Nov 17, 2016 Eclectic Observer by Tallapoosa Publishers

Area Calendar Inside!

Lady Panthers open season with victory

A new day dawns on Elmore County

Eclectic Observer Page 4

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The

THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 17, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 27, No. 46

Faulk resigns District 4 commission post By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Joe Faulk, who has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of use of his official position or office for personal gain, on Monday resigned his position as Elmore County Commissioner for District 4, a source told the Herald. Faulk’s resignation was effective at midnight on Monday night, the source

said. With Faulk’s decision, the Elmore County Commission will eventually consist of five new members. The other four members – Kenny Holt, Mack Daugherty, Troy Stubbs and Earl Reeves – will be sworn in at a ceremony scheduled for this morning. According to Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama, Faulk’s

replacement will be appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley to serve a two-year term before a new election for Faulk’s current post would be held in 2018. The winner of that election would then serve another two-year term so that all commissioners would then be on the same four-year election cycle and up for election again in 2020. Faulk was arrested Oct. 25 on the charges, which resulted from an Alabama

Ethics Commission investigation. According to the documents filed with the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Faulk will enter his plea to the current “non-capital felony offense” before Judge Glenn Goggans Faulk on Dec. 1. See RESIGN • Page 3

Rodgers resigns from Tallassee PD

Newest member sworn in for school board

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

Mayor Johnny Hammock announced during Monday’s Tallassee City Council meeting that Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers, is resigning form the force. “Tallassee’s Director of Public Safety, Jimmy Rodgers has decided to resign from employment with the city,” Hammock said. Rodgers has been with TPD for more than 20 years. While TPD Rodgers has been the focus of half of his lifespan, he understands that life is full of unknowns. “It has been just over two decades, or approximately half my lifetime, since I began my career with the Tallassee Police Department,” Rodgers said. “I intended for this to be a step to something else in life, but God had other plans.” Rodgers says it’s time to turn his position over to next police chief. “So now we are here over 20 years later, so many blessings and friendships have come along the journey,” he said. “Now it’s time to pass the torch, so to speak. I feel that the time is now for God’s hand of release on this season.” Rodgers said he is grateful for the good times and stronger for the hard times endured throughout his years on the force. “I leave a department battered, but full of perseverance. They have been

A new member was sworn into her seat on the Elmore County Board of Education Monday afternoon, as Leisa Finley took her oath of office administered by Elmore County District Judge Patrick Pinkston. Finley, who defeated long-time incumbent school board member Larry Teel, represents the Wetumpka/Redland area. In the board’s first meeting of its new term, Michael Morgan, who was not present at the meeting, was elected the new board chair and Dale Bain was elected the board’s vice-chair. Elmore County Schools Maintenance Coordinator Gary Gregory spoke with the board about the district’s reroofing project for several area schools. Gregory said that the schools are in pretty good shape countywide, but noted that a couple of buildings still needed some remedial work to bring their roofs up to the level of other buildings in the county. These two buildings are the 700 building at Stanhope Elmore High School and the number four building at the Career and Technical Center. Gregory said that he believed the work on Stanhope could be done over the Christmas break

See RODGERS • Page 3

David Granger / The Observer

Darrell Doucette, left, thanks Master Sgt. Carl W. Patillo for his 17 years of service in the U.S. Army. Patillo was one of two speakers at Eclectic’s Veterans Day celebration last Friday.

VETERANS DAY Town of Eclectic honors veterans with ceremony By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Approximately 60 people gathered in front of the seven sections of granite that bear the names of more than 900 veterans from the Eclectic area on Veteran’s Day to hear from two speakers representing the eager and the tested among our nation’s soldiers. The event, sponsored annually by Eclectic the Beautiful, also featured patriotic music from “Hattie Mae,” made up of guitarist Aaron Brooks and vocalist Mark Miller, and an opportunity for veterans and

others to gather and share memories of their own military careers or those of their family members. Featured speakers at the event were 2nd Lt. Conner Reagan Coombs of San Antonio, Texas, and Master Sgt. Carl W. Patillo, a native of Eclectic, both soldiers in the U.S. Army. Coombs, the grandson of Harold and Patty Dunson of Eclectic, is a recent graduate of Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May. After an armor basic leadership course at Fort Benning, See VETERANS • Page 3

Last week for Operation Christmas Child donations

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hosts elder care workshop By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

The sisters of Zeta Phi Beta sorority hosted an elder care workshop Saturday morning at Rogers Chapel AME Zion church, which covered a variety of topics from elder care resources to recognizing and reporting elder abuse to caring for the caregiver. The sorority’s invited guests included Michael Bryant with 211 Connects

Alabama/HandsOn River Region, Tonia Bell with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Michelle Wood with the Elmore County Department of Human Resources, Lindsey Solomon with the Central Alabama Aging Consortium and La Tonya Porterfield a Medicare open enrollment representative. 211 Connects Alabama is a service provided to Alabama See WORKSHOP • Page 2

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Submitted / The Herald

Michelle Wood (right standing), director of the Elmore County Department of Human Resources speaks to those gathered at Rogers Chapel AME Zion church regarding her agency’s handling of issues relating to elder care and abuse. Also pictured from left to right are Tonia Bell, program manager with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Michael Bryant with 211 Connects Alabama/HandsOn River Region, Lindsey Solomon with the Central Alabama Aging Consortium and La Tonya Porterfield.

