OPINION: LET FACTS, NOT ENDORSEMENTS GUIDE YOUR VOTE
SPORTS, PAGE 8:
FRIDAY
THE
Shane Rary is named new f football coach at Coosa
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
August 11, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 159 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
DEATH INVESTIGATIONS REMAIN ACTIVE By MITCH SNEED Editor
Two local cases that state law enforcement officials were called in to investigate this week remain active with few additional details being made public at this time. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation are handling the case of the death of an inmate at the Alexander City Jail late Monday evening and the discovery of a Goodwater man’s body in Hatchett Creek
near Goodwater Tuesday. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Public Information Officer Cpl. Jesse Thornton confirmed that the SBI is involved in both investigations. He said that because both remain active, not much can be released at this time. Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said a 33-year-old white male who had been arrested on Aug. 4 for domestic violence was pronounced dead Monday at 9:48 p.m. after being taken to Russell Medical.
While Turner declined to identify the man, it has been learned through multiple sources including a family member that the man was James Matthew Woodruff, 33, of Alexander City. In the investigation into the death of a Goodwater man, Thornton said investigators are awaiting results of an autopsy. “SBI and the Goodwater Police Department are conducting a death investigation,” Thornton said. “The body has been turned over to the Department
Called meeting for police department in Camp Hil
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Rogers hosts town hall with mixed crowd By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Top: Jim Bice points to the next person to ask Congressman Mike Rogers a question. Above: Congressman Mike Rogers speaks with members of the media prior to a town hall meeting in Opelika Thursday.
Congressman Mike Rogers hosted a town hall meeting in Opelika that got testy at times as constituents questioned him on his stance on the economy, immigration and healthcare. Rogers reminded people in the audience on several occasions he patiently listened to their questions and should treat him the same during his response. “I didn’t interrupt you while you were asking your question,” Rogers said as he was challenged at times during responses. “Don’t interrupt me while I’m answering you.” Rogers told media before the meeting he did not expect the town hall to be an easy task. “In the summer of 2010, we saw demands for town halls by what became the Tea Party,” Rogers said. “Because they wanted to vent how unhappy they See ROGERS • Page 2
Boaters and fisherman noticed something on Lake Martin this past weekend – dead fish, mainly striped bass. If history, a biologist and a fisherman are correct, there is no reason for concern. The reason for the fish kill is higher water temperatures. Lake Martin fishing guide David Hare says this is normal occurrence for this time of year. “I see some every year,” Hare said. “It is almost always in August.” State Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Nathan Hartline says the likely reason is rain. “We have had a lot of rain,” Hartline said. “It warms up the water.” Hartline says warm water is not good for striped bass. “Stripers have a fairly low thermal tolerance,” Hartline said. “At 76 degrees they start getting stressed.” The lower water temperature is See FISH • Page 7
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
A fish kill story appeared in a Sept. 1991 issue of The Outlook.
Boys and Girls Club offering concert ticket giveaway chances
Today’s
Weather
87 73 High
See INVESTIGATIONS • Page 2
Fish kill no reason to worry
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
There will be a special called meeting of the Camp Hill Town Council Friday at 9 a.m. On the agenda for the meeting called by Mayor Ezell Smith are issues related to the town’s police department and a resolution for a one-way street. The police department has been in the news in recent weeks for the demotion of Police Chief Johnny Potts to sergeant by Smith and the termination of Lt. Derrick Coley July 24. Smith also hired Danny Williams to be acting police chief. The council reinstated Potts as chief at its Aug. 7 meeting only for Smith to terminate him moments after the meeting giving him notice of a 10-day due process hearing. That same meeting the council tabled a preliminary hearing for Coley as they wanted to see more evidence and are slated to take it up at its April 21 meeting. The meeting will be held at town hall in Camp Hill.
of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.” The man’s name has not been released and officials did not indicate if they suspect foul play in the case. In that case, Goodwater Police Department, Coosa County Sheriff’s Department and agents with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation all responded to an area off Coosa County Road 511 after a group of campers discovered the body of a Goodwater man in the waters of Hatchett
Low
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.52 Reported on 08/10/17 @ 2 p.m.
Local woman grows uniquely tall Zinnias Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Carolyn Mobley stands in front of Zinnias that have grown to monstrous heights in the backyard of her home on South Central Avenue in Alexander City. Wikipedia says that Zinnias are annuals that typically grow from 4 to 40 inches in height, with about 24 inches being the average. The tallest of these, which are planted in an old goat trough, measure 74 inches from the dirt to the top. Mobley said she hasn’t done anything special, but has “let God handle most of the work.”
Starting Friday: Annabelle – R Detroit – R The Nut Job 2– PG
The Boys and Girls Club of America has partnered with singer Katy Perry and advocacy group Global Citizen, under the banner of Witness the Future, to bring more volunteers in and assist the youth of America in reaching their full potential as a productive citizen. For those who do take part in volunteering or donating resources to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area will then be entered in a drawing to win tickets to February’s Katy Perry concert in Atlanta during her upcoming “Witness” tour. There will be plenty of opportunities for area residents to enter to win these tickets, beginning Saturday morning. One of the local churches and its youth See CONCERT • Page 7
FIRMLY ROOTED IN LAKE MARTIN AND HERE TO STAY.
