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Eclectic Observer The
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 22, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 34
Hearing covers sewer expansion proposal By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The town of Eclectic held its first public hearing concerning the possible expansion of its sewer system Tuesday evening. During the public hearing, officials discussed extending the town’s new sewer plant to reach Fulmer Street and cross Fleahop Road to reach Claud Road to accommodate residential development. Currently, Davenport said the proposed cost of the project is between $300,000 and $350,000. Because it’s partnering with Hicks, Davenport said
the town is not required to seek out grants. According to Davenport, many of the proposal’s details are tentative. “We just need to know that we’re in a good place to start working on this,” Davenport said. Grady Hicks, who owns property on Highway 63, made the request to allow him to develop a potential home subdivision in the area, which would include an estimated 107 homes. Because Hicks would be the developer, Davenport said he would be expected to partially fund the expenses associated with the project. See SEWER • Page 2
Maps outlining the sewer system’s proposed expansion were distributed among residents during the meeting. Potential expansions are outlined in orange. Submitted / The Observer
Girl scouts hosting recruitment events
County BOE
School board votes in favor of purchases By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The Elmore County Board of Education unanimously voted to make several purchases during a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday. The board agreed to accept a low bid of $35,042.04 from Atlas Manufacturing, based in Alapaha, Georgia, for a greenhouse kit that will be placed at the Elmore County High School agriculture department. Secondly, the board voted to accept a low bid of $12,550 from Sun South of Clanton to purchase a John Deere 865 Diesel utility terrain vehicle for the use of the Holtville High School agriculture department. Board members also agreed to purchase two 2018 Ford F150 trucks from Collier Ford of Wetumpka, which will be used as transportation service trucks for the school system. The trucks will cost $39,385.82 each. They also voted in favor of accepting the proposed auto insurance quote of $67,352.93 per year from the Alabama Trusts for Boards of Education. Lastly, the board accepted the Elmore County 5-year capital plan.
Today’s
Weather
87 68 High
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
ECBOE Innovation Specialist and ECHS Principal Wes Rogers announced that students will be collaborating with EES fourth-graders on a children’s book centered around Eclectic history.
Town history Students to write children’s book on history of Eclectic By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
T
he community service projects by two Elmore County Schools that were recently selected as Bicentennial Schools by Gov. Kay Ivey were announced at a board of education meeting Monday.
Students from Elmore County High School will be writing a children’s book that recounts the history of Eclectic, and Wetumpka Middle School students will be working to organize a Taste of Wetumpka and put together a cookbook. ECBOE Innovation Specialist Julie Powell described the children’s book as a collaborative See HISTORY • Page 2
The Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is encouraging current scouts, as well as girls who are interested, to renew their memberships or sign up at two upcoming recruitment events in Wetumpka. “This is for everyone in Elmore County, not just for Wetumpka, even though both events are in Wetumpka” GSSA Marketing and Communications Director Meghan Cochrane said. The first event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Redland Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, and the second is set for Sept. 20 at the First United Methodist Church. According to Cochrane, the events will be used to form new troops, as well as place girls in existing troops in the area. Girl Scouts is open to girls from kindergarten through 12th grade, and according to a press release from the GSSA, gives them an all-girl, female-led space to “take chances, try new things See SCOUTS • Page 2
Taste of Eclectic reaches 20th year
Low
THURS: HIGH 88 LOW 68
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Eclectic the Beautiful is getting ready to host its 20th annual Taste of Eclectic event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Elmore County High School cafeteria. Eclectic the Beautiful President Dean Williams and Eclectic City Council member Carmen Winslett said Taste of Eclectic is an end-of-summer social event that gives the community a chance to sample different types of food and drinks from a variety of See TASTE • Page 2
Submitted / The Observer
About 25 vendors are expected to participate in this year’s Taste of Eclectic, which raises money to maintain beautification projects done by Eclectic the Beautiful.
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PAGE 2 • AUGUST 22, 2018
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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Obituaries Mr. Steve Hudson Mr. Steve Hudson, a resident of Red Hill, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at the age of 61. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. from Refuge Baptist Church with Brother Jackie Cleveland officiating. Burial will follow in Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife, Pelinda Evans Hudson; mother, Barbara Mason Kelley; father, Tobie Royce and Marilyn Hudson; children, Steven and Michelle Hudson, Jenifer Hudson and Josh Stokes, Michael Hudson, Andy “A.J.,” Carrie Collier, Heather Collier, Brian Richard, JP and Tamara Cannon and Mandy and Mark Frey; grandchildren, Jessie, Nehemiah, Daniel and Lydia Hudson, Xvier and Silas Stokes, Danielle and Drew Collier and Isaac Stubs and Emma Paige, Jack Cannon and Nate and Carson Frey; sisters, Donna Hudson, Pam Hudson and Johnny York; brothers, Jimmy and Anita Hudson, Steve and Mary Orr and Kenny Hudson and his paw babies, C.J. and Bubba. He is preceded in death by his brother, Tim Hudson. Steve loved his family, dogs and friends and being a “Bamazion Boy.” His friends summed it up best by saying “He was the most loving, humble and kind person they ever knew and no one will ever replace him.” The family will receive friends Friday, August 17, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama
An Eclectic woman asks developer Grady Hicks and Mayor Gary Davenport how the addition of a new subdivision will change the makeup of the town.
Truman Leon Jones A memorial reception will be held honoring Truman Leon Jones Saturday, August 25 2018 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church 5500 Old Selma Road Montgomery AL.
