Commission approves grant match for volunteer fire departments
Holtville High School basketball coach
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A little bit of new equipment is coming for some volunteer fire departments in Elmore County.
The Elmore County Commission approved executing a 2023 Department of Homeland Security Grant at its Monday meeting. Approximately $400,000 in funding was awarded to the county to help improve communications. The funds will be used to purchase radios and other equipment necessary for better radio communications.
The commission also approved executing an agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the American Recovery Plan Act Drinking Water/ Wastewater and Stormwater Project. ADEM is providing $180,000 in funding for three projects totaling a little more than $400,000. The projects include improving storm drainage around roads and bridges on Prospect Cutoff Road, Antioch Road and Rifle Range Road.
ship. It is the team’s fifth straight state title. Members of the Elmore County legislative delegation briefly spoke to the commission about the happenings in the state house in Montgom ery. State Sen. Clyde Chambliss and State Rep. Jerry Starnes explained they were available to the commission for efforts to improve the county and state.
IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
• Approved minutes of the Oct. 23 meeting.
• Approved warrants and purchase orders in the amount of $8,481,535.83 for the period of Oct. 14 to Nov. 3.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH HONORS TWO OLDEST ELMORE COUNTY VETS
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
• Authorized the chair of the commission to execute a lease with Hillsi de Baptist Church for a building on Old Montgomery Highway that once housed People That Care.
The Veterans Day program at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka was a little different this year.
their casket flags,” Perdue said. “They not only received it tonight but the family will use it at their funeral. To our knowledge, these are the two oldest veterans in Elmore County.”
stone when he was 100. “I presented it to him one year,” Perdue said. “He died about a year later.”
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
The commission passed a resolution honoring the Edgewood Academy Volleyball team for winning the AISA state champion -
See CHAMBER, Page A3
• Set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Jan. 8, 2024 for public comments on the possible vacation of an unnamed road off Gray’s Ferry Road in Titus.
The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27.
Ivy Creek holding scarecrow food drive
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A full roster of scarecrows is coming to Gold Star Park
There was the usual patriotic music and honoring of all veterans present. But instead of highlighting one veteran for their service, two were honored. Carl Edwards, 99, and James Dozier, 98, were highlighted in the program and presented with U.S. Flags in a ceremony retired U.S. Army CW4 Gardner Perdue has only done once before.
“We presented them with
scarecrows would be interesting.”
Ivy Creek has reserved portions of Wetumpka’s Gold Star Park for the event.
The inaugural Scarecrow Convention hosted Ivy Creek Healthcare will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry.
Perdue said the flags are inscribed with Nov. 11, 2023 on them and the family will inscribe them again at the death of the veterans.
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Perdue has a long history with the military, and before his retirement, he aided veterans with various services including providing families with flags for burial. Perdue said he has given one such flag for the same purpose before. It was for Walton Whet-
The families of Edwards and Dozier are already taking care of the flags. They have already acquired the triangular boxes flags are displayed in.
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
The two senior veterans were honored alongside all other veterans in attendance. The program featured the Christian Community Band with vocalist and musicians and the group Belle Fleurs. After the program the veterans shared some of their stories with guests in the Gallery of Honor in
Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle.
According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
“This will be something similar to the Christmas Tree Trail in Prattville,”
Ivy Creek’s Heidi Smith said. “We wanted to do something to benefit the community and saw how we jumped from Halloween to Christmas. We thought something with
“This is our first time doing it and we are hoping to make it an annual event because there is nothing going on,” Smith said.
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
This year’s Scarecrow Convention theme centers around the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn but not necessarily limited to the Tide and Tigers.
“It is going to be themed around football
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
See FOOD, Page A6
THURS:
the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
Obituaries
JAMES JOSEPH MRACEK “JOE”
James Joseph Mracek “Joe” a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away Saturday November 11, 2023. He was 78 years young.
Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Martha Marks Mracek. He is survived by his children James F. Mracek, MD, Suzanne Mracek Vernon, Jennifer Mracek Duggan, and James Joseph Mracek Jr; a sister Judy Edwards Ford; nine grandchildren and dear family friends Coby and Paula Griffith.
Graveside services will be held Friday November 17, 2023 at 11:00
a.m. at Pine View Memorial Gardens with Jonathan Yarboro officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 5 PM until 7 PM at Gassett funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brady Vernon, Joe Vernon, Max Vernon, Jack Mracek, Joey Edwards, and Case Edwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the humane shelter, or the local food pantry.
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT NOV. 6
• Theft was reported on Margate Loop.
• Theft and possession of a forged instrument was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
NOV. 2
• Domestic violence was reported on Government Street.
NOV. 1
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
OCT. 28
• A terroristic threat was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
OCT. 24
• Harassment was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
GRADY COLQUITTE ROWELL
Grady Colquitte Rowell, III, known to all as “Brother”, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in a Memphis, TN hospital. He was born October 22, 1963, in Olney, Texas, to Grady C. Rowell, Jr., and Celestra Maddox Rowell. He was preceded in death by his father in February 2023.
Brother spent the past 32 years living a wonderful life at the Baddour Center in Senatobia, MS. He will be greatly missed by his ‘Bad-
NOV. 12
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Harassment was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• Abuse was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Rickey Lane.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Burglary was reported on Herren Hill Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• Debris was reported in the road on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the road on Lilly Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Main Street.
NOV. 11
• A fight was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
dour’ family, as well as many other friends and relatives. He is survived by his mother, Celestra M. Rowell, of Titus; sister, Lisa R (Ed) Hughes, of Montgomery; niece, Karlie Hughes, of Nashville; nephew Jason (Elizabeth) Ray, of Atlanta; great nieces and nephews, Jackson Ray, Henry Ray, Mary Colette Ray, and Ellie Ray, all of Atlanta, and numerous cousins. Today, Brother is happy, healthy, and whole. We can only imagine the reunion he
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
NOV. 9
• A noise complaint was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Oak Heights Road.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Notasulga Road.
• A noise complaint was reported on Highway 229.
NOV. 8
• Assistance was given to another agency on Taylor Road.
NOV. 7
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal bite was reported on First Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on South Dubois Street.
is having right now! A memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Wetumpka, with Dr. John Brannon and Rev. Matt Albritton officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. at the church prior to services. In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to the Baddour Center, P. O. Box 97, Senatobia, Mississippi 38668 or your favorite charity.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• A suspicious subject was reported on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Paxton Drive.
• A white female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Rod. NOV. 6
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal cruelty was reported on Wallace Drive.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Third Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Third Avenue.
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOV. 13
• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on East Patton Street.
VETS Continued from A1
the church’s original chapel.
• A noise complaint was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Notasulga Road.
NOV. 10
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hudson Place.
HOLTVILLE NATIVE JOINED WWII EFFORT AT 17
Edwards was 17 when he joined the Navy. The student was not drafted, but felt a calling as he was walking.
“I was going down the street and there as a sign that said ‘I want you!’” Edwards recalled.
“I said ‘Here I am.’ I went in and joined.”
Edwards left Elmore County and went to San Diego for bootcamp and boarded the U.S.S. Sepulga Aug. 12, 1942. He would be on board the Sepulga for 25 months sailing all through the south Pacific. Aboard the U.S.S. Holder, Edwards sailed to Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Holtville native was married to his bride Betty for 69 years before she died.
Edwards returned to Holtville to finish high school.
“I was older than the football coach,” Edwards said. “He was like 21.”
The younger coach gave Edwards a little break, seeing he was a veteran.
“I was the oldest on the team,” Edwards said. “Coach asked one day if I was coming to practice. I said, ‘No, I’m going fishing.’ He said, ‘Don’t take nobody with you because we won’t have enough to play.’”
• A domestic dispute was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• A tree on a powerline was reported on West Patton Street.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on West Patton Street.
truck stop along the way to get something to eat.
“The lady waiting on us saw all of us get out,” Edwards said. “She made a comment that the bus had arrived early that night.”