FREE CONSULTATIONS
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256-329-1313 • 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
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Spouse can’t fix what’s broken between wife and her mother
Saturday
89 73 Low
High
Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of thunderstorms
Sunday
88 73 Low
High
Mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of thunderstorms
Staff
Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
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Investigations continued from page 1
Creek Tuesday. Witnesses on the scene indicated that the man came to the area early that morning and spoke to the group of four campers. The group left the area for a time and when they returned the man’s car was still there, but there was no sign of him. A short time later one member of the group saw something in the water and called for the others. A closer look found that it was the man’s body. The Alexander City Rescue Squad had several members on the scene to assist with the recovery of the body.
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DEAR ABBY: My wife and I met four years ago, have been married for two and I still haven’t met her mother. My motherin-law, a homophobic, selfproclaimed “evangelist prophet,” refuses to acknowledge our union. Her behavior upsets my wife, which angers me to the point that I have no desire to ever cross paths with her. My wife sometimes cries about this wedge in their relationship, which only makes me resent my mother-in-law more. Is there something I should do or say to either of them that might possibly help all of us deal with this turmoil a little better? -- FRUSTRATED LESBIAN-INLAW DEAR FRUSTRATED: If the wedge in your wife’s relationship with her evangelist prophet mother is that she is a lesbian and married, there is nothing you can do. Your mother-in-
law will either, with time, come to accept it (don’t hold your breath), or your wife will learn through counseling that it is not her responsibility to sacrifice her happiness to please her mother. I hope you will encourage your wife to do that.
with my apple a day. Friends insist that what I’m doing is littering and helping neither the furry friends nor the environment. Can you help solve the debate -- to toss or not to toss? Thanks! -AN APPLE A DAY DEAR A.A.A.D.: I, too, love our furry and feathered creatures, but I agree with your friends. What you are doing is littering, regardless of how you’re rationalizing it. If you truly want to support the Earth, keep a small container in your vehicle for the apple core and dispose of it when you get home.
DEAR ABBY: I have been a daily reader of your column since I was a little girl, so your answer to my question will be valued. I eat an apple every day on my drive home from work, and when I’m done, I toss the core out the window. I try my best to support the Earth, and I believe I am feeding the rabbits and birds
DEAR ABBY: I just got together with a guy I really like. We have been dating for about a week, but now I realize I’m just not ready to start dating. I’m 15 and I don’t feel I’m mature enough. Also, I don’t want a boyfriend because I’m moving in a month. Help! I don’t know if I should break
DEAR ABBY Advice
up with him. What do I do? -CALIFORNIA TEEN DEAR CALIFORNIA TEEN: Because you are moving in about a month, I don’t think breaking up in the formal sense is necessary. It couldn’t hurt to tell him you think you may have gotten serious too quickly, because getting serious after a week of dating IS too quickly. I have a hunch that once you have moved, distance will solve your problem for you. P.S. Now that you realize you’re not ready to date, when you have made the move, take a break from romance and concentrate on your studies. You won’t be sorry. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries Mrs. Ailene B. Phillips 1926 - 2017 Funeral Service for Mrs. Ailene B. Phillips, 91, of Alexander City, will be Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Ken Griffith will officiate. Burial will follow in the Alexander City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Phillips passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Chapman Healthcare Center. She was born on April 14, 1926 in Alexander City, Alabama to Thomas J. Bloodworth and Minnie Bradford Bloodworth. She was a member of New Elkahatchee Baptist Church. Mrs. Phillips worked at Russell Corp. for 35 years. She enjoyed cooking, baking pies and cakes. She also enjoyed painting, sewing and traveling. She loved her family very much and especially enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Spradley of Lagrange, GA; sons, Eddy Phillips of Jacksons Gap and Thomas Calvin Phillips (Lynn) of Dadeville; daughter-in-law, Benton Phillips of Dadeville; grandchildren, Jill Spradley, Philip Spradley (Katie), Craig Phillips (Michelle), Janie Ingram (Ron), Kelly Kirkley (Adam), and Wesley
Phillips (Tonya); and her great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Calvin Joshua Phillips; son, Roger Dale Phillips; and sisters, Melba Dean Scarbrough and Evelyn Smith. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. James Matthew “Matt” Woodruff 1984 - 2017 Funeral Service for Mr. James Matthew “Matt” Woodruff, 33, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home with Randy Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 11, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Matt passed away on Monday, August 7, 2017. He was born on June 24, 1984 in Sylacauga, Alabama to James Phillip Woodruff and Sara Joyce Smith. He is survived by his mother, Sara Joyce Smith (Linwood); brother, Thomas Olen Woodruff; niece, Kaelyn Woodruff; sister-in-law,
Jennifer Woodruff; grandmother, Levis Greathouse (Slim); aunts and uncles, Nancy Tribble (Tommy), Gaynell Wright, Brenda Sparks, Janice Milner, Garon Allen (Gail), David Woodruff (Lynn), Terry Woodruff (Barbara), Linn Woodruff, Glenn Woodruff (Diane), Barry Woodruff (Mischelle), Larry Woodruff (Lynn) and Debora Hunter (Rick); and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, James Phillip Woodruff; grandfather, Olen Peppers, Jr.; and grandparents, James Thomas and Peggy Woodruff. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Radney Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Joe Seaphus Belyeu Funeral Services for Mr. Joe Seaphus Belyeu will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 12, at Wright’s Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Mt. Sinai Church Cemetery. Professional Service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.