Taste
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
continued from page 1
local vendors. “This is a very worthwhile event,” Winslett said. “It’s a good time to come out and socialize.” According to Winslett, Taste of Eclectic will feature about 25 food vendors. Williams said new vendors are involved each year, but long-time vendors like Red Hill Cottage Catering, Evans Produce and El Gran Rodeo will also be featured. Taste of Eclectic is Eclectic the Beautiful’s primary fundraiser, and the event’s proceeds will go toward maintaining some of the organization’s past beautification projects. “The efforts of Eclectic the Beautiful are well worth it,” Winslett said. “These ladies put a lot of time and effort into what they do.” While Eclectic the Beautiful is proud to have Taste of Eclectic reach the two-decade mark, Williams said their success is due to the vendors who participate and the community members who attend. “It’s just that we’ve had good people to back us up,” Williams said. “We’ve been very lucky.” Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children ages four through 12 and are free for children under 4. According to Williams, tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased by calling her at 334-399-6451 or Winslett at 334-201-0092. “(People) need to get their tickets so they won’t miss out on this special event,” Williams said.
Sewer Prior to the hearing, Davenport said he spoke to most residents about the proposal to receive input. If the project were to get approved, Davenport said the goal of the town is to expand the sewer in a way that is not invasive to residents. “This is not something that we’re trying cram down anybody’s throat. This is not something we’re saying we’re going to do one way or the other,” Davenport said. One resident asked if all of the lines and pumps installed would become part of the Eclectic Sewer Board’s jurisdiction.
continued from page 1
and asked about how the town would change if the subdivision were built. Davenport said he was not sure, but he doubted that 100 homes would affect much. The next public hearing on the sewer system proposal is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. In the meantime, Davenport urged anyone with suggestions to contact him by calling town hall. He said he is typically in his office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “I basically want to hear your input and feedback. We’re in the developmental stage, so we need as much feedback as you can give us,” Davenport said.
Davenport said it would all be considered town property. “We’re not going to take anybody’s land. All we’re asking for is an easement. The easement just says you’re giving us permission to put that pipe in the ground and go across your land,” Davenport said. When asked how many homes are supported by the town’s sewer system, Davenport said about 200. Davenport added the expansion would accommodate up to 500 more new structures “of some sort.” One woman said she prefers Eclectic to remain the way it is,
Scouts and learn to succeed through failure.” The press release said many of the activities offered by Girl Scouts involve developing planning and leadership skills, and allow girls to participate in community service projects, STEM and outdoor expeditions. “The public thinks we’re just cookies, crafts and camping,” Cochrane said. “This is our time to show parents what Girl
continued from page 1
likely to feel academically engaged and competent as a result.” While attendance at one of the events is encouraged, Cochrane said it is not required. To find out more about joining or volunteering with a local Girl Scout troop, visit Girlscoutssa. org or test “GIRL” to 33222. “We really want to prepare these girls to be our future leaders,” Cochrane said.
Scouts is all about.” GSSA CEO Karlyn Edmonds said involvement in Girl Scouts can also help girls hone their academic strengths. “It’s not just a girl’s confidence and attitude that improve through Girl Scouts, they also become better students,” Edmonds said. “Through Girl Scouts, girls learn not to avoid difficult tasks and they become stronger challenge-seekers who are more
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effort between the high school and Eclectic Elementary School. Powell said the high school students will do the writing, while the 4th graders will provide the illustrations. ECHS Principal Wes Rogers said the children’s book will be distributed among all 4th graders at Eclectic Elementary School once it is completed. WMS seventh grade civics and
continued from page 1
geography teacher Amanda Killough said Taste of Wetumpka will convey the city’s history through food. “We’re going to collect recipes that have been passed down through families and then our culminating event will be an actual Taste of Wetumpka where we will invite the community to come try the recipes and produce a cookbook as well,” Killough said.
Earlier this month, both schools were chosen along with 200 other schools throughout the state and received $2,000 grants from the Alabama Bicentennial Committee to fund their projects. ECBOE member Patrycya Tucker commended both schools on their choice of community service projects. As a former English teacher, Tucker said it “touched her heart.”
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
AUGUST 22, 2018 • PAGE 3
ReBoot program discussed at BOE meeting By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Elmore County Alternative School Principal Bill Bergeron gave a presentation on the Overage Middle School Program, also known as “ReBoot,” which will likely be implemented in the coming weeks, at the Monday board of education meeting. Bergeron said the Overage Middle School Program, also known as “ReBoot” focuses on students that are considered overage in their grade level and aims to get them caught up academically and able to graduate. “I get kids that are 16 or 17 years old that are coming from the middle schools, and they were going to become dropouts. That hurt my graduation rate,” Bergeron said. “Just like you reboot a computer when you have a problem, we want to allow these kids to reboot their education, and get caught up to where they have a chance to succeed at the high school level.” According to Bergeron, Elmore County Public Schools have 25 students who are at least two years behind their cohorts’ grade level. He said having students that are much older than their peers poses a safety risk and can cause disciplinary issues. Additionally, Bergeron said many of the overage students read at a low level, are “hopelessly” behind academically and have special education needs. Bergeron said one teacher and an aide will preside over the ReBoot program and work to identify each overage student’s academic level to advance them to an appropriate grade level in the four core subjects. He said students will be in a reading class for at least an hour. Bergeron also said students who are supposed to be in the 10th and 11th grades will attend the Elmore County Technology Center, and most will participate in construction classes. Over the course of the 30-day ReBoot program, Bergeron said student have to consistently perform at an 85 percent success rate, or they will have to start over from the beginning. According to Bergeron, ReBoot will utilize the “Step program,” which will grant privileges to students as they progress. He said they will start out in cubicles and earn the privileges of learning in a classroom with their peers, eating lunch with their
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
Elmore County Alternative School Principal Bill Bergeron talks about the proposed ReBoot program that is intended to solve Elmore County Public Schools’ issue of overage students in local middle schools.
peers and going on field trips before moving back to the school for which they’re zoned on a 30-day probation period. Bergeron said the program would also include individual and group counseling from a licensed professional counselor, substance abuse treatment and the addition of cubicles to the ones that currently exist at the school.
