Tallassee Tribune May 17 2023

Local cemetery tour returns this weekend

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The annual Elmore County Historical Society Wetumpka City Cemetery Tour brings history to life and highlights the efforts of the organization.

Historical society president Calvin Chappelle believes the living cemetery tour is a big draw for the organization and its other events and capabilities.

“We like for people to learn more about the society and our partner the Elmore County Museum,” Chappelle said. “It is a friendmaker and fundraiser. It lets people know the activities of the Elmore County Historical Society. It gives them an opportunity to learn about our other events throughout the year.”

The society hosts monthly talks in the spring and fall at the

Elmore County History Museum on a variety of topics.

“We help people with their genealogy and research,” Chappelle said. “It is a similar process we use to highlight some of the colorful characters and historical figures buried in the Wetumpka City Cemetery.”

The historical society offers several genealogical workshops throughout the year and just like the figures presented in the tour,

interesting facts come up along the way.

“We research about seven or eight individuals each year,” Chappelle said. “Not everyone who is buried there lived in Wetumpka or died in Wetumpka.

The vast majority were Elmore County citizens. Then we find local individuals to portray those people and tell their stories.”

This year’s tour features several interesting people from

Elmore County’s history. Chappelle said the Scottish immigrants William and Mary Douglas were husband and wife and from Scotland highlighting how many families came to the U.S.

“A lot of people in that time were coming to America for various opportunities,” Chappelle said. “We don’t

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Obituaries

MRS. CLAUDENE W. HOWARD

Mrs. Claudene W. Howard, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the age of 84. She was born September 11, 1938 in Tallassee, Alabama to Claude L and Hixie Belle Treadwell Webster.

Mrs. Howard is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dale Howard; daughters, Donna Boatfield, Lisa Adair (Donald) and Leslie Stephenson (Gordon); sisters, Maureen Born,

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE

DEPARTMENT

MAY 15

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Hicks Store Road.

MAY 14

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Tallassee Highway.

Alice Stevenson (Tony) and Brenda Yates (Jimmy); grandchildren, Brittany Arledge (Matt), Donald Adair (Whitney), Elizabeth Laduron, Ben Stephenson and Beth Stephenson; great grandchildren, Kaelyn and Madelyn Arledge, Jaxon Laduron and Lainey Adair; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Hixie Belle Webster; sister, Ruby Jean Webster; brothers, Bobby Webster, Billy Webster and Joe Webster.

• Suspicious activity was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on New Quarters Road.

• Harassment was reported on Riley Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on West James Street.

MAY 10

Mrs. Howard was a member of Redland Baptist Church for many years. She retired from J. F. Ingram Technical College after 15 years of service. Claudene enjoyed yard work and driving her golf cart. She truly had a servant’s heart - “her gift was giving.”

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 10:30AM until service time at 11:00AM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Old Sharon Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Reeltown, Alabama.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• Gunfire was reported on Third Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Capstone Lane.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Taylor Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Adams Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on West James Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

MAY 13

• A noise complaint was reported on West James Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Muskogee Road.

• Panhandling was reported on Friendship Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Harris Street.

• A white male was arrested on Benson Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic incident was reported on Eubanks Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Seventh Street.

• A Black male was arrested on Caldwell Street.

• Harassment was reported on East Patton Street.

MAY 13

• Suspicious activity was reported on Friendship Road.

• Theft was reported on South Central Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Willow Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Darnell Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Littering was reported on Muskogee Trail.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Potts Drive.

MAY 12

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Notasulga Road.

MAY 11

• A domestic complaint was reported on Grimes Street.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on West James Street.

• Theft was reported on Quail Run Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on Little Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Freeman Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Sunset Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Riverside Drive.

• Assistance was given to a Tallassee city employee on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white male and white female were arrested during a traffic stop on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard. MAY 9

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Disorderly conduct was reported on Benson Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Ashurst Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gen. Chappy James Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Friendship Road.

MAY 8

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Friendship Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• Criminal trespassing was reported on Clayton Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Pineview Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Wall Street.

• Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was reported on Potts Drive.

• Gunfire was reported on Parker Street.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A child custody dispute was reported on North McKenzie Street.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Third Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Cherokee Trail.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

MAY 8

• Domestic violence and criminal mischief was reported on Rivercrest Drive.

MAY 7

• Found property was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

MAY 6

• Harassment was reported in Autumnwood Village.

MAY 4

• Domestic violence was reported on Hospital Drive.

MAY 3

• A missing person was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

MAY 2

• Theft was reported on West Osceola Street.

MAY 1

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. APRIL 30

• Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported on Wilson Street. APRIL 29

• Domestic violence was reported on East Osceola Street.

APRIL 27

• Criminal mischief was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Pet of the Week – Dice

Dice is a 4-year-old male Bluetick Coonhound, who weighs about 75 pounds. He is a handsome fellow, who is house and cratetrained. He is good with other dogs and best with older children as he might play a bit too hard for small children. No cats please.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immuni -

zations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-5673377 and the website is www.elmorehumane. org.

Wild Flour Bakery opens new location

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

Beginning in Reeltown, Wild Flour Bakery has moved to a new place in Waverly at the Standard Deluxe.

Owners Sarah and Howard Jones said it all started when their neighbor asked Sarah to make them some muffins. Having some extras, Sarah put an announcement on her Facebook page for friends to message her if they would like a box of muffins. People tried them and soon requests for more were flooding in.

“It was three boxes of muffins, 10 boxes of muffins, 15 boxes of muffins,” she said. “Every week I

was selling muffins out of the back of my car in Reeltown.”

Then, she started getting into making bread, specifically Sourdough. Not too much later, Sarah met Corrie Sid, owner of the Grove Station.

By April 4, 2022, Sarah opened Wild Flour Bakery at the Grove Station. She said the business only got busier from there. Her husband Howard later left his job and joined the business with Sarah.

Exactly one year later they opened in Waverly and had their grand opening on May 6. Sarah said it's been exciting having the place open. Not only does the Waverly location provide

more space, but also they are able to have a coffee shop component, which had been a longtime dream.

“Learning about coffee is something I always wanted to do,” Howard explained. “It’s something we talked about for a long time, having our own coffee shop, like [Sarah] said. She does all the amazing baking things and I get to do the coffee side.”

Along with coffee, some of the popular bakery items include cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies and fresh bread. When it comes to desserts, Sarah said the consistent feedback is “it’s not too sweet.”

