Elmore County Living September 2017 by Tallapoosa Publishers

Elmore County Living

MILLBROOK POLICE DRONES Red Hill Gallery  Coosa River Challenge  Eclectic’s Cotton Festival

September 2017 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Community Medical Arts Center

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Patients Age 18 & Older. Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 am -5 pm Friday 8am-Noon For an appointment call: 334.283.3844

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From the Editor's Desk

STAFF

People always ask me, “How did you get to Alexander City from New Jersey?” as if I’ve just told them I flew in on a jet pack from Timbuktu (full disclosure, I don’t even know where Timbuktu is). The truth is I’ve lived somewhat of a nomadic life in the past few years and had the opportunity to witness many different lifestyles but never truly felt at home – until now. That doesn’t mean some things aren’t missed, though. I was fortunate to meet a fellow native Yankee Italian, who also has found home in the South and spent time with Loren Martorana at his newly opened Red Hill Gallery. After a tour of his framing operation and art gallery featuring local artists to well-respected nationwide ones he’s had the honor to witness mature over the years, we bonded over nostalgia of the perfect bagel, New York-style pizza and a good deli sandwich – things I personally consider a fine art. I may miss some staples from the North, but it doesn’t make up for the sense of community that I have experienced here. The true hospitality and Southern charm have definitely won me over. It never ceases to amaze me what people in this community accomplish. One of the things I love most is communities coming together for town festivals, as they become annual traditions. In this issue, Betsy Iler previews two events held in small towns that amplify their populations for gatherings that have been around more than a decade. People love to bond over music, family, food and fun. Read about the 17th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival that will be held Sept. 30 on page 13. Then mark your calendars for the Town of Eclectic’s spirited 25th Annual Cotton Festival filled with both new activities and old tradition. Read all about it on page 20. We may not notice the behind-the-scenes safety provided by law enforcement at such events and ensure their existence year after year. I had the pleasure of speaking with Millbrook police officers about their newest technology to improve public safety. Drones could be used to monitor events for preventative or day-of resource assistance with its heightened view. And the best part – it was all made possible by the support of local businesses in the community. Meet Reserve Lt. Joey Hamilton and Assistant Police Chief John Montgomery, led by Police Chief PK Johnson, on page 14 to read more about the drone’s extensive capabilities and training that goes along with it. I am thrilled to be a part of your community and eager to embrace everything the people of these towns are capable of doing. If you know something or someone that you think I should hear about or you want to read about, please contact me at editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com. I would love to hear from you.

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com

President & Publisher Steve Baker

steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com

Managing Editor Betsy Iler

betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

Editor

Amy Passaretti

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Distribution Manager David Kendrick

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Consultant Marilyn Hawkins

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

Marketing Consultant Kat Raiford

kat.raiford@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services Audra Spears

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Contributors

Jeff Langham Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor Corey Arwood David Granger Suellen Young

Kathy Monroe Larry Johnson MK Moore Barry Chrietzberg Darren Swanson

To subscribe to Elmore County Living, $25 a year for 12 issues, please call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 For Advertising Inquiries 334-567-7811 For Editorial Inquiries 256-234-4281 All content, including all stories and photos, are copyright of

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 99 300 Green Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-7811

Amy Passaretti, Editor

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER Millbrook officers Montgomery and Hamilton demonstrate operatation of the police department's recently acquired drone and its technology. Photo by Barry Chrietzberg

14 22

Columns

Features

In Every Issue

Back in the Day

Titus Bluegrass Festival

Extra! Extra!

Community Care

A View from Above

Business Spotlight

Movie Man

Cotton Festival

The Gamer

Adventure Ahead

Southern Delights

Millbrook's 40th birthday

30 32 46

Old Coosada Road

Cholesterol: Good and Bad Movies You've Never Seen Expansions of Hearthstone What is pumpkin spice?

Toe-Tappin' Good Time

Millbrook PD acquires a drone 25th year of fun in Eclectic Coosa River Challenge Celebrate at the AWF

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News Briefs

Red Hill Gallery

Out & About

In Elmore County

Coming Up

Fun for Everyone

Where to Find Us Distribution List

Workshops for the Future of Small Towns Your Town Alabama hosted its 19th anniversary of Your Town workshops, and Main Street Wetumpka Executive Director Jenny Stubbs attended, along with nearly 50 other smalltown community leaders. This two-and-a-half-day interactive workshop was held at Camp McDowell and emphasized the importance of planning for longterm economic vitality. The presentations included technical advice and hands-on learning, including a team exercise of planning a hypothetical town and solving its issues. The format of Your Town workshops for civic leaders and professionals is to focus on critical planning and design decisions with a wide range of presenters and keynote speakers. Your Town Alabama is a direct response to the uncertain future of small towns, and communities try everything they can to maintain their vitality and identity.

Main Street Executive Director Jenny Stubbs second from the right

Sending help back home Eclectic resident Leslie Reed is originally from Texas and has been personally affected by Hurricane Harvey since she still has friends and family there, which moved her to take action. Reed, the owner and operator of 231 Total Car Care, collected cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby supplies and non-perishable items for victims of Hurricane Harvey. As floodwaters began to recede and roads in and around Houston began reopening, Reed and her family headed east to deliver the much-needed supplies. “This is not from 231 Total Car Care, it’s from Alabama. We’re collecting supplies from the tri-county

Gabby Wilson draws encouraging words during the supply drive

Extensive Police Training Eclectic Chief Robert Head

Eclectic Police Chief Robert Head recently received certification and recognition for the completion of 240 hours of training in the certified law enforcement executive program during the annual Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Orange Beach in August. “This is the highest level of achievement that is awarded through this program,” said Belinda Blackburn, community engagement and outreach at Jacksonville State University and UPACE partner. Head said all of the courses were beneficial and enjoyable, but perhaps the most valuable part of the work was the chance to get to know and learn from fellow police chiefs throughout the state.

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Women empowering women The River Region Women in Business meet once a month to support, encourage and help other women succeed in business. Topics and speakers are different each month and focus on tips, advice or support for professional and personal growth. This month's meeting will be held Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. Owner of the store B & B Boutique Natacha Graham will be hosting this month's event, and she will provide a presentation by Press Play media. Press Play will talk about ways women can market through video that won't break the bank. If interested in joining, attend one of the monthly meetings, which is on the third Thursday of every month, or contact Shea Irvine at sheainla@gmail.com

Extra! Extra! News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Fancy and Fashionable

A new women's store opened in late August in downtown Wetumpka, and its owner said the boutique comes from her fondness for all things fancy, fashionable and financially feasible. "I love handbags and jewelry. I feel like the woman is not complete without accessories,” said owner Remona Bozeman, who decided to name her shop Fancy Pantz to reflect her merchandise and interests. Originally from Wetumpka, Bozeman returned to her roots after living in Santuck and wanted to see her hometown successful. “Coming back home and seeing that Wetumpka’s trying to grow and wanting to be a part of the growth of Wetumpka.” Inventory focuses on affordable jewelry, handbags and clothing due to the ever-changing landscape of the fashion world. Her demographic is geared toward anyone aged 15 to 55, with a range of items to suit many needs.

