Dear John: I am not a meteorologist, I just weather the storm .
ECHS coach enters 30th year
Columnist Steve Flowers continues breakdown of candidates
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Eclectic Observer Page 4
The
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THURSDAY • DECEMBER 10, 2015
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 26, No. 48
Library receives grant funds Money will make new windows possible at local facility By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Library director Betty Coker, applied for a grant from the Elmore County Community Foundation in August and recently found out that the grant was approved. “Every year they give grants in the
Montgomery and Elmore County area,” community. “We needed $879 to put our windows in she said. “They have a committee that oversees these and they try to help and that’s exactly how we got it,” she said. different organizations in our area. We “This will enable us to replace all of our had to go to the First United Methodist windows with energy efficient windows.” Coker said the process was easy and Church in Cloverdale to receive it. There were 159 applicants and we were was done online. very fortunate.” See GRANT • Page 2 She said the grant is to improve the
Carmen Rodgers /The Observer
(left to right) Susie Anderson, Burton Ward and Betty Coker at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery where Coker received $879 to replace the old windows in the library with new energy efficient windows. The Elmore County Community Foundation awarded the grant.
CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR Christmas on the Coosa set for Saturday
Christmas parade, tree lighting set Friday
By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Eclectic Christmas parade, tree lighting and other festivities are planned to begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 11. Elcectic Mayor Gary Davenport said the parade was moved to the evening as not to conflict with other events in the community. “It worked out that it was better for us to do a later afternoon, early evening,one so we’re starting at 5 (p.m.) this year,” he said. “It will work out well with the Christmas lighting and the cantata.” This year the library will be the hub of the parade events. Floats will stop in front of the library and the warehouse and be introduced. Once that’s done they will proceed through town and down past Town Hall. Following the parade, Town Hall will be open to everyone. Santa will be there, the tree will be lit and singers will perform. See PARADE • Page 2
Eclectic Christmas featured presentations through a walking tour dramatization of the Christmas story and featured numerous Jonalan Wright / The Observer structures, actors, and live animals, which will include donkeys, goats, and sheep and a live camel.
‘ An Eclectic Christmas’ breaks attendance record By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Staff Writer
While the annual presentation of “An Eclectic Christmas” closed Tuesday after eight evenings, the outdoor living history display had broken its attendance record by the sixth night. “It was right at 4,000 before tonight’s performance,” said Rita Falk, spokesperson. The previous record had been 3,600, Falk said, adding she was also grateful for the relatively mild temperatures. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” she said. “People don’t want to come if it’s too
hot or if it’s too cold. It was just cool enough for a jacket. We had a tiny bit of rain on the first night, but other than that, it’s been perfect. Besides, we had 15 campfires along the way — each scene has a fire.” Falk said foreign attendees this year had included citizens of Canada and England, among other nations. “Auburn University has a multi-cultural class … and Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn has been bringing students for the last couple of years,” she said. See CHRISTMAS • Page 2
More than 100 parade entries have registered to be a part of just a portion of an all-day holiday celebration in downtown Wetumpka this Saturday. Wetumpka’s annual Christmas on the Coosa activities begin as early as 7:30 a.m. with the Character Breakfast in which children can have breakfast with some of their favorite story characters from Cinderella to Spider-Man in the Wetumpka Civic Center. “The kids love the characters and get to interact with the characters they like to watch on TV,” said Tiffany Robinson, special events/tourism manager for the City of Wetumpka. Because of its popularity, there will be two pancake breakfast sessions. The first will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the second is scheduled for 9 a.m. “This is always a special time of year in Wetumpka,” said its Mayor Jerry Willis. “Wetumpka’s Christmas on the Coosa showcases the unified spirit and charm of this community.” See COOSA • Page 2
Eclectic Public Library seeks help of an electrician By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The ceiling in the expansion area of the library. Mmuch of the electrical work has been done but a little more is needed to be finished. Lowe’s in Wetumpka has agreed to carpet the entire expansion area at no cost as part of the Lowe’s Hero Project. The work must be complete before Lowe’s can install the carpeting. Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
In order to finish the expansion of the library and remain the Lowe’s Hero Project, the Eclectic Public Library needs a certified electrician to offer his or her services for a few hours. “About three hours worth of work is all we need,” said Betty Coker, director of the Eclectic Public Library. “To move and install new light fixtures in the ceiling. The lights have already been donated.“ Lowe’s in Wetumpka has
agreed to take the Library as their nonprofit organization, any work Hero Project this year and agreed will be eligible to claim as a write to install the carpeting through- off for the 2015 tax year. “The mayor writes a letter out the expansion area. However, they cannot do this for the library and sends it to them for the until the electrical work is fin- work that has been done,” Coker said. “It would be a contribuished. “They wanted to come several tion that they are making and months ago but our heating and we would acknowledge that. It’s cooling man said ‘I know them, a tax deduction for work that I’ll call and let them know that they are giving. We would give we don’t want them to come yet the acknowledgement from the because we don’t want to make a 501c.” There has already been quite a mess on the new carpet,’” Coker said. “I’m hoping that they will bit of electrical work done in the expansion area, she said, but it still give it to us.” Because the library is a 501c See ELECTRICIAN • Page 2
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PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 10, 2015
Christmas Also attending was Ann Bearden, who founded the event more than 25 years ago. Bearden now resides in Greenville. New scenes received an enthusiastic reception from attendees, Falk said. “We had a pretty elaborate tax collector’s tent,” she said, “with a mapping table and new costuming. Everybody’s given a coin they have to present, so that gives them the full meaning of it.” A comment card is presented to attendees when they have completed their tour. “We look at those every night,” Falk said. “They’ll give us the good and the bad, and that’s what we need. They can also make a spiritu-
Electrician needs to be completed so that the library can move forward with this project. The previous electrician donated his time and the library is very grateful to him, but they need to see this project to fruition.
Parade Immediately after Town Hall’s open house, events will shift to the high school auditorium for the community live music cantata where local artists will perform.
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
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al commitment. But I’ll have to say that Travis the camel has been our biggest hit this year by far.” In addition to a live camel, a rare longhaired alpaca was among the live animals in this year’s presentation. Falk said cast members and volunteers are already thinking about next year’s presentation, and will be consulting the comment cards closely. “We need more volunteers if we’re going to continue to grow and if we’re going to add more nights,” she said. “(Sunday) night we had 47 mark their cards to volunteer, so that’s encouraging.”