Rogers were with Barack Obama. “Now fast forward seven years and we have Donald Trump in trying to undo what Obama did and the other half of the country is unhappy now and demanding town halls as a forum to come out and vent and that is what I expect to show up.” In the hour-long meeting, Rogers spoke for about seven minutes before responding to 19 questions from the audience of about 100 people one of whom was escorted out for trying to hand out flyers he said contained Rogers voting record. The man was not arrested and was seen handing out information outside after the meeting. Rogers explained to the audience the Dodd Frank Act has more impact on the economy than the Affordable Healthcare Act. “I think this has larger implications on the economy,” Rogers said. “A lot of people think that healthcare is the drag on economy, no. This has choked off capital to a lot of small businesses and been a larger drain on our economy.” Rogers explained the act
continued from page 1 put restrictions on community and regional banks, where it was not needed. “The truth is, Dodd Frank had some good parts in that it put some things in place on Wall Street and big banks,” Rogers explained. “But frankly, our community banks were not the problem. Regional banks were not the problem. That is where most small businesses get their capital from. They need some relief to get the economy going.” Rogers did express his disappointed in Senator John McCain’s no vote to repealing “Obamacare” saying the repeal was likely “dead” for this session of Congress. Rogers explained his idea for Medicaid was to block grant money to the states and allow individual states to run Medicaid, an idea that was met by jeers from the audience. Many of the questions from the audience centered on immigration. Some concerned that the U.S. has lost sights of it roots. “This whole country is built on immigration,” one guest said. One asked Rogers, how
did he get to America? “I am Scottish, five generations ago,” Rogers stated. But it was why immigration reform is needed that brought the most attention from the crowd. “We need people with higher education to help build this country,” Rogers said. While the crowd was in favor of more flexible plan to help industries such as agriculture that depend on lower cost labor to help keep prices down. “The world has become much more dangerous,” Rogers responded. “One of the problems we have is a very poor southern border control. We have gun trafficking, drug trafficking and sex trafficking.” One audience member agreed with Rogers the “world is a dangerous place.” But the audience member did not like the rhetoric coming from the White House. “I am alarmed at the dangerous volatile and unpredicted rhetoric coming from the West Wing,” she said. “How willing are you to put country above party to be a check?” Rogers responded he had
no problem putting the U.S. first. “I have always put country above party,” Rogers said. “I want you to understand that I fully support the rhetoric coming from President Trump, because the rhetoric we have that came from the predecessors, not just his immediate, have got us in this.” Rogers referenced the situation in North Korea is most important at this time and something has to been there. One of the last questions of the day did not surround healthcare, the economy or world order but the election process as Democrats in the crowd challenged Rogers to debating a Democrat candidate in future elections. “I have no reason to do a debate with a Democratic candidate,” Rogers said. “Everybody gets a chance to vote every two years. If you think I have done a bad job, you can vote for someone running against me. The fact is, if I have a Democrat opponent who doesn’t have any money and wants to get a profile, they want to debate. It is not my job to raise their profile.”
Friday, August 11, 2017
The Outlook
CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
Today is August 11, 2017 Today’s Events
CHURCH REVIVAL: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville is hosting annual revival services August 9-11 at 7 p.m. Rev. G.H. Gulliam is pastor and evangelist for the week is Rev. Carlos Speed of Faithful Baptist Church in Columbus. REGISTRATION FOR YOUTH
SOCCER: Registration for the Alexander City Youth Soccer recreational league will be held this week at the Sportplex gym. Times to register are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The league is open to players ages 3 and up, and the cost is $60. If a child did not play last season, he or she will need a birth certificate. Games will begin after Labor Day and run through September and October. For more information, contact Josh Tucker at 256-496-2241 or visit www. alexcitysoccer.com.
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Today’s Birthdays
Alice Boyd, Debbie Barker, Alfreda Furrow, Billy Brown, Carolyn Moody, Rev. Bill Brown, Joshua Ledbetter, Jacob Scott, Charles Whetstone, Nathan Nelson, A.D. Darabaris, James Leonard, Magdalene Mallory, Mike Bradberry, Julie Vernon and Julie Gardner are celebrating their birthdays today.
BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE
Today’s Anniversaries
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Byron and Robbie Atkisson and Diana and Doug Hodge celebrate their anniversaries today.
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Jimmy K. Lanier of Eclectic, center, was named the Alabama Widlife Federation’s 2017 Land Conservationist of the Year on Aug 4. at the AWF’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Pictured with Lanier are, left to right, Horace Horn of PowerSouth Energy, AWF President Angus Cooper III, Gov. Kay Ivey and Susan Comensky with Alabama Power Co.