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Business Spotlight

Red Hill Gallery

Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Suellen Young 8

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oren Martorana met André Kohn when he was a 19-year-old budding artist with not a lot of experience, but full of potential. Two decades later, the value of Kohn’s work has increased dramatically, and he is one of the most collected, soughtafter artists. Kohn is just one example of the esteemed artists Martorana has witnessed flourish and grow their art value during his tenure in the art world since 1989. Kohn’s work, along with a myriad of works from other artists – from local to international – lines the walls of Red Hill Gallery in Tallassee, which is also a framing operation. “The most fun I have is discovering new artists and helping them along with their careers. It’s not about the money; art is such a gift, so to watch someone live a life being an artist and help facilitate their growth, it’s a rewarding job,” said Martorana, whose love for the creative world began as an art major at Auburn University. Red Hill Gallery opened full-time in April and features everything from folk to fine art, along with made-to-order frames. Despite the decline of the art framing industry across the U.S., Red Hill Gallery is flourishing. Martorana said every month has seen an increase in sales from the month before, and he framed more than 100 pieces in July. “I appreciate quality and preciseness, which is why I feel

Owner Loren Martorana stands among the artwork featured in Red Hill Gallery; Right: This painting by Madison Latimer hangs on the exterior of the building

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Mose T is an example of the many well respected artists featured on the walls of Red Hill

Jerry Peters' artwork greets guests upon entering The exterior of the building, which used to be a gas station, draws customers to the shop

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I’ve survived and that business is still growing. Each frame job is different because every piece of art is unique. The best frames complement the art and don’t overshadow it,” said Martorana. Both of his current employees have worked with him for nearly 20 years, so between the three of them, their skill level and reach of connections is extensive. Red Hill Gallery keeps several moldings in stock, for nonlocal customers, so turnaround is quicker; however, typically a custom frame job would take about a week. Customers range from lake home decorators and designers to local individuals looking to add personality to their homes. Having previously owned Kudzu Korner from 2005-2010, a local Tallassee gallery that was lost to a fire, and a handful of others in Montgomery over the years, Martorana has created a loyal following all over Alabama, including Montgomery, Auburn and Birmingham. “The demographics of this area are changing, and more people are moving up here full-time. Having my business here is beneficial because I’m more centrally located to these areas,” said Martorana, who is originally from Rochester, New York, but has owned a cabin on Lake Martin since he was in his 20s. Martorana attends local art shows year-round, such as Lil’ Calypso, on Lake martin's Blue Creek in the spring, to continually scout out rising talent to feature. At any time there could be about 20 to 30 artists represented at Red Hill Gallery, and the main focus is on regional work. Some local names to recognize include Annie Bartol, Jerry Peters, Langley Tolbert, Larry Stewart and Ruthie Carlson, with other popular, prominent works available by Mose T, Ted Ellis, Barbara Gallagher and Kanayo Edé, as well. With social media and the internet changing the way consumers purchase and the way artists promote themselves, fewer people come to see artwork in person; however, Martorana’s extensive collection has something for everyone, and he said people typically choose art that speaks to them.

“I think people buy art because you don’t have to have it; and that’s the beauty of it,” he said. When Martorana bought the building, which was an old gas station and local hangout, it needed a lot of renovation before the gallery could open. He knocked down walls and rooms to create one long open space and built a deck on the front and back. The floors were covered with stone, and the concrete walls were concealed with wood to allow photos to be hung. Everything was covered but the mural of what appears to be Chimney Rock at Lake Martin, which has been with the building for years, and Martorana couldn’t bring himself to take it down. He said he plans to continue improving the building, as it is a work in progress. Upon approaching Red Hill Gallery, the small signage above the front door could easily be missed, but the funky metal and woodwork – created by Jerry Peters – along with a vibrantly painted chicken by Madison From local to international, Latimer, draws about 20 to 30 artists are in customers. represented at all times There is an additional vacant space connected to Red Hill Gallery, and Martorana said his vision is for someone to open either a beer/wine store or a deli to expand the services of the shop. “Whatever it becomes, I want it to complement the art and what we’re doing here. Plus, art and food go well together,” he said. Red Hill Gallery currently hosts monthly Moonshine and Design events every third Thursday of the month, or by appointment. The cost is $35, which covers materials and is taught by Nancy Cooper, who walks participants through all the necessary steps of mixing colors to create a piece of art. Martorana said its open to any skill level and students take home their very own painting. Beginning this month, Red Hill Gallery will teach a sixweek pottery class, taught my Martorana, along with Greg Freeland and Dee Budlong. Red Hill Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday by appointments and is located at 3284 Red Hill Rd., Tallassee.

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Wetumpka

Flea Market & Antiques Thanks for all the “Grand Giveaway” turnout! It was so much fun!

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Titus Bluegrass Festival Toe Tappin' Good Time for 17th annual event

Story by Betsy Iler

ut on your most comfortable toe-tappin’ shoes because it’s time for the 17th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival at the Titus Community Center at 5879 Titus Rd. From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sept. 30, the community center will host the food, fun and fiddlin’ event that swells the population of this small Elmore County community and keeps folks coming back for more year after year. The event gets bigger and better every year, said 2017 festival board President Shanna Chamblee. “This year, some things we are doing differently are that Champ’s Barbecue will be our exclusive food vendor. We also have expanded the kids’ area. In the past, we’ve had just a jump house for the kids, but this year, we will have a big inflatable with a slide,” Chamblee said. “We also are working on installing internet equipment that will make Wi-Fi available during the event,” she added. This year’s lineup includes The Laurie Harris Band, Clear Blue Sky and Brighter Day. Clear Blue Sky from Shelby County, Alabama, returns to the Titus stage this year after being featured on Alabama Public

Television in April and making an appearance at the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association 2017 Showcase of Bands. The seven-piece band Brighter Day from Northport, Alabama, includes award-winning musicians Sharon Bounds and Weston Stewart. Bounds is a four-time Mississippi State Fiddle Champion and also has held the championship title in Alabama. She has been named among the top 10 fiddlers in the nation on seven occasions. Stewart won the 2011 National Bluegrass Banjo Championship. The Tuscaloosa band has been together for six years and brings strong vocals with four-part harmony to the bluegrass stage. The Laurie Harris Band features Tallassee native Laurie Harris as a bluegrass, gospel and acoustic roots musician, who plays guitar, fiddle and sings lead vocals. The Titus Bluegrass Festival started in 2001 as an event to bring the community together, Chamblee said. “Someone in the community had connections with the bands, and they put it together. The community loved it the first year, and it stuck,” she said. The event features traditional bluegrass and gospel/ bluegrass bands that have demonstrated a following. In addition to the music, the event will feature an arts and crafts show. Admission to the event is $5 for patrons aged 12 and over and free to children. Proceeds fund the restoration and maintenance of the community center building. Bring a lawn chair and wind your way some 10 miles north of Wetumpka to Titus on County Road 29 for this year’s foot-stompin’ good time. For more information, visit the 2017 Titus Bluegrass Festival Facebook page or tituscommunitycenter.org. The Laura Harris Band

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A View from Above The Millbrook Police Department's new drone offers a better vantage point for protecting citizens

Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Barry Chrietzberg

Drones can reach an altitude of 400 feet for a broader visual of its surroundings

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s technology grows, changes and improves, so does the way we live – and in this case, that could lead to advancements in public safety. The Millbrook Police Department acquired a law enforcement drone in February, and the impact it could have on the ability to do their jobs is significant. “We’re proud to have this equipment. We have a better vision of things from being up high. It provides a different vantage point, and you can see areas of danger without having to put officers in the line of fire, so to speak,” said Chief P.K.

Johnson. The uses for the drone could range drastically, but all provide an added sense of security, vision or timeliness, Johnson said. This resource provides plenty of opportunities that before the technology existed, weren’t possible. Public events, sports games and other happenings that draw large crowds could be better protected with the capabilities supplied by the drone and a licensed operator. Drones also could assist in planning for such events, as they have the ability to scout an area from an overhead viewpoint that reveals more of the surroundings and helps officers identify places where possible issues could arise. “We can get a good overview and an aerial photograph to help plan ahead of time any areas of concern and what we need to address, so we know how best to allocate our resources,” Johnson said. Currently, the police department is grateful for the assistance of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and its helicopters in situations of missing persons, search and rescue, criminal elusion or any number of possible scenarios. The

