Aug 31, 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY Edgewood pulls out of Autauga game.

Voter hacking issues a real concern Opinion, Page 4

Area Calendar

Sports, Page 12

Inside, Page 7

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 31, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.32

Official election results in

Candy Masters, city clerk, and Regina Edwards, city attorney, go over the provisional ballots at a special called canvass meeting for city election votes on Tuesday.

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

The final count of municipal election votes was tallied at a special called canvass meeting Tuesday where last week’s winners were approved by a council vote and no upsets were reported

as every incumbent retained their seat. Incumbent mayor Jerry Willis called the meeting to gather the election results, which took about 12 minutes for City Clerk Candy Masters and City Attorney Regina Edwards to count. Altogether, there were provi-

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Chapter closes with reopening of Company Street

From Cruisin’ to Campin’ all for the critters of Elmore County

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

One of the main thoroughfares to downtown Wetumpka was recently reopened after being closed for over five months when a sinkhole formed and nearly shuttered a seasonal business on the street. But now the owners of a historic local bait shop on the street are saying they are excited and “tickled to death” at the latest development. Company Street was reopened Friday afternoon, after months of negotiating between the owners of Stoddard’s Bait and Tackle and the City of Wetumpka. It was a saga that nearly resulted in condemnation court battles when city officials declared the property would be acquired and ultimately demolished for See COMPANY • Page 3

Today’s

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By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

William Carroll / The Herald

Professional decor now fills the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce building in downtown Wetumpka. This is just part of a renovation project that began several years before geared towards giving area businesses a professional environment to facilitate economic activity in the city.

New business center ribbon-cutting ready By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

After several years of hard work and planning, the Business and Innovation Center at the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is officially open for business and will celebrate with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony next Thursday September 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. Chamber Director Gerry Purcell said that

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the official opening and ribbon cutting is the end result of several years of effort by area business leaders and former chamber director Vanessa Lynch. “It was part of a capital campaign started several years ago,” Purcell said. “The campaign took off and was very successful. Over 40 investors, which included businesses and private citizens contributed well over See BUSINESS • Page 2

A motorcycle club’s local chapter will again work to support an area animal shelter, and nearing its 15th year raising funds the group has different plans this year to “test ride” what it wants to see for the charity’s future. This will be the Predator’s Riding Club’s 14th year holding an annual event for the “critters” of Elmore County Humane Shelter. This year though they will set out on something entirely new to the club in its history with the shelter. Their well-known one-day run, “Cruisin’ fer Critters,” will be extended into a weekend-long rally event dubbed, “Campin’ fer Critters.” It will be open to the public, on the weekend of Sept. 10-11, with the gates opening 9 a.m. Saturday and closing noon Sunday at the Reeltown Lion’s See CRITTERS • Page 2

Area teachers recognized by Air Force Association By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

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sional votes counted only from districts 3 and 4. Masters began by reading through the results of last Tuesday’s municipal elections indicating the winners and their vote count as it stood without the provisional count. See ELECTION • Page 2

Two Elmore County middle school teachers were recognized recently by the Air Force Association’s Montgomery Chapter as Teachers of the Year. The winners were Wetumpka Middle School 6th grade math teacher Shayla Broadway and Holtville Middle School 5th grade science and social studies teacher Kelli Jo Wilson. According to information provided by Susan Mallett with the Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force Association, The AFA awards teacher of the year honors in its 200 chapters throughout

USPS 681-260

the nation. The Montgomery chapter has identified “stellar” aerospace/STEM educators for this award for about three decades. According to Mallett, chapters select a teacher from grades K-8 and a teacher from grades 9-12 to honor each year for using the aerospace theme to integrate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects into the curriculum. Each teacher receives a $250 check along with a certificate and chapter TOY pin. Teachers also receive a complimentary Aerospace Education Membership in the Civil Air Patrol where a plethora of free CAP STEM See AWARDS • Page 3

Submitted / The Herald

Montgomery Air Force Association recognized the 2016 Chapter Teachers of the Year, from the left: Susan Mallett, Chapter 102 VP/AE, with Kelli Jo Wilson, Holtville Middle School; Shayla Broadway, Wetumpka Middle School; and Mindy Walski, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, and AFA Chapter 102 Preident, Scott Key at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Officers Club.

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Business $1 million for this project. Vanessa (Lynch) was integral to it.” The project also included renovating and acquiring additional buildings which comprise the block that the Chamber currently sits on. This allowed the chamber to spend funds to ensure that it has the best modern conveniences to help attract businesses into the Business and Innovation Center’s business incubator program. “In this building we have the most up to date technology infrastructure,” Purcell stated, noting that the building has multiple wireless hubs throughout the structure and state of the art technology for any form of business. “We wanted to provide the best technology and the best furnishings. I am proud to say we have been able to furnish the building with high end merchandise at a low cost.” Purcell said that the chamber and center’s goal is to

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continued from page 1

attract an assortment of businesses that meets the needs of the community including industries that can ramp up their production quickly and facilitate growth and hiring of new employees. Purcell said the chamber building currently has the ability to handle as many as eight clients, or constituent businesses using the building. He noted that currently there are three workstations on the ground floor, which can be expanded to five workstations, and additional office space upstairs. One of the upstairs units will be occupied by Optimized Technical Solutions starting September 1. “Generally there are three phases that a business can be in and be part of the incubator,” Purcell said. “Phase one is a brand new business, from start ups up to six months in business. They are in the process of writing their business plans and solidifying their offerings.” Purcell said that the chamber’s role with phase one businesses would be to help them write their business plan, while helping them to make contacts in the community. “Our role will be to get them going, help them secure financing and other things to get them off the ground,” he said. Phase two businesses would be those that are already running, with between six and 18 months of operational experience. Purcell said those businesses would be in the process of starting to think about expansion and the hiring process. Phase three businesses he said would be in the position of generating positive revenue flow and also would be hiring new employees and expanding into the community. “OTS is in phase two, really they are close to phase three,” he said noting that the chamber will be assisting

OTS in becoming visible in the community and helping them to facilitate community contacts. Purcell said that the center will be focusing on attracting IT, health care and service businesses but will be open to all types of businesses. He added that the center is not the only work the chamber performs for the community. He added that the chamber will also be available for businesses that are looking to locate in the area, specifically with issues such as site selection, hiring, making contacts in the community and providing potential office space. The third role that the chamber plays is in providing services to already existing chamber members. “This can be anything from providing space for meetings, providing space for training staff, workshops, meetings etc,” he said. “Ultimately this building is theirs (the members).” In an effort to further the chamber’s three-pronged approach, significant improvements have been made not only to the chamber building itself, but to the interior of the chamber building. Visitors will now see serene cascading water, new modern furniture, and a variety of other amenities, meant to give businesses a professional but relaxed feel when they use the services the chamber has to offer. Purcell said he is excited about next week’s ribbon cutting and open house and was positive about the center and the future economic growth of Wetumpka. “I have been in business myself for over 20 years, handling multi-million dollars deals,” he said. “It is extraordinary what has been done here by the leaders of this city. It is a small town, but it has a big attitude.”