The group of nine carried on and stopped again for gas but noticed a problem.
“We found out we had so much weight in the car that it had scraped the gas tank and punctured a hole in the tank,” Edwards said. “The guy at the service station took a stick and rag and hammered it up in the hole.”
The tank was filled and the sailors reported for duty.
After the Navy, Edwards was a civil service employee at Maxwell Air Force Base retiring as a master sergeant.
He said his mother lived to be 99 and credited his long life to one thing.
“The secret is the Lord,” Edwards said. “He has been good to me.”
WETUMPKA NATIVE WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY
James Dozier outran the mail after the Army sent him a letter he had to serve.
Dozier met his bride in the 9th grade.
“I remember asking her on a date but I don’t remember where,” Dozier said. “The rest is history.”
• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue.
• A child custody dispute was reported on Hickory Street.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
Dozier recalled pulling the cord on the big 240 mm artillery gun his unit was using firing projectiles weighing more than 500 pounds.
“We always joked that when they saw the 538th, they gave up,” Dozier said. “They gave up right after we crossed into Germany.”
It was near the end of the battle of the Battle of the Bulge Dozier received a letter from his brother informing him of the birth of his child.
“He said he stopped by the hospital to check on my wife and said they were both fine,” Dozier said. “That is all he said. I didn’t know if it was a son or daughter or when.”
Three and half months later, Dozier’s mail bag caught up to him. In it was the Red Cross letter informing of the birth of his first daughter Mary Roberts. It also included a photo of the infant.
The bag also had 103 letters from his wife Ovelle Eminger Dozier.
“When I got mail, it was in a tall mailbag. It was full,” Dozier said. “She wrote every night. I got three months at one time. The mail didn’t catch up with me.”
Edwards attended what is now Auburn University, but was soon recalled for the Korean War. He was to report in Georgia but didn’t go alone. Edwards’ wife Betty joined him as did seven others for the trip in their Nash automobile.
“There were four of us up front,” Edwards said. “My wife was to my left as I drove and two others were to my right. There were four more in the back seat and one in the trunk.”
Edwards said the group stopped at a
They were married for 77 years. Dozier knew the couple were pregnant when he deployed from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey as part of the 538th Field Artillery Battalion. Bad luck struck Dozier and about 3,000 other soldiers on the boat they were using to cross the Atlantic to Le Havre, France. They slowly crossed the ocean being left behind by the other 33 ships in the convoy arriving in England some two weeks late. Dozier and the other soldiers boarded an English ship for the short journey across the English Channel.
“We fought halfway across France,” Dozier said. “We went across the Rhine River into Germany.”
Dozier’s wife held down the front in Wetumpka, showing Mary Roberts a photograph of her father everyday. When Dozier came home, something magical happened.
“I was hanging out the window of the bus,” Dozier said. “I had my arms outstretched and she said ‘Daddy.’ She had never seen me in person before.” Back home Dozier started selling furniture. He eventually moved into banking and worked his way up to senior vice president of a bank in Millbrook. At the age of 69 the bank Dozier was working for sold. But he didn’t retire yet.
“I didn’t work at First Community but helped start it,” Dozier said. “I was on the board of directors for 11 years.”
MRACEK
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Prepare pets for holiday vacations
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
The upcoming holidays bring holiday shopping to our Tail’s End Thrift Store and all Christmas décor is half off during the month of November.
We want to remind our donors the thrift store receives donations from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday through Saturday.
Shopping is those same days until 3 pm and the thrift store will be open on Black Friday, but the shelter will not.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner
we hope pet owners with travel plans have already made arrangements for your pet’s care as most kennels, veterinarians and pet sitters are likely booking up for the hol -
iday. For those utilizing a pet sitter please make sure they not only care about your pet, but they are reliable and can reach you in the event of an emergency.
To help keep your pet safe at home with a pet sitter, leave printed instructions for your pet’s care and emergency contact info for you or someone else if you will be out of contact. Ensure your pet sitter knows how to contact your veterinarian and you have worked out any potential emergency veterinary payment issues with your pet sitter or your vet.
Giving some written instructions as to lifesaving extent and credit card limits to your veterinarian can also help immensely in the event
Pet of the Week - Daniel
time is critical and you cannot be reached. Having a rabies tag, custom ID Tag (we can make those at our shelter in a few minutes for $10) or microchip can get your pet reunited quickly and having a good photo of your pet(s) on your phone greatly helps if you need to post about a lost pet or show people proof a found pet is yours.
Make sure gates are locked as better for your pet sitter to have a bit of inconvenience going through the house or garage than not securely closing a gate. And do some pet proofing of your house and yard for those things that may get a bored pet into trouble.
Of course, make sure
Daniel is a big fellow at 80-85 pounds and may be a great Dane/ hound mix. He is only about 1 year old so will continue to fill out over the next couple of years. Daniel came to us a stray never reclaimed. He is what we call a “lot of dog” as he can be quite exuberant and jumps quite high. He is good with other dogs if they can handle him being a big galoot wanting to romp.
The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their
choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
you have plenty of pet f ood on hand and put extra, large water containers full of water inside and outside your house just in case. If your pet is on any medications, make sure to have enough on hand so they don’t run out in the middle of your vacation or beyond as you never know when a flight delay, car trouble or illness might change your getting home plans.
In the event your pet escapes while you are
gone, impress on your pet sitter the importance of reporting the missing pet immediately. If here in Elmore County call us at 334567-3377, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net and post pics of your lost pet to “Lost & Found PETS in Elmore County Alabama and any number of Lost & Found Pet Facebook pages for our tri-county area.
Make sure to post a phone number in your post as it is very frus -
trating to have a lost or found pet and get no response to your Facebook post. Many a lost pet has been brought to our shelter the same day it got out, yet the owner waited days or more to ever contact us.
There’s nothing we love doing more than reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Veterans Day will never be the same
Ia $25 charge for picture per paper (Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral
in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals.
Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth
Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.
’ve always been a big fan of Veterans Day. Military service members are not honored enough, and it’s truly amazing what they do day in and day out — and what they volunteer to do, in many cases. I also think it’s a time of reflection. I have many military veterans in my family who are no longer with us, so it’s nice to have a day to really think about and remember them.
But this year, Veterans Day has an extra sting after the death of my brother-in-law, Dylan Gentry who was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and died earlier this year.
I have to wonder if Veterans Day will ever be the same.
I found myself at Jim Pearson Elementary School this morning for the school’s annual Veterans Day programs. The school had invited not just parents who were veterans but also veterans from around the community, and it was a packed house.
I sat close by some older veterans and members of the Alexander City Color Guard for some of the program, and to hear their voices and see their faces brought me joy. The young students sang their hearts out and really seemed to understand what it meant to honor these people who have given so
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
much for our freedoms.
We are lucky in Alexander City to have leaders who have given their time to military service. Both Mayor Woody Baird and Alexander City Schools superintendent Dr. Beverly Price are veterans of the U.S. Army. I am proud to know they are leaders in my community, and they should be thanked for their service every day.
The program was just darling.
However, when it got to a video production with a slideshow of veterans’ pictures, I just lost it. It tears me up to know my brother Dylan will never get to experience any of these types of programs, and he’ll never be thanked for his service again.
Dylan was in the military for two years and seven months before his death. Some people have service terms spanning over decades and some people get in and out after their two years. Some fight on the front lines and others write speeches for generals. Others, like Dylan,
just got combat ready day in and day out. He and his soldiers were ready for anything. It’s hard for me not to get emotional when I think about Veterans Day now. While Dylan did not die in combat or even on the job, he still ended up giving all his adulthood to the Army. He, like so, so many others, deserve to be honored and appreciated every day, and it will always make me a little sad to think about him and how he’ll never get to experience such wonderful programs dedicated to military service.
On this Veterans Day, I suggest you hug your veteran or your soldier just a little longer. Give them just a little more love and appreciation. Maybe even do something nice for a stranger who deserves a thank you. You never know when it’s going to be their last Veterans Day or last celebration.