Before opening Wild Flour, Howard was in the army and worked for the

Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Sarah did music at her church and worked at a coffee shop in Tallassee. However, baking has always been a part of her life.

“As I scoop a bowl, I remember my mentor teaching me at nine-yearsold how to use a rubber spatula,” she said. “It goes way back. Really those skills were honed during the beginning of our marriage. We’re going into 17 years of marriage and that’s a lot of time to practice baking something and taking it to the work picnic.”

With the bakery open, Sarah said she wants it to continue to provide personalized service. As part of this, they have a pavilion

COUNCIL

Continued from A1

year. But at last Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved funding the organization for 2023 and hopes to receive an application for funding for future years.

Inspections and mapping of some sewer lines was approved by the council.

CDG Engineering requested the video inspections to determine the condition of sewer mains near gas line replacements. The GIS mapping allows for future location of lines. The cost is $2.80 per linear foot and the total will be between $36,000 and $51,000.

IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the April 25 meeting. •Approved the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce’s use of the property surrounding city hall for Summer Fest on June 17. The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23.

area where customers can see into the bake room, and the baker and customer can form a connection.

“We have had people come from Columbus, Georgia, just to come and see a bakery,” Howard said. “There’s not really anybody else doing a traditional bakery. I hope the interest continues and people come and enjoy everything we create here.’

Howard said another aspect of Waverly is that every business is interwo-

ven between the Standard Deluxe, The Local and Fig and Wasp. They said they want to continue that connection and lift each other up.

“It’s a whole collective,” Sarah said. “Almost how life used to be, pre-shopping mall America, you had a baker, you had a butcher. I think it brings people to a slower pace of life that they miss and that’s why they don’t mind driving 15 or 20 minutes out of the way.”

ABIGAIL MURPHY THE TRIBUNE

The Wild Flour Bakery had its grand opening at the Standard Deluxe in Waverly on May 6. The bakery sells cheesecake, cookies, fresh bread, coffee and more.

Tallassee Talks

I need a favor

Ilike to think I don’t ask for many favors. Personally, my family is phasing out of the fundraising stage and professionally, if we speak about marketing, I assure you it’s for the vitality of your business and nothing more. But, today, I need to ask you to do me a favor and read what I have to say. It is for your own good!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, do you understand how important it is to subscribe to and read your local newspaper? I do but until recently I didn’t realize how critical it is.

I love social media. How else would the world know Emma just finished her first year at Auburn or that I get the side eye from Hank if I post about him?

Unfortunately, social media has become more than picture sharing. It now has a much stronger hold on people’s thoughts and what they believe. There are no limits to the finger pointing and “fact”-based rhetoric that is broadcast to the world. Most people don’t even realize they’re sharing this false information.

That is not how your local newspaper operates. Whether you trust big media or not, your local paper reports only unbiased facts. That’s it. When you reference your local newspaper you don’t have to waste precious time following social media rabbit holes for what people “think” they know, and you also prevent

TIPPY HUNTER General Manager

yourself from becoming part of the problem in sharing falsities. You need to also know your local newspaper provides accountability. We’ve been fortunate but if needed, your local paper is the driving force in keeping government officials accountable. According to multiple studies, less government accountability can lead to more public spending. Equally as urgent, being an active reader means you are privy to public and legal notices. This is where I need to be loud and clear. If you aren’t reading public notices, you need to start now.

For example (only), if a landfill is considered for your area, wouldn’t you want to know? Currently, there is an access-restrictive bill proposed, HB106, that would allow for less government transparency by posting notices to government only websites. Sounds trustworthy, right?

This eliminates access to thousands of Alabamians without broadband, whereas notices printed in your paper are also uploaded to a statewide public notice website as well as our business site. The best of both

worlds. Also, very few people are going to remember to visit certain websites for public and legal notices, which, if I had to guess, is exactly the point. If you want to keep the public in the dark, this is how you do it. Now, more than ever, we need transparency. We need the truth. The fox should never guard the hen house, right?

These are the most urgent reasons for being a reader, but, if nothing else, it also means you never have FOMO. It means you’re getting to know your community. It means following the super talented local athletes to the next level. It means so much.

I liken being a reader to being a voter. Don’t we need to know? Don’t we want to know?

Please call Erin if you’re not already a subscriber (256-2344281). It cost 96 cents per paper for an annual subscription, with a discount and less than that for digital only. I believe so deeply in my soul you should be a reader that if you sign up from reading this column, let Erin know and she’ll give you a year in print for $78. That’s only three quarters per paper, and you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor!

*Not in favor of HB106? Make sure your voice is heard. Contact your local House member today.

Tippy Hunter is the general manager of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

Sometimes losses rearrange the world

Grief is something I thought I understood.

Between the tragic and untimely deaths of Mitch Sneed, which changed my life impermeably, and Lee Hamilton, who was my best friend’s boyfriend when he passed, I thought I had learned how to handle

Obituaries: 35 cents per word with a $25 charge for picture per paper (Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals.

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

things. I thought I knew how to be strong.

But as I reflect back on the last month, I now know grief is

something I’ll never truly understand. On April 15, there was a mass shooting in Dadeville and it felt like the worst two weeks of my whole life. I attended babies’ funerals and listened as mommas shouted for their children. I watched as friends cried and teammates sobbed; I heard preachers talk about how amazing these kids were in life. We worked round the clock for two weeks straight, covering the shooting from every angle and giving survivors a chance to tell

See WORLD, Page A5

‘I’m waiting on the day’

May 17, 1966 is the day the barn doors blew open in rock and roll.

Only a couple months earlier,

The Beatles had released “Rubber Soul,” an eclectic collection of personal songs that featured radically different instrumentation and subject matter from anything they had released previously. Fifty-five years on, it may be that “Rubber Soul” is the greatest of all Beatles records in that it crystallized a moment and influenced the direction of popular music for years to come.

At that time, Bob Dylan had already been anointed (against his will) “spokesman of a generation,” based on his groundbreaking work in the folk music movement of the early 1960s. But he wasn’t done; in fact, he was just getting started.

“Blonde on Blonde” was rock’s first double LP, and it is a wild assortment of musical styles and genres thrown together with Dylan’s raucous, stream-of-consciousness poetry. Nearly every track explores a different facet of Dylan’s musical personality while he was in his, as Rolling Stone magazine later said, “frizzed-out jeremiad period.”