Election

continued from page 1

“Whereas 14 provisional ballots were cast and delivered to the Elmore County Board of Registrars, who determined 8 ballots shall be counted and 6 shall not be counted, the municipal governing body has ascertained and determined the ballots that shall be counted and were ballots cast in the following,” read Masters. There were a total of seven provisional votes counted in District 3, while only one was counted in District 4. All of the votes went to Willis who won last Tuesday’s election with 809 votes, who after the canvassing was complete had 817. In the only contested district with a counted provisional vote, District 4, Frank Bertarelli, the opposition of incumbent Steve Gantt received one vote. Masters went on to read aloud the names of the council members and mayor that were retained from the initial elections. It was then approved by a roll-call vote of the council. The board of registrars, Master’s said, indicated to the city that from the initial

14 votes cast, there were only eight votes from which the voter’s identity could be verified. There are issues addressing how final the official vote count might be in at least one district however. In District 2 incumbent council member Percy Gill won by three votes against his opposition, who is also a former District 2 council member, Lewis Washington Sr. Last Friday it was learned that city officials, the mayor and attorney, had contacted the Alabama Secretary of State’s office regarding the election results. Edwards said she learned from the board of registrars that there were possible “improprieties” and potential votes counted from voters outside of that district. She said she was instructed by Willis to notify the candidates. Also earlier in the elections Gill told the Herald of an instance he was made aware of involving what was described as city employees instructing an elderly woman of his district how to vote on an absentee ballot.

In an email Monday the director of communications with the SOS’ office, John Bennett, said they had received numerous complaints filed over the municipal election cycle. “At this time it would not be appropriate for our office to confirm specifics regarding the complaints that have been filed,” said John Bennett. “In the event that there is evidence of legitimate wrongdoing or other actions have been taken to compromise the integrity of the elections process, each person will be investigated to the fullest extent of the law.” In the message Bennett said his office would be contacting those who made the complaints by the end of the day. Earlier Edwards said it was up to the candidates if they wanted to contest the election results. If they chose to, she said each had a five-day time limit after the canvassing to contest the totals. An attorney was present with Lewis Washington Sr. Tuesday, however both Washington and his attorney said they declined to

Critters

comment at the time. After the meeting, Washington’s attorney talked for a few minutes with Edwards. Earlier Gill said his mother, who he also said oversees absentee ballots in District 2, had made the initial complaint to the SOS office regarding the city. She said she had heard back the SOS’ office Monday, which said only that the case had been assigned and she would learn more. To the incumbent District 2 council member though, Tuesday’s results seemed enough. “To me certainly the people have spoken, so certainly there’s no further business for me other than continuing to do the will of the people,” said Gill. During the meeting Masters announced that the council member and mayor would enter their new term officially on the first Monday in November. The next council meeting she said was planned for Sept. 12

continued from page 1

Club Rodeo Grounds just outside of Notasulga. “What we’re trying out,” said Sherry Clowell, one of the main organizers of the event. ”We’re

going to have a 24-hour, day-and-a-half motorcycle rally. But she said anyone 21 and over was welcome regardless of whether or

not they owned a cruiser or a crotch rocket. She said there would be live rock-and-roll music, food and merchandise vendors, and motorcycle-based games. A flyer the Predator’s put out said there were primitive camping lots available at the b.y.o.b. event and a entry fee of $15 per person, with all proceeds going “directly” to the shelter. Clowell also said there would be a “50/50” ticket raffle with the winnings going half to the ticket’s purchaser, while the other half also went to ECHS. She said it was their second “Camping” event, but it was a trial-run for next year She said it was a vision the members, along with her late husband, shared, to see the event grow into a sort of three-day festival all in time for its 15th anniversary.

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repairs to the roadway. However, the owners of the historic building fought for months to make sure that did not happen and persistently brought up the plight of their business at city meetings. The results seemed much to the liking of Chris Carter who said he felt he and his wife’s business never had to be demolished if the right person was put on the job. “We always knew it could be done that way,” said Carter. And he spoke highly of the Wetumpka-based contractors the city selected to perform the work, Stiff Contractors. “They, I believe they went above and beyond what the contract called for, working long hours, long days and long weeks,” said Carter. “Working to get not only the road open, but to work around the bait business.” Carter said within minutes of the reopening, traffic resumed down the street. He said that traffic was a “good problem,” because for the Carters, who also own Coosa River Adventures, it “equal(ed) business,” Carter said.

The bait shop will remain in it’s temporary location across the street, he said, for about another two weeks at which point it will be returned to its original location. Carter said with a business that had been closed essentially for six months out of the year, it would take some time to “clean the cob webs out.” He said saving what has been called the “iconic building” meant a lot to his wife, Therese. Of the project he said, “It was kind of her child.” But it also meant a lot to the Stoddard family, Carter said, who gave the land adjacent to the building for the city to work around the shop. The flooding event that was pointed to by city officials as the cause of the problems for Company Street occurred around the holidays of 2015. Carter said it had been a “tough” time since Christmas Day, but he said now with the road open he could “get the business back up.” The city’s public works director Tex Grier had been overseeing work to both the sinkhole and the subsequent street repairs. He said the work was neither less nor more than

Awards products and programs are provided the teachers to enhance their classroom environments. Some of these teachers move on to essentially compete for higher honors and awards. According to Mallett, the Montgomery chapter could not decide between two “outstanding” K-8 teachers and so they awarded both Broadway and Wilson with the honor. Mallett said that Broadway integrates robotics and hydraulic engineering into her classroom as well as what is known as the 21 st century afterschool program. Wilson incorporates rocketry into her lessons. Both teachers integrate the AFA Aerospace Connections in Education program with their students.

