services last Friday to learn about animal care. The students met with Dr. Andrew Lovelady, who showed them how he conducts a surgery with guest “dog,” Coconut. Students also got to hear a storybook about how vets care for pets and meet some horses and dogs. Before the students break for lunch with their parents, a farrier told them a little about her job taking care of horse’s hooves.
Students hope to convert shoes to dollars
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Many have extra shoes just laying around. Some are in closets, others are under the bed. But most of these extra shoes are unused.
If someone is tired of seeing piles of shoes, a few Tallassee High School students have a fundraiser through Funds2Orgs where they can take them away. Future Business Leaders of America sponsor Traci Evans said partnered up with the school’s Leo and Key clubs to gather shoes.
“It is a shoe drive fundraiser,” Evans said. “We are raising funds for us but we are also giving back because the shoes go to developing countries for people there to be entrepreneurs by either selling the shoes or repurposing them.”
The students help collect donated shoes that are gently used to new. They are packaged up and shipped off to Funds2Orgs. The organization then cuts a check.
“It benefits students by developing valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork and event planning,” Evans said.
Funds2Orgs has already partnered with other FBLA organizations across the country in similar fundraising efforts.
“We do toy and food drives together,” Evans said. “We wanted a way to raise funds without directly asking for money.”
The shoe drive ends April 12 and students have already collected about half of the 25 bags necessary to get free shipping of the shoes. Evans has reached out to clubs at Tallassee Elementary School and Southside Middle School to get some help. The organizations are also hopeful the public will help with shoes as well.
It is helping developing countries.”
“It is helping us,” Evans said. “It is helping the environment by keeping them out of the landfills.
Evans and Leo and Key clubs sponsor Shannon Dubose hope the funds will allow something special for their students. Evans understands it
town after leaving her hometown of Centreville, Britt knew Tallassee was the place for her.
“I loved where I lived and grew up in Bibb County,” Britt said. “When we drove into town I thought, ‘I’m going to love this town.’”
And loved it she has. In the 1960s Britt found herself in the PTA, the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She remained in several organizations as her children entered high school..
“Everything they were involved in, I was involved in,” Britt said. “They were very involved in things and I was always doing whatever they needed. If they were having a doughnut sale, well I was the one going to Montgomery to pick up the doughnuts.”
In 1969 Britt took a job in sales with ALFA insurance and found it natural to become involved in the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce.
“I was on the board for a number of years,” Britt said. “I was on the board almost constantly until I retired in 1999.”
Britt was president of the chamber on a few occasions and without a director, she found herself handling many responsibilities for the organization.
After retirement Britt helped care for grandchildren then started vol-
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The students arrive at First Methodist Church on Wednesdays to fill backpacks.
“The church women have it organized,” Rygiel said. “They have a room. They have food that has been donated. They have food that has been bought. It has come together thanks to people in the community and that church.”
would likely be a local trip or activity, maybe even on campus, she and Dubose want to do something special.
“We don’t have a lot of funds for our club,” Evans said. “We want to
unteering as a docent at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. After a fellow volunteer and friend moved away to help with family coincided with a rise in gas prices, Tallassee found Britt’s sights again.
“Almost immediately I was back on the board at the chamber,” Britt said. “During that time I started gathering information about our members and their activities and writing a newsletter. I also volunteered a lot.”
About the same time Gov. Bob Riley, the Alabama Department of Tourism and the Alabama Chamber of Commerce declared 2010 as “The Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.”
Britt was the chair of the chamber’s retail committee.
“Somehow that committee got the responsibility for coordinating that locally,” Britt said.
One of the events that year was a street dance for the Tallassee Historical Society. Britt and others invited Muskogee Indians, who are descendants from the Creek Indians that once lived here and nearby Tuckabatchee to Tallassee from Oklahoma.
“It was very inspirational to see the Creek Indians there and active,” Britt said.
It was a mid July festival. By the end of the month, Britt gathered others who saw the Creeks and the Friends of Tuckabatchee formed.
The group went to work quickly as it wanted to mark the 100th anniversary of Creek Indian chief
According to Rygiel, parents of students in the free lunch program were sent a letter explaining the program and how it worked. A small number responded and everyone went to work just before Christmas. Each Friday, 12 students at SMS are discreetly given food for the weekend.
“It’s a smaller version than what is happening at TES, but it is so very powerful,” Spencer said. “Students are incredibly appreciative and even talk about how they share the snacks
of the pregame routines such as the majorette jobs, prancing and jazz running. Then there was a solo performance.
Crain was ready for everything thrown at her during the process thanks to years of practice.
“I started taking dance when I was 3,” Crain said. “I developed a strong relationship with my dance teacher Ms. Vicki Baker. She has been helping with the majorettes at the high school for a long time.”
As a child, Crain and her parents attended numerous Auburn games
reward them for all of their hard work throughout the year with a field trip or team building activity. It might not happen this year because we might not have the money until next school year.”
Tecumseh coming to the area to rally other Creeks to go to war against Andrew Jackson. The group produced its first play on the anniversary and it included Tecumseh’s speech. The ‘Friends’ were invited to perform the play at the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Subsequent plays were organized including Letters and Music from the Civil War. Letters and Music from World War II was performed for the grand opening of the Mt. Vernon Theater.
“It was a huge success,” Britt said.
A production about the gold rush in the area was performed at the Red Hill School as well.
Now the group is organizing a storytelling festival for later this year at the Patterson Log Cabin in Tallassee.
Being married to a local guy Eddie Frank Britt helped Britt volunteer over the years.
“We live in Tallassee, but he had a farm in Reeltown.” Britt said. “He spent his days after we retired in Reeltown playing with cows. He has been so wonderful and supportive. I could have never done what I have tried to do. I couldn’t have done it without his support.”
Time on the farm gave the wife time to volunteer. But the time has come for Britt to help take care of family again.
“I’m not complaining,” Britt said. “It is a very sweet time in our lives.”
and food with their siblings and family members.”
Rygiel believes the program at SMS will grow.
“We figure others will want to be a part of it once word really gets out,” Rygiel said. “There will be some to come up from the elementary school.”
Rygiel feels great about the expanding backpack program.
“It’s nice to see people come together for a good cause,” Rygiel said. “It makes us happy to know these kids aren’t going hungry.”
too. The now high school senior found her way to the band during tailgating, naturally hanging out with the majorettes. She would even practice some of the pregame majorette routines at home. As Crain grew up, so did her formal training. She has been a majorette at Tallassee High School for four years and selected as head majorette her senior year. Training to be a majorette went beyond Tallassee. “I have gone to multiple camps in Auburn with the honor band and the camps in the summer,” Crain said. Crain is now readying herself for the next steps in life. She plans to
Spencers doesn’t take all the credit for the program but is happy to serve her students beyond the classrooms and halls of SMS.