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Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC

This is the week that Elmore County residents will transform empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, will deliver these shoebox gifts to children overseas living in See CHRISTMAS • Page 3

PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 17, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

American Pickers to film in Alabama It’s time to make arrangements for pets during holidays

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Alabama! They plan to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers throughout the region this fall. American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are

By REA CORD Executive Director of HSEC

Submitted / The Observer

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Alabama to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers this fall.

always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. American Pickers is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or

accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-old-rust.

If you are going to be away for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, hopefully you have already made arrangements for your pet’s care. If you want to board your pet and haven’t made your reservation, best get on the phone immediately as most kennels and veterinarians are likely booking up for the holiday. We bring this up as we take far too many reports after holidays of missing pets because the pet “got out” while someone else was supposed to be caring for it. In many instances the owner was never even told and only found out upon their return. So when you are entrusting your pet’s care to someone else, please make sure they not only care about your pet, but that they are reliable and can reach you in the event of an emergency. If you do need to report a missing pet please call us at 334-567-3377, email us at hselco@bellsouth. net or post pics of your lost pet on our Shelter Facebook site and on any number of Lost & Found Pet Facebook pages for our area. For Elmore County go to “Lost & Found PETS in Elmore County Alabama.” Facebook is an amazing tool to get the word out

about a missing pet and we can attest to many a reunited pet because of the power of a Facebook post. To help you plan even for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend and since we know that people who adopt pets also likely love dog shows, there will be a three-day dog show on Fri, Sat & Sun (25-27 Nov) at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery hosted by the Montgomery Kennel Club. Parking is $5, but admission is free to the show. This is a great way to learn about different breeds and even buy those Christmas presents for dogs and dog lovers alike from a number of vendors. Our annual Volunteer Appreciation event is coming up on Friday, 2 December at 6 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church (across from McDonalds on Hwy 231) in Wetumpka. This is our chance to recognize our Active Volunteers and their hard work on behalf of our shelter and the animals we all want to help. For our planning we do need an RSVP, so if you are an Active Volunteer with our shelter and can attend, please RSVP to our Volunteer Coordinator, Charline Pope at 334-202-1381 or email her at popecharlie58@yahoo.com.

William Carroll / The Observer

Elmore County District Judge Patrick Pinkston (left) gives the oath of office to newly elected Elmore County School Board Member Leisa Finley. With Finley are her pastor, Dr. James Troglen of First Baptist Church Wetumpka and her children Austin Finley and Carly Finley.

School and that the work to the CTC would require a metal retrofit. Gregory said that he has also been in contact with risk management regarding the gym floor at Stanhope Elmore High School. Gregory said that crews had already pulled up some 600 feet of the new gym floor and that somehow water has gotten underneath the structure. “We can’t figure out where the water is coming from,” he said. “Until we do they (students) will have to play their games at the old gym.” Board of Education superintendent assistant for special projects Bruce Christian told the board that the four-classroom addition at Redland Elementary is moving along. Christian said that he anticipated bids on December 6 and that work on the project could commence as early as January. He told the members that in order for the project to be completed by the start of the 2017-2018 school year it would need to begin in early 2017. Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre

Workshop residents that provides information about health and human service organizations in the community. These include basic human needs, information about governmental entities, health and mental health resources, employment support, elder care and support, children’s services, military and veteran’s support and information about civic clubs. On issues relating to elder abuse, Bell spoke at length about the services offered by DHR. Specifically, she said that DHR is mandated by Alabama law to investigate matters relating to elder abuse and neglect. She said that her agency has noticed an increase in the number of reports relating to such conduct and that it takes such investigations very seriously. Bell said that any adult 18 years of age or older who is mentally or physically incapable of taking care of themselves can be a victim of abuse or neglect. She noted that such abuse or neglect often is committed by those closest to the victims. Bell said that abuse can take a variety of forms including physical or sexual abuse. She said that investigators look for signs of physical injury as well as signs such as over-medication of a victim. Neglect is the failure to provide services on behalf of an individual. Bell said the elderly are also at times subject to exploitation by friends or family members. She noted that signs of exploitation could include some-

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Harrison recognized two teachers who recently obtained recertification under the National Board Certification program. The teachers are Kristy Shaw of Wetumpka Elementary School and Stacey Turner of Redland Elementary. According to information provided at the meeting, the district has five out of approximately 800 teachers who are nationally certified. Harrison also recognized the district’s transportation department for having zero major issues on the district’s school buses this year. The district currently has 154 buses and Harrison said that this is a rare achievement to have every single bus pass inspection. In other matters before the board: • Board Members Mark Nelson, Bain and Finley were selected to attend the Alabama Association of School Boards Winter Conference from December 8-10. • The Board voted to approve each and every item of the October 2016 payroll and items on the personnel action sheet.

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thing as simple as giving away large sums of money. Wood said that it is important to educate people on issues relating to elder abuse and neglect. She said that based upon the population of Elmore County she feels that such abuse is underreported with 34 reports in 2014, 56 in 2015 and 38 as of the end of October 2016. Wood said that DHR is currently struggling with where to keep vulnerable adults. She said that while there are a number of foster homes for children, adult foster homes are much more rare. According to Wood, Elmore County is one of only seven counties in the state of Alabama that has an adult foster home. She said her agency is currently pushing to have at least one adult foster home in every county in the state as well as expanding services for those in counties that already have at least one foster home. Solomon, spoke regarding those who care for elderly family members including parents and grandparents. This portion of the workshop brought about the most discussion as several of those in attendance had experiences working as caregivers for family members. Several members of the audience even shared their experiences in caring for a loved one. During the presentation, Solomon gave those in attendance some tools to help deal with stress and how to effectively take care of your self as you take care of others.