continued from page 1

Both Broadway and Wilson, along with Montgomery Catholic Prep teacher Mindy Walski were invited to an all-expense paid summer week’s trip to Pensacola Naval Air Station in June to participate in the CAP Aerospace Education school where they learned about even more resources that will stimulate their students with an interest in STEM careers. They will all be invited next summer to travel to Las Vegas, NV, to Nellis Air Force Base, for a week learning about cutting edge aerospace careers, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations. Wilson said that she incorporates the AFA’s ACE program as part of her classroom activities on Friday. Specifically

she mentioned that this year her focus for her students has been on hydraulics and engineering. Wilson, who has taught for the last nine years in Holtville, said she was somewhat shocked by the honor. “I was humbled,” she said. “I don’t feel like I should get an award for doing my job, but it is nice to be recognized.” Broadway said she was very excited to be named a recipient of the award. “It was unreal, awesome,” she said. “To have that kind of recognition, it make you aware that you are really doing something in a child’s life.” Broadway said she had been using the ACE program for some time and said that it is very useful for teachers. “I think overall the

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program is a really great resource for teachers,” she said. “It is $35 to register with the Civil Air Patrol, but you receive so much and it is free each year thereafter. I really don’t understand why there aren’t more teachers that utilize this resource.” Broadway said last year her students build robotic arms, they even had a football rocket that they threw as part of an experiment. Broadway said she also had a speaker come from General Motors in Detroit and speak to students about hydraulics. “It (the ACE program) really is a great program and the kids love it,” she said.

they had expected. “There was no real unforeseen difficulties everything worked out just like we wanted it like the engineer had drawn,” said Grier. For the future of the street, Grier said, they planned a larger pipe drainage system than necessary for the water basin that flows under the roadway.

Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

OPINION

Page 4 • AUGUST 31, 2016

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

We need more pets and fewer politicians JODY FULLER Guest Columnist

“P

olitical season is the most wonderful time of the year,” said no one ever. I’ve gotten to where I don’t even want to turn on my television. Whether it’s the terrorism or criminal activity at home or abroad or the chaos, corruption and Kardashian-like atmosphere of the presidential campaign, it’s just too much to bear, and I don’t want to see it. Make no mistake about it; I’m not naïve. I know what’s going on in the world, but I don’t feel the need to be inundated by it 24/7. I don’t bury my head in the sand. I do, however, choose to spend my time more wisely. I pray. I work. I write. I read. I garden. I cook. I clean. I crochet. I also spend the bulk of each day with my critters. “I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons,” said cowboy, humorist, and American icon Will Rogers Ruby, my three year old chocolate lab is “wonderfully spoiled” according to my veterinarian, and rightfully so. She is quite simply the best dog ever and most people know that, whether they want to admit it or not. A couple of years ago, Ruby and I were at the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A and the young lady at the window looked into my vehicle with excitement. “Oh my gosh! You’re friends with my mother on Facebook,” she said. I confidently sucked in air through my nose like Barney Fife, but before I could exhale, she said “Because I recognize your dog.” My ego was quickly deflated, and that’s ok. Ruby is no politician. She loves unconditionally and literally wants to be at my side

through thick and through thin. All she wants to do is make me happy. In fairness to politicians, it’s not always their job to make you happy. It’s wonderful if they can, but they also have to look at the greater good, which may or may not be what you want. Ruby on the other hand only wants to please me. All I have to do is feed her, house her, pet her, and throw the ball for her a thousand times a day. Each night, when we first get in the bed, she lays at my side but rests her head on my chest. In other words, she is wonderfully spoiled, as am I. Abbey, my cat, comes to bed at her discretion but does so in stride with us more times than not. She’s a really good cat. Abbey is much more like a politician. There are times she is just the sweetest thing in the world for all the right reasons; however, there are other times when she just shows up when she wants something. You know, like the politician who conveniently starts going back to church during election season. With all the bedlam around the globe, it’s important for us to keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground, but it’s also important to focus on the good things in our lives. There is so much good in this world, but all too often, it seems to get trumped by all the negativity. God has blessed us with this big, beautiful world. We, too, are wonderfully spoiled, but we always find ways to mess things up. Perhaps we just need more pets and fewer politicians. I don’t know. I have a ball to throw. For the record, I don’t really crochet, at least not yet. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 305

Voter hacking issues a real concern

ecently there have been reports that Russian hackers breached voter information in Illinois and Arizona. These breaches are part of what appears to be the ongoing interference of Russia or Russian operatives in our election cycle. Russian hackers also apparently gained access to databases belonging to the Democratic National Committee recently. Those hacks have been well known due to the site Wikileaks obtaining access to them. So far we have not received any reports of similar activities in Alabama, but the concern remains that our information could also be easily hacked by Russian operatives. These issues are concerning because they appear to show some attempt by the Russians to either influence our elections or to profit from information obtained about registered voters. One of the issues with our modern voting systems and our computerized data processing systems are that elections are actually in some respects easier to rig now than they ever have been. Concerns lately, especially in Republican states, is that election fraud will come more in the form of individual voter fraud, where ineligible voters will cast ballots illegally. Wetumpka recently experienced allegations of such behavior. But the reality is that we are much more susceptible to the machines being rigged than any individual voter fraud.

WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

During local elections in Kentucky two years ago I closely observed the election process, including the handling of and relaying of information from the voting machines used by the county I worked in. I was amazed at how easy it would be to actually rig a machine to spit out whatever voter totals you wanted with just a few simple modifications. In fact, I read a story recently where a Princeton professor hacked into a voting machine in less than eight minutes. It was an older model, but one still in use in several states. The fact that the data in a voting machine would be that easy to hack is quite concerning, especially for the effect it could have on our elections. Elections are an important part of the American experience. The fact that we have generally had free and fair elections separates us from countries where election fraud is rampant and the results of elections almost always called into question by neutral observers. If our election processes now become subject to tampering, especially by foreign powers out to weaken our stance in the world, it

could be catastrophic for our country. Additionally, when voting machines and machines holding sensitive voter information are hacked, that voters personal information is now out in the open. Anyone who has had a credit card stolen, or been the victim of identity theft is well aware of the difficulties involved in repairing such a situation. Imagine your personal information in the hands of Russian hackers bent on influencing a federal election. I don’t pretend to have a solution to this problem. I am not suggesting a return to wholly paper-based election methods, but our current system is subject to severe tampering and possible fraud. If we cannot trust the ultimate result of our elections, how then can we support our system of government? It appears as though the only solution is for greater security on these devices, but the world of IT is one of constant innovation. For each advance in security, there is an additional advance of those seeking to thwart that security. Perhaps then the only solution is to put protocols in place with enhanced human oversight of the process in an attempt to ensure votes are calculated properly? Again the answer to this problem is not clear, but it is one we must solve in order to ensure the integrity of our elections.

YOUR VIEW Want to share your opinion on a situation, topic, etc.? X WRITE: Your View, The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092 X EMAIL: News@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Include your name, address and phone number. Only your name and city will be printed. We reserve the right to edit or to refuse to publish any submission. You may submit one letter per month, limited to 300 words or less.