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drones are only an additional resource to this tool and can help get eyes in the sky more quickly. “What the drones do is bridge that gap, and now having this at our fingertips, we’re able to deploy it a lot faster than a helicopter may arrive,” said Johnson. Right now there are two officers, Reserve Lt. Joey Hamilton and Assistant Chief John Montgomery, trained to fly the drones, which is important since it is a two-man operation. As one person controls the drone and keeps eyes on the equipment at all times; another has a live stream of the drone’s vision to provide better coverage of the area. “A visual observer is required. So if someone is flying, the other is watching,” said Hamilton, who personally operates drones as a hobby and was already licensed as a commercial drone pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with being a licensed airplane pilot. The technology associated with the operation of a drone is more complex than might be understood with one conversation, but according to Hamilton, the basic information provided to the pilot is the drone’s altitude and distance from the operator, how many satellites it utilizes, the HD streaming strength, the transmitter screen, the link of the camera between the drone and radio and battery power, to know how long it can stay in the air. The maximum altitude a drone can fly is 400 feet, and the drone is equipped with a return-home feature. If something were to happen to the pilot or sight was lost, the drone would always come back within 3 meters of where it took off. According to Montgomery, the police department operates under the public safety guidelines from the FAA and had to submit paperwork as a public entity to legally operate the drone. Hamilton’s previous experience has aided the depart-

ment greatly in moving forward with this process and understanding its policies, procedures, certifications and training, he added. Hamilton said the ability and adaptation of flying a drone is solely dependent on a person’s talent, and there are some legal requirements to be certified. Operators must invest a minimum of 40 hours of flight training, another 40 hours of book training and take a written test, just like a private pilot, before receiving Asst. Chief a Part 107 Commercial Montgomery Drone Pilot License. “Let’s say you have a keeps his call in the middle of the eyes on the night, and we need to fly drone while in controlled air space. If controlling its operation you have this license and know what you’re doing, the FAA is going to grant that approval,” said Hamilton. The City of Millbrook is located between a number of airports, so knowledge of aviation is key to safely operating an area drone, said Montgomery. “Because of what we do, you just never know where you’re going to have to put the drone. That’s where it gets complex and makes it important for at least two people to be involved. You’re not just watching the drone, but you’re also keeping eyes outside, as they say in the flying world,” added Montgomery. When submitting paperwork to the FAA, the Millbrook Police Department requested the ability to operate in surrounding areas, as law enforcement agencies tend to cross-utilize their resources and manpower to assist one another, if needed. “Public safety is about everybody, so we all have to work together. We may have resources other departments don’t have, and other departments have resources we don’t have. We’re all on the same team; we’ve all got the same goals,” said Johnson. There has been some negativity involving the use of drone technology, said Johnson. People may

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Drone operation requires a two-man team, so Reserve Lt. Hamilton watches the drone's visual feedback from a linked screen

raise concerns over privacy issues or may be adverse to unknown potentials of a piece of equipment, but he ensured that drones would not be anywhere they didn’t have a need to be. “We’re not here to intrude on anyone’s privacy. Our citizens really need to know two things. This is another tool in our toolbox that we can utilize when the need is there, and this will enhance our capabilities of being able to do what we’re out here to do: protect our people,” Johnson said. The purchase of this drone was possible based on generous donations by local businesses, including M&A Rentals, Garner Electric and Michael Gay State Farm Insurance, without a cost to the City of Millbrook. According to Johnson, it’s the help of a progressive mayor and city council that allows the police department to advance and acquire new technology. Millbrook is continually growing,

and the business community has partnered with the police department to support events and raise funds, he said. “We are blessed and fortunate to be in this situation. We are able to do a lot more as a result. We encourage people to shop locally because that helps our businesses help to support us,” said Johnson. The program is still in its infancy, but moving forward, Johnson said, the police department will look into adding to the drone thermal imaging, the capability to see at night and possibly the addition of carrying some weight, all of which could greatly enhance its usefulness. “You don’t realize until something major happens how many things you don’t have. You have to prepare for every worst case scenario and just hope you never have to use it, but at least have the capabilities,” said Montgomery.

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Trip Down Memory Lane Friends and family that lived on old Coosada Road at the turn of the century

Larry Johnson

BACK IN THE DAY

Larry Johnson now lives in

Robinson Springs, just a few miles

south of where he grew up

Elmore, Alabama. in

Peyton Dandridge Bibb wrote eloquently and fondly about the memories of his neighbors and friends, who lived, worked and played on Coosada Road in the early 1900s. The Coosada Road that he describes is not the current road that bears that name today but a road that connected to the unpaved Montgomery Highway, currently Main Street in the City of Millbrook, across from Miss Lottie Graff’s home, just south of Mr. George Graff’s store about three-fourths of a mile from Robinson Springs. This would be the street known today as Chapman Road, which encompasses both municipalities of the City of Millbrook and the Town of Coosada. Bibb (1904-1989) was named after his grandfather and was the third in a line of Bibbs to be honored with the name of Peyton Dandridge Bibb; however, a generation was skipped, and his father, Walter Haynie Bibb, was not so named. I can find no evidence that the Bibb family of Robinson Springs, Millbrook or Coosada ever applied a suffix to any of their family names, but for clarity in this article, Peyton Dandridge Bibb of the 20th century will be referred to as Peyton III. Peyton III was a plantation owner and riverboat entrepreneur; the brother to the first two governors of Alabama, the Hon. William Wyatt Bibb and the Hon. Thomas Bibb; and was the great-grandson of the Rev. Peyton Dandridge Bibb (1785-1840) founder of the Robinson Springs United Methodist Church (UMC). Gov. William W. Bibb made his home in Coosada, which was originally located in Autauga County when the Alabama territory was opened but became a part of Elmore County when it was created in 1866 from parts of Autauga, Coosa, Tallapoosa and Montgomery counties. Gov. Thomas Bibb’s home was in Huntsville.

In his youth, Peyton III lived with his parents Walter Haynie and Florence Eugenia Spiers Bibb at a home he wrote was on the Robinson Springs side of Coosada Road. This was an unpaved road, maintained by residents, which connected the historical communities of Robinson Springs and Coosada, both in west Elmore County. Peyton III attended school in Millbrook, but college admission required more than was available there. He therefore traveled to Montgomery and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School before he matriculated to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. “Can’t nobody see the wind but a goat. And hit look blue to a goat,” such was a proclamation by Foney Thomas, a sometimes companion of young Petyon III. Foney lived nearby with his mother Agnes, who did the Bibbs’ laundry, and his sister Bama. Foney’s knowledge of goats was probably inherited from kinfolk forebears, but one must wonder how they knew. Peyton recalls a mischievous tale of his friend and wrote that “Foney, a couple of years my senior, and therefore ‘learned,’ snitched a bottle of Agnes’ blackberry wine, which we drank with disastrous consequences and brought on a permanent aversion to wine.” Other neighbors who lived on Coosada Road at that time were the Zeiglers. The William Zeigler family members were early pioneers who chose to make their home on Coosada Road and were possibly the first to do so in the early 1800s. Their home was one of the oldest in the area, until recently dismantled. They were also one of the founding families of the Robinson Springs UMC, along with the Rev. Bibb. By the turn of the 20th century, there were so many Zeiglers with the name of William

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that it was difficult to keep up with them. There was William Zeigler, Billy Zeigler, “Sawmill” Billy Zeigler, Will Zeigler and “Leatherhead” Will Zeigler. According to Peyton III, they were all, what we may call today, ‘characters.’ There also was the family of Tom Zeigler, and his father, Mr. Joel Zeigler, lived with them. On the other side of the road from the Bibbs was the family of Mr. Judge Zeigler with his wife, Belle, with their children Ralph, Leo, Crawford and Jessie. There are still Zeiglers residing in the Millbrook area today. The Zeiglers of yesterday have all gone to their final resting place in the Zeigler Cemetery, just a short distance from the old Coosada Road and the William Zeigler homestead. Other families living on the Coosada Road in the early 1900s were the Pryor Faulks whose son, Reeves, possessed the most wonderful Southern accent imaginable. There are reports that later in life people offered him money just to hear him speak. His wife Miss Josie was also gifted but had a different Southern flair. The John Chapman family resided across the road from the original Zeigler home, where the current Chapman Academy is located today, which is owned

by Mr. John’s great-grandson who bears his name. The Chapmans were connected to the Zeiglers through marriage. Cousin Eunice Barnett lived in nearby Coosada. Barnett was not necessarily Peyton III’s first cousin based on their age difference but a cousin nonetheless. Peyton III’s most lasting recollection of Barnett was her assured observation of him often repeatedly to his mother, “He’s going to be a fine man, Florence; got such big ears.” Peyton Dandridge Bibb III was a fine man. He was an accomplished attorney in Birmingham, Alabama, and never forgot his roots. He became the holder of his great-grandfather’s Bible, original to the Robinson Springs UMC established in 1828. Before his death in 1989, Peyton III wanted the Bible to be home, so he donated it the Robinson Springs UMC, where it resides today in a glass case on permanent display. Information for this article was obtained from the Bibb Family Record – a family document compiled by Alva (Bibb) Wade Lowey. The specifics regarding the old Coosada Road, along with the quotes, were taken from a chapter written by Peyton Dandridge Bibb III.