“I also have several helpers at SMS that assist: Mrs. Wisener, our secretary; Sgt. Tuck, our school resource officer; Ms. Aldridge, our bookkeeper; and Mrs. Sullen, our Guidance Counselor,” Spencer said. “We are so thankful to our community for coming together to make this possible for our students.”
study speech pathology at Auburn.
“I always wanted to work in a school system but not necessarily a teacher,” Crain said. “I felt that it is something I could be interested in.”
Crain joins former Tallassee Marching Band members who have gone on to university bands. Some have even been majorettes including Emma Kate Holley and Natalie Hadaway who were Auburn majorettes last year. Others have been majorettes in college at places like the University of Alabama. “It really is an honor to be selected for this line,” Crain said. “I’m about to experience something not many get to do. I’m grateful for that.”
Members of the Tallassee High School Future Business Leaders of America poses with shoes they have collected as part of a fundraiser. They hope to collect more to recieve funds for a field trip.
Blessings to all
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge. Although it is April Fool’s Day as I am writing, I assure everyone there is no fooling around with this column. There may be an effort toward humor, but no gimmicks, I promise!
Easter Sunday is one of the most well attended days of worship in Christian churches. We have all heard of CE Christians (Christmas and Easter), and usually the term is used to describe people who aren’t very serious about their faith. The theology behind this is that showing up to church on Christmas and Easter is easy because the good news is so pronounced.
Many in ministry lament such behavior. I can honestly say, as one who stands in a pulpit facing a congregation most Sundays of the year, the number of empty seats is noticeable.
The temptation is to think that Sundays with fewer empty seats are somehow better than those with more. Ah yes, the good old human wrestling with the concept of less and more. Last week, a friend of mine from seminary days posted a message on Facebook. It simply read: “Question – What do you say to someone who only comes to church on Easter or Christmas? Answer – The Lord be with you. Welcome.”
I have been participating in Holy Week and Easter celebrations in PCUSA churches all my life. I have grown accustomed to the flow of things. The churches I have been connected to have all recognized Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday as individual, specific events each contributing a measure of substance to the joy of resurrection on Easter morning.
A few years ago, a new ele-
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
ment came into my Holy Week traditions. I became friends with a non-profit coordinator in our region. He is Jewish. We talk at length about covenant relationship with God and what it means to live by faith. We have a lot in common.
The first Wednesday of Holy Week after we became acquainted, I received a text message from him. It read, “Wishing you a meaningful Holy Week and a joyous Easter”. I have received the same message from him at the same time each year since. I have come to appreciate it as much as every aspect of my
Tallassee Churches
Last week, a friend of mine from seminary days posted a message on Facebook. It simply read: “Question –What do you say to someone who only comes to church on Easter or Christmas? Answer – The Lord be with you. Welcome.”
Holy Week and Easter traditions.
The reasons for this is simple. Our friendship and conversations about living in faith essentially explain my relationship to gospel truth. My friend is not a Christian. He is a Jew. We have very different theology regarding many things, but we have the same relationship with gospel truth. He listens to the words of Jesus as much as I do.
Our friendship reminds me of the universality of God’s good news. The word of God became flesh and dwelt in human form for the salvation of all. The Word of God was sent into the world in the flesh to redeem the
world. The whole world. The commonalities of God’s word are what God intends all to share in the earthly kingdom. “How good and pleasant it is when people live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1) My Jewish friend reminds me of the blessings Holy Week and Easter make possible for Christians. I remind him of the blessings the Feast of Passover make possible for Jews. The blessings are identical, and they come from God. That, as they say, is all I need to know.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
Surrounding Area Churches
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Sports
Tallassee fishing finishes second on Lake Eufaula
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Writer
The Tallassee fishing team is in pretty good standing this season.
With just one tournament left in both the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association and the Alabama Bass Nation circuits, Tallassee looks to punch its ticket to the finals of both.
This Saturday, Tallassee finished second overall at Lake
Eufaula with brothers Grant and Eli McCraney taking second place as a boat. The weekend before, in the Bass Nation circuit, the Tigers finished third overall on Logan Martin with the McCraney brothers finishing second again while Carter Davidson and Michael Markham captured seventh.
“We’ve had two good weekends in a row,” Tigers coach John Goodman said. “We went to Logan Martin the week
Reeltown track excels in third meet
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
After Reeltown track’s third meet of the season, the Rebels are primed to break through.
At the Glenn Copeland Invite on March 27 at Beauregard, the boys side of the squad placed third overall while the girls took home a sixth place finish.
The boys finished just one point shy of second place. The girls side featured multiple teams within .5 points of one another.
The season has not been long yet for coach Jarrod Wooten’s squad, but he can see the growth and development on both sides that could make his program a state title contender.
“We are growing,” Wooten said. “We need more guys and girls to contribute more points as we head into sectionals. We have people showing a lot of promise. We have a ton of young folks that are doing some really good things.”
What Wooten wants most from his team in their next few meets before sectionals at the end of the month. He needs some athletes to pull just one placement better and then the Rebels will be consistently taking home top medal finishes individually and as a team.
“We don’t have to be first place or second place (individually) in everything to score points,” Wooten said. “Every one of those overall points helps us. We have talked about those scenarios in the past, but sometimes you have to see it first hand before it sinks in.”
Two athletes Wooten will never have to worry about are Arthur Woods and Tae MArtin, who are currently among the fastest runners in the state.
Woods ran a 10.71 100m dash, with Martin
MIDDLETON TPI Reeltown’s Brody Smith pitches against Wetumpka in the Slapout Wood Bat Classic. Smith allowed just two earned runs in a loss to the Indians.
right behind him running a 10.98. Those finishes were good for first and second respectively at the meet, but are also the first and second fastest 100m times in all of 2A.
For Woods, his time is third fastest in the state regardless of classification. Martin’s time is tied for 19th, and one spot ahead of Auburn football commit
A’mon Lane-Ganus of Moody.
“I don’t know if I have ever been with a team where there were two guys who ran under 11 flat,” Wooten said. “Those guys, if they stay healthy, they are on track to do some special things.”
What makes Martin and Woods so special is they are putting up these track numbers while also playing baseball. Sometimes, Wooten doesn’t see the duo before a meet day, but knows no matter what they will go out and excel.
“We may have them once or week or may not see them at all,” Wooten said. “When they go out and do all that, it definitely isn’t coaching.”
JJ Kendrick is another athlete that Wooten hardly has to worry about. Wooten took home third in the 300m hurdles and second in the 110m hurdles.
Woods took home first in the 110.
“He has made a lot of progress,” Wooten said of Kendrick. “He loves track and puts the work into it. If we get his stamina just a little better, he has a chance at state in the hurdles.”