Labor Day is tribute to American worker

ith Labor Day approaching it signifies that the long hot summer will soon be coming to an end. It seems that the summers are getting hotter and hotter. I was born and raised in south Alabama so I was accustomed to long hot summers. I remember when there was no air conditioning in houses or cars. It was hot, but seems hotter today. I think we have gotten softer. It also seems that we do not have the spring or fall seasons anymore. All of a sudden one day in mid May it is 86 degrees and it never goes below that through mid September, or maybe even October. We have about five months out of the year where the temperature is mostly in the 90s. This Monday is Labor Day. It usually does not cool off much, but we Alabamians seem to think that Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. I guess it is because it also usually marks the beginning of college football season. For those of us who are political junkies Labor Day also marks the beginning of the political season. In past political years most campaigns for the November general election kicked off on Labor Day. This year is a biggie because 2016 is a presidential year. This year will bring to life one of the nastiest presidential races in memory. Both candidates already have unfavorable ratings of over 50 percent. That means that whoever is elected, the majority of the people in the country will hate their president. In bygone days, every major candidate for statewide office would be in northwest Alabama this Monday. There is an event held in the northwest corner of

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

Alabama known as the Terry Family Reunion. It is the largest family reunion in Alabama. Serious Alabama politicians know about this annual event that has been going on for many years. Not everyone who attends this family reunion has Terry family roots, but a good many do. It has become a must-do event for aspiring statewide and definitely local candidates. Every candidate for sheriff, probate judge, legislature or constable will be at the Terry Reunion, which is held in the corner of Lawrence County. It is an event for all politicians but especially for those from the Quad Cities of Sheffield, Florence, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals and also for politicians from the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin, Lawrence, and Morgan. In the past you can be assured that every statewide candidate for lieutenant. governor, Supreme Court and every other constitutional office would be there. The Terry Family Reunion will have everything to eat, especially good barbeque. There will be political speeches and lots of one-on-one campaigning. Although there will be Labor Day barbecues from one end of the state to the other, none will be as political as the Terry Family Reunion just south of Tuscumbia and just north of Moulton and Russellville. Labor Day is also a day to salute the American worker.

We salute and honor our working men and women. As we salute and honor our Alabama workers, it should be noted that Alabama has historically been one of the most unionized states in the South. Even with the upcoming presidential election on the horizon, I do not see how the last one third of this political year could be nearly as exciting or eventful as the first two thirds of the year have been in Alabama politics. The Mike Hubbard conviction, the Roy Moore removal from the bench, and the sensational salacious Robert Bentley saga are fodder for another book. The legislature does not appear overly interested in moving forward with impeachment proceedings against ole Bentley. It is common knowledge that the feds are interested in and investigating his affair. Therefore, their poking their nose into his business would be like getting the cart ahead of the horse. It would also amount to the pot calling the kettle black. It would be hard to explain or defend voting for a man indicted for 23 counts of felony ethics law transgressions as your leader/speaker and then voting to impeach a poor old 74-yearold retired doctor, who has not stolen a dime and does not even take a salary as governor. It would give a new meaning to the word hypocrisy. Happy Labor Day! 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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AUGUST 31, 2016 • Page 5

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Wetumpka high School’s class of 1956 gathers for a reunion photo 60 years after graduating high school together.

WHS Class of 1956 holds 60th anniversary reunion STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Wetumpka High School’s Class of 1956 held its 60th graduation anniversary reunion on Aug.13, 2016. Those attending were Warren Aaron, Tom Adair, Lola Womble, Peggy Murchison, Billy Brown, Homer Burkett, Max and Peggy Bush, Sylvia and Chick McConnell, Frank Colquitt, Sara Park, Pat and Phyllis Dunn, David Goolsby, Carolyn and Johnny McQuaig, Nancy Holdbrooks, Sue and Sam Cooper, DeVaughn Johnston, Barbara Dreyer, J. T. and Bernadette Montgomery, Sylvia Grant, Martha Simmons, Don and Marie Prater, Bobbi Smith, Dorothy Spivey, Sara Anne and Dick Pepper, Sarah Shaw, Felice

Dissmeyer, and Barbara and Hilton Knight. Special guests were Alicia Aaron Blevins, Terry and Peggy Nobles, Frank Griswold, Judith McCune, John Ed Mathison, and Larry Shaver of Grants Pass, Oregon. The celebration began with a brunch at 10 a.m. at The Depot Player’s Theater. Classmates enjoyed a tour of the Chamber of Commerce Building with Gerry Purcell, the new executive director, hosting and guiding them through the recently renovated block in downtown Wetumpka. Next they went to the City Administration Building to tour the Kelley Fitzpatrick Memorial Art Gallery and the Crater Exhibit. Hostess there was Janice Graham Whorton where classmates found her presentation of Wetumpka’s Crater

most interesting. The memorial service was “We Remember …” a presentation prepared by Carolyn Heisler McQuaig. There was a page for each of the 28 deceased classmates that played across the TV screen all day. Sylvia Moon Grant, class reporter, gave a report before lunch remembering two class officers, Rosemary Lyle Tanner and Jack Venable, and included other dear friends. Ending the day’s activities was a delicious lunch catered by White Wings and David Craig Music playing 50’s songs. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing and reconnecting with friends saying this was one of the best reunions yet. Plans are to have another one in 2018.

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RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net LAKE TALLASSEE – 650-ft. waterfront, 3 lots, 3± acres, super panoramic view, good building site, $225,000. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, RED HILL – Formerly The Country Mile convenience store, gas station and restaurant. Will sell only gas station and convenience store or all. Call for details, $245,000. BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME on Little Rd., Tallassee – 1.5 acres, completely remodeled. Very nice, 5 bd/5.5 baths, $239,000. 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 19 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 4 SOLD – 19 remaining. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $299,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES – KENT ROAD – UNRESTRICTED, REDUCED TO $45,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $99,000. TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre ﬁsh pond, 3 bd, 2 ba, large SOLD porch, heat pump, REDUCED FROM den and kitchen, garage, large screened $159,000 TO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES close to Walmart on Hwy. 14, SOLD REDUCED $189,000. 548 PROSPECT ROAD, ECLECTIC – Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bd/ 2.5 baths, very modern and private, very close to Lake Martin. Reduced to $259,000. TALLASSEE 854 E. PATTON – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with 3 acres of land, $125,000. BEAUTIFUL WILLIAMSBURG HOME – In Tallassee on Indian Trails on veery private 10 acres. 7000 Sq Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, great kitchen and den, Super nice home. $575,000.

