Jan 9, 2016 Alex City Outlook by Tallapoosa Publishers

OBITUARIES: FORMER BANK PRESIDENT MILES PASSES AWAY, PG. 2.

Weekend The Outlook

OPINION:

Reader writes about gun control, pg. 4.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

January 9-10, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 7 • www.alexcityoutlook.com

Opelika takes two from BRHS. Sports, pg. 12.

T.O. is named NFL Hall of Fame finalist Alexander City’s own Terrell Owens among 15 in the running for honor By MITCH SNEED Editor

Alexander City native and former Benjamin Russell Wildcat Terrell Owens, who played 15 years at wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, is a finalist for the 2016 class for the National Football

League Hall of Fame. Owens is among just three other players who were in their first year of eligibility to be named finalists Friday. Quarterback Brett Favre and lineman Alan Faneca. Also making the cut to 15 are Morten Andersen, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Tony Dungy, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Orlando Pace and

Kurt Warner. The selection committee for the Hall of Fame is set to meet in San Francisco on the day before Super Bowl 50 to elect the Class of 2016. There were initially 103 former National Football League players nominated before the list was cut to 15 on Friday. Owens was coached at Benjamin See OWENS • Page 3

Dadeville set to begin structure cleanup plan

A PLAN TO BATTLE ILLEGAL DUMPING

Contractors sought, process being finalized for grant

Commissioners to hear proposal Monday

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

By MITCH SNEED Editor

A proposal that some believe could help cut down on illegal dump sites in Tallapoosa County and the consideration of participation in Alabama 2016 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday are among the items that the Tallapoosa Board of Commissioner will consider Monday. Lake Martin Resource Association John Thompson will give a presentation that would ask the commissioners to consider funding the placement and pickup of dumpsters at several sites across the county two times per year. Thompson said the areas that have been chosen are places that have often become illegal dump sites in the past. Some of the sites identified would be in Our Town, Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, Camp Hill and Reeltown. “Through all of our cleanups along roadways, we have discovered several See COMMISION • Page 3

Today’s

Weather

58 40 High

Lake Levels

486.49 Reported on 1/8/15 @ 2 p.m.

Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

A front-end loader, above, moves tires that were discovered at an illegal dump site during one of the recent PATH Walk Clean ups in an area oﬀ Highway 63 in Tallapoosa County. Volunteers, like those at right, have tackled those problems when discovered, but hopes are that placing dumpsters in strategic locations on a regular basis could cut down on such messes.

See CLEANUP • Page 3

A racing heartbeat on ‘The Deadening’

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Lake Martin

File / The Outlook

The city of Dadeville is moving closer to taking down dilapidated structures around town thanks to a $250,000 grant from Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). “Our goal is to eliminate dilapidated structures,” Moore and Associates Susan Moore said. “ We are looking at taking down almost 50 structures around Dadeville. First we will look at those structures on major through fares that are highly visible.” Moore is helping the town of Dadeville with the grant and has overseen projects like it in 2012 in Childersburg and Sylacauga. She also has a project like it underway in Alexander City where structures will be coming down this spring. The grants from ADECA are from federal funds. “The funds come from the United States Housing and Urban Development through a Community Development Block Grant,” Moore said. “The grant is administered in Alabama through ADECA and meets the objective from HUD to eliminate slums and blight.” Moore explained that it would not be on truly voluntarily basis. “We cannot do it on a voluntarily basis because we have to make sure we notify the real owner,” Moore said. “We have to make sure who owns the property. That can be tough in heir properties where it is difficult to

ike many, one of my resolutions this year is to get back in shape. I was once the person in the picture here and I want to return to that resemblance. So once again, like several years ago I am making one of the most popular resolutions. In an effort to start making good on that promise to myself, I decided to go on a hike along The Deadening Alpine Trail on the rocky shores of Lake Martin Sunday. Besides, after days of rain and little sun, I was a bit tired of the house. I think everyone would agree that one could expect to see some nice vistas of Lake Martin from most any trail near the lake, but what about a monster, racing heartbeats and an airplane. Yes, I spied a monster and it serves as a good warning, just as CRATA’s website does about the trail, about no children

GOT JUNK! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sell your clutter in the Classifieds.

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CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

under 12 and the nearby dangers of cliffs and bluffs with no safety barriers. The said monster though is no longer living. Travelling along the trail one quickly sees a large tree that time has taken over and gently pushed. The now moss-and lichen-covered stump that has succumbed to time has revealed some of its roots and rotting center and appears to be a monster from the depths of Lake Martin just yards away. Maybe this out of shape 40ish guy See TRAIL • Page 11

Celebration of Life Memorial Service For Rev. Lawrence Maxwell Will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 At Passion Church 2pm 3340 Hwy 63 N Alexander City, AL 35010

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

There are many switchbacks along the water on CRATA’s The Deadening Alpine Trail. Some of the elevations changes have wooden stairs.

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Girl’s story of boy’s generosity fails grandma’s smell test

Sunday

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DEAR ABBY: Yesterday, when I picked my granddaughter “Michelle” up from school, she asked me to take her to get a pizza. I told her I had no money, and she responded that she had her own money. She then pulled $40 out of her pocket. Michelle is only 9 and has no job. When I asked where she got the money, she told me, “A little boy who’s disabled gave it to me.” I didn’t believe her story, and after I questioned her further, she confessed that she had taken the money from a boy who is NOT disabled. I took the money from her and gave it to her teacher. Her teacher said the boy had accused Michelle, but Michelle had sworn she hadn’t taken it. Abby, my granddaughter not only took his money, but also lied about it. I was devastated. When I told my daughter, she said I should have let her and her husband handle it because now Michelle’s teacher won’t

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Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com

Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com

Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com

Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com

Postal

Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries

Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL

Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

WHAT!

like her and may treat her differently. My daughter is now upset with me, but I was just trying to do the right thing. Did I do the wrong thing? -- HURT GRANDMA IN TEXAS DEAR HURT GRANDMA: I don’t think so. I’m not sure how your daughter planned to “handle it” and make things right for the boy who was bullied and stolen from, but by doing what you did, you ensured that he got his money back. One can only hope that Michelle got a talking-to from her parents about what she did, and has learned not to repeat it. But if she’s tempted to do it again, it’s just as well that her teacher will keep a closer eye on her.