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“He has a fulltime job,” Coker said. “He had worked on it at his convenience. Barry Mann, we love him to death, but this has been ongoing for some time now.”
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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Coosa
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The Christmas on the Coosa 12K run follows at 9 a.m. Shortly after the run begins, various vendors will be located in Gold Star Park with a number of arts and crafts for sale just in time for Christmas. The vendors will be on site from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Robinson estimates total attendance for all the events Saturday will easily be 5,000 or more. “We are going to have beautiful weather for once, so we expect a really good crowd throughout the day,” she said. People will begin to line up along West Bridge and South Main streets just after noon to get their perfect vantage point to watch the street parade. As of Monday there were 104 parade entries signed up, and Robinson said there could be more by Saturday. This year’s parade grand marshal is Doug Finlay, who has served as Santa’s helper for 14 years. “He has just been and played an active part in the parade,” Robinson said.
Joining Finlay will be various entries from Boy Scout troops to marching bands. And of course the man everyone will be waiting to see, Santa Claus, will take time out of his busy schedule to drop by. Following the parade another new item to the celebration will be the cooking contest “So You Think You Can Cook Wetumpka?” Various teams will be preparing their best dishes to be judged. Just after dark, Santa Claus will make a quick return visit on water skis to kick off the annual boat parade along the bank of the Coosa River in front of Gold Star Park. And right after the last boat passes by, a huge fireworks display will be launched. “It’s a tradition for Wetumpka. If you’ve been to Wetumpka you’ve heard of Christmas on the Coosa,” Robinson added. “You can’t see Santa on water skis just anywhere.”
Grant
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“You have to write it online and send it online,” she said. “You have to export all your documents, like your tax-exempt number, your board of directors, the letter of incorporation of the town audit. When I looked on Thursday, it said the deadline was Friday. So, I got here early Friday morning and I worked on it. I turned it in a little after 1:00 that afternoon,” she said. It took a while to hear back about the status of the grant, so long that Coker thought they had been turned down for it. “I never did hear back from them,” she said. “I would look and it never told me anything, so when we had a meeting in November with the board I said, ‘We’re going to have to get that money from somewhere else because I didn’t get that grant.’ That next week I got the invitation to come to the award presentation.” The awards presentation was a special event for many organizations in the area. Most of the grants awarded were for $1,000 or more. Coker was among the few recipients of a grant for less than $1,000.
“I was able to get Susie, our regional director, to go with me,” Coker said. “They had refreshments. It was real nice. There were people there from all over the counties, Montgomery and Elmore. Most of the grants were for thousands of dollars. There were not many small grants like mine.” A bike route has been in the plans for Eclectic and Coker plans on applying for next year’s grant to help offset the cost of that project. “Next year, I plan to ask for $1,000 for the signs for our bike route,” she said. “We have the bike route, bicycles and the maps. I thought Elmore County would put those signs up, but they can’t furnish those. It’s about $100 a sign and we want to put up 10.” With the bike route in mind, Coker said she plans to apply for the 2016 grant earlier in the year. “The next grants will be given at different time periods,” she said. “There will be two this year and the first application opens in January. The one that I am interested in is the family wellness grant.”
Wrapping up the festivities, guests are invited to join together for a Christmas jam session with Nashville singer songwriter Keith Moody and Friends.
Contributed / The Observer
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The Wetumpka Rotary Club recently presented a dictionary to every third grade student at Eclectic Elementary School. The Wetumpka Rotary Club, as one of its community service projects, is the local sponsoring organization for a nationwide effort known as “The Dictionary Project.” The Project’s goal is to gift a dictionary to every third grade student nationwide. Eclectic Elementary third-grade students are shown displaying their new dictionaries. Also pictured is John Thornton, Member of the Wetumpka Rotary Club, Chad Walls, Assistant Principal at Eclectic Elementary School and Melanie Smith, Third Grade Teacher at Eclectic Elementary School. Photo special to the Observer
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Area Calendar Community A Kempter Christmas: Back to Bethlehem When: Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Where: Frazer United Methodist Church, Montgomery Details: The Elmore County family Gospel group will perform their annual Christmas concert. Admission is free, but a love offering will be taken. Town of Eclectic Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting and Cantata When: Dec. 11, 5 p.m. Where: Downtown Eclectic Details: Events kick off with the parade starting at 5 p.m. leading to town hall for the tree lighting at 6:30. The Cantata will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Elmore County High Auditorium. Slapout Christmas Parade When: Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Where: Holtville Road and Lightwood Road, Slapout Details: Parade lineup will begin at 5:20 p.m. at Holtville High School. The Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 7 p.m. in front of Holley Oil. Movie Night “Polar Express� When: Dec. 11, 6 p.m. Where: Grandview Family YMCA Lodge, Millbrook Details: Come dressed in your PJs and experience the Polar Express Movie Night. Popcorn and Hot Chocolate will be served. Redland Community Association When: Dec. 12, 9 a.m. Where: Redland Volunteer Fire Station #2 (corner of Redland and Jackson roads) Details: An opportunity to visit with fellow Redland community members and to become active on issues, problems and projects for improving the Redland community. For info, call Dan McGinty at 334-207-0104. Christmas on the Coosa When: Dec. 12 Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. -- Character Breakfast in the Wetumpka Civic Center; 10 a.m. -- Arts & Crafts; 2 p.m. -- Parade; 3 p.m. -- So You Think You Can Cook, Wetumpka? in Gold Star Park; Boat Parade -- 5:30 p.m.; Fireworks -- 6 p.m. Southside Middle School Christmas Concert When: Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Where: Tallassee High Auditorium What a Wonderful Christmas Concert Series When: Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: The LeFevre Quartet and Wilburn & Wilburn will be part of the concert. Tickets are $10 each with all proceeds benefiting the Elmore County Food Pantry. NAACP Christmas Social and Canned Food Drive When: Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. Where: MLK Recreation Center, Wetumpka Details: The newly reorganized Elmore County NAACP 5026 invites all to aid the Elmore County Food Pantry. All are encouraged to bring two canned goods and two other non-perishable food items. The meet and greet is open to all. Call Bobby Mays at 334-475-0795 or Wanda Penn at 334-220-1554 for more information.
