Feb 17, 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY

Local teams send wrestlers to state tournament Sports Page B1

‘Republican hypocrisy on full display, again’

Opinion Page A4

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

Wetumpka, AL 36092

50¢

WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 17, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.7

Woman seeks her ‘purse full of memories’ By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Jeanette Kempter of Wetumpka lost her purse Friday. Jeanette wrote an email to The Herald asking for help. After sharing the story, hundreds from the community have shared it in hopes of helping her.

Friday was an ordinary day for Jeanette Kempter until she realized her purse, which usually sat in the passenger seat next to her as she drove, was missing. At that moment, panic set in as she drove back to Chrietzberg Photography, the last stop on her list of errands. A Good Samaritan called in a report to the Wetumpka Police Department

of a purse in the road in the vicinity where Kempter last had her purse. “When I went back Mr. Chrietzberg was there and someone had already called the police and said they saw a purse on the road,” she said. “By the time the police got there it was gone.” The police responded and Kempter returned to Chrietzberg Photography, but only a few remnants of items inside the purse remained. “We went toward the street. I

File / The Herald

Former Herald Editor waves to the camera as she served as the Grand Marshal at the 2014 Christmas on the Coosa Parade. Her son Sean Blackburn serves as her driver for the event.

See PURSE • Page 2

Community mourns Blackburn’s passing

WES takes trip to Old Town Alabama By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor

Fourth-grade students from Wetumpka Elementary School recently attended Pioneer School at Old Alabama Town. Students participated in various hands-on activities during their visit and also took a guided walking tour of the other historic buildings at Old Alabama Town. The two and onehalf hour program offered students a chance to experience pioneer life during the time before Alabama became a state. WES students rotated to different stations and participated in many hands-on pioneer activities. In the kitchen station, students churned butter, dipped candles and learned to make starch from grated potatoes. In the tool station, students learned to chop trees for a log cabin, smooth wood with a drawknife, split wood for stakes and drill holes with See OLD TOWN • Page 3

Carmen Rodgers / The Herald

Troy State University graduate Talesa Harris, actress and entrepreneur, spoke to the “That’s My Sista” attendees about trusting God, dreaming big, working hard and remaining consistent. More than 50 attended “That’s My Sista” Feb. 11 in the Wetumpka Civic Room to hear guest speakers talk to girls ages 11-17 about various subjects.

‘THAT’S MY SISTA’ Program focuses on life for young teen girls By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor

More than 50 girls from ages 11-17 came from Montgomery, Milbrook, Prattville, Tallassee, Eclectic and as far away as Selma to meet at the Wetumpka Civic Room to hear advice Izerra Dumas and her panel of speakers had to give. Dumas said she graduated from Wetumpka High School and thinking back on her life, came up with the program name, “That’s My Sister.” “I thought about my life,” she said. “I thought about when I was a teen and how I didn’t have great role models and no one to really just look See SISTER • Page 2

Promposal pinfall: SEHS wrestling manager accepts prom invite By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Tyler Cook, a sophomore, and cheerleader Stephanie Rines, a junior, pose with the sign Rines used to ask Cook to prom Saturday.

Tyler Cook loves wrestling. Whether it’s pulling for the WWE’s most popular superstar, John Cena, or cheering on his friends as the high school team’s manager, wrestling is the Stanhope Elmore sophomore’s favorite sport. It only made sense to Stanhope cheerleader Stephanie Rines to surprise Cook and ask him to prom while the Mustangs were competing at the AHSAA South Super Sectional Tournament Saturday at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. See PROM • Page 2

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Former editor of The Wetumpka Herald and Eclectic Observer, Peggy Jo Blackburn, passed away Feb. 13 following an extended illness. Blackburn worked for the Herald and Observer for more than 20 years and if you asked anyone who knew her, it would be hard to find someone who didn’t think she was the best in the industry — a committed journalist who always had the community she served in mind. In her career, Blackburn earned more than two dozen Alabama Press Association awards and lead news- Blackburn rooms that garnered twice that many. Tallapoosa Publishers Owner Kenneth Boone said that Blackburn was one of the best he had ever encountered in the newspaper business. “I got to work with Peggy the last few years of her career,” said Boone, publisher of The Herald. “She was a hard worker, dedicated to her community and an excellent editor. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a more talented proofreader in my 30 years in the newspaper business.” She not only wrote about events important to readers, but she supported them and participated, as well. Those who knew her praised her for her tireless efforts in making sure readers knew what was going on in Elmore County. See BLACKBURN • Page 3

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Page A2 • FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Prom

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

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“I thought about it last year around prom time,” Rines, a junior, said. “Wrestling is one of his favorite things, so I waited to ask him here. He loves the WWE and wrestling, so I thought this would be a good scene.” While completely surprised, a nervous Cook said it only took him one second to tell

his friend ‘yes.’ “I’m excited,” he said. Cook, 17, was born at 25 weeks with cerebral palsy and Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges, which can include ADD, ADHD, autism and autistic behaviors, social anxi-

ety, hand-biting and/or flapping, poor eye contact, sensory disorders and increased risk for aggression, according to the National Fragile X Foundation web site. Witnessing the prom proposal to her son, Mandy Cook said she was happy Rines is giving him an opportunity he may not otherwise have received. “I’m very excited for him. He wouldn’t be getting this experience without her,” Mandy Cook said. “Stephanie’s been planning this for about a year, she’s such a sweet girl, she’s like my daughter. She’s sweet to give him an opportunity he wouldn’t have had otherwise. “He’s a manager on the football, baseball and wrestling teams. He just loves these kids.” While the friends haven’t figured out their prom night plans as of yet, Rines said getting Cook to accept was the first step. “I got the hard part out of the way.” Stanhope’s prom is scheduled for March 12 at Jasmine Hill Gardens’ Olympian Centre in Wetumpka.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Sister

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up to, but I choose to live right. I helped raise my sisters. They’re making good grades in school, so I just choose to live different. I choose to break that generational curse for my kids and on down versus how my mama brought me up.” That is when Dumas decided she could make a difference in young girls’ lives. Dumas said what a lot of young girls lack are role models and mentors outside of their parents and too often it is easier as a young girl to talk with someone other than their parents about life issues. “I know there’s some teens out there that’s going through the same thing I went through in life as a teen or maybe worse and have no one to look up to … or don’t have no one to talk to,” she said. “A lot of them commit suicide, a lot of them are depressed and just feeling down and want to hurt someone else, so I know that’s what made me come up with this idea that I want to reach out to them. I want to be able to help.” To help her, Dumas reached out to Troy State University graduate Talesa Harris, actress and entrepreneur; Outreach Ministry Founder and substitute teacher, Josie Knott and La Shelia Gordon, Pastor of Covenant Christian Church-C3 Ministries, Elmore County Public Schools seventh through 12th grade Science Curriculum Specialist and Program Specialist for Professional Development, author and entrepreneur. Harris spoke to the girls about trusting God to dream big. She said they could have anything in life if they worked hard and remained consistent. “Research your interests and passions and never give up,” she said. She said not to forsake their education and pursue both an education and

a passion and have it all. Knott shared the hurts from her past with the audience that included abandonment, rejection, ridicule, and loss. She also shared with them the struggle of choosing to reinvent herself after accepting Christ. She said she has used the last 20 years of her life to pour into others by helping to clothe and feed the homeless and by sharing the Love of Christ. She also shared with the young ladies the value of knowing their worth. Lastly, Gordon spoke to the audience about seeing themselves as Christ sees them. She emphasized their abilities to be victorious in every area of their lives and about being positive in their relationships with one another and how to infect others with the same degree of change. Dumas said there were a lot of questions from the audience during the program. “I had one speaker who talked about her life and her life experiences and she grew up in a home with abuse,” Dumas said. “They (the audience) wanted to know how did she come out of that … abuse and bullying and achieving her goal.” While this was her first event, Dumas said it won’t be her last. Dumas said she will have other upcoming programs and has a “Girls Retreat” in the works. She said it only takes one person to change a life, and maybe she or one of her speakers might just be the one to touch a life they come in contact with. “If I had a daughter between 11 and 17, I would want them to attend one of my programs because I, or one of the speakers, might just be the one who changes their life,” Dumas said. For more on Dumas’ program, email her at thatsmysister2016@gmail.com.