Funeral service for Mr. Daniel Green Miles, 84, of Alexander City, will be Monday, January 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church. Dr. Skip Lowery and Rev. Bill Stinson will officiate. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery with Rev. Steve Arnberg officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Miles passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Russell Medical Center. He was born on February 2, 1931 in Montgomery, Alabama to Wesley Miles and Elizabeth Miles Crowley. He was a long time member of the First

Odell Moody

DEAR ABBY: Many people these days rely on their devices to auto-correct spelling and grammatical errors. Too often I see signage on businesses with misspellings. A few of my friends own their own businesses, and their postings on social media are often misspelled. Sometimes they ask for my opinion. Should I offer advice or ignore this growing trend? -- MISS PELLED IN THE SOUTH DEAR MISS PELLED: Offer advice only when it’s been requested. Advice that is unasked for is usually unwelcome. Unless you want to be known as the “grammar hammer,” keep it to yourself. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Bass Funeral Home and Cremations directing.

You’re not a

Baptist Church where served as Deacon, Emeritus, served on many committees, and taught the Adult I Men’s Sunday School Class. He began his banking career at First National Bank of Montgomery (now Regions) and retired as President of Aliant Bank in Alexander City. During his tenure at Aliant the new bank building was built, automated tellers were revolutionized, and the name of the bank was changed to Aliant Bank. In his spare time he enjoyed bird hunting, fishing, golfing, reading, and Auburn Football. He is survived by his sons, Daniel Green Miles, Jr. (Carol), of Birmingham and Russell Alan Miles (Susan), of Alexander City; daughter, Judy Ann Miles Speake (Gary), of Alexander City; grandchildren, Nick Miles (Ellen), Allison Miles, Jeremy Spears (Kendra), Jason Spears

 Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.  Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.  Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.  Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.  Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.

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 Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.

 Goldville Town Council meets the second

Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.  Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held upstairs in the courthouse at 6:30 p.m.  Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.  Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.  New Site City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.

 Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m.

 Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.

 Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.

548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256.234.4281

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend.

 Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in city hall.

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(Casey), Joshua Speake, Timothy Speake, Paul Speake, Michael Speake, Phillip Speake; greatgrandchildren, Cooper Spears, Carson Spears, Cason Spears, Cade Spears, Cole Miles, and Raleigh Miles; and special friend, Waynell Davis. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Elizabeth Coats Miles; his parents; his brothers, James “Bebop” Miles and Bob Miles. The family will accept flowers or memorial contributions may be made to The First Baptist Church Endowment Fund, PO Box 400, Alexander City, AL 35011. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com.

Public Meetings

Funeral services for Ms. Odell Moody will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Bass Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Albert Pike officiating. Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in Rocky Creek Cemetery. Ms. Moody died Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Brown’s Nursing Home. She was born on February 29, 1924 in Talladega County to H. and Mary Vaughn. She is survived by a son, Dwight (Bridget) Moody and daughter, Anita (Max) Snow. Sister, Inez Shockley. 7 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Moody and 2 sons, Kenneth Moody and Byron Moody.

subscriber? 3 Mos.

329-1217

Advice

Mr. Daniel Green Miles 1931-2016

Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com

C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner

DEAR ABBY

DEAR ABBY: My husband has been in prison for three and a half years, but now he’s moving to a halfway house where he will have much more freedom. He wants to attend my church with me, and I know people there will have questions. Only a few of them know where he has been because I shared it with them. What’s the best way to make this comfortable for both of us and share it as we need to? -- FREE AT LAST DEAR FREE AT LAST: That your husband would like to attend church with you is laudable, and I hope his entry into the congregation will be a smooth one. I have often said that once a “secret” is known by more than one person, it is no longer a secret. Discuss this with your clergyperson and let him or her guide you in the process. If you do, it may help to avoid any rough spots along the way.

Obituaries

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

WHATLEY MONUMENT

Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

The Outlook

 Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853.  Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session.  Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 8258490 for more information.

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Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

Owens

continued from page 1

Russell by Steve Savarese, who led the Wildcat football program from 1985 through 1996. Now the executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, Savarese said Friday that he is excited to hear the news of Owens’ status as a finalist. “We are all very proud of Terrell and what he has accomplished,” Savarese said. “I will be very prayerful that he will be selected to the Hall of Fame. I think he is deserving of that honor. “I love Terrell. We as educators forget that it’s our job to do all we can to influence the young people and help raise them. That’s why I would be honored to be in the crowd next August should Terrell be inducted. I had one other players, Cornelius Bennett, who was enshrines and that was a very proud moment to

be there to see that. I’m sure it would be the same to see Terrell on that stage as well.”” Owens played in 209 NFL games, starting 193 of them. He caught 1,078 passes for almost 16,000 yards – an average of 14.8 yards per catch – and 153 touchdowns. Owens’ 15,934 receiving yards is second all-time behind only Jerry Rice. His 153 receiving touchdowns rank third all-time behind Rice and Randy Moss. The Benjamin Russell High School graduate was named to the Pro Bowl six times (20002004 and 2007). A star at Benjamin Russell, Owens signed to play college ball at Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he set the Moccasins’ singleseason receptions record with 43 his senior season despite almost always enduring double coverage.