Pets of the Week – Foots and Sam Foots & Sam are brothers, the last of their litter that did not find homes so they came to us. They are quite striking Bluetick/Redbone Hound boys, eight months old and each about 45 lbs. They are active, talkative and very happy, loving dogs. Foots (black & tan) is the more outgoing of the two while Sam (white & red) is a bit shy at first but loves attention. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over one-year-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday through Friday 10-5 & Sat 9-3.

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Christmas extreme poverty or affected by war, disease and natural disaster. “This week the Tallassee community is focused on making a difference in the lives of children facing difficult circumstances,” said Tallassee volunteer Courtney Hall. “There is no joy quite like that of giving, and it is an honor to use our resources to let children around the world know they are loved and not forgotten.” Community members are invited to attend an opening ceremony to celebrate the arrival of National Collection Week and to pray for the children who will receive the gifts. Elmore Couny residents are not alone in their effort to help children around the world. More than 150,000 volunteers including families, churches and other groups are linking arms across the country to contribute to the largest Christmas project of its kind. In 2016, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect

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enough shoebox gifts to reach 12 million children, with several thousand coming from the area. In Tallassee, Tallassee First Assembly of God will serve as a dropoff location for shoebox gift donations. In Wetumpka, Thelma Baptist Church will serve as a drop off location. The drop off location in Eclectic will be Eclectic United Methodist Church, in Deatsville it will be Shoal Creek Baptist Church. Grace Community Church will serve as the drop off location in Millbrook. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, email occsouthcentralalabama@gmail.com or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. By going online to give the suggested donation of $7 per shoebox gift, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world it will be delivered. They can also pack a shoebox gift online and even upload a photo and note of encouragement.

Rodgers through so much because of other people’s actions,” Rodgers said. “They have stood through it all.” During his time as Tallassee’s Police Chief, the department was rocked by scandal on multiple occasions, which put Rodgers under a microscope, as well. “It irritates me to hear people speak of these officers and department being crooked or incompetent, when I know the exact opposite,” he said. “Over the last six to seven years this agency has been investigated thoroughly by federal and state agencies. All of these investigations were found to encompass the entire staff and department operations in general, but failed to indicate anything related to a mass operating of misconduct, only individual officers who made incorrect decisions in their lives.” Rodgers said he has worked hard over the years to build a solid reputation for himself and his department

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and understands that, often, actions speak louder than words. “A reputation is something easily tarnished, whether justifiably or not,” he said. “I leave this agency in hopes that my reputation speaks for its self, someone who never placed importance on a badge, but what’s underneath the badge.” As for the future, Rodgers says he leaves Tallassee Police Department guided by faith. “I stand by my faith and faith in the people within the agency and outside,” Rodgers said. “I know God will guide my family and I into a new season and His hand will be seen in this community also.” City officials agreed to pay Rodgers a total of $21,194.96 for current and future salaries, accrued hazard pay, vacation time and other benefits that were due to him.

Veterans Georgia, Coombs will deploy to Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. Patillo joined the Army in 1999, attended basic combat training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and attended advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to be a preventive medicine specialist. Patillo participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Coombs touched on the reasons he joined the Army, including family tradition (family members retired from or active in the military include Coombs’ grandfathers, retired Sgt. Maj. Harold Dunson of the Alabama Army National Guard and retired Col. Jimmy Lee Clayton Coombs of the U.S. Air Force, his father Brig. Gen. James Norman Coombs II and cousins, Specialist Wesley Prater of the Alabama Army National Guard and Master Sgt. Krystal Rankin of the U.S. Air Force) and his belief that America is the greatest country in the world. “Now I know there are democracies in Norway and Canada and Finland and what not that say that we are not the greatest country in the world. Have y’all heard this before? Has anybody heard this? They say that we are not the greatest country in the world because we don’t have universal healthcare like they do or we’re 26th in education or we have our infrastructure crum-

NOVEMBER 17, 2016 • PAGE 3

Resigns

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Information filed in Faulk’s case by Assistant Attorney General Kyle Beckman, says the former commissioner “did intentionally use” multiple checks or currency from Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. and County RX Card, LLC, “to obtain personal gain for himself and such use and gain were not specifically authorized by law.” The information filed by the attorney general does not give any financial value of Faulk’s personal benefit. Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. is a company, headquartered in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, that, according to its website, works “in partnership with cities, states, counties, townships, groups and associations nationwide” to develop “the most comprehensive discount (healthcare and veterinary) benefit programs in the marketplace.” County RX Card is a pre-

scription drug card administered by Easy Drug Card of Castle Rock, Colorado. It is not an insurance card and is not intended to replace insurance. Faulk has a history with the ethics commission. In 2010, he was fined $500 and ordered to repay $504 related to a hotel bill for a 2008 trip to Washington, D.C. Faulk, a Republican, won his primary challenge from Steven Livingston and Johnny W. Ford on March 1 and was unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election. Faulk had served District 4 on the county commission since 2000, including serving four-plus years as commission chairman. Prior to joining the commission, he was a member of the Millbrook City Council for six years and served the city as mayor pro tempore for four of those years.