Elmore County High School Students of the Month
ings from the script. Camp Chandler Christmas Camp Fun When: Dec. 20-22 Where: Camp Chandler Details: Children ages 5-14 are welcome. Activities will include fishing, archery, riflery, canoes, broom hockey, field games, pedal boats, putt putt, campfire with s’mores, holiday crafts, Christmas goodies, Christmas tree trimming, a party, and more! YMCA members $105, non-members $120. For info, call 334-229-0035. A Christmas Gathering When: Dec. 21, 6 p.m. Where: Historic 1987 Superintendent’s House on Lower Tuskegee Road Details: Sponsored by the Tallassee Historical Preservation Society. Elmore County Seniors Christmas Party When: Dec. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Doster Memorial Community Center, Prattville Details: The senior services in conjunction with the Central Alabama Aging Consortium and Parks and Recreation of Prattville, will be hosting a Christmas Ball for the senior citizens in the community. It is dedicated to the senior citizens whom we serve on a daily basis at our senior centers. City of Wetumpka New Year’s Eve Celebration When: Dec. 31 Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: The evening’s activities will open with a POW/MIA observance and torch ceremony at 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Elmore County Courthouse. Other activities, ,including a DJ and concessions will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot behind the Wetumpka administrative building. The asteroid fall will be at midnight, followed by a fireworks grand finale. Attendees are welcome to bring tents, tables, chairs, blankets, fire pits, etc. This is a family event. Free. Camp Chandler New Year’s Bash When: Dec. 31-Jan. 1 Where: Camp Chandler Details: Children ages 5-14 are welcome. Activities will include fishing, archery, riflery, broom hockey, field games, pedal boats, canoes, putt putt, and more. Camp Chandler campers will bring in the new year with a party, fireworks and even a ball drop. YMCA members $40, non-members $50. For info, call 334229-0035. Self-Defense Class When: Jan. 11 Where: Tallassee Recreation Center Details: Contact the recreation department if you are interested in a self-defense class. The class would consist of situational awareness, prevention, recognition of criminal behavior and some physical defense. Cost would be $55. Call 334-2834726.
Submitted / The Observer
Elmore County High School recently announced its Students of the Month of October. Representing the school are Caleb Cope (freshman), Justin Pack (sophomore), Stephanie Eckstein (junior) and Dominic Dempsey (senior).
By Rea Cord Executive Director Christmas is coming up fast and it can be a great time to bring home a new pet since you may have time off for the holidays and everyone will be home to welcome the new pet to the family. If you are thinking of adding a pet we do hope you come to our shelter (or any shelter for that matter) to find your new best friend. Surprising your children, parents, or spouse with a pet may work out wonderfully since the giver is also a recipient but we do caution against getting a pet as a gift for a non-family friend. A pet is a very personal bond and one reason we are happy to offer Adoption Gift Certificate/Gift Baskets for you to purchase so that the recipient can come at a later time to find their new best friend. This way the adoption is paid for and you can even add items like food, dishes, toys, etc so the recipient will have everything they need to bring their new puppy or kitten home. These certificates are good for one year so an adopter doesn’t have to feel rushed if they don’t find ‘the’ one that first visit. This can also give them time to get through the hectic holidays and then look for their new best friend when things calm down at home. We are open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. We will, however, only do pick-ups of pre-approved adoptions
(co-located at the shelter) for gifts for yourself and your friends. Our Thrift Store has clothes, linens, Christmas decorations, books, collectibles, small appliances, toys and so much more. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10- 12 and Dec. 17-19 Dec and can also receive donations during those hours. While at our Thrift Store please thank our volunteers who work so hard receiving, sorting and selling all of the donated items on behalf of all the animals we all work so hard to help.
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Millbrook Chamber of Commerce Christmas Open House When: Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Millbrook Chamber of Commerce
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Auditions for “Steel Magnolias� When: Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Depot Theatre Details: The Wetumpka Depot Players announce auditions for the first show of their 36th season. Director Carol Thomaston Heier asks that those auditioning be prepared with a “southern story� to share (less than 2 minutes) as well as cold read-
visit with Santa, who will also be with us for photos with pets and children. You can take your own photo of your pet with Santa or we can help take a photo using your camera or smart phone. Any donated pet supply item would be greatly appreciated. For those who may not have visited us before, our address is 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092, and if you need directions just give us a call at 334-567-3377. Don’t forget to check out our Tails End Thrift Store
Making more moolah has never been easier.
Glenn Miller Holiday Concert When: Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Where: Davis Theatre, Troy Montgomery Details: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. It is a free concert, but canned food donations are appreciated. Call 334953-3500 for more information.
City of Wetumpka Children’s Christmas Party When: Dec. 20, 2-4 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Families will arrive at Wetumpka Civic Center for a delicious lunch provided by Wind Creek Hospitality’s ‘Good to Go’ food truck. After lunch, the children will go up onto the stage and the staff from the Wetumpka Police Department and the City of Wetumpka will hand out gifts.
on Dec. 24 until noon and then will be closed Dec. 2526. For your planning, our 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 an adoption 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, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. And while we would love it if all of our pets found home for the holidays, we also want potential adopters to make sure they are ready. Christmas parties, visiting relatives, tempting presents under the tree and people food everywhere can also make Christmas a hectic time of year to bring home a new pet. A new puppy can mean a lot of ‘accident’ clean-up and a new kitten will just love climbing the Christmas tree to play with all those decorations and could be a lot to handle with all of the other ongoing activities. We tell adopters that bringing home a new pet is a bit like adding a four-footed child, so we just want to help potential adopters make sure they are ready for the commitment a new pet brings since we want it to be a lifetime of love for people and pet alike. On Dec. 19, we hope you can stop by for our Shelter Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. And,
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Tallassee High School Christmas Concert When: Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Where: Tallassee High Auditorium Wetumpka Depot Players present “The Holiday Bug� When: Dec. 16-18, 7 p.m.; Dec. 19, 10 a.m. Where: Wetumpka Depot Theatre Details: The Holiday Bug is a Puppet performance perfect for all ages. The Christmas production is recommended for ages 7 and up with plenty of clean entertainment for the adults, too. Call 334-868-1440 for more information and tickets
DECEMBER 10, 2015 • PAGE 3
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Kenneth Boone, Publisher John W. Peeler, 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.
PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 10, 2015
OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
The Observer 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.