The previous home of Thomas Judge Zeigler, original to old Coosada Road, was constructed in 1877

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KsL

Alabama Cotton Festival The Town of Eclectic hosts contests, plenty of food and a chicken race for this year's 25th annual event

Story by Betsy Iler

ow in its 25th year, the Alabama Cotton Festival will welcome as many as 5,000 people to the Town of Eclectic on Oct. 14 for food, fun and festivities that will include live entertainment, sidewalk sales, an art contest, dog show, Cotton Queen Pageant, fishing tournament for kids and more. New this year, said City Clerk Elizabeth Geer, will be a Kids Zone Chicken Race. “Kids will be able to pick a chicken from the brood and race it for a chance to win a first or second place trophy,” Geer explained. “It’s a big thing in England, so we wanted to try something a little different this year.” The chickens will run through a covered, fenced lane while children cheer them on. Race entry is free. In addition to the chicken race, the Kids Zone will offer inflatables, live animals to pet, puppet shows, face painting and more. Alabama Cotton Festival will take place in downtown Eclectic, as Main Street will be blocked off from the traffic light to past the Quick Shop, Geer said. “There will be the vendors set up at the traffic light end; then, the Kids Zone. The pageant will take place in front of City Hall, and there will be a car show at the other end,” she said. The potpourri of vendors will include offerings of jewelry, crafts, T-shirts printed on the spot, lemonade, cotton candy, boiled peanuts, clothing, Boston butts and more. To reserve vendor space, call Geer at 334-541-3581. Contests at this year’s event include the car show, photography and art, the dog show and the annual pageant. Art entries are accepted at $5 per entry with student work entered for free. Artwork may be two- or threedimensional and may be matted or framed. Two-dimensional work may be protected with shrink-wrap, but that is not a requirement. Student work may be submitted matted on construction paper, board matted or framed. Framed work must be ready to hang. All artwork must have been made in the last two years. Photography also may be entered. Photos should be 5x7 or 8x10 and may be matted or framed. Photo entry fees are $5 for three and $2 for each additional picture. Artwork must be dropped off at Eclectic Town Hall by 5 p.m. on Oct. 2 and picked up by 5 p.m. Nov. 1. For

art and photography contest details, contact Connie Lear at 334-918-0007 or email her at connielear72@gmail.com. The dog show will take place at the Festival Stage in front of Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. Register entrants from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. All dogs must show proof of current rabies vaccination and remain on leash. Titles will be awarded for the biggest lap dog, the smallest dog (not a puppy), the best trick, best costume, ugliest dog, most unusual dog and best in show. Contestants aged infancy through 19 may compete for titles in the Alabama Cotton Queen Pageant, and winners in each of the seven age categories will represent the festival at events throughout the year. Contestants will be judged on poise, appearance and personality. The Miss Alabama Cotton Queen (15-19 years of age) will receive a U.S. Savings Bond, crown, sash, trophy and other prizes. And young anglers will compete for the largest fish and longest string of fish in the Anglers for Kids Fishing Tournament. Download the rules and entry forms for Cotton Festival contests at www.townofeclectic.com. “Planning the Cotton Festival is a year-round project for the town,” Geer said. “The mayor coordinates it, but the whole town is involved with the different activities and contests.” The festival begins at 8 a.m., and the fun continues through 2 p.m. Free parking is available behind Town Hall, in church parking lots and along city streets, but please do not block driveways or roadways. For more information, visit www.townofeclectic.com.

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Adventure

Coosa River Challenge takes racers through tough terrain Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Darren Swanson

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Ahead

Racers run through rough terrain as part of the course's path

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un, hike, mountain bike, climb, paddle and embrace the adventure in this year’s annual Coosa River Challenge on Swayback Ridge Trail Oct. 7 to support the Trail of Legends Association (TOLA). For the 15th year in a row, this challenging, timed race gives participants of all ages and skill level the chance to compete against one another or simply test themselves. Open to individuals or teams, the adventure race is split into different levels of competitiveness and broken down by age into male and female teams, co-ed teams and family teams for adults racing with someone under age 18. “The race is designed for fun. It’s not like a Tough Mudder. ‘Just have fun’ is our motto. It doesn’t mean it’s not challenging, but if you’re not having a good time, you’re doing the wrong race,” said Therese Carter, race organizer for the third year in a row. With nearly 20 miles in total, the most hardcore of the group could complete the course in about three to four hours, while it may take close to six for most. Racers endure a 5-mile run, 7-mile mountain bike ride, 7-mile paddle along the river, a rock jumble along the river’s edge, a cliff repel, a CrossFit test and a series of other challenges to navigate along the way. Some examples of previous challenges include carrying an egg on a spoon over the Swayback Bridge and back again, a ropes obstacle course in which participants must weave through a network of lateral cords, trivia questions and numerous other quirky tests. There also have been practical challenges, such as deflating and changing a bike tire, which Carter said are important skills to learn, especially for those who participate in these sports regularly.

“One of the favorite events is a crawl through 55-gallon jugs submerged in muddy water. Racers love it,” said Carter. The event begins Friday night with a pre-race party where competitors register, pick up participation packets and bib numbers, along with enjoying some catered food and live music. The morning of the race will begin with a mandatory meeting in Gold Star Park, and then everyone will load into Elmore County school buses, which police will escort to the trailhead. “Wetumpka has so many unique features, and the race began when a member of TOLA wanted to highlight those and put them together into one adventure race. It’s considered a middle-distance event. It’s long enough to challenge anyone who is an adventure racer but short enough for a good number of people to achieve success,” said Johan Beumer, president of TOLA. Through years of experimenting with timing and planning, the race is at the point where things run smoothly and racers find it to be a seamless event, according to Beumer. “It’s really Bikes are dropped off a lot of fun at the transition point to watch the for racers to pick up race and see people do it. We have an incredible staff, and Therese does a fantastic job on organizing it,” he added. There are transition points along the route where bicycles are dropped off, picked up and loaded into a UHaul and other stops where racers can change clothes, leave bags and also fill up on water and snacks. Most participants choose to carry a backpack or fanny pack, as well, with necessary supplies. Nearly 150 people have already registered, and Carter said she expects a turnout close to 250, which is normal for previous years. The United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA) sanctions the race, and therefore, co-ed team winners of the Coosa River Challenge are eligible to compete in the USARA national championship race.

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The trail offers a variety of challenges, including a rock climb and repel

Racers must stay flexible as the course's conditions could vary drastically

Racers often have to swim out to their kayaks before paddling down the Coosa

The Swayback Ridge Trail features rocky terrain and elevated trails

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Racers typically work in teams of two to try to make the best time

The top three overall winners in each of the seven categories get cash prizes, and the coveted prize is a hand-painted canoe paddle, said Carter. As racers complete each challenge, they receive tokens for proof. If one is missed, the racer gets a time penalty. There are volunteers at each checkpoint to provide instruction and monitor happenings along the route. Also, volunteers keep their eyes out to ensure specific rules and guidelines are followed. “There are volunteers that take care of different areas of the race, as it may be their specialty and make my job easier. I have people calling up asking when they can help out,” said Carter, who added that they are still always looking for more volunteers and sponsors, and people can sign up at active.com. The race is always scheduled for the first Saturday in October for consistency. Also, Coosa River Adventures supplies all the boats, and it’s the end of their busy season, so this ensures many are available. The water is usually warmer at this time, and the weather has cooled a bit, so it seems to be the ideal time, according to Carter. All proceeds from the race are donated to TOLA for maintenance of the trails, and this year the organization is working toward purchasing the land from Alabama Power Company. “We are negotiating with the power company to

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All age groups and skill levels are welcome to partake in the challenge

buy a portion of that property, and we have to raise money for that. We’re working on a grant to be able to do that and have to raise matching funds, essentially,” said Beumer. Although Swayback Ridge already has pavilions and a parking lot, TOLA is hoping to build bathrooms and add more trails. The trail opened in 1998 and was built by mountain bikers, but Beumer said there’s more significant foot traffic from hikers and runners these days, and some high school cross-country teams use it to train. “It’s pretty satisfying seeing families with their kids out there and introducing them to the outdoors,” said Beumer. The area is free for the public to use and is well marked in sections to guide people on distance and skill level. According to Beumer, the deeper into the trail, the more technical it becomes, but there are plenty of better-groomed trails available for novice users. Registration for the race is $110 for individuals and $175 for teams. To register for the race and for more information regarding details, directions and lodging options, visit coosariverchallenge.com or e-mail info@coosariverchallenge.com.