Superintendent Richard Dennis said the BOE’s goal is to ultimately “put (the program) out of business.” “We don’t want behind students,” Dennis said. “We’re working on revamping our (Response to Instruction) program so we don’t have students reach that level of being two to three years behind or more.”
Bond increased for Wetumpka child sex abuse suspect By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The bond for a Wetumpka man who was recently charged with multiple sex crimes involving an underage victim was nearly doubled following a recent bond hearing. Michael Wayne Strength, 31, who lists an address on Windy Ridge Road, was initially charged with sexual abuse of a minor on July
degree rape are both Class 18. On July 20, he received A felonies. If convicted, additional charges of rape in Strength could receive a life the first degree, sodomy in sentence in prison and owe the first degree, sexual abuse up to $60,000 in court fees. in the first degree and two Sexual abuse of a child counts of enticing a minor. younger than 12 is a Class Elmore County Sheriff Bill B felony, and first degree Franklin alleged that Strength sexual abuse and enticing a had been abusing a child minor are Class C felonies. victim for years, and the abuse Strength Strength was booked into the began before the victim turned 12. Elmore County Jail after his arrest First degree sodomy and first
Third Millbrook robbery suspect arrested by police By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The Millbrook Police Department recently apprehended a third suspect connected to an armed robbery that took place at Belle Vue Square Banks Apartments on Aug. 2. Jarceon LaJames Banks, 23, who lists an address in Montgomery, was arrested by the United States Marshal Service and turned over to the MPD on Aug. 15. He was charged with robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree. According to an MPD press
release, the detectives identified the suspect as Banks and filed warrants for his arrest. The U.S. Marshal Service later located him and took him into custody. MPD Chief P.K. Johnson said the MPD turned another suspect, Oshai Sharief McLean, in to the Prattville Police Department on multiple charges from their jurisdiction. Johnson said he believes charges from the PPD are pending against Banks, as well. Johnson said the arrest and subsequent charges came as a result of collaboration between the MPD, the U.S. Marshal Service and the Prattville Police Department. “Our investigators are in constant contact with their counterparts in our sister cities on a daily basis, and we share
intelligence and assist each other in the identification and apprehension of those wanted for these violent criminal acts that occur because criminals don’t have jurisdictional boundaries,” Johnson wrote in the press release. “Usually we are looking for the same offenders. Such is the case in this instance.” The first two suspects, McLean and Delano Gilcrest, both of Montgomery, were arrested the day after the robbery occurred after they allegedly forced a victim into his apartment at gunpoint, stole some items. One suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at an MPD officer after police arrived. As of Monday, Banks remained in the Elmore County Jail on bonds totaling $100,000. Both firstdegree burglary and first-degree robbery are felony charges.
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and remains there. The bond amounts for each of the charges Strength received on July 20 were originally set at $30,000 and were reset to $100,000. The increase brought Strength’s overall bond amount up from $300,000 to $650,000. As of Friday, representatives from the Elmore County Courthouse had not responded to requests for additional comment.
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Opinion
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Beth Chapman ̾ on Rane plane ride?
R
ecently, I wrote about Alfa’s influence in Alabama politics. In my Aug. 8 column, I said the Alabama Farmers Federation still controls the legislature. They used to play in the governor’s race. However, they got burned badly by Bob Riley when they helped him get elected and the first thing he did was stab them in the back. However, they have slipped around this year and will not only own the legislature, they will probably have a good friend in the governor’s office. The day before the primary, Kay Ivey was put on Jimmy Rane’s jet to fly around the state. Boarding with her was Beth Chapman, Alfa’s political consultant. The next night when she came off the platform after giving her appreciation speech, guess who was helping her off the stage and holding her arm so that she would not fall? Jimmy Parnell, the Farmers Federation president. Well, I get a note from Debbee Hancock, an Ivey campaign spokesperson, yes, that is right, it is spelled Debbee. She informed me Chapman was not actually on-board Rane’s plane that day when they flew Kay around the state. I politely told her that in watching the television footage, it looked to me like Beth was in a finite group of people walking beside Kay to the plane. Even Brent Buchanan, the governor’s campaign manager, concurred with my assessment. He told me, “I was there with Beth and saw it on TV after. I totally see how you could have thought she
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist was headed to the plane when the governor exited that way.” I told young Debbee I would clarify that Beth did not actually board the plane, it just looked like she did. However, I told them they should not be so sensitive about or ashamed of the Farmers’ friendship. Also told them they should have given them a place on the plane. Most people assume the Farmers would be for the Republican nominee for governor. However, Debbee did not dispute the second part of my Aug. 8 comments where I said Jimmy Parnell, like the gentleman he is, was helping Kay off the stage the next night. I advised both Debbee and Brent they really should not allow her to go out alone and be expected to maneuver stage steps. Recently, one of Kay’s people called me and told me I said Kay was senile. I told them that was a blasphemous lie. I said, “She just looked senile.” I appear on numerous radio talk shows and television stations around the state. I am getting up in age and sometimes I do not remember everything I say. I obviously have become quite uninhibited in my observations and ramblings. Walt Maddox has been doing his best to coax Kay’s folks into letting her debate. Folks, you can bet your bottom dollar, Kay
Ivey ain’t going to debate Walt Maddox. My observation is Kay cannot debate. I do not believe she has the stamina to physically stand up for an hour or two, much less answer questions. It would be political suicide for her handlers to put her in that trap. She would become befuddled and anxious. She would be prone to putting on a show worse than Big Jim Folsom’s appearance on TV in 1962. It would be a good show. All Kay has to do is run out the clock. She needs to continue to say nothing or do nothing. A Republican governor who looks elderly and has done nothing wrong ethically and who is enjoying the fruits of a great national recovery will beat a young, energetic, highly qualified candidate who is cognizant and well-versed on the issues every day of the week and twice on Sunday in Alabama politics. Just the appearance on a debate stage would be dramatic. Alabamians do not care about a gubernatorial debate or for that matter they do not care much about who is governor. What they do care about is college football and it starts next week. It will occupy Alabamians for the next three months. The governor’s race will slide under the radar screen. See you next week. 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 www. steveflowers.us.
