ECHS’s Brown gets All-State recognition
“It’s time government stepped out of marriage business”
Meet Whiskey, Pet of the Week!
Eclectic Observer Page 4
The
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THURSDAY • MARCH 24, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Work at Aaron Park moves ahead
Page 12
Vol. 27, No. 12
OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
Blue Cross rankings give local medical centers high marks
By CARMEN RODGERS Tallassee Tribune
With opening day right around the corner, the city of Eclectic has taken measures to meet the needed repairs to the complex. The primary issue is parking. A tournament is scheduled for opening day, which is April 2. This tournament will include 19 teams, 12 of which will be from out of town and up until recent measures were taken there was not enough space to facilitate that amount of vehicles at one time. The condition of the park was brought up in the March 7 town hall meeting. “We can’t have tournaments if there is no place to park. We can’t make money and progress the ballpark if we have nowhere for parking. We tried to extend the handicap parking about two weeks ago and the response I got back was that it wasn’t a priority to extend it,” said Patrick Burkett, with the Eclectic Youth Ball League Ball Organization. Since those concerns were expressed the town has made Aaron Park a top priority. The town has created enough parking area to accommodate a tournament like the one scheduled for April 2. “We cleared more land to expand the parking lot. We brought over two truckloads of gravel and we will bring over more, enough to finish the whole parking area,” said See AARON • Page 3
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Corey Diaz / The Observer
In one of the first steps to building new visitors bleachers, the Eclectic Fire Department burned down the old press box at BurtHaynie Field in a controlled fire Tuesday night. The old press box had been standing for all three of Elmore County High School’s three state football championships in 1976, 1978 and 1989, sitting on top of what was formerly the home side of the field. The Elmore County Board of Education approved the demolition of the visitors bleachers and construction of a new set at Burt-Haynie on Oct. 20, 2015.
Weather
73 50 Low
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer FRIDAY: HIGH 66 LOW 43
Aubrey Hornsby is no stranger to the music industry. That is why he thought an event like the Singer Songwriter night would be a success in Eclectic. Hornsby took a chance when he reached out to Jess Meuse to host the event, and it paid off. The first Singer Songwriter event was a huge success with a packed house inside The Warehouse in downtown Eclectic. Since that event was such a success, Hornsby is arranging to do it again. See SINGERS • Page 3
The four medical centers that serve Eclectic residents have all been classified as Tier 1 hospitals by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Community Hospital in Tallassee, Elmore Community Hospital, Russell Medical Center and Lake Martin Community Hospital are now Tier 1 hospitals for Blue Cross Blue Shield. The new rating could mean lower costs for individuals visiting either facility. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama created the tiered program of hospitals in 2006 to ensure cost containment, quality and patient satisfaction at the hospitals in its network. Due to the increase in healthcare costs, this year’s criteria had a greater emphasis on cost. This year, 73 percent of Blue Cross’ network hospitals classified as Tier 1 and 27 percent classified as Tier 2. Scoring will be conducted quarterly, which will give hospitals a chance to improve from Tier 2 to Tier 1. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama members who use Tier 2 hospitals may pay a higher deductible, copay or coinsurance. Any difference in prices paid may be dependent on the type of policy held as well as the hospital’s ranking. The Blue Cross and Blue See TIER • Page 3
Aaron Park opening day parade, ceremony for city league season set for April 2
Next singer songwriter event planned
Today’s
High
4 area hospitals deemed Tier I
Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
Jess Meuse, who placed fourth in the 13th season of American Idol, has agreed to host the second Singer Songwriter event, which will be held at the Warehouse in downtown Eclectic.
The Town of Eclectic is gearing up for the annual opening day ceremony of Aaron Park with a parade and about 14 baseball and softball games to kick off the beginning of the city’s youth leagues. Eclectic Town Clerk Deborah Rowe, said the town event and the Eclectic Youth Ball Organization’s season starter was scheduled for Saturday, April 2. This is the second year Patrick Burkett, EYBO president, said he has overseen the league and the event. He said work had been
ongoing since January at the park to prepare for the season. “A lot of preparation goes into getting the season started,” said Burkett. New batting cages and artificial turf were installed, and the concessions stands along with the parking lot area received renovations as well, Burkett said. The parade is scheduled to depart around 8:30 a.m. from Eclectic High School, and Burkett said the opening ceremony is set to begin around 8:45 a.m. with the first game to be held at 10 a.m. There was a large turnout at last year’s event, and See LEAGUE • Page 3
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PAGE 2 • MARCH 24, 2016
March 24
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Area Calendar
BASEBALL: Babe Ruth registration will be held March 24th and April 7th from 6-8 p.m. at the Football Field House. Tryouts will be April 9th at 9 a.m. Cost - $125 GRAND OPENING: Martin Collision Center Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Thursday, March 24 at 2p.m. at 1280 Holtville Road in Wetumpka.
Obituaries Lois Ann Ward
COUNCIL MEETING: The Tallassee City Council will meet March 28 at 6 p.m. at City Hall
March 28- April 1
SPRING BREAK: Tallassee City School’s Spring Break will be March 28 - April 1.
March 30
March 25
TENNEBRAE SERVICE: First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka will host a Good Friday Tennebrae Service March 25 in the sanctuary.
March 26
EGG HUNT: The city of Tallassee is having its Easter egg hunt at City Hall March 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children 10 and under. EGG HUNT: Community Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 26th 10a.m. Wall Street AME Zion Church, 71 Zion Street, Tallassee, AL (334) 283-2594. Look us up on facebook www.wallstreetamez.com Event Coordinator is Mrs. Della Hayes, Pastor, Edwrin Sutton. Everyone is invited!
March 27
EASTER SERVICE: Church at the Brook will host an Easter service March 27 at 10:30 a.m. EASTER SERVICES: First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka is hosting an Easter Sunrise Service at Gold Star Park at 7 a.m., a Children’s Easter Program at 9:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall and an Easter Cantata at 11a.m. in the sanctuary.
March 28
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP: There will be a free estate planning and asset protection workshop at the Archibald Senior Center. Education workshop presented by local attorney Raley Wiggins. Topics include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, long-term care, Medicaid qualification, and probate administration. Also, how to protect your assets from: divorce, remarriage, creditors, bankruptcy, and nursing homes. Registration is required. Call (334)-625-6774 or online at www.redoaklegalpc.com.
March 31
AFTER HOURS: Wetumpka Depot Business After Hours, Thursday, March, 31 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at 300 S. Main Street, Wetumpka. CAREER EXPO: The Elmore County Technical Center will be hosting the Elmore County Career Expo at the Wetumpka Civic Center March 31. This event is for our local students during the morning and midday hours (8:00-1:30), and we have a portion of the day reserved for the general public in the afternoon (2:00-6:00).
April 5
ID BOARD: The city of Tallassee ID Board will meet April 5 at 5:30 p.m. at 1 Twin Creek Drive.
