June 21, 2017 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

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

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • JUNE 21, 2017

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 119, NO. 25

Police and city put on notice over Council approves department’s religious activities Sunday sales of alcohol

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A national non-profit is alleging “serious constitutional violations” are occurring at the Wetumpka Police Department and in Wetumpka city government because of involvement and endorsement of what are sometimes explicitly religious programs and functions. The WPD and City of Wetumpka are under scrutiny from the Freedom From Religion Foundation for programs and functions run or endorsed by the department. Both were written letters addressing a number of these alleged potential violations. Among them were a WPD chaplaincy program and an officer-involved bible study with local children held from the back of a squad car. Some of the reported instances originated in the months of August and September of last year, while others mentioned in the letters are ongoing. Letters were reportedly sent to Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley and Wetumpka City Attorney Regina Edwards. One sent to Billingsley was dated Jan. 20, regarding a “1:1 Prayer Project Program” involving a chaplain with the department and a sort of fundraising initiative involving contributions for prayers over first responders. Stated in the sec-

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By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Wetumpkans will be able to buy alcoholic beverages at convenience stores, groceries and other locations that sell for off-premises consumption on Sundays beginning Aug. 7. The Wetumpka voted unanimously Monday night to approve an ordinance allowing the Sunday sales of alcohol at such establishments. Passage of the ordinance

brings Wetumpka in line with Montgomery on its laws regarding Sunday sales. “The law goes into effect Aug. 1,” said Regina Edwards, city attorney for Wetumpka. “So the sales can begin on the first Sunday following that.” The ordinance cannot take effect immediately due to administrative considerations. For example, the approved See COUNCIL • Page 2

Arthur to run for Alabama House District 88 Corey Arwood / The Herald

This photo was shared both by the City of Wetumpka and the Wetumpka Police Department’s Facebook pages last year and according to the Freedom From Religion Foundation it’s an example of a constitutional violation because it depicts an officer engaged in a bible study with local children. However, it is only one of numerous complaints lodged against the WPD by the FFRF of constitutional violations involving religious themes and events co-opted by the department.

ond and latest letter to Edwards, Billingsley did not respond to the FFRF’s request for a written response. Edwards’ letter from the FFRF was dated June 7 and it addressed the CJ Deputy Summer Program overseen by the WPD, which states first on its list of activities “Daily Devotionals.” Another WPD program was mentioned as well, the “People Extending

Christian Kindness,” described as a monthly dinner held at the WPD. The department describes it as a meal program for the community operated largely by local churches, and promoted by the WPD. A third issue was raised with images shared both on the WPD and the City of Wetumpka’s Facebook pages of an officer on the back of her squad car in full uniform

surrounded by children reportedly having a bible study. The source of the image was a Blue Lives Matters Facebook page, which captioned the photo, “Officer Dailey of the Wetumpka Police Department having bible study with some kids on her beat. Awesome job officer!” Social media played a prominent role in the See NOTICE • Page 3

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Jeremy Arthur announced today that he is running as a Republican for the Alabama House of Representatives District 88 to represent portions of Autauga and Elmore counties, including Coosada and Millbrook. Paul Beckman currently holds the House District 88 seat, but has voiced his intention to not seek re-election. Beckman has served in the seat since 2010, when he defeated Republican incumbent Mac Gipson in the Republican primary

Arthur and was unopposed in the general election. In 2014, Beckman was unopposed in either the primary or the general election. Arthur said he is the first to announce his candidacy for the soonSee ARTHUR • Page 3

‘Excited’ seniors donate to decorate deck By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Several of Wetumpka’s senior citizens among those that frequently visit the city’s Senior Center have donated to decorate a new back deck at the facility. The deck, which was completed only about a month ago and paid for by the city, is the latest addition to the center, which has served Wetumpka’s seniors since 1947, though it has seen several remodels. It includes an exercise room, a computer room, an activity room, a kitchen and other spaces. But on Friday, all of the attention was on the deck as several of the seniors got their first opportunity to see it since it has been furnished. As the 35 or so in attendance at the center for the Father’s Day lunch filed on to the deck to see it, several sat in the chairs and marveled at their comDavid Granger / The Herald fort. Wetumpka seniors enjoy their newly furnished deck at the Wetumpka Senior Center on Scott “These are nice,” one senior was heard to say. Street. Several seniors either donated items or money to help pay for the chairs, tables and See SENIORS • Page 2 fixtures.

PAGE A2 • JUNE 21, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Obituaries Mr. Roy Terry Mulder Mr. Roy Terry Mulder, 66, of Tallassee, passed away June 17, 2017. He was born January 14, 1951. Funeral service will be Wednesday, June 21, at 3 p.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Weaver officiating. Burial will follow at Claud Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 21, from 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Knox (Charles); brothers, James Mulder (Carolyn) and Douglas Mulder (Linda); and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Lois Mulder and sister, Kathy Peoples. Online condolences at www. linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Local man dies in 231 collision STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Alabama State Troopers say a Wetumpka man was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Sunday morning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Jones Corner Road, approximately five miles north of Wetumpka. Troopers reported that, at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, a 2004 Nissan Maxima driven by Charles Daniel

Johnston, 45, of Wetumpka collided with a 2015 Kia Optima and left the roadway. Johnston, who troopers say was not wearing a safety belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a passenger of the Kia were transported to a local hospital with injuries. No further information was available as troopers continued to investigate the crash.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Council ordinance must be published in the local newspaper for the citizens to review. The single other agenda item that saw final action by the council on Monday night was the approval of the Wetumpka Airport’s application for federal funding. According to Lynn Weldon, the city’s economic director who also heads up the airport, the money would be used to resurface the runway, taxiway, fueling apron and to perform a survey to sure approaches are clear for night-time landings. The total cost of the resurfacing and the survey would be $212,810, based on the lowest bid the city received. The city would be responsible for five percent of the cost in matching funds – $10,640. Weldon said the improvements and the survey are a 90-day project. The council also heard the first reading of a zoning ordinance change that would rezone Red Eagle Chevron on U.S. Highway 231 from res-

continued from page 1

idential to business and approved an item added to the agenda by council member Kevin Robbins that would reschedule the council’s meeting set for 6 p.m. on July 3 to 11:30 a.m. that same day. Robbins said the earlier time would allow for those planning July 4 activities to be able to do so more easily. In the work session prior to the meeting, the council and city staff responded to a number of inquiries from council member Percy Gill. Gill asked for an update on title searches being done on property in District 2 that was set for abatement and demolition. Edwards responded that she had hoped to have a report to the council on that process last week, but health concerns kept her from doing so. She said she was working on that this week and hoped to get a report to the council next week. Gill asked how long the title searches would take once begun. “It just depends,” Edwards responded. “Are there mortgage compa-

nies involved? Are there lien holders? Are there taxes owed? All those thing could affect the timeline.” Gill also requested an update on the schedule completion date for the little league football field, scoreboards, concessions and bleachers and a schedule of use plan for the fields. Mayor Jerry Willis asked Ron Dickerson, who heads the city’s recreation department, to respond. Dickerson said the bleachers were on site, but had not been placed and the scoreboard was at the local Pepsi distributor waiting to be mounted. “The grass at the field is seeded and we’re ready to get quotes on a fence this week,” Dickerson said. “After that, we’ll see where we are on monies. I understand we may be over budget and have to shrink (the concession stand), so to speak, and then we’ll go to bids.” “I don’t anticipate having the concession stand operational before football season,” added Tex Grier, director of public

works for the city. “If we have to make accommodations with a tent, we’ll deal with concessions,” Dickerson said. As far as a schedule of use for the field, Dickerson said it had been made clear to soccer officials that the field’s primary use would be football. “We’re not going to have any conflict,” Dickerson said. “The primary use of the fields is for football and soccer knows it.” Finally, the council also heard from Executive Director Gerry Purcell of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, who updated the members on a number of ribbon-cuttings and grand openings coming up in the city, and from Emily Hutchinson of Child Protect. Hutchinson said she was there primarily to let the council know that Child Protect in Elmore County would be changing its name to Butterfly Bridge to become consistent with the Clanton location, which is in the same judicial district.