There’s quiet Baroque country on “4th Time Around” and “Just Like a Woman,” fuzzy blues rock on “Obviously 5 Believers” and “Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat,” achingly personal details on “Sad

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” and “Visions of Johanna,” and even a touch of Dixieland jazz on “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35.”

Working with the cream of Nashville musicians, Dylan made an album that sounded like nothing else before or since. It can be said that Dylan’s expansion on “Blonde on Blonde” is responsible for his continued career success.

Dylan is backed by not only the Nashville session men, but a group formerly called the Hawks – later known to the world as The Band. There are so many good musicians playing on this record, it’s just a feast for the ears. Every time I put it on, I hear something new.

On that same day in May 1966, The Beach Boys re-emerged from a period of relative inactivity with “Pet Sounds,” often ranked as the No. 1 most influential rock LP of all time. The creative genius behind Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson crafted a masterpiece of symphonic rock, built upon layers of vocal harmonies and instrumentation unlike any heard on a rock album. The Beach Boys’ record label had

pressured them for new material for months, but as the group took up residence at the studio where all of the Wrecking Crew played, a new kind of musical alchemy was taking shape.

“Pet Sounds” is a solid set of songs, working against the sunsurf-cars-girls formula of past Beach Boys success. This album featured songs about uncertainty in relationships as well as the sadness that comes with the realities of growing up.

There are many sublime moments on this record and many are classics: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “Sloop John B”.

But the lethargic “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)” and “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” point to the album’s final track, “Caroline No” – a song so personal and direct, it’s hard to believe only a few months before, these same guys were singing about being true to their school.

The fact that both “Pet Sounds” and “Blonde on Blonde” were released on the same day should tell us all something about the time period that followed: a fertile period of unsurpassed creativity in the world of popular music that may never happen again.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

As a nonprofit organization, we are most appreciative to all who donate money and supplies to help work as well as donate to our Tail’s End Thrift Store so we can raise funds through sales.

We

their stories. (We aren’t done either.)

May 1 marked the

Facebook donates 100% of any donated monies to us — they don’t charge any fees. We are so grateful to so many people who have held birthday and other fundraisers on Facebook on our behalf! And, of course, checks via snail mail or in-person visits to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka still work just fine as does calling in to us at 334-567-3377 to do a donation via credit card over the phone. Are you an Amazon, Walmart, Chewy shopper perhaps? We always need items like pet food (dry and canned), cleaning supplies (Fabuloso, liquid dishwashing detergent, Ammonia), pet toys, cat lit-

start of the third week after the shooting; it seemed like maybe finally things would go back to at least a semblance of normal.

Then I got a call that evening that changed

ter, ink pens and more and you can just have it shipped directly to the shelter.

You can always check out our basic needs Wish List here: http://www.elmorehumane.org/hsec-wish-list.html

For our cat lovers who purchase cat litter online, two different companies have a program where your purchases help get us donated litter.

Cat’s Pride Litter for Good program gets the shelter you designate (hopefully ours) one pound of cat litter for every jug of litter you purchase. Another company, Fresh Step, has the Fresh Step Paw Points Program. When you sign up for the Fresh Step Paw Points Program and when you pick our shelter, we get

everything.

My little brother-inlaw died Monday, May 1. He was 21 years old.

As I write this column, it’s the start of the third week since his death and I can’t fathom

points from your purchases (and they have a lot more than cat litter). The best use of these points for our shelter is when we amass enough to order a full pallet of cat litter and that goes a long way!

So don’t like lugging cat litter from the store to your car to the house? Just shop online, have your litter delivered to your door and help our shelter at the same time.

Donations of clothing, household items, knickknacks, art, furniture, collectibles, outdoor items and most anything that will resell is very much appreciated at our Tail’s End Thrift Store located across the parking lot from our Shelter.

Our thrift store volunteers

ever getting back to normal.

Grief has taken on a whole new meaning over the last month. It’s a physical pain in every part of your body. It’s a pendulum swinging

receive donations from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday through Saturday and can provide tax-exempt donation receipts if needed. Of course, we also love all who shop at our thrift store as all proceeds go to our shelter and the animals we care for. We are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. With 285 pets currently in the shelter, we greatly appreciate everyone’s support and promise to always do our very best to ensure bright futures for the animals that come into our care. Thank you to everyone for your support.

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

at your heart, smashing into it over and over again. It’s the waves on a beach, coming forever — “big ones, really close together.” It’s standing up and feeling like your legs are about

to give out. It’s feeling like nothing will ever be the same again.

Someone described the Dadeville massacre as our community’s Sept. 11, and the death of my little brother, Sgt. Dylan Gentry, is our family’s Sept. 11. Our lives will never be the same.

My husband’s family is not exactly good with words. Let’s just say — Charles got through his brother’s eulogy with only three curse words, and I was fairly impressed.

But my other brotherin-law, Wayne, the middle brother, recently sent a text message to the family that resonated with me; he somehow put into words what I, the writer, have been trying to say.

“In this world, we can be taught everything but how to live without the ones we love, the ones in our heart,” Wayne wrote. “Sorrow and grief is not aged nor has an expiration date. There are losses that rearrange the world — deaths that change the way you see everything.”

Losses that rearrange the world.

Sit with that for a second. Losses that rearrange the world.

We’ve experienced far too much of that lately. The Dadeville massacre certainly rearranged the world for Tallapoosa County and the death of my little brother has quite literally rearranged ours. I know most of you didn’t know Dylan, so I want to let you know he was basically just like Phil Dowdell. He had a smile that was almost too big for his face. Dylan loved life, and he was so passionate about his future. His family and friends meant everything to him. He was an athlete, a soldier, an amazing brother and so, so much more.

I wish I could end this column with some wise, sage advice about how to deal with grief, but I’ll be honest — for the last month, I’ve had absolutely no idea what I’m doing. But what I do know is you never know what day will be the last. You never know what the next moment is going to bring. It’s easy to say it when times are hard, but it’s not always easy to follow through. Let Dadeville be a lesson. Let my brother’s tragic death be a lesson.

I’ve been listening to Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t” daily, and I’ll just leave you with a line from that song.

“Don’t wait on tomorrow ’cause tomorrow may not show. Say your sorries, your I love you’s, ’cause man you never know.”