Mrs. Lois Ann Ward, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away at her home surrounded by her family and friends, Monday, March 21, 2016, at the age of 56. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 24, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. from Westside Independent Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Dorley officiating. Mrs. Ward will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 23, 2016, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. Mrs. Ward is survived by her husband, Mr. Randy Ward; mother, Mrs. Betty Griffith; daughter, Mrs. Jennifer Ward
Jones (Travis); grandchildren, Conner Jones and Maggie Jones; mother-in-law, Mrs. Frankie Ward; siblings, Randall Griffith, Mitchell Griffith (Kathy), Wanda Waldrep, Nita Gayle Ingram and Rodney Griffith (Cindy); several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Mr. Herbert Griffith. Lois Ann was a longtime member of Westside Independent Baptist Church. She was a faithful employee of GKN for thirty years and she was especially devoted to her family as a very loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com. Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama
do to strengthen families which prevents child maltreatment.
April 9
5K RUN: The Roaring 5K Run is set for Saturday, April 9. Co-Sponsors are Tallassee Lion’s Club and Neptune Technology Group. Proceeds benefit the Lion’s Sight program. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Early registration is on-line through the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce at tallasseechamber.com
April 9-10
COMBAT ON THE COOSA: 2 Day Crossfit Competition. Individual -Saturday, Team- Sunday. Hosted by Crossfit Intrigue. For more info visit www.thegaragegames.com/combat-on-the-coosa
April 15
CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS: There will be an event at Holtville Elementary School April 15 at 1:30 p.m. to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect as April is is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Month. he Elmore County Extension, Family Resource Center, Juvenile Judge, DHR Director, Superintendent of Education and many other community partners will be in attendance as well as about 100 elementary students. This is a celebration of all the good work that the schools, churches, agencies and communities
April 16
CRATERFEST: Wetumpka Craterfest & Duck Dash will feature National and local music artists, Kidzone, Arts & Crafts, Crater Bus Mini-Tours, Crater Art Exhibit/ Video Saturday, April 16th from 2-7PM at Gold Star Park. Vendor spaces and sponsorships available! Contact Jamie Young at jyoung@wetumpkachamber.org or 334-567-4811. REELTOWN REUNION: The Sixth Reeltown High School Reunion of the Classes from 1950-1970 will hold its 20-Year Class Reunion on April 16 in the original Reeltown High School Auditorium. The Reunion begins at 10 a.m. for a time to meet, greet and tour the school. The “Assembly” will begin in the auditorium at 11 a.m. The RHS Jazz Band will be guest and play a few jazz tunes. Donations will be received for new Rebel Pride Marching Band uniforms. All donations greatly appreciated. Welcome, recognitions, etc., will follow. Please bring your “ole fashion brown bag/sack lunch” with a drink. No meal will be available. Classes will meet after assembly in the cafeteria for their sack lunch meal. Tours of the school and grounds will be available following the assembly and lunch.
April 16-17
FRENCH INDIAN WAR ENCAMPMENT: Fort ToulouseFort Jackson Park, the Alabama Historical Commission, and the Friends of the Forts are pleased to announce the annual French & Indian War Encampment taking place April 16-17 at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park near Wetumpka. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children six to eighteen years of age. The event takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. This special event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French & Indian War - France, Britain and their American Indian allies. Additionally, the event features daily life at a French frontier fort and Creek village in the year 1756. Soldiers will engage in mock battles each day and souvenirs replicating items of the time period will be available from merchants on site. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the eighteenth century. Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 will sell food and drink on Saturday; however, there will be no refreshments available for purchase on Sunday so please plan to bring a picnic lunch.
April 18-23
EARTH DAY CLEANUP 2016: Sign up a litter team to pick up around your neighborhood, business or call the Chamber of Commerce for a location. Advanced Disposal Sponsor providing a roll off container at City Hall from 8am-noon on Saturday the 23 for nonhazardous material and litter team debris disposal. Parker Tire & Auto will take used oil, tires and batteries all week from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Electronic Recycling drop off at Tallassee Recreation Center April 21 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The city Shop will have a roll off container available for nonhazardous material disposal and appliances from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Aaron
MARCH 24, 2016 • PAGE 3
continued from page 1
councilwoman Wanda Estes. In an effort to create better driving conditions, the town also plans on making a few needed repairs to Aaron Park Road, which leads to the park. “We are going to take asphalt and patch the road,” Estes said. “That will help a lot, too.” The improvements don’t stop there. Plans are also in place better the access road leading to the battling cages located behind the park, which can become very soggy and muddy when it rains. “We plan on putting crush run down to help soak the water when it rains,” she said.
In addition to the repairs and expansion to the park’s roads and parking lot, plans are in order to expand handicapped parking, as requested by Burkett in the town council meeting. “We are going to expand the handicapped parking lot, as well,” Estes said. With all these repairs, Eclectic’s Aaron Park is getting the attention it has long needed. Councilwoman Estes said she hopes to locate a form of grant funding for Aaron Park in order to continue the necessary repairs and maintenance to the city’s ballpark.
Tiers
Singers
continued from page 1
Shield of Alabama Hospital Tiered Network (HTN) is an effort to ensure fiscal responsibility, high quality outcomes and patient satisfaction in network hospitals. Since the inception of the HTN, Blue Cross has, according to its website, “continued to provide more meaningful information to consumers in an effort to foster informed decision making relative to their healthcare, while streamlining processes for the provider.” Hospitals were evaluated in three categories. While the categories may look similar to past years, there are changes to the measures within the categories, including a greater emphasis on costs because of the increase in healthcare costs. The three evaluation categories are: • Cost: Focuses on performance against inpatient and outpatient financial benchmarks
• Quality: Focuses on performance on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospital process measures and risk adjustment readmission rates. • Patient Experience: Focuses on performance on CMS patient-experience surveys in member hospitals. Other central and south Alabama hospitals that saw a change in their tier rating were: • Baptist Medical Center South (Montgomery) – Dropped from Tier 1 to Tier 2 • Mizell Memorial Hospital in Opp – Dropped from Tier 2 Tier 1 • Prattville Baptist Hospital – Dropped from Tier 1 to Tier 2 • UAB Hospital in Birmingham – Dropped from Tier 1 to Tier 2 • Wiregrass Medical Center – Improved to Tier 1 from Tier 2
League
continued from page 1
Burkett said it received an outpouring of positive feedback. “We had comments that last year was on of the best opening days there’s been in several years,” Burkett said. The park is also set to be the location of a tournament held later on April 22-23, made up of around 32 regional city league teams. Burkett said he was ready for the season and all of its roughly
20 games to begin. “It’s always exciting to get everything kicked off for the kids,” Burkett said. However, for the ceremony on April 2, the parade was said to be the main attraction of the day. “The kids are excited. They always look forward to the parade,” Burkett said. “That’s the highlight of their day.”
Many a
been
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MARCH IS ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH. AS IS JANUARY, FEBRUARY, APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER.