Saturday, August 12
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CHURCH FESTIVAL: Centerview Baptist Church County Road 89 in Camp Hill is hosting a church festival Saturday, Aug. 12 starting at 9 a.m. There will be fun, food and games for everyone. The pastor is Rev. J. Harrison. CLASS REUNION: Laurel High School Class of 1969’s 50th year reunion meeting on the second Saturday of every other month starting August 12 at 10 a.m. at the Cooper Recreation Center. For any questions, please contact Abber Dean Shelton at 256-329-3234 between 6 and 9 p.m. POOL PARTY: The Camp Fire Girls are having a registration party at the city pool August 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. CLASS REUNION: The Dadeville High School Class of 1977 are requested to appear at Judy’s Stagecoach Restaurant & Saloon at 8276 County Rd 34 Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. for pictures, drinks and dinner. Come as you are and stay for a picture or longer. Those wishing to have dinner, please make a reservation for “reunion” by calling 256-307-1466, or you may not have a seat. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB VOLUNTEER: The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area is opening its doors for Katy Perry fans to volunteer for a chance to win concert tickets. Contact Shelby Boswell at bgcoflakemartinarea@gmail.com for details.
Sunday, August 13
Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com
Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
SINGING: Mt. Sinai Baptist Church is hosting the Traveling Harrells Anniversary August 13 at 3 p.m. CHURCH HOMECOMING: Sardis United Methodist Church will be hosting services celebrating its 180th Homecoming August 13 at 10 a.m. with lunch to follow at noon. The church is located at 10367 Highway 50 in Dadeville. Musical guest will be Jordan River. HOMECOMING SERVICE: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Goodwater will be hosting a homecoming service Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2:30 p.m. The theme will be “The Witness of Oneness” with guest speaker Biship Lathonia J. Wright from New Life Christian Center in Roanoke. Master and mistress of the ceremony will be Deacon and Sis. Bruce Shealey. Melvin Ervin is pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
theme is “Wake Up” with revival evangelist Pastor E. Tramaine Solomon of Springhill Baptist Church in Lineville. Melvin Ervin is pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
Friday, August 18
GOSPEL SINGING: Bay Pine Baptist Church is hosting Brian Free and Assurance Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard and bake sale Friday, August 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 19 from 6 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center. All proceeds go to the building fund.
August 18-19
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: The Just Believe Women’s Conference will be Aug. 18 and 19 at Passion Church on Highway 63 North. Friday will start at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a time of fellowship and inspiring testimonies.
Saturday, August 19
SOAP BOX DERBY: Dadeville’s Ducky Ward Soap Box Derby Race and Festival is August 19 at 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with plans and set up. Help make this a great day for children. Deadline for entry is August 5. Call Marrell Ward at 256-496-0339 with questions. The festival will start at 10 a.m. with inflatables, musicians, vendors, bass casting, horseshoe, cornhole and more. YARD SALE: The Ladies of the Elks will host their annual yard sale August 19 from 6 to 11 a.m. MUSTER ON THE TALLAPOOSA: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a Muster on the Tallapoosa August 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Creek hunting camps, cannon firing, militia and musket drills, wool spinning and dyeing and more. There is a shaded picnic area with charcoal grills, tables and pavilions available. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on August 19 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard and bake sale Friday, August 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 19 from 6 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center. All proceeds go to the building fund.
August 14-20
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CHRISTIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: New Covenant Ministries of the World, Inc. is hosting its annual Christian General Assembly themed “Principles and Doctrine for the Perfecting of the Saints,” August 14-20 at the Liberty Life Center at 243 S Street in Alexander City. Daily at 9 a.m. there will be a prayer breakfast, 11:30 a.m. a seminar on Holy Bible research and at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday will be a worship and praise service with a speaker. Sunday, Aug. 20 is is Climax Day with Chief Apostle W.T. Traylor.
August 16-18
REVIVAL SERVICES: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Goodwater will be hosting revival services Aug. 16-18 at 7 p.m. nightly. The
Sunday, August 20
CHURCH HOMECOMING: The New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting homecoming Sunday, August 20 at 11 a.m.
August 20-22
CHURCH REVIVAL: Eagle Creek Baptist church will have revival services August 20-22 at 6:30 p.m. each night. Dr.John Ed Mathison will be the revival preacher. Dr. Mathison retired after 36 years as senior Pastor of the Frazer United Methodist church in Montgomery. Under his leadership Frazer grew from 400 to over 8000 members.
August 21-23
CHURCH REVIVAL: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting
its annual revival services August 21-23 at 7 p.m. nightly. Guest minister will be Rev. MacArthur Moss. Edward Milner is pastor.
August 22-24
CITY WIDE REVIVAL: The Alex City Ministerial Association is hosting a city wide revival at the GAP Fellowship Church August 22-24 at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Rev. Josh Sammons of Hillabee Baptist Church, Wednesday will be Bishop W.T. Traylor of Liberty Life Christian Center and Thursday Rev. Mike Jackson of Flint Hill United Methodist Church.
Thursday, August 24
UNDERAGE DRINKING FOCUS GROUP: The East Alabama Mental Health Center at 287 North Tallassee Street in Dadeville is hosting an underage drinking and substance abuse focus group August 24 at 6 p.m. Questions can be directed to 334742-2112 or prevention@eamhc.org.
Saturday, August 26
STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park.