In both hurdle disciplines, Drake Wood is a guy Wooten pointed to who could earn the team more points as the season goes on. Wood finished 15th in the 110 and 14th in the 300.
“We have moved him around to some new
TRACK, Page B2
before and Grant and Eli did really well as a boat there too. We came down to Eufaula this weekend and they continued to do a really good job. The team did really well as well, and we needed it.”
The McCraney brothers aren’t the only Tallassee Anglers finding the top of the leaderboards.
Brandon Goodman, John’s son, and Cason Hornsby
ALVAREZ LEADS TIGERS OVER GENERALS
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
It was the Tania Alvarez show in New Site on Friday.
Rematching with Horseshoe Bend, a school in its first year of having a soccer team, the sophomore attacking midfielder put two goals in net to give her team a 2-0 victory.
Her first goal came off a corner in the opening 20 minutes, her second slipping past the keeper’s mitts with two minutes to play.
“Tania is a really good player,” coach Matt Tarpley said. “She facilitates a lot of our attack, so it was good to see her get the payoff and get two goals today.”
Friday’s tilt was the second
between the two schools, with Tallassee winning the first 3-1. While Alvarez got the job done on offense, Tarpley’s defense kept things out of their zone and Horseshoe Bend off the scoreboard.
“It was certainly what we hoped to see,” Tarpley said. “I think our defense played really well. Keeping a clean sheet is always a positive. They kept the ball out of trouble.”
Tallassee’s starting keeper was out, so the Tigers rolled in backup Izabel Diego between the pipes. Diego batted down her fair share of shots, but also got tons of help from her backline to keep the shutout alive.
“The defense stepped up and protected our backup so that was really good to see,”
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Tarpley said. In Horseshoe Bend’s first season as a program, Tarpley was impressed by how far the Generals had come. The home team had its chances, soaring a ball just above the crossbar in the opening minutes and clunking a free kick off the crossbar in the second half.
In the end though, Tallassee’s aggressive defense kept things clean enough and paved the way for Alvarez to get her team a pair of goals.
“Horseshoe Bend has gotten a lot better since we played them a month ago,” Tarpley said. “Props to them. But we played well. Our midfielders did well and helped protect our back line.”
Tallassee’s Tania Alvarez netted two goals in a win over Horseshoe Bend on Friday, leading her team to a 2-0 win.
Reeltown competes in Wood Bat Classic
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Writer
Reeltown continued its brutal non-area schedule this weekend. The Rebels made the short trip to Holtville and participated in the inaugural Slapout Wood Bat Classic. Reeltown went 0-3 in the tournament with losses to Class 5A Holtville, Class 6A Wetumpka and Class 7A Opelika. That came just days after the
Rebels took on Class 6A Saraland twice, Class 4A Montgomery Academy and Class 4A Satsuma.
Despite playing three higher teams from higher classifications this weekend, the Rebels had the chance to win every game. They lost to Holtville, 3-1, Wetumpka 9-5 and Opelika 6-4.
“It was a great tournament and coach (Scott) Tubbs and Holtville did a really great job with it,” Rebels coach Matt Johnson said.
“There were some great teams here. I’m really proud of our guys for competing and fighting to the end. I was proud of that and it was great to see.”
Despite the 0-3 record, Reeltown got some of the best starting pitching of any team in the entire tournament. The Rebels starters – Hagan Lewis, Brody Smith and JaMarkius Smith – all combined
See CLASSIC, Page B2
SUBMITTED | TPI
The Tallassee fishing team finished second overall in the ASABFA’s weekend event held on Lake Eufaula. Brothers Grant and Eli McCraney also finished second overall as a boat.
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events to see if we had him in the right place,” Wooten said. “We don’t have him at practice a whole lot, so we try and experiment. He is doing a good job.”
Larry Butler is another who has the potential to up his times as the season goes along and pick up some more points for the boys. Butler finished 12th in the 400m dash, best on the team, and had a 55 second split in the 4x400 relay. The 4x400 relay team finished sixth. The 4x100 relay team finished second.
“If he keeps bringing that time down, that is a place where we can potentially pull some points and qualify him for state,” Wooten said.
Jaedon Brooks showed a lot of promise during the meet and could be someone to push the likes of Kendrick, Martin and Woods. Brooks took home seventh in the 110 hurdles and 11th in the 300 hurdles.
“He is in the points, but we need him to catch another gear,” Wooten said. “If we can get him up near Arthur and JJ, we are hoping he can come through for us.”
In the field, Bowman Brumbeloe led the boys with an eighth place finish in discus. His toss of 100 feet, 8 inches was the first time he hit over 100 feet. Sandrea Coleman, on the girls side, hit over 95 feet. Wooten attributes the bump in numbers to new teachings from coach Torran Smith.
“Coach Smith has done a great job with the throwers, using some new techniques,” Wooten said.
“Until about two weeks ago, Matthew Taylor couldn’t get over 70 feet. But with what coach Smith is teaching them it is really paying off.”
Taylor is a prime example of someone who can help pick up extra points for the team, as his over 90-foot toss in discus earned a sixth place finish.
Coleman, a mainstay as one of the best field athletes in 2A, set a PR with her discus throw and is ranked second in all of 2A for both shotput and discus.
Outside of Coleman, long distance runner Leah Reeves had a quality showing in both the 800 and 1,600 runs.
Reeves finished eighth in the 800 and third in the 1,600. Both finishes were team best times.
“She is one of those where you just tell her what to do and she goes out and does the work and gets it done,” Wooten said. “Her times are constantly coming down.”
Kaysen Garner finished behind Reeves in both events, earning season best scores in each discipline. Garner also led the team with an 11th place in the 400 and a 10th place in the 300m hurdles.
“She has come out of nowhere and is step for step with Leah,” Wooten said. “She has been fighting an ankle problem, but if she is healthy, I don’t even know what she can be capable of.”
Overall, Reeltown track is headed in the right direction with less than a month to go before the season ends. The team still needs to generate a handful more points, but seems primed to be able to make that jump.
With a healthy mix of youth and experience, Reeltown track is setting itself up for sustained success not only this year but for years to come.
“We are moving in the right direction,” Wooten said. “We are sitting at about 50 kids, and that is huge for a school this size. A big portion are seventh, eighth and ninth graders. We have a lot of potential. We have a lot of special talents that can medal at state now and in the future.”
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for just four earned runs in 15 total innings. Lewis pitched a complete game in the 3-1 loss to Holtville, allowing just one earned run on two hits and five walks with four strikeouts. Two errors hurt the Rebels and added two runs for Holtville.
On Friday, Brody Smith allowed just two earned runs on three hits and five walks in 4 ⅔ innings. After he
Darnell plays everywhere for Elmore County
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Writer
There’s not a position on the field Shea Darnell can’t play.