By Kenneth Hicks Alabama Power Lineman
Never let your guard down when dealing with electricity. That’s the advice given to every lineman who works at Alabama Power. It’s also the advice we give our customers.
2. If a power line is touching your car, stay inside the vehicle and call 911. 3. Call 811 before you dig. 4. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms.
6. Watch where you’re placing that ladder. Do not let it touch any electrical wires. 7. Don’t overload outlets. We’ve got more gadgets to plug in these days than ever before. That doesn’t mean an outlet can handle them all. Overloaded circuits cause an estimated 5,300 fires a year.
How do you know if your Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is protecting you and your family? It’s easy. Press the “test” button on the outlet. Whatever is plugged into that outlet should turn off immediately.
8. Don’t touch a damaged electrical cord or one showing bare wire. 9. Don’t run an electrical cord under a rug. Don’t staple or nail electrical cords.
5. If something that’s plugged in falls into a sink full of water, DON’T 10. If you’ve got kids, cover your reach in to get it. Don’t even unplug unused electrical outlets with it until after you’ve cut the power plastic safety covers. off at the circuit breaker.
For more electrical safety tips, visit AlabamaPower.com/safety.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIP No.33
1. Stay away from downed power lines. Don’t drive over one. And remember, it’s not just the power line that may be electrified, but the ground surrounding the line, as well.
small thing
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Here are a few “must-know” tips to help keep you and your family safe. You may have heard a few of these before, but it can’t hurt to hear them again.
“We are hoping to have this event every month, but we need a little more time to incubate. I will know the logistics in the next few weeks or so,” said Aubrey Hornsby, owner of The Warehouse. Jess Meuse will host the upcoming event again. Meuse said she really enjoyed hosting the first Singer Songwriter event. This was also a first for Meuse. As a contestant on American Idol, the tables were turned as she hosted the event. “I had a blast. That was my first ever full-on hosting gig. For the first singer songwriter event at that venue I’m really proud of how it turned out. We had a lot of people there and it went really smoothly.” With a total of 16 artists to per-
If it does, you’re in good shape and can press the “reset” button to restore normal operation. If nothing happens, you’ve got a problem. See our website or call us for advice on what to do in such a situation.
In an emergency call:
1-800-888-APCO (2726)
continued from page 1
form during last month’s event, this upcoming event is sure to be as successful as the last. Local artists and some from around the region attended March’s singer songwriter event and the hope is to have even more artists on the list this for the upcoming Singer Songwriter event. Over 300 people turned out for March’s singer songwriter event and expectations are for an even larger crowd for this upcoming singer songwriter event. Currently, Hornsby is seeking “professional and open mic” performers. For information call 303-944-0700 or email Athornsby@comcast.net
Kenneth Boone, Publisher Mitch Sneed, Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
PAGE 4 • MARCH 24, 2016
OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Our
Opinion
The people should decide
O
ur legislature is attempting what amounts to the wrestling of electoral power away from the people of Alabama. A bill that would end the election of Alabama’s state auditor and agriculture commissioner and give the governor the power to fill the positions by appointment has been introduced into the Alabama House of Representatives. HB432 had its first reading March 17. It was referred to the Constitution, Campaign and Elections Committee, and is sponsored by Rep. Paul Beckman, a Republican from Prattville. From where we sit, it’s clear that passage of the bill would concentrate more power in the hands of the governor, stripping Alabama’s electorate of a portion of what little direct impact it has on our state government. Simply put, it’s a blow to government of, for and by the people. Jim Zeigler, who currently serves as Alabama’s state auditor, believes the bill targets him. Zeigler, who has been critical of the governor, says inclusion of the agriculture commissioner in the legislation could be a ruse to distract from its real target – him. The Constitution, Campaign and Elections Committee will take up the bill, perhaps as early as this week. If the Committee gives a favorable report on the bill, it would go to the House floor, possibly by the week of April 5. We would ask that anyone who favors government by the people call their representatives in the Alabama Legislature and ask them to vote no on this bill. If this bill passes, the auditor and the agriculture commissioner would be Alabama’s only two constitutional officers not elected by direct vote of the people. It would create the very definition of a slippery slope. We hope that our legislators will see the light and stop short of this further concentration of power in the governor’s office. We elect our governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and county sheriffs and we should continue to do so. We should also continue to elect our state auditor and our commissioner of agriculture and industries.
It’s time for state to get out of marriage business
A
labama may soon be out of the marriage license business. This week Alabama senators approved a bill 23-3 that would require couples to fill out a state-issued form recording their marriage instead of a state-issued marriage license. Which brings to mind the question, why is the state in the business of issuing marriage licenses in the first place? I’m quite sure that for most of human history, whoever was in charge didn’t give a hoot about who married who, as long as it didn’t affect the guys in charge. The church cared. Parents cared. Future husbands and wives certainly cared. Government? Not so much. It’s only in our modern society, when taxers, estate executors, divorce lawyers, insurance providers, etc., started making laws about marriages and treating the married differently than the unmarried that the statesanctioned marriage license became standard. I may be showing my slightly Libertarian leanings here, but I really don’t think the government has a right to license people to marry each other in the first place.
KENNETH BOONE Publisher
The word “license” means “to give permission.” The only person I asked for permission to marry Mary Lyman was her father, Dr. T. Riley Lumpkin. He gave me an enthusiastic “Yes”… but didn’t bother to issue me a license. The bill abolishing the requirement for Alabama to issue marriage licenses now goes to the House for a vote. If it passes there, it has to get Gov. Bentley’s permission before it becomes Alabama’s law. I think we all know that this change is designed to keep the most traditional of Alabama probate judges from being forced by federal law to give permission for gays and lesbians to get married. The State of Alabama is basically saying, “Y’all do what you want to and tell us after you did it.” In my mind, marriage is a holy sacrament. It’s a deeply meaningful public contract between two people
made in the presence of God and witnesses, where both parties pledge to love each other, comfort each other, honor and keep each other, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as they both shall live. I’m not really clear on how the guys in the probate office are involved in any of that. I do see a need for some form of marriage contract if non-religious folks want to tie the knot. And I certainly agree that the government has the right to require official notification on who is married and who is not so our legal system can function. It also has every right to receive official notification when a marriage fails, or when one spouse dies, or a custody battle begins, or any number of situations where the legality of a marriage comes into question. But that’s just a legal notification process anyway. A government form will work just as well as a “license” as long as it’s the law of the land. What do you think? Should you be required to get permission from the state before you get married? We’d love to hear your opinion in a letter to the editor. Boone is publisher of The Outlook.