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The Outlook

At Chattanooga, he also played basketball and ran track. He anchored the Moccasins’ 4×100 relay team at the NCAA Track & Field Championships and played on the 1995 Chattanooga basketball team that lost 100-71 to Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Owens was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. What are his chances of making the cut? Consider what Hall of Fame Receiver James Lofton had to say in a story posted by the NFL. “When you look at T.O’s record, I don’t remember him ever getting in any real trouble off the field. The biggest trouble he was – was for the defense ... I thought he was a dominant player.”

Social Secu ity Ŷ Social Security Disability & SSI Ŷ Personal Injury & Accidents Ŷ Probate Civil Ŷ Uncontested Divorce

FAYEAttorney EDMONDSON at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256.825.9559

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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Cliff Williams / The Outlook

A property owner used a blaze to help destroy a dilapidated structure on a lot in Dadeville earlier this week. The hope is to use grant money to rid Dadeville of several similar structures in the near future.

Cleanup

continued from page 1

identify all the owners. State law allows the town to condemn the property, send letters to whom it thinks to be owners, posting notices on the property and then have a public hearing about the property. The law protects the towns that follow a due process before taking the structures down.” Moore explained that the council would be involved in the process of selecting the structures. “The council will be involved in many ways,” Moore said. “Yes, they will be involved in the public hearing but they will also be involved in prioritizing which structures come down first.” Moore went on to explain the prioritizing process. “After we identify the structures, we go to the council to see which they think need to be first,” Moore said. “We then start with the first structure,

then the next until the funds run out. In Dadeville we are hoping that will get us about 50 structures.” Moore is also overseeing a similar grant in Goodwater. “In Goodwater, the structures we are looking at taking down are those in downtown,” Moore said. “The seven or eight structures we are looking at have fallen in and have trees growing in them.” Moore explained that many of the structures are dangerous and owners often see immediate benefits. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Moore said. “ They are often falling in and beyond repair. Often owners see the value of the property go up after the structures come down. Sometimes green grass is better on a lot than unsightly structure.”

Commission of these illegal dumpsites,” Thompson said. “The commissioners have also been active personally in some of our efforts and when we discovered some of these problems, they have been instrumental in offering assistance in getting them cleaned up.” Thompson said that after one recent effort, he met with Commissioner John McKelvey, Sabrina Wood, coordinator of Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership, and Tallapoosa County Extension Agent Shane Harris and the idea was born. “We propose placing roll off dumpsters in five selected locations throughout the county on a twice a year basis, spring and fall,” Thompson said. “The dumpsters would arrive on Friday and be retrieved on Sunday or Monday.

continued from page 1

“We would utilize news media and social media to publicize the availability of the dumpsters to the general public encouraging them to dump their large items during this time. We would also use this opportunity to publicize and encourage using the electronic recycling program and other recycling opportunities.” The tax holiday would see the sales tax waived on items that could help residents in time of weather emergencies. The dates statewide are beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 and ending at 12 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28. It’s the fifth year that the state has offered the tax holiday and consumers can buy items from batteries, phone chargers, weather radios, tarps, artificial ice, first aid kits and flashlights without sales tax. A full list of the items included can be found at revenue.

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Opinion Outlook The

Our

Opinion

Congrats to Owens on being Hall of Fame finalist

oday we salute a son of Alexander City. On Friday, Terrell Owns, who is native to Alexander City and attended high school just across Highway 22 from The Outlook’s offices at Benjamin Russell, was named a finalist in his first year of eligibility for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Owens was one of just 15 people on the list of finalists and one of just three of the finalists who were in his first year of eligibility. The NFL Hall of Fame is perhaps the greatest honor available in American football and, despite how one might feel about Owens, his numbers bear out that he belongs in Canton. Owens is second in the NFL all-time behind another former 49er, Jerry Rice, in receiving yards with 15,934. His 153 receiving touchdowns rank him third all-time behind Rice and Randy Moss. Alabama High School Athletic Association Executive Director Steve Savarese coached Owens at Benjamin Russell. Savarese said Owens was a late-bloomer who worked hard and loved his high school and his coaches. “I remember I had a talk with Terrell’s mom his sophomore year and told her the only way he was ever going to play was if he worked harder,” Savarese said. “He was so enthused after that, he started working out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.” And despite his antics in the pros and the numbers and his performance on the field make him a very deserving candidate in our opinion. Any time one of our own makes good – particularly approaches the pinnacle of his profession – we should be proud. And we at The Outlook are proud of this Wildcat. Congratulations, Terrell! Here’s hoping you make the Hall on your first ballot.

Know Your

Officials

Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256-2347395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010. Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256-3299671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee. Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee. Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee. Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256-329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

A long list of election-year expectations

he New Year always comes brimming with new goals, possibilities, and expectations. This year, for many, those expectations are closely tied to the 2016 presidential election. Conservatives had a tumultuous year. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled with unbridled power and without regard to long-settled precedent. The free exercise of religion continued to be hollowed out by politicians and judges across the country. Planned Parenthood’s gruesome treatment of unborn babies was exposed, yet went largely uncensured as the group held onto taxpayer funding. The president’s use of executive action on matters quite beyond the mainstream reached new heights. Even in Alabama, the Republican governor abandoned some of his most prominent conservative campaign promises. Conservatives feel betrayed by politicians at every level of government. As a result, many have pulled back on their civic involvement. Even some conservative politicians have begun to capitulate and have given up on pursuing an aggressive agenda. Still, they hold on to a glimmer of hope that a dramatic change at the top can get the country going in a better direction. Perhaps more than in any other time in American history, the past decade has revealed a national epidemic of either ignorance or apathy to the fact that our government is, as Ronald Reagan put it, “beholden to the people.” Exploiting this, government has grown at an alarming rate and has progressively saturated every aspect of our lives. It has gotten so big, so impenetrable, that any rebuke that does come from the general public is easily ignored and hardly threatening. William F. Buckley Jr., writing in 1963, could have easily been describing 2015