Purse

RE-ELECT

JAMES “TREY”

TAYLOR

ELMORE CO. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 TO

continued from page 1

found my lipstick lying on the ground. Barry (Chrietzberg) went across the street because there was something fluttering around, and there was my checkbook. Someone rode over it, but who cares,” said Kempter. It is not the material things like money or checks that Kempter is concerned with, it is the irreplaceable personal belongings that she holds so dearly that she hopes to have returned. Kempter is 78 years old. She has been married for 58 years and together she and her husband have four children. Her son, Bobby passed away

unexpectedly at the age of 23. The memorial written in the local newspaper after his death was in her purse, along with his photo. “I seldom looked at it, but I knew it was there and when I need to see it I could take it out and look at it,” she said. “It made me feel better just knowing it was there.” Kempter also carried two rosaries with her that held a special meaning to her. One was her father’s rosary, which was given to her after he passed. “It was black in an old little black case. It was so old that I had to glue the side. It must be 75 years

CONTINUE PROGRESS • Continue saving and creating jobs • Continue ensuring the safety of our citizens through our first responder and EMA depts. • Continue paving and rehabilitating roads & bridges • Continue resurfacing dirt roads • Continue economic development • Continue an accountable and transparent govt. • Continue updating county facilities • Continue financial support to schools • Continue financial support to fire departments • Continue a balanced county budget • Continue county recreational improvements • Continue city/town partnerships to improve roads in city/town limits • Continue school partnerships for traffic control and road / parking maintenance I am a conservative Republican with Christian values and a proven record of accountability, transparency, ethical decision making, and PROGRESS. On March 1st cast your vote to

CONTINUE PROGRESS Pd.Pol.Adv. By James “Trey” Taylor

old and it means so much to me,” she said. The rosary her godmother had given her as a graduation gift also held heartwarming memories. “That rosary, she gave me when I graduated from high school. It was very special. She was very a special person, aunt Ceila (Heindel),” she said. “She didn’t marry until later in life because she helped raise my aunts and uncles.” Another keepsake that Kempter would love to have back is the publication of her and her husband’s engagement announcement “We got married September 15, 1958 and it would have been dated a few weeks before that,” she said. When told how many people read and shared her story online, Kempter was excited to hear that so many people in the community cared about her and her story. “That blows my mind, how many people are really involved with computers. They read the newspapers on it and stuff like that. It amazes me,” she said. Kempter had to have some help from her husband, Ronald, when submitting the email to The Herald, but she wrote the letter herself, in hopes that someone would read it and the purse is returned. “Every word that I wrote came from my heart. Some people may say it’s just a purse, but it’s the memories that I had inside the purse that matter so much,” she said. Kempter hopes that someone will find her purse and return it to the Wetumpka Police Department, no questions asked.

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Blackburn Blackburn was known for her knowledge, honesty, loyalty and forthrightness. Shannon Elliott, former coworker said, “The light in this community darkened this weekend when we lost Peggy. She was the biggest cheerleader for Wetumpka and Elmore County. Her guidance was invaluable and her knowledge without end. She loved this newspaper and loved bringing the news to people. She was a true and loyal friend. She was happiest at her desk typing away, on the sideline of a football game or covering government meetings. We have all joked about her ‘look’ because Peggy’s feelings could always be seen through her facial expressions. She was honest and forthcoming in all she did.” In a touching tribute to his mother, Peggy’s son, Sean Blackburn wrote about his mother’s impact on his life as well as the thousands that she touched through her work and caring ways. “As I sit here holding back all of the selfish thoughts of how much I want my mom to be here, all I can think of is that she is no longer in pain,” Blackburn wrote in a post on Facebook. “She was involved in the lives of literally thousands of people during her lifetime. She made it a point to make small town athletes feel like super bowl champions in the way she wrote articles. “She viewed and portrayed the wonderful city of Wetumpka in a manner that one would think you were talking about a major city with mere words. And most importantly she was the most selfless person one would ever meet. She loved the city and community of Wetumpka more than anyone I knew. “And the love for her children was second to none. She made me feel like I was a super hero and treated me with kind hands and a gentle heart the entirety of my life. She loved my children and was so proud to be their ‘MiMi’ and for that, I am forever grateful.” Blackburn was a staunch supporter of “everything Wetumpka and Elmore County,” which was evidenced through her support of local and civic groups, public agencies and community events. Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said Blackburn was one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders. “Peggy was a wonderful lady who loved Wetumpka dearly,” Willis said. “She was always very supportive of all of our efforts in the City and will be greatly missed by the citizens and elected

Old Town

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an auger. In pioneer days where clothing was also made by hand, student experienced a textile station where they learned to remove seeds from cotton, use special cards to brush the cotton and learned to weave on a loom. “When the fourthgrade teachers and students returned … loved this field trip,” said Bonnie Sullivan, WES principal. “They came back so excited and the students enjoyed getting to see what a school was like a long time ago.”

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page A3

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officials. We send our condolences and prayers to the family during this difficult time.” Kristy Meanor, executive director at Wetumpka Depot Players, said “On behalf of the Wetumpka Depot Players our sincerest love and support is offered to the family of Peggy Blackburn. Peggy helped to put our group on the map with her ongoing support of our many events. She not only was accurate but proactive. If I was slow getting out a press release usually she would email me and say ‘come on girl let’s get you some coverage.’ Not only did that prove her loyalty to us, but it reflected how she had her finger on the pulse of our community. Of course, as a journalist she had to report the negative, but you could tell she thrived on reporting the positive. Things will never be the same without her — her kindness, great laugh and professionalism will be sorely missed.” Vanessa Lynch, executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, praised Blackburn for her constant community support and dedication. “When I think of Peggy, the word that comes to mind is constant,” Lynch said. “She was someone you could count on to always be there. Peggy contributed greatly to our community and it was evident how much she cared. She will be dearly missed by so many.” Blackburn’s legacy of caring for others is what Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said he will always remembers about her. “I always remember Peggy as being someone who was sincere and cared about her county and her city,” Franklin said. “She was very interested in what was going on from a public safety perspective. As far as her conversations with the

Obituaries Peggy Jo Blackburn August 2, 1955 - February 13, 2016 Mrs. Peggy Jo Blackburn, 60, of Wetumpka, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 after an extended illness. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:00 p.m. from Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Merrell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday. She is preceded by her parents, George and Marie Pflum, and son, Justin Blackburn. Mrs. Blackburn is survived by her husband Larry Blackburn; children, Sean (Jasmine) Blackburn and Amber (Chris) Rogers, and her grandchildren, Avery, Lilla Kate, and Reece. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Tate, Kevin Taylor, Mickey Elliot and Jay Goodwin. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Lighthouse Ministries of Central Alabama Building Fund, and there will be a donation collection box available at the visitation and service.