Eclectic Observer The
334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 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, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $25 One Year Elsewhere: $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Kenneth Boone, publisher kenneth.boone@thewetumpkaherald.com Mitch Sneed, editor mitch.sneed@thewetumpkaherald.com
NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . .Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . .Ext. 313
Being in the State Senate can be more powerful than Congress
I
n the literary classic “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” the author draws parallels to a nation that was on top of the world and, because of perverse, grandiose and pompous behavior, that dynasty self-destructed and destroyed itself. It was from reading this documentary that the Russian premier Nikita Khrushchev believed that we, the United States, would destroy ourselves thus causing him to brashly declare, “We will bury you.” One of the travails of Rome, as illustrated in the book, was the power and arrogance of the Roman Senate. Roman Senators were given immense power and prestige and allowed to live lavishly at the public’s expense. They, with the concurrence of Caesar, were allowed to control the Roman purse strings and thus dispensed the public funds generously among themselves. They lived a royal life with lavish luxuries and opulence generally reserved for royalty. It led to a life of comfort and debauchery that Solomon warned about in Proverbs, “pride goeth before a fall.” Many people believe that members of congress today are following this pattern. Maybe not to the same extreme as the Romans, but in some ways similar. U.S. Congressmen vote on their own annual salary increases, which are now up to $175,000 annually with a health plan that would be the envy of any corporate employee and could not be afforded by a corporation yet it cost the congressman nothing. Many congressmen will argue that $175,000 per year is not exorbitant considering that they must maintain a residence in their
STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist
home state and in Washington. This argument does not seem to hold water with the average American who earns less than 20 percent of that salary. Congressmen do not have much of a challenge in getting reelected. No matter how good a job they do for their constituents the advantage of incumbency gives 97 percent of all congressman another term if they choose. However, unlike Roman senators, their power has diminished significantly because of the partisan divide in Washington. Today, congressmen simply vote their party line, making them like members of British Parliament. They are no longer individuals but pawns of their party. They are members in the process and fall in line with party dogma and dictates, losing much of their individualism and, in the process, their power. Even though one Alabama congressman or congresswoman represents approximately 635,000 Alabamians and an Alabama state senator represents around 130,000 Alabamians, I would argue that a least a dozen state senators have more impact over public policy than any of our seven congressmen. There are 435 members of Congress and 35 members of the Alabama Senate. If a state senator is well placed and in a position of power, they are unquestionably more influential and powerful than
a congressperson. The only exception in our delegation would be Congressman Robert Aderholt. Of our seven members of the U.S. Congress, Aderholt is the only one with any seniority or clout. He is on track to be as powerful one day as his predecessor Democrat Tom Bevill. Aderholt got to Congress at a very young age and he is on the right committees and on the right track. A couple of years ago, Congressman Jo Bonner left the Mobile/Baldwin first district of congress. A medley of candidates emerged. State Senator Trip Pittman of Baldwin County could have possibly won that seat. But guess what? Sen. Pittman chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee. He would have become much less powerful as a freshman member of congress than controlling the state budget. In 2010, State Senators Dick Brewbaker of Pike Road, Harri Ann Smith of Slocomb, or Jimmy Holley of Elba could have captured the GOP nomination for congress in the 2nd District and ultimately gone to Congress. However, all three, especially Holley, have much more influence as one of 35 State Senators than as a back bench member of Congress. In many cases a state senator is more powerful than a congressman. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
MARCH 24, 2016 • PAGE 5
School system set for new accreditation process
I
n June, 2008, the Elmore County Public School System was awarded its initial District Accreditation by AdvancED Accreditation Commission. This was the realization of hours of work and commitment by our students, parents, teachers, and community and was cause for a celebration after months of self-evaluation, reflection, and review. District accreditation is awarded on a five-year cycle and the process takes approximately one year in order to complete all of the required components. Our most recent accreditation cycle culminated in 2013. Beginning this year, this process will begin again and will provide an opportunity to reflect on our
DR. ANDRE HARRISON Guest Columnist
past successes and evaluate our community’s vision for the future in order to engage in the continuous improvement of our schools. I will work closely with Mrs. Susanne Goodin to guide this process that will lead the entire District through this time of growth and reflection which will begin by April, 2016. Five standards are used in the evaluation process. Standard 1, Purpose and
Direction, addresses the need for a shared and articulated mission and vision that will guide every action and goal that the Elmore County community will take in the education of its students. Standard 2, Governance and Leadership, guides our district and school leaders to function in a manner that will promote student performance and the effectiveness of the system to enact the best possible learning environment. Standard 3, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, focuses on making certain that the system’s curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices guide and ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning across all grades and courses.
Standard 4, Resource and Support Systems, ensures that the system has resources and provides services in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Standard 5, Using Results for Continuous Improvement, addresses the need for a comprehensive assessment system that generates a range of data about student learning and system effectiveness and using the results to guide continuous improvement. These standards are broad in nature and require that every aspect of our school system be evaluated thoroughly using a very rigorous process. This process of self-evaluation and examination will
begin in the next several weeks. One of my goals, as your superintendent, is to ensure that we are continually placing the needs of our children and our community in the forefront of instructional decisions. If you would like to participate in this process, please contact the Elmore County Board of Education office at 334-5671200. Your concern, care, and vision are important to this method of review and we need your voice and observations to continue to propel our schools into the future. Dr. Andre Harrison is the superintendent of the Elmore County School System.
Commission hopes community responds to emergency RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area response yellow dot campaign STAFF REPORT Elmore County Commission
The Elmore County Commission hopes a simple yellow dot on a car window will help save lives in our community. Elmore County and all other counties in Alabama participate in The Yellow Dot program, designed to help crash victims communicate with first responders during the crucial first 60 minutes, known as the golden hour, after a serious crash that can make the difference between life and death for the critically injured. The program is free to residents and comes with a yellow dot sticker to be placed in the bottom left corner of a vehicle’s rear window. The yellow dot alerts emergency responders to look for a corresponding yellow folder in the glove box, which contains vital information if the driver is unable to communicate with first responders. There are two different groups that are most interested in the Yellow Dot program. Since older individuals tend to have more medical conditions and are generally more fragile, their participation in Yellow Dot is of great benefit. First responders will also benefit from the program because they know when they arrive on the scene, if a person is unable to communicate, they can go to the glove compartment and get vital medical information they need quickly. The corresponding yellow folder in the glove box contains a photograph, medical conditions, medications, allergies and blood type. The patient’s folder does not contain a birth date or Social Security Number. Information included in the folder is only what would be necessary to help save a person’s
life. Enrollment locations in Elmore County: • Elmore County Emergency Management Agency at 8917 US Highway 231 in Wetumpka • Friendship Water Authority at 4419
Friendship Road in Tallassee • Millbrook Fire Department at 3820 Grandview Road in Millbrook • Tallassee City Hall - Building Inspector’s Office in 3 Freeman Avenue in Tallassee
For more information, please visit the Elmore County Emergency Management webpage at elmorecoema.com or call (334) 567-6451.