The race starts and ends at Gold Star Park

The final leg of the course is a 7-mile paddle down the Coosa River

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Cholesterol

The good, the bad and the ugly

Kathy Monroe

COMMUNITY CARE Kathy Monroe is the assistant to the

adminstrator

CFO Community Hospital. and the at

LDL



HDL, LDL, triglycerides, lipoproteins – as with many health-related issues, the world of cholesterol is full of acronyms, big words and confusing facts. Chances are, if you visit your doctor on a regular basis, your cholesterol levels have been checked. Do you know what all the numbers really mean? Understanding what cholesterol is and the role it plays in your body could help you avoid serious problems, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that travels through the blood stream. The normal, healthy human body produces all the cholesterol it needs. High levels of saturated and trans fats in your diet can cause your liver to produce excess cholesterol. Eating animal products, such as fatty meats and full-fat dairy products, adds saturated fats to your diet. Trans fat is considered by many doctors to be the worst type of fat you can eat. It raises your bad cholesterol and lowers your good cholesterol. Limiting fat intake is key and knowing which fats to avoid is very important. Learn about these fats and check food labels before you buy. When your body has too much cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your arteries in deposits that are called plaque. For that reason, cholesterol receives a lot of negative attention; however, cholesterol is actually necessary for existence. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and assists in thousands of bodily functions. It is vital to hormone production and metabolizes all the fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K, among other things. Problems arise when you have more cholesterol in your system than your body can process

"Bad" Cholesterol 28

HDL

+ "Good"



Cholesterol

and use properly. Too much bad cholesterol causes artery plaque build up, which contributes to significant health risks. As plaque deposits build up over time, the inside of the arteries narrow, and blood flow is hampered. Plaque deposits also could accumulate to a level that completely blocks off an artery. Parts of a plaque deposit also could break off and release a clot, causing a heart attack or stroke. Let’s break it down. There are two types of cholesterol, good versus bad. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the ‘good’ cholesterol. It helps remove the bad cholesterol from your arteries. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is ‘bad’ cholesterol. It contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries. A third type of fat, triglycerides, is a type of fat found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any excess calories into triglycerides and stores them for later use. Storing too many triglycerides is bad. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all adults age 20 or older have a fasting lipoprotein profile done every four to six years. This is a quick, simple blood test, that measures total cholesterol – HDL (good), LDL (bad) and a measurement of triglycerides. Those with family histories of high cholesterol or triglycerides might need screening more often. Since high cholesterol lacks noticeable symptoms, having your levels checked is the only way to know if your cholesterol is high. As with any health-related matter, you should discuss your particular situation with your healthcare provider. If you don’t have one, please call Community Hospital in Tallassee at 334-283-6541.

+ TRIGLYCERIDES/5 = TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

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“The touching and funny musical following Michael and Agnes from their wedding day. We watch as they go through their wedding night jitters, raise a family and negotiate midlife crisis. Then, after 50 years of marriage, the couple leaves their house to the next pair of newlyweds. Delightful and Charming – It’s a Don’t Miss!”

WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS 300 S. Main Street in Historic Downtown Wetumpka

Tickets available online for all shows www.wetumpkadepot.com • 334-868-1440

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Greatest Movies You've 2017 EDITION

It’s time again for yet another list of my recommendations for movies that you’ve probably never seen or movies that you may have seen but are worthy of a revisit. My disclaimer is that not every movie on this list may have artistic merit, but I can almost guarantee that some, if not all, of these movies may easily become personal favorites of yours, as well. In no particular order, here are a few suggestions for the next time you are surfing, streaming or purchasing movie treats: Rocket Gibraltar (1988) – Burt Lancaster, Kevin Spacey and Macaulay Culkin (in his film debut) all shine in this story of a retired, widowed patriarch who reunites his entire family for his 77th birthday. The result is a loving and tender motion picture. The King of Comedy (1982) – More timely than ever before with its stinging focus on celebrity worship, this masterful satire, directed by Martin Scorsese, features unforgettable performances by Robert De Niro and the late, great Jerry Lewis. A box office underperformer in its day, The King of Comedy has gained much deserved respect among movie fans. Cross Creek (1983) – Directed by Martin Ritt (Norma Rae), this is a lovely, lyrical film starring Mary Steenburgen as The Yearling author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and is based on the author’s 1942 memoir, Cross Creek. Charley Varrick (1973) – Hard-boiled director Don Siegel (Dirty Harry) helms this slam-bang crime thriller starring Walter Matthau in one of his best roles. Charley Varrick (Matthau) runs afoul of the mob and works to stay one step ahead of a vicious hitman, portrayed by 70s action hero Joe Don Baker. The Competition (1980) – This engaging romantic drama, set against the backdrop of a classical piano competition, hits all the right notes with its appealing stars, Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving. The wonderful actress Lee Remick rounds out the cast as Irving’s domineering music teacher. A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970) – A sudsy melodrama that pairs two screen legends, elegant Ingrid Bergman and rugged Anthony Quinn, in a love story set in the backwoods of Tennessee. This is an imperfect, yet enjoyable film buoyed by a screenplay by Oscar-winner Stirling Silliphant and a memorable music score by Elmer Bernstein. Quick trivia fact: Silliphant also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Truman

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Probably Never Seen Capote’s The Grass Harp, filmed right here in Wetumpka and other nearby locales. Dreamer (2005) – One of my favorite family films, this beautifully rendered movie stars Kurt Russell, Kris Kristofferson, Elisabeth Shue and Dakota Fanning. A crippled horse. A spirited girl. A family seeking redemption. All these elements blend into a story that, while predictable, will nonetheless have you cheering and tearful by the final credits. Cold Turkey (1971) – Directed, co-produced and co-written by the iconic Norman Lear (TV’s All in the Family), this wacky satire focuses on a Midwestern town trying to win a $1 million dollar bet that all of its residents can quit smoking for 30 days. Hopelessly outdated by today’s standards, this is still a highly entertaining diversion anchored by star Dick Van Dyke and a host of other comedic actors. Hello, My Name Is Doris (2016) – Critics continue to rave about Sally Field’s performance in the title role about a woman in her 60s who tries, with hysterical results, to act on her attraction to a younger co-worker. This is a touching film with many laugh out loud moments. Only When I Laugh (1981) – Does anyone remember Marsha Mason, who lit up movie screens throughout the 1970s as a collaborator with her then-husband, legendary playwright Neil Simon? After the box office smash The Goodbye Girl, Mason scored another Oscar nomination in this story of an alcoholic Broadway actress fighting to stay sober while navigating the problems of her teenaged daughter (Kristy McNichol – remember her?). Screen veterans Joan Hackett and James Coco also scored nominations as Mason’s well-intentioned friends. Theatre of Blood (1973) – The legendary Vincent Price starts as a hammy actor who exacts bloody vengeance against the critics who disgraced him, methodically killing them one by one in a manner replicating murder scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. Tounge-in-cheek humor and a stellar cast of British actors make this chiller bloody good fun. Bernie (2011) – Since this movie’s release, its director, Richard Linklater, has heightened his

acclaim with the Oscar-nominated film Boyhood. Bernie is a movie that I purchased multiple copies of and distributed them to friends. This hilarious (and mortifying) true story is a must-see with its terrific cast – Jack Black (in the title role), Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey – in top form. So go forth! Surf the television channels, stream the flicks or walk the home video aisles to track down these movie treats. Until next month ... And in case you missed them earlier, here is a recap of my recommendations for “The Best Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen” featured in earlier issues of Elmore County Living from 2014-2016. In alphabetical order: About Time An Unfinished Life Barry Lyndon Begin Again Black Sunday Brooklyn Changeling Chariots of Fire Coma Country Strong Dad The Doctor Edge of Tomorrow The Face of Love Far from the Madding Crowd Fearless The Fury Guarding Tess Henry Poole is Here In Country Jeremy The Last Emperor Madame X Men Don’t Leave

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Nothing in Common Ode to Billy Joe Ordinary People The Other Pete ‘n’ Tillie Postcards from the Edge Ragtime Resurrection Seconds Shining Through The Shop Around the Corner The Spitfire Grill Starting Over The Swimmer Targets Testament Time After Time To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday What’s Up, Doc? Wrestling Ernest Hemingway Yanks

Jeff Langham

MOVIE MAN Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and

Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.