Submitted/ The Herald

Above left, scholarship recipient Hannah James of Wetumpka was presented a $1,000 scholarship recently from the Charitable Outreach Committee of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama. Also pictured is Tim Ivey of the Grand Lodge COC who presented the check. Right, scholarship recipient Chandler Thornton of Wetumpka was also presented a $1,000 scholarship from the Charitable Outreach Committee of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama.

Commissioners plan 9-11 rededication ceremony Sept. 12 JOBS available

Tallapoosa Publishers is a multi-media news and sales organization that is located in Wetumpka and Alexander City, Alabama. The Wetumpka Herald and The Tallassee Tribune along with its sister publications have been the voice of

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

central Alabama since 1892. Wetumpka enjoys steady growth along with a list of many recreational opportunities.

The Elmore County Commission will host a rededication ceremony of the 9-11 Memorial on Monday, Sept. 12 in observance of Patriot Day. This year marks 15 years since Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony, will remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, mourn the lives lost that day, and honor the service members deployed to protect us. The Commission has been accepting names of Elmore County service members deployed on behalf of our country since Sept. 11, 2001. The original 9-11 Memorial was dedicated in June 2005. The Commission renewed efforts in 2011 to request additional names through July 31st of this year. An additional 230 names have been added to one of the two new granite memorials erected earlier this year. The Commission has also allotted plenty of space on the memorial to add additional names in the future. The Commission would like to extend an invitation to the ceremony to all Elmore County service members deployed since Sept. 11, 2001. The Commission recognizes the importance of continuing to memorialize the service and sacrifice of the citizens of Elmore County who have protected our freedom.

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PAGE 6 â&#x20AC;˘ AUGUST 31, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 31, 2016 • Page 7

Area Calendar

August 31

Summer Celebration Revival at Santuck Baptist Church. Speaker: Pastor Bill Overstreet Worship Leader: Michael Reid Sunday, Aug. 28 Service Times: 9 & 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday – Wednesday August 29-31 service Time: 7 p.m. For more information, please call 567-2364.

September 1-3

Camp Stew Sale at Cedarwood Community Church, Hwy 231 N. Wallsboro, Sept 1 and 2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 3 from 7 a.m. to noon. Stew is $8 for large microwaveable container. All proceeds go to church building fund to help complete the inside of the church. For information please call Jo Parker at 514-0242; Laura Knight at 567-2457 or Pastor Roger Olsen at 567-0476.

September 3

Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Labor Day Weekend BBQ Sale on September 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the EMVFD Fire Station at 1785 Old Ware Road in Wetumpka. Boston butts may be purchased for $30 and plates for $8. The plates will include BBQ pork or ½ chicken, potato salad, baked beans and bread. Cakes will also be available for purchase whole for $25 or $2 per slice. For information or tickets, please call 567-6077 or 567-0405.

September 11

Sunday is homecoming at River Road Baptist Church. We would like to invite everyone to come and join us in our homecoming celebration. Preaching is at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow. Everyone is always welcome to come and worship with us. We look forward to seeing you there.

September 13, October 11, November 15, January 10, February 4 and March 14

The Wetumpka Public Library, along with the Elmore County Museum, invites veterans and family members to sign up and participate in a free monthly reading discussion program on the experience of war, beginning September and ending in March. Discussions will be held in the Elmore County Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: September 13th, October 11th , November 15th , January 10th , February 14th , and March 14th . All books and films will be provided for each participant in advance of each discussion. Recent veterans of the global war on terror are particularly encouraged to participate.

September 19

The annual Taste of Eclectic is scheduled for September 19. The event will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. at the Elmore County High School Cafeteria. The cost of the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Funds go to support the Veteran’s Park in Eclectic.

September 20

Seeing Is Believing is the theme of the next Tuesdays with Kelly meeting when Kathie Buntin and her mother, Bennie Kennedy, from Dothan Alabama will discuss flower arranging for the church altar. The door prize will be a devotional booklet “Seasons of Hope and Encouragement” written by Cindy Childress. Music will be provided by Mary Wolfe. Drinks and dessert are compliments of the Rumbling Waters Arts Club so bring your sack lunch to this “lunch and learn” event at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka, Alabama. Free and open to the public.

ONGOING EVENTS CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21—who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public

NOTICE TO BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS CABLE CUSTOMERS This notice is to inform our Bright House Networks customers of upcoming changes to their cable programming lineup. Effective on or after September 20th, 2016, the following networks will change names: • TWC SportsNet, channel 762, will be renamed to Spectrum SportsNet • TWC SportsNet LA, channel 763, will be renamed to Spectrum SportsNet LA

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schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-548-2547.” ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka. There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building. Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334991-4682 or 224-850-9804 with questions. SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, MarchDecember, dawn to 2 p.m in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church. An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admission to the public with free parking available. For info, call 334-567-7400. BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334-578-9485. SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-

578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org. POTTERY CLASS: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Rick Bowman. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334-313-1646. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne. For info, call 334-300-9394. MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334-567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/ Elmore/. NAACP MEETINGS: Elmore County Branch NAACP Executive Committee meeting every 3rd Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka Elmore County Branch NAACP regular monthly meeting every 4th Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka. HHS 50’s AND 60’s CLASS REUNION: Several members of Holtville High School Alumni are planning a reunion that will span two decades - the 1950’s and 1960’s. This first-time reunion will be held on November 11, 2016 at the Holtville Gymnasium beginning at 1:00 in the afternoon. Each class that has a reunion planning committee is asked to contact their classmates to relay this information so that “HHS 50’s and 60’s Reunion” will be a great success. SENIOR ACTIVITIES: “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible.

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‘I’ve had that surgery’– a lesson on silence is golden

in fear that he might pour them out. I sure was glad the doctor didn’t give him his gall bladder! I approached an open hospital room door of a church member once, only to see her standing inside with her back to the door. She wore one of those “tie in the back” hospital gowns, only it was not tied. I ducked back quickly into the hallway, hoping they had not seen me. I heard her daughter say, “Mama, someone was at the door and I think it was your pastor.” Her mama said, “Well, if it was he just saw my....” Well, never mind, you get the picture. I came back later for an awkward visit. Neither of us mentioned that I had been by earlier. One church where I served had a number of retired pastors in the congregation. A couple of them liked to visit the hospitals

ccasionally, someone will ask me how many times I’ve been in the hospital. For a little fun, I often reply, “Oh, I’ve lost count, but probably thousands of times.” They usually look at me like I’m either crazy or just plain lying. Then I explain that I’ve been there as a minister, not as a patient. Jean’s recent stay in the hospital caused me to reminisce about some of those hospital experiences. Some people love to show off their battle wounds and scars, even when they shouldn’t! With 30 years of pastoral experience, I’ve seen it all – whether I wanted to or not! One older gentleman showed me a pill bottle that he had filled with gall stones – his gall stones. The doctor had given them to him as a souvenir. I rammed my hands in my pockets

lation. Right before we prayed and they wheeled her down to surgery, Bro. Jones patted her on the hand and said, “Now sister, don’t you worry about a thing. You are going to be fine because God is going to take care of you. I know, because I’ve had this same surgery three times and it is a piece of cake!” Mrs. Jones didn’t say a word and I quickly said, “Let’s pray.” I stammered and stuttered as I searched for something to say after that. I said amen, grabbed Bro. Jones by the hand, and practically ran out of the room dragging him with me. I wanted to laugh but at the same time crawl under the bed. In the hall, I asked, “Bro. Jones, do you not know what surgery she is having?” He said, “She’s having kidney stones removed, isn’t she?” I answered, “No!” When I