RODNEY GRIFFITH sheriff’s office, she was always very polite, cordial and was one of the reporters who was always very accurate and spot on with any story she covered.” Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Merrell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday. She was preceded by her parents, George and Marie Pflum, and son, Justin Blackburn. Peggy is survived

by her husband Larry Blackburn; children, Sean (Jasmine) Blackburn and Amber (Chris) Rogers, and her grandchildren, Avery, Lilla Kate and Reece. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Tate, Kevin Taylor, Mickey Elliot and Jay Goodwin. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Lighthouse Ministries of Central Alabama Building Fund. There will be a donation collection box available at the visitation and service.

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Mack Daugherty Elmore County Commissioner DISTRICT 2 Conservative Republican + Military Veteran Many of us, including me, lament the fact that sometimes good people don’t run for political office. We have examples of this in office today and in times past. I would want my candidate to be a good person and also an honest person. I would want him or her to be capable of doing the job. The people of District Two in Elmore County have an opportunity to elect Mack Daugherty as your County Commissioner. I don’t live in Elmore County, but I know Mack and really believe that he is a good, honest, man who can do the job. I hope he will one day run for a state or federal position. When you really get to know some people who claim to be a Christian, they lose their luster and “thump like a peanut butter jar.” When you get to know Mack Daugherty you will see that he “thumps like genuine crystal. “ John H Mann Jr Retired United Methodist Pastor 668 Fairway Ridge, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-6636 “I have known Mack Daugherty for the past (25) years and have always found him to be a person of impeccable integrity and high moral values. Mack relates well to all people and has a genuine concern for the welfare of everyone. Mack is a gifted musician and is an excellent leader. Mack is an authentic Christian gentleman.” Dr. John Ed Mathison John Ed Mathison Ministries Ret. Pastor Frazier Methodist Church Montgomery, Alabama “In my (60) years in the ministry, I have never married a couple that I had more faith in and believed in, that they would have a long and rewarding life together. I was highly honored to marry Mack and Mary (43) years ago, and I don’t know of any two people that are more loved and respected. I have no doubt that Mack will serve the people of Elmore County well as District Two County Commissioner.” Rev. Zenus Windsor Lineville, Alabama

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OPINION

Page A4 • FEBRUARY 17, 2016

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

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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

Your

Opinion

Reader feels Americans shouldn’t taunt each other, believes in fair play

Dear Editor, Americans love fair play. We put a premium on being good sports, in victory and in defeat. We allow people to say what they will generally uninterrupted. We as a rule, wait our turn. This is practiced in every legislature in the land. We flag football players from little league to the pros for unsportsmanlike conduct, including taunting — especially taunting. The American flag is precious to me. My father fought under that flag in World War II. I have pledged allegiance to that flag hundreds of times. I served 30 plus years in uniform, where I vowed to serve the US Constitution and the nation for which that flag stands. The Confederate States of America flag is also precious to me. Five of my great great grandfathers served under that flag; it is an important part of my heritage. And, by the way, none of them owned slaves. But to others the Confederate flag is another symbol, one of slavery and oppression. While I do not share their view, as an American I agree in fair play, in not taunting a player, or of not deliberately shaking a symbol that is offensive to them in their face. There are others in this nation that find the Nazi flag or the Japanese rising sun flag offensive and would not want it flown in their face, my father one of them. The same applies to the Black Panther flag and the Soviet hammer and sickle. I am not comparing any of those causes to others, please. But as Americans who believe in fair play, is it the best thing to place Confederate flags across from Alabama State University or other traditionally black places of assembly? I think not. Legal? Of course. The US Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. But is it Christian or wise, or evenhanded? No. It is not. Please, please, dear friends, let’s rethink these plans. Bob Reed Colonel, US Army, Retired Tallassee, Alabama

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Kenneth Boone, publisher kenneth.boone@thewetumpkaherald.com Mitch Sneed, editor mitch.sneed@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS John Peeler, managing editor John.Peeler@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 302 Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 313

Republican hypocrisy on full display (again)

he sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia rocked the political world and immediately prompted calls from Republican presidential candidates and other GOP leaders for President Obama not to nominate a new justice to fill the vacancy. They argue the president should not get to nominate a replacement in his final year in office. The debate over replacing Justice Scalia has once again put the spotlight on Republican hypocrisy. Justice Scalia’s judicial philosophy was grounded in his theories of “originalism” and “textualism.” He was a champion of the right for his belief in strictly reading the Constitution and federal statutes to mean what their authors intended, and nothing more. It is therefore ironic the GOP suddenly wants to put their own slant on the Constitution. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice; therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” McConnell and the rest of the right wing echo chamber are clearly self-serving and hypocritical. Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, known as the Appointments Clause, empowers the President of the United States to appoint certain public

MIKE WATERS Guest Columnist

officials with the “advice and consent” of the U.S. Senate. The full and exact text of the clause reads: “(The President) shall nominate, and, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.” Did I somehow miss the part of the Constitution that states the President suddenly loses the power to nominate Supreme Court Justices in the last year of his term? Didn’t the American people already lend their voice to the selection of the next Supreme Court Justice when they elected and then re-elected Barack Obama President of the United States? I guess in McConnell’s version of the Constitution that

majority doesn’t count. Republican congressional members constantly call for strict adherence to the Constitution and continually accuse the President of either violating or ignoring it. Here is their opportunity to actually practice what they preach. The President will meet his constitutional obligation and nominate a new justice. It will then be the Senate’s duty to meet their “advice and consent” responsibility by holding hearings for the President’s nominee and conducting a vote. Obviously the GOP controlled Senate can engage in delaying tactics in order to derail a nomination but they will be exposed for the obstructionists they claim not to be. This will be especially glaring if the nominee happens to be someone they previously confirmed to a lower court appointment. During this election season we are constantly bombarded with Republican campaign ads that have one thing in common. No matter how insignificant the office they are running for, they all tout how they “stand up to Obama” (as if the President actually knows who they are). It would be nice if, for once, these candidates stood up for what the Constitution actually stands for instead of wrapping themselves in it only when it is convenient. Michael E. Waters is a retired Air Force Lt. Col. who writes from Elmore County.