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PAGE 6 • MARCH 24, 2016
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Red Hill School provides location for a unique spiritual event By RAYMOND E. HALL Red Hill Community Club
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An event occurred on the regular Friday night music program at the Red Hill School building this past Friday night, the significance of which may have been realized by only a very few of the overflow crowd in attendance. Thanks to efforts by Fire Chief Charles Chambers, several members of the Creek Native American tribe from the Muskogee, Oklahoma area were our guests. Molly Tatum was kind enough to provide me with their names, which hopefully are spelled correctly, and are as follows: Wotko Long, John John Brown, Bear Williams, Little Bear Williams, Cecelia Chalakee, and Poagie Freeman. These folks, whose ancestors were very cruelly removed from the very area where our school building sits and relocated to the then Indian Territory in the mid 1800’s, were absolutely some of the nicest people you could imagine meeting anywhere. I very briefly spoke with Wotko, whose name means raccoon in the Creek language. He was thrilled to have an opportunity to perform his music on the same stage as had Hank Williams so many years ago.
They all had been taking part in activities at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, commemorating the battle with Andrew Jackson in March of 1813, when the waters of the Tallapoosa River ran red with the blood of their ancestors. A dugout canoe, constructed as it would have been at the time of the battle, was presented to the park officials. It was their first trip to Alabama. Yet, as Wotko mounted the stage that Hank Williams sang upon a generation ago, sang in his native Creek language, then played a flute constructed as his people have made them for generations, the irony hit me. The music of his people, which had rang through the forests of our area so many years ago was now once again being heard in the ancestral lands of his people. Another plus for me was that Poagie Freeman had a brief part in the scene with Ten Bears and Josie Wales in the movie “The Outlaw Josie Wales.” Wotko explained that his people are a very spiritual people. It was truly a spiritual moment for many of us lucky enough to experience the magic and significance of the moment last Friday night on the Red Hill School House stage. Thanks Wotko and to everyone with you and thanks Charlie for making the moment a reality.
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MARCH 24, 2016 • PAGE 7
Titus New Home Baptist Church to host ‘Road to Resurrection’
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
New Home Baptist Church will host “Road to Resurrection” on Sunday, March 20, from 3:30–6 p.m. This is a family event which takes participants down the road that Jesus walked beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the Resurrection. Meet characters who take you inside the scriptures as you are part of the Triumphal Entry, participate in the Passover meal, visit the jail where Jesus was held, meet a Roman guard who was part of the crucifixion detail, and finally meet Cleopas who reveals who he encountered on the Joyous Road to the Resurrection. We will have on-site registration available the day of the event, but we are also accepting 10 spots for each tour time to be signed up for in advance. It is not necessary to have a reservation but you can reserve a spot for your entire family to travel together. You can enter your name in any
Submitted / The Herald
New Home Baptist Church will host “Road to Resurrection” on Sunday, March 20 from 3:30 -6 p.m.
of the available time slots on the sign-up sheet: https://docs.google. com/spreadsheets/d/1JBNq08JsRgVU4VEwOfld_OqdXF698_POiyshc7pyJI/edit?usp=sharing. We ask that you please try to arrive around 10 minutes prior to
the start of your selected tour time. And you can certainly come earlier than your tour time to enjoy the food and other fun that we have planned!
War Encampment tour open for April 16-17 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park, the Alabama Historical Commission, and the Friends of the Forts are pleased to announce the annual French & Indian War Encampment taking place April 16-17, 2016, at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park near Wetumpka. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children six to eighteen years of age. The event takes place 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday and 9 AM to 3 PM on Sunday. This special event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French & Indian War - France, Britain and their American Indian allies. Additionally, the event features daily life at a French frontier fort and Creek village in the year 1756. Soldiers will engage in mock battles each day and souvenirs replicating items of the time period will be available from merchants on site. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the eighteenth century. Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 will sell food and drink on Saturday; however, there will be no refreshments available for purchase on Sunday so please plan to bring a picnic lunch. Find Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park on Facebook or visit www.fttoulousejackson.org. For more information contact Ove Jensen at ove. jensenahc@gmail.com or 334-567-3002 Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park is operated by the Alabama Historical Commission and is located at 2521 West Fort Toulouse Road, 2 miles west of U.S. Highway 231. The Alabama Historical Commission protects, preserves, and interprets Alabama’s historic places and is the State Historic Preservation Office. WANT TO GO French & Indian War Encampment Saturday and Sunday, April 16 - 17 9 am – 4 pm Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park, Wetumpka, Alabama
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Embrace the blessings of Holy Week
G
reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! The typical chill of Holy Week is upon us. Regardless of where Easter falls on the calendar, it seems like our final taste of winter comes during Holy Week. Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidence. I call it providence. How many Holy Weeks have you experienced in your lifetime? How many Easter egg hunts? How many Easter baskets? How many new pairs of shoes have you purchased for Easter? It might be fun and entertaining to consider your answer to one or more of these questions. Most people living in these United States have some experience with Holy Week and Easter, whether they identify as Christian or not. Easter is
REV. JOHNATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian
surrounded with traditions, especially in the South. Almost every person has at least one Easter story to share. There is another exercise I would like to suggest to everyone during Holy Week and Easter this year. This exercise is not limited to Christians by any means, but it does require a little Bible reading. Don’t worry. Reading the Bible will not hurt you. I suggest that everyone reading this column start with chapter twelve in the Gospel of John and read it until the end. The
bulk of the material describes the events of Thursday and Friday, but reading a little each day will immerse any reader in the events of the last week of Jesus’ ministry in the flesh. I am suggesting this exercise because it is a story every human being needs to hear. It is the story of how humanity responds to divine wisdom, especially when that wisdom conflicts with our way of doing things. Most important of all, it is the story of God’s response to our way of doing things. I need to state my motivation for making such a suggestion. I assure you I have the very best intentions for every human being in mind. I also promise I am not suggesting this exercise as a means for boosting attendance numbers at the church I serve or any other church in the commu-
nity. My motive is much more important than that. My motive is that I am fed up with the ways of our world. I am sick and tired of concern for self as the primary reason for living. I am weary of intolerance, violence, and hatred. I yearn for a better way. I think most people feel the way I do. Spend some time with the story of what is known as Holy Week. Consult the Gospel of John, because John provides the greatest detail of the events of the week. Open yourself to the story and let the story open you. Consult one of the other Gospels for a comparative view. Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday is a compelling story. It runs the gamut from recognition and celebration of a better way for all to live to complete rejection and destruction of that better
way. The story begins a new chapter at the empty tomb with God’s response. The story is a conversion story, but not in the way we might think. Embracing the reality of Holy Week and Easter is not a tool for converting people to Christianity. It is a reminder to every living, breathing human being that we often reject God’s intentions for the earthly kingdom, but our rejection never diminishes the power and authority of the one who made it all in the first place. May the blessing of Holy Week and Easter become real to us all. Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
Religion Briefs • Episcopal Church of the Epiphany There’s much going on at Epiphany to mark Holy Week. There will be a church workday on Wednesday, March 23 beginning at 9 a.m. to ready the grounds for the busy days ahead. On Thursday, March 24 at 9 a.m., Father Wells Warren will celebrate Maundy Thursday with Holy Eucharist in the nave. On Friday, March 25 at noon, Epiphany will open its doors to all who wish to take part in the Tallassee Community Good Friday service. The church will serve a simple lunch immediately following the service in the Little House, which is free to all who have attended worship. On Easter Sunday, March 27, there will be NO Sunday School. At 10:30 a.m. Father Wells will celebrate Festival Holy Eucharist. Following the service, all will gather for the annual church picture and then coffee hour in the Little House. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org • First Baptist Church Reeltown Our Monthly community Senior Day will be Wednesday, March 23, at 11 a.m.. Fellowship with longtime Friends and meet some new folks! Brother Tim Smith will give a wonderful Easter Devotional. Special guest will be James Bush. Please bring a neighbor and a favorite dish for lunch! • East Tallassee Baptist Church Christ is Risen! You’re invited to celebrate with us Sunday, March 25. 7:15 a.m. Sunrise Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service
• Carrville Baptist Church Friday, March 25, at 6:30 pm, we will be having a Good Friday service, “He Did It For Me.” Please join us as we worship our Savior and the sacrifice He made for us. Sunday, March 27, 8:30 am we will have an Almost Sunrise Breakfast and fellowship. Then stay and worship with us as we celebrate our risen Savior. Our youth are having a BBQ Sack Lunch Fundraiser on Friday, April 1. They are selling tickets now. The cost for each sack lunch is $7 and includes a BBQ sandwich, chips and dessert. Pickup will be 10:45-1:15pm or if you order 5 or more to the same address they will deliver. Help support our youth as they raise money for camp. Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday School 9:15 a.m., Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday evening activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday night activities are at 6:30 p.m. • Oak Valley United Methodist Church Pastor Eddie W. Coleman II and the Oak Valley United Methodist Church family have chosen that our theme for 2016 will be: More like Christ and less like man. Lord help me to be more like you. In keeping with our theme we are beginning a community outreach program, which is open to everyone. On Friday, March 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. we will host our second free soup and sandwich lunch. On the menu for March is chicken noodle soup. Our church is located at 3889 Burt Mill Road Tallassee, Al.