The Elmore County junior took to the field this week and played catcher, shortstop and second base as the Panthers went 4-1 and claimed the tournament championship in the Slapout Wood Bat Classic.
As he switched positions seemingly every game, Darnell was a consistent force at the plate batting out of the two-hole. In five games, he finished the week 8 of 14 with nine runs scored and seven stolen bases.
In the tournament, he hit .667 with a team-best eight hits and recorded at least one hit in every game. For his performance, he is the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“Shea is just playing unreal right now,” Panthers coach Michael Byrd said. “He plays with energy every day and he’s smart and athletic. He’s really focused right now and plays the game as hard as he can.”
Darnell has been on a tear for the entire season. In fact, he has at least one hit in 20 of Elmore County’s 21 games, with the loss to Jonathan Alder (Ohio) being the anomaly.
He’s hitting a team-best
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.557 with 34 hits, which is over .100 points higher than the next closest Panther.
While his .557 season average is impressive, he has been better than that the last two weeks. He has back-to-back eight hits week, going 8-for14 this week and 8-for-12 last week, good for a .615 batting average while the Panthers are 8-1 with 90 runs scored during that span.
“When he’s focused like he is now, he can be really good,” Byrd said. “He is playing all over the field and he’s been very clutch. The fact that he brings the team our energy cannot be overstated enough either.”
Darnell was injured most of his sophomore season a year ago, but still pulled out a .418 average in limited play. He knew that average wasn’t good enough for him, so he made a quick trip to visit his brother Sean.
Sean Darnell is currently at Wallace-Dothan, and was one of the best Elmore County players in recent memory. He was the 2021 Elmore County Player of the Year and is currently hitting .325 for the Governors as they are 30-6 on the year.
“To be completely honest with you, I went and visited Sean and he helped me really fix a couple of things in my swing,” Darnell said. “Now
Friday was Horseshoe Bend’s biggest showcase of soccer since the school began its program. When the school
FISHING
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placed Top 10 early in March in an ASABFA event, then they placed fifth in a Bass Nation event a few weeks before.
In the first event of the spring circuit, Markham and Davidson claimed first place while the McCraney’s placed fifth.
was pulled, the Rebels allowed five more runs but were hurt by another two errors.
In the weekend finale, Reeltown faced Opelika in bracket play. The Bulldogs scored three runs in the first inning on an error and a dropped third strike, while JaMarkius Smith allowed one earned run on three hits and seven walks. “I feel like we really competed on the mound,” Johnson said. “What we didn’t do is make the routine plays in pivotal situations. I feel like we were up on our
I’m hitting the baseball and having a lot of success at the plate.”
Darnell is the team’s main middle infielder this year, but he is constantly being pulled into action behind the plate. Byrd allows his starting pitchers to choose which catcher they want when they’re on the mound, and Brandon White always picks Darnell.
The two have been a battery since they were near junior high, and White feels most comfortable with him on the mound.
So against Dothan, Darnell got behind the plate and caught a 3-2 win last week. The next day, Ryals McNeely also selected Darnell to get behind the plate. He caught a five-inning complete game shutout from McNeely, then turned around and played
asked Tallassee to play, Tarpley immediately said, “yes.”
The Tigers were rewarded with a win for their efforts, and even got to do so in front of a smattering of fans clad in purple and gold.
“It was great,” Tarpley said. “(Horse-
“Brandon and Cason were leading the points division in the Bass Nation standings up until this last tournament,” Goodman said. “Michael and Carter have each won a couple of tournaments and are fishing well. The whole team is doing really well right now.”
Now the Tigers will try to finish the season on a high note.
In the ASABFA, Tallassee
walks and against good teams, you can’t give up free bases. Against good teams, you have to do the small things right.”
Lewis was named to the All-Tournament team for his efforts both on the mound and at the plate.
To go along with his two-hitter he tossed against the Bulldogs, he also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and the team’s lone RBI. Against Wetumpka, Lewis went 2-for-3 again with another double and three more RBIs. He added a final RBI with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch
against Opelika.
shortstop
When Hayden Jones relieved Shelton in the fifth inning, Darnell moved to second base and took over that spot from Jones. “I’m exhausted, but we’re finding a way to win and that’s all that matters,” Darnell said.
shoe Bend) coach (Austin) Teel brought this idea up to us about having his school be able to host and I love it. I support it. We had some fans who took the day off to come out and enjoy the sunshine with us. It was a good day at Horseshoe Bend.”
moved to the largemouth division instead of smallmouth like last season due to having more than five boats. They will continue trying to reach the state championship, where hopefully a few boats will be rewarded the chance at the national championship.
In the Bass Nation circuit, Tallassee is doing really well in the six-man team division but also has a lot of points in the individual standings with its three teams. As the season comes to a close, Goodman hopes to see his anglers get a chance at the national championship.
Lewis is now hitting .400 on the year with five doubles, one triple and a team-best two home runs and 24 RBIs.
On the mound, he is 2-2 with a 4.13 earned run average.
“His pitching has been consistent for us,” Johnson said. “He had a great outing against Bearuegaed a week before last, then pitched extremely well on Thursday against Holtville and pitched well enough to win. We just didn’t make the plays and didn’t get timely hits.”
“We’re doing really well in both divisions,” Goodman said. “We’re trying to get to the national championships in the Bass Nation. That’s the big pay off. It’s coming down to the wire, but we’re pretty high up in the standings right now.”
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Reeltown’s Hagan Lewis was named to the All-Tournament team after pitching a complete game and hitting two doubles.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
while his brother, Shelton, pitched the championship game.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Shea Darnell dives back into first base on a pickoff attempt. The junior had seven stolen bases in five games last week.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Elmore County’s Shea Darnell was named the Elmore County Player of the Week after going 8-for-14 with nine runs scored in five games last week.
Vote for your Fans’ Choice Player of the Week now!
DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
It’s time for baseball
Seemingly every person you know, and every person I know, is obsessed with March Madness right now. Alabama is in the Final Four, so all of the Alabama fans are ecstatic and all the Auburn fans are mad at an Ivy League school.
It’s been all fun and I love rooting for an underdog like NC State, but I’m about basketball’d out.
I’m all in on baseball now, and that started on the best day ever for me.
March 28 served as a double whammy for me. Not only was it my 29th birthday, but it was also MLB’s Opening Day. AKA, the best day in the world.
So in case you were watching Alabama beat North Carolina in the Sweet 16 or Alabama beat Clemson in the Elite Eight, let’s go over a few of the highlights you missed in the baseball world over the weekend.