DR. BILL KING Faith Columnist

with me. I enjoyed their company but one of them, whom we will call Bro. Jones, liked to compare notes with the patients. I suppose he thought he was comforting them but sometimes he was anything but comforting. He told one patient that his twin brother had the exact same thing he had and had died from it! Once he went with me to visit a lady, who was scheduled to have a hysterectomy. I thought Bro. Jones and I had discussed the nature of her surgery but evidently something got lost in trans-

told him what she was having, he turned red and said, “I’m going back in there and tell her that I’ve never had that one.” I said, “No you’re not! I’m pretty sure she knows that without you telling her.” There’s an old children’s song that says, “O be careful little mouth what you say.” Solomon once said, “Do not be rash with your mouth.” Sometimes silence really is golden. Dr. Bill King writes a weekly column that appears in several newspapers across Alabama. He is a director of missions in Opelika/Auburn, published author, singer/songwriter, musician, published author, and performs Christian humor as Billy Bob Bohannon (www.brobillybob.com). You may contact him at bkpreach@ yahoo.com.

Religion Briefs Tallassee Church of Christ

Announces our new minister, Charlie Boddy. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. worship service begins at 11 a.m. Sunday evening service begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday night services begin at 6 p.m. Visitor’s welcome at all services 334-283-5437 209 Gilmer Ave.

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany

On Sept. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Father Wells Warren will celebrate the Holy Eucharist, with coffee hour to follow. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/

St. Vincent de Paul

OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY is a service of St. Vincent de Paul Church and airs weekly from 8:00-8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ and FM

101.1 in Tallassee. Listen Live on www.wacqradio.com or the TuneIn app on your smartphone. The pastor of St. Vincent de Paul is Monsignor Charles Troncale. Sept. 4 - Which Came First part 1 Sept. 11 - Which Came First part 2

St John All Nations Pentecostal Foundation Church

Members of St. John All Nations Pentecostal Church cordially invite all Churches to magnify the Lord with us during our Annual Joint Sunday School and Missionary Service. Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m. Subject is Noah and the Ark, study text: Gen 6:5, 8-22 and Missionary Service at 11:30 a.m. Guest Speaker Overseer Lessie Parker. The New Beginning Full Gospel All Nations Pentecostal Church, Notasulga, AL. We pray you will be available to attend. Refreshments

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street

Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer and Fellowship.......8:30 a.m. Bible Study.............9 a.m. Worship service...10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study........7 p.m.

Visitors Welcome At All Services

will be served.

Elam Baptist

Elam Baptist Church winds down after a busy summer season. The summer began with VBS “Submerged” in June. Father’s Day was celebrated with a family covered dish meal following the morning worship service. The children enjoyed a “Back to School Fun Day” with water slide, games, activities, snack food and watermelon the end of July. The “Blessing of the Back Packs” was observed to encourage the children as they return to school activities for the next year. A gospel singing featuring Mark Lanier Quartet was well attended by members and the community and enjoyed by everyone. A nice finger food fellowship followed. The ladies special study group completed “Battle Plan for Prayer” led by Julie Bridgman. The sunny senior adults have enjoyed breakfast

the second Monday of each month and also visited “Peach Park” in Clanton in July. The event was enjoyed and well attended. As summer is over and fall is in the air, the new church year begins Sept. 1 for 2016-2017. Elam pastor and members look forward to the new church year and reaching others for Jesus Christ in outreach, Bible study, fellowship and activities. The Elam Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir rehearses each Wednesday at 6 p.m. with director, Kevin Lanier. Leading praise & worship during the morning service is Melanie Garner, Amy Hughes, Connor Teague, Gracie Teague and Cici Clark along with Kevin Lanier. Everyone is welcome and has a special invitation to join us at Elam for all worship, events and fellowship. You will be blessed. Hope to see you in CH RCH. What is missing in CH RCH? U are! So, make it complete and be in CHURCH.

First Presbyterian Presbyterian Church Church

Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

100 W. Bridge St.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m.

Rev. Jonathan Jonathan Yarboro Rev. Yarboro

Minister Dr. John Brannon

Sunday am Morning School..9:45 Worship..9:00am Morning Worship..11 am Fellowship.........10:00am Sunday School.....10:15am

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

567-8135 567-8135

“In“In thethe name of the Lord name of the LordJesus Jesus – Welcome.” - Welcome. ”

Please join us.

Wallsboro United Wallsboro United Methodist Church Methodist Church

Mountain View Baptist Baptist Church Church

11066 U.S. 231, Wallsbooro 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsboro

Rev. Ryan Rev. Ryan Johnson Johnson Pastor

Pastor Rickey Luster,

Rickey Luster, MusicDirector Director Music

SundaySchool..........10:45 School....10:45 a.m. Sunday a.m. MorningWorship........9:30 Worship....9:30 a.m. Morning a.m. Children’s Church.... 9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Thur. Night Service....6:00 p.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m. You will receive a warm You will receive a warm Welcome at this friendly, welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church. Christ-centered Church.

NURSERY PROVIDED PROVIDED FOR NURSERY FOR ALL SERVICES SERVICES ALL

504 West West Osceola 504 OsceolaSt. St. 334-567-4729 334-567-4729

Need your business to

Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Rev. Anthony Rhodes Tammy Driver, Children’s Ministries Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries Tammy Student Driver:Ministries Derek Blankenship, Children's Director

STAND OUT from the crowd?

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship.....10:30 School........9:30 a.m. a.m. Morning MorningWorship.......6:00 Worship... 10:30p.m. a.m. Evening Evening Worship..... 6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Supper.....................5:30 p.m. Choir PrayerRehearsal.........6:00 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m. Calvary Youth.............6:00 p.m. Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m. Calvary Kids.............6:00 p.m.

CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us. Nursery Check out our Facebook page

Call us, we can help!