KATHERINE ROBERTSON Guest Columnist

when he said: “I am fascinated, and concerned, by the increasing submissiveness of the American people. In the course of a single year, a genuinely outraged majority cooled off without doing anything about a challenge to three of the very deepest human commitments, the commitment to one’s God, the commitment to one’s freedom, and the commitment to one’s country. . . . What happened was not the result of a rational dialogue, but the result of a national lassitude.” That lassitude, or apathy, is bred by a disbelief in the ability to change anything. While many of us are highly engaged in the ongoing process of choosing our next president, how different would our government be if we were even half as engaged in non-election years? Presidential candidates use issue-based polling as guidance for their positions because they know they cannot win if they stray too far outside the lines of public opinion. What if those in office felt the same way – that ignoring the desires of the public would come with real consequences? When we (consciously or not) continue to accept big government’s inevitability, we cannot help but elevate presidential elections to the status of our once-everyfour-years chance to “right the ship” of our nation. This leads us to pass up numerous opportunities that we have to directly influence government at the local and state level--to really change things from the bottom up, not just the top down, as the Founding Fathers envi-

sioned. As we enter this new year full of nervous anticipation in the political arena, we should certainly do what we can to ensure the election of the best possible president. Still, the most compelling candidate would admit the limitations of the office, rather than promise us the world. First, many of the presidency’s limitations come from the Constitution and, if properly adhered to, would result in a return of power to the states. Second, no president (or government) can guarantee the preservation of our democracy and ideals without the strength of non-government frameworks – the family, the community, and the church. In his book God and Government the late Chuck Colson reminds us that “the answer to the big government illusion is found in small voluntary associations,” or “little platoons,” as Edmund Burke called them. Colson gives numerous examples of families and churches working in the lives of their neighbors, serving the needy, and visiting prisoners. When we do these things, he notes, “in a very real sense, we’re helping to maintain the distinctive character of our society – to preserve America’s richest heritage. We are strengthening the ‘little platoons’ that foster virtue and are the bedrock of America’s freedom.” Katherine Green Robertson is Vice President of the Alabama Policy Institute (API). API is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to the preservation of free markets, limited government, and strong families. If you would like to speak with the author, please e-mail communications@alabamapolicy.org or call (205) 8709900.

Today’s

Quote

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” – John W. Gardner

Today’s

Scripture “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:7

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Log on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com to join in the fun with The Alexander City Outlook’s forum. Create your own topics, post polls and post replies to comments.

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Bobby Tapley

What’s your

Opinion?

Sherry Ellison Simpson

Letter to the Editor

The truth about executive order gun control Bob Howard

Billy Ray Wall

James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-329-9758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee. Thomas Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-749-3355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

James Spann

Thomas Goss

Dear Editor, The executive order concerning firearm background checks just written by our president will be another piece of a failed legacy. There is no gun show loophole as has been widely preached by the liberally biased media. This executive order will have absolutely no effect to prevent crimes committed with firearms or preventing restricted individuals from obtaining firearms. First off, there is no system in place for an individual to conduct background checks. For this to work an administrative infrastructure would have to be created. This would take years to perfect. Take for instance Obamacare. Still doesn’t work. Obamacare was supposed to cost $600 million dollars. The price tag right now is well over $5 billion. That’s billion with a “B.” Even if there was a way for individuals to access NCIC unless there was any history on a given firearm the chain of custody or paper trail would have

already been broken. So without a national registry tracking of a single firearm would be impossible. If Obama wanted to decrease gun sales the single biggest thing he could do is SHUT THE HELL UP!! Secondly, the reason the president didn’t write an executive order that would actually make a difference was his masters wouldn’t allow it. Any executive order that did more than pay lip service to the gun control issue would kill Billary’s chances of becoming president. So Obama was told to back off. For the seven long years Obama has been in office my industry – the gun industry – has been in total chaos. In December 2014, our industry was just starting to stabilize and then the San Bernardino shooting happen and Obama had to start running his mouth and chaos ensued. Right now I am selling more guns to first time gun buyers than any time in history. These people feel the only alternative is to buy a firearm for security. There is no confidence our

government, local, state and federal can provide any security what so ever. This is a very sorry state of affairs for what once was the greatest country on the planet. I do not see any improvement in our current situation any time in foreseeable future. Anyone who thinks Donald Trump is the savior needs to do more studying of the past presidential elections. Trump is an outsider. The Washington establishment will not allow and outsider to be president. Remember what happened to George Wallace. The Republican and Democrat parties are in this together to maintain the status quo. We all thought when Ryan replaced Boehner things would get better for conservatives. Did that happen? No more of the status que. I have no confidence in the dual party political system we currently tolerate. So where do we go from here? God’s will. Thank you for your time. Woody Baird De Opresso Liber Alexander City

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

CommunityCalendar Thanks for a Great Year! SERVING LUNCH IN THE CAFĂ&#x2030; Tuesday - Saturday 11am-1:30pm

www.emporiumwine.net (256) 212-9463 Tue-Fri: 10-5 Sat: 10-2

128 Calhoun Street Historic Downtown Alexander City

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Weekend Events January 9

calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anniversaries

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer United Methodist Church will host a pancake breakfast with sausage and/ or bacon Jan. 9 from 6 a.m. till 10 a.m. for $6 a plate. It is all you can eat dine in only and plates to go are available.

January 10

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CONCERT: 4 ONE Quartet from Michigan will be in concert Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. at Family Worship Center at 1676 Swell St. Pastor Tony Harris is pastor and everyone is welcome.