I’m not a meteorologist, I just weather the storm
N
othing is more calming than listening to the sound of water. Whether it’s ocean waves, the sound of rain falling on a tin roof or an electronic wave machine that simulates the flow of water or raindrops, the sound of water has a calming effect for many. But, we all know that sometimes even ocean waves can become less than calming when a storm is approaching, or has hit land. And, soothing raindrops can sometimes turn into torrential downpours and storms. The good news is that storms, whether on the ocean or in our own back yard, always pass and are a necessary evil in our lives. How we choose to deal with these temporary periods, however, is completely within our own control. The most immediate instinct that comes to mind when we are caught up in a storm, or something we think is about to be a storm, is to take defensive measures or run. But, not all the time is that the best avenue of “weathering the storm.” To put it into perspective, weather forecasters are not always correct. I can’t count the number of times bad weather has been predicted that never materialized. Sometimes, a wait and see approach, or patience, is the best plan of action. Like today five minutes ago the sun was shining and now it is pouring down rain … without warning. Things happen and sometimes we never see it coming. Have you ever looked outside and after looking at the leaves on the foliage, every-
Dear John By John W. Peeler thing within you tells you it is going to rain? The leaves are turned over, but the sun is shining bright. Then, you check the weather forecast and know it’s supposed to be overcast, but no rain predicted. So, you’ve done your due diligence and checked for signs of rain, right? Later, you realize you should have gone with your intuition as you watch it pour down rain. Not all storms are bad, though. Storms have a way of resetting balance, both ecologically speaking and in life. Everything that looks bad, isn’t … everything that looks good, isn’t … but, how we “weather” the turbulent times in our lives is what builds character and gives us the experience we need to grow as a person. We probably can all say we have weathered many storms throughout our lives. Some of those storms reset us and gave us balance and direction. Other storms, have torn us down and made us wonder when the rain will stop. But, the rain will stop. And, when all is said and done, you will have weathered the storm. At the end of the storm, the clouds will part and behind those dark clouds a new day will dawn with new meaning and purpose — if you can find a way to shine.
Top 10 comedic news stories of 2015 B e still your beating hearts, because the agonizing wait is over. Wake the kids. Rake the leaves. Fake speaking in tongues. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, when the eagerly awaited list of Top 10 Comedic News Stories of 2015 is finally, mercifully released. Yoke an ox. Toke some skunk. Poke Uncle Bud to make sure he’s still ambulatory. Under no circumstances is this list to be confused with the Top Ten Legitimate News Stories of 2015. No. No. No. No. No. They are as different as back and forth. Like fireworks and 14-inch aluminum pipe wrenches. Yellow grapetomatoes and marble Corinthian columns. Flaming hula-hoops dropped from CIA drones and the plastic to-go cups used by drivethrough Margarita stands off highway 10 outside New Orleans. Feet and sleet. These contents purposefully ignore the death, destruction and dastardly deeds of this past annum horribilis to focus on the delightfully diverting and droll. Herein, you will find no mention of Syrian refugees or Paris or San Bernardino or ISIS or FIFA or Boko Haram or Bill Cosby or Paris or even horrors of horrors, Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign. Rest assured the 16th year of this new millennium garnered
WILL DURST Guest Columnist
quite a few wacky and zany antics lending themselves to the tickling amusement of we, the American masses, and it’s time to take a finetooth comb to sift for the amusing bits so that we can mock and scoff and taunt and form a sort of mental scab. 10. The hacking of the Ashley Madison website, forcing Bill Clinton to spend four months trying to scrub his name off the client list. He probably got his people to copy and paste the damn thing as well. 9. The Hollywooding of Bernie Sanders, who went from littleknown Vermont curmudgeon to leader of the Stop Hillary movement. He proves that while you can take the curmudgeon out of Vermont, you can’t take the painin-the-ass out of the curmudgeon. Or something like that. 8. Rachel Dolezal, the Caucasian head of the NAACP who claimed to be black, but was exposed when investigators found a Justin Bieber poster on her office wall. Also, she can’t dance for crap.
7. Faulty airbags. The first inklings of this scandal caused many folks to conclude the feds were going to recall Mitch McConnell. 6. Kim Davis, the Kentucky County clerk who apparently was told by God not only to deny gay couples’ marriage certificates but also get divorced three times then marry some guy who goes on national television wearing overalls. 5. Caitlyn Jenner, who finally succumbed to the excessive levels of estrogen floating around the Kardashian household. At least she demonstrated her independence by spelling Caitlyn with a “C.” 4. The Benghazi hearings, where Republicans revealed their test for Hillary - if she doesn’t float, she’s not a witch. 3. The Republican presidential debates, where the whole world witnessed the fight over the party’s very soul. Alas, the soul lost. 2. Deflategate, precipitated by Tom Brady’s belief that the ball was way too heavy with all that air in it. 1. The hot-air, force of nature that is Donald Trump. The candidate for every voter who just couldn’t cozy up to the intellectual elitism of Sarah Palin. Will Durst is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed columnist, comedian and margarine smuggler.
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WRITE: Your View, The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092 EMAIL: news@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Include name, address and phone number. Only name and city will be printed. We reserve the right to edit or to refuse to publish any submission. Maximum one letter per month, limit 300 words or less.