Seniors

continued from page 1

“I wish I had these at home,” another said. Among the seniors who donated items to decorate the deck (or the money to pay for the items) were Nancy Holdbrook, who donated the money for four tables, Marlene Goodman, who donated cushions for 10 new

chairs and a group known as The Lunch Bunch, which donated two ceiling fans and light fixtures. The senior who donated the cost of the chairs said she did not want her name mentioned because “my children will think I’m spending their inheritance.”

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CLOSEOUTS & DISCONTINUED ITEMS

The chairs and tables were all made by hand especially for the senior center by Slapout resident Jack Witherington. Mary Ann Barrett, a lifelong Wetumpkan and director of the senior center, said the seniors were excited to have the opportunity to participate in the decoration of the deck. “First, they were excited to get the deck,” said Barrett. “Then they were

all excited about having the opportunity to do something themselves to make it feel like home.” Wetumpka City Councilwoman Rebecca Thornton said that Wetumpka’s seniors were excited about some of the programs Barrett has instituted at the center. “The seniors at the senior center have gotten so excited about the programs there because of

the great job Mary Ann is doing,” Thornton said. Friday’s Father’s Day event was the first at the center since the deck was fully decorated. The Father’s Day event is one of many events at the senior center aimed at the clients, including field trips to restaurants, movies and other places such as Clanton’s Peach Park in addition to the frequent meals and other activities.

“We go out to eat and to a movie at least once a month,” said Barrett. On Friday night, the center hosted its first dance, complete with live music from Preston Frazier. “We had a good crowd,” said Barrett. “We probably had about 40 people or so who showed up. I don’t expect it will be our last dance.”

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Elmore Volunteer Fire Department is accepting bids for materials and labor needed to construct a new fire station. Interested parties should send an email to: RFB@elmorefd.org or call (334) 478-0711. Bids will be received through July 5, 2017

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JUNE 21, 2017 • Page A3

Arthur to-be-vacant seat. “I’ve heard rumors (that others might run,” said Arthur. “But, as far as I know that’s all just speculation.” Arthur said he was encouraged to run for the seat my people in his district and, after some deliberation, decided to do so. “I received a lot of encouragement to run locally,” Arthur said. “I thought about it for several months and, as I got more encouragement, I gave it more serious consideration. It’s a big decision. One that I’ve not taken lightly. “The people of this district have given me a lot, not only personally, but professionally. I see this as a way to repay some of that.” Arthur said three things would sit at the top of his agenda, if elected: job creation, education and ethical leadership.

continued from page 1

“This is a great place to live and I want to maintain that quality of life. That means job creation, creating an effective business climate that encourages growth and success. That’s key to everything. “I’ll also concentrate on our educational opportunities in the state. That’s what people are looking for. Children are our future. People are looking for improvements in everything from pre-K through higher education, but higher ed is not for everybody. So we want to concentrate on education that helps them learn trades, too.” Finally, Arthur wants to help state government recover from the ethical “black eye” it’s received lately. “I want to lead with integrity,” Arthur said. “Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case in our state lately. It’s given

our state a black eye and hurt our ability to grow. I want to help turn that around.” Arthur led the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce for a decade prior to joining the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama as its president and CEO in 2012. Announcing his campaign, Arthur said, “As a fifth-generation Alabamian, I’m proud to call Alabama and District 88 home. My neighbors and friends in District 88, and throughout the River Region, have given me so much. I want to repay their trust and will serve with integrity, dedication, and principled leadership.” Arthur, a Prattville resident, has a long record of civic leadership and local community involvement. He has served as president of the Prattville Rotary Club, campaign chair for the River Region United

Statewide, Arthur serves as president of the Voices for Alabama’s Children Board of Directors, serves on the Executive Committee of the Main Street Alabama Board of Directors, the Alabama School Readiness Task Force, the Business Education Alliance, and the Encyclopedia of Alabama. He also accepted appointments to the Governor’s Small Business Council and the Governor’s Board on Broadband Development. He serves as chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts and as chairman of the Outreach Advancement Council at Auburn University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Alabama. Arthur has served as a member of several national organizations, including the board of directors of the Auburn University

Way-Autauga County, president of Leadership Autauga, president of the Prattville Baptist Hospital Advisory Council, and president of P.A.S.S. (Peers Are Staying Straight.) He currently serves on the boards of directors for the Prattville YMCA, the PrattvilleAutauga Character Coalition, the Prattville Creative and Performing Arts Council, the Autauga County Children’s Policy Council and the Autauga Education Foundation, among others. “Our communities truly care and look out for each other,” Arthur said. “The hardworking men and women of District 88 deserve a representative who looks out for their best interests at the State House. I pledge to work every day to ensure our conservative principles are heard and respected in Montgomery.”

Alumni Association. He served as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Institute for Organization Management (Southeast). Arthur is a member of the board of trustees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and serves as chair-elect of the Institute Curriculum Committee. He is also a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. “I admire, respect, and appreciate the citizens of District 88,” Arthur said. “I uniquely understand the needs facing our local area. I will work hard to guarantee that Autauga and Elmore counties have what they need to continue to lead, grow, and succeed.” The 2018 primary election is set for Tuesday, June 5. If a runoff is needed, it would be held July 17 and the general election will be held Nov. 6.

Notice letter, as both the WPD and city have shared from their official Facebook pages numerous posts regarding the events and programs. Regarding the prayer project and chaplaincy, the January letter to Billingsley stated, “WPD’s participation and advancement of the Christian 1:1 Prayer Project is problematic. It is a fundamental principle of Establishment Clause jurisprudence that the government cannot in any way promote, advance, or otherwise endorse religion.” Secondly, relating to the chaplaincy, the organization states, “WPD’s chaplaincy program is also problematic. Courts have held that public chaplains may only exist as an accommodation of a public employee’s religious beliefs when the government makes it difficult or impossible to seek out private ministries.” The letter goes on to state, “The employment of chaplains, even if volunteer, demonstrates government endorsement of religion, which is a violation of both the federal and Alabama constitutions. It is inappropriate and illegal to provide religious services in a public institution.” A copy of the letters can be found on the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s weppage here: ffrf.org/images/ CityofWetumpkaAL.pdf Numerous posts on the WPD’s Facebook page have included promotions of the religious-themed activities sponsored or run by the department. Among them are those that list specific bible verses, or include written prayers. The letter to Edwards states, “We write to ensure that the City of Wetumpka does not let the Wetumpka Police Department proselytize, endorse specific religions or host religious events.” It states the city and department are in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, “by favoring a specific religion over others.” “As a branch of city government, the police department has a constitutional obligation not to pick favorites between religions,” the letter states. “When the Department hosts bible studies, provides devotionals and hosts dinners with local churches that make explicit reference to their Christian purposes, the Department favors Christianity over all other religions and over those with no religion. “The Department’s favoring of Christianity alienates the 30% of American adults who are non-Christian, or who identify with no religion at all.

continued from page 1

It is also a clear violation of the Establishment Clause.” Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley said little in response to the letters. “We got no comment on that letter,” said Billingsley. Asked if his department would continue to use religious-themed activities for community outreach he said, “Well I didn’t say we were doing that. I just said no comment.” Attorney Regina Edwards was not available for comment due to surgery. Mayor’s Aide and Tourism Manager Tiffany Robinson said they would wait to respond after Edwards was available to review the documents. The legal director with American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama agreed that the behaviors were violations of the Establishment Clause, which is the widely referenced statement in the Constitution prohibiting the establishment of a religion. Whether on-duty or off, Randall Marshall said the officer-led bible study had the ring of a government establishment of religion. “It certainly has the appearance of official endorsement of religion,” said Marshall.