This weekend is January 9-10, 2016

HAIR AND FASHION SHOW: Gloria Boleware celebrates 37 years of service with a community hair and fashion show Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. at Passion Church on Highway 63. It will feature Hair 4 Daze, Dea Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reesie Williams, Adrian Young, Team Katlin,Sharmaine Stowes, Nalarence Davis Show Models, GoGetters, Marilyn Owens, Lebron Spradley and the Grande Finale Charlene Benton. MISSIONARIES SPEAKING: Calvary Heights Baptist Church will host international missionaries Greg and Laura Sharp. They will speak Jan. 10 at the 11 a.m. worship service. Everyone is invited to hear about their mission to Africa. A love offering will be taken.

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The Outlook

There are no anniversaries on the calendar for Saturday.

Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthdays

Tabatha Walton, Betty Duncan Crowder, Jim Shaffer, Sidney Alexander, Alta Campbell, Doug Coker, Amanda Nole, and Annie Lee Patten are celebrating birthdays on Saturday.

Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anniversaries

There are no anniversaries on the calendar for Sunday.

HOLLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOME FURNISHINGS

We Dare You To Compare! 1660 Hwy. 22 West Alexander City, AL

256.234.4141 Visit us online at:

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April Young, Wynema Sprayberry, Charles Whitehead Mike Bevels, Josh Gilliland, Melinda Luker, Stick McDaniel, Anthony Pearson, Lonzie Edwards, and Larry Gaddis are celebrating birthdays on Sunday.

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256-215-5596 Submitted / The Outlook

Participants in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes I Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Program recently helped with the PATH Trash Walk and Clean Up at Strand Park in Alexander City. Lead by Mentor Teresa Moten, participants Jaylon Denson, Kingdom Smith, Jamari Jackson and Alisa Wyckoff all posed for a picture before heading out to help clean up the community.

January 11

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services â&#x20AC;˘Physical Therapy â&#x20AC;˘Occupational Therapy â&#x20AC;˘Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City â&#x20AC;˘ 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

Season Speaks

SURVIVORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OF SUICIDE: The group Survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Suicide support group for those who have lost a friend or loved one to suicide will meet Monday, Jan. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Martin Family Therapy at 393 Green Street in Alexander City. For more information or directions please call 256-329-3002.

January 16

TRADE DAY: The Bibb Graves School in Millerville is hosting Trade Day Jan. 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

January 17

GOSPEL SINGING: Hillabee Baptist Church will host a gospel singing and concert with Adam Crabb and The Griffith Family Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A love offering will be taken.

January 18

MLK CELEBRATION: Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Prayer Holiness Church in Camp Hill is hosting its 9th annual Dr. M.L. King Jr. Celebration Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. The guest speaker will be Bishop Nolan Torbert.

January 19

MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet Jan. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.

January 21

Express Blowout â&#x20AC;˘ Highlight Ombre â&#x20AC;˘ Gloss â&#x20AC;˘ Color Make-Up â&#x20AC;˘ Keratin Adult & Children Hair Cuts Bridal & Bachelorette Packages 792 Commerce Drive Suite 103 Alexander City, AL

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WINE TASTING: Emporium Wine will host a wine tasting event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 128 Calhoun Street, Alexander City. There is no charge for this event. PUBLIC MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Commission/Emergency Management Agency is scheduling a public meeting on January 21 at 10 a.m. to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will take place at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, Dadeville in the Extension Auditorium downstairs. The public, private nonprofits, municipalities, school board, universities/colleges, utility/water/ sewer boards, fire departments, and elected officials are among those invited and encouraged to attend. Participation is required in order to apply for federal hazard mitigation grants in the future.

beverages, hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, desserts and entertainment. Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling St. James Episcopal Church at 256-234-4752. For information, contact Heidi Ross at 256-794-7010 or Susan Mange at 601-431-8239. FREE SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING: The Auburn University NSSLHA and SAA are having a free speech and hearing screening Friday, January 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.. No appointment is necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please note that very young or handicapped individuals may not be able to respond to the speech hearing screening and may require a more formal evaluation at a later appointment date. Services will be provided by the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic Room 1199 Haley Center.

January 23

BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School in Millerville is hosting family bingo night Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. TRASH WALK: The next PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 at 9:00 AM. We will meet at the fountain in front of Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant to receive supplies and assignments. Come out and join your friends and neighbors for a healthy walk while removing unsightly litter from the roadways of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;most scenicâ&#x20AC;? county in Alabama. For additional information contact John Thompson at jthompson@lmra.info LAKE MARTIN POLAR PLUNGE: Lake Martin Young Professionals hosts its inaugural Polar Plunge, 11 AM, Saturday, January 23 at Kowaliga Restaurant on Lake Martin! Join LMYP as they take the PLUNGE to support the Lake Martin Resource Association and Lake Martin by diving in during the dead of winter. Tickets are $20 to take the plunge and $30 if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too chicken. Tickets include a LMYP Polar Plunge tee shirt, all-day access to live music, games, food/drink specials to Kowaliga Restaurant, and a whiskey warm-up tent. Everyone is encouraged to attend. HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Steve Flowers will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Jan. 25 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

January 30

ART WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a Zantangle Art Workshop Jan 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Way Conference Room. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers, all supplies included. Call Martha McKnight at 256-8256503 or Dottie Holdren at 256-3774918 with questions or to register.

January 31

BIG DAY: Lake Pointe Baptist Church invites everyone to celebrate

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February 1

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. Mark Conversino will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 1 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

February 7

PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill will celebrate itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7th Pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sister Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.

February 8

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Troy Jones will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 8 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

February 11 - February 27

WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Steel Magnolias will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players Feb. 11- Feb. 27. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot.com.

February 16

MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet Feb. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.