Sunday, August 27
CHURCH HOMECOMING: River Road Baptist Church at 148 Dean Road is hosting a homecoming Sunday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. with Rebecca Futral and ‘Just One’ in concert. A love offering will be taken. A covered dish lunch will be served at noon. Margaret Thornton is music director and Dr. Albert Pike is pastor. Everyone is invited.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org
SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Monday, August 28
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: The Alex City Area Ministerial Association is hosting a dinner for ministers and spouses August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Marshall Street Church of God. The meal will be a choice between pork chop or chicken with two vegetables, dessert and drink. The cost is $15 per person. Please respond ASAP to Pastor Mike Waldrop at radcom2jc@gmail com or leave a message at 256-392-4950.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Sunday, September 3
PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: The Mt. Zion East Baptist Church on Stillwaters Drive is celebrating the 14th pastoral anniversary of Rev. Sis. Jimmy Thomas Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. J.C. Fryer of Pine Hill Baptist Church in Phenix City. Everyone is invited. ANNUAL HOMECOMING EVENT: Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church will be hosting their Annual Homecoming Event Sunday, Sept. 3 at 10:30 a.m. There will be no evening services on this day. Mountain Community Amazing Grace Minister will provide the music and lunch will be served following morning services. Everyone is welcome to join for this special occasion of worship, music and fellowship. Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church is located in Mountain Community in Clay County.
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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
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Opinion
Our View Let facts, not endorsements be your guide at the polls
D
onald Trump has endorsed Luther Strange in the GOP Primary for a Senate seat in Alabama. Talk show host Sean Hannity and others gave their stamp of approval to Mo Brooks. Roy Moore got a thumbs-up from Duck Dynasty’s Duck Commander Phil Robertson and television tough-guy Chuck Norris. It seems that candidates in political races these days scramble to get as many endorsements as they can from well-known public figures, current officeholders and community organizations. They think the right endorsement can make them a shoo-in for winning the election if only they can let the voters know who is supporting them. Before we trash the whole idea of endorsements, this newspaper even endorses candidates. Our aim is not to have you vote the way we say, but instead get people thinking and doing their own research before going to the polls. It is simply the opinion of this newspaper and whom the editorial board thinks is best qualified. We don’t pretend that is anything more than that. Maybe it does mean something to a voter to know that another elected official with views similar to yours likes a certain candidate, but when it comes down to reality show stars and talk show hosts, is that a good reason for you to trust a candidate with your vote? Political campaign endorsements are like winning a stuffed animal at the fair. They make you feel good and get other people to take a second look at the prize you have in your arms – but do they really add to your worth? Of course not. Truthfully, endorsements are simply a means for candidates to garner attention from the media as well as voters. Sometimes they also mean campaign contributions and we all know it takes a lot of money to win a race, particularly one for a U.S. Senate seat. All we ask is that before voting for a candidate because the second leading vote getter in a presidential race likes one candidate or because a guy who hawks duck calls thinks a candidate is “the man,” do some research and make your own call. Don’t let endorsements, cool catch phrases or misleading, mud-slinging commercials with grainy photos sway you. Vote for the person you think will represent you best in the position.
Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256392-2006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-2427865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Kay Ivey
Steve Marshall
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley
Clyde Chambliss Jr. represents Senate District 30, which includes portions of Elmore, Autauga, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached at 334-343-7883 or at clyde. chambliss@alsenate.gov
Clyde Chambliss
Outlook The
Learning to learn requires discipline T he first few days of school are now history and all the kids are settling in for the long haul. Watching the school buses criss-crossing the community and picking up the children reminds me of my school days. Of course, my school year started after Labor Day, not the middle of the summer. I had three full and glorious months of freedom before the dreaded school bell started its fun killing toll. The first step on that bus was the official signal that summer was over and school was now in session. I can still remember those memorable times in elementary school of standing in the corner, getting whacked on the palm of my hand with the teacher’s ruler, writing “I will not talk” on the blackboard a hundred times and having to sit in the cloak room by myself. This was primitive form of time out. Since they did away with cloak rooms about 50 years ago I wonder where a kid sits now. Boy, those were good days. My high school days still fill me with pleasant memories of throwing up in the heat of August football practices, praying I wouldn’t get called on in class because I didn’t have my homework, putting a four speed transmission in my 1956 Ford and grossing out girls in biology with cut up frog parts. Did I mention girls? Now that was