If tax dollars were involved Marshall said that would only aggravate the issue, and without them the activities still appear to be an endorsement. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder of the FFRF took a stronger stance. “It’s totally inappropriate to use the machinery of the police department to proselytize children,” said Gaylor. “It’s really none of their business what the personal beliefs of children are.” She said the FFRF fully supported police department’s efforts to reach out and attempt to better the community and its children through a number of fun and educational means, but not this. “We’re all for the youth emphasis,” said Gaylor. “But then when it crosses the line like this, it’s really predatory when you have other people’s children. That’s not your right and that’s not your business.” She said if it were the practice of another religion or a Koran study there would be outrage, but given it is the practice of the dominant religion, Christianity, it is not viewed the same way. “I don’t ever remember

taking a complaint like this, “ Gaylor said. As for what she wanted to see happen, Gaylor said, “That they will speedily investigate and shut this down … and explain to whoever set this up and participated why this is inappropriate.” The FFRF has recently listed as one of its legal successes a May interaction between the foundation and an Indiana police department regarding what the foundation said was the department’s promotion of religion through email servers. While in Opp, Alabama, the FFRF is actively engaged with a school over reports of prayers at a graduation ceremony involving administration and students alike.

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OPINION

Page A4 • JUNE 21, 2017

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

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Little girls, slime and sparkly things

hat are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice, of course. Perhaps, that is why they like things so sparkly. I’m a guy. I’m as simple as they come, so I don’t really need anything sparkly, other than maybe a fishing lure. Just give me neutral on most things, and I’m good to go. My stepdaughter Emily once asked me what my favorite color was. She was concerned and stressed that I didn’t have one. I did, however, tell her that crimson was my least favorite. War Eagle! Last week, we were at the store buying groceries: milk, bread, slime ingredients—you know, just your regular run of the mill type stuff that your average family picks up. Emily has been on this slime craze as of late. Apparently, it’s a thing. All the kids are doing it. While I think it’s pretty silly, I’m sure if I was a 10-year-old little girl, I’d be in to, too. I was a part of the parachute pants and mullet craze, after all. The ingredients in making the slime include laundry detergent, borax, and Elmer’s Glue. The grocery store of choice that day had a very limited school supply section and the glue was more limited than that. In fact, there was one type of

JODY FULLER Columnist

Elmer’s Glue, so I told her we’d go somewhere else. She looked at me like I had slugs and snails and puppy dog tails coming out of my nose. “Noooooo. This is perfect,” she said. “It’s sparkly.” Indeed, it was. It was purple, sparkly Elmer’s Glue. Who knew that even existed? I only knew of the regular white stuff. When I was her age, I’d put it all over my hand and pull it off like dead skin. Yes, that’s kind of gross and disturbing, but I was a little boy. That’s who we are. Blame it on the slugs and snails. What can I say? We got home and made the slime. She read the recipe, while I pulled out the measuring spoons and other supplies. She mixed it all up and kept working it with her hands. She even said she was kneading it. Hey, as silly as slime is, if it’s a gateway to her learning to make homemade biscuits, then I’m all for it. Maybe her mom needs to get in on this slime craze, too. She kept working it and asked if I could add a little detergent. I was washing dishes, trying

to cook or something; I can’t remember, but I do know that I was busy and my hands were full. Much to my chagrin, I stopped what I was doing and poured her a little more laundry detergent. “Thank you,” she said. When it was ready, she looked over at me and said, “This is the best slime ever! It’s so sparkly.” I could tell she meant it by the smile that stretched from ear to ear. She even went on a weekend trip with her friend RG and took the sparkly slime with her. I think they made even more. As silly as it may be to a 45-year-old kid like me, the sparkly, purple, gluey, gooey slime made a 10-year-old little girl’s eyes light up and sparkle, making the entire process worth its weight in golden slime. She was a happy little girl, and that’s what it’s all about. A few days later, her eyes sparkled again, but this time that smile stretched all the way around her head. We found out that she was having a little sister. My eyes sparkled, too. In fact, they’re still sparkling. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X.

We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, 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) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 305

Barrett put smiles on city seniors’ faces W

etumpka has some outstanding city employees. I met one on Friday. Mary Ann Barrett, director of the Wetumpka Senior Center, is a hoot. And the seniors of Wetumpka love her for it. I spent only a couple of hours at the center watching her interact with the city’s seniors. I saw enough. Barrett, a lifelong Wetumpka resident, is perfect for the job. She treats Wetumpka’s seniors like her kids – not the way an adult is condescending to children, but in the way they love them and look out for them. On Friday, there were some 35 or so seniors on hand at the center for the Father’s Day lunch. Barrett was kind enough to offer me a seat at the meal. Before the lunch, we talked a bit and I found out that her father and my late uncle had been good buddies. Later, I found out that I had known her husband, Wink, for probably about 35 years, since the days we showed beef steers together. But this isn’t about me or Wink Barrett or Mary Ann’s dad. It’s about Mary Ann and the report she has with the seniors who visit her daily at the Wetumpka Senior Center. One can be sure that, for

DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

many, their time with Mary Ann, a lady full of life, is the highlight of their days. Some likely don’t have family nearby and everyone – you, me, our loved ones – needs someone to laugh with and share a smile. Mary Ann Barrett loves to laugh. Mary Ann Barrett loves to smile. About her job, which she’s held just since March, although she’s worked at the center for two years, Barrett says, “I love it. I absolutely love it.” On Friday, she did something I heard she’s prone to do. She came up with an idea right on the spot to make the day a little brighter. On everyone’s table at the luncheon was an arrangement with marbles at the bottom of a clear vase and a fish in each one, swimming about, looking a bit confused. At the drop of the hat, Mary Ann decided that a way to let the seniors have some fun with the

fish was to let each table name theirs with one receiving a prize for the best name. The prize wasn’t much (a basket of snacks for the seniors who sat at the winning table), but that’s not really important. Before leaving I could see and hear the seniors discussing, laughing about and, yes, a few arguments about the best name for their fish. The game was instant fun. “You have to have fun,” Barrett said. “That’s a big part of what life’s about, right?” The names that Barrett chose for finalists were Redtail, Toto, Bluefin, Wink the Fish, Little Willie and Charlie. And the winning name? Charlie, as in the famous tuna from the Starkist commercials. Though only one small group of seniors won the basket of snacks, all of those who frequent the Wetumpka Senior Center get much more every day. A few hours with – and even more laughs – with Miss Mary Ann. David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JUNE 21, 2017 • Page A5

Change: Getting better all the time? old. It’s not so obvious from day to day, but an old photograph reminds us that nothing stays the same. How can clothes that were so stylish then look so ludicrous now? Were the dresses really that short? Was our hair really that long? How long has it been since we said that painful goodbye? As we laugh out loud or feel the tears well up in our eyes, we have to admit that change is an irresistible force and unavoidable consequence of life in this world. Some changes seem good, and some seem not so good. Most changes related to material, physical things occur along a bell-shaped curve. Our bodies develop, we reach a stage of maturity and a season of peak physical condition, and then we decline. At age 61, I’ve heard that “60 is the new 40.” Right. I feel better already.