MIKE TROUT HOMERS IN FIRST AT-BAT
One of the funniest tweets I have ever seen came in 2021 when @matttomic tweeted “every time I see an Angels highlight it’s like “Mike Trout hit three home runs and raised his average to .528 while Shohei Ohtani did something that hasn’t been done since ‘Tungsten Arm’ O’Doyle of the 1921 Akron Groomsmen, as the Tigers defeated the Angels 8-3”
To me, it’s so funny because it’s true. Trout always has a fantastic game, and then the Angels lose by a lot. And that’s basically exactly what happened in the Angels’ first game of 2024. In the third at-bat of the entire game, Trout hit a solo home run to put the Angels up, 1-0, in the first inning. What a great start, right? Well, it’s the Angels. You know how it went.
The Orioles went on to win the game, 11-3, and the Angels only had one more hit the rest of the game. It came from pinch hitter Luis Renfigo on a double in the eighth inning.
No matter what year it is, the Angels are going to Angel.
LOSING
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In his new book Losing Our Religion, named for the 1990s-era R.E.M. song, Moore argues that we are losing a generation of evangelicals – not because they are becoming more liberal or ‘woke’ than their parents, but because the Church has aligned itself with politicians.
“The political fusion with Trumpism, Christian nationalism, white-identity backlash, the dismissing of issues such as abuse as ‘social justice’ secularism, are dividing almost every church, almost every family, almost every friendship I know,” Moore writes in the introduction to his book.
And he’s not wrong.
In a 2021 Gallup survey, only 47% of Americans affiliated with a Church or house of worship. This is a significant drop from just 20 years earlier, when 68% of Americans said they were members of a Church.
Moore states in his book the secularization of
MCNEIL, HOSKINS GET INTO IT
Let’s preface this with the fact I am a Mets hater. I’ve never liked them, and I never will.
And when players like Jeff McNeil cry and complain like he did in the season opener, I like them even less.
Let’s get to it. Rhys Hoskins slid into McNeil at second base when McNeil was trying to turn a double play. He stopped it. McNeil thought it was dirty. They said mean words to each other and the benches cleared.
The funniest part of this, to me, was the fact that Hoskins just walked back into the Brewers’ dugout then started talking back to McNeil. He even mocked him by pretending to cry.
The next day, the Mets threw at Hoskins to try and get back at him. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Bunch of losers. Hoskins was still making fun of him in Game 2, and now he’s probably going to make fun of him for a while seeing how the Mets went 0-3 in the opening series.
In the process, Hoskins went 3-for-11 with a home run and four RBIs. McNeil went 1-for-11 and lost all three games. I hope they lose all 162.
SOTO IS DISGUSTING AND I HATE IT As much as I dislike the Mets, I also dislike the Yankees. But man, Juan Soto is a perfect fit for the Yanks so far. Not only is he one of the best players in baseball, but he’s also kind of a maniac. Just look at how he went nuts on first base this weekend.
Soto and the Yankees swept the Astros in the fourgame series (no complaints when anyone sweeps the Astros).
In the four-game series, Soto went 9-for-17 for a .529 batting average with one double, one home run and one RBI. Yeah, he’s going to crush the ball in Yankee Stadium. I don’t want to even see it.
Dalton Middleton is the sports editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers.
our culture is not being driven by so-called liberal agendas, but by evangelicalism itself.
How many times have you heard someone say President Trump is “anointed” or “appointed” by God? Have you seen people conflate his trials with those of Jesus?
This is an abomination!
There are people I know – and you know them, too – who have preached against the evils of gambling and divorce for decades, yet they now say that a thrice-married casino owner is their savior?
As one man told me, “I am not voting for my Sunday School teacher. I’m voting for the man who will get done what I want done.”
Moore recounts in his book the events of January 6, 2021, when a banner proclaiming “Jesus Saves” hung above a gallows built for Vice President Mike Pence. Yes, that was a riot. Yes, people tore through barricades and broke down doors in an attack on the Capitol, because President Trump said the election had been stolen from him.
Tallassee walks off Beauregard, stuns Wetumpka
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Writer
The Tallassee baseball team found itself some much-needed momentum coming out of Spring Break. The Tigers entered Spring Break on a four-game losing streak with losses to Ben Russell, ACA, Reeltown and Beauregard where they were outscored 23-5.
But after six days off from the sport, the Tigers came back in a big way.
Last Monday, Tallassee was down by three runs to Beauregard but came back to win, 6-5, on a walkoff error by the Hornets.
Three days later, Tallassee found itself down 5-2 once again, but this time to Wetumpka. The Tigers then used a seven-run sixth inning, highlighted by six hits and two Wetumpka errors, to beat the Indians 10-7, the second time Tallassee has beaten Wetumpka this year.
“The week or so before Spring Break, we just weren’t playing very well,” Tigers coach John Goodman said. “We weren’t hitting the ball at all. We probably needed a little time away from the sport. We came back and used our time off and actually started hitting the ball better. That carried on through the week.”
Tallassee’s momentum comes at the perfect time.
The Tigers begin Class 5A, Area 4 play with a three-game series against Brewbaker Tech. The Tigers will play at Brew Tech on Tuesday then play a doubleheader at home on Thursday.
While Tallassee has yet to play an area game, Brew Tech is cur-
Thursday, April 04
High School Baseball
4 Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier (DH), 4 p.m.
4 Brewbaker Tech at Tallassee (DH), 5 p.m.
4 Jemison at Holtville (DH), 5 p.m.
4 Elmore County at Marbury (DH), 4:30 p.m.
High School Softball
4 Wetumpka at Chilton County, 6 p.m.
4 Tallassee at Valley, 5 p.m.
4 Stanhope Elmore at Carver, 5 p.m.
4 Edgewood Academy at Glenwood, 3:30 p.m.
High School Soccer
4 Tallassee at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.
4 Elmore County at Valley, 4:30 p.m.
4 BTW at Holtville, 5:30 p.m.
Jesus does save – but how in the world could that message not be associated in the eyes of the secular public with the violence at the Capitol that day?
“Church after church is divided over conspiracy theories and falsehoods,”
Moore says, citing the great work of journalist Tim Alberta from The Atlantic magazine, who wrote extensively this year about the divide in his own family and church. Alberta, the son of a Presbyterian pastor, was nearly thrown out of his father’s funeral by a family friend who attacked him for not being supportive of President Trump. And this was at his home church, at his own father’s funeral. Politics has monopolized our identities.
Moore says it’s not what we love but who we hate: Wal-Mart vs. Whole Foods; NASCAR vs. soccer; electric cars vs. pickup trucks. We are so polarized that it seems impossible to unite for any purpose. Even the Covid crisis got politicized by both sides – getting a shot or not; wearing a mask or not.
rently 0-3 in area play after being swept by Elmore County two weeks ago.
Brew Tech was outscored 36-7 in three losses to the Panthers.
With two wins, Tallassee can clinch a playoff berth for the second-consecutive season.