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bling around us. Well, those are all valid arguments, but if we did not spend the money and the time and effort to train our men and women in uniform to protect democracy here and abroad those other nations would not be able to spend the money they do on healthcare and education and infrastructure because they would have to spend it on their military.” Patillo drew largely from his experiences on the battlefield, talking of when he was a member of the first unit from Alabama to cross over into Iraq. He spent his final birthday before being combat-tested sleeping between the bumpers of two Army transports. “That was quite and experience for a young man from Alabama,” Patillo said. Patillo also talked of time away from his family, of returning to that family and of giving up his own leave so that a fellow soldier could go home to see his family, “much to my wife’s chagrin.” After the speakers, the crowd, made up of many who had served themselves, stood at attention as Tom Garrett played “Taps” and Master Sgt. James Wood and his son, Andrew, removed the posted colors. Patty Dunson, a 29-year member of Eclectic the Beautiful, served as the program’s emcee, filling in for her husband, Harold, the organization’s president, who was ill.

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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 17, 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.

A new day dawns in Elmore County

our new members of the Elmore County Commission will be sworn in today, with a fifth to replace member Joe Faulk, who is expected to plead guilty to a felony ethics charge, shortly on the way. That means that soon the Elmore County Commission will have five members who will be completely different from the group that has served the last four years. Generally, there is some continuity in boards of this type either due to staggered terms or incumbents holding their

spots, however four of the five incumbents could not hold their seats and the fifth is effectively being removed from his. Personally, I tend to like at least a little carry-over from one administration to the next. I like at least some continuity. I get that voters like the “throw the bums out” approach at times when it comes to elections but generally that philosophy doesn’t work so well in practice as the next group of “saviors” usually turn into bums eventually. That is not to say that is what is going on here, but it bears watching how

WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

this will all unfold over the next four years. This will bring an interesting future for Elmore County, as we will have to see how this group interacts with one another. This group has experience at county governing as well as business and community

acumen, which should be beneficial, of course anytime you bring in five new members to any board there will be some adjustments and changes in store, as well as the inevitable personality conflicts that will need to be resolved. At the end of the day though, I believe we are all striving for what is best for the county, the question really is how we get there. As this new day dawns for Elmore County, I am optimistic that our new county commission will answer to the needs of the citizens. We here at the Herald, Observer and Tribune

will do our part to ensure that the citizens’ needs are protected. While the last commission did a significant amount of work improving the county’s infrastructure, there is still work that needs to be done on a variety of issues. My hope is that the new commission is up to the task and will face the upcoming challenges head on. There will be many cloudy days ahead, but for now the dawn is bright and promising. William Carroll is the managing editor of Elmore County newspapers for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

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Trump victory biggest upset in modern history

D Eclectic Observer The

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Thursday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $25 One Year Elsewhere: $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION 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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onald J. Trump’s election to the presidency left the pollsters and pundits from every media outlet and news network with egg on their face. It also left them with their mouths ajar in shock. Every poll and every pundit had Hillary Clinton winning the presidency. It was assumed that the Electoral College advantage for a liberal Democrat was impregnable. Trump’s amazing surprise victory will be recorded as one of the biggest upsets in modern political history. It will be compared to and was very similar to the upset victory that Harry Truman pulled off against Thomas Dewey in 1948. There are uncanny similarities between the Truman come from behind victory and the Trump win. All polls showed Truman losing. However, in the final weeks of the campaign, Truman was bringing out large crowds as he spoke from the back of a train in what was referred to as his Whistle Stop Tour. Toward the very end his crowds were growing larger and larger. Like Trump, Truman was plain spoken and the crowds would shout out, “Give ‘em hell Harry!” He would retort, “That’s what I plan to do.” It was so assumed that Truman would lose that there was a famous photo of Truman holding up a copy of the “Chicago Tribune” with the headline, “Dewey Wins.” Similarly, there is this year’s revelation that “Newsweek” in order to get to press early had Hillary winning with the headline, “Madam President.” They had to recall millions of copies. Also, I have had to admit that yours truly had written a much different headline story on the Monday before Tuesday’s Election Day for today’s column. There is no question that we live in two distinct, diverse, and different philosophical Americas when it comes to presidential

STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist

politics. It appears that we in the south are not the only folks in America who believe in a balanced budget, a strong military, and sustaining a strong agricultural base. In addition, we may not be alone when it comes to being pro-life and pro-gun. The rest of the country may be more like us than we think. We obviously have some southern thinking folks in the Midwestern Rust Belt states In short Trump won the election because white conservatives all over the country turned out in mass as though their nation depended on it and they probably were right. Evangelical Christian voters realized the importance of the impending Supreme Court appointments. That will indeed be Trump’s most lasting legacy. He will appoint conservatives to our Supreme Court, and they will be confirmed by a Republican U.S. Senate. The Republican control of the Senate is another victory for conservatives throughout the country. Trump will be a Republican President with a Republican U.S. Senate and a Republican conservative U.S. House. This Republican governing majority will be immensely beneficial to Alabama. Six of our seven congressmen are Republicans. More importantly our two Senators, Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, are in the majority in the Senate. Shelby will be beginning his sixth six-year term. Within two years he will break the record set by John Sparkman as the longest serving Senator in Alabama history.