To all our veterans and all the people, I’ve gotten to talk with this week about their time in the military, I truly, truly thank you for your service. I, somehow, have even more of an appreciation for what you’ve done than I ever did before.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
The eleventh hour
Our annual Veterans Day assemblies were held throughout our local schools last week.
This program is always one of the highlights of the school year. Grown men and women, as well as even the most jaded and cynical teen-agers, are always moved to tears by the presentations.
The first Veterans Day was celebrated at the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the armistice that ended World War I. In fact, for many years, this holiday was known as Armistice Day.
Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, was a World War II veteran who pushed hard for this celebration to become a federal holiday. He led the Armistice Day celebrations in his hometown from 1947 until his death in 1985. He petitioned President Dwight
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
Eisenhower to name this observance as a national holiday, which it became in 1954 and has been ever since.
The middle school has hosted this assembly for a number of years, with each year increasing in sophistication as far as the number of students involved in numerous activities. We have always had assembly programs for veterans in our community, but the one at the middle school has become the biggest. The school goes out of its way to find veterans and first responders at nursing homes, community centers, armories, military bases, hospitals, and other places throughout the community. Reporters and photogra -
phers from radio, television, and newspapers are present. There is a white table ceremony; a slideshow; dance routine; special music; flag and wreath presentation; guest speakers; and more.
Our students have a major part to play, as well. They serve as the masters of ceremonies, flag bearers, “Taps” performers, dancers, and various other roles. The fifth-grade classes combine as a 100-member children’s chorus, as they perform patriotic music they have spent weeks rehearsing. There is nothing quite like listening to the innocent voices of children singing these songs.
Happy Veterans Day to one and all. If you see a veteran, thank them for their service to our great country. It is because of them that we have the freedom to read this newspaper today and attend school assemblies like the fine ones we hold in this community.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
Rain doesn’t stop Wildlife Arts Festival
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
If anything, the rain and weather made the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival more realistic.
After all, most said the wildlife seem to appear more when humans don’t desire to go out as much.
“I think the rain is adding a little splash to the wildlife to come out,” Elmore County commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson said at opening ceremonies for the festival Saturday.
“We are looking forward to it.”
The rain soon left and thousands came to see dog demonstrations, Dockdogs, visit with vendors, cooking demonstrations and of course to see the art.
“I’m pleased with how many people are here,” The Kelly executive director Jennifer Eifert said. “The gallery is full. We have music and all sorts of things going on.”
The Kelly partnered with the Alabama Wildlife Federation and LIV Development to sponsor an art contest for the festival. Jared Knox’s painting “Bobcat with Bobwhite” was judged the winner by Tony Veronese. Knox received a $10,000 prize and the painting will now be a part of the AWF collection.
Ashley Cousins is a board member of The Kelly and AWF helping create the partnership that started the festival last year.
“I’m the connection between the two organizations,” Cousins said.
“AWF has been a great supporter of this event. They have done lots for us.”
Cousins said AWF has a tremendous collection of art depicting wildlife.
“They let us borrow a lot of the art for The Kelly last year before we had the competition,” Cousins said.
“People really enjoyed it and the fes-
tival was fun.” The success of last year’s art show was the spark for this year’s juried art show.
Many local and regional artists brought their best wildlife pieces out for the festival and for purchase.
Wildrose Kennels returned again with retrieval demonstrations of their trained dogs. DockDogs was there too with a two-day competition featuring novice up to elite. Some of the dogs and owners traveled more than six hours to get to Wetumpka for the event.
Organizers said they hope to pull the festival together again for next year. It is something Elmore County commissioner Henry Hines is looking forward to.
“This is a great event,” he said. “It is a great thing for our quality of life. It is something else our residents and visitors can take advantage of right here in our backyard.”
bama Wildlife Federation.
LEFT: Guests of the second annual
Community Christmas begins for the holiday season
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
A modern twist on the Angel Tree comes to Tallapoosa and Elmore counties.
LIFT Ministries is starting up its Community Christmas. Founder Hannah Johnson explained Community Christmas was inspired by the Angel Tree the Salvation Army and some churches do for the Christmas season.
The Angel Tree is a Christmas tree decorated with paper angels. On the angels is a wish list from children whose families need a bit of Christmas support. This allows for an anonymous approach to holiday gift giving. Under this same concept, Community Christmas was born.
LIFT Ministries has been doing Community Christmas for the past six years and during that time they have given to 650 kids.
“With modern day social media, it gives me the opportunity to reach so many more people,” Johnson said. “Community Christmas is a ministry that aids women, families, grandmothers, aunts and several others raising children with purchasing their whole Christmas.”
Christmas was inspired by the Angel Tree that the Salvation Army and some churches do for the Christmas season. Applications to have an angel with Community Christmas are through Nov. 15.
The process of Community Christmas starts with families filling out an application to have an angel on the virtual tree. Johnson said for example a mom might have three children and each of the kids will write out their own wish list.
Johnson then posts on LIFT Ministries’ Facebook page the kid’s wish list with their gender and age, but that’s all — in order to keep the process anonymous. From there, people are able to adopt an angel by commenting on the post. Johnson said the adoptees are required to get
the child an outfit, shoes, underwear, socks and three items off their wish list. The kids probably won’t get everything on their list, but they will definitely have plenty for Christmas. Overall, the aim of Community Christmas is to take the burden off the parents who may be down on their luck and allow for the kids just to be kids on Christmas Day. For families with multiple kids, Johnson said she ensures all the kids get the same number of gifts and works with other ministries to help supplement where needed.
“We have never turned anyone away and we have never not supplied a need for the kids,” she said. The deadline for applications to have an angel on the tree is Nov. 15 and individuals can still come by on that day to fill out an application. The applications are at both Crossroads Learning Center locations in Reeltown and Holtville.
Those who adopt an angel will need to have all their items turned in by Dec. 2 in black trash bags, so the gifts come unwrapped, but still hidden.
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
TOP: The rain didn’t stop the second annual Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival hosted by The Kelly. The event featured vendors and artists from across the Southeast and was highlighted by the juried art show at The Kelly. Activities included cooking demonstrations, DockDogs and bird dog demonstrations.
ABOVE RIGHT: Jared Knox’s painting of a ‘Bobcat and Bobwhite’ won the $10,000 first prize in the juried art show at the second annual Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival hosted by The Kelly. The piece now enters the permanent collection of the Ala-
ABOVE
Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival hosted by The Kelly took refuge in the art gallery.
By midday the rain stopped and crowds came out for the festival.
FILE THE HERALD
Community
Author visits Wetumpka with new book
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Susan Zurenda loves small bookstores. For the South Carolina author, there is just something homey and inviting about the spaces independent bookstores create. It allows Zurenda to connect with readers on a different level.
She stopped by Wetumpka’s Sweet Home Books Friday just weeks after releasing her second novel “The Girl from the Red Rose Motel” in September.
“I love it,” Zurenda said in between greeting customers. “My favorite part of all of this is meeting people. I get to go to independent bookstores
and libraries. There are some neat people who like to read who frequent these places.”
The Wetumpka stop was one of several for the week. Zurenda was in public libraries in Anniston and Talladega. She was in Tuscaloosa on Thursday night before the Friday stop in Wetumpka. She stopped in Auburn on the way to Interstate 85 and back home to Greenville, South Carolina.
“I’m not crazy about all the driving,” Zurenda said. “The people and everyone’s love of reading makes it worth it.”
With school out observing Veterans Day, Holtville High School senior Regan Devaughn dropped by and struck up a conversation with Zurenda. The author told the student she could relate to her latest novel.
“It’s about an impoverished high school junior named Hazel Smalls who would never meet an affluent senior named Sterling Sterling Lovell until they cross the line with their English teacher and they are punished,” Zurenda said. “He is put in school
suspension and there is an unlikely connection between the kids.”
The book is set in a fictitious town in South Carolina in 2012.