• St. Vincent de Paul March 27 - James Dean, David Carucci, Patrick Driscoll - “Easter Sunday” April 3 - Patrick Lencioni – “Living a Christian Life in a Secular World Part 1” April 10 - Patrick Lencioni – “Living a Christian Life in a Secular World Part 2” Our Life’s Journey is a service of St. Vincent de Paul Church and airs weekly from 8-8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ and FM 101.1 in Tallassee. Listen live on www.wacqradio.com or the TuneIn app on your smartphone. The pastor of St. Vincent de Paul is Monsignor Charles Troncale. • East Tallassee United Methodist Church We will start our Easter week services on Wednesday, March 23, at 6 p.m. with an Easter message. On March 24 we will continue with our Maundy Easter service at 6 p.m. United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church for Good Friday service to be held at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. East Tallassee United Methodist Church will have their annual Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, March 27, at 6:30 a.m. at Veterans Park. There will be special music and congregational singing. Refreshments will be served in the park following service. On March 27, our resurrection celebration (Easter Sunday) will be held at 11 a.m. The ETUMC choir and dance team will be performing. Please join us as we celebrate the joy and wonder of Christ’s resurrection. We will also be having a Easter Night Service at 5 p.m. We are located at 101 Central Blvd, Tallassee.
Area Church Services Agapé Assembly of God Hwy. 63 North Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m. Balm of Gilead Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Bethlehem East Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening 7 p.m. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 130, Eclectic 36024 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Services 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Services 6 p.m. Friday Services 6 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Class 1st Tuesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Central Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Adult Choir Practice 5 p.m. Evening Worship Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Children, Youth and Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Central United Methodist Church Sunday Morning 9:30 a.m.
Chaney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Every Sunday except 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Saturday before 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Chapel United Methodist Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 2nd and 4th 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 1st, 3rd and 5th 10 a.m. Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7 p.m. Eclectic First Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Youth, Children and Adult Studies and Activities 6:15 p.m. Eclectic United Methodist Church 1035 Main Street Morning Service 10:50 a.m. Evening Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Service 6:30 p.m.
Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 9 a.m. Morning Worship 10 a.m. Evening Worship 5 p.m. Wednesday: Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 S. Fleahop Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Prayer Service 7 p.m. TeamKID and “R.U.S.H” Youth Celebration 6:30 p.m. Healing Waters Church of God 1639 Kowaliga Road Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Family Training Hour 7 p.m. Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church Hwy. 9 Nixburg Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday:
Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday: Children in Action 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. First Wednesday of Month Potluck supper, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Prospect Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 6 p.m. Worship Service 7 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Teen Kid 6:30 p.m. Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee AL 334-283-1156
Submit your church calendar items and events to: thewetumpkaherald.com
Rushenville Baptist Church 10098 Georgia Road Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. GA’s, RA’s 6 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:45 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Salem Road Baptist Church 12 Old Salem Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday Night Services 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer 7 p.m. Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Praise 7 p.m. Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 240452 Eclectic, AL 36024 Sunday School - 10 a.m. Morning Worship - 11:15 Tuesday Bible Study - 6 p.m. Watson Chapel Congregation 2223 East Cotton Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
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PART-TIME MAILROOM SUPERVISOR Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. seeks a Part-time Mailroom Supervisor for the TPI Of¿ce in Alexander City. Must be able to work 6pm - Until.
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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Tree pollen causing sneezing, watery eyes If antihistamines don’t work, it’s time to see a doctor By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Find yourself sneezing a bit more than normal over the last few days? To understand why, most of us need look no further than the hood of our vehicle and the yellow pollen that’s settled there. “Everyone can tell the pollen’s in the air,” said Mickie Jones, who heads the allergy department for Dr. Tony McLeod at Southern Head and Neck Surgery in Alexander City. Jones said Thursday’s pollen count in Alexander City was 10.3 on the 12-point pollen scale, which can cause problems for persons with allergies. She said the predominant pollens in the air were cedar/juniper, elm and maple. “Of course, the warmer the air, the higher the pollen count,” Jones said. “On the other hand, if it rains or turns cooler, then the pollen count goes down.” Jones said that pollens and other allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, from the classic sneezing and watery eyes to headaches, rashes and swelling. Regardless of the symptoms, most folks who suffer from them seek relief. Jones said that over-the-counter antihistamines sometimes work, but people with more serious symptoms that anti-
histamines don’t counter need to see a doctor. “It’s hard to say what works for each individual,” said Jones. “Everyone’s different. The antihistamines usually help, but some people really need to come in and be evaluated. They would need to make an appointment to see Dr. McLeod and then he would likely send them over to us in the allergy department. “We do allergy skin testing for inhalants like pollen, dust, mold and pet dander and blood tests for food allergens. We also do the immunotherapy through the weekly allergy injections. Of course, the weekly injections take a while to work. It’s not a quick fix.” Here are some facts about allergies: • Researchers think nasal allergies affect about 50 million people in the United States. • Allergies are increasing. They affect as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children. • Allergic disease, including asthma, is the fifth leading chronic disease in the U.S. in people of all ages. It is the third most common chronic disease in children under 18 years old. • Allergic conditions are the most common health issues affecting children in the U.S.