But, more significantly, he will become Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Trump election changes the entire political landscape in Alabama politics. More than likely, President Trump will appoint our Senator, Jeff Sessions, to a major cabinet position – more than likely Secretary of Defense. Sessions will probably accept this prestigious and powerful post. Folks this leaves a vacant U.S. Senate seat in the Heart of Dixie. There are probably a dozen major viable political figures who will pursue this coveted once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Governor Bentley will appoint Session’s successor. However, whoever gets the appointment will have to run in 2018. Bentley has been unorthodox and unpredictable in his appointments. This one is by far the most significant of his tenure. Some speculation is that he might appoint himself or a close advisor. Others say he will appoint Attorney General Luther Strange, who will probably run for the post in 2018, regardless. Some say the inside track belongs to Perry Hooper, Jr., who has statewide name identification from his role as Trump’s front man in the state and has a staunch conservative lifetime GOP pedigree. If you thought we had a good year awaiting us in 2018, it has become exponentially more titillating. We will have a governor’s race, U.S. Senate race, and every constitutional office is up for grabs, as well as all 140 State House and Senate seats. It will be quite a year and believe me, it has already begun. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

NOVEMBER 17, 2016 • PAGE 5

Eclectic Dog Show

Submitted / The Observer

Area residents brought out their fur-ever friends to the Eclectic Dog show at The Cotton Festival a couple of weeks ago. The pooches had the chance to compete in some interesting categories. Above left, Harley was awarded best trick and best in show overall at the dog show at the Cotton Festival. Top right, Tipper was awarded biggest lap dog. Snuggles was awarded ugliest dog.

Firefighters struggle to fight blazes Officials ask for public’s help in this time of extreme drought across the county and state By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Officials said a record number of fires are breaking out in the county and with fire departments scrambling to combat each new blaze there are ways residents can help. Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Moran said the biggest thing someone could do to help local firefighters is to prevent fires starting altogether, but with worsening drought conditions that could happen from unusual sources. Monday provided a great example. Alexander City Councilman Eric Brown who owns Hilltop Landscaping was headed down Highway 63 North when he spotted a Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s deputy on the side of the road with his lights flashing. Brown stopped to see if he could help. “Someone had thrown out a lit cigarette and there was a fire that had started from it,” Brown said. “I had some water and we got it out. You could see plain as day that a cigarette had started it and it was growing quickly. It was right next to a dry sage field and if the deputy, whose name was Dep. Brandon Caldwell hadn’t spotted it, I hate to think what may have happened.” Like Brown. Sheriff Jimmy Abbett praised Caldwell for being so observant. Abbett said he has asked all his people to be on the lookout and remain attentive to anything that could spark a fire in these dry conditions. With 58 days without measureable rain, the problem is statewide. A No Burn Order issued Nov. 7 for all 67 counties is still in effect throughout the state, and prohibits all outdoor burning. What can start a fire has changed however, and now it takes even less to strike a blaze. An obvious example of a source for a fire would be a cigarette thrown out of the window of a moving vehicle, like what happened on Monday. Moran said that he even had a report that a spark

thrown from a bush hog mowing a field sparked a blaze. He gave advice on how to keep unintentional fires from starting, and how to help out with the workload of local fire fighters. “Don’t throw your cigarettes out of the window,” said Moran. And Moran said not to burn anything outside, and if there were concerns over something potentially starting a fire Moran said to call and share that info with 911 operators. Moran said the Alexander City Fire Department responded to over 20 brush fires in the past 30 days. That’s three times the amount of fires they had responded to than in the previous month. In the county, there have been 89 total fire calls since October among the 13 volunteer fire departments spread throughout the county. Moran said more than a third of those, 32, were made in November. A normal month is about 30 calls total. He said the volunteer departments were “stretched thin” in their efforts to handle to the volume of calls. “They’re dedicating their time and we thank them for their time they do donate,” Moran said. And with no lightning to spark random blazes, Moran said the majority of the fires are attributed in some way to human activity. “It is a challenge for them, especially if they have limited personnel and people to respond,” said Moran. He said it was considered a violation to burn anything outside of a grill, barbecue or masonry pit, and asked that anyone refrain from burning trash altogether. As it gets colder, Moran said the embers of home fireplaces were also of concern. Moran said to ensure all ashes were extinguished entirely before disposal in a clean area, and to make sure chimneys were properly maintained. Before beginning as EMA director Moran said he served as chief of Eagle Creek Fire Department.

Police Briefs October 26

A report was made of a domestic incident in the 400 block of Harrogate Springs Road. The incident is said to have occurred October 26 from 8:26 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. The report was filed October 26 at 9:50 a.m.

October 27

A report was made of a missing person in the 100 block of Pauline Circle. The person is said to have been missing from April 1, 2008 to October 27, 2016. The report was filed October 27 at 11:03 a.m.

October 28

A report was made of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, in the 100 block of First Street. The incident was said to have occurred October 28 at 5:23 a.m. The items said to be in possession are four 30mg pills of morphine, one 1mg pill of clonazepam, one 4mg pill of tizanidine, one 20mg pill of omeprazole, one half of a 500mg pill of acetaminophen, one glass pipe, two clear plastic bags possibly containing cocaine, and one clear plastic bag possibly containing methamphetamines. The report was filed October 28 at 5:23 a.m. A report was made of possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, in the 800 block of Autumnwood Village. The incident was said to have occurred October 28 at 5:36 a.m. The items in possession were one clear plastic bag containing what was believed to be cocaine and one clear cylindrical glass pipe with residue. The report was filed October 28 at 6 a.m.