“It interlaces the stories of Hazel who is with her family living in a hotel and Sterling who is with wealthy parents,” Zurenda said. “It is kind of two forbidden love stories. It is about how people who are different in almost every way you can imagine come together.”
Zurenda was careful not to reveal too much about the book. But she related with the Holtville senior beyond authoring a book about high school students. Zurenda was an English teacher for 33 years before retiring to write full time. She had always liked to write and majored in English in college. She took a job as a reporter when she first started out.
“My shift lasted until 11 p.m. and my husband had a day job,” Zurenda said. “It didn’t work. I started teaching and realized it was my calling.”
There was another calling for Zurenda as she
to veterans and their families. While honoring local veterans at a breakfast at the Martin Luther King Center in Wetumpka the Elmore County NAACP Branch 5026 offered help.
“We are here to help with benefits,” Elmore County NAACP president Bobby Mays said. “We have someone to help.”
Mays invited Wetumpka native and retired U.S. Army 1st Seg.
James Lovejoy to speak with veterans at the breakfast. Lovejoy is the chair of veterans affairs for the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. He acknowledged his Wetumpka roots.
“I’m kin to Ronnie Lovejoy,” he said. “They skipped a generation so I’m not a singer.”
As much as Lovejoy likes music, he said he was in Wetumpka on a very important mission — to share there is help for veterans and their families to connect with appropriate agencies and benefits.
“What we try to do as a committee is to get you to the right resources,” Lovejoy said. “Don’t get frustrated with the VA.”
Lovejoy said veterans share many of the same experiences and
teams,” Smith said. “A few people have called about doing a different team.”
Smith said anyone
taught.
“All of the years of analyzing literature and teaching literature wetted my appetite to write,” she said. “I wrote a good bit of short fiction while I was teaching.”
Zurenda waited until she retired from teaching to write her first novel “Bells for Eli.”
“I never felt like I could be a good teacher and raise a family and try to write a book,” Zurenda said. “I
can share how they were able to connect to get help or overcome an issue.
“We understand the challenges and triumphs that come with a life dedicated to service,” Lovejoy said. “As veterans, we know our strength not only lies in our individual experiences but also in the bonds we form as a community. It is the shared understanding, the unwavering support and camaraderie that make our journey unique.”
Lovejoy said many veterans endure many of the same challenges as they return to civilian life after military service. There are things such as PTSD that come up quickly after a soldier’s return to civilian life. Other times it takes years and sometimes decades before the service related issue arises.
“A lot of folks are not educated on what to do and how to do it,” Lovejoy said. “When we put in our claims for those ailments or those traumatic experiences we go through, a lot of our veterans are not educated on that.”
Lovejoy said spouses of veterans need to be included in conversations about benefits and programs as they often can help them as well. It is for good reason as spouses of veterans fight a dif -
is welcomed to create a scarecrow but they must register. It is a $25 fee going to the Elmore County Food Pantry. Those wishing to join in the fun building a scarecrow can register online at ivycreekhealth.com or
waited until I retired to write longer.”
Zurenda’s first novel was an award winner. It was selected as a Gold Medal winner in the 2021 IPPY Awards for Best First Book — Fiction, 2020 Foreword Indie Best Book Awards, Winter 2020 Okra Pick by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, American Book Fest's Best Books of 2020 and Shelf Unbound 2020 Notable Indie.
ferent battle while they serve in the military.
“I want to thank them for their service, Lovejoy said. “The spouses, who stand by our side, the support is immeasurable. Their strength, resilience and sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Behind every service member there is a steadfast partner. We acknowledge the crucial role they play in our military family.”
Lovejoy said many aging veterans are subject to scams. He believes everyone needs to be vigilant to protect the country’s most precious assets.
“They target veterans because they know they have a steady income,” Lovejoy said. “A lot of veterans seek comfort when they get older. It is a crime when someone takes advantage of the elderly.”
Lovejoy said everyday should be veterans day. He believes the training and service veterans experienced in military service are useful in making a successful return to life.
“Let’s reflect on our shared experiences and celebrate the victories and support one another through challenges,” Lovejoy said. “Our unity is a testament to the enduring spirit that defines us.”
by calling 334-475-1642.
Scarecrows will be set up Nov. 15 and 16 and opening night will be Nov. 17
“It will be Ivy Creek Family night,” Smith said. “It is open to the community as well. That night we will have vendors and food trucks. The Wetumpka High School band is going to play. There will be a lot going on that night.”
The event is free but everyone is encouraged to bring at least one non-perishable food item to benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry.
Smith said the scarecrow convention will have signs and lights for the week.
“We will have someone go through and judge them,” she said.
Elmore County Food Pantry board president Larry Dozier said the food pantry helps fill the needs of those who are food insecure in Elmore County.
“There are more than 11,000 people in Elmore County that have insufficient food supply,” Dozier said. “We serve about
600 families on the rolls here.”
Dozier said, on average, about 400 of those families pick up a food box from the pantry monthly.
According to Dozier, the food pantry got its start in Wetumpka about 14 years ago.
“It was a project of a local church,” Dozier said. “It grew so fast the Leadership Elmore County group that year took it on as a project, Dozier said there is a qualification process to receive items from the food pantry with applications accepted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and distribution the first three weeks of each month on Thursday and Saturdays.
“On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays is when they do most of the qualifying, paperwork and handling emergencies,” Dozier said. “It is a situation where people might lose their jobs, sickness, family problems, if they get into a situation where they need help, we will help them temporarily.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
South Carolina author Susan Zurenda, right, speaks with Holtville High School senior Regan Devaughn as Zurenda was at Sweet Home Books in downtown Wetumpka promoting her newest novel “The Girl from the Red Rose Motel” that was released in September.
Who Was President John F. Kennedy?
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of The United States. He was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a part of a large family; he had three brothers and five sisters. He was a Boy Scout and made very good grades in school. His father was a politician and very involved in politics. During World War II, John served in the Navy. During his time in the Navy, a torpedo patrol boat that he was in charge of was hit and sank. John survived and was considered a hero. After the war, he was elected as a U.S. Congressman in 1947 and served for six years. On September 12, 1953, he married Jacqueline Bouvier in a lavish wedding. John ran for U.S. Senate in 1953 and won. In 1957, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles In Courage. He wrote the book from 1954-1955 while recovering from back surgery. In 1960, he ran for U.S. President against Richard Nixon. It was one of the closest Presidential races ever, but he won. He was the youngest person ever elected as President. He took his oath of office at the age of 43 on January 20, 1961. His presidency was marked with many memorable events such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He is also known for being the President during the Space Race between the United States and Russia, in which each wanted to be the first in space and the first to have a man on the Moon. He challenged the Country to have a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Sadly, what he is most-known for is being the fourth U.S. President to be assassinated. On November 22, 1963, while riding in an open-motorcade parade in Dallas, Texas, the President was shot and killed by a man named Lee Harvey Oswald. His legacy remains as one of the most interesting Presidents in United States history
Kennedy Word Find
Bay Of Pigs, Boy Scout, Congressman, Cuba, Hero, Jacqueline, John, Kennedy, Missle Crisis, Moon, Navy, Nixon, Oswald, Politics, President, Pulitzer Prize, Senator, Space Race, United States
Why Be Thankful?
have actually enjoyed a few days of actual fall weather lately. Grey skies, misty rain, and cooler temperatures on one hand make for dreary days, but they are a welcome change from hot and dry!
Next week is Thanksgiving. It is always the fourth Thursday in the month, regardless of the actual numerical day it falls on. Everyone knows that the end of November is the designated time for giving thanks. Most of us have learned that Thanksgiving is an important holiday, but it is much more than that. It is also more than a season for giving thanks. Again, most of us know deep down that every
day is a day meant for giving thanks. So why do we continue to think of November as the season for giving thanks? Has it become like Daylight Savings Time, with more and more people wondering why we continue to observe a human creation that has outlived its original purpose? The origin of Thanksgiving is mired in mixed messages, after all. Let’s break bread with the savages we want to run off the land,
but I digress. In ministry, I strive to allow the word of God to inform human traditions and practices. Regardless of their origin, I find it helpful, when possible, to allow God to define our reasons for being. In other words, I am always willing to see what God does with the things we create. November as the month for giving thanks is a perfect example. The month begins with All Saints Day. Yes, this originated as a religious celebration of the saints that have gone before us. It is easy to allow God to define the parameters and motivations for remembering the saints as the month of November begins.