With that in mind, Goodman knows the team’s 8-6 overall record doesn’t matter. It all comes down to the next six games.
“This is our season,” Goodman said. “Everything leading up to this doesn’t matter. We’re heavily focused on these area games. If we can just get 2 of 3, then we’re in the playoffs and we’ll worry about the rest from that point on.”
TALLASSEE SOFTBALL FALLS TO 0-2 IN AREA PLAY
After 10 days of a break because of Spring Break, the Tigers hit the road and faced off with Class 5A, Area 4 opponent Beauregard.
Tallassee fell to Beauregard
SPORTS CALENDAR
Friday, April 05
High School Baseball
4 Montgomery Carver at Stanhope Elmore (DH), 4:30 p.m.
High School Soccer
4 Lee at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.
4 (G) Stanhope Elmore at Marbury, 7:30 p.m.
4 (G) Elmore County at Horseshoe Bend, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 06
High School Baseball
4 Wetumpka at Shelby County, 12 p.m.
4 Briarwood Christian at Stanhope Elmore, 12 p.m.
4 Chilton County at Elmore County, 12 p.m.
High School Soccer
4 Chilton County at Tallassee, 11:30 a.m.
And if you criticize anyone or anything, you’re a hater, or you’re intolerant. Sadly, Christians wind up getting the short end of the stick a lot of the time – and, Moore argues, it’s our own doing because we chose to hitch our wagon to a politician.
Moore’s book lays bare the effort by some evangelicals to become Christian culture warriors full time. While we Christians are called upon to witness to others, we are also called upon to live as Jesus did – right? Christians should be seeking common ground and unity, not burning it all down in His name.
As I was preparing to write this, a couple of news items caught my attention that illustrate this strange arrangement. President Biden was recorded singing along to the gospel song “On Eagle’s Wings” at a Palm Sunday breakfast at the White House. Biden, appearing frail, said that hymn was special to him as it was performed at his son’s funeral. No harm, no foul. It didn’t take long for people to pile on with the usual: “what about
for the second time this season, 8-3, and fell to 0-2 in area play. The Tigers lost the first matchup, 9-5. In Thursday’s game, the Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single from Reagan Easterwood. That lead was short-lived, however, as the Hornets plated six runs in the first inning thanks to three Tallassee fielding errors and three walks. The Hornets did not have a hit in the inning despite scoring six runs.
Tallassee fought back by scoring a run in the second and fight innings, but couldn’t cut the lead any closer than 6-3. Tallassee had eight hits, but six errors plagued them.
Kam Tate started on the mound and got the loss, despite allowing zero earned runs. Madeline Weldon came in after and pitched five innings with just one earned run.
Tallassee will hit the road again on Tuesday and face Elmore County for the second set of area games.
Monday, April 08
High School Baseball
4 Edgewood Academy at Chambers, 6 p.m.
High School Softball
4 Holtville at Brewbaker Tech, 4:30 p.m.
4 Stanhope Elmroe at Montgomery Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
4 Edgewood Academy at Chambers, 6 p.m.
High School Soccer
4 BTW Tuskegee at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 09
High School Baseball
4 Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka, 5 p.m.
4 Elmore County at Tallassee, 7 p.m.
4 Marbury at Holtville, 5 p.m.
Hunter’s laptop?” or “how can he sing a gospel song and kill babies?”
On top of the far-right attacks, the ‘woke’ side attacked him for siding with Israel against the Hamas terrorists.
Also during Holy Week, President Trump was selling autographed Bibles for $60.00 apiece. This was pretty insulting to me as a Bible-believing Christian. We don’t need a Trump Bible – we need the Holy Bible. And no matter what you believe, he gave the anti-Christian crowd plenty to poke fun at, with some saying he was raising bail money by selling these Trump Bibles. It weakens our message as Christians to tie ourselves to a politician so firmly because, after all, he’s a human being, not a deity.
Moore makes the point that Jesus knew to walk away from politics. Midway through the book, he lays it all out: “Jesus was well aware of the pull of humanity to a gospel that is about finding a political avatar or accommodating the appetites. When Jesus perceived that the crowds were coming to make
4 Edgewood Academy at Crenshaw, 6 p.m. High School Softball
4 Prattville at Wetumpka, 6 p.m.
4 Valley at Tallassee, 5 p.m.
4 Holtville at Greenville, 5:30 p.m.
4 PCA at Stanhope Elmore, 6:30 p.m.
4 St. James at Elmore County, 5 p.m.
4 Edgewood Academy at Crenshaw, 6 p.m. High School Soccer
4 Wetumpka at Tallassee, 6 p.m.
4 (G) Stanhope Elmore at ACA, 5:30 p.m.
4 Brewbaker Tech at Elmore County, 5:30 p.m.
4 Holtville at Marbury, 5:30 p.m.
Him king, He walked away (John 6:15). And when the crowds assembled to hear Him after His multiplication of bread and fish, He told them ‘you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves’ (John 6:26). He was willing to see those crowds walk away – and His own disciples tempted to do so –because what they would have received would have been the fulfillment of populist fervor, but it wouldn’t have been Him.”
As we move into a political season that is guaranteed to be more divisive than ever, especially with these same two running for President, let us please be mindful that yes, we are a nation blessed by almighty God – but He never named one politician or party as His favorite. We would do better to keep His name holy by not attaching it to one side or the other. Let the attacks begin. See you at the grocery store.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
Tallassee’s Thomas Lemmond throws across the diamond. Lemmond and the Tigers have won back-to-back games entering area play this week.
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Breast cancer survivor hosts walk before the walk
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Eclectic resident Angie Rigsby
knows all about breast cancer.
Not only is she a survivor, but breast cancer led to the deaths of her mother and grandmother. Rigsby hasn’t sat around waiting for a miracle. She has done something about it and is set to host her fourth Stars for Scars Breast Cancer Fundraiser Walk in Eclectic.
It all started when Rigsby was forming a team for Joy to Life’s Walk of Life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They did it where you walked your own way,” Rigsby said. “We started doing one at the high school.”
It was the first year Rigsby was trying to participate. Her team raised some funds for the breast cancer walk but saw an opportunity.
Joy to Life is based in Montgomery.
It is a non-profit organization providing funding for free mammograms for medically underserved women under 50 years of age in Alabama.
Rigsby decided to continue holding a walk and turn it into a fundraiser for the team she heads every year in the Joy to Life walk. It gives her a chance to speak with those who saw about the importance of mammograms.
It is hosted in Eclectic in the spring before the larger October walk.
“People call every year wanting to know if we are going to have it,” Rigsby said. “This is our fourth year.”
Rigsby will have information about breast cancer, its treatments and other information available at the walk.
This year’s walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 27. There is a $5 registration fee but things such as T-shirts and jewelry will be for sale.