January 25

January 22

MARDI GRAS AUCTION: St. James Episcopal Church will host live and silent auctions at this inaugural event to support the Feast of Sharing ministry, which provides free meals twice a week at First United Methodist Church to some 100 people in need. Auction items will include original art, a Russell Marine wakeboarding package, framed photography by Kenneth Boone, handmade pottery items, a vacation at the beach for the whole family, the Rev. Rob Ilerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handyman services for a day and more. There will be beer, wine and non-alcoholic

a Big Day for the church on Sunday, January 31, 2016, beginning at 10 AM. Lake Pointe is a new church and the new pastor will be introducing the church strategy of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come! Let Us Build!â&#x20AC;? in the morning worship on January 31st. The worship music will be led by Anthony Counts, former pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church in Wetumpka. Faron Golden, pastor at Lake Pointe, will be sharing the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan for serving the community and surrounding area through the message from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word. Lake Pointe is located at 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, Alabama 36853, and is just a short drive from Tallassee. Everyone is welcome.

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HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Julie Williams will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 22 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

February 29

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Jerry Armor will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 29 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

March 7

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Susan Webb will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited March 7 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For Consistent Advertising

at Low Rates...

call the Advertising Department

256.234.4281

Page 6

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Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

“Since 1962”

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

256-329-1018

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238

OUR TOWN GARAGE 61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454

A better world is within reach

Pray without ceasing.

– I Thessalonians 5:17

Ivy Creek Medical Equipment 256.825.0677

The Word says, “Teach a oday as I’m child to choose the right path, thinking ahead and when he is older he will to the New Year remain upon it.” (Proverbs 2016, I’m reminded of 22:6 TLB) It is only through an advertisement I read His teachings and God’s many years ago. Love that makes our family The heading for the relationships and our children advertisement reads, what they are to become… “Peace on Earth”… and I can honestly vouch for Begins at Home.” And Carol Page that!!! it went on to say, “All Good News The following unknown ingredients for a better Baptist Church quote says it all…”if a child world are within arm’s lives with criticism, he learns reach at home, where to condemn; hostility, he learns we teach our children the basics of to fight; ridicule, he learns to life and reinforce them ourselves. be shy; shame, he learns to feel Honesty, courage, compassion, guilty; tolerance, he learns to be self-respect, etc. Our best defense patient; encouragement, he learns against the dark side of the world confidence; praise, he learns to starts in the warm havens of our appreciate; security, he learns to homes!” What a true statement… have faith; approval, he learns our homes hold the future!! Have we done everything we can to like himself; acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in to make our children “precious in this world!” His sight”??!! We take the career As we begin 2016 let’s make our of raising a family so lightly today, but it happens to be one of the most homes and our families a priority! Through the “warm havens of our special “joys” and privileges of homes” we can make a difference… life! God created and planned for let’s begin today!!! Love you my the “home” and gave His blessings friends and be blessed! on the family unit, and only with Page is a member of the Good His Love and guidance can we News Baptist Church. make it a “lighthouse” to the world!! This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

Church Directory

Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City

256-234-6366

A.M.E. Saint James A.M.E. Goodwater, 256-839-1007 St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741 River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593

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256-825-7821

24/7 Emergency Room

INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130

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256.234.4281 1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881

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Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. – Psalm 90:2 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100

TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.

Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County

Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston

Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap

Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442

Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville

Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212

Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972

Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748

Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community

New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.

Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685

New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390

Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942

CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd. Alex City

The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513

New Hope Baptist Lake Martin, off Hwy. 63 256-329-2510

Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820

Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City

New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635

Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180

New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville

New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433

New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City

New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331

BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site

Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road

New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846

Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716

Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070

New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932

Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865

Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882

Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville

The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696

Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City

Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989

Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873

Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street

Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171

CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941

Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224

Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243

Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811

Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater

Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236

Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814

Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327

Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037 New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726 Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville

Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351 First Baptist Tallassee St., Dadeville, 256-825-6232 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555 Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798 Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville Jackson’s Gap Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4951 Kellyton Baptist Kellyton, 256-329-1512 Kendrick Baptist Church Nixburg Lake Martin Baptist Hwy 34, Dadeville 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist 8352 Hwy. 50W, Dadeville Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541

Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town

Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road)

Flint Hill U.M., Alex City 256-234-5047 Goodwater U.M. Main St., Goodwater, 256-839-6661

Sixth Street Baptist Sixth St., Alex City, 256-234-2408

Fellowship Revival Center Mission 316 6th Ave., Alex City 256-329-1510 weekends

Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street

Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton

Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City

Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City

Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564

Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590

Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend

The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City

CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631

METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284

CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494

Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater

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Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681 Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville Mt. Godfrey New Site New Site U.M. New Site, 256-234-7834 Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820 Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. – Ephesians 4:31

Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455 Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241 METHODIST – INDEPENDENT Daviston Independent Methodist Daviston, 395-4207 PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411

First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081

House of Restoration Holiness 519 Slaughter Ave., Camp Hill, 256-749-2373, 256-896-2904

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Hillabee Campground UMC 120 CC Road, Alex City Sunday School 10am Sunday Service 11am

EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752 HOLINESS Alex City Emmanuel Holiness Hillabee St., Alex City

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Haven United Methodist 410 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394

PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian 371 Jefferson St., Alex City 256-329-0524

Sandy Creek Baptist Alex City

Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City

First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dadeville Church of the Nazarene Corner Hwy. 280 and 49, 256-825-8191

FULL GOSPEL Dadeville Foursquare Gospel Church Old 280 By-pass

Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville

First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322

Ourtown, Alabama

Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421 Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City GAP Fellowship Ministries P.O. Box 1571, Alex City God’s House 9334 Hwy 63N, Alex City Roger Green Sun. Service: 11:00 & 6:00 Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211 Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119

Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467

New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367 The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007

Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708

The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646

“And we know that all things work G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW together for good to those who love God, 926 Cherokee Road to those who are the called Alexander City, AL according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 256-329-1552

