Area Calendar Inside!
‘Smaller’ ECHS basketball team aims to answer big challenge
Sharing some final thoughts on Frontier Days
Eclectic Observer Page 4
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The
THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 10, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 45
Town council passes 2017 budget By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The Eclectic Town Council voted at its monthly meeting Tuesday night to approve a budget that Mayor Gary Davenport termed “balanced” for fiscal year 2017. The budget includes pay raises for most town employees. “I made it known from the start when I took this job that I’m not going to give pay raises every year,”
said Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport. “I said that I would look at them every two years and, believe me, (employees) have held my feet to the fire on that.” The pay raises for the town’s employees averaged 5.8 percent across the board. The total budget for the town is $4.01 million with a projected cash reserve of $650,000 among all departments. The town was able to go forward with pay raises, Davenport said, because of its stable financial condi-
tion. “Sales tax revenue has been averaging about a four percent increase for the last three years,” Davenport said. “The business license, we went up almost five percent this last year and the number of business licenses issued, we did have an increase, which is the first increase we’ve had in three years. So the economy’s starting to turn around a little bit. Submitted / The Observer We’re starting to see some of that. The Town of Eclectic formally swore in its town council members at “You will notice – and I told you its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. Council members are See COUNCIL • Page 3 David Goodwin, Jackie Stearns, Inez Gates , Mayor Gary Davenport, Linda Reed and Charles Powell.
Dennis defeats Harrison for Elmore County Superintendent
Burn ban extended to entire state By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
With a small number of provisional ballots still to count, Republican challenger Richard Dennis has unseated Dr. Andre Harrison in the race for Elmore County School Superintendent. With all precincts reporting Dennis has 20,513 votes over Harrison’s 13,593. Harrison was running in the race as an independent due to an issue with filing his paperwork that prevented him from running in the Republican primary. Dennis was still in high spirits Wednesday morning when he was interviewed regarding his victory. “I am really excited,” he said. “This is something that for a long time I have actually considered. It just felt right at this time. I am excited to be getting back to Elmore County where I grew up.” Dennis spoke at length with the Observer regarding his plans for the future. Check out this weekend’s Elmore County Weekend for more details. For Elmore County Commission District 5, Earl Reeves defeated incumbent Stephanie Daniels Smoke with 2,710 votes to 2,407. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took Elmore County in See ELECTION • Page 3
Photo courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography / The Observer
Miss Christmas on the Coosa Hannah Royal was crowned at the pageant held Saturday at the Wetumpka Civic Center. See page 5 inside today’s paper for more images from the pageant.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley approved State Forester Gary Cole’s formal statewide declaration of drought emergency conditions, placing a no-burn order over the entire state, effective at 3 p.m. Monday. “Although 46 counties in North Alabama were already under the no-burn order, it was necessary to add the remaining 21 counties in the southern part of the state because of alarming wildfire activity and continued lack of rainfall,” Bentley said. “The expansion of this no-burn order is critical to keeping our citizens safe from the threat of wildfires and reducing the chance of avoidable fires.” Since Oct. 1, a total of 1,421 wildfires have occurred in Alabama destroying approximately 15,409 acres of land. Last year during this same time frame, there were only 232 wildfires burning 1,846 acres across the state. See BURN BAN • Page 3
Battle for armory re-enactment offers a glimpse of living history By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Tallassee Armory Guards will hold the annual “Battles for the Armory” at the historic Gibson’s View Plantation on Rifle Range Road in Tallassee on Nov. 10, 11, 12 and 13. Thursday will kickoff the four-day weekend with a school day where students from Tallassee and surrounding areas can see what life was like for people during that period of time. Students will be taken back in time as they walk through a guided tour of hands-on demonstrations and on-site examples of day-to-day life during war times. Students will learn about the history of the United States Flag and the Confederate States Flag, along with the British Flag and the Spanish Flag. Several other stations will be provided for student enrichment, such as music, spinning,
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medicine, toys, blacksmith, artillery, cavalry and period dancing. Music of the era will be performed. Music was a way to generate enthusiasm before battles and to lift the spirits of soldiers after a hard battle. A spinning station will be on hand to demonstrate the process of making fabric using a spinning wheel. There will be many authentic time-period fashioned clothing displays on hand for viewing. There will also be a medical station on display to showcase the crude process of tending to wounded soldiers on the outskirts of a battlefield; re-enactors will play the role of army doctors and wounded soldiers. Blacksmiths will be on hand demonstrating the important roles they played in the civil war, making nails, horseshoes and other needed hardware. There will be period dancing, along with See HISTORY • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Re-enactors from across the Southeast will embark on Tallassee late this week and into the weekend for the 19th annual Battles for the Armory re-enactment at Gibson’s View Plantation on Riffle Range Road. The event begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Collection COLLECTION TIMES:
•Monday, November 14 • 6pm - 8pm •Tuesday, November 15 • 8:30am - 10:30am •Wednesday, November 16 • 5pm - 7pm •Thursday, November 17 • 6pm - 8pm •Friday, November 18 • 8:30am - 10:30 am •Saturday, November 19 • 9am - Noon •Sunday, November 20 • 2pm - 5pm Questions? Call Teresa Wheat 334-283-5818 • 334-386-3315
Collection Center: Tallassee First Assembly 185 Friendship Road • Tallassee, AL
of God
PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 10, 2016
Wetumpka and Eclectic to host Veterans Day events By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Veterans Day celebrations are set for Wetumpka and Eclectic Friday as the nation pauses to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. In Wetumpka, Trinity Episcopal Church will host its eighth annual Musical Tribute to Veterans and Gallery of Honor set for 6:30 p.m. at the church. The gallery, featuring such wartime artifacts as photos, weapons, documents and more that local veterans have chosen to display, will be open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gardner Perdue said there will be people available at the church to accept items for display in the gallery beginning Friday morning. This year’s featured artists are Montgomery’s Madrigal Voices and Millbrook’s Jess Meuse of “American Idol” fame. According to their Facebook page, the Madrigal Voices, organized in 1985, will be singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky, “A Tribute to the Armed Services,” arranged by Lloyd Larson and “America the Beautiful,” arranged by Buryl Red. Meuse will contribute additional patriotic music. Each year, the tribute is dedicated to a
veteran who served both the country and the local community. The first event in 2009 was dedicated to Patton’s chaplain, Capt. Carter. This year, the event is dedicated to the memory of Capt Conrad Ward (Ret.), a U.S. Navy aviator who called Titus home. Eclectic will hold its annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Eclectic Veterans Park. The guest speakers will be Eclectic’s own Sgt. Karl Patillo and 2nd Lt. Connor Coombes, of San Antonio, Texas. Patillo is the son of Rita and Harold Patillo. He graduated from Elmore County High School, is married and he and his wife, Leigh have one daughter and one son. Patillo has served two tours in Iraq and is presently employed in Montgomery at Alabama Army National Guard headquarters. Coombes is the grandson of Sgt. Major Harold and Patty Dunson. Coombes graduated from Texas A&M and is in Basic Officer Leaders Course training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Aaron Brooks & friends will lead in Patriotic songs and Tom Garrett will close out the ceremony with Taps. Those wishing to attend the Eclectic Veterans Day ceremony are urged to bring their lawn chairs.
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Area Calendar November 11
Elmore County’s 8th Annual Musical Tribute to Veterans will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
November 11
Eclectic the Beautiful is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at Eclectic Veterans Park from 2 to 3 p.m. Guest speakers for the event will be Sgt. Karl Patillo and Lt. Connor Coombes. The event is open to the public.
November 12
The Wetumpka Elementary School PTO will be hosting a rummage/yard sale at the school parking lot. Bus spaces can be reserved for those who wish to have a booth. Whole bus spaces are $35 and half bus spaces are $20. All proceeds from booth rentals will go back into the school for teachers. The gates will open at 5 a.m. for those with reserved spaces and from 6 a.m. to noon for shoppers. If you are interested in reserving a space, which must be done in advance, please contact Amber Richardson at 334306-8937.
November 15, January 10, February 4 and March 14
The Wetumpka Public Library, along with the Elmore County Museum, invites veterans and family members to sign up and participate in a free monthly reading discussion program on the experience of war, beginning September and ending in March. Discussions will be held in the Elmore County Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: November 15th, January 10th, February 14th, and March 14th. All books and films will be provided for each participant in advance of each discussion. Recent veterans of the global war on terror are particularly encouraged to participate.
November 14-21
Items Vary Per Locations
CLOSEOUTS & DISCONTINUED ITEMS CALL OR COME BY ANY OF OUR LOCATIONS! NS! CLANTON OFFICE 1050 Woodfin Lane • Clanton, AL 35045 205-755-2739 • next to Walmart
SLAPOUT OFFICE 9945 Holtville Road • Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-569-3325
WETUMPKA OFFICE 7616 US Hwy 231 • Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-8833
TALLASSEE OFFICE 1603 Gilmer Avenue • Tallassee, AL 36078 334-283-2795
Submitted / The Observer
The Twilight Garden Club Yard of the Month for November was the home of Mary Ann Church on College Street. Mary Ann is presented the sign by Twilight Garden Club members Maggie Digiovanni and Harriett Spigener. Mary Ann graduated grom Elmore County High School, served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, received her college degree and now serves as a state trooper for Elmore County. Also pictured are her son Hunter Belvin and her pets, Marmaduke and Rocco. toys, such as a doll or soccer ball—for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world. This year, Eclectic residents hope to contribute several hundred shoebox gifts toward the 2016 global goal of reaching 12 million children.
November 15
TV star, cookbook author and motivational speaker: Leslie Bailey will speak at the next Tuesdays with Kelly. Bring a sack lunch. Dessert and drinks provided. Come and find out “What’s Cooking” at noon in the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery located at 408 South Main Street. Free and opened to the public.
Eclectic United Methodist Church will serve as a drop-off location for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child— the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21, Eclectic residents will donate shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun
“YOUR LOCAL GAS GO.”
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
November 15, December 13
Calvary Baptist Church Wetumpka will be offering Grief Share “Surviving the Holidays” from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. They will be meeting in the fellowship hall. Please contact the church office at 567-4729 or visit our website at www. calvarybaptistwetumpka.org for any questions concerning this matter.