November 7

A report was made of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, in the 500 block of Hospital Drive. The incident was said to have occurred on November 7 at 3 p.m. The reported damage was a dent to the driver’s side rear on 2005 black Lincoln Towncar, estimating $200. The report was filed November 7 at 4:43 p.m. A report of property damage was made between the 4,000 and 5,000 block of U.S. Highway 231. The incident was said to have occurred somewhere between November 4 at 7 a.m. and November 7 at 10:09 a.m. The damage

vehicle was said to have been a 2006 white Chevrolet Impala. The report was made November 7 at 10:09 a.m. A report was made of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, in the 1,000 block of Austin Street. The incident was said to have occurred somewhere between November 5 at 9 p.m. and November 7 at 8:30 a.m. The damage reported was to a driver’s side taillight on a bronze 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, estimating $156. The report was filed November 7 at 8:55 a.m.

November 8

A domestic incident was reported in the 200 block of McDonald Drive. The incident was said to have occurred November 8 from 6:57 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. The report was filed November 8, 2016 at 7:31 p.m.

November 9

A report was made of lost property in the 4300 block of U.S. Highway 231. The incident was said to have occurred between November 8 at 5:43 p.m. and November 9 at 2 p.m. The item reported as missing was a filled Hydrocodone prescription containing ninety 325 mg pills. The report was filed November 9 at 2 p.m. A report was made of possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and certain persons forbidden to possess fire arms, also a felony, at the corner of U.S. Highway 231 and Jasmine Forest Road. The incident was said to have occurred November 9 at 2:35 p.m. The items in possession were said to be one Smith & Wesson 22 Long, one 40 round magazine for an AR-15, one hundred eighty-eight round of assorted ammunition, and sixteen white oval pills. The report was filed November 9 at 4:15 p.m. A report was made of theft of property, a fourth degree misdemeanor, in the 400 block of Autauga Street. The incident was said to have occurred November 9 between 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The item reported as stolen was a black Net 10 flip cell phone, estimating $25. The report was filed November 9 at 7:39 p.m.

November 10

A report was made of recovered stolen property at the corner of Elmore Road and Coosa River Parkway. The incident was said to have occurred November 10 between 1:28 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. The property recovered was reported as a black 2012 BMW 328I. The report was filed November 10 at 4 a.m.

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Personal pronouns and politics

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! The super moon is lighting up the night sky as I am writing this week’s column. It is a sight to behold! In the wake from last week’s elections, several people have begun to declare Donald Trump “Not My President”. The label is easy enough to understand. I first remember hearing of this label during Bill Clinton’s second term. Scandals continued to erupt and some in our nation felt compelled to distance themselves from the commander in chief. The intent was clear. It became common to hear people declare “Clinton is not my president”. The same has been true with every president since then. It is a declaration of refusal to support.

I understand where the label comes from. If a person does not vote for the person winning the presidential election, it makes sense in one way to use the label. Saying “George Bush was not my president” meant the person saying it did not vote for Bush. I get it. Every four years, our nation elects a new president. The person winning the election is referred to as the president elect until the inauguration. After that, the label becomes The President of the United States of America. Voting outcomes are never unanimous. Margins of victory tend to be small. Presidential races tend to be close. 270 electoral votes are all it takes to win the White House. What this means is that each time there is an election,

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian Church

a majority of voters can claim the victor as “my president”. The large minority claims the victor as “not my president”. This is unhelpful, and there is a good reason. Every four years, our nation elects a new president – the President of the United States of America. The contest does not determine who “my” president is. The contest determines who “the” president is. There is a big difference. Acknowledging the victor

has nothing to do with “my” or “not my”. It has everything to do with “the”. Once election results have been certified, our nation moves ahead with the process of recognizing “the” next president of the United States. At that point, it really does not matter if “the” president is “my” president or not. As a citizen of the United States, “the” president becomes “my” president. In other words, the circumstances of citizenship take precedent over personal preference. For at least the last twenty years, certification of election results has ushered in something very different. The “not my president” crowd has shifted its efforts to defrock “the” president. This behavior is at the root of our present political

dysfunction. Whether any of us voted for “the” president or not, every citizen has the responsibility to recognize and respect the office and the person elected to hold it. There are established, constructive means of sharing agreement and disagreement with the executive branch. Attempting to subvert that branch is nothing short of treason. Our country has been held back by people refusing to acknowledge the president. It has been happening for over twenty years. Enough already! Whether your candidate won or lost the last election, stand up for what matters to you without tearing others down. Rev. Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka

Religion Briefs Episcopal Church of the Epiphany

On Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany will host “Beans & Rice.” The Beans & Rice ministry takes place the third Saturday of every month. At that time the Parish Hall is open to those in need of food, who may choose their preferred items from the selection available. On Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Father Wells Warren will celebrate the Festival Holy Eucharist marking Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year. A covered dish lunch will follow at 11:30 a.m. There will be no Sunday School that day. Musicians and music lovers in the community should mark their calendars for Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., when Epiphany will host a performance of Handel’s Messiah; there will be no advance group rehearsal, although singers will gather to warm up and go over portions of the music at 1 p.m. immediately prior to the performance. Information about the event is on the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/messiah

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, Nov. 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.

Elam Baptist Church

Invites everyone to worship Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Mid Week Renewal begins at 7 p.m. fol-

lowing Choir Practice at 6 p.m. The Annual Thanksgiving meal (covered dish) will be Sunday, Nov. 20, at noon following morning worship. Everyone is encouraged to attend bringing his or her favorite seasonal dishes, family and friends. Visitors are always welcome.