As the month progresses, we happen upon the first Tuesday of
Church Briefs
every November, which is better known as Election Day. While there might not be elections in every corner of the U.S. every first Tuesday in November, Election Day is certainly a reason to give thanks. The freedoms we enjoy as U.S. citizens are defined in terms God would sanction. All citizens have the right to vote, even though our human structures continue to attempt to change those terms.
Every year on Nov. 11, we celebrate Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a day for remembering faithful service to something bigger than self. It is not a day to celebrate military might or victory. It honors and gives thanks for faithful service. Again, this fits with God’s definition of service.
By the fourth Thursday, we are ready to gather with friends and family, stuff our faces, and fall asleep on the couch watching football. While this tradition is enjoyed and anticipated by many, it is hardly the reason for giving thanks. Thanksgiving is meant to be a time for counting blessings. God defines the practice well. Being thankful involves more than showing gratitude. It includes stepping beyond the limitations of the human perspective and into the abundance of divine provision. In the earthly kingdom according to God’s design and creation, there are no such things as “haves” and “have-nots”. All are blessed by God in one way or another, and that is why we should all be thankful and share God’s blessings, each and every day that comes to us.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
BETHLEHEM EAST
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting.
Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-
kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the
church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in
Worship With Us
person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC
Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Holtville’s Franklin announces retirement
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
After 22 years of coaching, Jason Franklin is set to retire.
Franklin, who has been Holtville’s head football coach and athletic director since 2017, told his team of his plans to retire on Friday night following the team’s first round playoff loss to Headland.
Franklin has coached at Holtville for seven years.
Before moving to Holtville, he was the head coach at Horseshoe Bend for nine seasons and an assistant for three seasons. To begin his coaching career prior to Horseshoe Bend, he was an assistant at Goshen for three seasons.
He will continue to coach the Holtville girls basketball team this season and will
How I won the high school pick-em
Iwas told a few weeks ago by a local coach I didn’t know what I was doing and I had never watched football a day in my life. I won’t name names, as that accomplishes nothing, but I will write a column bragging about how well I did in our high school pick-em this year.
We brought back the season-long pick-em this year and it included mostly just TPI staff along with a few freelance writers and local sports personalities/fans from around the county.
We did it for 11 weeks, and we stopped this week due to only two teams — Ben Russell and Reeltown — still playing in the playoffs.
So through 12 weeks, here is how I did. I finished in first place, four games better than the next closest person. I finished nearly 30 games better than the worst person who played.
There were 123 games included in 12 weeks.
I went 99-24. I’m really mad at myself for not getting 100, and I could’ve gotten there easily if I wouldn’t have made some very obvious mistakes (I’ll get there Reeltown) that should have been picked differently.
I’m going to go through each of the Elmore County schools with my record of each team, from best to worst. I tied for the first three, so I will go in alphabetical order.
HOLTVILLE
I am pretty proud of how I selected Holtville this year. I went 10-1 on the season. Usually, you miss a game or two early, but I was the complete opposite for the Bulldogs.
County runners compete in state championship
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Cross country teams from the area wrapped up their seasons Saturday in the AHSAA State Championship race held in Moulton, Alabama. Holtville, Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Elmore County all sent runners to the state championship meet, and each team had runners place in the Top 100 of their respective classes.
Elmore County only sent two individual runners while Holtville, Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore sent their entire teams. For Stanhope Elmore, nearly the entire team set new personal records for their season. Emily Peterson, the top runner,
finished with a time of 23:21.27. She finished 130th overall in Class 6A, and was the fastest girl from the county. Right behind her for Stanhope was Isabella Brown at 147th, while Gabriella Brown, Juliana Peralta and Jessie Patton finished 160th, 161st, and 162nd.
The Stanhope Elmore boys, led by the Jones twins, had a good day as three runners finished in the top 100. Tristen Jones finished 50th with a personal record of 17:18.53, while Dominic finished 63rd in 17:28.77, also a PR.
The other top 100 finisher was Logan Barnes at 98th, clocking in at 18:16.25. Stanhope’s boys
continue in his role as athletic director until the end of the school year.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching all these years and I think when you get to make the decision, it’s better than someone else making it,” Franklin said.
“You look at the nature of the industry and there’s three things that happen to a coach.
WETUMPKA WRESTLING
PRIMED FOR ANOTHER RUN
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
After a top-10 finish in both the duals and traditional tournament last season, the Wetumpka wrestling team is ready to make another run at a championship.
The Indians lost a plethora of good wrestlers, but are returning some of its top individuals from a year ago.
When Wetumpka hits the mats for the first time this season, three individual state champions will wrestle for the Indians.
Willie Cox, the Wetumpka heavyweight, returns after his championship alongside Christian Preston in the 215-pound class.
On the girls side of things, Juliana Eldridge returns at 106. As well as being champions last year, they enter the 2023 season ranked No. 1 in their respective weight by coaches all across the state.
“I’m really excited,” Wetumpka coach Josh Highland said. “On the guys’ side, we’re really young around our two state champions but they have a lot of experience wrestling in the offseason. They’ve been chomping at the bitand now they’re in the lineup and ready to go. I think they’re going to surprise a lot of people for the next few years.”
While Cox and Preston are the two state champions, the return of Noah Smith in the lower weight classes is a huge get for the Indians. Smith is one
of the top wrestlers in the state, and he missed last season’s postseason due to an injury and missing weight.
The senior went 31-7 despite that, and he is a two-time state qualifier and has placed at the state tournament once.
“Just the excitement that Noah brings when he steps on the mat is a game changer,” Highland said. “He has really grown into the leadership role and last year really changed his mind. He knows he can’t take it for granted and he’s been working hard. I really expect to see him at the top of the podium.”
Both Cox and Preston are the preseason favorites to win the state championship again, and they’ll be a key force in both the traditional and duals tournament.
Preston last year went 36-4 while Cox was 43-2 and has since quit football to focus solely on wrestling. He is a Montevallo commit.
Just the presence of the two is daunting for opposing teams, especially in duals tournaments, and that showed as the Indians finished 4th in 6A after a 14-3 season. Two of Wetumpka’s three losses came in the semifinals and third-place match.
“Those two guys are our anchors,” Highland said. “If you’re starting a dual at the 106-class and it’s back-and-forth, you know you are in good shape with both of those guys at the top of our order. And now you
can add Zach Crosthwait at 190 and he’s working with both of those guys every day.”
Crosthwait missed the state tournament last year due to getting a concussion last year in the sectional tournament, and now he’s gone up a few weight classes. In the 154-pound weight class last year, he finished with a 31-11 overall record as a sophomore. Those are most of the upperclassmen on the roster, while the rest is filled with ninth graders and below.
Three eighth graders will toe the top of the lineup in Barrett Adams (106), Eli Walsh (113) and Kaleb Bonasera (120). Two ninth graders also join them in TJ Watson (126) and Tanner Adams (150).
On the girls side of things, Wetumpka returns the No. 1-ranked girls wrestler in the entire state of Alabama in Eldridge. Only a freshman, Eldridge already claimed a perfect season a year ago as she went 25-0 and won the 107pound championship.
Even more impressive is the fact that not a single one of her 25 opponents secured even a takedown against her all season.
“She’s even better this year going into the season,” Highland said. “She works with the guys every day in practice and that has helped her. That pushes her mind a little further for when she gets into her own tournaments.”
Holtville’s Brenen Miscisin finished 38th overall in the AHSAA Class 5A state championship this weekend. He earned the top placement of any county runner.