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I
Cardinal Wuerl must go
n 1972, Pope Paul VI warned “the smoke of Satan has entered the Church of God.” We see that smoke throughout the report from a Pennsylvania grand jury, which alleges more than 300 priests abused more than 1,000 children in six Pennsylvania dioceses — including 99 priests from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which was led for 18 years by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, now archbishop of Washington. How bad was the abuse? The report notes “during the course of this investigation, the Grand Jury uncovered a ring of predatory priests operating within the [Pittsburgh] Diocese who shared intelligence or information regarding victims as well as exchanging the victims amongst themselves. This ring also manufactured child pornography ... [and] used whips, violence and sadism in raping their victims.” According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, one victim, a boy named George, “was forced to stand on a bed in a rectory, strip naked and pose as Christ on the cross for the priests. They took photos of their victim, adding them to a collection of child pornography which they produced and shared on church grounds.” Abusing a child while mocking the Passion of Christ is truly diabolical. Wuerl, who served as the bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006, did discipline some priests — and even went to the Vatican to fight an order that he reinstate one. But the grand jury also wrote he reassigned other predator priests — including the one who “groomed” George and introduced him to the ring that photographed him. In at least one case, Wuerl required a victim to sign a “confidentiality agreement,” barring him from discussing his abuse with any third party as part of a settlement. That is a cover-up. In addition, the grand jury also wrote that under his leadership the diocese failed to
MARC THIESSEN Columnist report allegations of abuse to law enforcement, advocated for a convicted predator at sentencing, then provided an $11,542.68 lump-sum payment to the disgraced priest after his release from prison. The grand jury report comes on the heels of the sickening accusations Wuerl’s predecessor as Washington archbishop, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, sexually abused seminarians and young priests, and spent nearly 20 years molesting a young boy, the first person he baptized, beginning when the child was 11. After the McCarrick allegations, Wuerl declared, “I don’t think this is some massive, massive crisis.” Excuse me, Your Eminence? It is a massive, massive crisis. How was McCarrick allowed to rise through the hierarchy despite the countless warnings to both his fellow bishops and the Vatican that he was a sexual predator? Who knew? Who helped him? The same conspiracy of silence that allowed sexual predators to flourish in Wuerl’s Pittsburgh diocese for decades also allowed McCarrick to become, until just a few weeks ago, one of the most powerful American cardinals, even in retirement. This is not just a matter of getting rid of a few bad apples. There is a ring of abusers and their enablers in the Catholic hierarchy that must be rooted out. Every report of abuse that was overlooked or ignored, every abuse that was covered up with a nondisclosure agreement, must be exposed. The bishops and cardinals who ignored or covered up abuses are complicit and must be removed. The church must be cleansed, and the conspiracy of
silence ended. The only way to do this is through an independent investigation. The church has proved itself incapable of self-investigation and self-policing — which is evidenced by the fact we are just learning new details of the horrific extent of abuse from a grand jury 16 years after the scandal first erupted. My American Enterprise Institute colleague Michael Strain has recommended bringing back former Oklahoma governor, federal prosecutor and faithful Catholic Frank Keating to lead the investigation. In 2003, Keating resigned from a lay-member church-appointed board looking into abuse after he refused to apologize for comparing the cover-up by the bishops to the Mafia. That makes him precisely the right man for the job. The bishops not only failed the victims but have also scandalized the church, undermined its teaching authority and driven countless people away from Christ. How many failed to go to confession, or left the sacraments, because of their actions — or their failure to act? We will never know. But they should heed Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus warns, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” This must be a time of repentance. Repentance requires accountability. And accountability requires resignations — starting with Wuerl’s. Marc Thiessen’s column is provided by The Washington Post News Service & Syndicate. He writes a twice-weekly column for The Post on foreign and domestic policy and contributes to the PostPartisan blog. He is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and the former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush. Follow Thiessen on Twitter@marcthiessen.