ONGOING EVENTS CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21— who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-5482547.” AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: A Photographic Celebration of Places, Faces and Activities is the new exhibit featuring Libby Christensen, John Jacobs, Wayne Atchison, Mit Fontaine, Kay Brummal, Sue Mehearg and Barbara Bryan. The gallery is opened from
8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka. The exhibit will close on January 20, 2017. SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka. There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building. Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334-991-4682 or 224-8509804 with questions. SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, March-December, dawn to 2 p.m. in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church. An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admission to the public with free parking available. For info, call 334-567-7400. BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334578-9485. SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-5789485 or visit www.arrac.org. ART CLASS/
DRAWING AND PAINTING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Theresa Wayne. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334313-1646. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne. For info, call 334-300-9394. MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334567-6301 or visit www.aces. edu/counties/Elmore/. NAACP MEETINGS: Elmore County Branch NAACP Executive Committee meeting every 3rd Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka Elmore County Branch NAACP regular monthly meeting every 4th Tuesday 6:30pm at MLK Center 200 Lancaster St, Wetumpka. HHS 50’s AND 60’s CLASS REUNION: Several members of Holtville High School Alumni are planning a reunion that will span two decades - the 1950’s and 1960’s. This firsttime reunion will be held on November 11, 2016 at the Holtville Gymnasium beginning at 1:00 in the afternoon. Each class that has a reunion planning committee is asked to contact their classmates to relay this information so that “HHS 50’s and 60’s Reunion” will be a great success.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Council before – that we almost hit $1 million in sales tax revenue, $997,000, so this year, you’ll see when we go over the budget we are projecting to go over $1 million in sales tax revenue, which is quite a big growth.” Davenport said there are individuals in town that were spreading false information that some departments in the town – specifically the fire department – were broke. “There’s been a lot of conversation in the community about why the fire department and different citizens in the community are trying to collect toilet paper and paper towels and cleaning supplies and stuff like that for the fire department,” Davenport said. “(People are saying) they’re bankrupt. As you can see right here in black and white, they’ve got more money right now than they’ve had in five years. So they’ve done a remarkable job.” The council approved the pay raises unanimously after new council member Jackie Stearns offered an amendment, which the council accepted, that employees that had been originally listed to have their pay raised to $8.75 per hour instead get raises to $9 per hour. Stearns’ amendment was approved unanimously. Stearns and David Goodwin were both participating in their first meetings as members of the Town Council on Tuesday night. In other action, the town council: • Passed resolutions re-appointing Deborah Rowe as town clerk, Robert Head as police chief, Josh Dorminey as fire chief, Guy Holton as municipal judge, Joseph Fuller of Fuller Hampton LP as town attorney and Davenport as water works superintendent. • Accepted and approved town librarian Betty Coker’s recommendation of Donna Parr to fill one of
Burn Ban On Monday, Alabama Forestry Commission wildland firefighters continued to battle a wildfire that started on Friday in Walker County, which has now escalated into a 1,300-plus-acre blaze and is still growing. Over the weekend, other large wildfires burned in Baldwin, Coosa, and Wilcox counties affecting several property owners. Since Nov. 1, wildfires consuming more than 100 acres had occurred in Walker, Baldwin, Jefferson, Wilcox and Blount counties. The Blount County wildfire, like the one in Walker County (of which the Blount County fire could be an extension, Cole said), posed a threat to homes. Cole said that he was not aware of any homes being lost to the fires. Elmore County remained relatively unscathed by the fires with just seven in the last 30 days burning just under three acres each, on average. In total, the River Region has reported 28 wildfires in the last month that have consumed 222.25 acres. According to Cole, the No Burn Order is a result of the prolonged drought that most of the state is experiencing this year, as well as the increasing number of fires that have occurred recently and reduced availability of suppression resources. “With these extremely dry conditions, any fire can quickly spread out of control,” Cole said. “Over the past few weeks we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires that have occurred, but also the size. “Several of these fires have been large, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also directly threatening residential areas. If not for the efforts of Forestry Commission firefighters and assistance from volunteer fire departments we would have lost homes.” Cole said he decided to move forward to propose the statewide no burn order after receiving calls urging him to do so from fire professionals, including fire chiefs, and politicians from across the state, particularly south Alabama where there was no no-burn order.
History dancers dressed in period clothing, students will be taught and participate in the Virginia Reel dance. Spectators can witness the artillery and the cavalry warfare. Students will watch as reenactors load cannons and are able to take in the sights, sounds and smells of musket and cannon fire. On Saturday, the Battle of Chehaw will take place
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
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two existing vacancies on the library board; • Set dates of Saturday, Dec. 17, for an on-line auction of old town-owned equipment (vehicles, office equipment, etc., which will be made available for viewing in an area adjacent to town hall) and Tuesday, Dec. 13, for the town’s employee Christmas Party, which will be a covered-dish affair at the town’s Senior Center. Davenport also brought several information items to the council’s attention, including the move of the town’s 911 dispatchers to the Elmore County 911 location in Wetumpka, which he said is currently underway and should be complete by Thanksgiving. According to Davenport, the move “will basically balance out” financially. In the early stages of the changeover, the mayor said a minimum dispatch presence will be maintained in Eclectic. Davenport also updated the council on the lighting at Aaron Park. Eclectic is applying to the Central Alabama Regional Planning Commission for a $150,000 grant for lighting at the park. The grants require at least a 30 percent match, Davenport said, and will be awarded in August. In the meantime, he said Alabama Power Co. had agreed to fix some aging poles at the park. Finally, Davenport updated the council on problems that had been encountered in attempts to pave Middle Road. The problems, he said, were due to three areas of “shifting ground” that, as they exist, won’t allow paving. The mayor said the town had received a proposal to fix the road for $100,000 and a meeting between officials from Eclectic, Elmore County and Madix was set to discuss that and other possibilities.