Mitch Sneed / The Observer
• In 2012, 11.1 million people were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. • People visit the emergency room about 200,000 times each year because of food allergies. Almost 10,000 people stay in the hospital each year because of food allergies. • The most common triggers for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction, are medicines, food and insect stings. Medicines cause the most allergy related deaths. •African-Americans and the elderly
have the most deadly reactions to medicines, food or unknown allergens. • Deadly reactions from venom are higher in older white men. Over the years, deadly drug reactions have increased a lot. • In 2010, Americans with nasal swelling spent about $17.5 billion on health costs. They have also lost more than 6 million work and school days and made 16 million visits to their doctor. • Food allergies cost about $25 billion each year.
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
MARCH 24, 2016 • PAGE 11
Think before making a pet an Easter gift By REA CORD Executive Director
I
t was a great Supply Drive at the Wetumpka Wal-Mart this past Saturday and many thanks to all of our volunteers who made it happen and to all who purchased and donated supplies AND almost $700 to help our animals! Those supplies truly help so we can use donated funds for direct animal care – thank you so much to ALL of our supporters! We ask everyone to keep voting for us in the Shelter Challenge so we can win $1,000 for our pets. Winning contests like this ensure we can continue to help deserving pets that need a bit ‘more’ before they can be adopted. Just go to www. shelterchallenge.com to vote each day from work, home, school, smart phone, etc. Once there the easiest way to find
HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS us is to type in our zip of 36092 or Wetumpka. Some web browsers do not work with this site, so if you have problems, please first try a different browser to access the site. Thanks everyone for taking literally just a minute of your time every day to help us win big for our animals! Easter is this Sunday and we want to caution against getting or giving baby chickens, ducks or rabbits as pets for children for Easter. Why? Thousands of these baby animals end up dying of neglect or injury from un-prepared or uncommitted owners and that simply is not in keeping with the message of Easter. Raising chickens,
ducks or rabbits can be quite rewarding but are you prepared for the fact that baby chicks and ducklings need to be kept at 95 degrees the first week of their life, 90 the next, and so on, until they are 4-5 weeks old and fully feathered? The ideal source of heat is a red heat bulb, and you’ll want a thermometer in their cage along with their own special food and fresh water at all times, bedding, shelter and space to grow. Baby rabbits also need to be kept clean, warm and safe and as they grow will need a roomy house/ pen where they can romp and be kept safe from predators which could turn out to be your own dog or cat. One chicken or duck can be quite lonely since they are flock animals, so are you prepared to maintain more than one? Do you know that chick-
ens and ducks live ten to fifteen years and rabbits eight to twelve years? What are your plans for your child’s duckling, chick or rabbit if you are not truly committed? And what if you make a mistake and keep a boy and girl rabbit together? It is possible for some breeds of rabbits to breed as early as 8-12 weeks of age meaning even more pets in need of new homes. We think a much better idea to celebrate Easter is to purchase a stuffed toy duck, chicken or rabbit for your child since a stuffed toy can be set aside when the child tires of it with no repercussions. After all, if you are not fully prepared for what these babies need and they die in a few days, then isn’t that a sad Easter memory for your child? Easter is about life, so let’s celebrate that by not putting baby animals at risk as a living child’s ‘toy.’
Need CPAP?
Meet Whiskey, Pet of the week Whiskey is a Shepherd mix, about two years old, great with other dogs, happy-go-lucky, high energy! He is super fast and a lot of fun - loves to just suddenly “stop, drop and roll” like there is a fire. Actually, he skips the “stop” part and especially loved rolling down the play yard hills. Whiskey is good with other dogs though might be a lot for a small dog or cat to handle. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over one year 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, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Mon–Fri 10-5 & Sat 9-3.
334-514-6183 Serving Elmore County since 1990. Located in Wetumpka at 6251 US Hwy 231 in the Triple C Plaza. www.qualityhomehealthcare.us
SPORTS
Cory Diaz Sports Editor Phone 334-567-7811 sports@thewetumpkaherald.com
PAGE 12 • MARCH 24, 2016
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Panthers JV splits with Wetumpka, Reeltown
ASWA RANKINGS SOFTBALL
By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald
The Elmore County junior varsity baseball team finished off a rollercoaster day in its Elmore County B-Team Spring Break Tournament Tuesday, losing to Wetumpka, 20-11, and picking itself up against Reeltown, 14-3. ECHS (4-11) got off to a rocky start, falling behind the Indians, 11-0. The Panthers battled back, scoring nine runs in the fourth, cutting the deficit down to 11-9, but Wetumpka got all nine runs back in the top of the fifth, putting the game out of reach. Dalton Odom led the charge for Elmore County, going 3-for-3 and scoring three runs versus the Indians. “Just errors and not being able to – you commit too many errors, the pitchers are doing what you ask them to do, and sometimes that happens,” ECHS JV baseball coach Todd Watts said. “I thought we competed real well in the Wetumpka game. They really could have just thrown in the towel, but to compete down 11 runs to come back and make a ballgame out of it, I was real proud of those kids for doing that.” Riding the wave of pushing runs across the plate in bunches, ECHS responded to jump out ahead of Reeltown, 10-2, through two innings. Jamie Singleton and Black Nichols paced the Panthers, batting in four and three runs, respectively, on two hits each. LaPatrick Brown had three RBIs and added the missing dimension on the mound that Elmore County didn’t have against Wetumpka, pitching a complete game, striking out four batters while giving up three runs to the Rebels on as many hits. “It’s really hard coming in, after you’ve been sitting all day watching baseball, coming back into the game tonight. Staying upbeat and starting out the way we needed to start out, and really doing what we need-
CLASS 6A 1. Southside-Gadsden (7-3) 2. Gardendale (19-3-1) 3. Chelsea (13-3) 4. Oxford (10-3) 5. Pell City (18-3) 6. Florence (9-1) 7. Athens (8-5-1) 8. Daphne (7-5) 9. Hartselle (5-6) 10. Arab (8-6) Others nominated: Cullman (5-6), HillcrestTuscaloosa (6-9-1), Hueytown (7-10), Scottsboro (9-7), Walker (8-5), Wetumpka (1312).
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Elmore County junior varsity outfielder Taylor Henderson (27) slides into third base under the tag of Wetumpka shortstop Trey Jones (10) during the Elmore County B-Team Spring Break Tournament Thursday at Tony J. McGhee Field.
ed to do in this second game,” Watts said. “I’m real proud of our kids, they’ve really come a long ways since the beginning of the season. It’s nice to see steady improvement every time they come out here.” For the day, Taylor Henderson went 4-for-7 with three RBIs. “I’m real proud of them for not throwing in the towel in the first one, then real proud
of them for coming out here and competing all night in this one. It could’ve been real easy, we’ve got this one in hand and just lay it down and let them get back in it,” Watts said. “But they fought hard all night, so I think it was a real good night.” Elmore County wrapped up the B-Team Spring Break tourney Wednesday and travels to Reeltown Monday.