The Best and the Worst of Hearthstone Hearthstone is the premiere online trading card game. Its developer, Blizzard Entertainment, has consistently produced stellar additions to the game called adventures. In addition, there are larger expansions that have added hundreds of cards to the game since its 2014 release. Today, we’re going to rank each of the 10 expansions and adventures based on the cards and content within.

Mean Streets of Gadgetzan (expansion) The Mean Streets of Gadgetzan expansion debuted in late 2016 to a less-than-stellar reception. The cards inside forced players into using certain deck archetypes, and in the process, Hearthstone lost some of its creative flair. Players who want to adopt new strategies or use older cards are at odds with the popular decks, giving players using this expansion the feeling, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them!’ Knights of the Frozen Throne (expansion) Knights of the Frozen Throne is the latest Hearthstone expansion. It features some of the most well-known characters in Warcraft lore – upon which Hearthstone is based – and was highly anticipated by all. When it debuted in August, players found out very quickly that the expansion suffers from some exceptionally devastating balancing issues. One or two decks currently comprise more than 50 percent of the playing field. In short: not fun.

Blackrock Mountain (adventure) Blackrock Mountain offered players some exciting, powerful new cards with which to play; however, there were a few that proved far too defining and powerful. Blizzard Entertainment didn’t see just how game-breaking some of the card combinations in Blackrock Mountain were, forcing them to provide an update to the game soon after the adventure’s release. This hotfix neutered some of the cards and leveled the playing field, but players remember.

Journey to Un’Goro (expansion) Journey to Un’Goro is a love-hate expansion for much of the Hearthstone community. On one hand, it included some really cool cards that add to the overall chance-based gameplay that Hearthstone loves to perpetuate. For those who don’t like seeing skill take a back seat to chance, the expansion isn’t quite up to par. But at its core, Un’Goro doesn’t do anything poorly – more than we can say for the previous entries on this list.

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One Night in Karazhan (adventure) From here, most of Hearthstone’s expansions are solid or downright beautiful. One Night in Karazhan offers players a great narrative through which to play, and the cards inside provide players multiple avenues of play. While there were obviously some classes or archetypes that came out ahead, this was a great time to play Hearthstone. The game is balanced, fair and most importantly, downright fun.

The Grand Tournament (expansion) The Grand Tournament is something with which most every World of Warcraft player is familiar. The lighthearted – but sometimes frightening – festival translates well to trading card form and offers players a unique host of new gameplay mechanics. But unlike Blackrock Mountain, these mechanics and cards don’t break the game or otherwise maim Hearthstone’s sense of casual, magical whimsy.

Whispers of the Old Gods (expansion) Far from the happy-go-lucky tournament grounds you’d find at The Grand Tournament, Whispers of the Old Gods takes players to a Lovecraftian horror show. The cards in this expansion feature tentacle-ridden monsters and other creatures that look like they came from Davy Jones’ locker. The cards match their grotesqueness only in power, which is what any Hearthstone player would say this expansion is known for.

Curse of Naxxramas (adventure) Curse of Naxxramas was the first set of new cards to ever grace Hearthstone players’ collections. For this reason, most remember it fondly through the lens of nostalgia, but it’s not just these goggles that make Naxxramas so good. The cards in this expansion are all well balanced and create new strategies that don’t feel restrictive. The praise Naxxramas received allowed Blizzard to see what worked well moving forward. League of Explorers (adventure) While I wasn’t a huge League of Explorers fan, I understand the importance of this particular entry in the Hearthstone mythos. Cards were introduced that provide support for each different play style, and much like One Night in Karazhan, everything seems to flow evenly. What small power discrepancies might have existed between decks seems insignificant when faced with this adventure’s interesting characters and cards.

Jacob Saylor

THE GAMER Video games journalist

Jacob Saylor has covered the massive

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. Follow Jacob on Twitter @skulldrey.

Goblins vs Gnomes (expansion) If I caught flak for choosing this as my favorite expansion, I could understand. On the surface, it seems to have everything that I decried in the first few card sets on this list: swingy power levels, semi-forced deck archetypes and some truly broken cards. But what sets this apart is that every facet – while not good on its own – counters others in a tornado of perfection. Good cards fall prey to better archetypes, while these same archetypes lose the gamble to higher-powered decks. Goblins vs Gnomes is the epitome of great game design and a flag-bearer for what Blizzard should strive to achieve in future card sets.

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OUT & ABOUT

Tallassee Tiger Night

August 17, 2017 J.E. 'Hot' O'Brien Stadium, Tallassee 1. Taylor Goodman and Madeline Taylor

2. Faith Adams, Sarah Smith and Liberty Bridgeman

3. Kennedy Tucker and Calen Patterson

4. Haleigh May and Zeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kiah Skipper

5. Kennedy Taunton and AnnaMarie Gregory

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OUT & ABOUT

4 7

Troy Alumni Reception August 22, 2017 Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 1. Michael Morgan and Belyn Richardson 2. Bobby and Martha Carol Murchison and Kathy Willis 3. Christy Cooper and Liz Cole 4. Phyllis Watson, Susie Smith and Janice Howell 5. Greg Willis and Bettie Welden 6. Mike Holmes and Lance Tatum

7. Tiffany Robinson, Larry Smith and Tasha Darnell

8. Jerry and Susan Pinson and David and Tensley Batson 9. Wayne Turner, Phyllis Kennedy, Crawford Kennedy, Hope Brannon, Bob Henderson, Mike Davis, Barbara Davis, Charlotte Henderson, Dennis Kizziah, Dawn Kizziah, Christy Cooper, Adelia Turner, Rebecca Gregory and Jim and Belyn Richardson

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OUT & ABOUT

Labor Day Concert September 3, 2017 Lake Martin Amphitheater 1. Lynda and Don Thurlow 2. Becky Taylor and Mike Freeman 3. Trey Worthington and Bailey Goodman 4. Shane, Beau, Abby and Blaze Tralor and Baylor,

Ashley and Baxlee Adams

5. Barbara Mainor, Pat Bice and Charlotte Knight 6. Jon Lamdis and Caroline Benjamin 7. Carrie, Gracie Claire and Johnny Keel

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OUT & ABOUT

Edgewood Academy Football Game September 1, 2017 Edgewood Academy, Elmore 1. Brad and Bron Owen and Amelia and James Golden 2. Bradley Boone, Brandon Malon and Bryson Boone

3. Julews Thames and Markie Hicks 4. Elizabeth Ellis, Caroline Kennedy and Misty Mitchell 5. Haley, Daxton and Lawton Cosby 6. Dawson, Kaylin and Jaycie Black and Hannah Woodall 7. Dean Guthrie and Thomas Parker

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OUT & ABOUT

Alabama Christian Football Game

September 1, 2017 Elmore County High School 1. Terry Sanders 2. Ricky and Debbie Williams

3. Jan and Gracie Atkinson 4. Shane Traylor 5. Kaylen Dunaway, Traci Buchannon and Madison Traylor 6. Rob and Angie Gulledge

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OUT & ABOUT

Lunch Room Ribbon Cutting September 8, 2017 Wetumpka Elementary School 1. Dale Bain, Leisa Finley and Richard Dennis 2. Susanne Goodin and Jason Mann

3. Connie Hatcher, Rhonda Bozeman, Monique Chambliss and Melissa Bowen 4. Minnie Pringle, Bonnie Sullivan and Tracy Wright 5. Joanne Wright, Niki Johnson, Shelia Johnson and Earline Zeigler 6. Cacyce Davis

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept. 14-30 I Do! I Do!

bands: Clear Blue Sky, Brighter Day and the Laura Harris Band. Champâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will be serving food, and admission is $5 for adults, while children 12 years and under are free. The shady grove location is about 10 miles north of Wetumpka on U.S. Highway 231 to north on County Road 29. For more information, read more on page 13 or visit www.tituscommunitycenter.org.