Do you have old photo albums or maybe even boxes of family photographs from the past? (Yes, at one time, boys and girls, pictures were printed on paper and stored in albums or boxes instead of existing only as pixels on a screen and stored in the cloud.) Do you know what I mean when I tell you that looking at those old photos gives me a sense of sweet sadness? I am happy to have them; they bring back some wonderful memories. But in a way, some of the very same images make me sad and lonely for people, times and places that are no longer part of my life. I’ve heard Mom call looking through old photos “digging up bones.” I understand what she means. Old photos affirm that change is a fact of life. The kids grow up; the adults grow

MIKE MCELROY East Tallassee Church of Christ

The nice material things we enjoy are material things because they are designed and developed from raw material. Those shiny new objects immediately begin to depreciate and decay. The sweetest relationships in this world may grow more and more precious, but they are all eventually altered by death or distance. I don’t mean to be negative or morbid. It’s just a fact of life in this world. Spiritual life is the only realm where change can always be positive. Changing for the better is part of living in Christ. Look at these strong

images from Ephesians 2 about positive change: “even when we were dead in our trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (verse 5).” Dead to alive – that’s positive change. Or this: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (verse 13).” From far off then near – that’s positive change. Also: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (verse 19).” Aliens to citizens and God’s family – positive change again. And the storyline of a faithful Christian’s spiritual condition is not a bell-curve where progress rises to a peak and then is followed by decline. Our spiritual lives are capable

of moving along the incline of steady progress. As we yield to the Lordship of Jesus and follow him, the positive changes in our lives are begun and completed by his grace at work in us. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).” That’s positive progress. Like Paul said, “the inner nature is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).” So, change cannot be avoided, however much we may wish for things to stay the same. We learn to accept the reality of decline in earthly, material things in this world. It’s sad, but we accept that earthly relationships have an expiration date. But let’s embrace the prospect of ever-positive spiritual change, and give God the glory for doing that encouraging work in our lives.

Area Churches

2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsbooro

Rev. Ryan Johnson Pastor Rickey Luster, Music Director Sunday School....10:45 a.m. Morning Worship....9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.... 9:30 a.m. Thur. Night Service....6:00 p.m. You will receive a warm Welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church. NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsboro

BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5674325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist

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

large...

Pastor

NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m. Minister Dr. John Brannon There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church! Please join us.

...with the right kind of advertising. • Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

256.234.4281

Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878

First

Harmony United Methodist Church

205 W. Bridge Street • Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-5191 SUNDAY WEDNESDAY Sunday School...................9:00 am Fellowship Meal...............5:00 pm Kids’ Activities.................6:00 pm Worship Service..............10:00 am Youth Worship..................6:00 pm Evening Worship..............5:00 pm Prayer & Bible Study.......6:15 pm Visit us at fbcwetumpka.com

“And we know that Presbyterian allChurch things work 100 W. Bridge St. together for good to thoseJonathan who loveYarboro God, Rev. to those who are the Sunday School..9:45 am Morning called Worship..11 according toam His567-8135 purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“In the name of the Lord Jesus – Welcome.”

Mountain View Baptist Church

has been made

Rickey Luster, Music Director

You will receive a warm welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church.

Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook

Many a small thing

Rev. Ryan Johnson

Sunday School..........10:45 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m.

504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd.

504 Osceola Street 504West West Osceola St. 334-567-4729 334-567-4729 •••• Anthony Rhodes Rev.Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries

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

Derek Blankenship, Tammy Student Driver:Ministries

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

Children's Director

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.........6:45 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m. Student Worship........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 7250 Central C Plank Road “A Family of Families” “A Family of Families”

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Chad Middlebrooks, Students Amy Pugh, Director of Matt Fallin, Worship Children & Preschool Amy Pugh, Children & Students Preschool Chad Middlebrooks,

SUNDAY SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship...................9 &&10:30 Worship........................9 10:30a.m. a.m. EveningCelebration.................6 Celebration...........5 p.m. Evening p.m.

WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age Programs 6:15 -- 7:30 p.m. 6:15

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ Call Marilyn Call Jayne or Shannon atat334.567.7811 567-7811 to to advertise advertiseyour your church’s church’sservices services in inthis thisspace space

PAGE A6 â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 21, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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JUNE 21, 2017 • PAGE A7

2017 All-Area Baseball Team

Catcher

Pitchers

Zach Mozingo, Sr.

Dee Williams, Sr.

Reid Whitaker, Sr.

Record: 8-3 ERA: 1.34 Strikeouts: 83 Also played outfield and named firstteam 4A All-State by ASWA. Batted .416 with five doubles and 22 RBI and stole 34 bases.

Batting Avg: 290 RBI: 35 Extra-base hits: 13 Second on team in both RBI and extra-base hits, was one of four Tigers to start all 41 games.

Will Peters, Sr.

Record: 6-2 ERA: 2.55 Strikeouts: 26 Effectively pitches to contact and allows Mustangs defense to make plays behind him.

Tallassee

Stanhope Elmore

Record: 8-4 ERA: 1.89 Strikeouts: 88 Named first-team 4A All-State by Alabama Sports Writers Association. Signed to play collegiately at Mississippi University for Women. Also hit .390 with 22 RBI.

Infield

Tanner Anderson, Sr.

Casey Baynes, Jr.

Batting Average: .433 RBI: 24, Runs: 50 Speedy second baseman was voted second-team 6A All-State by ASWA. Totaled 18 extra-base hits (including six triples) and stole 26 bases.

Batting Average: .407 HR: 4 RBI: 37 Member of Tallassee’s first family of athletics was voted honorable mention 4A AllState by ASWA. Racked up 20 extra-base hits (12 doubles, four triples, four homers) and stole 35 bases.

Tallassee

Stanhope Elmore

Blake Dean, Sr.

Gabe Maynard, Jr., Edgewood Academy; Clai Brown, Jr., Miller Williams, Sr., and Skylar Sanders, Sr., Elmore County; Jake Brown, Sr., Holtville; Nate Hodge, Soph., Stanhope Elmore; Jake Burton, Jr., Tallassee; Trey McCreary, Jr., and Max Champion, Jr., Wetumpka.

Dylan Culverhouse, Jr. Holtville

Batting Average: .340 RBI: 17, Hits: 33 Solid hitting outfielder on a solid team that could be one to watch out for next season. Also pitched for the Bulldogs.

Batting Average: .414 RBI: 24, SB: 13 Voted honorable mention 6A All-State by the ASWA. Also spent time on the mound, putting together a 1-2 record with a 2.16 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 22 innings.

Matt Watters, Sr. Edgewood Academy

Brody Feith, Jr. Stanhope Elmore

Batting Average: .350 RBI: 25, Runs: 23 Had four triples and nine stolen bases on the year. Also part of a deep Mustangs pitching staff, finishing 6-3 with 50 innings pitched and 53 strikeouts.

Batting Average: .367 RBI: 25, SB: 10 Selected to play in AISA Senior All-Star game. Three triples and a home run among extra-base hits. Scored 17 runs for Wildcats.

Utility

Austin Lankford, Sr. Holtville

Batting Average: .380 RBI: 20, Hits: 46 Holtville’s best hitter will be missed by head coach Michael Dismukes next season. Also provided, with Culverhouse, southpaw production on the mound.

Chase Driver, Jr.

Parker Head, Jr.

Holtville

Batting Average: .356 RBI: 34, HR: 1 With Culverhouse, will anchor Bulldog squad next season. Provided much needed power and will likely add strength for senior season.

Stanhope Elmore

Batting Average: .469 RBI: 30, SB: 23 Speedy shortstop also pitched for the Mustangs, posting a 2.78 ERA in 33 innings pitched, striking out 49. Will likely spend more time on mound as senior.

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Batting Average: .374 HR: 2 RBI: 34 Another member of a senior-laden Tallassee team, he finished third on the team in batting and had a .951 fielding percentage at first base.

Outfield

Honorable Mentions

Mark McGowin, Sr.

Tallassee

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CommunityCalendar NOW – July 25

The Wetumpka Public Library will begin its summer reading series, “Build a Better World,” for children entering grades 1-6. There will be a weekly event at the Wetumpka Civic Center each Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. These are specially designed activities to encourage children to enjoy reading and maintain their reading skills over the summer holiday. Participants will be given journals to log the books they read and how much time they spend reading. For more information visit www.wetumpkalibrary.com or call (334) 567-1308.

NOW – July 27

The Wetumpka Public Library will begin its summer series for students entering grades 7 – 12. Movies will be shown weekly on Thursdays at 1 p.m. at the library. For more information call (334) 567-1308 or visit www.wetumpkalibrary.com

June 23

King Bridal will hold its ribbon cutting at its new facility, located at 409 South Main St. in Wetumpka, next door to Unplugged, at 2 p.m. Come on out andmeet the owner, Latoya King.