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
AUGUST 22, 2018 • PAGE 5
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Pet of the Week – Miss Pink
M
iss Pink is a just too cute, 5-month old female mix pup. She weighs about 20 pounds now, so she should be in the 35-pound range when fully grown – the perfect size for almost any family. She is a very playful, sweet and loving pup. She is good with dogs and cats and loves children. Shelter adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with a participating veterinarian. To meet Miss Pink and the other pets at the shelter, visit the Humane Society of Elmore County located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, visit www. elmorehumane.org for more information, email hselco@bellsouth.net or call 334-567-3377. The shelter is open for adoptions from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
First-ever Putts Fore Paws event set for Thursday By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
This Thursday is our first-ever Putts Fore Paws at the Emerald Mountain Golf Club in Wetumpka on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All thanks to the Alabama News Network, this is the first of what we hope will be a recurring annual event so hope to start off big! Entry fee is $300 per four-person scramble and the team fee includes green fees, golf carts, food, door prizes and more! To register, submit and fill out the On-Line Registration Form and all teams must be registered prior to Aug. 23. Team registration at Emerald Mountain will begin at 6:30 that day, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. For more information or to become an event (team or hole or general) sponsor, call 334-270-2834. Many thanks to Montgomery Subaru, Greenville Foot Care and Harriott II Riverboat for coming on board as sponsors already! We will also be out
at Emerald Mountain with a few of our pets and sure hope to see a lot of teams enjoying a morning of golf while also supporting our shelter and the hard work of the Montgomery CW! We are blessed to have wonderful support from our community and that means September is shaping up to be a very busy month. On Sunday, Sept. 16 we hope for another huge crowd at our 13th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse. The fun for both humans and dogs goes from 1 to 5 p.m. with vendors, food, games and more. Get your pet microchip from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. with the help of the Tuskegee Veterinarian School for only $25 which covers the chip and registration. You will be able to get a professional photo of your pet, perhaps have your dog’s toenails trimmed, let your dog paint its very own ‘paw’ painting, search out hidden shelter painted rocks, visit wonderful local Vendors, get something yummy to eat, and
purchase one of our Bark in the Park 2018 T-shirts for sale for $15. We will also have a Blessing of the Pets prior to our always popular Pet Parade! Admission to Bark in the Park is $5 per person 13 years old and older. All dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation, AND they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination to come to the Park. Vendor spots are still available, and Bark in the Park is a great place for folks to be able to learn about your business, product or service. We welcome local businesses, clubs, civic groups, etc. Our vendor fee is only $35 and you must bring your own tables/pop-up/chairs. There is no electricity available so if you must bring a generator please let us know for site planning. To get a vendor application please contact us at the shelter at hselco@bellsouth.net or call us at 334-567-3377.
Saturday, Sept. 29 is going to be a super busy day as there will be two great events on behalf of our Shelter. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, join us for the 16th annual Cruisin’ For Critters at Déjà Vu, located 121 North Burbank Drive in Montgomery! This event is all thanks to the incredible members of the Predators Riding Club Montgomery and we cannot thank them enough for sticking with us for 16 years — our longest running event! More info to follow but make sure to mark your calendars. Also on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m., come out to Ida Belle Young Park at 5400 Vaughn Road in Montgomery for a first ever Charity Flag Football Game between Team Stallion and Sincerely Yours as they play to raise money for our shelter, Humane Society of Elmore County, and Resurrection Catholic Church. More info to follow as this grows. No admission, but donations gratefully appreciated.
Trial date reset for former WPD cop in manslaughter case By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The trial date was reset for Sept. 17 for a former Wetumpka police officer who was charged in connection with a fatal collision on U.S. 231 in October of 2016. Andrew Bass, 30, Bass who lists an address on Lakeview Court in Wetumpka, is scheduled to appear at the Elmore County Courthouse for a jury trial at 8:30 a.m. Bass was originally arrested by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and charged with
manslaughter on July 26, 2017. Bass had been driving his Dodge Charger Wetumpka Police Department cruiser on Oct. 22, 2016, when his vehicle struck a Wetumpka woman’s 2016 Honda Pilot at around 4 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 231 and Cambridge Avenue. The victim was identified as 52-year-old Elaine Merritt of Wetumpka. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Bass’ indictment stated that he had “recklessly” caused Merritt’s death by driving the WPD cruiser at an excessive speed, neglecting to utilize emergency lights and sirens and improper lane usage.
Bass pleaded not guilty and filed to waive his arraignment in August of 2017. His trial was initially scheduled for Sept. 18, 2017, and then June 26, before it was
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PAGE 6 • AUGUST 22, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
AUGUST 22, 2018 • PAGE 7
‘Amber’s Blessings’ box provides necessities to community By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A member of Trinity Episcopal Church recently found a new way to help those in need when she recently built the “Amber’s Blessings” box. Elizabeth Recchio said members of the community are invited to leave non-perishable food, toiletries and other items that may help someone in the box for anyone in need. Recchio said the box has been in front of the church for about a month, and was established in honor of her late niece, Amber Seaton. “My niece passed away last November,” Recchio said. “During the last few years of her life, she was involved in some stuff she shouldn’t have been.” After Seaton’s death, Recchio said other family members began hearing stories from her two children about how the family frequently moved and
did not always have access to as much food as they needed. “I hated for other families to know that their loved ones didn’t have enough food,” Recchio said. “I know there are a lot of single parents who struggle, especially in the summer, and elderly people whose check only goes so far.” Recchio said the box was made by a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Millbrook, installed and painted by her husband, and the door was painted by her niece. She said the sign under the box was donated by Hamilton Signs of Millbrook. While she hasn’t seen many items taken from the box, Recchio said she thinks it will be used more as more people realize what it is there for. “It hasn’t been utilized a whole lot yet because it’s new, but there are some items that have been (taken),” Recchio said. While Seaton’s children are still
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
The ‘Amber’s Blessings’ box currently sits in front of Trinity Episcopal Church and provides donations to anyone who needs them. It was built in memory of church member Elizabeth Recchio’s niece.
mourning their mother’s passing, Recchio said they are eager to see the positive impact the pox has. “They always ask ‘Was anything
taken from the box?’ or ‘Was anyone helped today?’” Recchio said. “They feel like their mom is watching the other people from Heaven.”