Sept. 17 Bark in the Park

Oct. 3 Wetumpka Chamber Drawdown and Silent Auction

Wetumpka Depot Theater presents a timeless story of young newlyweds as they progress from wedding night jitters to parenthood, mid-life crisis and, finally, the golden years. Visit www.wetumpkadepot.com or call 334-868-1440 for ticket information and details.

A day of fun activities for you and your pets from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. There will be pets available for adoption, interactive demonstrations from the Wetumpka Police K-9 team, games for kids, a pup parade and more. From 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. you can get your pet microchipped for $25. Refreshments are available, along with vendors for both you and your pet. Admission is $5 per person over the age of 13 and all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Elmore County. Vendor spots are still available for $35, but you must provide your own table/tent. For information, call the Humane Society at 334-567-3377 or email hselco@bellsouth.net.

Sept. 22 4th Annual Millbrook Clay Shoot

Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce will host this annual event at the Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports Club, sponsored by the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. Four person teams can register for $400, and individuals can register for $100. Awards will be given for the first and second place teams, along with the high shooter. Lunch will be included in registration, but participants provide 12- or 20-gauge shotgun, along with shells 7-1/2 or 8 shot. Sponsorships are available as well. For information, call the chamber at 334-285-0085.

Sept. 30 17th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival

Located at the Titus Community Center, a day of live bluegrass music, barbecue, arts and crafts and a variety of vendors will provide fun for all ages. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature the following

A $100 ticket includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction and a chance to win up to $10,000 in this Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce event at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Dinner-only tickets are $25. Stop by the chamber office at 116 E. Bridge St. to purchase tickets or register online at www.wetumpkachamber.com.

Oct. 5 Third Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Adullam House will host its third annual golf tournament at the Robert Trent Jones at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Registration is $150 for an individual and $600 for a foursome and includes green fees, cart fees and lunch. The deadline to register a team is Oct. 2. Registration is at 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. tee time and lunch to follow with door prizes. Sponsorship opportunities are available and those interested should contact Don Powell at 334-2076702 by Sept. 29. For information, call the Adullam House office at 334-514-3070 or e-mail Philip Powell at philip@ adullamhouse.org. All proceeds will benefit the Adullam House Christian Academy expansion project.

Oct. 7 House of Holidays

Find arts and crafts, bakery and frozen entrĂŠe items, plants, toys and second-time-around treasures at this annual event at First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka, 306 W. Tuskeena St. Contact Gloria Johnson at 334-312-1764 or email her at rhqmgb@gmail.com.

Oct. 8 Alabama Art Colony Art Walk

Shop for original art created by regional artists of the

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2017 Alabama Art Colony workshop. The walk will be held on the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in cabins 9 and 10.

Oct. 10 Mourning Jewelry

A program will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Elmore County Museum in Wetumpka, presented by Ryan Blocker, textile curator with the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Oct. 14 25th Alabama Cotton Festival

Originally from Alabama exhibit WC Penn, Inc. WWI by John Davidson

This annual event hosted by the Town of Eclectic will be held at 145 Main St. in Eclectic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include the Warehouse in downtown, which will be the center of entertainment. Main Street will have nearly 100 vendors selling arts and crafts, food and other goods. For more details, go to page 20. For information, contact Town Hall at 334-541-3581 or visit townofeclectic.com.

Season-Long Events Haunted Wetumpka Investigations

In-depth paranormal investigations will take place in the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce building from 7 p.m. to midnight on the third Saturday of the month. Cost is $50 per person and reservations are required. For information or registration, call 334-567-4811 or email jyoung@wetumpkachamber.org.

Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. until noon, hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced ANC naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or ID plants and animals, splash through the creek, or catch insects in the meadow. General admission applies and is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. To check holiday closings, visit alabamawildlife.org.

Tallassee Civitan Club

The Civitans meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Budde Building on Gilmer Avenue. This volunteer organization serves individual and community needs by funding and hosting special events for people with developmental disabilities. A social time at 5:30 p.m. precedes meetings.

The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery will host a historical exhibit, also a juried art show featuring new works that highlight all aspects of life in Alabama from 1817 to 2017. The Originally from Alabama exhibition opens Sept. 22 and will run until Jan. 18 at The Kelly, located in the city administration building at 208 Main St., Wetumpka. A reception will be held Oct. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. where awards and cash prizes will be awarded for the first, second and third place entries. Artwork will be judged on the following criteria: creativity, originality, composition and craftsmanship or quality of technique, as well as appropriateness. There are 109 entries that will be exhibited in the show, as each artists’ interpretation of the theme. Works will range from realism to abstraction and may vary in all forms of medium. Each adult artist was given the opportunity to submit up to five pieces. Accepted art will be featured in an online catalogue and gallery at thekelly.org. Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade may submit an unlimited number of digital images as well, at no cost, and all works will be documented on thekelly.org.

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Bluegrass Jam, Sit and Scrap and Sit and Sew

Dixie Art Colony Foundation Exhibit

All three activities are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments and skill levels are welcome at the Bluegrass Jam. Scrappers and paper crafters are encouraged to attend Sit and Scrap. All sewers and knitters are welcome at Sit and Sew. For details, call 334-578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org.

Regular gallery hours are held from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at 219 Hill St., Wetumpka. Appointments and small group tours are available upon request. Special tours include a 16-minute video, Dixie Art Colony: A Look at Its Lasting Legacy. Exhibits rotate every four months, and a selection of periodicals and books from the DAC Foundation Resource Library also are on display. Contact Mark Harris at 334-328-0730 for information, or email him at M.Harris@DixieArtColony.org.

Stories and Rhymes

The Eclectic Public Library hosts a variety of activities, including stories, rhymes, dress-up, dance and music at 2 p.m. every Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. every Saturday. These programs are free and enrich a child’s lifelong love of reading. Guests are welcome to visit the library’s gift shop and bookstore during hours of operation from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Master Gardeners Lunch and Learn

Bring a sack lunch to the Elmore County Extension Office in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month for a gardening presentation hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Event is free and open to the public. Drinks provided. For information, visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/ or call 334-567-6301.

Cruise-In Car Show

Pull into the Super Foods parking lot on Gilmer Avenue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the third Saturday of each month for a look at the spectacular wheels.

Busy Bee Quilters Quilters meet the second Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at Santuck Community Center, 7300 Central Plank Rd. For information, call Sheila Puckett at 334-399-3249.

The Walls Exhibit

From September to December, the Elmore County Museum will host an exhibit about the first state penitentiary, which was located in Wetumpka off Hwy. 231 across from the Russell Do-it Center (a supporting wall and an original silo still stand from the building). The exhibit will have prison records, which people will be able to manually search through; prison artifacts; two books compiled from newspaper articles regarding the Walls and its criminals from 1842 to the early 1900s; and a few unusual items found in the newspaper articles that will be replicated for the display. For information, contact Sharon Kilpatrick at elmorecountymuseum@gmail.com.

Wetumpka City Pops

Wetumpka City Pops Community Band rehearses on Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wetumpka City Administration building. Any woodwind, brass and percussion players are encouraged to participate.

Santuck Flea Market

The Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month at 7300 Central Plank Rd., Hwy. 9 in Wetumpka. To have your upcoming event featured in the Elmore County Living’s ‘Coming Up!’ pages, email information to editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com by the first of the month.