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so it seems those dear folks knew what they were doing. Without a disciplined approach to learning, then there DR. GERALD can be no learning. Therefore, HALLMARK learning is a lifelong, disciplined process, not a fact accomplished Columnist and left behind. We were being taught information, but also we a learning experience for sure. were being taught to learn. This year I will attend my 55th Public education requires class reunion if I can remember a minimum amount of days when it is, where it’s to be held and if there is enough classmates to teach their curriculum and everyone must adhere to left alive to even have it. this disciplined approach for Man, those were great days! Yet, somewhere along the line graduation. In comparison, spiritual education is a year I learned to read and write, do round, life time discipline of uncomplicated math problems total commitment. It is a daily on my fingers and toes, and personal experience, not an compose simple sentences. I academic absorption of facts. even learned a little history and Just when we think we have geography in spite of all my extra curriculum activities. Lost arrived in our spiritual training God shows us a new class with in a cedar chest somewhere even more knowledge. I actually have a diploma. I loved school with the However, I still can’t color endless possibilities of lunch, within the lines. gym and recess. Being older Every teacher I had in those I now appreciate my teachers days got their training from a that taught me to learn in spite Marine Corps drill instructor of those superficial possibilities with advance degrees coming being my priorities. This Sunday from Attila the Hun and be disciplined and start learning ex-Prussian army officers. by being in Sunday school Discipline was the name of the game and administered in liberal with teachers that teach God’s doses to put the fear of the Lord Word in spite of all the other possibilities. in young know-it-alls. The Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a principal and coach had paddles retired minister who lives in and loved to demonstrate them. I think both of them attended the Alexander City. His column appears each Friday in The Nazi School of Raising Boys! Outlook. The Bible teaches that the
Friday, August 11, 2017
Today’s
Quote
“A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.” —Joyce Meyer
Today’s
Scripture “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” —Psalm 84:11
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Trump should drain the EPA swamp L ike the road to Hell, liberal ideas are usually paved with good intentions. But, as Ronald Reagan once said, “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so.” And all that vast “unknowledge” births monster government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. Today’s EPA is an agency gone-wild, filled with environmental extremists and deep state holdovers who have little accountability for their actions. They arrogantly create rules like the “Clean Power Plan” which the Institute for Energy Research [IER] said was filled with about as much junk as the EPA and its contractors pumped into Colorado’s Animas River in 2015. EPA’s new administrator, Scott Pruitt, visited the Animas River site August 4 saying the agency “should be held to the same standard as those we regulate.” Pruitt said the Obama administration “failed those who counted on them to protect the environment.” They also refused to pay claims to many of those they harmed due to “sovereign immunity.” President Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp” is happening organically with employees resigning over Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, as well as his March 28 executive order mandating review of the Clean Power Plan, which effectually triggers the skyrocketing electricity prices Obama promised. The EPA claimed the plan would “save” thousands of lives, probably as effectively as
In the aftermath of the toxic spill, and with infinitesimal accountability for its actions, this agency marches forward in an SUSAN unrelenting mission to control STAMPER our lives, one unlegislated BROWN regulation at a time. Columnist A Wyoming man had to sue the EPA to get it off his back for building a stock pond on his Obama’s stimulus plan “saved” property. He was threatened with jobs. It was also supposed to $37,500 per day fines because improve the climate and our “material” from his pond flows health, that is, barring more into other waterways. It mattered EPA-caused environmental not that the “other waterways” disasters like the Animas River is a manmade irrigation ditch spill. Environmentalists have gone where the water is used for bonkers over Trump mandating agriculture. Nor did it matter that the Wyoming State Engineer’s a review of this costly and Office permitted the pond. burdensome plan, but were Certainly, the “material” from mysteriously silent when the his pristine pond, fit for fish and Animas spill caused $400 waterfowl to flourish and cattle million in economic damage to drink, did not turn waterways when it sent 3 million gallons of tainted wastewater into rivers a toxic Animas River orange. We know by watching all in Colorado, New Mexico and those lousy pharmaceutical ads Utah. We are expected to ignore that the cure is often worse than the disease. And so it goes with the Clean Power Plan will, at best, reduce global temperatures the EPA. Back in the 1970s, it banned mosquito-killing DDT by a negligible one hundredth after an overreaction to an of a degree, Celsius, according unsubstantiated book. Scientists to the Obama administration’s today credit tens of millions of former Assistant Secretary of needless malaria related deaths Energy, Charles McConnell. The plan offers little mercy to to the ban. Seemingly, for every benefit millions of Americans burning wood to stay warm, imposing a derived from EPA meddling, there’s a list of damaging side ban on the sale and production of 80 percent of America’s wood effects as long as the Animas burning stoves.Forbes.com says, River. If Trump wants to prove he really cares about the “Most wood stoves that warm cabins and homes from coast-to- environment, he could start with this heavy-handed bureaucracy coast can’t meet that standard. swamp in dire need of draining. Older stoves that don’t, cannot be traded in for updated types, Susan Stamper Brown Susan but instead must be rendered lives in Alaska and writes inoperable, destroyed, or about culture, politics and recycled as scrap metal.” Or, maybe the EPA could just current events. She is a regular throw scrapped stoves down the contributor to Townhall and The Christian Post. Animas River.