Gubernatorial Derby an interesting race
T
his week we will continue our analysis of the potential horses in the 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial Derby. So far, we have counted down from 18 to 8. In descending order the list includes Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard , Supreme Court Justice Jim Main, Sen. Greg Reed, Sen. Arthur Orr, Mayor Vaughn Stewart, Mayor Walt Maddox, Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Congressman Bradley Byrne, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Sen. Del Marsh and State Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan. The next four horses will be revealed today and we will conclude the series next week when we reveal the top three horses. We begin this week with the Number 7 horse, Attorney General Luther Strange. Of the known candidates, Strange will have served eight years in a job that is the best stepping-stone to governor. At 6-9, Big Luther will be the tallest horse in the race. He is a proven fundraiser with close personal ties to the Birmingham business community. However, he has had a somewhat controversial tenure. His continuation of the Bob Riley-era gambling circus demagoguery is a tar baby. The Number 6 horse, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, is going to be a player and will make it to the gate. Battle will most likely be in the 2018 Governor’s Race. Being the popular mayor of the Rocket City makes him a contender in the contest. Huntsville is the crown jewel city of the state. It is as though it really does not belong in Alabama. It is like the Silicon Valley of California or the Research
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
Triangle of North Carolina was placed in North Alabama. Huntsville has more PhDs per capita than any city in the southeast. Huntsville is the heart of the vote rich Tennessee Valley. Battle will be the hometown candidate from the area. He will benefit from his name recognition and popularity in his region. He won re-election as mayor of Huntsville with 81 percent of the vote. He will do well in North Alabama. The key will be if he can become more than a regional candidate. Our sixth-ranked horse will benefit from the fact that he is dedicated to running and has been committed to the 2018 Governor’s Race for a while. Contrary to Battle’s dedication to the race, our Number 5 horse, State Treasurer Young Boozer, seems ambivalent about his political future. Boozer has been in banking for his career. He is not a natural politician. He was perfect for the State Treasurer post. Probably when he ran for that job he thought that would be his tenure in politics and he would cap off his career with that experience. Therefore, he is probably wrestling with the decision of whether he should go any further at age 65. He has a great name. He is not the first Young Boozer. His grandfather,
Young Boozer, was a successful businessman and mayor of Samson. His father, Young Boozer II, was an ultra-successful businessman who starred in football at the University of Alabama with Bear Bryant. He was the hero of a famous Rose Bowl victory over Stanford in the 1920’s. This Young Boozer graduated from Stanford. That leads us to our Number 4 horse, who is a real thoroughbred. Secretary of State John Merrill is the best retail politician on the state stage today. He is the only one on the scene that reminds me of the master politicians of bygone days in Alabama. He is meticulously organized and built a grassroots statewide organization in his victorious race for Secretary of State in 2014. He won the old fashioned way by getting out and meeting people and working from sunup to sundown. His victory illuminated the old friends and neighbors tradition in Alabama politics. He ran like a scolded dog in his hometown of Tuscaloosa and his boyhood family stomping grounds of Cleburne County. He will have to make a tough choice whether to keep his safe Secretary of State post or roll the dice in 2018. We will conclude our handicapping of the horses in the 2018 Alabama Derby next week when we reveal the top three potential horses in the race. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.
334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 e-mail: News@TheEclecticObserver.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 10500898. 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 for one newspaper (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). $15 charge for a photograph. •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word for one newspaper. $15 charge for 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word for one newspaper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County $25 One Year Elsewhere $38 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 334-567-3535. ©2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. NEWS John Peeler, managing editor John.Peeler@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 302 Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 306 Kevin Taylor, copy editor Kevin.Taylor@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 312 SALES Shannon Elliott, marketing consultant Shannon.Elliott@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . .Ext. 309 Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com.. . . . . . . . . . . .Ext. 313
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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
DECEMBER 10, 2015 • PAGE 5
God’s suggestions for gift giving
G
reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! Only 16 shopping days until Christmas! Have you found the perfect gift for everyone on your list yet? There are as many approaches to Christmas shopping as there are options for Christmas gifts. Some folks plan incessantly. Others scour the sales circulars in search of the absolute best deal. Some procrastinate. Others are completely finished with their shopping before the first decoration gets put up. All of this happens in the name of making us and others happy. The worlds of the sacred and the secular are often at odds during the season of Advent. Religious leaders bemoan the continued encroachment of our consumer economy into the preparation for and celebration
of the birth of Christ. The rhetoric at times becomes hostile and judgmental. Finding the peace of Christ can be challenging this time of year. As a pastor, I can understand why this happens. The season of Advent is one of the busiest in the life of the church, as it should be. Most congregations participate in special ministries in December, and finding the time to prepare and implement those ministries is a challenge. Funding these ministries in trying economic times is an additional challenge. Have you ever wondered if the Bible has anything to say that might help navigate the confusion? Is it appropriate to even bother God with the limits of our understanding? You might be surprised at what you find if you are willing to look. First, we have impeccable
Obituaries Fletcher Haynie Mr. Fletcher Haynie, 83, of Eclectic passed away Dec. 5. He was born Oct. 13, 1932. Visitation will be 5:307:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at First Baptist Church of Eclectic with the Rev. Britt Green and the Rev. Dru Mattox officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is survived by wife, Iva Haynie; son, Darrell Haynie; daughter, Charlotte
Mattox (Dru); daughterin-law, Gail Haynie; brother, Luke Haynie (Pat); grandchildren, David Fletcher Haynie Jr. (Lindsey), Jennifer Salemi (Ryan), Brett Mattox and Aaron Mattox and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by wife, Evelyn Ruth Haynie; son, David Fletcher Haynie Sr.; and siblings, Betty Luke Haynie, Howard Williams “Chicken” Haynie, Lorene Canty and Morris Haynie. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kindness Ministry, First Baptist Church of Eclectic, PO Box 240400, Eclectic, AL 36024. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial. com.
JOHNATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian
wisdom regarding the spirit of the giver. In giving humanity the gift of grace, God freely gives without reservation or condition. The gift of grace is freely given to all, with no expectation of anything in return. Second, God knows our every need. God’s gifts of blessing address those needs. They are not concerned with our wants. God is wise enough to leave the satisfaction of human want to us. God regularly provides everything we need, not just to survive, but to thrive. Third, by addressing needs
• A Kempter Christmas: Back to Bethlehem will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The Elmore County family Gospel group will performe their annual Christmas concert. Admission is free, but a love offering will be taken. • Cedarwood Community Church of Wallsboro will be showing the movie, “The Christmas Candle” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11. There is no charge for attending, and this program is part of the Church’s Advent and Outreach programs. For more information please call the church office at 334-5670476. • First United Methodist Church of Tallassee will host a Christmas Cantata at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. Everyone is invited to attend. • First Baptist Church of Tallassee will host a musical Christmas drama at 4&6 p.m. Dec. 13. Everyone is invited to attend.
rather than wants, God empowers us to be the people God created us to be. God’s gifts are not intended for us alone. They are always given in abundance so there is always enough blessing to share. Finally, God’s giving is seldom what we expect. As a result, we always have reason to be surprised. I don’t care what anyone says to the contrary; surprises always make the best gifts. As you navigate the holiday season, take a moment to think about God’s model for giving. God so loved the world that God came into the world in human form to show us what the life of faith makes possible. Jesus Christ, God’s gift of example to all, encouraged everyone he encountered to love others as we are loved by God. Jesus led by example. Jesus
greeted everyone God placed in his path with the love and compassion God has for the whole of humanity. In doing so, Jesus witnessed to that love, no matter what he was doing. What an incredible gift. The things we do for others are important, as is the motivation behind our actions. However, our efforts will always pale in comparison to what God does, and that is OK. Do the things that make you happy during Advent and Christmas. Know the things God does offer much more than happiness. God’s giving redeems, restores and relocates the lost. Think about it. The Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka.