The proceeds are donated to the larger cause.
“Joy to Life has their big walk in Montgomery,” Rigsby said. “I try to sign up a team every year. Even if we don’t walk, we will donate the money to them in the team’s name.”
Rigsby’s walk has been successful in the past and the donations always go to Joy to Life. She also holds other fundraisers throughout the year going towards her team’s total.
“Our second year, we reached $5,000 in donations,” Rigsby said. “That is a lot for a small group in Eclectic.” Rigsby is a proud survivor and knows how hard it is to fight cancer. She also knows the struggles many have in coming up with money for basic needs.
“It makes me feel good to know I made a difference in enough people’s minds and lives they are interested in participating,” Rigsby said. “It is a lot to pull a fundraiser together, especially as times are hard.”
For more information about Rigsby walk or wanting to donate to her team can call 334-657-0670.
TOURNEY CHAMPS
Panthers sweep through Wood Bat Classic
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Playing with wood bats didn’t bother the Panthers at all.
As teams scored season lows at the inaugural Slapout Wood Bat Classic, the change in bat didn’t seem to affect Elmore County. The Panthers went 4-0 and scored 32 runs as they claimed the tournament championship.
Elmore County beat Class 7A teams Opelika twice, 9-2 and 12-0, and Dothan twice, 3-2 and 8-5.
“The main thing for us was our starting pitching,” Panthers coach Michael Byrd said. “We basically got three complete games and the last guy went into the fifth inning. We also hit the ball well all weekend. We had some timely hits and a couple of times when we got down, we answered right back. The wood bat is usually the equalizer but I don’t feel like it really affected us offensively.”
The Panthers’ starters on the mound were pristine all weekend.
To open the tournament, Jaden Eason took to the mound against Opelika and pitched a complete game. He allowed just six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in seven innings.
The Panthers gave him a 6-1 lead after the first two innings and he rode the momentum to the win.
In the second pool play game, Elmore County took on Dothan, which had just beaten Wetumpka 4-0 the day prior. It was the closest game of the weekend for Elmore County as it won, 3-2.
Brandon White started on the mound and went 6 ⅔ innings before he ran out of pitches. He allowed just four hits and struck out 10 Dothan batters while walking six. He left the game with the bases loaded and two outs,
Hunting eggs in the library
and closer Ryals McNeely came in and finished off the game.
“You know you’re always going to have a chance to win when you have Jaden and Brandon on the mound,” Byrd said. “That relaxes the offense a little bit knowing they don’t have to score a whole lot. If those two throw strikes, we’re going to have a chance to win.”
Elmore County has a clear cut No. 1 and No. 2 on the mound, but is still searching for the next guys to step up. McNeely did that for the Panthers. After closing out the win over Dothan, he got the start against Opelika in the semifinals of bracket play.
He pitched a five-inning complete game shutout where he allowed just six hits and two walks with six strikeouts. In the finale, a rematch with Dothan, Shelton Darnell started and pitched 4 ⅔ innings with four earned runs. Hayden Jones, who normally plays middle infield, came in for relief and delivered 2 ⅓
innings where he allowed just one hit and one walk.
“This tournament was really good to see our other pitchers,” Byrd said. “We got to see Ryals and Shelton go out and Hayden Jones come in. We need that experience for when the playoffs come, and they got it against some good 7A teams this weekend.”
White was named the tournament MVP for his performance while Shea Darnell, who played catcher, shortstop and second base on the weekend, was also named to the All-Tournament team.
To go along with White’s 6 ⅔ innings and win, he also went 4-for-12 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. Darnell, who is White’s catcher when he takes the mound, went 8-for-12 with eight runs scored, one double and five stolen bases.
“We’re a good duo,” Darnell said. “We found a way to win this weekend. Some teams didn’t find a way but we did.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI The threat of rain forced Eclectic Public Library staff to get creative last Saturday as they hosted a special storytime. As eggs were hidden among books, flowers, shelves and benches in the annex, children heard the story of Jesus and how he died at the cross. Soon after, the children found eggs filled with candy and coins.
LMRA to host Reuben Thornton memorial cleanup
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
The Reuben Thornton Memorial Cleanup was a major event at Lake Martin last spring, but this year, the Lake Martin Resource association will push even harder to make this cleanup around the entire lake.
The cleanup began two years ago in memory of the late Reuben Thornton, who was very involved with LMRA and was a huge environmental advocate, according to LMRA president Jodie McGirt. Thornton and his wife Jackie often hosted group cleanups through LMRA, and this was the perfect way to honor him after his death.
Thornton’s passion for cleaning up the environment
began when he and his wife opened up Dirt Road Gourmet in 2005. They opened the business on Highway 229, a heavily trafficked road between Tallassee and Eclectic. Former LMRA president John Thompson said litter would pile up right in front of Thornton’s business.
“It used to make Reuben so angry,” Thompson said. “It seemed like it always collected a lot of trash, and he was always having to pick up trash in front of the business.”
Thornton channeled his frustrations with cleaning up debris in front of his building into efforts of cleaning up around the rest of the community. In 2016 Thornton began hosting the annual LMRA Spring Clean Up — his wife
would cook breakfast for volunteers, who would pick up litter afterward.
“It was very successful,” Thompson said. “From then we just started doing it on an annual basis and we got a lot of good participants and groups. The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association would always join us and we would get people from Martin Dam, and we just developed a nice following that would come every year.”
Thornton and his family have always participated in any efforts to keep the Lake Martin area clean and safe.
“He was an adopter for a mile within Lake Martin through our Treasured Mile Program,” Thompson said. “He and one of his friends adopted an area and kept it clean. He always participated
in every one of our cleanups, and had particular areas that he liked to clean up.”
It was during the annual Renew Our Rivers clean up in 2022 he experienced one of the first symptoms of his terminal illness.
“He was at the landing on Highway 63 near Kowaliga bridge,” Thompson said. “He was at the boat ramp passing out supplies, and he almost fainted while he was bending over to pick up trash. He couldn’t get up, and they had to call an ambulance to him.”
Thornton later died, and LMRA knew the spring cleanup needed to be changed to honor Thornton’s memory. This year’s cleanup will take place April 6 with breakfast still served at Red Hill Community Center at
7 a.m. From there, partici pants will determine their locations to pick litter and receive supplies for the day. The cleanup will officially be held from 8 to 11 a.m.; however, McGirt said participants are encouraged to cleanup for however long they want.
Lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Martin Mini Mall with live music sponsored by Lake Martin Dock Company. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves.
Volunteers are a necessity to make the cleanup a success. “The LMRA is devoted to keeping our roads and lake shoreline clean,” Thompson said. “Now and forevermore, we’re going to need volunteers to support that.”
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Elmore County’s Austin Davis tags out an Opelika baserunner in the Panthers’ 12-0 win in the semifinals.