Colorful presidential primary has entertaining candidates

he presidential primary parade has been colorful and fun to watch this year. It has been even more amusing because of the pervasive presence of one Donald Trump and the fact that those of us in the Heart of Dixie have a front row seat to the show. Since we will have an early vote in the presidential fray, due to our being one of the seven Southeastern states having our preference primary on March 1, we are able to participate. We will be voting for president in less than two weeks. Over the past few weeks I’ve been asked on TV and radio interviews if the inevitable nominees will be Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I would not use the word inevitable yet, but I would say they are the clear favorites. Early on I thought that Donald Trump was a fad that would fade. However, folks he has been the frontrunner for about seven months now. He is for real and he is poised to carry Alabama’s GOP primary overwhelmingly. We in the South have a history of enjoying our political characters. Over the course of our political folklore our politicians have been our entertainment. Louisiana had Huey and Earl Long. Georgia had the Talmadges. South Carolina had Pitchfork Ben Tillman and we may have had the best with George Wallace and the king of entertainment, Big Jim Folsom. Big Jim would travel from town to town singing and dancing

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

with his country band the Strawberry Pickers. He was a roadshow. At 6 foot, 9 inches he was the epitome of the words uninhibited and unfiltered. Donald Trump is essentially nothing more than an entertainer. He is used to dominating the television stage with his game show. He is a huckster and promoter and loves the limelight. He is George Wallace and Big Jim Folsom rolled into one. He has Wallace’s flair for demagoguery and Big Jim’s colorful flair for unbridled quotes. National political analysts are even saying that his voters are of the same profile as the George Wallace voters in the 1972 Presidential Race. Trump epitomizes the anti-establishment and race-baiting politics that appeal to Southern voters. He is a throwback to a bygone era. Indeed his presence on the stage this year could possibly pave the way for an epic event from another bygone era. Some are suggesting that we may see an old time-brokered convention at the Republican National Convention this summer in Cleveland. The very large GOP field of well-funded candidates that are parading into Alabama may be able to stay on the stage longer than usual. It is a fact that Republican Party regulars perceive Trump as unelectable and

find him unpalatable. Therefore, they will try to derail his train. The rise of Super PACs and new political money raised online has put tons of money into campaigns never before seen in history. Therefore, while in past years when someone does poorly in primaries their money dries up and they winnow away, these candidates can continue to stay on the stage and cling to their delegates. There has not been a protracted GOP convention that went beyond the first ballot since 1952. The last state primaries are on June 7. It takes 1,237 delegates to be nominated. If Trump does not have that number, then there will be a stalemate. This is a recipe for the conservative GOP regulars to have to deal with some chaos. Trump has forged to the front and is the frontrunner but if there are still a host of candidates left by June it will prevent him from garnering the 50 percent needed to win. There may be a concerted effort by party insiders who generally believe that Trump is not the optimal candidate against Clinton in the general election. So they may try to block him. However, they are overlooking the fact that Trump is the master of the art of the deal. The Don may deal them out and make a deal with either Cruz or Rubio or someone else to make them his VP running mate just prior to the convention. It is a fun show to watch. We could wind up having old time convention filled with multiple ballots, floor

demonstrations, dark horses and favorite sons, minus the smoke filled rooms, because the halls today do not allow smoking. It would be a good show. We will see. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

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

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FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page A5

Elmore County Board of Education addresses graduation rates STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Increasing the graduation rate has been a hot topic in Elmore County and throughout the state. As a primary objective of PLAN 2020, Alabama’s template for education reform, the goal of reaching a 90 percent graduation rate by the year 2020 was set. The statewide graduation rate of 89 percent for 2014-2015 was recently announced. Elmore County’s graduation rate exceeded the state average at 90 percent. The 2014-2015 graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of parents, students, teachers, and administrators. While many school systems across the state are still working to reach the statewide goal of 90 percent, Elmore County has met the challenge to improve instruction and opportunities for all students. All four high schools in the system increased their graduation rates from one to seven percentage points. Larry Teel, Elmore County Board of Education President, was very pleased about the continued growth of the grad-

uation rate and said, “Although the procedure for calculating the graduation rate continues to evolve, we are very confident that all of our schools will continue to have a larger graduation rate each year.” In the past, the primary measure of graduation was based upon the high school graduation examination that only offered one avenue of success for students. Even though the high school graduation exam has been discontinued, several new indicators have been implemented that provide multiple pathways for students to demonstrate their readiness for college and/or the workforce. Each fall, all 11th grade students take the ACT, a nationally normed college admission test, provides educators, students, and parents a tool to use when looking for student proficiency and growth. Each spring, seniors take WorkKeys, an industry standard for employment, and fifth and sixth grade students are already beginning the process of career and educational planning. Additional college and career readiness indicators include qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams,

transcripted college credit, approved industry credentials earned through career-technical education courses, and military enlistment. Students are required to achieve one of these indicators to meet the standard of college and career readiness. All of this effort addresses the goal of PLAN 2020 that is to allow students many avenues to be college and career ready when they complete high school while increasing rigorous instruction in the classroom. Elmore County Board members continue to carefully consider how to best utilize resources to provide students the support and opportunities to explore their futures. Expanded offerings at the Career and Technical Center encourage students to examine careers in welding, health occupations, automotive technology, electrical technology, public safety and law, hospitality and tourism, and others. Robotics and other engaging, student-centered courses encourage career exploration while providing a variety of opportunities for all students to experience success and reach their goal of high school graduation.

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Local homeschoolers care for community Area homeschoolers deliver more than 220 canned foods collected at Academy Days Co-op to W.E.L.C.O.M.E. Inc. in Millbrook to help west Elmore County families in need. Pictured in the front row are Micaela Morbidelli of Wetumpka, Windsor Joye of Deatsville, Jason Jackson of Millbrook and Mary Clara Eddings of Prattville; standing in the back row are Wetumpka resident Hailey Palmer and Millbrook residents Sarah Phillips and Tamara Phillips. The teenagers represent the 45 families who participate in the home school co-op. Held weekly during the school year at Coosada Baptist Church, Academy Days Co-op is designed for preschool through high school students to learn subjects diﬀicult to teach at home or best taught in group settings. Visit www.AcademyDays.com for more information.

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Page A6 â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 17, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

ALL ABOUT FROGS!

FROGGY WORD FIND

Frogs are vertebrate animals (meaning they have a backbone) called amphibians. An amphibian is an animal that lives in the water during one phase of its life and on land during another. Frogs and toads belong to the same family. A frog is smaller, has smooth skin, and lives in the water. Toads are larger, have bumpy skin and live mainly on land. Frogs are found in all parts of the World, except Antarctica. They live in many different types of environments, such as water, trees, and burrows. There are many varieties of colors of frog skin. Some frogs have poisonous venom in their skin; these are usually brightly colored frogs. The male in most frog species is smaller than the female. The largest frog on Earth is the African Goliath frog which weighs in at around seven pounds and is over a foot in length. The smallest frog known today was discovered in Cuba in 1996. It is commonly referred to as the Monte Iberia Eleuth and measures to be only 8.5 millimeters long! Adult frogs go through a process called spawning where females lay their eggs, and a male fertilizes them once they are in the water. When the eggs hatch, the frogs begin their life in the water as a tadpole. A tadÂŹpole looks similar to D ÂżVK EXW LW LV DFWXDOO\ D EDE\ IURJ $ WDGSROH RQO\ KDV D ERG\ PRXWK WDLO DQG JLOOV $V WKH WDGSROH JHWV ROGHU LW develops its body, tongue, and legs, and its tail falls off. When this process of metamorphosis is complete (after about 16 weeks), the tadpole leaves the water as a fully grown frog. Frogs are carnivores which means they eat meat, mainly insects, worms and sometimes other frogs. Fully grown frogs do not have to drink water in order to survive; they can absorb it through their skin. Label the life cycles below: tadpole, egg, Match the frogs to their shadows. adult, froglet, and tadpole with legs.