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

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announced and recognized were Aidan Dunn as valedictorian, Penelope Nonales as salutatorian, Kirstyn Suggs, Allyson Crittenden, Cameron Tubbs, Bettie Gibson, Meri Katherine Benton, Maggie Cannon, Lacey Thompson and Ansley Hinson.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

The Math Department recognized Aidan Dunn for having the highest academic average for grades K through 12. In addition to the highest average, the department presented the Professor Frog award to Meri Katherine Benton and Omorion Ponds.

“The Professor Frog award is given each year to the senior, or seniors, who have expressed the most interest in the subject of mathematics,” Assistant Principal Audrey Stockdale said. “For these students, it is not just about the grade in the class. It’s also about scoring concepts and taking them to the next level, the enjoyment of learning mathematics and sharing their knowledge with others.”

As far as Career Technical Education, completers of business manager and administration, family and consumer sciences as well as agricultural science received certificates.

The following were recognized for business manager and administration: Charity Abser, Dawson Baker, Kade Davis, Allison Fuller, Skylar Gordon, Ansley Hinson, Shamiya Howard, Shakira Hutchinson, Karleigh Kilpatrick, William Lamberth, Layton Lynn, Hope Thomas, Zaydriana Thompson, Cameron Tubbs and Tyreanu Waver.

The following were completers for family and consumer sciences: Meri Katherine Benton, Baileigh Bledsoe, Demetria Brown Zy’Quarius Collins, Allyson

Crittenden, Aidan Dunn, A’Jaylan Edwards, Ashley Flurry, Bettie Gibson, Seth Hill, Shakira Hutchinson, A’Iyonna Kimble, Meg Ledbetter, Marisa Logsdon, Penelope Nonales, Delayna Tapley and Lacey Thompson.

The following were awarded for agricultural science: Savannah Abrams, Gabriel Bertl, Brody Brumbeloe, Nathaniel Butler, Maggie Cannon, Logan Dillard, William Higman, Ryan Johnson, Brody Ledbetter, Conner McKee, Casen McGinty, Ethan Mask, Andrew May, Omorion Ponds, Cameron Tubbs, Sean Williford and Dylan Winslett.

Graduation cords were also presented to the retiring Future Farmers of America officers including Andrew May, Brody Ledbetter, Maggie Cannon, Kirstyn Suggs, Ryan Johnson and Sean Williford.

Seniors were awarded College and Career Readiness for ACT benchmarks. Students had to reach one of the following benchmarks reading 22, math 22, science 23 and English 18.

The following students were recognized for reaching one or more benchmark: Charity Abser, Dawson Baker, Meri Katherine Benton, Gabriel Bertl, Steven Burns, Nathaniel Butler, Maggie Cannon, Magnolia Clay, Allyson Crittenden, Aidan Dunn, Allison Fuller,

TOUR Continued from A1

know if it was religious or if they wanted a chance at new opportunities. Obviously money certainly was an idea for many people to get out of their current situation and become more prosperous in America.”

Many of the Scottish immigrants came to

Bettie Gibson, Seth Hill, Ansley Hinson, Johnny Johnson, Brody Ledbetter, Andrew May, Casen McGinty, Conner McKee, Penelope Nonales, Evan Pargo, Omorion Ponds, Kirstyn Suggs, Hope Thomas, Cameron Tubbs, Sean Williford and Dylan Winslett

EXTRACURRICULAR AWARDS

Seniors were not only awarded for their academic achievements, but also for what they did outside of the classroom. For the class of 2023, Reeltown High School faculty voted Logan Dillard as all-around boy, Layton Lynn as all-around girl, Delayna Tapley for the Sportsmanship award, Maggie Cannon for the Leadership Award and Connor Spain for the School Spirit Award.

Athletic director Matt Johnson also presented senior penmanship to the following athletes: Brody Brumbeloe, Steven Burns, Aidan Dunn, Demetria Brown, Savannah Abrams, Meri Katherine Benton, Connor Spain, Seth Hill, Logan Dillard, Zy’Quarius Collins, Omorion Ponds, Tyreanu Waver, Lacey Thompson, Brody Ledbetter, Ethan Mask, Cameron Tubbs, Layton Lynn, Meg Ledbetter, A’Iyonna Kimble, Ashley Flurry, Delayna Tapley and Allison Fuller.

Additionally, head athletic trainer Chad Abrams presented cords and

American between the late 1700s through the Civil War and some may have traveled the river boats up the Coosa River. There is also Florence Golson Bateman who is the first female newspaper editor in Alabama.

“But she is most known for her musical career,” Chappelle said.

“As a young girl she had an accident and by the time she was 15 she was completely blind.

medals to Cameron Tubbs, Meg Ledbetter and Ashley Flurry for being the student athletic trainers for the football season over the past two years.

“Leadership, teamwork, hard work, attention to detail and dedication,” Abrams said. “I was sitting there trying to describe who they are, what they are and what they are made of. Those are the top few keywords that come to mind.”

The Volunteerism and Club Administration award was then presented to Aidan Dunn.

Charity Absher and Ashley Flurry were presented with a cord of courage for donating blood to LifeSouth four or more times during their high school career.

Bettie Gibson and Aidan Dunn were presented with scholar bowl cords and the following received a cord for band: Charity Absher, A’Jaylan Edwards, Bettie Gibson, Marisa Logsdon, Conner McKee, Penelope Nonales and Sean Williford. Scholarships were also presented to students during the ceremony with some of the colleges including Auburn University, Central Alabama Community College, Faulkner University, Mercer University, Southern Union State Community College, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama and University of West

She trained in voice and composition. She sang, played piano, she wrote her own music.”

Bateman also taught music in Wetumpka and Montgomery.

Chappelle said William Cary Penick was born in Virginia and spent a lot of time in South Carolina before a move to the area.

“He practiced medicine and was also heavily involved in agriculture,” Chappelle said.

Another person buried in the Wetumpka City Cemetery and part of this year’s tour is Samuel Smith Simmons who served in the Georgia Militia during the War of 1812.

“There is also Mary Graham Campbell Cantelou who spoke Gaelic,” Chappelle said. “You wouldn’t think someone living in Wetumpka would speak Gaelic.”

This year’s cemetery tour is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 20. Tickets are $5 and available in advance at the Elmore County Museum, the Wetumpka Public Library and the Wetumpka City Administration Building. Tickets are also available the day of the event.