June 23

Santuck Baptist Church invites everyone to join them at Santuck Baptist West Campus for a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. They will be showing “The Secret Life of Pets.” For more information please visit www.santuckbaptist. org.

June 23

Six former Ms. Alabama Senior America queens and one Ms. Missouri queen will be performing at the Equality Performing Arts Center (EPAC). Selections will range from Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline songs to show tunes, southern gospel, tapping, clogging, piano and an operatic aria. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. There will be no admission

charged, but donations are welcome. The EPAC is located in downtown Equality on Alabama Highway 9. Shows are held at the EPAC every second and fourth Friday. Contact Wayne Glenn at (334) 3206326 for more information.

June 24

The Shoppes at Eastchase, Blackfinn Ameripub, the Montgomery Bicycle Club and Ability Sport Network at Huntingdon College invite you to ride Cycling for Sight at 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. There are optional 20-mile, 45-mile, 65-mile and 100mile fun rides to benefit the Montgomery Lions Club Community Foundation charities. This is the seventh ride in the Alabama Backroads Century Series, This ride will commemorate Helen Keller, a native Alabamian who courageously challenged Lions Club members to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Visit www.montgomerylionsclub.com for more information.

June 26-29

Vacation Bible is coming to Calvary Baptist Church each evening from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Come join us as we “Camp Out: Getting S’more of Jesus.” Ages 3 years through sixth grade are invited to attend. For more information call (334) 567-4729.

June 26-30

New Home Baptist Church, located at 1605 New Home Road in Titus, will host “Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School.” Supper will be served each night at 6 p.m. and class will be taught from 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Maker Fun Factory is a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they’re lovingly crafted by God! Sunday, July 2 is Family Day, where families can see what the kids learned all week at 10 a.m. Lunch will follow at 11 a.m. Please make plans to attend. You aren’t going to

want to miss out on the fun.

June 27

The Alabama State University Small Business Development Center will hold a Quickbooks for Small Business 101 workshop from 11 a.m until 1 p.m. at the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce. Registration and business networking begins at 10:30 a.m. In the workshop, presented by Simplified Management Products Inc., participants will learn about how to use QuickBooks for small business accounting. The class will cover QuickBooks Desktop versions. Topics of discussion will include: •Basic Accounting •How to set up your company in QB •How to set up and work with customers •How to set up vendors •How to set up work with your bank accounts •How to set up and pay employees •How to pay payroll taxes The workshop is free to attend. To pre-register, point your Internet browser to asbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ events/7842.

June 27

The Elmore County chapter of the NAACP will host its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center located at 200 N. Lancaster Street in Wetumpka.

June 29

Main Street Wetumpka will host a market study presentation from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Many of Wetumpka’s residents took an online survey. At this meeting you will learn what those surveys were all about as we discover what you want more of or would like to see in your downtown. Jay Schlinsog of Downtown Pros will give the presentation in collaboration with Main Street Wetumpka and Main Street Alabama.

June 30

Market Shoppes of Wetumpka will hold its rib-

JUNE 21, 2017 • Page B5

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and Observer by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-2346550, sending your event to the.editor@thewetumpkaherald.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/.

bon cutting at the 211 Hill St.. facility in Wetumpka in the former We-2 Gifts building. Come out and meet owner

July 4

The Lake Jordan’s HOBO Association’s annual 4th of July fireworks show will be at dark. The fireworks are shot from the east side (Titus side) of Lake Jordan dam. The show is best viewed from the water.

July 4

The City of Wetumpka will hold its annual July 4 fireworks show at Gold Star Park. The show will be preceded by music from “Wishbone” and free activities for children from 6-9 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Wetumpka and Wind Creek Casino. For more information, visit cityofwetumpka. com or call 334-567-5147.

July 15

The Wetumpka Basketball Boosters will be hosting the inaugural “Biker Tribe Ride” from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Wetumpka High School. There will be a bike show and car show as well as a charity bike ride. For additional information email We2basketball@gmail.com.

July 22

Wetumpka’s annual River and Blues Music and Arts Festival, 2 p.m. through 10 p.m. in Downtown Wetumpka. This year’s festival will feature Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas plus 2017 International Blues Challenge finalist King Bee and will include a massive kid’s zone and the Riverwalk Fine Arts Show. In addition to the headliners, the music festival will also feature performances by Jukebox Brass Band, Slim Jeezy & the Feel Good Band, Jimmy Baker, Rachel Wilson, Jeff Pasley, Jilla Webb and more! For more information, visit the website at www.riverandblues.net.

August 4

The Elmore County

Homeschool Organization will host a free event open to families from any county in the area that are currently homeschooling or are interested in homeschooling. Light refreshments will be served. Children are welcome. There will be activity tables for their enjoyment. For more information visit www. onlineecho.com/openhouse2017.

August 12

Join us for our first ever More for Moms Expo! We are planning a fun and informative day for River Region moms that will feature WSFA 12 News personalities, guest speakers, vendors, a fashion show, goody bags and more. For more information visit our Facebook page, More for Moms Expo.

ONGOING EVENTS

• The Elmore County Branch #5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (the executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center located at 200 N. Lancaster Street in Wetumpka. • The DAC Foundation exhibit located at 219 Hill Street in downtown Wetumpka will be open each Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Our first exhibit at this location features work by Dixie Art Colony artists Arthur Stewart, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Shiney Moon, Lousie Everton, Karl Wolfe, Billy Wilson and Genevieve Sutherland. Some of the work has never been publicly shown. For information visit DixieArtColony.org or follow us on Facebook. • Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church, located at 78223 Tallassee Highway, every Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits, and hang-ups! For more information visit

gracepoint.info. • Celebrate Recovery meets at Journey Church, located at 2960 East Cobbs Ford Road every Monday at 5:30 p.m. There is a meal and childcare provided. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Call Larry at (334) 832-5714 or visit myjourneychurch.com for more information. • Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday evening at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church, located at 7250 Central Plank Road. This is a Christ centered 12 step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Call (334) 567-2364 for more information. • Fresh Start Recovery meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Wetumpka located at 306 W Tuskeena Street. Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ ride a motorcycle. Format used is the Holy Bible. For information contact ministry leader Paul Henderson at (334) 2015428. • Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church, located at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in the Wallsboro/ Wetumpka community. Call (334) 567-0476 for more information. • Griefshare Ministry meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. This ministry is for anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one and is seeking guidance and encouragement. There is a small fee for the materials and this is open to all people needing support. Contact the church office for more information 334-567-4729 or visit www. calvarybaptistwetumpka.org or our FACEBOOK page @ calvarybaptistwetumpka.

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Humane Society of Elmore County receives 11th ‘surprise grant’ from CACF STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The eleventh Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) ‘surprise grant’ was awarded Wednesday, June 14, to the Humane Society of Elmore County (HSEC). CACF surprised HSEC Executive Director Rea Cord with balloons and a $3,000 check. This year the CACF is celebrating 30 years since its founding in 1987. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, CACF will award 30 surprise grants to local nonprofits. These grants will be awarded over the course of 2017. The Humane Society of Elmore County is located in Wetumpka and has been in operation since 1993. Approximately 5,000 domestic animals come into the shelter each year through surrender or Animal Control. The shelter houses 250 animals at a time, preparing them for adoption by providing food, immunizations, medical treatment and behavioral evaluation. The shelter receives 25 percent of its funding from the government and the remainder comes from charitable donations and fundraising activities. “CACF would like to congratulate the Humane Society of Elmore

County staff and volunteers for being chosen as our 11th surprise grant recipient. We thank them for providing crucial services to animals in our community,” said CACF President Burton Ward. Donate to our surprise grants and help CACF celebrate our 30th anniversary, by making a donation at www.cacfinfo.org or by check to CACF, 35 S. Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. For more information, contact CACF Development Officer Whitney Griswold Califf at (334) 264-6223 or whitney.griswold@cacfinfo.org CACF was founded in 1987 and has grown to hold over $59 million in charitable assets while distributing over $50 million to organizations that serve the community. CACF serves several counties including Autauga, Coffee, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery. Through its 200+ funds, CACF addresses a wide variety of concerns, supporting projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation and other civic concerns. Each year, the Foundation distributes over $3 million through hundreds of grants and scholarships.