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“Normally what we do is we look at the number of fires and the acreage burning and decide whether we (the Alabama Forestry Commission and its woodland firefighters) can handle them,” Cole said. “If we decide that we can’t that’s a trigger. But this time I was getting a lot of calls from fire chiefs from Baldwin and Mobile counties, other fire professionals and some politicians, too, who had constituents calling them and wanting a ban. I actually wanted to do it a little sooner, but I wasn’t able to get with the governor over the weekend.” Cole said that some light rain was falling in south Alabama Tuesday morning bringing minimal relief to the wildfire situation. The National Weather Service’s extended forecast for the Wetumpka area does offer a slight possibility of relief, mentioning a 20 percent chance of showers both Sunday night and Monday. Under the Drought Emergency ‘No Burn’ Order, Section 9-13-141 of the Code of Alabama states that it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.00. The no-burn order will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester when conditions change to sufficiently reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report persons burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit Alabama Forestry Commission’s website at www.forestry.alabama.gov.
NOVEMBER 10, 2016 • PAGE 3
Election
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commanding fashion with 27,619 votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 8,436 votes as well as the Alabama and national Electoral College vote. Republican Richard Shelby defeated Democratic challenger Ron Crumpton in the county with 27,578 votes to Crumpton’s 8,825. U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District Republican Martha Roby defeated Democratic challenger Nathan Mathis with 20,508 votes to 10,565. In the Circuit Court Judge, 19th Judicial District, Place 2 race, Republican Ben Fuller defeated Independent candidate Karen Jackson in Elmore County with 26,020 votes to 6,408 votes. For the various statewide amendments on the ballot this year Elmore County voted as follows: For Amendment 1, which deals with appointments to the Auburn University Board of Trustees, had 19,075 yes votes to 10,482 no votes. For Amendment 2, which deals with allowing non-state entities to operate hotels, golf courses and restaurants at state parks, there were 24,123 yes votes and 8,142 no votes. Amendment 3, which deals with local constitutional amendments had 13,941 yes votes and 13,749 no votes. Amendment 4, which deals with authorities granted to local county commissions was approved with 17,544 yes votes to 11,326 no votes. Amendment 5, which deals with separation of powers under the constitution was supported with 14,223 yes votes to 13,668 no votes. Amendment 6, proposing an amendment to the constitution pertaining to impeachment procedures failed in Elmore County with 13,829 no votes to 13,215 yes votes. Amendment 8, declaring a constitutional right to work passed by Elmore Countians in a large margin with 19,934 yes votes and 9,238 no votes. Amendment 11, dealing with cities and counties using tax increment financing collected within designated manufacturing zones to incentivize manufacturing facilities failed in the county with 13,775 no votes to 12,885 yes votes. Amendment 13, which deals with repealing age restrictions pertaining to appointed and elected officials except judges also failed in Elmore County with 14,499 citizens voting no and 13,357 citizens voting yes. Amendment 14, dealing with budget isolation resolutions passed in Elmore County with 16,797 yes votes to 10,658 no votes. Whether any amendment passes or fails comes down to the statewide vote totals, these figures merely represent how Elmore Countians voted on these issues.
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and Sunday the Battle of Franklin will be re-enacted.. These re-enactments include massive cannons, men on horseback and traditional battle-line warfare. This event is held yearly. For more information go to www.civilwarheritagetrails.org
RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area
RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net 2 NEW HOUSES – Tallassee River Hills Subdivision, 1500 sq. ft., 3 bd/2 baths, large open den & kitchen, fireplace, tile floors, granite counters, great location, $149,900. HOUSE IN RED HILL ON 229, 2 largeLD SO bd/1 bath, nice den and kitchen, 32x20 shop, 2.6 acres, $115,000. BEAUTIFUL WILLIAMSBURG HOME in Tallassee on Indian Trails on veery private 10 acres. 7000 Sq Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, great kitchen and den, Super nice home. $575,000. LAKE TALLASSEE – 650-ft. waterfront, 3 lots, 3± acres, super panoramic view, good building site, $225,000. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, RED HILL – Formerly The Country Mile convenience store, gas station and restaurant. Will sell only gas station and convenience store or all. Call for details, $245,000. BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME on Little Rd., Tallassee – 1.5 acres, completely remodeled. Very nice, 5 bd/5.5 baths, REDUCED TO $229,000. 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 23 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 13 SOLD – NOW 10 REMAINING. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $299,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES – KENT ROAD – UNRESTRICTED, SOLD REDUCED TO $45,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $89,900. 548 PROSPECT ROAD, ECLECTIC – Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bd/ 2.5 baths, very modern and private, very close to Lake Martin. Reduced to $259,000.
Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing 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 • NOVEMBER 10, 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
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
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.
Sharing some final thoughts on Frontier Days
A
s I stated last week, I was really excited to get a chance to participate in my first Alabama Frontier Days. I went out this past week on two different occasions. First on Thursday so that I could get the student focused view and then again on Saturday so I could see how the public responds to the event. As an initial note, I will say that Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson staff did an excellent job getting the hundreds of buses and vehicles in and out of the park in an efficient fashion. Students came from all over the state of Alabama, some also came from Florida, Georgia and Mississippi,
I interviewed a few of them, some for the story I wrote for the weekend paper and some just to get their observations of what they thought about the event. At no point did I meet a kid that wasn’t having an outstanding time. I also interviewed several of the re-enactors. What I found fascinating is that while many of them were from Alabama, quite a few were from other states and actually travel around the country to similar styled events. The idea of traveling around the country and being a part of historical re-enactments is kind of appealing, perhaps when I decide not to do this journal-
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
ism thing I can find a career in the history field. Several of the re-enactors have been coming to Alabama for years and would soon be traveling to places like Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and Pennsylvania for events in those states. I also interviewed several parents. Several parents, especially the younger ones, recalled having participated in this event
themselves at some point years before. It is always nice when events become a generational activity. Once an event reaches that stage it becomes an integral part of growing up in a particular area. The event is a great draw for the park and for Wetumpka in general. One of the thoughts I had is that the city and perhaps area businesses could get more involved in the event as well. Not only from a sponsorship angle, but also from a community support angle. As I drove around Wetumpka last week, I didn’t notice a lot of signage for the event. Granted, the primary focus of the event is on school
children, specifically fourth grade students, but it would be great to see the whole city get involved and behind the project. The forts are an important economic and cultural tool for the city of Wetumpka and Elmore County, we should utilize them as such. All in all the event was outstanding. It was well organized and very informative. I commend the outstanding job that the staff at the forts did to bring about this event for its 20th year. I can’t wait for next year’s event. William Carroll is the managing editor of the Tallapoosa Publishers papers in Elmore County.
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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 Steve Baker, publisher publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@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
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This election was a historic game-changer
Y
ou know the outcome of the election. Unfortunately I had to go to press with the column prior to Tuesday. We will analyze the results for you next week. There should be very few surprises. The Electoral College System of selecting our President favors a Democrat winning the White House. Under this archaic and undemocratic system, it is a winner take all electoral vote contest. For example, if Hillary Clinton carries New York by one vote, she gets all 29 electoral votes. If Donald Trump gets one more vote than Clinton in Kansas, he gets all 6 electoral votes. When you look at the map of the red Republican states carried by Trump, it looks like most of the country. The middle of America is Republican but those states have fewer people. The east and west coasts of the country are fortressed by New York and California. It is easy to see that the east and west coast outweigh Middle America. The country is trending leftward philosophically. That is why California is referred to as the left coast. The country is also changing dramatically demographically. An amazing 15% of our U.S. Electorate is Hispanic. That makes this vote the most important ingredient in the presidential contest. These voters are not totally predictable, unlike African American voters, which comprise 12% of the electorate. African American voters monolithically vote 95% Democratic. Therefore, their votes are predetermined and they are not courted. Most southern whites are the same way. They vote 90% Republican. We in Alabama really do not have a say in presidential politics. Indeed very few Americans do. If Donald Duck was the Republican nominee for president, Donald Duck would
STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist
carry Alabama. However, do not feel left out. If you lived in California you do not matter either. California has over 10% of the nation’s people. They have 48 electoral votes. They are so liberal and Democratic that if Mickey Mouse was the Democratic nominee, he would carry California and garner all of their electoral votes. There are about 40 states that are predictably safe in either the Republican or Democratic column, similar to Alabama and California. All the money is spent and campaigning is done in the 10 pivotal battleground states. The ultimate swing state is Florida. The Sunshine State is now America’s third most populous state. It is a microcosm of America, probably because most of America has moved there to retire. Therefore, if you want your vote to count in a presidential race, move down to Florida. It would also make it easier to buy your lottery tickets. You can probably look at Florida and whoever carried Florida Tuesday won the White House. Our state elections are also pretty much no contests in the November general election. We are a solidly Republican state. All of our statewide officials are Republican. If you want to win in Alabama you have to do it in the Republican primary. Our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby will be reelected to a 5th six-year term. He will soon be Alabama’s longest serving U.S. Senator. He has also been one of our most powerful. He will join the ranks of
Lister Hill and John Sparkman as Alabama’s three greatest U.S. Senators. Popular PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh will be reelected to her second fouryear term. She was first elected to the commission in 2010. Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker will be reelected to another six-year term. He was the largest vote getter in the Republican primaries earlier this year. Kelli Wise will also be reelected to another six-year term on the State Supreme Court. The Geneva County native may be the prettiest Supreme Court Justice in America. Justice Mike Bolin has been reelected without opposition to another six-year term on the high tribunal. The former Jefferson County Probate Judge looks more like a pro football player than Judge. All six of our Republican members of Congress will have been reelected on Tuesday. Bradley Byrne, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer will continue to represent the Heart of Dixie in a very conservative fashion for another two years. Terri Sewell will continue to be our only Democrat. Tuesday’s election may be the last that would require residents to prove that they are U.S. citizens when registering to vote. A federal appeals court appears likely to side with voting rights groups seeking to block Kansas, Georgia and Alabama from requiring proof of citizenship. 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