REELTOWN

ABIGAIL MURPHY THE TRIBUNE

Reeltown High School hosted its senior award ceremony Friday morning. During the ceremony, seniors were awarded scholarships, academic achievements and received extracurriculars recognition.

May flowers indicate growth, harvest

Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! I hope everyone reading this week’s column is well. The month of May is advancing at breakneck speed as I write this column!

I am a huge Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny fan. There is one particular encounter between Bugs and Yosemite Sam involving Sam’s efforts at damming a river. Throughout the story, Bugs can be found showering in the river while singing, ‘Those April showers may come your way. They bring the flowers that bloom in May.’

It seems helpful to me to think of the end of another school year in general and graduations in specific in this context. The storms of April that arrive following spring

break give way to new growth and potentially bountiful harvest in May. Just look at the faces of teachers in those two months and you will see what I am talking about.

Teaching is perhaps the most noble of professions.

Teachers at all levels are entrusted with the education of young people. That education involves much more than memorizing and/or mastering factual material. True education means teaching young people to think, reason and make wise decisions.

Typically, by the time

spring break arrives, students and teachers need a break from the learning process. In all honesty, they need a break from each other. We all have a limited capacity for listening to instruction and applying it after all.

Once everyone returns from spring break, however, the mad dash to the end of the school year begins. Final performances of groups that have been working together in one way or another all year are scheduled. The clock ticks more loudly as levels of completion approach. Everyone involved is simply ready to be done with whatever they have been working on for the term or even the whole school year. For some, the period of instruction comes to a screeching halt with graduation. The time for continued

Tallassee Churches

teaching ends and the time for celebrating accomplishment begins. The race that has been run reaches the finish line.

Unfortunately, many approach this time in life in “checking the box” fashion. Completion is something to be marked off the proverbial “To Do” list. Certainly, there are aspects of it that warrant such an approach, but graduations are so much more than items to mark as done with.

During graduation season this year, we all would do well to take a moment and really think about what graduation represents. High school and college graduations are milestone events in the lives of young people, or at least they should be. It is up to the adults in these young people’s lives to make

sure empowering recognition happens.

Fortunately, this is very easy to do. First, find out which young people you know who are graduating. Second, make the time to tell them you appreciate and respect their accomplishment. That is all it takes.

Young people respond favorably to sincere encouragement and interest. They always have and they always will. Make the time to tell the young people in your life that you recognize what they have worked through. Celebrate the growth and potentially bountiful harvest ahead of them with them. They will not forget it.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

Tallassee’s season ends in rematch with Marbury

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

In the win-and-in game for state qualification, facing off against Marbury in the losers bracket championship, Tallassee fell 6-3, ultimately ending its season at the Class 5A regional tournament.

“It did not end the way we

liked,” coach Pat Love said. “We had a great season, we just did not play our best ball today.”

Tallassee entered softball regionals on Thursday and won its first two games, before dropping its two games on Friday with a berth to state on the line. In the 5A regional cham -

Reeltown spring season “successful” ahead of summer

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

On Friday, the Reeltown Rebels completed their spring scrimmage after two weeks of spring football practice.

To head coach Matt Johnson, the team already seems to be in solid shape.

“I thought we had a really good spring,” Johnson said. “Overall, I thought we were

successful. We had no substantial injuries. We answered some questions that we had.”

After the conclusion of Reeltown’s regular season, which featured the team going 10-2 overall, winning its area and making it to the third round of playoff competition, Johnson and his staff had to have the conversation every

Reeltown’s Tae Martin is among many returners for the Rebels who will be looking to make an impact this season.

Historic season ends for Elmore County soccer

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore Coun-

ty soccer team saw its historic season come to an earlier end than the Panthers wanted this weekend.

Playing in the AHSAA Class 5A Final Four for the first time in program history, Gulf Shores defeated Elmore County, 5-0, to end the Panthers’ season.

The Dolphins scored two goals in the first four minutes of the game and never looked back. But despite the loss, nothing takes away from what Elmore County accomplished this season.

The Panthers claimed the area championship for the first time since 2017, while both the girls and boys won the area championship in the same season for the first time in school history. Not only that, but the Elmore County boys had never won a playoff game until this season, and they won two of them.

“They stepped up to the challenge when it was presented in order to get to the playoffs and fought their way through multiple teams that were considered better than us to get to the Final Four,” ECHS coach Josh Pack

B2

pionship Friday morning, Tallassee was defeated by rival Elmore County 7-6 in 10 innings. Love’s team secured a 4-2 lead through two innings against ECHS but found itself tied 4-4 heading into extras.

WETUMPKA, ELMORE COUNTY SOFTBALL PREPARE FOR STATE TOURNAMENT

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Elmore County and Wetumpka are hitting the road one last time looking for a blue map.

The two softball teams are heading to Choccolocco Park in Oxford this week to compete in the AHSAA State Softball Tournament in their respective classifications.

Wetumpka is one of eight teams remaining in Class 6A, while Elmore County is one of eight in Class 5A.

Elmore County opens the 5A tournament against Jasper at 9 a.m. Wednesday, while Wetumpka will face off against Oxford at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Here’s a look at both brackets and the eight teams in them.

CLASS 5A

Game 1: Scottsboro Wildcats vs. Brewbaker Tech Rams

Game 2: Elmore County Panthers vs. Jasper Vikings

Game 3: Ardmore Tigers vs. Marbury Bulldogs

Game 4: St. Paul’s Episcopal Saints vs. Moody Blue Devils

ELMORE COUNTY (CENTRAL QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 33-18-3

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat John Carroll Catholic, 3-1; Beat Demopolis, 2-1; Beat Tallassee, 7-6.

Players to Watch: OF Ashtyn Pannell, Sr.; P/INF Hailey O’Brien, Sr.; OF McKenzie Owens, Sr.; SS Anna Catherine Segrest, Sr.

JASPER (NORTH QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 22-6-3

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Lawrence County, 7-2; Lost to Springville, 4-3; Beat Hayden, 4-0; Beat Lawrence County, 8-1; Beat Springville, 3-1.

Players to Watch: Missy Odom, Fr.; Idaysia Mercer, Jr.; Brinlee Clark, So.

SCOTTSBORO (EAST QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 36-9-2

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Moody, 7-1; Beat Southside, 1-0; Beat Alexandria, 12-0.