Submitted / The Herald

Elmore County Humane Society Executive Director Rea Cord (left) accepts a check from the Central Alabama Community Foundation on Wednesday, June 14. HSEC was the 11th recipient of what will be 30 ‘surprise grants’ handed out this year by the CACF to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

CACF surprise grant appreciated; more donations needed By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

If you watched local news this past week or are a Facebook follower you undoubtedly saw that our shelter was the lucky recipient of $3,000 from the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF)! Talk about a wonderful surprise! In celebration of CACF’s 30th anniversary they have been surprising non-profit groups in their support area with these surprise $3,000 donations. We have been a participant with the CACF for many years and actually have our own Humane Society of Elmore County Endowment Fund with them. Many of our awesome supporters continually nominated us in CACF’s online anniversary celebration and it certainly was something to see a bunch of balloons and a big check coming in our front door last Wednesday. So, thank you so very much to our supporters for nominating us and to the CACF for having enough faith in

our work to make this most generous donation to our work. Last week we wrote about an upcoming music event to support our shelter and there are major changes to all of that information. The date is still Friday, June 30, but the location has moved to the Smokehouse BBQ at 2461 Main St., Millbrook from 6:30 – 9 pm. The Wishbone Tribute Band will be playing and there is no charge to attend, though donations of money and/or shelter supplies will gladly be accepted. For those wanting to bring us supplies the following are our biggest needs: non-clumping clay cat litter, bleach, Fabuloso liquid detergent, liquid dishwashing detergent, dog and cat toys and peanut butter or vienna sausages (for giving medication to the dogs/cats). The support of so many people, businesses and groups are absolutely vital to our existence and our future. Our shelter not only has daily expenses but a long-term future and visions

that will require continual funding. Supply and financial donations are greatly appreciated and all make a hugely positive difference to our ability to help even more pets in need. Estates, land, vehicles and more can also be donated and most often the only information a lawyer will need is our legal full name, address and tax number which is Humane Society of Elmore County, Inc., 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092 and we will supply our tax number as needed. Since we are a 501(c)3, non-profit organization your donation may also provide you with a tax benefit in return. If you need more information on donating to help our work check us out at www. elmorehumane.org or give us a call at 334-567-3377. Thank you so very much to everyone who donates and also to those who support us by getting the word out about our adoptable pets, our events and our needs – it does take a community.

Pet of the Week — Jewel

Jewel is a too-cute, eight-month-old female bulldog mix found as a stray getting into the trash. She is great with other dogs, very playful, about 40-45 pounds and also just loves to snuggle with her person. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over oneyear-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org, email us at hselco@ bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday – Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Submitted / The Herald

A few players on the New Beginnings Holiness Church co-ed softball team strategize prior to a game at Saturday’s Church Fellowship Picnic at Crenshaw Community Park. The event featured competition in co-ed softball and men’s and women’s basketball, singing, activities for children and ample opportunities for fellowship among the attendees. Special guests at the event were Judge BIll Lewis and Commissioner Earl Reeves.

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Commission chair calls town hall in July By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

The Elmore County Commission chairman plans to hold a town hall meeting with the declared intent of opening greater lines of communication between the commission and not only his constituency but any resident of the county. District Three Commissioner and Chairman Troy Stubbs had hinted at the idea earlier in the month but said he wanted to keep the details limited until he had the specifics worked out. At the last Elmore County Commission

meeting he made a formal announcement that the public forum meeting would be held July 11 at 6 p.m. at Mulder Church. Though Stubbs said anyone was welcome to participate in the event, he qualified that by saying some of what would be discussed would be specific to his district. Stubbs said his district was comprised of Jasmine Hill part of Redland Road, Wetumpka city limits, the Wallsboro community and Paraget Springs. A complete breakdown of the subdivisions in District Three and a detailed map can be found

on the Elmore County Commission website: http://www.elmoreco.org/. “The concept of a town hall, is in my mind, a way to communicate with the citizens of the county in an organized fashion, but also in an interactive way,” said Stubbs. “My intentions are to address several issues that have been brought to my attention or that I am aware of. “I think those things are topics people will be very interested in.” Stubbs said he will address some issues to clear up common misunderstandings and recurring misinformation he

hears from residents who approach him. He gave a preview of some items he intended to address and among them were road and bridge projects, economic development and the prisons in the county in relation to potential changes on the state level to the prison system. Cable and Internet services are also on the list of topics Stubbs said he would address, having come up in numerous instances on social media and generating large amounts of discussion and inquiry. “What I’ve learned is there are some specific subjects that are contin-

ually raised by citizens that are either asking me about details of certain things or they’re calling me or they’re sending me messages on Facebook and I’m fine with that,” Stubbs said. “I would do well to share the details in a public setting.” After addressing the scheduled items, Stubbs said the event would be changed into an “organized” question-and-answer session. “We’ll see where it leads, what other conversations come up,” Stubbs said. He said it would also be an opportunity to provide

background and “accurate information” to inquirers. At the commission meeting, Stubbs said other commissioners might schedule town halls in their own respective districts, and later he reiterated that he thought the events would be held in the other districts. “The way I envisioned this I will periodically hold town halls in different parts of my district rotating around to different areas,” Stubbs said. He said he could be contacted by email at t.stubbs@elmoreco.org and by telephone at (334) 5145841.

Veterans and scouts hold Flag Day ceremony in city park By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Local military veterans, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts gathered in Wetumpka’s Gold Star Park last Wednesday afternoon for a Flag Day ceremony where dozens of flags were burned as part of an official disposal. Smoke rolled through the grassy section of the park nearest the boat ramp, coming from two metal barrel halves where the flags were burnt on the warm day. A crowd had gathered and outwardly unnoticeable among them were members of the Wetumpka’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Smith-Leonard Post 4572 and other military veterans awaiting the ceremony. Jim Beasley, better known as Mr. B, said he was a Korean War veteran. VFW Post Commander and retired Army Sgt. First Class Laylon Gardner was also in the audience. The event was the second collaboration between the local Boy Scouts and VFW, the first being a Memorial Day ceremony in the city’s cemetery.

CW4 Gardner Perdue, a Boy Scout Troop 50 Scoutmaster, led the ceremony with a brief history of Flag Day. He said ceremonies for the disposal of “unserviceable flags” originated at the American Legion National Convention in 1937. In what was suggested to be a solemn ceremony – “just like in a funeral” – the flags were destroyed by burning per the flag code. Perdue turned the event over to Boy Scout Jay Kujala, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kujala read a history of the American flag saying, “We are here today to pay our last respects to the flag which has flown...” He said the stripes stand for each of the original thirteen colonies while stars represented states, before launching into a list of the original colonies from Delaware to Georgia. Kujala then read about the colors of the flag and what each symbolized. “The field of blue with white stars, which stands for all of these states, is burned at last. It should be laid on the fire with the two

Corey Arwood / The Herald

The Wetumpka Veterans of Foreign Wars and local Boy Scout Troop 50 and Cub Scout Pack 50 held a flag disposal ceremony on Flag Day at Gold Star Park. Here Scouts line up with worn flags before placing them in the burn barrel as Scoutmaster Gardner Perdue and Boy Scout Jay Kujala oversee the ceremony.

boys holding corners not tossed into the fire,” read Kujala. After the first flag was folded and placed on the flames and turned to thick black smoke, Perdue asked if military veterans attending wanted to dispose of a flag. He asked if any had any names of special recognition they were burning the flag in honor of. A few men walked up to the front of the ceremony and placed flags on the

flames. After the veterans, Perdue himself placed a flag in remembrance he said of a downed helicopter crew and passengers he served with. “I’d like to dedicate this flag on behalf of EZ 40, a crew of four, passengers of eight that were killed Jan. 20, 2007,” said Perdue. “They served with me in Iraq, they were all fine gentlemen and ladies.” He said it was the 10-year anniversary of the

incident. Afterward Perdue instructed scouts to pass out commemorative pieces of flags, both white and red stars, red for veterans and white for supporters of military. Perdue read the words enclosed with each star: “I am a part of the American flag. I have flown over a home in the USA. I can no longer fly the sun and the winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a

reminder that you are not forgotten.” The stars were signed “Boy Scout Troop 50 Wetumpka Alabama.” Shortly after Kujala asked the audience to come to attention for the playing of Taps, played by Pack 50 Cub Master Andy Powell. Powell said Wetumpka’s Pack 50 were assisting its Troop 50 with the ceremony.