RETIREMENT
Continued from B1
You either get fired, you move to a different school or you can retire. This right here, I get to go out on my own terms and not somebody else’s.”
After 12 seasons at Horseshoe Bend, Franklin made the “life-changing decision” to make the move to Holtville. He took over a football program that had won four games in four seasons prior to him coming and took the Bulldogs to six playoff appearances in the last six seasons.
He took over a girls basketball team that was on the verge of ending its program and helped lead them to a school-record 27 wins last season and the first playoff appearance in school history.
The baseball team won a state championship for the first time in 40 years last season, and the softball team is competing at the state level year in and year out.
“I don’t think it’s anything I’ve done,” Franklin said. “It’s having good people around you that makes things go the right way. “I just want to thank (superintendent Richard) Dennis and (former Holtville principal) Kyle) Futral for taking a chance on a small-school coach seven years ago and allowing me to come in here and hopefully make a positive impact on our school and our programs. I also want to thank (current Holtville principal Sean) Kreuter, to be able to work with him and continue to allow us to do what we’ve been doing to be successful.”
Franklin ends his coaching career with 71 wins between the two schools in his 16 years. He recorded 34 wins at Horseshoe Bend, and has since won 37 games in his seven seasons at Holtville with four winning seasons.
He doesn’t put too much stock in the wins and losses that have come during his coaching career. He cares more about the kids, and he started coaching with the dream of making a difference in the lives of his players.
“I hope my mark is that we did things the right way and we put a good product on the field,” Franklin said. “I wanted to be a coach that made a difference. I wanted to make sure the ones who maybe came from broken homes saw how a dad should act, or saw how a male role model should be. I tried to do things the right way and while there wasn’t always a benefit right away, doing those things paid off for me. I was able to move here and this job was life changing for me and my family.”
As much as his life was changed with the Holtville job, the state of Holtville athletics also changed for the better. One thing Franklin is proud of is no matter where he was, he’s been able to get kids to come out and play sports.
So much so, the Holtville football team this year had too many kids to dress for the first time in recent history. Franklin had nearly a complete separate varsity from junior varsity team, with only a handful of kids that dressed out for JV dressing out for varsity.
With that, he has developed more kids and that has led to more success at both stops.
“Being able to get kids out is one thing that has been beneficial to me in my career in regards to turning programs around,” Franklin said. “You have to have numbers and you develop those kids and I’m proud of that. And here, we have more coaches and more resources. Our administration has allowed us to do things that you can’t do in other places. It’s our administration that is allowing us to get good coaches to come in and run the programs at high levels.”
There were still times when Holtville was just “out-athleted” by other teams, but all of the Holtville programs are in a better spot than they were when he got to them, and he achieved that by him and his coaches doing the little things right and being there for the kids.
By doing that, and also having the right group of people come in at the right time and investing, helps make every program better.
“It’s more than just wins or losses and it’s more than just a ball,” Franklin said. “That ball is going to go flat one day or the cover is going to come off one day and it’s going to be over. What do you have after that fact? I think we’ve done a good job of being positive role models here and everywhere we’ve been.”
He and his family have no intentions of leaving the Holtville community.
His wife, Allison, will continue teaching at the school while Franklin looks to possibly start a secondary career once this school year ends.
In the meantime, he will continue to coach the girls basketball team and be the athletic director, then he has plans to enjoy the summer with no responsibilities for the first time in a long time.
“This is just a really good place,” Franklin said. “We don’t plan on moving and we’re still going to be in the community. Those things won’t change. There will just be a different person in charge.”
12 county athletes sign NLIs
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Twelve of the best athletes from across the county are headed to the next level. Wednesday served as the earliest National Signing Day for the Class of 2024, and four of the county’s schools took full advantage of the early signing period.
Athletes from Holtville, Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Edgewood Academy all signed national letters of intent for various sports at different levels of collegiate athletics, ranging from junior colleges all the way to the SEC.
All 12 have had more than stellar high school athletic careers, and nine of them have even brought state championships to their schools and the county.
Five of those state champions reigned from the same school. The Wetumpka softball team held its signing day, and five members of the 2023 state championship softball team are now headed to the college level.
Back-to-back Elmore County Player of the Year and 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year Mya Holt signed her NLI with Troy University, while Ella Watson and Riley Dismukes signed with the University of West Alabama. Maribeth Parette signed with Gadsden State Community College and Cassidy Bowers signed with Pensacola State Community College.
All five players started and played very significant roles in Wetumpka’s 54-6
season and its second state championship in school history.
Holt and Watson were the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 pitchers, while all five were everyday starters at their various positions.
In the team’s 60 games last year, the five players combined for 241 hits, 37 home runs and 219 runs batted in. In the circle, Holt and Watson combined for 52 of the team’s 54 wins and struck out 329 batters while both players had an earned run average under 1.5.
“It feels really good,” Parette said of having five seniors sign. “I love that all of us can sign at the same time, kind of like as a team again. We’re all seniors and we’ve all been playing together since the seventh grade. It feels really good to sign together with everyone.”
A sixth player from the state championship team also signed, but at a different school.
Ashley Burgess, who transferred to Edgewood Academy this year, signed alongside three other Edgewood Academy student athletes.
Burgess signed with Gadsden State softball, while Lindsey Brown and Madison Martin both signed volleyball scholarships. Brown is headed to the SEC and has signed to play volleyball at the University of Alabama, while Martin is staying home and signed with Faulkner University.
The fourth signee for Edgewood was Cayton Gar-
mon, who signed a scholarship to be the softball manager at Chattahoochee Valley Community College. He served as the football team’s manager this past season.
Martin and Brown have won a large number of championships while at Edgewood Academy. Brown has nine total as she has been a part of six volleyball state championships, two basketball championships and one softball championship.
Martin has only been at Edgewood for three years, but she has won a volleyball championship and basketball championship each season she has been at the school.
“I think it’s huge that girls are more into sports now and there are more signing, especially here,” Brown said of Edgewood sending three girls to play college sports. “I feel like in the future, girls are taking over and it’s a great experience.”
Over in Slapout, Holtville baseball player Drey Barrett and softball player Taylor Price each signed their NILs with college programs.
Barrett is headed to Mississippi to play baseball for Southern Miss, while Price is headed to Lurleen B. Wallace Community College on a softball scholarship. They both had very impressive junior seasons last spring.
Price was just as good as she served as the team’s primary pitcher in the circle.
Holtville nearly made it to the state tournament, and her skills were a big reason why. She finished the season with an 18-3 overall record and a 2.37 ERA in 135 innings. She added 107 strikeouts along with three saves in relief. She also hit well, as she finished the year with a .328 average and 10 extra base hits.
Last, but certainly not least, Stanhope Elmore’s Jada McLeod signed her NLI to go play college softball at the Division I level. McLeod, who served as the Mustangs’ top player a year ago as she patrolled the left side of the infield, is headed to Eastern Kentucky University.
She is signing as a middle infielder and will take a big bat to the Bluegrass State. In the process of helping Stanhope Elmore back to the regional tournament for the first time in five seasons, McLeod hit .426 with 52 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 RBIs, 40 runs, 13 walks and only 11 strikeouts.
Barrett, while helping Holtville to its first state championship in 40 years, was the Bulldogs’ second baseman and one of the top pitchers on the roster. The Holtville star hit .366 on the year with 15 doubles, two triples and five home runs. On the mound, he went 6-3 with a 2.64 ERA. In the playoffs, he went 5-0 and pitched five complete games, capped off by a complete game win in the state championship.
picked 10-straight correct to end the year.
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY
I picked every single regular season game correctly and missed last week’s playoff game. I picked Holtville to beat Headland, and Headland won the game. Looking back on it, I’d do the same thing again. I think Holtville was the better team. Just can’t win when you fumble the ball twice in opposing territory.
ELMORE COUNTY
Just like Holtville, I picked Elmore County’s season almost exactly right with a 10-1 record. My only loss came in the best finish of any game I’ve seen this year. I picked Elmore County to beat Valley, and Valley spoiled more than just Elmore County’s hosting chances that night.