Players to Watch: P/OF Anna Stuart Dawson, Sr.; P/UTIL Alyssa Smart, Sr.; 3B/PF Austin McNeece, So.

BREWBAKER TECH (SOUTH QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 41-9

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Faith Academy, 10-8; Beat Rehobeth, 7-2; Lost to St. Paul’s, 2-1; Beat Faith Academy, 8-0.

Players to Watch: P/1B Taniyah Brown, Sr.; 3B Gabbie York, Sr.; C/UTIL Khamiyah Brown, Sr.

ARDMORE (NORTH QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 32-18

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Pleasant Grove, 7-0; Beat Brewer, 9-1; Beat Springville, 4-3.

Players to Watch: P Ella Singletary, Sr.; C Sara Sanders, Sr.; 3B Alaina King, So.

MARBURY (CENTRAL QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 19-15

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Sylacauga, 4-1; Lost to Tallassee, 5-1; beat John Carroll, 14-3; Beat Demopolis,

6-1; Beat Tallassee, 6-3.

Players to Watch: P Elizabeth Woodfin, So.; OF Morgan Turner, Jr.; SS Addyson Jarman, Jr.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL (SOUTH QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 23-21

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Holtville, 3-1; Beat Gulf Shores, 5-1; Beat Brewbaker Tech, 2-1.

Players to Watch: P Madeline Howard, Sr.; OF Emily Lockhart, Fr.; 1B Caroline McLendon, Sr.

MOODY (EAST QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 27-17

Regional Path to Oxford: Lost to Scottsboro, 7-1; Beat Lincoln, 11-4; Beat St. Clair County, 17-5; Beat Sardis, 8-7; Beat Alexandria, 8-1.

Players to Watch: P Bella Turley, 7th; P/OF Ryleigh Hodges, Jr.; 1B Kendall Trimm, So.

CLASS 6A

Game 1: Oxford Yellow Jackets vs. Wetumpka Indians

Game 2: Helena Huskies vs. Hazel Green Huskies

Game 3: Athens Golden Eagles vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots

Game 4: Spanish Fort Toros vs. Pell City Panthers

WETUMPKA (SOUTH QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 50-6-1

Regional Path to Oxford: Lost to Baldwin County, 3-0; Beat Theodore, 10-0; Beat Saraland, 3-0; Beat Pike Road, 11-4; Beat Baldwin County, 10-0.

Players to Watch: P/ See STATE, Page B2

HENRY ZIMMER THE TRIBUNE Tallassee fans filled up Lagoon Park in full force as the

Tallassee’s Abbie Davis celebrates with a scream as Tallassee plays in the regional tournament.

SOCCER

Continued from B1

said. “That just shows how tenacious this team was and how focused they were. We are disappointed we couldn’t get the job done, but what a heck of an effort from them all year.”

The Panthers claimed the area title with a 6-2 record against area opponents. They lost both games to rival Tallassee but took down Brewbaker Tech, Beauregard and Valley in tough games all year. After getting a firstround home game in the playoffs, Elmore County beat Marbury, 4-0, in the first round. The Panthers followed that up with a 1-0 defeat of Sylacauga, a team that previously beat the Panthers by three goals.

Elmore County will return many key players that will contribute again next year as the Panthers try to make another run, but Pack will say goodbye to a lot of seniors too.

Part of that senior group is Logan Pack, Josh’s son, who has been a key member of multiple sports across his high school career.

Overall, Elmore County has 11 seniors on its roster as the Panthers end their season. Most of the 11 started the majority of the year, while some saw their seasons end to injury either before or during the year.

Pack has coached most of his team since they were six years old, and others since they joined the program in seventh grade six years ago.

“This group is really special,” Pack said. “Probably the most special group of kids I’ve ever coached. Every single one of them have such qualities both on and off the field. It’s really, really difficult emotionally to accept that I won’t have this group. That really weighed heavily on me at the end of that game.”

STATE Continued from B1

OF Mya Holt, Jr.; P/OF Ella Watson, Jr.; SS Ashlynn Campbell, Sr.; 1B Lily Davenport, So.

OXFORD (EAST QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 29-11

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Minor, 18-1; Beat Mountain Brook, 7-3; Beat Pell City, 4-1.

Players to Watch: P Berkley Mooney, Jr.; UTIL Reagan Sanders, Jr.; UTIL Kenlee Rodgers, Sr.

HELENA (CENTRAL QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 33-12-1

Regional Path to Oxford:

SEASON

Continued from B1

Beat Northridge, 14-3; Beat Brookwood, 10-8; Beat Hillcrest, 5-3.

Players to Watch: P/SS Hayden Traywick, Fr.; 3B Emma Olive, Jr.; OF Presley Lively, Jr.

HAZEL GREEN (NORTH QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 29-21-1

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Buckhorn, 7-2; Beat Mortimer Jordan, 14-4; Lost to Athens, 8-2; Beat Mortimer Jordan, 6-0. Players to Watch: 1B Mariah Bazile, Sr.; 3B Allie Cole, So.; UTIL Mason Quinnie, Jr.

ATHENS (NORTH QUALIFIER 1)

Record: 43-9

high school coach must hate: how to replace the seniors.

Johnson and offensive line coach

Torran Smith had to first find the next guys up to replace senior offensive linemen Lane Burns and Logan Dillard. Burns and Dillard were first team

All-Outlook selections last year and also accounted for almost 600 pounds of pure mass on either side of the line. The duo anchored an offense that put up more than 37 points per game, and routinely had team rushing totals in the 300s.

During spring practice, the squad was missing a few lineman due to injury, but those who played seemed to fill in nicely for the departing seniors. Nothing will likely replace the big bodies and skill of Burns and Dillard one to one, but after having a slew of different lineman getting reps in spring, Johnson and his coaches have a better understanding of the future for their offensive front five.

“We definitely have some questions on the offensive line,” Johnson said. “(Burns and Dillard) were two big difference makers. You can definitely tell their presence was not there. We did a lot of shuffling up front. Multiple guys played three different offensive line spots. A lot of offensive line is finding the five guys that gel and can communicate. I feel like we got the most out of that group to see what we got going into summer. We saw what we needed to see.”

Another hefty hole left by seniors

REMATCH

Continued from B1

In the top of the 10th, Elmore County scored three runs to go up 7-4.