PAGE 8 • AUGUST 22, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Sen. Doug Jones visits Alexander City Saturday By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Despite the threat of heavy rains and other events, including the monthly roadway cleanup and farmers’ market Saturday morning, a sizeable crowd filled the lobby of the Alexander City City Hall to hear from U.S. Sen. Doug Jones as he shared with the public some of the latest goings-on in Washington. The morning began with greetings from Tallapoosa County Democratic Party Interim Chair Carol Gowan, followed by Judge Tom Young and Tallapoosa County Commissioner T.C. Coley providing introductions for Jones. “It is exciting to have a national representative here with us,� Coley said during his introduction. During his hour and a half-long conversation with the crowd, Jones touched on a number of different issues facing Congress, including the Senate confirmation hearings on Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court, the federal budget, tariffs, some of the bills Jones has either introduced or co-sponsored and many other topics and questions submitted by members of the audience. However, he began by explaining the meaning behind a pillow shaped like a pair of lips he was carrying, as well as reading a couple of letters from local children who were in attendance. The pillow came from a person who heckled Jones at a recent town hall meeting, throwing the pillow at him while encouraging the senator not to support Kavanaugh’s nomination. The letters were more positive, asking Jones to help change the world for the better and consider running for president. “Changing the world, that’s exactly what we are trying to do,� Jones said after reading one of the letters. “I am honored to be your U.S. Senator. I am here not as much to talk to you as I am to listen to you. Things in Washington are not all as bad as it seems at times, but it is a little crazy up there.� Explaining the confirmation process for Kavanaugh has dominated much of the discussion in the Senate, Jones said confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin Sept. 4, and even though he is not on the Judiciary Committee, Jones said he will be watching the proceedings via the Senate’s closed-circuit television system and will try to meet with
Cliff Williams / The Observer
Sen. Doug Jones speaks to guests at a town hall event held Saturday at Alexander City City Hall. Below, Jones speaks with area residents.
Kavanaugh after the committee hearings. “I am not happy that the nomination process is being reduced to a political campaign,� Jones said. “Both sides are guilty of this.� Fiscally, the Congress has not yet passed its annual budget, a process Jones said both sides have used to send political messages to the opposition. However, Jones also said he and Sen. Richard Shelby have been working to return the process to its regular order. “All appropriation bills were out of committee by July 4,� Jones said. “This will be a bipartisan budget.� Even though he has been in office since only Jan. 3, Jones said he has signed on as a co-sponsor
to approximately 100 bills, all but a small handful of which have been bipartisan pieces of legislation. He has also been a lead sponsor on nine other bills, including rural healthcare expansion, Medicaid expansion and the Civil Rights cold case bill, which gained the support of Texas Republican Ted Cruz. “When I introduced this bill, Sen. Cruz was in the presiding chair,� Jones said after the town hall. “Usually, whichever senator is in the presiding chair, they may not always be paying attention, as they have their own work they may be looking at, but Sen. Cruz was paying close attention to what I was saying the entire time.� Jones said he has been part of two
bills to delay or halt tariffs on automobiles manufactured overseas and components needed to finish American-made vehicles. When the United States engages in trade wars, other countries will retaliate, with consumers getting hurt the most in the process, according to Jones. During the question and answer session, Young asked Jones what members of the public can do, other than by voting, to encourage public officials on both sides of the aisle to work together. “It all starts during the election,� Jones said. “Get them to take a pledge on this. Demand candidates talk about the issues and don’t attach party to it.� Hugo Perez with the local chapter of the Disabled American
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Veterans asked if there was still a push at the federal level to privatize the Department of Veterans Affairs. “Yes. I am not sure Secretary (of Veterans Affairs Robert) Wilkie likes the idea, though,� Jones responded. “I am not in favor of this.� Jones added there are some changes that need to be made within the department, and to help reach this end, he has been a part of introducing a bill which will make the department more transparent and give veterans choices on where they can be treated. After hearing from Russell Medical CEO Jim Peace, Jones said he supports expanding Medicaid in order to keep rural hospitals throughout Alabama open and operating. “We missed an amazing opportunity for political reasons,� Jones said. “Medicaid is important to keep the doors open in rural areas. We need to take another look at it.� Other questions included increasing mental health capabilities in public schools, reuniting families separated at the
border and what Congress is doing regarding rent in government-owned housing. As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Jones said he was working with the rest of the committee to increase the opportunities for mental health counselors to be in public schools. “I am all about keeping our borders secure and enforcing our immigration laws,� Jones said, “but we need to temper mercy with our justice.� Jones said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson has looked at trying to increase the rent in government housing, but Congress has been engaged in hearings to keep that from happening. After the conversation was over, Jones shared his thoughts on what having town hall meetings like these means to him. “I really enjoy these,� he said. “They are really helpful to me, letting me know what you all are thinking. It’s important that we continue to do this.�
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
AUGUST 22, 2018 • PAGE 9
‘The ever-elusive pursuit of happiness’
I
n a recent reading in the devotional called “The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions,” I found the following statement to be both enlightening and convicting: “Convince me [Oh God] that I cannot be my own God, or make myself happy.” Here are a bunch of questions that clanged around my mind as I pondered on the statement above: If we could “make” ourselves happy, and had the power of God to do so, then what would we do? What would we seek out? What would we grant to ourselves? Would we succeed in making ourselves happy? If we did what we thought would make ourselves happy, then would we find ourselves disappointed in the end? Would we look at our lives and begin to remove pain and difficulties and supply ourselves with pleasures of various types? Is it possible that
we would, Shockingly, discover that by deleting the trials from our life and by maximizing pleasure to the fullest extent that we would find ourselves even more empty and unfulfilled at the end of the day? Christian author and apologist Ravi Zacharias has often said this regarding our pursuit of pleasure: “I am absolutely convinced that meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain; meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. And that is why we find ourselves emptied of meaning with our pantries still full.” Zacharias has also said on many occasions that, “The loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced that which you thought would deliver the ultimate & it has just let you down.” Could it be that God actually Does know what He’s doing whenever He has allowed some sort of terrible cross or pain into our