The Rams threw a game-winning Hail Mary with less than 15 seconds left on the clock and ruined my perfect record with Elmore County. I’m not mad about it. It was a heckuva game and a wild finish. I can’t complain about that.
WETUMPKA
Wetumpka was the third team that I went 10-1 with. I had a pretty good feel for the Indians once I saw them play. The game I picked incorrectly, however, was before that. I picked Wetumpka to beat Benjamin Russell in Week 1.
Maybe I was just being an Elmore County homer against my TPI co-workers in Alex City, but I really did believe Wetumpka would win that game. The Indians did not, however, and I knew after that game what was up with Wetumpka as I
RUNNERS Continued from B1
SCHOOL Continued from B1 finished 16th overall while the girls finished 22nd. The Mustangs’ rival, Wetumpka, also participated in the races. The Wetumpka girls finished in 23rd as a team while the boys finished 18th. The only top 100 finisher for either team for Wetumpka was Eli Holden. Holden
We picked only 10 of Edgewood’s 11 games as the Wildcats started a week earlier than everyone else. But I think that was helpful because I probably would’ve picked Edgewood and it would’ve been wrong. Instead, I went 9-1 on the year.
Honestly, Edgewood’s schedule was probably the easiest to pick for me. There weren’t many toss up games. There were either some really tough games where Edgewood was playing defending state champions, or the Wildcats were bullying some bad teams.
STANHOPE ELMORE
Strangely enough, I went 8-2 with Stanhope and the two losses came separated almost as far as they could. I picked Stanhope to beat Eufaula in Week 2 after the Mustangs bullied Shades Valley in the opener, but I think that said more about Shades Valley than Stanhope. Sorry Mustangs. The only other loss I had when picking Stanhope was the finale against Minor. I would pick Stanhope 10/10 times if they played again. That was a weird game, but Stanhope looked like the better team every single play. I watched the entire game and still don’t know how the Mustangs lost that one.
TALLASSEE
Looking through my record with Tallassee, I started laughing at the two I missed because it was obviously dumb. I went 8-2 with Tallassee as well. I picked Tallassee to beat Reeltown in the opener.
I’ll give you guys a second to laugh
set a new season-best with a time of 17:21.76 and placed 54th. Zachary Pierce claimed 112th, finishing in 18:34.29, and Bennett Williams was 129th inf 18:53.14. On the girls side, Nyema Walker was the top finisher for the Indians with a placement of 23:42 and a 143rd place finish. Not even 13 seconds behind her was Alora Logan (149th) at 23:55.70.
at me. Go ahead. I deserve it. I’m now going to defend the pick by saying it was Week 1. I was honestly convinced in the preseason that Tallassee was going to be better than its 1-9 record at the end of the season. I also thought, “Oh yeah. 5A over 2A.” I was more than wrong. The only other pick I got wrong was actually Tallassee’s only win of the season, When the Tigers went to play Marbury, I actually picked Marbury. I don’t know what I was thinking. Marbury was the worst team I’ve seen all year. Now for my worst record.
REELTOWN
I really didn’t do that bad with Reeltown, but it is my worst. I went 7-3 picking the Rebels. I picked Tallassee to beat Reeltown (read above) and was wrong by a lot. I also picked Highland Home to beat Reeltown. I didn’t think Reeltown had enough manpower to deal with the D1 athletes that Highland Home had, and I was proved wrong in a hurry. Now for my worst pick of the season of any team.
I picked Cleburne County over Reeltown? I don’t even know. I honestly thought I selected Reeltown, but I double checked the picks I sent to Henry Zimmer and I 100% picked Cleburne.
Reeltown won that game by 65 points, by the way. Big oof. I think I have learned my lesson though. Reeltown fans, I will not pick against you guys again. You’re my pick to win it all. Go do the dang thing.
Dalton Middleton is the sports editor for The Herald.
Holtville’s two teams had the best overall finish of any county teams. The girls team finished 12th overall while the boys finished 15th. Brenen Miscisin was the top finisher with a time of 17:33.26, which landed him in 38th place overall in the standings. On the girls team, three Bulldogs finished in the Top 100. Alexis Troglen finished
first on the team, much like she normally does, with a time of 23:44.77 and 87th overall. Abella Adams finished 93rd in 24:00 followed closely by Adalynn Guthery, who was 95th in 24:03. For Elmore County, Frankie Mann finished 54th in 5A and clocked in at 17:53.44. The Panthers other qualifier, Lucas Drost, finished 88th in 18:50.93
County basketball teams earn opening weekend wins
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Although playoff football is still on many teams’ minds, the Stanhope Elmore basketball teams as well as the Edgewood Academy girls opening their basketball seasons this week.
Stanhope’s girls started with a big win over Booker T. Washington while the boys and Edgewood’s girls split their first two matchups.
The Stanhope girls earned the biggest win of the weekend. Opening their weekend against BTW, the Mustangs won their opener 100-14.
The Mustangs were led by All-County player Ariel Gilchrist who scored 19 points to go with her eight steals and six assists.
Her eight steals come to no surprise as she averaged 11.3 per game last year and was the best defensive player in the area.
Joining her in the scoring output is Kurja Crosby, who added 17 points in the win.
The Stanhope boys opened their season last Thursday and dropped the opener to Spain Park on the road. The Mustangs bounced back in a big way however, also defeating BTW, 67-41 in the first home game of the season.
The Mustangs used a balanced offensive attack as five players scored in double digits. Freshman Kaleb Sanders looked to be the spark plug as he led the entire team with 18 points.
For Edgewood Academy, the girls team is looking to repeat as state champions after winning back-to-back state championships the last two years.
There will be growing pains, however, as the Wildcats lost some key players such as All-County player Jaylyn Strength to graduation. There’s also a key injury Edgewood is dealing with in Avery White, but she is expected to be back at full strength soon.
Edgewood dropped its opener to Glenwood, the Class AAA runner-up from a year ago, 57-30. After the blowout loss, Edgewood bounced back with a big win against Chambers Academy. In the 53-18 win, Edgewood was led in scoring with 22 points by senior Lindsey Brown, an Alabama volleyball signee.
Right behind her was senior Madison Martin and eighth grader Lexie Smith with 13 points each. The rest of the county begins play this week.
Rogers ends career with hat trick
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
As football season came to an end on Friday night, so did the career of one of the best players to don the black and gold. Wetumpka quarterback Nate Rogers played his last career football game for the Indians as Wetumpka fell to Helena, 58-28, in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs. In the season-ending loss, Rogers totaled 268 yards of offense to go along with three touchdowns, much of what he’s done the entire season. He finished with 75 rushing yards and touchdowns of 19, 4 and 15 yards to go along with 193 passing yards in the match-
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15
HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING 4 Benjamin Russell at Stanhope Elmore, 3:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOV. 16
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Montgomery Academy at Tallassee, 6 p.m. 4 Stanhope Elmore at Chilton County, 6 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 4 Prattville at Wetumpka, 4:30 p.m. 4 Russell County at Wetumpka, 4:30 p.m. 4 Beulah at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.
4 Central Phenix at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m. 4 Holtville at Shelby County, TBA
FRIDAY, NOV. 17 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 4 Thorsby at Reeltown, 7 p.m.
up. For his play in his final game, Rogers is the Elmore County Player of the Week. “He is our special player,” Woods said last week. “High schools that are successful have really good players. He gives us an opportunity every week.” Rogers finishes his senior season with 22 rushing touchdowns, nearly double what his career-high was in a season from a year ago. He scored multiple rushing touchdowns in all but one game this year, and he rushed for over 100 yards in all but two games. His passing stats also increased from year-to-year, as he capped off another 1,000-
yard passing season and has rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. Rogers is a three-year starter for Wetumpka and has led Wetumpka to the playoffs in each of his three years leading the offense. Now as his football career comes to an end, he will turn his sights to basketball season before he chooses a college to play for. In basketball, Rogers was last season’s Elmore County Player of the Year after averaging 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. He has multiple Division I football offers laid out for him.