With their backs against the wall, Tallassee managed just two runs by way of two bases loaded walks.

Marlee Stewart and Marlee Osborne had two hits apiece in the game, while left fielder Kam Tate hit a solo homer as her only hit.

Brooke Royster went the entire 10 innings on the hill, punching out five.

“We played a hard Elmore County team this morning,” Love said. “We could have won, should have won in several instances. They did what they had to do to win, and we didn’t.”

One loss was not the end of the world for Tallassee, as the team still had another shot at state qualification.

The team needed to beat Marbury, who they beat less than 24 hours prior, 5-1.

Tallassee scored three runs in the top of the seventh to beat Marbury on Thursday. On Friday though, it was Marbury that got the last laugh.

The Lady Bulldogs scored one in the third to take the opening lead.

Tallassee answered with a run in the fourth on a Stewart double.

In the fifth, things ultimately took a turn for the worst for Tallassee.

Tate was chasing a ball down in left field and was seemingly about to make a routine catch. When the ball finally reached her glove, it bounced in and out and over the left field fence for a two-run homer.

Later in the sixth, Tallassee walked in a run and let up a two-run double to fall down 6-1 heading into the final frame.

Jenna Manning hit a two-run shot to bridge the gap slightly, to the final score of 6-3, but the damage was done.

Love said ahead of Friday’s matchups that his team needed to hit better to win, something they didn’t quite do against Elmore County and Marbury.

“We just did not hit our best today,” Love said. “We struck out a lot. We just did not get it done.”

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Fort Payne, 4-3; Beat Hartselle, 9-2; Beat Hazel Green, 8-2.

Players to Watch: P Mya Clark, Sr.; SS Morgan Stiles, Sr.; OF Abby Tucker, Sr.

HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA (CENTRAL QUALIFIER 2)

Record: 38-12-3

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Pelham, 10-1; Beat Calera, 4-3; Lost to Helena, 5-3; Beat Calera, 4-1. Players to Watch: P Jewel Brooks, Jr.; UTIL Mackenzie Harper, Jr.; SS Haley Holleyhand, Sr.

SPANISH FORT (SOUTH QUALIFIER 1) Record: 29-12-1

was in the wide receiver room. Seniors

Zy Collins and Connor Spain will no longer be suiting up on Fridays, so yet another position was up for grabs. Collins and Spain “set a standard” and “left an example,” according to Johnson, and now his team seemingly will utilize a larger, rotating committee on the outside to replace the production.

“We have some really, really good skill guys,” Johnson said. “We have enough skill guys that at any given moment, there are going to be good players getting rest and able to stay fresh. We have guys that are able to step up, along with guys behind them too.”

No one position is ever fully locked up for Reeltown, as there are plenty of eager and willing athletes waiting in the wings. Having seemingly too much talent is a problem every coach wants to have.

“A lot of our spots, especially offensively, there is not a real starter,” Johnson said. “That guy may start off the game but the guy who doesn’t start behind him may get as many reps as the starter in any given game. It is a good problem to have.”

Reeltown did not have a huge senior class overall, graduating only seven guys.

Much of the team is in the sophomore and junior range, and many of those guys got to showcase what they could do in their spring auditions for the team.

“We got some younger guys a lot of quality reps,” Johnson said. “And not just young guys, but guys that are competing for spots. We went in with question marks, and got most of those

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Benjamin Russell, 7-1; Beat Saraland, 5-2; Beat Baldwin County, 5-3.

Players to Watch: P/1B Mckenzie Boullon, Jr.; P/ INF Anne Thomas Luke, So.; 1B Kennedy Sevcik, Jr., OF/C Madison Griffith, So.

PELL CITY (EAST QUALIFIER 2) Record: 31-15-1

Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Parker, 18-0; Beat Gardendale, 7-3; Lost to Oxford, 4-1; Beat Mountain Brook, 6-2. Players to Watch: C Nyla Treptu, So.; P Addy Simmons, So.; UTIL Kherington Keith, 8th.

answered. We found depth in some areas, but there are still some areas that we have to find some answers.”

Johnson did not want to single out an individual or a position group that played well during the spring and then the spring game, rather choosing to applaud the broader team for their efforts.

“There were more than a handful of guys that played a really good game,” Johnson said. “There are really too many to name on who the guys were that I was really proud of.”

When Johnson is not coaching baseball, football or being an athletic director, he has been working tirelessly to get his team looks at the college level.

Recently, Reeltown hit the double digits in coaches that have either inquired about the Rebel football players or visited campus.

Tuskegee, Kennesaw State, Miles College and Georgia State are just a few of the programs that have shown interest in guys from Reeltown.

Lane College, which came to campus recently, even extended an offer to junior state champion sprinter and two-way football player Arthur Woods.

“Recruiting is a big thing,” Johnson said. “As a coaching staff, we want to get these guys out to get looked at. We have some guys that I definitely think can play at the next level. I have been trying to get anybody and everybody to come out and give these kids an opportunity.”

Upon the conclusion of spring, Reeltown will take a break until mid-June before resuming football operations fully ahead of Johnson’s eighth year at the helm.

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Wetumpka’s Lily Davenport provided the go-ahead RBI in wins over Saraland, Pike Road, and Baldwin County in the AHSAA Class 6A South Regional this week.

Wetumpka’s Davenport comes through in the clutch

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Whenever Wetumpka needed a big hit this weekend, it was sophomore Lily Davenport who stepped up and delivered time and time again.

Davenport, the Indians’ first baseman, provided Wetumpka’s go-ahead RBI in three consecutive games as the Indians punched their ticket to the AHSAA Class 6A Softball Championships.

In a 3-0 win over Saraland, Davenport delivered the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. In the next win, a 11-4 victory over Pike Road, Davenport hit a tworun single to center field to put

Wetumpka up, 3-2. She did it one final time in Wetumpka’s final game of the tournament. Facing elimination for a fourth-consecutive game, Davenport hit a two-run home run in the first inning against Baldwin County to spark Wetumpka to a 10-0 win. For her clutch performances, Davenport is the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“Lily got that big hit against Baldwin County that really sent our dugout into the mindset of ‘We’re going to do this,’” Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell said of winning the regional. Overall, Davenport had a successful week out of the cleanup spot. The slugger went 6-for-15, good for a .400 batting

average, with two doubles, a home run, and six RBIs. She recorded an RBI in all four wins and the only game she did not was the opening game shutout. Her week was very on-pace for her performance this season. She is currently third on the team in hitting with a .424 batting average, while she’s second on the team in doubles (13), home runs (9) and runs batted in (54). She, along with the rest of the Indians, will try and continue their season this week at the state tournament. Wetumpka, the South’s No. 2 qualifier, will face Oxford in its opening game of the tournament at 9 a.m. Thursday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.