BILLY REINHARDT Riverside Heights Baptist Church lives? Could it be that God, in His wisdom, and Who actually has the “Big Picture” of the history of the universe in mind, actually knows more than we do? Could it be that we have an infinite number of “blind spots” when it comes to understanding the wisdom and will of God, especially as it relates to various types of trials and difficulties in our lives? We must be assured of God’s love for us during those trials (proven by the Cross of Christ), and we must also be assured of God’s presence with us during those dark moments (Jesus has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”Hebrews 13:5), but we must also
be Equally Assured that God has a purpose behind our pain, even if we don’t see it or understand it (see Romans 8:28, etc.). Another Christian writer has said, about the concept of being “God,” that if he had the power of God, he’d answer every prayer he ever asked for and that he would respond positively to every request for relief from every adverse circumstance that existed; but he also said that if he had the wisdom of God, then he’d leave everything just the way it is. We often complain about God’s laws and complain about circumstances that cross our desires for happiness because we do not actually know what happiness is and because we do not really know what can bring about this elusive status of “being happy” as long as we live on this earth. Ignorance, as to what our soul needs, drives and creates our misery. Pretending
to be omniscient & “God-like” creates our frustrations. We don’t believe, nor do we trust God to run the universe; we think we can do better. Again, may we lean on and trust in a God Who is far greater, far wiser, and far bigger than we could every think or imagine. Romans 11:33-36: “33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. 34 ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ 35 ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Billy Reinhardt is pastor at Riverside Heights Baptist Church and a regular faith columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
Area Churches AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5674413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 5679143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 5675754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 5674729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 5412556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 5674178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist 1554 Hwy. 143, Millbrook 285-0094 Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist 346 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook 285-5125 Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486
Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Titus 514-7304 Millbrook Baptist 3431 Browns Road, Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 5691952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 5691267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 567-8649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 5679801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 541-2418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-3665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka
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334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 569-2851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 567-1141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 514-1097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 567-3668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-6493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334-5389415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 5670620
CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 567-9886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God 2080 Main Street, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 5670476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100
BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 567-0311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5676670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561
LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 3862386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 514-1020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552
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UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-2375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 2656099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 Victory Temple 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-9143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 567-2190 servantfellowshipchurch@windstream.net The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-7750 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 514-2730
Sports
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DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL PAGE 10 • AUGUST 22, 2018
cover. Former odge. Alabama Dart. and Oakland Slash. Raiders Dash. Sprint. quarterback Gallop. Streak. Ken Stabler These are was a zigjust some of zagger with the verbiage swagger. sports JOE Once the writers or slashing, commentators MCADORY zig-zagging use to describe Columnist and plain old a player wild, crazy running with running is the football. complete and I’ve written my the end zone is in fair share of postgame sight, I suppose our football stories and heroic running back each, at some point in can now dash to glory. the story, used one of Depending on what these words. buttons are pressed But why do we say, on our keyboards, he “the receiver darted can also sprint, gallop, into the secondary,” or streak, race or even “Thomas plowed into romp. I really like the end zone?” Why ‘romp.’ There’s a sense plowed? Why darted? of victory in that word. We’re on deadline, But he’d better not where prose isn’t trot. Coaches want always of the Pulitzer nothing less than 100 variety. Do we just percent. Remember come up with these goofy, little descriptions Leon Lett trotting into the end zone in the on a whim? Or maybe, just maybe, we possess Super Bowl? How’d that work out for him? a micro-fraction of Lett wasn’t exactly imagination when a sprinter, but after attempting to put sentences together with recovering a fumble and returning it toward little time to spare. the end zone, the Perhaps these little Cowboys’ lineman hints of description began to jog once he mean something after reached the Buffalo all. If a receiver darted 5 … and was caught into the secondary, from behind, then that implies he did so fumbled. Oops. Never with speed. I don’t trot. Ever. recall William “The Then there’s the Refrigerator” Perry good, old fullback. Not ever darting into the exactly a zig-zagger. end zone. No speed Images of Larry Csonka there at all. However, do not bring back the big dude from memories of dramatic Chicago plowed into sprints to the pylon. the end zone a few Oh no. The fullback, times. when used as that bigAnother great bodied blocker or the description of speed is “burst.” A running back man who gets the tough yard on third and short, might be bottled up at isn’t Carl Lewis with the line of scrimmage a mouthpiece. He’s for a moment or two, physically imposing. but bursts away from He’s tough. He’s mean. tacklers and into the Give him the football open field. Kerryon and he rumbles with Johnson hesitates – a snarl. He lumbers then bursts. He’s a forward, plodding along tough guy, too, so I — even moving the pile suppose he can plow a time or two. Simply when necessary. put, he puts his head What about slash? down and burrows into To me, a slasher cuts across the field to elude the sea of linemen. Fullbacks never or dodge tacklers. scamper. Not in my This is different than stories, anyway. to burst, dart or plow. Another fun term we Joe McAdory is a can use is “zig-zag.” communications editor He cuts left. Then he cuts right. He’s difficult at Auburn University’s Harbert College of to tackle and difficult Business. for defensive backs to
Observer
NATIONAL CHAMPS
Submitted / The Observer
The River Region Thundercats pose with their trophy. Team members include, front row, from left, Alyssa Beam, Hanna Parker, Madelyn Becker, C.J. Thornton; back row, coach David Isenhour, Sinclair Cole, Kailey Voland, Sierra Black, Ebone Pierson, coach Eddie Stepens, Maci Curlee, Madison Britt and coach Mike Curlee.