LABEL THE LIFE CYCLE SHADOW MATCH

1.__________

2._______ 5.__________ 3.__________

4.__________

CONNECT THE DOTS

Shadow Ans: 1-6, 5-7, 4-10, 8-3, 9-2

Hidden Words: Amphibian, Common Toad, Dart Frog, Frog, Horned, Insects, Land, Metamorphosis, Natterchat Toad, Poisonous, Tadpole, Toad, Tree Frog, Vertebrate, Water, Wood

Life cycle ans: 1)Adult, 2)Eggs, 3)Tadpole 4) Tadpole with Legs, 5)Froglet

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FAITH

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FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page A7

Religion Calendar •First United Methodist Church men’s group will hold their annual pancake breakfast Feb. 27. The proceeds will support the missions sponsored by the group, and particularly their wheelchair-ramp ministry. Breakfast — bacon or sausage, juice or coffee, and all the pancakes you care to eat — will be served from 7-10 a.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $5 each, and may be purchased at the door, or ahead of time from any member of the men’s group. All are invited to enjoy this great meal and support the ministries of the group. •Calvary Baptist Men’s Ministry will have a men and boys breakfast Feb. 28 at 7:30 a.m. All area men and boys are invited to attend this great time of faith, food, and fellowship. For more information contact the church office at 334-567-4729. •Open Arms International Outreach Ministry and Minister Charlotte Crawford will present the Prophetic Prayer and Healing Summit 2016 at 3 p.m. March 5 at Jeanette Barrett Civic Room 27 (directly behind Depot Players off Main Street). The event is free and open to the public. •Newsboys - We Believe, God’s Not Dead Tour will perform at 7 p.m. March 31 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Tickets start at $25. They may be purchased at ticketmaster.com or call 334356-6866 for more information. •Calvary Baptist Wetumpka is hosting a “Cans of Love” food drive to benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off at the church through March 11. •Calvary Baptist Church of Wetumpka Griefshare Ministry meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. This ministry is for anyone who is struggling with grief due to the loss of a loved one. The cost of the workbook is $15. If you would

like to participate you may attend either of the sessions. Also, if you are dealing with grief and cannot afford the cost of the workbook, we would still like for you to be a part of this ministry. Our desire is to help anyone dealing with grief learn to cope and overcome. For more information about this ministry contact the church office at 334567-4729. •Emerald Mountain Christian School announces the opening of registration for new families for the 2016-2017 school year. The school is an inter-denominational Christian School with teaching based on a biblical world and life view as found in the infallible Word of God. We are located at 4125 Rifle Range Rd, Wetumpka, AL, 36093. EMCS offers a college preparatory curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is celebrating its 50th year of operation, having been founded in Marion, AL in 1965. We offer football, basketball, baseball and golf for boys. We also offer cheerleading and golf for girls and plan to add basketball, volleyball, and softball next year. Students are also afforded opportunities to travel as well as taking classes in foreign language and computer. We are central to Wetumpka, Eclectic, Tallassee, and Montgomery. For more information, call Headmaster David Ames at 334-567-0555 for more information or visit www.emcspatriots.org. •Wallsboro United Methodist Church in Wetumpka has changed the evening Wednesday service to Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information, call 334-567-0121. •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. •Mulder Memorial United Methodist

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street

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

Visitors Welcome At All Services

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. •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.

•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 334-415-8314. All proceeds are used for church-sponsored programs.

Pastor Rickey Luster,

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

NURSERY PROVIDED PROVIDED FOR NURSERY FOR ALL SERVICES SERVICES ALL

•Lake Pointe Baptist Church is a new church and Faron Golden, pastor at Lake Pointe, will be sharing the church’s plan for serving the community and surrounding area through the message from God’s Word. Lake Pointe is located at 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, Alabama 36853, and is just a short drive. Everyone is welcome. Come! Let us build! Other Area Religion Briefs •St. Vincent de Paul Feb. 21 - Matthew Kelly “Seven Pillars of Spirituality Part 2” Feb. 28 - Matthew Kelly “Seven Pillars of Spirituality Part 3” March 6 - Scott Hahn “Why a Protestant Pastor Became Catholic Part 1” March 13 - Scott Hahn “Why a Protestant Pastor Became Catholic Part 2”

First Presbyterian Church

Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

100 W. Bridge St.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro

Minister Dr. John Brannon

Sunday School..9:45 am Morning Worship..11 am

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

567-8135 “In the name of the Lord Jesus – Welcome.”

Please join us.

Mountain View Baptist Baptist Church Church

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

Rickey Luster, MusicDirector Director Music

•Pastor Eddie W. Coleman II and the Oak Valley United Methodist Church family has chosen that our theme for 2016 will be: More like Christ and less like man. Lord help me, to be more like you. Located at 3889 Burt Mill Road Tallassee, Al. Questions? Contact Pastor Coleman at 277-5991.

•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.

Wallsboro United Wallsboro United Methodist Church Methodist Church Rev. Ryan Rev. Ryan Johnson Johnson Pastor

•St. John All Nations Pentecostal Foundation Church 3495 Hwy 14 Notasulga, AL 36866, Minister Alma Purter, Pastor. Welcome, welcome, welcome! We look forward to your presence. Program committee: Sis. Brenda Moss 334-4010706, Sis. Linda Pullium 334-209-3208 and Sis. Judy Moss.

•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.

•Elam Baptist Church, 4686 Notasulga Road, Tallassee, a Welcome Home Church, invites and encourages everyone to attend each service and activity.

•Friendship Closet, a ministry of Friendship Baptist Church located next to the church, is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. If you have a need for clothes, shoes, etc. for women, men and children, come visit us. You will find the presence of God there!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Santuck Baptist Church

7250 Central Plank Road

“A Family of Families”

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

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

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

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

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The Eclectic Observer

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FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page A11

Area Calendar New at the Wetumpka Library What: New Books: Midnight Sun by Jo Nesbo; Violent Crimes by Phillip Margolin; The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young; Brush Back by Sara Paretsky; Find Her by Lisa Gardner; The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher; The Hollow Girl by Reed Farrel Coleman; Onion Street by Reed Farrel Coleman; Supercell by Buzz Bernard; Blue Avenue by Michael Wiley and Second Skin by Michael Wiley. New Audio Books: Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman; Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb and Find Her by Lisa Gardner. Preschool Story Time is at 10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday mornings. For more information, call 334-567-1308 or visit wetumpkalibrary.com and on Facebook. Elmore County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 19th Annual Hunting Heritage Dinner When: Feb. 18, 6 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Single, couples, sponsor and corporate table tickets available. A ticket includes an all “you can eat” ribs and chicken meal as well as a one-year NWTF membership. Other activities included with tickets: silent auction, live auction, raffles including a total of 19 guns to be given away. For other information and/or tickets, call Gene Calhoun 334-315-2636 or Phil Savage 334-850-7997. Millbrook Players present “Li’l Abner” When: Feb. 18-21 & Feb. 25-28 Where: Millbrook Community Theatre Details: Based on the classic comic strip, Li’l Abner is packed with one show stopping dance after another - pure entertainment for the whole family! Tickets are $8 for children ages 6-12. Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up. Visit www.millbrooktheatre.com or call 334-782-7317 for more information. Elmore County Humane Shelter presents: Getting Down with the Dawgs Drawdown When: Feb. 20, 5 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center Details: A $100 ticket gives you a 1 in 300 opportunity to win $10,000. Tickets include buffet dinner, chance to win door prizes. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets are now on sale. Call 334-567-3377 for more information. SKYWARN Basic Storm Spotter Class When: Feb. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center, located at 410 South Main St. Basics: The Elmore County Emergency Management Agency has opened registration for a free SKYWARN Basic Storm Spotter Class. Anyone 12 years of age and older interested in learning about severe weather may attend this free training provided by the National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office. Registration for the course is required. For more information, call the Elmore County EMA at 334-567-6451 or email Kim Trost at ktrost@elmoreco.org to reserve your seat(s) today. Registration will remain open until 5 p.m., Feb. 23. This is the only SKYWARN spotter training class being hosted by the Elmore County EMA in 2016. Montgomery Chamber Music Organization presents the Dover Quartet When: Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Where: Wilson Auditorium, Montgomery

Details: For more information or ticket information call 334-277-3505 or log on to www.montgomerychambermusic.org Titus VFD Camp Stew Sale When: Feb. 27 Where: Titus Volunteer Fire Department Details: Quarts of stew will be on sale for $10 each. Proceeds will benefit the fire department. Call Darrel Murchison at 334-558-1507.