71 years later, classmates still gathering

| THE

Reeltown’s season ends in extra innings

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor

The Reeltown Lady Rebels took a three-run lead into the bottom of the seventh in the losers bracket round of the regional tournament. However, after allowing Isabella to tie the game in regulation, the Mustangs walked-off in extra innings to close the door on the 2023 Reeltown softball season.

Reeltown opened its regional tournament with a game against Southeastern, falling 9-6.

The Lady Rebels had a rollercoaster ride during the regional, and it started in Game 1. The Southeastern Mustangs scored three runs in the bottom of the first, followed by a single run in the second to take a 4-0 early lead.

Reeltown answered with two of its own then two each in the fifth and sixth.

Tied 6-6, Reeltown allowed its first three-run comeback of the tournament, putting Southeastern up 9-6. The Lady Rebels were blanked in the final frame, and headed to the losers bracket.

Crisdan Dunn had a fine game at the plate and on the mound against the Mustangs, going 3-for-4 with an RBI while also pitching six innings, allowing four hits and striking out three.

“In the first game, I think we showed up and showed everybody what Reeltown softball was about,” Rebel coach Travis Spraggins said. “We opened the eyes of the other coaches here. We had some mention that to us.”

In Game 2, the roller coaster kept running along the tracks.

Reeltown popped off for four runs in the top of the first against Isabella, but then turned around and gave up three.

The team then scored

four runs in the top of the seventh to take a 9-6 lead into the final frame.

Dunn homered in the seventh to help ignite the explosive inning, followed by a Lainey Pattillo single that scored one and Allyson Crittenden scoring on a passed ball.

Dunn needed just one single out to shut the door on Isabella in the bottom of the seventh, but the squad let up a bases loaded triple that scored three and tied the game at nine.

That play featured two errors, something that plagued Reeltown the whole tournament as it finished with 18 total.

Those errors then pushed the game to extras, where yet another error on a single allowed the Mustangs to advance further, forcing Reeltown to head home.

Dunn pitched 7 ⅓ innings in the second game, striking out three.

Senior Ashley Flurry went 2-for-3 in her final game, collecting one RBI. But it was Dunn who did the most damage at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

“I feel like we let them hang around,” Spraggins said of Game 2. “There were some missed opportunities and we did not capitalize with runners in scoring position. Being up three runs and letting them come back hurt us.”

All in all, Spraggins said his season was a success.

The team finished with a 13-15 record, a second place finish in the area tournament and momentum heading into 2024.

“I am super proud of these girls, and this season too,” Spraggins said. “To be where they are, to come from where they came from, I am extremely proud. I am extremely proud of the senior bunch that showed these girls how to be a team. I wouldn’t take anything back.”

SUBMITTED

TRIIBUNE

The Tallassee High School Class of 1952 held its 71st reunion at 1220 Cafe last month.There were 13 class members present from an original class of 101 members. Pictured are, front row, from left, Elizabeth Thornton Broach, Joyce Pemberton Cole, Phil Williamson, Boots Day, Gene Lankford, Lee Hornsby; back row, Curtis Ronald Mason, Wylie Joy Troop, Jane Daniel Stalnaker, Joan Holmes Ledbetter (sitting), Mary Ann Pemberton Venable, Joyce Richburg Stough and Robert “BuckShot” Maddox.

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Extra-inning win

B y

HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

Wins are that much sweeter when they come over a familiar foe.

For Elmore County’s softball team, the celebration will spill well into the weekend as the Panthers headed to state after beating Tallassee 7-6 in 10 innings.

The win marks the second straight regional championship win over the Tigers, and the third straight trip to state.

“This feels absolutely amazing,” said coach Mike Segrest. “Hats off to Tallassee, but I am so proud of this team. We talked a lot about mental toughness and we showed it the entire weekend. I could not be happier.”

Elmore County went undefeated in regionals, winning three straight games to get to Oxford.

The team beat John Carroll, Demopolis and then Tallassee to punch their ticket.

Each win was close, as the Lady Panthers’ biggest margin of victory was its 3-1 win over Demopolis. Against Tallassee, ELCO jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, before giving up three in the bottom of the frame.

Anna Catherine Segrest tripled to score a

May Market

Elmore County heads to state after downing Tigers

runner, followed by Ashtyn Pannell scoring Segrest during the next at bat.

Tallassee scored again in the bottom of the second, and took its 4-2 lead all the way to the top of the fifth.

In the fifth, the ELCO bats came alive for a pair of runs, again courtesy of Pannell scoring Segrest then Pannell stealing home. The game stayed

deadlocked at 4-4 until the top of the 10th.

Lady Panther pitcher Hailey O’Brien pitched an almost immaculate inning in the bottom of the ninth, throwing just four pitches in the frame.

Her ability to continue dealing well into the extras gave Segrest the confidence to let his ace continue to work into the 10th. But first, O’Brien

hit a go-ahead home run in her team’s second at-bat of the 10th inning that ignited a three-run scoring burst. Mckenzie Owens sent the final two runs of the frame in for Elmore County behind a single. From there, it was time to get three more outs to win.

O’Brien immediately got a fly-out to secure the first out.

Then, she let up a single before Tallassee grounded out. Two outs, just one to go. However, the tides turned on O’Brien as she walked four straight batters, walking in two runs and pushing the score to 7-6.

Segrest pulled his ace in favor of middle schooler Lalah Culpepper. Culpepper threw

just five pitches before earning the final out of the game.

“They had a chance to win it late,” Segrest said. “We put in an eighth grader to get the final batter. You just have to go with your gut. (Culpepper) came in and did a great job. You have to trust what you have been working on, and hope it pans out in the end. And it did today.”

HENRY ZIMMER | THE OBSERVER

Elmore County softball poses with the state qualifier plaque after earning the No. 1 qualifying berth out of the Central Region in Class 5A.