Religion Calendar
• First United Methodist Church will have a Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24 in the Family Life Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Room” Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Uncle Bob’s Doghouse in Wetumpka. Everyone is invited. Call the church office at 334-452-1931 for more information.
• GriefShare grief recovery seminar and support group will began meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Wetumpka. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee to help cover cost of materials. The church is located at 504 West Osceola Street, Wetumpka. For more information, call the church office at 334-567-4729.
•Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church hosts a noon salad luncheon the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 334-567-4225 for more information.
•Community Fellowshippers meet at Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church every third Wednesday at 11 a.m. The gathering includes devotion, program, prizes and covered dish luncheon. Local pastors and families encouraged to attend. • Calvary Baptist Church offers a Bible study “War
•First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka holds a fellowship lunch every third Sunday after worship. •Celebrate Recovery, which deals with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups, holds meetings every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church. •Christians of all denominations are invited to participate in a cooperative Bible Study held each Tuesday 1-2 p.m. at 103 West Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka The group is self-led and selects a book of the Bible to read through and study
together. All are welcome. •Friendship Closet, a ministry of Friendship Baptist Church, is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Those who need clothes, shoes, etc. for women, men and children, may visit. •Hope For Healing Grief Support Group meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tallassee. •River’s Edge Flea Market is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Tallassee United Methodist Church. All vendors welcome – new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. Various booth costs available. For info, call Joan Wood at 334-313-4913 or Melanie Baker at 334-4158314. All proceeds are used for church-sponsored programs.
Area Church Services Agapé Assembly of God Hwy. 63 North Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m. Balm of Gilead Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Bethlehem East Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening 7 p.m. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 130, Eclectic 36024 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Services 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Services 6 p.m. Friday Services 6 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Class 1st Tuesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Central Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Adult Choir Practice 5 p.m. Evening Worship Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Children, Youth and Adult Bible Study/ Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Central United Methodist Church
Sunday Morning 9:30 a.m. Chaney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Every Sunday except 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Saturday before 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Chapel United Methodist Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 2nd and 4th 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 1st, 3rd and 5th 10 a.m. Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7 p.m. Eclectic First Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Youth, Children and Adult Studies and Activities 6:15 p.m. Eclectic United Methodist Church 1035 Main Street Morning Service 10:50 a.m. Evening Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Service 6:30 p.m. Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Road
Sunday: Morning Bible Study 9 a.m. Morning Worship 10 a.m. Evening Worship 5 p.m. Wednesday: Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 S. Fleahop Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Prayer Service 7 p.m. TeamKID and “R.U.S.H” Youth Celebration 6:30 p.m. Healing Waters Church of God 1639 Kowaliga Road Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Family Training Hour 7 p.m. Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church Hwy. 9 Nixburg Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday:
Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday: Children in Action 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. First Wednesday of Month Potluck supper, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Prospect Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 6 p.m. Worship Service 7 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Teen Kid 6:30 p.m. Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee AL 334-283-1156 Rushenville Baptist Church
Submit your church calendar items and events to: kevin.taylor@thewetumpkaherald.com
10098 Georgia Road Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. GA’s, RA’s 6 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:45 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Salem Road Baptist Church 12 Old Salem Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday Night Services 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer 7 p.m. Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Praise 7 p.m. Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 240452 Eclectic, AL 36024 Sunday School - 10 a.m. Morning Worship - 11:15 Tuesday Bible Study - 6 p.m. Watson Chapel Congregation 2223 East Cotton Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
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Elmore County sheriff’s reports Reports filed by officers of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department Nov. 24-Dec. 6. Nov. 24 • Criminal trespass on 100 block of Duncan Road in Wetumpka. • Fraudulent use of a debit/credit card on 2800 block of Kent Road in Tallassee. • Criminal trespass and criminal littering on 2600 block of West Central Road in Santuck. • Identity theft on 7900 block of Weoka Road in Weoka. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 400 block of Sherwood Trail in Redland. Nov. 25 • Domestic complaint on 100 block of Maplewood Drive in Redland. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 2100 block of Balm Road in Santuck. • Burglary and theft of property on 100 block of Oak Crest Drive on Lake Martin where two TVs valued at $800 and firearms valued at $400 were reported stolen. • Theft of property on 200 block of Taylor Hill Drive in Wallsboro where a tree stand valued at $349 was reported stolen. • Breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and theft of property on Redland Road in Redland where various items valued at $55 were reported stolen. Nov. 26 • Domestic violence (harassment) on 500 block of Silver Cloud Lane in Tallassee. • Theft of property on 200 block of Hickory Oaks Drive in Tallassee where an ATV valued at $13,000 was reported stolen. • Burglary and theft of property on 300 block of Jasmine Ridge Road in Blue Ridge where various motor vehicles valued at $12,500 and household items valued at $3,500 were reported stolen. • Domestic dispute on 75500 block of Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka. • Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle on 3300 block of Alabama Highway 143 in Elmore. • Harassing communications on 3300 block of Alabama Highway 143 in Elmore. • Theft of property on 800 block of Fern Road in Wetumpka where a handgun valued at $100 was reported stolen. Nov. 27