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. – John 3:16

Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

Page 7

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The Outlook

Gotta prune those plants? Maybe not, so check before you cut W

hen it comes to yard work during the wintertime, pruning plants is considered by far the top chore. It is common in January and February to see your neighbor and other homeowners spending their Saturdays whacking on the plants around their home. They are just working away, busy as bees, cutting back those plants. All this interesting work and the funny shaped plants left behind, might inspire you to go get your pruning shears out and go ahead and prune your plants. But before you do that, let me ask you this important question: Just why are you pruning those plants? Because your neighbor is pruning theirs? From the puzzled look on your face, I’m guessing you aren’t real sure. Let me tell you a secret – the fact is you may NOT need to prune your plants. The practice of pruning plants is somewhat

SHANE HARRIS

Extension Service

overrated and many times not even necessary. If done correctly, pruning is a technique used to aid in the health and beauty of ornamental plants. Pruning should be done to remove dead and poor growth, and somewhat control the plant’s size and shape. It will encourage flower or fruit production, and can discourage disease and promote growth by letting light and air into the interior of the plant. More importantly, now listen closely, pruning encourages re-growth. Yes, pruning stimulates growth. It triggers growth at the cut and/or other places. All those branches and limbs you just cut off or are thinking about removing will just grow

right back and typically twice as thick. You just caused more to be pruned later and more yard work for yourself. There is no stopping a plant from reaching its mature size; its genetics. A lot of people who prune their plants have no clue why they are doing it, nor do they know how to do it. Plants are not to be pruned just because your neighbor was pruning theirs or because someone said to. Care-free pruning, especially if done wrong, can actually do more harm than good. In fact, some people go to the extreme and so wild in their pruning practices; that their work can be described as plant abuse. These include many so called “professionals” that annually butcher plants and charge you for such a service. The ugly and disfigured plants created from poor pruning practices are so bad that it makes one wish there was a law

against such a practice. I ask do you hate your plants that much? The key is to have a logical reason to prune or not. An answer of “it has gotten too big” is usually just an excuse and result of having a big plant crammed in a small space. Be smarter on plant selection and know the mature size before planting it. When to prune is also important and depends on the type of plant and the reason for pruning. For almost all plants, however, fall and early winter are bad pruning times, because the tender regrowth stimulated by pruning will be damaged by cold weather. February tends to be the best time for most plants, especially evergreens and fruit crops. However, when it comes to flowering plants, the general rule of

thumb is this: if the plant begins blooming before May, prune immediately after blooms fade; if the plant begins to bloom in May or later, prune in late February or early March, before the start of new spring growth. Extension has plenty of resources and expertise on how to properly prune fruit trees, crapemyrtles, roses, muscadines, and all other plants. Just contact us and we will help and tell +

or show you how. If your plants look fine and are doing great, then there may be no reason to prune. For more additional help or information, visit www. aces.edu/Tallapoosa or call the Tallapoosa County Extension office at 256825-1050. Shane Harris is the County Extension Coordinator for Tallapoosa County.

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The Outlook

Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

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

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Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

Trail should have turned around but I do not want people to see me in this kind of shape when I finally meet my maker. Soon after spotting the waters of Lake Martin the trail falls from the ridge of hardwoods down to the water’s edge. Looking around one might think this is going to be an easy hike with a little climb at the end. Boy was I wrong on that. Hidden among the rock outcroppings and trees were switchbacks, going up and down and up and down the face of the cliffs opposite the Tallapoosa River of Chimney Rock Island and Acapulco Rock Island. Soon, my heart was racing. Did I make a mistake? I did not heed the monster’s warning, trying to scare me away. My out-of-shape self continued to canter along the rocky trail. Around every bend,

Page 11

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The Outlook

continued from page 1

every switchback along the cliffs and Jasmine and Lichen Bluffs, views were everywhere. I wondered, does anyone take advantage of this trail? I know everyone likes to have the lake to themselves but surely I am not dreaming and worse yet surely not unconscious from that racing heartbeat and imagining all this. It is not long before I run across a couple with their dog, all out enjoying the weather and views like me, but my heart is still racing. Every turn and opening in the trees reveal a better view. Occasionally I hear and spy a boat. I start to hear the sound of a motor again, only this one sounds a little deeper, more powerful. At this point on the trail, I don’t have quite the view due to the trees but I keep watch on the water. Much to my surprise and racing heartbeat, I

catch a glance of a small airplane flying about 150 feet above the water between the cliffs to the east and Chimney Rock to the west just clearing the tree tops. I think for a second. Surely if he has a passenger, his heart beat is racing faster than mine, though mine is from being out of shape. It is not long before I start to ascend from the water towards the ridge that brought me to the sights across from Chimney Rock. But there is one last obstacle, Needle’s Eye. Glancing at it I wonder, can I get my pudgy self through there? Surely I will not have to go back the 3 miles I just came. My body cannot take another 650 feet of elevation change. After looking around, the folks at CRATA must have known there would be those outshape like me coming along. They created a bypass around the narrow obstacle.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

This ‘monster’ might scare some, but it is harmless. It is just a lichen and moss covered stump that has fallen and aged with time.

I make it back to the parking lot to discover that more than me and that random couple were taking advantage of this trail. Next time, I hope to be in better shape and no bypass for me. Bring on Needle’s Eye. Williams is a staff writer with The Outlook.

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Cliff Williams / The Outlook

A plane rises above Lake Martin at Chimney Rock Island Sunday. The plane was spotted while hiking the Deadening Trail. The trail runs along the bluﬀs opposite Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock.

ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 12

Weekend Edition, January 9-10, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

WILDCATS SWEPT AT RIVAL OPELIKA By Robert Hudson

AREA SCHEDULE Upcoming local high school basketball games: Saturday, Jan. 9 Dadeville at Auburn, 4 p.m. (Girls), 5:30 p.m. (Boys)

Outlook Sports Editor

The Benjamin Russell Wildcats saw their four-game win streak snapped on the road Thursday night, as they were defeated 89-63 by area rival Opelika. Jeff Hines, head coach of Benjamin Russell (6-13, 1-2 in Class 6A-Area 5), said the effort simply was not there for the Wildcats in Thursday night’s loss. “We were very lethargic and did not play hard. We had no effort, no intensity and did not execute,” Hines said. “The guys weren’t ready to play and, of course, that’s on me.” Timmy Lawson had 19 points and Quen Reese had 13 points for the Wildcats against Opelika. While teams never want to lose area games, Hines said Thursday’s defeat does not spell complete doom for the Wildcats with a few area contests remaining. However, Hines said his team must bring better effort to the floor each and every game regardless of the opponent. “It’s only the second loss in the area, so if we win out we’ll be right there knocking on the door, but we’ve got to understand that the things that make you successful, you don’t ever quit doing that,” Hines said. “We got away from what has made us successful on our little winning streak. The second part of that is that you’ve got to be consistent every time you step on the floor. Offensively, you may not shoot it well every time you step on the floor, but defensively, effort wise and intensity wise that has to be consistent for 32 minutes every time you play a game.” Benjamin Russell will return to practice on Sunday before traveling to Russell County for another area contest on Tuesday. “We’ve got to figure that out and figure it out in a hurry that you can’t play this game without a lack of effort. If you do, then things can get ugly,” Hines said. “I thought that we had kind of overcome that hurdle, but evidently we haven’t. We’ll go to practice on Sunday and continue to work to get better at it.”

Monday, Jan. 11 Woodland at Horseshoe Bend, 4 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

Tuesday, Jan. 12 Benjamin Russell at Russell County, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Dadeville at Holtville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Lanett at Horseshoe Bend, 5 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) LaFayette at Reeltown, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

Thursday, Jan. 14 Beulah at Central-Coosa, TBA (Girls, Boys) Reeltown at Loachapoka, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)

Friday, Jan. 15 Lanett at Reeltown, 4 p.m. (Girls), 5:30 p.m. (Boys) Valley at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Central-Coosa at Dadeville, 6 p.m. (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys)

Monday, Jan. 18 Horseshoe Bend at Wadley, TBA (Girls)

Tuesday, Jan. 19 Benjamin Russell at Auburn, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Central-Coosa at Prattville Christian, 6 p.m. (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys) Reeltown at LaFayette, 4:30 p.m. (Boys)

Thursday, Jan. 21

Lady Bulldogs 68, Lady Wildcats 30

The Benjamin Russell Lady Wildcats dropped to 1-2 in area play after Thursday night’s 68-30 road loss to the rival Opelika Lady Bulldogs. Benjamin Russell Coach Latreisha Moon said the Lady Wildcats (8-9, 1-2 in Class 6A-Area 5) were outplayed and did not capitalize on the few shot opportunities they did get during Thursday’s loss. “We didn’t play any defense and they were just a better team than us,” Moon said. “But the few times that we did have a chance to score, we just couldn’t put the ball in the net on Thursday night.” In particular, Moon said she was disappointed in the number of turnovers and missed free throws. She said those will be the focus when BRHS returns to practice. “When we return back to practice, we’ve just got to work on the things that we were bad at, like turnovers and free throws,” Moon said. “We’ve got to get better at controlling Robert Hudson / Outlook File Photo the ball and not turning it over. We also have At top, Benjamin Russell’s Shannon Woody, right, drives to the basket during a game against to improve at the free throw line. We’ll work solely on defense and free throws and try to Briarwood Christian earlier this season. At bottom, Benjamin Russell’s Hope Westbrook eludes a Sylacauga defender during a game this season. figure things out.”

Opelika at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Dadeville at Wetumpka, 4:30 p.m. (Boys), 5:30 p.m. (Girls)

Saturday, Jan. 23 Booker T. Washington at Dadeville, 3 p.m. (Girls), 4:30 p.m. (Boys)

Monday, Jan. 25 Fayetteville at Horseshoe Bend, 5 p.m. (Girls), 6:30 p.m. (Boys)

Tuesday, Jan. 26 Montgomery Academy at CentralCoosa, TBA (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Elmore County at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Reeltown at Lanett, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), 6:30 p.m. (Boys)

Thursday, Jan. 28 Elmore County at Reeltown, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Horseshoe Bend at Holtville, TBA (Girls), 5 p.m. (Boys) LaFayette at Central-Coosa, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

WHAT TO WATCH WHAT: College Football Playoff

Title Game

WHO: No. 1 Clemson (14-0) vs. No. 2 Alabama (13-1)

WHERE: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale (AZ)

WHEN: Monday, January 11,

Cliff Williams / Outlook File Photo

Alabama junior running back and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry will be relied upon heavily in Monday’s title game.

Friday, Jan. 29 Dadeville at LaFayette, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Beulah at Reeltown, 4 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Wadley at Horseshoe Bend, 4 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

Saturday, Jan. 30 Dadeville at Benjamin Russell, 1 p.m. (Girls), 3 p.m. (Boys)

Monday, Feb. 1 Randolph County at Reeltown, 5 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

7:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time) on ESPN

Childersburg at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)

KEY PLAYERS: Deshaun

Auburn at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)

Watson (Clemson), QB No. 4, So. 303-444, 3,699 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT. 187 carries, 1,032 yards, 5.5 AVG, 63 Long, 12 TD. Wayne Gallman (Clemson), RB No. 9, So. 269 carries, 1,482 yards, 5.5 AVG, 12 TD. Derrick Henry (Alabama), RB No. 2, Jr. 359 carries, 2,061 yards, 5.7 AVG, 25 TD. Jake Coker (Alabama), QB No. 14, Sr. 247-368, 2,775 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT

Tuesday, Feb. 2

Randolph County at Horseshoe Bend, TBA (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys) Holtville at Reeltown, 5 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Dadeville at Central-Clay County, 5 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)

Wednesday, Feb. 3 Central-Coosa at Winterboro, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)

Friday, Feb. 5 LaFayette at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Central-Coosa at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)