Tallassee Church of Christ

Announces its 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. Nov. 20 - Prison Ministry Nov. 27 - Perpetual Adoration Dec. 4 - Love and Marriage Dec. 11 - Christianity vs. Islam Part 1 Dec. 18 - Christianity vs. Islam Part 2 Dec. 25 - Christ Mass Jan. 1 - Once Saved, Always Saved?

Carrville Baptist Church

Would like to invite everyone to its Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 20 at 6 pm. Regular Sunday services are Sunday school 9:15 a.m., morning worship 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday evening activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday night activities are at 6:30 p.m.

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.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

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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All About Glass

Glass is a material used to make many different items. It is a very common, inexpensive material, but in ancient times, it was a very pricey commodity only known to Kings and royalty. The oldest glass objects found date back 3,500 years. Glassblowing was created around the time of the Roman Empire which made glass much easier to produce and available to people of all classes. Glassblowing is done with a long, hollow metal pipe. The molten glass is attached to the end of the pipe, and air is blown into the thick liquid, hollowing it and creating a shape. When the piece has cooled, you have what we know as glass. Glass is hard and usually transparent. It is brittle and breaks easily, yet it is very durable against chemicals and heat which makes it a very useful product. The materials that make up glass are sand, soda and lime, all cheap and readily available. Glass has many uses. We drink from glasses, wear eyeglasses to see better, creDWH OHQVHV IRU RXU FDPHUDV DQG PDNH PLUURUV WR VHH RXUVHOYHV *ODVV VORZV RU VWRSV WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI HOHFWULFLW\ VR LW ZRUNV well with electrical devices and light g bulbs. Windows and doors of homes are made of glass, and many decorations are hproduced from colored glass.

Types of Glass Word Search

Hidden Words: Beaker Bottle Drinking Glass Eyeglasses Fish Bowl Hourglass Jar Magnifying Glass Mirror Ornaments Sliding Door Snowglobe Stained Glass Telescope Window

Glass Crossword C r Color

Mirror Image

Across Clues: 5. Colored glass is often referred to as? 6. A material from which glass is made. 9. Today, glass is fast and ___ to make. 10. Glass is normally hard and _____. Down Clues: 1. Creating glass with a hollow rod. 2. Another material found in glass. 4. Only ancient ___ could afford glass. *ODVV VWRSV WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZ of what? 8. What is blown into the metal rod?

Use a mirror to reverse the image and read the text to the left. Answer the questions.

Crossword Ans: Across-5) stained 6)lime 9)inexpensive 10)transparent Down-2)glass blowing 2)sand 4)kings 7) electricity 8)air

1. What is painted on the backside of a mirror? _________________________ 2. Does the surface of a mirror have to be rough or polished? __________________________ :KDW GRHV WKH PHWDO UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW back? __________________________

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ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

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

classiﬁeds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classiﬁeds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

The Tallassee Tribune

The Wetumpka Herald

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Area Calendar

November 20

A community Thanksgiving service will be held at the Wetumpka Civic Center starting at 6 p.m. Area churches will share prayers of thanksgiving and come together as one community in preparation for the season. Everyone is encouraged to bring a snack item to share with others.

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: 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

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 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.

December 11

Hillside Baptist Church (405 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka, AL) invites you to enjoy a traditional “home” celebration of Christmas at 11 a.m. The program will explain the Christmas Story through both dialogue and your favorite Christmas carols! For more information please contact the church at 567-9695.

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 1-800-548-2547.” 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 224-850-9804 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 334567-7400. 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 334-5789485. 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 handsewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334578-9485 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 11 and older. $32 for four classes or $10 per week. Taught every Saturday by Theresa Wayne. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334-3009394. 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 334-567-6301 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.

NOVEMBER 17, 2016 • PAGE 9

SENIOR ACTIVITIES: “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible. SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class - M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. - deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club - Wednesdays, Noon to 3 p.m. Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. - enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. New Regularly Scheduled Activities DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m. Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations. Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and make nonslip socks to give to nursing home residents. Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball! Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons Noon to 3 p.m. NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334-567-1335. ECLECTIC: The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon. For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334-541-3581. Tallassee Recreation Center Community Announcements Funtastic Fort reservations for the pavilion or gazebo are made by calling the Recreation Department office at 283-4726. The fee for the pavilion is $40 for a two-hour period and the fee for the gazebo is $15 for a two-hour period, fees must be paid prior to the reservation date.

PAGE 10 • NOVEMBER 17, 2016

SPORTS

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Traylor sparks ECHS in season opening victory at Beulah By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

No Elissa Brown, no problem. That actually wasn’t the case for Elmore County girls basketball coach Amy Rachel, but in their first game without their first All-State player, the Lady Panthers won its first game at Beulah, 38-26, Tuesday. “We had some girls step up, and that’s always promising,” Rachel said. “Actually, the first quarter, our girls were nervous and those nerves caused some errors and turnovers that (Beulah) was able to score it.” ECHS fell behind, 13-2, early and without Brown, who averaged 25 points per game, Rachel wondered if her team could muster the firepower to climb back. And sophomore Madison Traylor was that spark.