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
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Friday, August 11, 2017
Friday, August 11, 2017
Concert minister will be bringing a group of students from the church to the Boys and Girls Club office on Cherokee Road Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon to help spruce up the facility, according to Marketing and Development Manager Shelby Boswell. “They’ll be cleaning the yard, painting some trim, and updating the offices here,” she said. Saturday’s cleanup is open to anyone willing and able to come down, pitch in and help beautify the club facility. There is no registration, just show up, Boswell said. There will be a number of chances in the upcoming months for the public to volunteer at but cannot make it to Saturday’s event. “We’ll have more volunteer opportunities later on, we just haven’t worked out all the details yet,” Boswell said. For those who want their volunteer work to count as entries to win the concert tickets, Boswell said they would need to register at globalcitizen. org/katyperry. Once they have done so, whenever they are
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volunteering or donating to the Boys and Girls Club, they need to take photographs, marking them #WitnessTheFuture and tagging @BGCA_Clubs and @GlblCtzn in the images. According to the Boys and Girls Club website, all entrants would have the chance to win two VIP tickets to one of Katy Perry’s “Witness” concerts, which would include a special meetand-greet with Perry. “As far as I know, this is the first time we’ve been able to offer something like this,” Boswell said. “It’s fantastic that we’re able to give back a little ourselves.” Whether helping to clean up the club offices Saturday, volunteering with local youth during the week or donating money or supplies to the Boys and Girls Club, Boswell encouraged the public to do what they could to empower the youth of the Lake Martin area to be a positive force for change for the future. “We always need and appreciate help,” she said.
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normally found in the deeper areas of Lake Martin. It is something Hare has noticed as well. “We are finding them in deeper water,” Hare said. “We are not catching a lot right now, they are stressed. So far, it has been one of the toughest Augusts I have had in 30 years.” By his standards, Hare says this fish kill is nothing to worry about. “This not a fish kill,” Hare said. “I have seen a few floating but not many.” Hartline explained on Lake Martin water temperatures have gotten high as noticed by his recent trips. “We have found water temperatures as high as 85 degrees,” Hartline said. “We have been on the lake a couple times this week and have spotted about 10 to 15 fish that appear to have been caught.” Hare said the fish he has seen floating this year are in the same basic area as they have been in the past. “You see them from Young’s Island to the dam,” Hare said. “And you see them from the Kowaliga bridge to the dam.” Hartline said the fish kill happens from time to time. “It happens every so often,” Hartline said. “We are likely to see more this year especially if it keeps raining.”
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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL
lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
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Friday, August 11, 2017
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Shane Rary named new head coach By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Going through a coaching search during the first official week of practice isn’t easy on anyone. There’s stress on the administration to find a new leader; there’s uncertainty from the players; and there’s a ton of questions from fans about where their team is headed. But when a group of kids wants a certain man in charge, it’s hard to deny them what they want. Because of a strong reference from the Central Coosa players as well as an active continuity factor, Shane Rary was named Thursday as the new head football coach of the Cougars. The Central Coosa school board approved Rary by a unanimous vote. “I came over here from my previous job and was not told a lot about the community here in Coosa County,” Rary said. “Once I got here and got around the boys, it was a life-changing experience for me. They really respect you and want you to push them to do more than they thought they could do, so knowing the guys were in there fighting for what they want is a really good feeling.” Central Coosa principal Delynn Bouldin said, “Shane has been very dedicated to our kids. He has established a good working relationship with the kids. As we went on the search, we talked to several folks and felt like he was the best person at this time for our kids.
Some of the kids actually approached myself and the superintendent to put in a good word for him, so he’s got a good buy-in from the kids.” After the resignation of Barry Simmons just six days before the start of practice, Rary, who had been named offensive coordinator, began running practice. Rary came to Coosa after being on the coaching staff at Mountain Brook Junior High School for six seasons, two of which were spent as the offensive coordinator. He is very familiar with both the offensive and defensive systems the Cougars run, which should give him an advantage in a fairly disadvantageous situation. Despite the uncertain obstacles facing the Cougars for the past week and a half, Rary said he has been extremely pleased with how the first week of practice has gone so far. “We’ve had an intensity at practice that I have not seen since I’ve been here,” he said. “These past two weeks, the guys have been so self-motivated. We talked about not only getting through coaching changes but the ups and downs as far as player numbers here go. We can’t count on anybody but who is out on the field. We’ve got us and nobody else, so they’re carrying that chip on their shoulder. “We’re not worried about who is not with us, but who is with us. I’ve really seen the team bond in so many ways because of all this. They know everybody here has got their back, so it’s really been a very positive experience to see these kids pull through this.”
Central Coosa has named Shane Rary as its new head football coach.
File / The Outlook
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Dadeville coach Richard White speaks to the Kiwanis Club during a luncheon Thursday afternoon.