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City of Millbrook celebrates 40th birthday

The city of Millbrook is turning 40 years old and is inviting its residents to join in the celebration. Millbrook’s Birthday Bash will be held Friday, Sept. 29, and is hosted by the city and Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) at the AWF pavilion to observe the town’s establishment. The event will be appropriate for all ages, and family friendly activities will be available. “This is our little way of giving back to the community. It should be fun for the whole family, and we want to get everyone involved,” said Kevin Kelley, event organizer. Two local bands will play from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a 20-minute long fireworks show at 9 p.m. created by Pyrotecnico, a professional fireworks company. The show should be visible all over the city, even for those not attending, according to Kelley. Ray Goss and The River Rats, with guest singer Sonny Grier, is a local band that has played at many events around Millbrook for years and will be the opening act. The headline band is Tallassee’s Sweet Young’Uns, celebrating its 50th birthday as a group. Kelley said many older generations might know them very well. They have made Billboard’s top 10 lists with two hit songs and, although they have a bit of country influence, they tend to mostly play music with influence from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Activities for children, such as bounce houses and inflatable slides, will be on site. There also

will be nearly 20 vendors, and the local baseball and softball organizations will be serving concessions. People are allowed to bring in outside food, but not alcoholic beverages. “The city used to have an annual free event, but we ended up with more than 10,000 people in attendance, and it could have gotten out of hand. We were afraid it could no longer be controlled safely,” said Kelley. Tickets are on sale now for $20 at the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce and City Hall, but they will only be sold as pre-sale, and there is a limited number available. Children under age 15 will be admitted free of charge with a paying adult. The venue also is smaller than previous years, and therefore the number of people that can be accommodated is fewer than in the past. There are 1,200 tickets available to the public and about 1,500 in total, which includes sponsors. According to Kelley, there are 37 corporate sponsors' tables already booked for $400 each. Sponsor fees include a table for 10 located under the pavilion at Lanark, 10 tickets, 20 beverage tickets, two VIP parking passes and free food provided by sponsors. Participating companies also will be recognized on a sponsor board and several times throughout the event. Several in-kind donations have also helped to make the event possible, according to Kelley. “All net proceeds are being donated to the AWF after the event. The city is not making anything off of this or trying to profit from it,” said Kelley.

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Business & Service Directory

Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Bezlo's Cafe Bless Your Heart Eclectic Town Hall Eclectic Library Johnson’s Furniture Original Grace First Community Bank

Lake Martin

Russell Lands Russell Marine Nail’s Cotton’s BBQ

Millbrook

Verizon Wireless First Community Bank Lucretia Cauthen Realty Bliss Salon Millbrook Chamber of Commerce Realty Central Stone & Britt Law Gene Jones Insurance

Slapout

Lake Pharmacy The Golden Frog The Boy’s Store First Community Bank

Tallassee

Kent Eagle Y Petro Parker Tire RoadRunner Herron Hill Pharmacy Friendship Grocery The Apothecary Community Hospital Tallassee Health & Rehab 5 Points Store Tallassee Automotive

Wetumpka

Aldridge Borden Company Bennett’s Archery First Community Bank Russell Do It Center Bumper’s

Karen’s Mane Tamers River Ridge Steakhouse Emerald Mountain Store Redland Market Seivers Accounting Wetumpka Depot Players A Touch of Class Angel Locksmith Verizon Wireless Unplugged Must Stop Café Alfa Realty Wetumpka Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty Wells Fargo BB&T Jackson Thornton Lee’s Auto Repair McQuick Printing Company Hankins Insurance Hog Rock BBQ Wetumpka YMCA Adams Drugs Bell Chiropractic Wetumpka Urgent Care USAmeriBank A Beautiful Creation

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Austin’s Flowers Camo Country Alabama State Employees Credit Union Smokin S BBQ Elmore Community Hospital Wetumpka Preschool Wetumpka City Library Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce City of Wetumpka Administration Bldg. Coosa River Adventures Stoddard’s Bait Shop Collier Ford The Prissy Hen Wee Ones Daycare Wetumpka Health & Rehab Canal Grocery Kim’s Corner Wetumpka Flea Market River Perk

Our Advertisers â&#x20AC;˘ To Join, Call 334-567-7811 Advanced Heating & Air........................................................................................................4 2 Brandino Brass..........................................................................................................................1 2 City of Millbrook......................................................................................................................4 5 Collier Ford.................................................................................................................................1 2 Community Hospital................................................................................................................3 Community Medical Arts........................................................................................................3 First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka...............................................................4 4 Jackson Thornton....................................................................................................................2 9 Karen's Mane Tamers.............................................................................................................4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.........................................................................................................4 4 Mark's Service Center...................................................................................................................... 2 9 River Region Dermatology........................................................................................................... 4 4 Russell Lands....................................................................................................................................... 4 8 Tallassee Health & Rehab, LLC.............................................................................................1 2 Tallassee Internal Medicine....................................................................................................3 Wetumpka Depot Players.....................................................................................................2 9 Wetumpka Flea Market.........................................................................................................1 2

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Don't see your ad in this issue of Elmore County Living? Neither did the thousands of potential customers who read our magazine monthly. To advertise please contact - Marilyn Hawkins 334-202-5108 - Kat Raiford 334-444-8981 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092

What is pumpkin spice? MK Moore

SOUTHERN DELIGHTS Mary Katherine Moore is an Alabama State Fair pepper jelly

champion, has butchered a wild hog in

her kitchen and grows

heirloom to-

matoes in her backyard.

We have to talk about ‘Pumpkin Spice.’ Let me just say right here that I love pumpkin pie. I’ve explored all sorts of pumpkin pie recipes, from the straight-up back-of-can recipe to pumpkin mousse to baking the filling in an actual pumpkin. The last one was during a Martha Stewart fan girl faze. Don’t ask. I’ve sampled pumpkin pie chunked up in ice cream and fried pumpkin pie. But it is all pie. Real pie. Not pumpkin spice flavored anything. I’m coming in hot here. Pumpkin spice (PS) flavor is gross. It is not even a real thing. It is not pie. It doesn’t taste like pie. It is a flavoring. But what flavor? Is it pumpkin with spices like a pie? Is it just the spices used when making a pie? Whatever it is, it has now infected just about every food product on the shelves: PS coffee creamer; PS coffee; PS Pop-Tarts! A quick online search for pumpkin spice at the Wally shows 764 products. PS Cookies. PS Granola bars. PS Peanut butter. And the weirdest? Pumpkin spice chili mix. I kid you not. What is pumpkin spice actually? Well, if you are talking about the spices – real ones that you put in pumpkin pie – that would be ginger, nutmeg and a little cinnamon; or a pinch of cloves. Every recipe has its own ratio. If you are jonesing for pumpkin spice, put a few shakes of these ingredients, plus 40 grams of sugar, in your coffee. Voila! Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL as the connoisseurs call it. We all know who started this nonsense. A little coffee company wanted a fall latte to go

with their holiday lattes, so it had its marketing people and food chemist concoct a flavoring with no real ingredients. It was 2003 when this commercial coffee shop debuted the PSL, and the rest is history. Except that part in 2015 where it decided to put a tiny bit of real pumpkin in the mix and nix artificial colors, so people would think it was healthy. No word on all the rest of the artificial flavors in the PSL ‘sauce’ they use to make the lattes. Yes, I have tried one. My opinion is that it tastes like potpourri or a candle; maybe because PS has wandered beyond food and into the potpourri and candle market. I don’t begrudge people getting a little pleasure from a coffee drink. If PSL is your jam, go for it. In fact, I have a pumpkin jam recipe made from pumpkin and spices. But no pumpkin spice. I even anticipate my own seasonal beverage appearance. I mean, who doesn’t love it when it is time for Micky D’s Shamrock Milkshake? I also admit to having a little thrill while waiting for the arrival of Godiva’s pumpkin truffles in their cute little orange foil wrappers. But this pumpkin spice mania has gone too far. In August, people start moaning about and asking when PSL season begins. These same people are the ones who moan about Halloween decorations in stores before Labor Day. Who wants pumpkin anything before Halloween? And for sure, no one wants pumpkin pie before Thanksgiving. But I guess starting early gives marketers more time to sell PS stuff before it is eggnog season. So for those people who do not care for PS, but want a nice warm drink? I have a solution. Apple cider!

Enter the 2017 Annual Lake Martin Living Art and Photography Contest

Calling All Artists Winners featured on the cover and inside pages of our October magazine edition. Entries will be on exhibit at Alexander City’s Wine Emporium and Gallery 128. Submissions accepted in acrylics, oil, watercolor, pastels, pencil & photography. (Up to three works of art per artist accepted)

Entries must reflect life and scenes in Tallapoosa County. All entries must be framed, matted or mounted on boards and ready to hang. A panel of local artists will judge the entries. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes or monetary awards will be made. The contest is just for fun! Clearly mark each entry with the artist’s name, address and telephone number and deliver entries to the office of Lake Martin Living magazine on or before 5 pm September 22. The office is located at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, across from Benjamin Russell High School. Please call managing editor Betsy Iler at 256-234-4281 with questions or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

Now accepting submissions through September 22, 2017. “Koi Pond at Lake Martin” by Debra Griffith

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