Sports & Outdoors Alabama Bass Trail South on Lake Martin When: Feb. 20, 5 a.m. Where: Lake Martin Details: The first stop of the Alabama Bass Trail South Tour. Future stops will be on Lewis Smith Lake, Lay Lake and Lake Jordan. Log on to www.alabamabasstrail.org for more information. Color in Motion 5K Montgomery When: Feb. 27, 9 a.m. Where: Montgomery MotorSports Park Details: Registration is $50 per person. You show up wearing white and we do the rest! As you sprint, jog, waddle, or leisurely stroll along the course you will be bombarded with bright colors that transform a group of ordinary runners into a moving rainbow! Go to www.colorinmotion5k.com for more information.

2016 PRIMARY ELECTION ELMORE COUNTY POLL WORKER SCHOOL FEBRUARY 23, 2016*

Growing small and community business is not what we do. It’s who we are. Our practice O ti iincludes l d consulting lti to t businesses b i of all sizes and personal and business tax services. Call us in Wetumpka at 334-567-3400. www.jacksonthornton.com

WETUMPKA MONTGOMERY DOTHAN PRATTVILLE JACKSON, MS NASHVILLE, TN

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FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page B1

Elevated expectations for Lady Bulldogs By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Holtville overachieved last season, winning a game at the Class 4A South Central Regional Tournament thanks to solid play from underclassmen who led the team in every statistical category. Losing only two seniors, last year’s overachievement, plus the postseason experience, has elevated the expectations for the Lady Bulldogs in 2016 sky-high. “I feel like we kind of got a little bit ahead of ourselves,” HHS senior third baseman Courtney Twiggs said of 2015’s success. “We didn’t train as good as we should have, we needCory Diaz / The Herald ed more conditioning, we needed Holtville second baseman Julia Porter (center) fields a shallow popfly during a more work than what we did. “This year that’s what we’re the 2015 season. working on, we’re working on con-

ditioning, working on endurance so we can last through long tournaments like that.” Freshman pitcher Kaylyn Dismukes won 21 games for the Dawgs in the circle last season as an eighth-grader, including the 6-3 victory over Oak Grove at regionals. Offensively, Dismukes and then sophomore second baseman Julia Porter and seventh-grader Brooke Cooper paced their team in batting average and RBIs, the two latter combining for nine hits and three RBIs in the three regional games. Senior rightfielder Morgan Cleveland said with the invaluable experience the underclassmen received last year, Holtville is ready to take the next step. “I feel like (Dismukes) learned a lot at regionals last year about how much harder we’re going to have

to work to go all the way. She’s definitely ready for it this year,” Cleveland said. “Our defense has always been really strong. I don’t think much has changed from last year. We did lose those two girls, but we’ve had girls step up and play those positions that are going to do just as good. “Brooke Cooper, she’s going to be our first baseman. She’s worked so hard, her hitting and defense have come such a long way.” More prepared for the rigors of a long season plus a deep playoff run, the Lady Bulldogs are closer than ever, not only off-the-field but on it with experience, a factor it didn’t have in 2015. “I feel like everyone on our team now has the same experience,” senior See SOFTBALL • Page B2

Peggy Blackburn pushed me to teach me By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

n my desk here at the Herald office, I have a purple peacock feather, a memento my dear friend and former managing editor Peggy Blackburn gave me the last time she came into the office just a few Diaz short weeks ago. I accepted the feather from her, as she cleaned out some bookcases and other things from her office, in remembrance of all our time working together. There were hard times, fun times, tiring times, but we always prevailed and got the paper out. That’s just what we did. We prevailed, in large part to Peggy, and we never let up. On Saturday after a lengthy, hard, tiring, yet odd-defying fight, my friend succumbed to cancer, but in the only way she knew – valiantly and with peace. The peacock feather – in her favorite color – is a tangible object I can carry with me, but it pales in comparison to the intangibles I learned from Peggy that I’ll carry with me the rest of my journalism career. As a scared intern at the Wetumpka Herald in the summer of 2007, from day one, Peggy constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone, never wavering on what she expected out of me. She didn’t push me because she wanted me to fail or that she didn’t care, but in fact, she encouraged me because she did care and she wanted to get the best out of me. That’s what she wanted for the Herald and the Wetumpka community and what she believed it deserved – the best. With Peggy anchoring this operation for as long as she did, I know firsthand that’s what this paper and the community received – the best because she was the best in the business. As my managing editor and my friend alike, Peggy taught me commitment, she taught me self-discipline and unyielding pursuit of the story. She taught me to never compromise and professionalism, she taught me strength and patience, and I believe she prepared me for anything that waits around the corner – I will eternally love her for that. Peggy will always live on, not only in my heart, but in the pride and approach that I’ll forever take in my work. I will miss my dear friend and editor, my “Peg Leg” as I called her. Just like the purple peacock feather will always be on my desk, through the hard, fun and tiring times, Peggy will always be there, too.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Wetumpka freshman Cole Blackwell (120-pound) pulls Benjamin Russell’s Saxon Coker over during their consolation semifinal match at the AHSAA Class 6A Super South Sectional Tournament Saturday.

SUPER SECTIONALS SUCCESS More than 20 wrestlers claim state tourney bids By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Area teams compiled successful tournament résumés while more than 20 wrestlers grabbed state bids Saturday at the AHSAA Super South Sectional Tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery. Wetumpka senior and reigning Class 6A 126-pound state champion Vershone Graham and Stanhope Elmore senior Ty Naquin each won their respective sectional tournament championship at 138 pounds and 113 pounds, and as a team, Holtville set a new program record, sending eight wrestlers to the 1A-5A state tourney. Finishing one shy of last year’s mark, WHS had seven grapplers earn state tournament berths and Stanhope had six seal spots. “It’s exciting to be a part of, and it’s nice to see the guys’ seeing their record improving,” first-year Holtville wrestling coach Ben Jackson said. “We’ve got several guys that have been in the program for a few years, and I’m just excited to be with them and help them with that.” Sophomore Brady Richardson headlined the Bulldog contingency, taking a team-best second-place at 138, falling short to Leeds’ Chandler Teems in the finals by a 9-8 decision. Peyton Johnson (152-pound) finished third, freshman Tristan Watson (113pound) fourth, Austin Rhodes (126-pound) and Cameron McCormick (132-pound) fifth, Spencer Gordon (106-pound) and

Nathan Smith (heavyweight) sixth and Cody Gibson (145-pound) seventh for Holtville. The team met its goal of sending seven wrestlers to state, and Jackson said he’s hopeful his Dawgs can compete individually and as a team. “It’s going to be tougher to score points because there’s not going to be any ringers in the race. We’ve got a bunch of guys that can get in there, even if they don’t stay in the championship bracket the whole time, and get after it and score some points that way.” Junior Trent Holley lost by a close, 4-2, decision to Benjamin Russell’s Justavious Robinson, the 220-pounder’s second loss in three matches this season, to end up second at sectionals. “Trent had a hard match at the end, we were hoping he’d go in as the first seed at state,” first-year Wetumpka wrestling coach John Mason said. “That’s Trent’s third time facing him, (Robinson) has bested him two out of three. But Trent did beat him at state last year, so we’re hoping for a good match between them again.” Behind Graham and Holley, three Indians finished third in their weight classes, seniors Jaret Gallops (152-pound) and Trevor Leonard (182-pound) and junior John Ellis Rawls (195-pound). Freshman Cole Blackwell earned his second consecutive state tourney bid, placing fifth in the 120-pound bracket, while Trent Barrett ended up eighth in the 170-pound division to round out WHS’s state-bound group.