• Domestic violence (harassment) on 100 block of Bowden Road in Titus. • Domestic violence (assault) on 6200 block of Titus Road in Titus. • Theft of property on 6900 block of Bradley Road in Seaman where a storage shed valued at $1,500 was reported stolen. • Identity theft on 800 block of Racetrack Road in Elmore. • Theft by deception on Easy Street in Tallassee. • Burglary and theft of property on 7800 block of Holtville Road in Holtville where a wallet and its contents were reported stolen. • Reckless endangerment on 400 block of Neeley Road in Wetumpka. Nov. 28 • Domestic incident on Timberland Pass in Redland. • Theft of property on 3200 block of Friendship Road in Tallassee where two iron gates valued at $400 were reported stolen. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 100 block of Limestone Lane in Wetumpka. • Animal complaint on Lamb Drive in Millbrook. • Criminal trespass on 300 block of Haggerty Circle in Wetumpka. Nov. 29 • Harassment on 4200 block of Upper River Road in Tallassee. • Domestic violence (harassing communications) on 100 block of Bowden Road in Titus. • Criminal trespassing and criminal mischief on 100 block of Duncan Road in Elmore. • Theft of services and criminal mischief on 4300 block of Hogan Road in Deatsville. Nov. 30 • Theft of property on 300 block of Haggerty Circle in Wetumpka where a purse and its contents were reported stolen. • Theft of property on 15900 block of U.S. Highway 231 in Titus where various Christmas decorations valued at $205 were reported stolen. Dec. 1 • Theft of property on 11100 block of Central Plank Road in Eclectic where a cell phone valued at $814 was reported stolen. • Theft of property on 11400 block of Central Plank Road in Eclectic where a Yeti cooler valued at $500 was reported stolen. • Harassing communications on 600 block of Red Hollow Road in
Seaman. • Theft of property on 100 block of River Road in Titus where a mailbox and post valued at $100 was reported stolen. • Harassing communications on 6800 block of Upper River Road in Tallassee. • Theft of property on Jackson Street in Elmore where a trailer valued at $6,400 was reported stolen. • Burglary and theft of property on 300 block of Andrews Mill Road on Lake Martin where a blower valued at $350 was reported stolen. • Harassment on 400 block of Scholars Drive in Redland. Dec. 2 • Identity theft on 3000 block of Balm Road in Wetumpka. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 100 block of Noah’s Spur in Wallsboro. • Domestic violence (harassment) and criminal mischief on 3900 block of Red Hill Road on Lake Martin. Dec. 3 • Domestic violence (harassment) on 4100 block of Laurel Creek Road in Weoka. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 4300 block of Sewell Road in Titus. Dec. 4 • Burglary and theft of property on 12800 block of Holtville Road in Deatsville where two TVs valued at $468 were reported stolen. • Theft of property on 7600 block of Red Hill Road on Lake Martin where a Buick valued at $5,000 was reported stolen. Dec. 5 • Possession of marijuana on Harrogate Springs and Jasmine Hill Road in Wetumpka. • Domestic violence (harassment) on Lucky Town Loop in Elmore. • Breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and theft of property on 7300 block of Central Plank Road in Santuck where miscellaneous items valued at $6 were reported stolen. • Harassment on Mitchell Creek Ridge in Redland. • Theft of property on 7300 block of Central Plank Road in Santuck where a backpack and its contents were reported stolen. • Breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and theft of property on Sandy Springs Drive in Wetumpka where various currency, household items and
electronics totaling $180 were reported stolen. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 300 block of Copeland Road in Wallsboro. • Theft of property on 8600 block of Balm Road in Seaman where a 1991 Ford Ranger valued at $2,000, a firearm valued at $500 and various tools valued at $700 were reported stolen. Dec. 6 • Harassment on 1200 block of Oak Valley Road in Tallassee. • Criminal trespass on 6100 block of Rifle Range Road in Redland. • Criminal trespassing on Rodgers Drive in Wetumpka. • Domestic violence (harassment) on 600 block of Lake Eagle Nest in Wetumpka. • Harassment on Leeann Lane in Elmore. Arrests made by officers of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department Nov. 24-Dec. 7. Nov. 24 • A Wetumpka man, 21, was arrested and charged with burglary and theft of property. • An Elmore man, 25, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for public intoxication. • A Titus man, 29, was arrested and charged with giving a false name to law enforcement and failure to pay child support and on failure to appear warrants for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nov. 25 • A Montgomery woman, 53, was arrested and charged with forgery. Nov. 26 • A Tallassee woman, 20, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property. Nov. 27 • A Deatsville woman, 38, was arrested and charged with DUI, expired tag and improper lane usage. • A Montgomery man, 21, was arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving. Nov. 28 • A Wetumpka man, 32, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for negotiating a worthless instrument. • A Deatsville man, 22, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for illegal possession of prescription medication, driving while suspended and pedestrian under the influence.
DECEMBER 10, 2015 • PAGE 7 • A Marbury woman, 36, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for public intoxication. • An Elmore man, 21, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for domestic violence (harassment). • A Wetumpka man, 20, was arrested and charged with discharging a gun into an occupied building. • A Wetumpka man, 37, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for DUI. Nov. 29 • A Montgomery woman, 36, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for DUI. • A Titus man, 49, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for DUI and obstructing governmental operations. • A Wetumpka man, 24, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for carrying a pistol without a permit, DUI and charged with failure to pay child support. • A Deatsville woman, 35, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. Dec. 1 • A Clanton woman, 36, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. • A Wetumpka man, 30, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and public intoxication. • A Montgomery woman, 27, was arrested on a probation violation. Dec. 2 • An Eclectic man, 27, was arrested and charged with burglary and theft of property. • A Wetumpka woman, 29, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. • A Wetumpka man, 22, was arrested and charged with contempt of court. • A Wetumpka man, 58, was arrested and charged with failure to pay child support. • An Eclectic man, 25, was arrested and charged with domestic violence (harassment).
• A Millbrook man, 39, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. • An Eclectic man, 27, was arrested and charged with burglary and theft of property. Dec. 3 • A Montgomery man, 32, was arrested and charged with DUI, no tag light and improper lane change. • A Woodstock woman, 38, was arrested and charged with theft of property. • A Montgomery man, 41, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for driving while revoked. • A Wetumpka woman, 30, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for illegal possession of a prescription. • A Wetumpka man, 31, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for possession of marijuana and harassing communications. • A Deatsville man, 44, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. • A Monroeville man, 42, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for domestic violence (harassment). Dec. 4 • A Montgomery man, 49, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for burglary. • A Montgomery man, 26, was arrested and charged with robbery, burglary and theft of property. • A Tallassee man, 38, was arrested and charged with DUI. • A Deatsville man, 37, was arrested on failure to appear warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless endangerment. • A Wetumpka man, 37, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for theft of property. Dec. 5 • A Wetumpka man, 52, was arrested on a grand jury indictment for unemployment fraud. • A Wetumpka woman, 31, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.
Cory Diaz Sports Editor Phone 334-567-7811 sports@thewetumpkaherald.com
PAGE 8 • DECEMBER 10, 2015
SPORTS
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
30 YEARS AND COUNTING
Elmore County freshman guard Madison Traylor goes up for a layup earlier Photo by Cory Diaz this season.