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NOVEMBER 10, 2016 • PAGE 5
Miss Christmas on the Coosa
Top, Contestants in the Miss Christmas on the Coosa Pageant for 2016 (from left to right): Cayla Hicks- People’s Choice Most Photogenic, Madison Hill- third runner up, Christyl Springs-first runner up, Hannah Royal-Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Alexis Vaughn-second runner up and Carson Turner-Miss Christmas Spirit and highest ticket sales. Left, Teen Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Kyle Wright-highest ticket sales, Abigail Carter-first runner up and highest ticket sales, Megan Smith-Teen Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Cailee Ingram-second runner up and Victoria Angus-third runner up. Below left, Little Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Ashley Britt-highest ticket sales, Georgia Wyatt-Miss Christmas Spirit, Mary Lillian Key- first runner up, Harlie Barrett- Little Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Blaire Butler- second runner up, Dani Price- third runner up and Haylie CampbellPeople’s Choice Most Photogenic. Below, right, Petite Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Kennedy Simmons- People’s Choice Photogenic, Carly Forbus- second runner up, Addison Daly- first runner up and highest ticket sales, Baylie Barrett- Petite Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Sophie Arant- third runner up and Zoey Potts- Miss Christmas Spirit. Bottom, Junior Miss Christmas on the Coosa winners (from left to right): Jazmin FaulknerPeople’s Choice Most Photogenic, Lamonica Smith- second runner up, Erika Broadway- first runner up, Tracy Wright- Junior Miss Christmas on the Coosa, Elsa Stubbs- third runner up, Tylarian McKethern- Miss Christmas Spirit and Jessica Davis- highest ticket sales.
Photos courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography
PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 10, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
AT THE ZOO!
A zoo is a place where animals are held captive for the purpose of exhibition, education, and preservation. The word zoo comes from the term “zoological garden.” The earliest known zoos were in ancient China. Other ancient societies also had zoos; these zoos were looked at as status symbols among rulers. Today, the zoo’s purpose is to show people a wide variety of animals that one would normally not be able to visit in their natural habitats. Once looked upon as being cruel, zoos now place the animals’ needs and welfare above all else. Instead of cages and fences, animals have habitats that are created to be as much like their natural environment as possible. Many zoos have worked to help endangered species to reproduce, thus reviving the species. Animal healthcare is also a function of the modern zoos, further EHQH¿WLQJ WKH DQLPDOV 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ ODUJH DQG SURPLQHQW ]RRV ORFDWHG DURXQG WKH :RUOG The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most well-known of the zoos in the United States. Other important zoos are found in Calgary, Canada and Berlin, Germany. Many natural zoos are found in South Africa.
ZOO WORD FIND
ZOO CROSSWORD Crossword Ans: Across- 1) Elephant 3) Gorilla 6)Tiger 8) Giant Panda 9) Zebra 10)Monkey Down- 2)Alligator 4)Rhinoceros 5) Giraffe 7)Lion
Across Clues: 1. Largest land-dwelling mammal. 3. Largest member of the apes. 6. Largest cat on Earth. 8. Black and white bear from China. 9. This animal is monochromatic. 10. The most playful of primates. Down Clues: 2. One of the largest reptiles today. 4. Big animal with a horned snout. 5. The tallest animal on the Planet. 7. Often called the King of the Jungle.
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NOVEMBER 10, 2016 • PAGE 7
Regardless of election: ‘Love one another as I have loved you
B
y the time you read this, the election will be over. We will have a president-elect. Some people will be ecstatic, others will be devastated. But, we will all have to continue living together, no matter who we voted for, and who we hoped or prayed would win. With passions so high throughout this entire election cycle, how do we go about living in the aftermath? The answer is very simple. We take Jesus’ commandment to heart and live it: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. . . . This I command you, to love one another.” (John 16:12, 17). Jesus’ commandment is clear: love one another. Period. Jesus didn’t say love who you chose to love; love those who agree with you; love those who are the same race, nationality, gender, sexuality, size, weight, age, religion, denom-
ination as you; love those whose hair is fixed the same way as yours, who has (or doesn’t have) tattoos, piercings, ear rings, colored hair like you do; love only those who are not handicapped, those who can see, hear, speak clearly with your accent, who can walk, run, learn, understand like you; love only those who wear the same kind of clothes you wear, live in the kind of house and neighborhood you live in, are of the same economic and educational status as you are. No, Jesus said love one another. Everyone. No conditions, no limitations, no restrictions. Love one another. And, you know what. It “ain’t” easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest, most difficult things we humans can try to do. Look back over our Christian History. Our record of loving one another hasn’t been exemplary, far from it. The crusades, the inquisition,
REV. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal
slavery, Jim Crow, women’s rights, integration, sexuality and homosexuality, how we treated Jewish, Polish, Irish, Italian immigrants and now Moslems: all detail ways we Christians failed to love one another. At this time in our nation’s life, following a presidential campaign characterized by polarization, acrimonious and sometimes hateful speech, a lack of truthfulness, innuendo and “dirty tricks,” and raging passion on both sides, we now must put our feelings aside and love one another. If we are “one nation, under God,” like so many assert, our
prime objective must be to do as Jesus commanded: love one another, and love them no matter what. No matter if we believe this president-elect will lead to the destruction of our nation; no matter if others continue to aggravate and agitate, no matter if others continue to hate, we must love. We must try our best to swallow our pride, our needs, our fears, even our feelings, and love one another without restriction or reservation. Only once in the Biblical record did Jesus say: “This is my commandment.” Now is the time to see if we truly want to follow Jesus and do as he commanded, “Love one another.” Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage: We pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry,
sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to the command of your son, we may show the peoples and nations of the earth how to love one another. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, do not let our trust in your fail; for we ask it all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Bob Henderson is a rector for Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka.