“Jaret Gallops hadn’t been to state in two years because he had Tommy John surgery last year, and he’s going in bear up this year with a tweaked shoulder. But hopefully that adrenaline will kick in,” Mason said. “Trevor Leonard, one of our seniors, he’s one of those quiet guys. This whole season, he’s not really been seeded where we thought and got shafted a lot, but at the end of the day, he’s had something to say. He’ll make some noise at 182, for sure. Rawls, he’s improved so much over the course of the season, and he has a really good chance. “And last but not least, Vershone Graham, I can’t say enough about him. He’s a special man. He’s in a different weight class going in, two classes up. He faced one opponent from Muscle Shoals, Joe Green, in the Opelika Duals and Vershone came up short in that overtime match. He needed to see that, and he’s been training hard to do what it takes at state.” Logan Smith (195-pound) and Jake Andrews (heavyweight) took home second at sectionals at Stanhope, losing in the finals by pin to Pelham’s Karl Nagel and 8-4 decision to Benjamin Russell’s Daniel Bland, respectively. Going to state for the Mustangs, Tanner Sheffield (132-pound) placed fourth, Tobias Garrison (160-pound) fifth and Ethan McCord (113-pound) eighth. The AHSAA state wrestling tournaments start Thursday at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.

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Pitching propels Wetumpka’s flight for playoffs in 2016 By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

If Wetumpka can put up a seven on the scoreboard, head baseball coach Mark Davis is confident his team can win. With the way the Indians’ pitching staff stacks up with experience, manufacturing offense will unlock the playoff combination that the club has missed the last two seasons. Wetumpka won seven of eight games when it scored above seven runs in 2015, but for the season as a team, only averaged almost four runs in 31 contests. “I think the main thing is to put the ball in play, scoring runs when we get them in scoring position,” Davis said. “With the pitching staff being able to throw strikes, we need to manufacture runs. “Our goal every game is to score seven runs. If we can do that, I think we can

do a great job.” WHS opened the 2016 season Monday versus LAMP. PITCHING: Pensacola State College signee Cody Herring highlights an experienced Wetumpka rotation. The senior right-hander, who tops the radar gun now with an 88 mph fastball, will be relied upon in must-win games, after starting in each of the last two years for the Indians. Herring led WHS in 2015 in innings-pitched (51) and strikeouts (62), while garnering a 2.88 ERA. Fellow seniors Ryan Crockett, a Samford University signee, and Elijah Hughes, who started a combined five games last year, complete a solid starting rotation that lost five pitchers who took the mound for the Indians. OFFENSE:

That same trio of seniors that will be counted on to keep Wetumpka in games pitching will be the catalysts to ignite the offense, as Herring, Hughes and Crockett will bat, 1-2-3 in the lineup, respectively. From the leadoff spot, Herring batted a team-high .388 and scored 29 runs as the senior looks to get on base ahead of Hughes and Crockett, who batted .274 and had 10 RBIs in 2015. Behind them, Davis said junior Miller Williams and junior Dylan Norton will need to step up to help push WHS’s offense forward. DEFENSE: All of Wetumpka’s experience resides in the infield, with Crockett playing third, Herring at shortstop and Hughes at first, when any of the three are not pitching. Norton steps in at second base, taking over for Southern Union Community College signee Hunter

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Wetumpka pitcher Cody Herring, shown here throwing a pitcher last season, looks to lead the Tribe pitching staff during his senior year.

Stubbs, with the least amount of varsity games, but with Davis’s confidence. While three contrasting fresh faces will start in the outfield – Trey McCreary

in centerfield, Hayden Shepherd in leftfield and Kaleb Hines in rightfield – Davis believes the upgrade in speed will help improve the team defense.

SUB- REGION: Crawford’s late free throws lift Stanhope to regionals By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Dalayiah Crawford slayed her team’s season-long nemesis in the biggest moment Monday night. With 5.2 seconds left, the sophomore hit two free throws, lifting Stanhope Elmore over Gulf Shores, 50-49, and sending the program to its first regional tournament berth in 13 years. “At the time, it was, ‘oh my god, here we go, this has been our nemesis,” Lady Mustangs head coach

Softball

able, the biggest win in my time here at Stanhope.” Crawford finished with a teamhigh 17 points, while fellow sophomore NaKayla Harris had 16. Stanhope (6-17) led the whole game on the road before Gulf Shores battled back and took its first lead, 49-48, with seconds remaining and a Class 6A South Regional spot on-theline. On the Lady Mustangs’ next possession, Crawford drove the baseline and drew the foul to get to the freethrow line.

“I’m so proud of them, their resiliency and where we are going – to regionals. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Stokes said. “People look at our record and think, ‘how did they get here?’ It’s resiliency. They’re so young, but they played big championship ball from jumpball to the buzzer, and I can’t ask for anything else.” SEHS will meet Blount in the first round of the regional tournament Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Dothan Civic Center.

continued from page 1

shortstop Reagan Law said. “They know what it feels like to be able to go to that level and what it feels like to lose at that level. So, we’re only

I N D I A N S

Kelvin Stokes said. “She looked at me and I looked at her. She had a concerned look on her face but I told her to knock them down and she nodded. It was intense; it was a sold out gym. There was so much noise you couldn’t hear yourself think. “She hit the first one, and the second hit the front of time, sat there for a second and then dropped in and the gym went quite and our bench went crazy. We played good defense that last five seconds and got a turnover to run the time out. It was unbeliev-

going to get better from this point on.” Holtville opened the 2016 season Tuesday at Wetumpka.

• Vershone Graham • Wetumpka • Won his weight class championship (138 pounds) Saturday at the AHSAA Class 6A Super South Sectional Tournament.