Thundercats bring national trophy to Elmore County By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer
On Friday, July 20, the River Region Thundercats arrived at the Orange Beach Softball Complex at 7 a.m. for their first game of the day. After 16 hours, five games and one rain delay, the players were finally able to leave and took a new trophy with them. The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) held its annual national tournaments for fast-pitch softball last month in Gulf Shores. The Thundercats, who were represented by players from Elmore County, Wetumpka and Tallassee, competed in the 16 and under tournament. “It was rough by that night,” team manager Suzette Tatum said. “They were out of gas but they didn’t give up… Friday finished on nothing but adrenaline.” The championship came
The Eclectic Middle School PTO will be hosting the Cotton Festival 5K and 1-mile fun run as a fundraiser on Oct. 13. Proceeds will go to supporting students and teachers throughout the year. The 5K will begin at 7 a.m. on Main Street in Eclectic, and the course will go throughout the historic downtown area. The 1-mile fun run will begin at 7:30 a.m., and there will also
down to the final play of the tournament on Friday night. With the game tied at 6, the Thundercats had runners on second and third with no outs in the final inning. Elmore County’s CJ Thornton laid down a squeeze bunt, allowing Hannah Parker to score the winning run for the Thundercats. “The team’s hearts were in it and they wanted to win,” Tatum said. “They didn’t want to go home without getting the trophy.” Sinclair Cole pitched in four of the five games for the Thundercats on the final day. She was named the Most Oustanding Pitching for the tournament and won the Most Valuable Player award. “I wasn’t expecting it,” Cole said. “It was a great feeling because I felt that meant someone who was watching me play thought I deserved it.” Cole recorded seven
wins as a pitcher during the week and finished with 18 strikeouts while posting a 1.55 earned run average. She also hit one of the team’s three home runs and led the Thundercats with 15 runs batted in. Cole finished the tournament with a .444 batting average. Madison Britt was the team’s offensive leader, finishing with a team-high 14 hits and a .700 batting average. She reached base a total of 19 times in 11 tournament games. The Thundercats were able to defeat every team in the field but they had to fight through a little bit of adversity before being awarded the trophy. After winning all four games in pool play, the Thundercats found themselves in the losers’ bracket after dropping the first game in the knockout round. The team won its second
game on that day to advance to the tournament’s final day, setting up the miracle run on Friday. The Thundercats defeated the team from Louisiana on Friday morning 13-0 and set the tone for the rest of the day. The blew past OutkastSteadman, the team that beat the Thundercats in the first round, and then defeated the Apex Fastpitch squad from Troy to advance into the championship series on Friday night, setting up the late dramatics in the finale. The Thundercats had a total of 10 players with five different high schools represented. Cole is from Tallassee while Sierra Black goes to Wetumpka. Thornton, Britt, Maci Curlee, Ebone Pierson, Madelyn Becker and Alyssa Beam attend Elmore County. Parker is at Brewbaker Magnet School and Kailey Voland attends Prattville.
Tallassee hosts Montgomery Catholic in season opener By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer
The Tallassee Tigers will host Montgomery Catholic on Friday night in the first game of the 2018 season for both teams. Tallassee has not lost a season opener since 2011 and is 6-0 in opening games under coach Mike Battles. The Tigers’ coach has not lost his first game of the season since 2006 when he was at Oak Grove. “I don’t think we do anything differently than anyone else,” Battles said. “We try to be basic so we can run and execute what we did in practice. You have to be able to adjust things
Eclectic Middle School to host 5K fundraiser STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
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be a Zumba warm-up provided by Abby Traylor at 6:45 a.m. Awards will take place inside the warehouse. Cost for the 5K is $25, while the 1 mile is $15. A pre-registration done by Sept. 30 will also include a T-shirt. Registration can be done online at http://cottonfest5k. itsyourrace.com/event. aspx?id=11249. The PTO is also looking for sponsorships for the event. For more information, contact Jennifer Bennett at 334-324-1895.
on the run and whoever can adjust and execute will come out with the win.” In the last six openers, the Tigers have outscored their opponents by more than 30 points per game. Friday night’s game may not be as easy of a task as the past matchups have been. Montgomery Catholic is coming off a 10-2 season, its winningest year since 1989. It returns 16 starters, including three-star defensive tackle C.J. Person. The Knights were ranked No. 6 in Class 4A in the Alabama Sports Writers Assocation preseason poll. “They are very well coached and have very athletic players at the skill
positions,” Battles said. “They use a lot of motion and shifts on offense which can make you unbalanced so we have to have our kids ready for that.” Friday’s game will be played at J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium where Tallassee went 6-0 last season. The Tigers hope the home-field advantage helps new quarterback Kalvin Levett adjust quickly under the lights. Battles said he expects to see some challenges in Levett’s transition but he will not know until the first game action. “Kalvin will have to get his feet wet quickly,” Battles said. “He’s going to have to make some big plays for us to have some success on offense.”
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