334-567-7811

• • • • •

Santuck Baptist Church

7250 Central Plank Road

“A Family of Families”

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Amy Pugh, Director of Children & Preschool Chad Middlebrooks, Students SUNDAY Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship........................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration.................6 p.m. WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd. 567-4458 1025 RiÀe Range Rd.

Anthony B. Counts, Pastor InterimWorship Pastor Leader Angie Gallups, Billy of Students AngieReinhardt, Gallups, Min. Worship Leader

Billy Reinhardt, Min. of Students SUNDAY Morning Worship... ....10:30 SUNDAY School.............9:15 Sunday Morning Worship............10:30 Youth Choir .............. ....5:00 Evening Worship..........6:00 Sunday School.................9:15 WEDNESDAY Evening Worship..............6:00 Fellowship Meal............5:45 WEDNESDAY Preschool/Children’s Choirs.........................6:00 House of Prayer................6:00 House of Prayer............6:30 Preschool/Children’s Preschool/Children’s Missions............................6:00 Missions........................6:30 Youth Bible Youth BibleStudy.............6:00 Study.........6:30

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ Call or Molly Call Jayne Shannon at 567-7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 31, 2016 • PAGE 9

ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

classiﬁeds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classiﬁeds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

The Tallassee Tribune

Physician Liaison/Marketing Russell Medical is seeking candidates for the position of Physician Liaison. Primary responsibilities include developing relationships with physicians in the primary and secondary service area; develop and promote positive and productive relationships with physicians and their ofﬁce staff to improve physician satisfaction; actively engage in Marketing activities to promote, support and enhance physician visibility, hospital admissions and physician referrals. Bachelor degree required. Three to ﬁve years experience in direct sales/marketing/public relations position preferred.

Please send resume and apply online at www.russellmedcenter.com

Alexander City (Lake Martin) www.russellmedcenter.com Director Cancer Center Clinical Supervisor (RN) Cancer Center LPN (FT 7p-7a) Physician Liaison (Marketing) RN ICU/Step-Down (PRN) RN Med/Surg (PRN) RN OB/PEDS (PRN)

RN (FT) Student Loan Reimbursement Program Sleep Lab Tech (RPSGT) Central Sterile Tech (PRN) Lab Asst (Venipuncture) (PRN) Cook (FT) Radiology Technologist (PRN)

Fax: 256/329-7335 or Phone: 256/329-7345 jsherman@russellmedcenter.com

The Wetumpka Herald

PAGE 10 â&#x20AC;¢ AUGUST 24, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 31, 2016 • Page 11

New shelter challenge, events coming soon By REA CORD Executive Director HSEC

e have gleaned that a new shelter challenge has begun and our chance to win big money for our pets if we finish in first place in Alabama! The best way for us to win is to leap out in first place today and stay there. Please go to www. shelterchallenge.com where you will be able to vote every day from work, home, school, smart phone, etc. Once there the easiest way to find us is to type in our zip of 36092 or Wetumpka. Some web browsers do not work with this site, so if you have problems, please first try a different browser to access the site. Thanks everyone for taking literally

HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS just a minute of your time every day to help us win big for our animals! Since the coming weekend is the Labor Day holiday the shelter will be closed Monday, Sept. 5 to observe the holiday. We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday! The Predator’s Riding Club (PRC) is hosting the first ever ‘Camping fer Critters’ to benefit our shelter on Sept. 10-11 which is coming up fast! Camping fer Critters is a two-day motorcycle rally that will take place at the Reeltown

Lion’s Cub Rodeo Grounds at 19700 Highway 49 S, Notasulga, AL 36866. The gates will open Saturday morning, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m with an entry fee of $15/ person and must be 21 to participate. There will be Vendors, Live Music, 50/50 and plenty of camping space as this goes until noon on Sunday. Camping is primitive – pop ups and small campers allowed; there are no hookups and have to bring your own generators. Bikes are not required to attend this first ever event! This should be a great weekend event and hope to see a big crowd. Camping fer Critters will quickly be followed by our 11th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 1-5 p.m! There

will be plenty of vendors and activities for human and dog alike so we hope you have your calendar marked. If you have a pet in need of a microchip then come on out so the veterinarians from Tuskegee can chip your pet for $25 and that will cover the registration with 24 Petwatch as well. There will be a variety of children’s games; canine demonstrations; vendors; pet p hotographer; refreshments; Bark in the Park 2016 t-shirts for sale for $15; meet the breed; rescue groups; puppets and more. Admission to Bark in the Park is $5/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. We still have vendor spots 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 a measly $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.

SPORTS

Page 12 • AUGUST 31, 2016

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Edgewood pulls out of Autauga game Cites ‘credible threats’ for withdrawal, Autauga reports no threats found By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Due to “threats of intentional injury,” Edgewood Academy pulled out of this week’s game at Autauga Academy, EA headmaster Clint Welch released Monday morning in a written statement. The game was scheduled to be played Thursday at 7 p.m. Welch declined to comment on who the threats were coming from and being made about when the Herald reached out to him Monday, referring to his statement. “Due to the credible information regarding recent threats of intentional injury during the Edgewood vs. Autauga football game, we feel it is in the best interest of Edgewood Academy’s students/athletes, parents and fans that we not participate in this football game scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1. In addition, the majority of our players have played four games in ten days and safety it of the utmost importance. I would like to wish Coach Glover and his staff good luck in the remainder of the season.” Autauga Academy head football coach Kyle Glover told the Herald Monday that he has asked Edgewood officials for evidence of the alleged threats, but hasn’t been provided any information. “This is a terrible situation,” Glover said. “We have asked and asked for them to turnover any information on threats they may have, and we haven’t gotten anything to this point in time. As the coach, I’m responsible for who I put on the field and our fans -- I don’t know if these threats are made about us or about them. I can’t think of what would motivate anyone from Autauga to threaten them. “Again, I’ve asked for evidence of that, but at this point, nobody has given me anything. I’m upset that they didn’t take the opportunity to call me, that they would impugn my character as a coach that I would allow for a player to get hurt. It’s troubling that they’ve had this knowledge and didn’t call us in advance so we could try to put an end to it. None of that has been done.” Currently, EA has one senior on its football team on a 25-man roster with 15 eighth- and ninth-graders. When asked if Glover had contacted him for evidence,

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Edgewood Academy head football coach Eric Folmar reacts to a play during the team’s season opener against Morgan Academy Aug. 19 at Faulkner University.