Report ranks local utility provider last; provider responds A local power company provider ranked at the bottom of an energy efficiency report card grading regions of the U.S. on their performance in saving energy and cutting operating costs through programs and customer incentives. Overall the entire southeast ranked last in the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy’s first 2017 Utility Energy Efficiency Scorecard. “Our first-ever scorecard of U.S. utilities, released (June 13), reveals striking regional differences and identifies the best — and worst — performers on energy efficiency,” an ACEEE report states. In the findings, Alabama Power consistently received among the lowest rankings in its three categories and 16 subcategories and overall it placed last among the bottom 10 performers for energy efficiency. The report states its focus was on the 51 largest utilities providers per volume of retail sales. Covering 31 states, the companies were said to account for over 50 percent of all energy sales in 2015. However, publicly published data to the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration for 2014 retail sales were used because 2015 numbers were not yet finalized, the report states, though all other information was information was derived from 2015. It lists Alabama Power as making over $5 billion in revenue, selling upwards of 56,000 gigawatt hours worth of electricity to roughly 1.5 million customers in 2014. Its introduction begins by proclaiming the benefits of efficiency to not only the customer and the environment but also to the

company. “By reducing energy consumption, utilities can delay or avoid the need to build new infrastructure like power plants and distribution assets. Utilities can also reduce the need for higher-cost electricity from other sources such as natural gas. Reducing energy consumption can decrease harmful air pollutants associated with fossil fuel generation, and utilities can lower wholesale prices for electricity. These benefits reduce costs for all utility customers. Energy efficiency can also boost economic growth and create jobs,” the report states. The focus of its research was specified as end-user efficiency, i.e. the customer and how the company affects those rates. The three categories were energy efficiency program performance, program diversity and emerging areas and energy efficiency-related regulatory issues and were were graded on 25-, 15- and 10-point scales. Category one included five subcategories: net energy savings, program spending, peak demand reductions, lifetime savings and achievement of energy savings goals. AP was ranked last in all but two categories. Category two included diversity of and emerging programs, pilot programs, low-income offerings, advanced metering penetration, utility data access and electric vehicles while the four subcategories of category three are energy savings targets, residential rate design, utility business model approaches and program evaluation practices. Out of all three categories Alabama Power, ranked 51 of

51 earning 0 of 25 points on the first category, 3.5 of 15 in the second and 1 of 10 for the third with an overall nine percent grade. First was a Massachusettsbased company, Eversource, tied with yet another Masachusetts utilities provider at 91 percent. Overall the northeast US and its six utilities compared ranked highest, followed by the Midwest with 13, the mid-Atlantic with 7 and lastly the southeast and 10 companies. Of all the sub categories the Alabama Power only scored noticeably well in the electric car category. However, appended to most of its rankings were notes, and the subscript said a majority of categories Alabama Power was ranked among the fields were either left blank or derived from the incomplete EIA year as the information source. It states: “We encountered several issues related to data. Some utilities do not publicly disclose detailed information on energy efficiency programs and performance. Annual energy efficiency reports are not typically available on utility websites and are sometimes difficult to locate through public utility commission websites. Additionally, annual reports are sometimes broken into many documents without a summary, making data difficult to extract and interpret.” However, Michael Sznajderman with Alabama Power Public Relations took issue with the report’s findings. “Its seems they didn’t do all their homework,” said Sznajderman. “The bottom line is that we have long promoted energy efficiency with our customers

… We have a whole host of energy efficient-related programs which basically helps customers use energy more wisely.” He provided a document listing what it states as roughly 22 energy-efficiency related programs or what it labels “demand side management programs.” The programs are broken down into roughly seven categories, which are: residential energy efficiency programs, residential customer value programs, residential demand response programs, commercial energy efficiency programs, commercial and industrial value programs and commercial and industrial demand response programs and lastly transmission and distribution energy efficiency programs. “We think the report is flawed. They missed a lot of the programs (we) do,” Sznajderman. “They scored us zero in some areas where we have very active programs … peak command voltage conservation and some other innovation programs.” “We felt they missed a number of things that we do,” Sznajderman said, and added the non-finalized 2015 data was largely used. He added that the areas which placed highest were areas with higher energy costs “One other thing that’s just kind of good to know, if you look at some of the utilities that score very high they tend to be (in the) west and New England, places where energy costs are much higher,” Sznajderman said. “We’re still efficiency conscious and work with our customers. They have a real need to help customers because their customers pay higher rates than in the south-

east.” One of the authors of the ACEEE report, Brandon Baatz, senior manager of the Utilities Program, Brendon responded to the AP’s claim of ACEEE’s lax research. “We definitely did our homework, we spent a lot of time researching Georgia Power (owned by the same parent company as AP),” said Baatz. “We reviewed the data that they also file with the Energy Administration very carefully … what we used was publicly available data held by regulatory agencies.” Baatz said in response to Sznajderman’s assertion the area’s ranked high had higher energy costs, that he had considered the areas and he compared the region to the Pacific northwest, which he said was dominated as well by hydroelectric generation with dams. “I would say with confidence that there’s a lot more that Alabama Power could be doing,” Baatz said. “With them, the fact is they just don’t do a lot of efficiency.” Baatz said the goal with the report was to create a benchmark for these companies to compare their performance at energy efficiency. Another goal he said was that the results improve the quality of data reported to federal agencies and kept by the companies. The majority of which he said, “could be doing better.” As for energy efficiency and why it was important, Baatz said it can benefit not only the environment and customers of utilities providers, but the providers themselves especially if partnered with states, which he said would also benefit from the efficiency efforts.

Consumer HOW TO

GUIDE 2017 Financial • Flooring • Media Insurance • Medical • Service Professional al • Automotive

A special supplement to the Wetumpka etumpka Herald and Tallassee Tribune.

How-To:

Choose a New Car to overly conservative practices, car dealers say that misperception – more than a true ęnancing shortage – has kept shoppers out of their stores. The situation has improved, especially as domestic manufacturers have ratcheted up incentive oěers. Several primary factors determine your interest rate: •Your lender. Unless you borrow money privately, you’re going to be working with a bank, a credit union or an automaker’s ęnancing arm. There are various pros and cons to each scenario. •The car you’re buying. Are you ASK THE IMPORTANT buying a new car? A used car? A very QUESTIONS used car? new-car rates are often the Ask yourself each time you are lowest. considering a vehicle purchase: •Loan-term length. When automakers •Do I really need a vehicle change? introduced zero-percent ęnancing to •Why do I need a vehicle change? keep cars selling after the 9/11 terrorist Keep asking yourself the “why” aĴacks, they were only oěered on question until you run out of responses. two- and three-year loans. Now many automakers are oěering zero-percent MAKING A PURCHASING ęnancing on ęve-year loans. In general, DECISION Before visiting several dealerships start though, longer loans come with higher searching for the vehicle you desire from interest rates. Your credit rating. Borrowers with the comfort and convenience of your own beĴer credit get lower rates. Jack Gillis, home. This idea alone will save you a public aěairs director of the Consumer great deal of time and money when you Federation of America, estimates that set foot on a car lot. only 15 percent of car buyers qualify for zero-percent oěers from automakers. Get the Best Rate To get the best possible interest New or Used? rate on a car loan, it’s important to In general, new-car loan rates are beĴer understand two things: the curent than used-car rates. Usually, only new marketplace for interest rates, including cars qualify for zero-percent ęnancing, diěerent lender options and ęnancing though some automakers occasionally oěers, and your personal ęnancial push certięed pre-owned stock with situation and its possible limitations. zero-percent oěers. In general, the older Though credit became “tight” after the car is, the higher the interest rate is. the subprime-mortgage meltdown, as lenders swung from indiscriminate REPUTABLE DEALERSHIP When making a decision about a new vehicle purchase, make sure to check with local dealerships ęrst. Local dealers have a vested interest in treating local customers well. Plus, this reputaions are important to them and they will hold your personal information in extreme conędence. Franchises are held to a higher standard of moral and ethical business practices by the brands they represent.