White excites Kiwanis Club about upcoming season By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
With football season right around the corner, Dadeville coach Richard White brought some excitement to the Tiger faithful when he spoke to the Dadeville Kiwanis Club about his outlook for the upcoming season. Although football is a fall sport, it’s really become a year-long commitment. Players begin weight lifting in the winter months before taking up spring football in May. Sometimes, they’re balancing that with another sport as well as academic obligations. Grueling summer workouts take place throughout June and July, and practice officially begins in August. Because of the hard work and commitment associated with being a football player along with growing safety concerns from parents, White said he has some of the lowest roster numbers of his career at Dadeville. The Tigers usually dress between 55 and 60 players; this year, they’ll have 40. “I call them the Fighting 40, but I hope we don’t lose another one or we’ll be the Fighting 39,” White said with a laugh. “I think what we have is the ones that really, really want to play. I tell them every day that I’m grateful to have them out there because they sacrifice. Playing football at Dadeville is not easy, and it’s not easy at a lot of schools, especially in Tallapoosa County, because football means so much to a lot of people.” This season could be particularly challenging for Dadeville because players will have to do a lot more of playing both ways, which is not something the Tigers are typically accustomed to. The Tigers also play in what White called “the toughest region in (Class) 4A football in the state of Alabama.” In Class 4A Region 3, Dadeville will be up against Handley, which is the defending state champion, and Leeds, which won the
state title in 2014 and 2015. “We have a long road and a hard road, but we have a chance to be a decent football team as long as we don’t have injuries,” White said. “With 40 football players, you’re counting on about 18 to have to really, really play and we cannot afford any injuries. But I’ve told our backups they’ve got to be ready to go at any time.” White also talked a lot about building team chemistry. One thing that can be a blessing in disguise with a small roster is a smaller possibility of clashing personalities. Also, with only 40 players, all 40 can make a difference. “We talk all the time about team chemistry and playing as one and being a team,” White said. “I don’t care if you’re the best superstar in the state of Alabama; you can’t win a football game by yourself. Bo Jackson couldn’t win a football game at Auburn by himself if he didn’t have someone blocking for him. I’m trying to get them to be more encouraging to each other.” White also told the Kiwanis Club about some improvements made around Tiger Stadium, including updated handicapped restrooms, new bleachers and the school district’s purchase of the Bobo Street apartments. Although White didn’t necessarily seem overconfident about the season, he did speak about the pride and work ethic he’s seen from his team so far. “We’re going to do the best we can,” he said. “Our kids understand playing for Dadeville is a little different; when you put on that black and gold, it’s supposed to mean something to you. I’ve told them if you go out there and scrap, fight and do the best you can and the other team still beats you — I don’t like losing, but I’m a little better OK with it when I go home than to see we could’ve won the game but we didn’t because we goofed up somewhere.”
Follow these guidelines for successful wildlife food plots
E
arly August means kids and parents are frenetically preparing for the opening of the new school year, and we hunters are looking for every opportunity to remind us hunting seasons are not far away. With attention focused on the future seasons and what will lead to successful outings, hunters could possibly be playing catch-up if their preparations didn’t start earlier this year, according to Chris Cook, Deer Project Study Leader with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division. “What you should have done back in spring is get soil samples and correct any problems with soil pH,” Cook said. “If you haven’t already done that, any lime application is not going to have time to be effective this fall. But go ahead and soil test and apply the proper lime, if needed, but don’t expect to see the results by the time you plant your fall crops.” Whether the soil has been amended to attain the proper pH or not, Cook says it’s time to tackle the undesirable plants that inevitably pop up in the wildlife openings. “The best thing you can
DAVID RAINER Columnist
do right now is start working on weed control to help make sure you will be able to prepare a really good seed bed to get the seed in contact with the soil,” he said. “This will allow the seeds to germinate and grow the best they can. “A lot of people, instead of bushhogging the fields, will spray the fields with glyphosate (Roundup and equivalents), which makes it a whole lot easier to disc it up. When you spray a field, you don’t have to deal with all that green vegetation after you mow it. And it will limit the weed and grass competition if you spray it before it forms seed heads.” For those who don’t have the proper equipment to spray or large enough equipment to easily prepare the seed bed, Cook suggests multiple mowings, depending on the rainfall that occurs in the next several weeks, to get ready to prepare the seedbed. Cook also suggests proper maintenance of equipment. Traditionally, ryegrass
has been the most prevalent winter forage planted in wildlife openings, but plenty of options are available to landowners and leaseholders. “If you go with that basic mix, you don’t have to worry about ordering beforehand,” Cook said. “But if you want to plant some of the different clovers or nontraditional seed mixes, you may need to get with your dealer or co-op and order to make sure you’ll have it when you get ready to plant. “If your primary concern is just to draw deer in during hunting season, it’s hard to go wrong with the basic mix of wheat, oats, crimson clover and Austrian winter peas. That combo is hard to beat.” As farmers and those who maintain food plots know, timing can have a great effect on the success of the crop. That timing includes a weather component, but it doesn’t appear Alabama will be stuck in drought conditions like last year as fall approaches. “If the rain continues and the temperatures are fairly mild, you need to anticipate that the native plants will hang on a little longer and provide a food source for the deer that they wouldn’t have in a year when it’s really dry and really hot,” Cook said. “If we
Submitted / Dept. of Natural Resouraces
Now is the time to knock back the weeds and undesirable plants in wildlife openings by mowing or herbicide application.
have these conditions through August, people probably need to hold off on planting their food plots. One of the most common mistakes Cook sees in wildlife plantings is a misappropriation of food-plot funds. “I see people putting their resources into buying the most expensive seeds and then not getting the soil prepared like it should be,” he said. “People can waste a lot of money if they don’t get the soil tested. And a lot of people will buy expensive seeds and go cheap on the fertilizer.” Cook said a ballpark figure for the recommended
application rate of a balanced fertilizer like triple-13 is 300 to 400 pounds per acre. “Most people don’t do half that, and they double the seed rate,” he said. “They’re putting more plants out there and not giving them enough nutrients to grow. That and not taking the time to prepare the seedbed to where you have good seed-to-soil contact are the biggest mistakes I see.” David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He writes a weekly column titled Outdoor Alabama Weekly.