Elissa Brown added yet another accolade to her already stacked high school athletic resume Friday night. Announced by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, Brown stamped her prep basketball career, landing a Second-Team point guard spot on the Class 4A All-State girls basketball team. The 5-foot-3 speedy guard racked up 1,946 career points, an alltime Elmore County High basketball scoring record – girl or boy – and averaged 25 points a game for her senior season, accounting for 46.7 percent of the Lady Panthers’ offensive production this season. “It’s hard to wrap
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up what kind of player and person she is into words,” ECHS girls basketball coach Amy Rachel said Tuesday. “You can go on and on to try to sum it all up. Obviously, she’s an outstanding athlete, and basketball’s not even her No. 1 sport. I don’t know how many athletes come close to hitting the 2,000-point mark, just hitting 1,000 is a huge accomplishment and she did that as a junior. “To be her secondbest sport, to hit all those honors, it’s a huge accomplishment. I’m very proud for her and to be able to coach her. Her character, she’s such a humble person and takes her success in stride and gives credit to those around her.” Brown guided the
'm feeling a little froggy this week, so I think I'll jump around and hit on several topics making news in our sports world. To kick things off, let's talk about the opening of SEC play in the world of college baseball. As in practically every sport, the Southeastern Conference is an ultra-competitive league which now boasts eight teams ranked in the top 20 in the country. Unfortunately, the Auburn Tigers are not one of them. The Tigers now sit at 10-10 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Auburn opened league play this weekend with a three-game set against the #2 ranked Texas A&M Aggies at Plainsman Park. The good news is Auburn scored 27 runs in the
AISA 1. Glenwood (22-3) 2. Macon-East (20-4) 3. Edgewood (14-6) 4. Pickens Academy (9-1) 5. Patrician Academy (9-3) 6. Clarke Prep (8-3) 7. Marengo Academy (7-3) 8. Pike Liberal Arts NA 9. Abbeville Christian (1711) 10. Bessemer Academy (10-8)
ASWA BASEBALL RANKINGS
ECHS’s Brown named 2nd team All-State in basketball By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald
CLASS 4A 1. Curry (11-0) 2. Westminster Christian (19-4) 3. Northside (21-2) 4. LAMP (18-2) 5. Cleburne County (15-2) 6. Clarke County (6-3) 7. Handley (16-8) 8. Cordova (7-3) 9. West Blocton (10-6) 10. Headland (10-10) Others nominated: Elmore County (7-9), Holtville (8-9), North Jackson (9-9), Oneonta (5-4), Rogers (10-4), Thomasville (9-7), UMS-Wright (12-6).
CLASS 6A 1. Florence (17-4) 2. Hartselle (15-7) 3. Decatur (19-4) 4. Cullman (15-4) 5. Muscle Shoals (13-1) 6. Spanish Fort (9-5) 7. Opelika (11-9) 8. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (12-4) 9. Northview (15-4) 10. Oxford (12-3)
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Elmore County senior point guard Elissa Brown (22) looks for an open teammate during the 2015-16 season.
Lady Panthers to backto-back sub-region playoff appearances in her junior and senior seasons, not only doing it on the offensive end but defensively as she averaged 5.7 steals per contest this year. “She did the dirty work. Whatever we needed from her, she was going to do,” Rachel said. “She had to carry the weight for us in scor-
ing, the weight for us playing defense on the other team’s best player. She never stepped down from a challenge and that’s a rare thing when you run across a player like that.” Brown has signed to college softball – her No. 1 sport – at the University of Alabama and currently ranks as the nation’s 20th best high school softball
player. While Brown’s already decided on what she’s doing next, Rachel convinced that the guard could’ve played basketball on the next level. “I’ve never seen a more well-rounded athlete,” Rachel said. “She never bragged, you never heard anything negative come from her. She’s such a joy to watch and coach and I’m so happy for her honor.”
CLASS 4A 1. UMS-Wright (9-5) 2. St. James (9-3) 3. Deshler (10-2) 4. Trinity (8-6) 5. Brooks (4-7) 6. Oneonta (7-4) 7. Jacksonville (8-2) 8. Headland (9-6) 9. Hokes Bluff (10-2) 10. Haleyville (7-4) Others nominated: Holtville (10-5), North Jackson (7-5), Sardis (11-5), Sipsey Valley (4-3). AISA 1. Glenwood (16-0) 2. Edgewood (18-3) 3. Autauga Academy (16-5) 4. Monroe Academy (16-4) 5. Marengo Academy (9-1) 6. Abbeville Christian (19-7) 7. Northside Methodist (16-6) 8. Tuscaloosa Academy (8-10) 9. Clarke Prep (7-4-1) 10. Macon-East (14-6)
Up-and-down weekend for Tigers ANDY GRAHAM Guest Columnist
series against what was supposed to be quality pitching. The bad news is the Aggies scored 31 runs and won the series. If the Tigers continue to produce that kind of offensive firepower, the wins will inevitably come. However, it sure would be nice to be able to get somebody out on occasion as well. The #3 ranked Auburn softball team fared a little better than their male counterparts this weekend
as they defeated Mississippi State two games to three in Starkville. That brings the Tigers tally on the season to 26-4 overall and 3-3 in the SEC. Again, every weekend is a major challenge with nine SEC teams ranked among the top 16 in the country. Auburn has been one of the most prolific offensive teams in the nation the last two years, but ran into a terrific Bulldog pitching staff this weekend. It took 14 innings for the Tigers to scratch across a third run and beat MSU 3-2 in game one. Auburn defeated State 2-0 in game three and did so with the benefit of only one hit. The Tigers goal this season is to make a return trip to Oklahoma City for the College World Series. If they make it, they'll undoubtedly see
a lot of familiar faces when they get there. Women's basketball coach Terri Williams-Flournoy wrapped up her fourth season on the Plains this weekend as the Tigers fell to #1 seed Baylor in Waco, Texas. While it's always disappointing to lose, the Tigers were significantly outmatched by the Bears and just making the NCAA tournament was an accomplishment. It was actually the first time Auburn has been dancing (so to speak) since the 2008-09 season. It took Williams-Flournoy about four years to get Georgetown consistently winning 20 games a year in her previous job. Hopefully, the same pattern will hold true at Auburn. The Tigers only lose one senior starter, so next year
looks to be promising. Finally, the first round of the NCAA men's tournament truly lived up to its billing as "March Madness." My bracket looks a lot like one of my old algebra exams from 9th grade with all the red ink on it. To be honest, I don't care. I love the upsets. Sure, I picked Michigan State to win it all and now look like a idiot, but I'm glad Middle Tennessee pulled the upset. The Spartans make the tournament every year. That was a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for the Blue Raiders. Who knows? If I live long enough, I might actually get to see the Auburn Tigers participate in the madness. Dare I dream such a dream?