Lady Panthers take two over Tallassee, Reeltown BY CORY DIAZ Sports Editor Elmore County head wrestling coach Steve Flowers questions a call during Tuesday night’s home dual versus Wetumpka. Photo by Cory Diaz
ECHS’s Flowers enters 3rd decade of mentoring, coaching By WILLIE G. MOSELEY News Editor Elmore County High School Coach Steve Flowers is now into his third decade with the school’s wrestling program and is still enthusiastic about developing the skills of his young charges. Flowers is originally from Key West, Florida, and has also worked in law enforcement, as well as Sikorsky Aircraft. He coached at Holtville High School before coming to ECHS. “Coach (Morris) Holley had just started the (wrestling) program here, and I picked it up the following year,” Flowers said. Flowers learned hand-to-hand combat skills with the military and had attempted to develop selfdefense and combative training in the area, he said. “When I came up here, I wanted to start a karate club and that wasn’t the thing to do,” he said. “I wanted to start a boxing club, and that wasn’t the thing to do, either. The only thing left was wrestling.” Flowers said he is a black belt in Okinawan karate and was able to relate to wrestling. “I noticed that a lot of the initial
wrestling moves are also martial arts moves,” he said. He left ECHS to become director of the Elmore County Schools transportation for three years, but returned. “I’ve been doing this for a total of about 21 years,” he said. Under Flowers’ aegis, the Panthers won a state championship in 2005. As for this year’s prospects, Flowers said he had about eight wrestlers that will be competitive at the state level. “We’ll wrestle anyone,” he said. “I don’t care about c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . Flowers instructing two of his wrestlers during a recent team Photo by Willie G. Moseley We go by weight; practice. there’s nobody out there but you and God, but we’re County. “We’ll kill each other on the a team, and we’ve also got the camat,” he said, “but as soon as it’s maraderie.” Flowers said he also appreciates over, the wrestlers will go sit tothe relationship between ECHS gether, and root for other wrestlers and other high schools in Elmore from the same teams. I like that.”
After losing two in a row, Elmore County rebounded to win two straight, 48-42 at Tallassee Friday and 61-29 over Reeltown Monday at home. The lessons in those two close setbacks collectively for the young Lady Panther squad began to show dividends, ECHS girls basketball coach Amy Rachel said. “Even the two losses, we lost by four to Marbury and the 12-point spread doesn’t really show how well we were in the game against St. James,” Rachel said. “We’re working with a lot of young girls and they’re having to learn to speed of playing at the varsity level -- playing at our pace because Elissa (Brown) is so fast. And they’re having to adjust to that. “We needed that win against Tallassee; it was a close game, and they’re a good, improved team. And it was a big win against Reeltown. They beat us last year, so it was important for us to come back and play well in that game.” Brown scored a season-high 30 points versus the Rebels Monday, her second game this season scoring 25 or more, and had a team-high 18 at Tallassee. The senior point guard’s supporting cast pitched in the last two contests. Against the
Tigers, freshman two-guard Madison Traylor scored 17 points, while the team dropped 31 against Reeltown, and that’s been the difference, Rachel said. “Other people are starting to contribute, and we’ve got to have that. These games are getting us ready for our area games, so we have to get a little better every game,” she said. “We put a lot on Elissa’s shoulders, she carries us, so we need to try to take some weight off of her. We need some to step up and handle the ball when needed and do those things because she’s going to gone very soon. They’re starting to respond, the young girls get it.” With the Elmore County basketball tournament this weekend, and the area opener versus Holtville looming next week, Rachel said her Lady Panthers need to stay consistent. “Our biggest challenge is on defense, staying aggressive the whole time. We’ll play good for a couple of quarters, then we’ll get flat or we hurt ourselves by getting in a hole and having to dig ourselves out,” Rachel said. “Staying consistent is the biggest we’re trying to on work on.” ECHS (3-2) will play in the annual county tournament this weekend.
ANC to hold Longleaf Pine restoration exhibit Special to the Observer They once dominated a staggering 90 million acres of the southeastern United States but today the majestic longleaf pine stands have been relegated to a mere five percent of their original range. Home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species — including an estimated 27 federally endangered species — this valuable, fire-dependent ecosystem has become an increasingly important focus for scientists and conservationists. Filmmaker Rhett Turner spent a year documenting the longleaf pine forests and described them as “a breathtaking place full of animals and plants that live nowhere else in the world.” Thursday at 6 p.m., the Alabama Wildlife Federation is pleased to welcome some of the individuals on the leading edge of restoring one of Alabama’s most treasured natural resources to showcase their ongoing efforts. Highlights of the evening will include: • Debut of Secrets of the Longleaf
Pine in the EBSCO theater, produced and directed by Rhett Turner and Greg Pope. Turner will be in attendance to discuss the film. • Discussion by Jimmy and Sierra Stiles on their part in the film and their hands on involvement with The Indigo Snake Initiative and gopher tortoise conservation efforts in Conecuh National Forest. • Live animal demonstration including the debut of a gopher tortoise and the eastern indigo snake - the longest native snake in the United States. A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with threatened species. • Tree cavity nest carving demonstration with biologist Mark Bailey, and discussion on his work with Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers. This event will take place tonight in the all new NaturePlex — a world-class outdoor education center — at the Alabama Nature Center (3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, AL 36054). The program begins at 6 p.m., and the cost of admission is $5. For further information please contact Tyler Harris at 334-285-4550.
Elmore County’s Tracy Strouse pins Wetumpka’s Jaret Gallops in their 152-pound match during Tuesday’s dual at Photo by Cory Diaz ECHS.
WHS outlasts Elmore County BY CORY DIAZ Sports Editor Wetumpka outlasted Elmore County, 46-30, in Tuesday’ dual at ECHS. Both teams traded the lead twice before the Indians rattled off two late pinfall victories pushing them past the Panthers. John Ellis Rawls defeated William Morse in their 195-pound bout, putting WHS ahead 3430, and Kamyron Jackson beat Trey Fulmer (220-pound) to extend the Tribe’s lead to 40-30. The Indians jumped out to a hot start as Cole Blackwell (120-pound) and Cameron Spurlin (126-pound) earned pins over Jacob Owens and Fischer Wall, respectively. David Wood picked up Elmore County’s first
win on the night, pinning Clay Spivey in their 132-pound match. Class 6A state champion Vershone Graham worked over ECHS’s Ashton Strouse for a 13-0 major decision, before the Panthers captured the lead after two straight wins. At 152, Tracy Strouse pinned Jaret Gallops and Jeb Ballard followed up with a pinfall victory over Elijah Weems (160-pound), giving Elmore County a 24-22 advantage. After trading forfeits, ECHS couldn’t hold the lead as Rawls and Jackson provided the Tribe with the deciding pinfall wins. The Panthers wrestle in a tri-meet Montgomery-Catholic today at 5 p.m. with Beauregard and will travel to the Gene Taylor Classic tournament at Weaver High School.