Religion Briefs •Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
On Sunday, November 13 at 9:30 a.m. Lee Borden will teach Sunday School on “The Symbols of Advent and Christmas.” At 10:30 a.m. Father Wells Warren will celebrate the Holy Eucharist, with coffee hour to follow. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/
• Tallassee First Assembly of God
Tallassee First Assembly of God will serve as a drop-off location for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21, Tallassee residents will donate shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball—for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world.
•First United Methodist
The Tallassee Ministerial Alliance will hold its annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m. The host church this year will be the First United Methodist Church, located across the street from Tallassee High School.
•Tallassee Church of Christ
Announces our new minister, Charlie Boddy. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. Worship Service begins at 11 a.m. Sunday evening service begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday night services begin at 6 p.m. Visitor’s welcome at all services 334-283-5437 209 Gilmer Ave.
•St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY is an outreach of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Tallassee, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Pastor; and Knights of Columbus Council 15093, Andy Lacey, Grand Knight. It airs on WACQ-AM 580 and FM 101.1 each Sunday from 8-8:30 a.m. Listen online at www. wacqradio.com OR on your smart phone using the TuneIn app. November 13 - Are Catholics Really Christians? November 20 - Prison Ministry November 27 - Perpetual Adoration December 4 - Love and Marriage December 11 - Christianity vs. Islam Part 1 December 18 - Christianity vs. Islam Part 2 December 25 - Christ Mass
January 1 - Once Saved, Always Saved?
• Carrville Baptist Church
We would like to invite everyone to our Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 20th, 6:00 pm. Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday School 9:15 a.m., Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday Evening Activities are at 6:00 p.m. Our Wednesday Night Activities are at 6:30 p.m.
• Salem Macon Baptist
Salem Macon is again collecting Samaritan Purse shoeboxes for children around the world for Christmas gifts. Our goal this year is 100 shoeboxes. Pick up the empty shoeboxes at the church fill them up. A pamphlet will give you information.
• Elam Baptist Church
Elam Baptist Church invites everyone to Worship each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. Wednesday Mid Week Renewal begins at 7:00 p.m. following Choir Practice at 6:00 p.m. Elam has been blessed with great participation in Pastor Appreciation Day and Fellowship Meal. The Hallelujah Harvest was greatly attended and a big success sharing in the outreach ministry of
Elam. Everyone attending had a fun time. The 5th Sunday Night Singing was a blessing with the Elam Baptist Church Choir led by Kevin Lanier, A Trio (Barbara Hornsby, Linda Hammonds and Dianne Barker) and Conner Teague. A full covered dish fellowship was enjoyed afterward. Elam will have their Annual “Thanksgiving Meal” on Sunday, November 20, at noon following Morning Worship. Everyone is encouraged to attend bringing their favorite Thanksgiving dishes and family or friends. We are grateful during this time for many blessings. May God bless each of you this Thanksgiving season. Always be thankful.
• East Tallassee United Methodist Church
The “River’s Edge Flea Market” is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. All vendors are welcome: new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. The flea market is sponsored by the East Tallassee UMC and is located across from City Hall. We will offer various priced booths. To reserve a space call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913. All proceeds raised by ETUMC will be used for church-sponsored programs.
Area Churches AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 2855545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 5142881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5674417
First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 5672486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 5670923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist
6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 5413460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 567-8649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 541-2418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 5693006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5673665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 5692851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 5671141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455
Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5141097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5673668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-6493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334-538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 567-0620 BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 5670311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ
2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 5679886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God Hwy 143, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
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Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 386-2386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 514-1020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-2375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
NOVEMBER 10, 2016 • PAGE 9
Meet Elmore County’s stellar students
Submitted / The Observer
Above, Eclectic Elementary Students of the month for October: Kindergarten: Jamie Lovelady, Ja’Edlen Benson, Elin Dean, Desirae Floyd, Bryce Allen and Dawson Chambers; First grade: Gabby Kendrick, Conner Mann, Deion Lyles, Jaymeson Davis, Demarcus Rogers, Chesney Sullivan; Second grade: Laura Smith, Addi Stephenson, Haylie Mann, Baylee King and Bailey Kennedy; Third grade: Zoey Taylor, Alexyes Matthews, Seth McGhee, Hudson Fulmer, Addison Hicks, Natalie Moore; Fourth grade: Danny Wellman, Natilee Fomby, Braxton Roberson, Katie Shaw, Kyle David Foster Left. Elmore County High School Students of the month for October are (from left to right): junior Michael Green, sophomore Alyssa Beam, senior Jacob Brabham and freshman Cody Phillips
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PAGE 10 • NOVEMBER 10, 2016
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Cory Diaz / The Observer
Elmore County sophomore small forward D.J. Patrick, middle, puts a shot up over teammates Michael Johnson and Will Venable during the Panthers’ practice Tuesday.