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29 pets find forever homes during National Adoption Weekend REA CORD Executive Director

Many thanks to PetSmart, members of our staff, numerous awesome volunteers and especially our adopters who helped 29 of our pets find their new and loving homes this past National Adoption weekend. Quite a few dogs and cats that have been with us for many long months got their Valentine wish and are now cuddling with their new heartthrob — just what we hope for all of our pets. This week is “the” week. If you haven’t purchased your ticket for our 6th annual “Getting Down with the Dawgs” DrawDown Feb. 20 and your chance to win $10,000 then you need to make a quick trip to our shelter. We only have about 30 tickets left to sell from

HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS a total of 300 tickets so don’t miss out. Besides potentially winning big, this will be an evening of fun with our huge extended shelter family. Each ticket holder and guest will also get a delicious buffet dinner and beverage, plus a cash bar and much more. Powersounds USA and DJ Ziggy will be adding to our evening with music and a super light show and we are very lucky to again have our very own rising musical star and American Idol finalist, Jessica Meuse, join us. We know everyone will thoroughly enjoy Jess’s powerful vocal talents and we just love that she is a proud adopter

of a few of our shelter pets. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Feb. 20, cash bar will be open approximately 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the Drawdown starts at 7 p.m. If you don’t have your ticket(s) yet, hurry to the shelter at 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092. We are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday for ticket sales and will announce on our Facebook when we sell that last ticket. Tickets can also be purchased with a credit card over the phone and we will hold the ticket in ‘will call,’ as tickets cannot be mailed. For any questions contact us at 334-567-3377 or email hselco@bellsouth.net and we’ll see you at Wind Creek Wetumpka Saturday.

Meet Arbor, HSEC Pet of the Week Arbor is an almost 11 months old as of mid Feb ‘16 and is a Rottweiler/Labrador mix girl. She is an active gal but very sweet and smart. Arbor is about 45 pounds now and looking for a loving home. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. The 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. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092 or go to our website at www.elmore-

humane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 • Page B3

ELMORE COUNTY POLL WORKERS March 1, 2016 Primary Election TALLAWEEKA BAPTIST William Goss Mary Ellen Peters Johnny Justiss Mary Taylor Payne Suellen Hatchett Margaret Miller Monice Keahey Janet Smith

GOD’S CONGREGATION Carolyn Smith Cynthia Martin Inez Rhone Davis Norma Gill

WETUMPKA CIVIC CENTER James Jacobs Robert Sutton Charles Edwards Barbara Knight Cynthia McGee Faye Jacobs Jean Edwards Juanita Brand Lewis Walls Robert Brown Debra Golden Jim Anderson

FRIENDSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT Vicky Lackey Sylvia Harrison Margaret Day Ashley Easterwood Robert Funderburk

ASBURY KENT COMMUNITY CENTER Edwin Walker Nancy Andrews Patricia Mooney Tammy Brantley

KOWALIGA FIRE DEPARTMENT Rita Wright Betty Colley James Birmingham Paul Wright

DEATSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT Guy Vanderman Janice Thayer Cynthia Dobyne Robin Bolyard

CRENSHAW PARK

Hertisene Crenshaw Doris Roberts Pennie Smith Yuna Braswell

NEW HOME BAPTIST CHURCH James Dozier Ruthie Mae Duncan Barbara Ann Knight Belinda Smith Donna Gilliand Jerry Clay Lyle Shelby Varner Mary Dozier

COOSADA TOWN HALL Doris Zeigler Doris Beatty Billy Mixon Clara Mixon Donald Owenby Joann Wilson Mary Alice Owenby Virginia Sutherland

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Tommy Sparks RJ Arceneaux Rodney Oshel Jeff Neuber Bill Harrington Christine Neuber Dawn McAdams Keith Guyse Linda Sparks Peggy Guyse Vicki Parker Kathleen Tharp

VICTORY BAPTIST

REDHILL COMMUNITY CENTER Eloise Hilyer Elaine Hall Sam Wade Delores Scarborough

Johnny Moore Marvin Hattaway Eugenia Westbrook Melissa Bazzell Muriel Belmont Theresa Bocquin Shirley Haase Gayle Page

ECLECTIC BAPTIST CHURCH

MILLBROOK CIVIC CENTER

Wanda Burt Montez Boutwell Carolyn Jeanette Lambert Celia Baggett June Eason Libbye McGhee Kitty Graham Neysa Lazenby

SEMAN COMMUNITY HOUSE Kitty Hopkins Jan Fisher Lalah Shaw Linda Evans

SANTUCK COMMUNITY CENTER Dorothy Dawson Gaynell Puckett Jeanette McWhorter Paul Owens Angela Williams Shelia Puckett Sheila Green Diane Gilbert

WALLSBORO COMMUNITY CENTER Rita Ward Jessie Williams Dawn Pritchett Edward Johnson Ocie Dunson Ruby Gray Teheresa Kay Wells Vera Delane Hyde

WEOKA COMMUNITY CENTER Judy Rainey Mark Waldrop April Maddox James Butler

BUYCK FIRE DEPARTMENT Richard Holman Arcuqlia Pearson Sherry Holman Nell Boydston

TITUS COMMUNITY CENTER Charles Rowe Ann White Clarence Wayne Ray Patricia Harris

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH Rebecca Browning Deborah Manasco June Mabry Lola Womble

CAIN’S CHAPEL LIFE CENTER Martha Hardy Mary Wingard Angela Blankenship Asenath Coker E.W.L. Coker Alicia Hammonds Faye Moody Winford Collier

Russell Ledlow Mamie Long Willie Mae Duncan Bertha Brown Betty Ledlow Carol Yarbrough Carolyn Frost Emma Johnson Jacqueline Zeigler Karen Hopson Ruth Porter Martha Baxter

FAIN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER Ed Sanford Errol Law Betty Crowe Idell Gill Janice Cash Lee Cash Robbie Killen Howard Stanley

RUSHENVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Violet Burke Carole Renee Langley Bobbie Jean Graham Shane Ward

BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH Charlene Hiebel Susan Hansen Rebecca Mobley Jean Waggoner Nadine Jacobs Tony Jacobs Patricia Gause Jennie Allen Tracey Edwards

MULDER MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH Reida Spear Bob Barker James Bedingfield Bonnie Street Gloria Johnston Judi Meeks Jeanette Kempter JoAnn Rowe Joette Castleberry Robert Quinn Tracy Harmon Sylvia Buckhannon

ROCK SPRINGS VOTING HOUSE Hazel Taylor Dolores Wisener Donna Churchwell Hope Taylor

ABSENTEE – WETUMPKA JUDICIAL COMPLEX Milton Welch Addie Stubbs Charlotte Walls Melissa Taylor

Page B4 • FEBRUARY 17, 2016

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Farmers elect new state committee leaders STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Leadership elections for 16 Alabama Farmers Federation commodity groups were recently held during a three-day meeting in Montgomery at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Nearly 900 farmers from around the state discussed challenges, set goals for their respective commodities and helped establish Federation policy. Chris George of Elmore County was elected to serve on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Pork Committee and Elmore County farmer Joe Lambrecht, was honored for his years of service on the State Bee and Honey Committee. Also during the three-day meeting, Lambrecht was elected to serve on the Federation State Horticulture Committee. Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs Director Brian Hardin said the annual meeting charts the course of the state’s largest farm organization. “State commodity committee members are all farmers who are elected by farmers,” Hardin said. “Who better to determine the goals and issues these commodity committees will address than farmers? It’s a true grassroots structure.” Contributed / The Herald

Chris George of Elmore County, left, was elected to serve on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Pork Committee Feb. 2 during the Federation’s Commodity Organizational Conference in Montgomery. He is pictured with Federation Pork Division Director Guy Hall

Elmore County farmer Joe Lambrecht was honored Feb. 2 at the Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Commodity Organizational Conference in Montgomery for his years of service on the State Bee and Honey Committee. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Lambrecht, and Federation Bee & Honey Division Director Mac Higginbotham. Also during the three-day meeting, Lambrecht was elected to serve on the Federation State Horticulture Committee. Contributed / The Herald