Welch said he contacted Autauga headmaster Gene Canavan about the alleged threats, but hadn’t heard about Edgewood pulling out of the game until the two talked Monday morning. “Saturday, our head coach talked with their coach Eric Folmar to set up the final arrangements for this game,” Canavan said. “Their coach was very concerned about the fact that -- and Kyle reaffirmed with him that our team was not out to kill his team. We feel for them. But Kyle told them that we would dress the entire JV team, the starters would only be in the game a short while, just long enough to ensure we win the thing and then the JV would play the rest of the game.

“And then Monday morning, bam. All goes into the toilet. We don’t know anything right now. Nothing. We talked to our entire football team and nobody volunteered anything. We have a lawyer on our board and if there’s anything out there -- we understand that this could be a felony. This is extremely serious and that’s how we’re taking it. We’re taking it to that level.” When Autauga caught word of the alleged threats, the school launched its own internal investigation and called the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department, who sent an investigator, who works security for the school for football games, to Edgewood Academy Monday morning. “(Welch) told our investigator that he had received credible threats of an injury to another player,” Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin told the Herald Monday. “He did not want anything investigated at that time and said it would be handled in-house. He did not want law enforcement to help with that, and we said that was fine. “He did not lend any information or guide us in any particular area or individual. He just said for safety for all involved, we’re going to cancel the game.” EA athletic director Chris George said the call to forfeit the game was the headmaster’s decision alone, but that the football team and school stands behind Welch. Attempts to reach Folmar for comment were not returned. Thursday night’s game would have pitted EA against its former longtime head football coach Bobby Carr, now the offensive coordinator at Autauga, as well as a few former Edgewood players who transferred after Carr resigned from EA June 14. Glover said Monday morning, he spoke with George who told him he had not seen or heard any threats. Unsure of what led to the decision to forfeit Thursday’s game, Glover was not happy how Edgewood handled it. “Let’s cut to the chase of all this. They’re in a situation where if they drop varsity football, a lot of those kids become eligible at other places,” Glover said. “That has something to do with it. This has probably been predetermined since coach Carr took our offensive coordinator job. This is not sportsmanlike and this is not the way adults should be educating children on how to handle this. “In my 20 years of coaching, I haven’t seen anything so blatant. It seems someone cooked up that somebody made threats.”

Indians defense comes together in time for region opener at Chelsea By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Wetumpka’s defense reassembled to shutdown Eufaula this past Friday for the team’s home opener. One week after giving up 53 points in the season-opener versus rival Prattville, the Indians recognized they needed to have each other’s backs. “How we were making calls,” Tribe junior defensive end Rico Bozeman said of what improvements the defense made. “In the Prattville game, we weren’t talking, we weren’t communicating like we were supposed to -- like we’ve been doing all summer. We had to learn how to talk more.” At practice Monday, junior safety Nick Turner said a different mindset helped pitch the shutout of Eufaula, at the time ranked No. 7 in Class 5A, and the shift in mentality moved Wetumpka’s defense closer to its identity, something it must assemble as the team opens 6A, Region 3 play at Chelsea (2-0) this Friday. “We’re coming closer (to our identity),” Turner said. “Better communication. Faster at getting set up on the plays. Getting the right play calls.w “We came out and shut (Eufaula) down,

we didn’t let them get passes off. The D-line did good and stopped them. And we’ve got the game set for this week, too.” Studying hours of film, Bozeman credited Indian defensive coaches for getting the defense in the right spots. Kicking off the region slate versus a seniorladen Chelsea offense, led by quarterback Matt Marquet and running back Zalon Reynolds, that’s averaging 46 points a game, the defensive end said coming off a shutout gives the Tribe some momentum. “It makes us real confident. Everybody on the field, it makes everybody want to play, even the guys on the sideline,” Bozeman said. “It brings the crowd into the game, too. “Execution is the key. Stay at home, being right with your calls. Execution will be a real big key this week.” Led by quarterback duo DeAndre Ezell, Jadarious Martin and the running back tandem of senior DeAndre Williams and junior Kavosiey Smoke, the Wetumpka offense will look to stay on stride to find the holes in a Hornet defense that has surrendered 48 points through two games. Whether the offense hits its 44-point average or not, the Indians defense believes all of its parts have rejoined to

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Wetumpka junior defensive end Travarris Bozeman (42), along with the rest of the line, tries to fight off two blockers last Friday during the game with Eufaula at Hohenberg Field.

carry the team when needed. “We call ourselves like a body part. (The defensive line) is the heart, (the defensive backs) are the arms and the

linebackers are the legs,” Turner said. “We all just come together and just stay as one.” Wetumpka travels to Chelsea Friday with kickoff at 7 p.m.

Holtville High School learning to play ahead By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Hunter Adams hopes Holtville learned a lesson on success this past Friday. When they went up on Marbury, 14-0, in the first quarter of its season opener, the Bulldogs ventured into territory they hadn’t been but once in the last four years. Holtville hasn’t held a two touchdown lead on an opponent since its last win, 61-33 over Alabama Christian Academy, in the 2013 season finale, and on Monday, Adams admitted his team doesn’t know how to protect a lead. “I inherited a team that didn’t know how to play ahead,” Adams said. “We’ve been a team that hasn’t been in position to learn to play ahead. “There’s a different mindset -- when you don’t spend a lot of time in front of teams, you get ahead and you go into a calm state of mind, almost relaxed. You don’t

have that sense of urgency that you’re operating with from the get-go, or when you’re behind. What they got to understand is when we get ourselves in that position, that sense of urgency has got to equal, or even turn up that much more.” While sophomore quarterback Drew Nobles guided the offense down the field on two, six-minute drives, the Holtville defense forced three straight three-and-outs, stopping their rival’s counter rush, to open the game as HHS stayed on top, 17-14, by halftime. But once Marbury hit their counter a couple of times for big plays, senior tight end and defensive end Zach Weldon said his team lost their composure. “People started falling apart when things went bad, that’s where the teams always went bad,” Weldon, a threeyear starter, said. “We can’t just depend on having a great game and everything going right. There’s always going to be those things that go wrong and have to learn to bounce

off of it. “We got up on a lead, everything just fell. We were going toward getting our first big win of the season, and things fell apart.” Weldon said while the Bulldogs sit on a 21-game losing streak, the team’s come a long ways, evident by generating a lead it hadn’t during the skid. And entering Class 4A, Region 3 play this Friday hosting Childersburg, who’s 0-2 and has struggled this season so far, Adams said the sight of a victory couldn’t come at a better time. “I hope that shortcoming just made this group a little bit hungrier. I’d love to get a lead or tied in the ballgame, it’d be like blood in the water for a pack of sharks, we would just want to eat that much more, go that much harder,” Adams said. “This group is wired for that, we just hope the maturation process happens sooner rather than later and we get there.”

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