The point guard, a starter a season ago, put up a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the comeback. “Madison played very well. And that was big for her especially coming off Elissa averaging 25 points a game,” Rachel said. “We have some girls back from last year, some may not have played a whole lot, but we needed at least one person to step up and become that go-to player. I was proud of the way she played.” After allowing 13 first-quarter points, Elmore County shook off the nerves and held the Lady Bobcats to just 13 points for the next three periods. A focus this preseason, ECHS found a presence in the front court in sophomore pair Diamond

Cory Diaz / The Observer

Elmore County sophomore point guard Madison Traylor, shown here dribbling past teammate Ella Carpenter at a team practice, led the Lady Panthers to a season-opening win Tuesday at Beulah.

Brown and Tatyana Harden. Brown scored 10 points while both recorded seven rebounds apiece. “We want to get the ball inside as much as possible. But we still like to run-and-gun as much as possible because we do have a lot of speed,” Rachel said. “We now have players on our team that have got that year

under their belt and have seen the speed of the game; we’ve got some really fast players. “Once we get it, it clicks, I think our speed will again be the strength of our team. But Brown being inside and creating pressure their, it opens up a lot of things for us.” Rebecca Ballard had four points, while Harden

and Mackenzie Lewis each had two points. “This was an excellent game for us to see what we’ve got to work on most. With it being away, I wanted to see how they’ve react going into an opposing team’s gym and who would step up and become leaders,” the coach said. “I liked their effort

overall, they played hard and that’s really all you can ask. Stay competitive, let your hustle make up for the mistakes that you’ll make. That’s what put us over the top and able to get the win.” The Lady Panthers return to action after the Thanksgiving break, hosting Montgomery-Catholic at home on Nov. 29.

Wetumpka AYSO hosts 1st area tournament By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Cory Diaz / The Observer

Kids in the Wetumpka American Youth Soccer Organization compete on the field earlier this season.

Wetumpka American Youth Soccer Organization hosted its first AYSO Area Tournament this past Saturday at its fields in Wetumpka. Eight totals teams across two different age brackets, U10 and U12, battled for AYSO State Tournament berths. Despite not competing this past weekend, Wetumpka’s U14 team coached by Paul Auen will make the trek and play in the state tourney in Madison, Alabama this Saturday. The U10 team, coached by Carl Maddox, advanced to the state tournament, but the team decided not to participate. Montgomery-based teams won both the U10 and U12 area tournaments. Hosting area tourneys in conjunction with holding the fall season closing ceremonies, Wetumpka AYSO Regional Commissioner Larry Hart said the festivities went off without a hitch. “It was a pretty good day,” Hart said. “We had teams from Clanton,

Montgomery, Wetumpka of course, competing. We pulled together and hosted our first area tournaments. We hosted a girls tournament back in October, which consisted of teams all from Central Alabama. But this was another opportunity to give the kids a chance to broaden their horizons, play teams out of the league and get experience with that. “In addition to hosting the tournaments, we held out regular season closing ceremonies. We estimated that there were about 400 and 500 kids playing soccer.” With a league team competing in the state tournament this weekend, Hart said AYSO has asked the Wetumpka league before if it could host the event, but currently, its facilities prevent it from doing so. “It’s one of those things of getting better facilities; we’ve been asked to host the state tournament before, but we can’t with where we are,” Hart said. “Hopefully, the facilities that the city of Wetumpka provides us will open up possibilities for us to bring events like that to Wetumpka.”

Panthers pull away for win in season opener By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Despite foul trouble, Elmore County relied on its defense to pull away in its season opener, 75-60, at Beulah Tuesday. The Panthers circumvented having its top two scorers, senior Tyric Belyeu and sophomore D.J. Patrick, on the bench due to fouls for extended periods of time in the second half and applied enough strain on defense. “Don’t foul,” ECHS boys basketball coach Warren Brown said of what he told his team down the stretch. “They will miss shots and we were getting rebounds. They had two big kids, and we got the ball out of their hands and made them put the ball in the hands of one of the guys that wasn’t a threat to score. We made them take a lot of bad shots. We were tit-for-tat on turnovers, theirs just came at the end of the game and that was crucial.” After missing most of the third quarter, Belyeu returned to fuel the Panthers’ run in the final two minutes with three consecutive steals and scored 10 unanswered points. The senior point guard finished with a game-high 33 points, six rebounds and six steals.

“He’s definitely got to be the guy to set the tone on the defensive end. He’s playing point guard, a position he didn’t play at all last year,” Brown said. “We’re going to be undersized with most teams we play, so we got to get it done on the defensive end and use our speed and quickness. “With Will (Venable’s) experience and D.J. Patrick’s athleticism, and Michael Johnson being able to hold his own. Michael did a good job in the paint.” Patrick, who ended the night with 15 points, scored Elmore County’s first 10 points of the contest as fouls slowed both squads down early. Bobcats led, 33-30, at halftime. ECHS turned the heat up in its zone defense in the second half, holding Beulah to just 27 points in the final two quarters. Venable gave Elmore County a trio of double-digit scorers, adding 13 points. “Those three guys was the key. Offensively, we’ve got to take care of the ball, we had way too many turnovers,” Brown said. “Defensively, I was proud of the way we played. We were able to create east baskets for us. We were undersized, they were bigger, but we played harder and that was the difference.” The Panthers will host a tournament starting Monday.

Cory Diaz / The Observer

Elmore County senior Tyric Belyeu, shown here at a team practice, led the Panthers to a season-opening win Tuesday at Beulah.