‘Smaller’ ECHS boys basketball team aims to answer big challenge By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
As each new season tips off, the Elmore County boys basketball team’s challenge remains the same: be better than last year’s team. With the program coming off its first sub-region berth in nine years, the challenge is steep for the Panthers in 201617. “We won 20 games last year,” ECHS boys basketball coach Warren Brown said Tuesday at practice. “Anytime you see a program start to build success, you see the younger guys start to feed off of it. I told them last year, the seniors started something. I’m challenging the underclassmen and seniors this year to keep it going.
“Every year we want to get a little bit better. They’re challenging themselves, every class that comes up, your job is to play better than the last year’s class. This year’s seniors know they have a mountain to climb, but I think they’re going to be up for the challenge, be able to handle it.” The Panthers nearly lost their entire starting five with five seniors graduating, but welcomes back one of their top scorers in senior Tyric Belyeu, last season’s sixth man, and junior forward Terrence Head, the leading defender. With its size and physical presence gone, ECHS will adapt the way it plays. “We want to play fast this year. We’re smaller so we want to play faster,” Brown said. “I think last year we were a bigger team, so we really wasn’t in a hurry. We were a better defensive team
in the half court. I think this year we’ll be able to play more full-court man, get in our press a little bit easier and get a lot of stops on the front end of the court.” While Elmore County departs the area with top-5 team Booker T. Washington due to realignment, it picks up Alabama Christian Academy, Dadeville and Tallassee along with Class 4A, Area 5 rival Holtville. “Across the board, I think everybody’s going to be pretty evenly matched, so the area is wide open this year. I don’t see one team dominating, I see it being very competitive, a lot of splits,” the coach said. Brown expects senior Will Venable, as well as the addition of sophomores Kwan Bickley, Donovan Jones and senior forward Michael Johnson to round out a lineup that could pose a potent outside
shooting threat. “Tyric could’ve been the leading scorer last year, he’s going to come out and look so much better. Kwan Bickley, he’s surprised us,” Brown said. “He may be able to get into the starting lineup. He can shoot the ball very well from the outside. We expect D.J. Patrick to come in, and fill that role like Tyric did, he’s going to come right in off the bench. “We’ll really be able to run and stretch the floor out. We can shoot the 3-ball this year that’s big for us. We’re going to have to because we don’t have the size like last year, but we’re really stretching the floor out this year. Moving the ball around and taking the open shot. Every man, I got five guys on the court and all of them can hit the outside shot.” The Panthers open the 2016-17 campaign Tuesday at Beulah.
Lady Panthers hit the reset button for 2016-17 season By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
When the clocks struck zero on last season where the Elmore County girls basketball team lost its third straight sub-region game, head coach Amy Rachel hit the reset button for her Lady Panthers. The team’s loss at Handley meant the end of All-State Second Team senior point guard Elissa Brown’s career. Arguably the biggest reason the program has advanced beyond the area tournament the last three seasons, the departure of Brown leaves Rachel trying to refit the pieces. “It really has been (like hitting the reset button),” Rachel said Tuesday at practice. “I mean, not completely, because we do have some returning players -- even returners that really didn’t necessarily play a whole lot last year. We’ve got a ton of new players that don’t have a lot of experience, and it’s showing. But some of them are starting to get it.” Junior forwards Hannah Gibson and Jordan Singleton and sophomore guard Madison Traylor return off last year’s squad. Traylor started every game and Singleton and Gibson both spent time in the starting five. Rachel hopes that game
experience helps her overall young team. “I’m looking for somebody to step up. I don’t really know at this point who it’s going to be,” the coach said. “Madison Traylor has kind of started to fill those shoes a little bit. I had an idea that she would, she put a lot of points up for us last year and was actually our leading rebounder on the team. She’s kind of started being a mentor, as well as some of the other players who are coming back, talking to the younger players, trying to help them build a little confidence and understand the game. Just the terminology and fundamental stuff right now is a challenge to get through to them.” Tipping off the post-Brown era at ECHS, there’ll be some shock for the team in the early portion of the season. Gaining experience as the year progresses, Rachel hopes the Lady Panthers fit together. “I just want them to be competitive and know the things that we do. Not so much worried about what the other team is doing,” she said. “We’ve got to be able to handle our gameplan and know the things we’re supposed to do. Just be competitive, put yourself in position to win the game. Right now, that’s our biggest focus.” ECHS opens the 2016-17 season at Beulah Tuesday.
Cory Diaz / The Observer
Elmore County sophomore point guard Madison Traylor drives past teammate Ella Carpenter Tuesday during the team’s practice at ECHS.