2017 Consumer How-To Guide/The Wetumpka Herald & Tallassee Tribune

Term Length Sign up for the shortest term length you can aěord to keep your total interest lower; the longer term you have for a car loan, the more you’ll pay in interest. The average term for a new-car loan is more than 60 months now, and this leaves consumers vulnerable to owing more on a loan than their car is worth, a condition that’s often referred to as being upside

Talk To Your Dealer Q Tell your dealer your budget so they can Änd the right car for you. Q Be honest about what you owe on your current car. Q Always put money down if possible. Q All dealers by brand pay the exact same price for cars, so a deal you can make at one dealership can also be made at another. Q Test drive the car under varied road conditions - on hills, highways, and in stop and go trafÄc. Q After you pick your vehicle brand, visit a local dealership. Q Buy the vehicle that Äts your personality.

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How-To:

Choose a Financial Planner HOW TO PLAN FOR RETIREMENT

A little planning now could mean a comfortable life during retirement. Retirement plans have more to do with how much money is invested for retirement and less over how many trips a year you’ll take once you’ve retired. For without the first, the latter will certainly be only a faded dream. Retirement planning starts young, according to financial experts. Those in their 20’s can accrue a significant sum with regular investment across a broad range of stocks and bonds. Forget that one lucky strike as a way to a secure retirement. Not even the best investment expert can tell you which new stock is the sure thing that will turn a small sum into a vast fortune. Instead, consult a financial planner for advise on stock and bond funds, real estate investments and other securities that can ride the ups and downs of the economy. Retirement is changing greatly for the next generation of retirees. Unlike the generation now retired, fewer retirees will have pension plans that will continue to pay a set amount for the duration of their lives. Personal savings, whether through Individual Retirement Accounts or throughout he widely used 401K plans, will account for a greater percentage of retirement income. Workers, though, indicate that 44 percent are looking to personal savings for their main source of retirement income, followed by 21 percent with an employer funded pension, 13 percent social security and 9 percent from employment. What counts most in retirement is the standard of living that one is expecting. The survey indicates that 17 percent of retirees have a much higher standard of living than expected at the time of retirement, while 34 percent say their standard of living is a little bit better than expected, 26 percent the same as expected and 10 percent less than expected.

Of those who say their standard of living is less, nearly 40 percent point to higher than expected expenses, and about one fourth citing higher than expected medical expenses.

WORKING A LITTLE LONGER

The current generation of workers expects to work longer than retirees. Nearly a third of retirees stopped working before age 60, according to the survey, while less that a quarter worked to age 65 and beyond. Less than 20 percent of current workers expect to retire before 60, while more than 45 percent expect to work to age 65 and beyond. Additionally, 24 percent of retirees say they have worked since retiringfour percent full time, 17 percent part time, 2 percent both full and part time and one percent seasonal. The current generation of workers indicated that 66 percent expect to work for pay after retiring, with 45 percent citing health insurance, 33 percent for money for extras, 33 percent to make ends meet and 15 percent to help support their children or other family members. So, how well are workers saving for retirement? “Older workers age 40-58 are more likely than younger workers age 20-39 to report that they or their spouse have saved for retirement; yet those 2039 plan to retire earlier,” said Dallas Salisbury, president of the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The survey, though, indicates that the older workers group is no more likely to have a realistic estimate of their income needs in retirement. Financial experts say retirees will need at least 70 to 80 percent of their pre retirement income to maintain their current lifestyles. Additionally, financial experts point out that Medicare does not cover nearly as much of medical expenses as employer-provided health care plans. The costs for prescription drugs could easily add another 20 to 30 percent to their income needs, meaning that retirement income should match current

2017 Consumer How-To Guide/The Wetumpka Herald & Tallassee Tribune

income to maintain the current living standard. The survey indicates that few workers are on their way to accumulating savings sufficient enough to pay for that retirement. The survey indicates that nearly half had accumulated less than $50,000 with 15 percent saying that they had saved nothing for retirement. Less that one fourth of the 40-59 age group have saved $100,000 or more, which means that if they retired today, they would be able to draw $5,000 a year for 20 years before depleting their retirement savings.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

First, if your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401K, participate. If the employer matches a percentage of the employees contribution, that instantly doubles the minimum contribution. Additionally, check into such savings vehicles as IRA’s, both regular and Roth, to determine if you are eligible to participate in them, and which would be the most beneficial to you.

Important Points when choosing a Ànancial planner Q The current generation of workers

expects to work longer than retirees. Q Nearly a third of retirees stopped working before age 60, according to a survey. Q Workers indicate that 44 percent are looking to personal savings for their main source of retirement income.

How-To:

Maximize Your Advertising Budget Reaching consumers in the world of media is a continual challenge for many advertisers. The abundance of resources has overwhelmed and divided business owners who need to sell harder and smarter now more than ever to increase brand awareness and market share. It may seem like the only way to reach your audience is to advertise in everything available, but there are critical factors to consider when executing a marketing plan. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

A crucial part of any marketing campaign is audience, and the measure of a medium’s eěectiveness includes it’s ability to reach a targeted audience. To develop an eěective plan business owners should brand their message to the largest number of consumers. To do so, it is important to gather data for each advertising medium and plan accordingly. CIRCULATION

Newspapers report circulation numbers annually. These are audited by independent bodies such as the Audit Bureau of Circulations to assure advertisers that the newspaper does indeed

reach the number of people noted. Simply stated, circulation is the number of newspapers printed on an average day and audited by an independent organization for accuracy.

preferred media when it comes to reaching the audience of choice.

Frequency is another key element to the right advertising campaign. The best option to build top of mind awareness, or being in the READERSHIP forefront of consumers mind for the moment they are in the market Equally important to newsprint for your product, is to remind advertisers is readership. These them as often as possible of your ęgures rank higher than circulation brand. Newspapers allow business because on average one newspaper owners the Ěexibility of top of is read by 2.4 consumers. mind awareness with daily or Knowing exactly how much of weekly publications. your audience is covered by each medium is critical and necessary in Considering these important order to eěectively manage your factors when planning your budget and grow your boĴom line. advertising budget will help ensure the most value for your investment. REACH & FREQUENCY

A successful marketing strategy includes media that reaches the right target audience the most often. According to a recent study, 169 million Americans read a newspaper in a month, whether it be in print or digital format, for a total of 69% of the U.S. population. (Nielsen Scarborough, 2016) Readers are most likely to be college graduates who are heavily involved in their communities with higher income levels who prefer to shop local. This makes the local community newspapers a

2017 Consumer How-To Guide/The Wetumpka Herald & Tallassee Tribune

Top Reasons to Advertise in Newspapers Q Newspapers are an interactive advertising medium that people hold, save, write on or cut from. Q With short deadlines, newspaper advertising can be tailored for immediacy. Q Newspapers are portable and convenient. Q Newspaper advertising builds business credibility and momentum.

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