Arts & Entertainment
Lake Martin Piano Bar brings new atmosphere to Dadeville
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
After a long day on Lake Martin, a cold cocktail and piano music are a perfect way to wind down. Lake Martin Piano Bar, Dadeville’s newest cocktail lounge, offers exclusive drinks and entertainment to help relax
after a long day in the sun. Trey Barden opened Lake Martin Piano Bar in February to add a unique and elegant atmosphere to Lake Martin nightlife.
As the owner of Bluffs Daiquiri Bar, he is well aware of the need for frozen cocktails on a hot summer day; however, he thought the lake goers needed a place for when the sun goes down.
The Social is a mostly outdoor space, with the main dining area being half outdoors and half covered by awning. There is a separate dining area for a quieter experience beyond the bar, where families can gather or even sit at some picnic tables down by the docks.
Time to get Social
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor, Tallapoosa County
What better way to spend an Easter Sunday than with live music and basketball, surrounded by friends and family? At The Social on Lake Martin, that is exactly what you will get.
Located on Castaway Island Road in Eclectic, The Social lives up to its name in every way. When I went on Easter, truckand boatloads of families poured in and out of the venue’s outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful weather and holiday fun. Live music from Sydni Sikes poured over the many high top tables and family seating areas as patrons of all ages enjoyed their meals and festive cocktails.
The themed cocktails at The Social were an especially big hit on Easter, as the bar provided two different drinks themed for the holiday. The House Bunny is a vodka and schnapps based cocktail, which was garnished with a Peep. The Pink Bunny, also including a floating Peep, features rum and vodka and was populating plenty of tables. For those more adventurous, The Social even offers a multi-person cocktail that comes in a fake oyster shell to really get the party started and Instagram stories looking cute. Holiday-themed drinks are one of the many specialties for the bar, as St. Patricks Day also featured an extensive list of limited time options.
For those with an appetite, The Social has you covered, with plenty of the regular bar fare and even some more signature options.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on Saturday and Sundays,
The Social offers brunch. Shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles or even a fried catfish basket can all be yours for reasonable prices all under $15. Mimosas and “the best bloody mary on the lake” can also be yours, as what is a brunch without a morning drink?
During non-brunch hours, you can get your hands on an enormous hamburger or chicken tenders. Want some seafood? The Social has you covered there as well with Mahi Mahi, Ahi tuna and boom boom shrimp all on the menu.
The Social is a mostly outdoor space, with the main dining area being half outdoors and half covered by awning. There is a separate dining area for a quieter experience beyond the bar, where families can gather or even sit at some picnic tables down by the docks.
If you are trying to catch a game, have no fear, as The Social has plenty of televisions for those whose brackets still haven’t been completely busted.
All in, The Social is an excellent time. There wasn’t a frown in the building, and I find it hard to believe there ever has been one.
While The Social does have a technical closing time– hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday, 10-11 a.m. Saturday and 10-6 p.m. Sunday–those hours can always be fudged around if the good times are still rolling into the night. Come thirsty. Come hungry. And come ready to have a blast on the lake. For those who want to forget about life for a few hours, come to The Social. Even on Easter Sunday, it was the place to be.
“My wife and I do a lot of traveling,” Barden said. “Whenever we’re traveling, we always try to find if there’s a piano bar where we are, and we always try to go visit. We really like piano
LITTLE BIT OF TEXAS HOSTS KOWALIGA IDOL FINALS
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
With weeks of build up, this weekend will be the final showdown of Kowaliga Idol.
“The biggest part of Kowaliga Idol that makes it work is we give amateur singers to intermediate singers an opportunity to get on a bigger stage with better sound than they’d normally get, then challenge them to get outside their bubble,” John Kennedy, owner of Lake Broadcasting, said in an interview at the start of the contest.
Now, it’s coming down to the best of the best. But Kowaliga Idol couldn’t have taken place without a proper venue. After the Rodeo Club shutdown, it was up in the air. But Alabama’s Little Bit of Texas has stepped up to the plate for
the second year in a row.
Little Bit of Texas moved from its location in Eclectic to Wetumpka a couple of years ago giving it more space at 15,000 square feet. Owner Freddy Lovvorn said he can’t say for certain if it’s the biggest country venue in the state, but if it’s not, it’s pretty close.
Little Bit of Texas is actually a renovated 1955 National Guard Armory, where some signed up to go to Vietnam and others first met their future spouse. It holds many memories and it’s ready to make more.
Despite the 2,400 square foot dancefloor and the ability to seat over 600 people, once Kowaliga Idol finals kicks off Lovvorn said it’s going to be packed. Luckily, there are three bars in the facility that can make just about any drink. Plus
there’s an extensive food menu with pizza, wings, hoagie sandwiches, jalapeno poppers, nachos, hamburgers, steaks and all kinds of bar-style food.
Alongside one of Alabama’s largest karaoke events, Little Bit of Texas has cornhole, free line dancing lessons, regular karaoke and live music concerts.
“We get people from all over the state of Alabama who come here and we hope we host more and more people,” Lovvorn said. “We have a lot of events here, a wedding, a wrestlers convention, a reunion, all kinds of stuff.” He added with thousands of people coming through Little Bit of Texas on a given week, he hopes that this venue and its events also bring more folks into Wetumpka.
The Kowaliga Idol finals will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Music to return to downtown Tallassee streets
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Put your dancing shoes and boots on. Music will soon fill the streets of downtown Tallassee.
The Tallassee and Friendship fire departments are hosting the Sounds and Sirens Downtown Music Festival Saturday, April 27. It is an effort to bring activities to town and raise funds for the fire departments. Tallassee fire chief Eric Jones said the downtown streetscape is expected to be finished and provides the perfect opportunity to have some fun.
“We are trying to help get peo-
ple downtown and provide some entertainment for people,” Jones said. “It is really a night out for people to enjoy themselves.”
The fire departments have reached out through their friends and networks to bring three bands to James Street. First off is Todd Gantt and Mother Moonpie.
“He is originally from Tallassee,” Jones said. “They have been together for a couple of years now.”
Brandon Jordan will also be on stage; Jordan hails from the Holtville area. The final performer, Jesse Wilson, is originally from
Phenix City and now plays in Nashville.
The setup mimics what Jones and others helped with for the street dance for the Tallassee Historical Society, but the last two were rained out. Now, there will be a stage set up downtown somewhere between South Ann Street and The Gallery. The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce is recruiting food trucks and the Community Development Corporation is providing port-a-lets for restrooms. While it is the fire department’s
The self-playing baby grand piano sets the tone for the ambience of the lounge.
SAMANTHA HIMES | TPI
The Social on Lake Martin is the perfect venue to enjoy live music, fun drinks and good times on the lake.