Hueytown at Benjamin Russell, 7 p.m.
High School Basketball
Edgewood Academy at Sparta Academy, 6 p.m.
Notasulga at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.
Stanhope Elmroe at Prattville, 6 p.m. 4 Horseshoe
at Mountain Brook Turkey Jam, TBA
ham Crossplex (AHSAA Sectionals), 5 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOV. 21 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Edgewood Academy at Lee-Scott Classic, TBA 4 Trinity at Elmore County, 3 p.m. HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 4 Elmore County at Tallassee, 5 p.m.
Wetumpka at Ben Russell, TBA
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
Wetumpka’s Nate Rogers (2) passed for 193 yards in Wetumpka’s season-ending loss to Helena in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
FILE THE HERALD
Stanhope Elmore’s Ariel Gilchrist started her senior season with a big night against Booker T. Washington. She scored 19 points to go with eight steals and six rebounds.
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on FEBRUARY 14, 2024 at 9 a.m., to personally answer the Petition to Terminate Parental
HON. JEFF RADER SEVIER COUNTY JUVENILE JUDGE
2023-JT-14
Public Notices
April 8, 2014, in Deed/Mortgage
Services, LLC, as Mortgagee/ of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell atder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alduring the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest real estate, situated in Elmore
THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE NORTH HALF OF LOT 10, GREEN ACRES SUBDIVISION AS RECORDED IN
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POSITION OPEN CITY OF LAFAYETTE
LIGHT AND POWER DEPARTMENT
The City of LaFayette Light and Power Department is seeking a full time apprentice or journeyman lineman. (Duties listed do not include all tasks that may be assigned.) The successful candidate shall assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s electrical distribution system including the setting of poles, anchors and guys, the placing of crossarms and insulators, stringing wire, installing transformers, service drops, and metering equipment. In addition, the successful candidate shall assist with installing and maintaining street, security, and flood lighting, assist in the restoration of electrical service after power failures, and will be required to have some knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in electrical line work. The successful candidate must also have the ability to follow instructions and exercise care and interest in the performance of assigned duties safely and efficiently, while maintaining a good working relationship with co-workers. The position requires a CDL or the ability to obtain a CDL license within the probationary period. The applicant must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
All interested applicants should send a resume to City of LaFayette, Attn: Superintendent Chris Sanders P.O. Box 87, 50 Alabama Avenue West, LaFayette, AL 36862 or you can email your resume to the following email address: csanders@ cityoflafaytteal.com. The person selected will need to pass a pre-employment physical exam, drug screen, and background check. Applications can be picked up at City Hall, 50 Alabama Avenue West, LaFayette, AL 36862. If you need any additional information regarding the position, please contact Superintendent Chris Sanders at 334-234-1131. The position is open until filled.
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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Petitioner, v. REGINA GAMACHE, Mother Address unknown Respondent. No. 2023-JT-14 IN THE MATTER OF: MADILYN GRACE MACON DOB 5/18/2018 CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
It appearing to the Court from the allegations of the Petition for Temporary Legal Custody, and that the whereabouts of the Respondent, REGINA GAMACHE
therefore, the ordinary proupon REGINA GAMACHE. It is -
The Wetumpka Herald, a newsthe area of Respondents’ last known address.
Answer the Petition, further
in this matter may be made
NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENTS: REGINA GAMACHE
MADILYN GRACE MACON. It are unknown. You are hereby ORDERED Walker, Attorney for the Ten-
CITY OF LAFAYETTE, ALABAMA POSITION OPEN Water Distribution/Wastewater Collection Superintendent
The City of LaFayette is seeking a qualified individual to serve as Superintendent of our Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems. The Successful candidate must either possess, or be capable of obtaining, a Grade 1 water and a Grade 1c wastewater license from the State of Alabama.
This is a supervisory as well as operational position, and the person selected will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of a modern municipal wastewater collection system and a modern municipal water distribution system. Extensive knowledge of a wastewater collection system and a water distribution system is required.
The successful candidate will be expected to supervise up to five employees. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to develop preventative maintenance programs for the water and wastewater system, and will oversee and be responsible for all repairs to these systems.
Applications will be available at LaFayette City Hall. Please submit a completed application along with a resume to: City of LaFayette, Attn: City Clerk Louis T. Davidson P.O. Box 87, LaFayette, Alabama 36862 or you can email your resume to the following email address: ldavidson@cityoflafayetteal.com. The person selected will need to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check, and shall have a valid driver license. Any questions should be directed to City Clerk Louis T. Davidson at 334-864-7181. The position is open until filled.
The City of LaFayette is an equal opportunity employer.
PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Illya D. Bogan and Vicki Bogan, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for First Liberty Financial Group LLC, on January 14, 2008, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama,
MidFirst Bank, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on December 21, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 11,
NORTH 0 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, ALONG THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY OF MEADOW LANE, 50 FOOT R.O.W. AND THE WEST LINE OF LOTS 10 AND RIGHT OF WAY, SOUTH 68 SECONDS EAST THROUGH SECONDS EAST, THROUGH -
WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS,-
abama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tifright to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. MidFirst Bank,
23-02147
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Alexander Sealcoating & Striping, Inc. Construction of Wetumpka Middle School Access at Wetumpka Middle School Wetumpka, AL for the state of Alabama and the City of Wetumpka, Owner(s), settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Pilgreen and Bostick Engineering, Inc. 10270 Highway 80 East, Montgomery AL 36117
P.O. Box 211032 Montgomery, AL 36121
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE
WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from TELLY ELLIS MARRIED MAN AND LAVON WILLIAMS HUSBAND AND WIFE to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE FOR MORTGAGE RESEARCH CENTER, LLC DBA VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, on the 26th day of March, 2014, said mortgage recorded in the
THENCE SOUTH 0 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF LOT 8 AND THROUGH LOT 10, 285.68 FEET TO AN IRONONDS WEST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHNING. THE ABOVE DESCRIBED ACRES SUBDIVISION AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA MORE OR LESS. controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 105 Meadow Ln, Deatsville, ALsons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process.ed to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.ject to any easements, enthose contained in the records
tion of all parties entitled thereto ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or sale is made for the purposeas the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee repurchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the inpostponement or cancellation. Mortgagee/Transferee THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT
Mortgagee/Transferee
28 rlselaw.com/property-listing 219936
Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Webb Builders, Inc. Contractor has completed the Contract for Equipment HVAC renovations for Wetumpka Elementary School- Wetumpka, Alabama at Wetumpka, AL for the State of Alabama and the County of Elmore, Owners andtlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Morris Engineering, LLC
Webb Buliders, Inc. PO Drawer 608 Millbrook, AL 36054 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2023 COMPLETION
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Callie Mae Lawrence Aka Callie C Jones to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., its successors and assigns dated October 19, 2015; said mortgage being recorded on October 28, 2015, in Book 2015, Page 49967 inbate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC by assignment recorded in Deed Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLCunder and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 1st day of November, 2023 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT NO. 12 OF LUCKYTOWN SUBDIVISION PLAT NO. 1 AS SHOWN BY PLAT MADE BY P.J. JENNINGS REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR NO. 1593, RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OR PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN PLAT BOOK 7 PAGE
1. Said property is commonly known as 380 Lucky Town Loop, Elmore, AL 36025. the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 23-05173AL www.foreclosurehotline.net Wetumpka Herald 10/11/2023,10/18/2023,10/25/2 023,11/15/2023 AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The sale date under the above mentioned Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed until December 7, 2023, and public notice thereof having been given, the above notice is hereby republished with this amendment. Wetumpka Herald, November 15, 2023 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 2023 23-05173AL
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Liberty Construction Co., LLC., Contractor, has completed the Contract for Construction of Bleacher Relocation and Concrete Pad for Redland Middle School, Owner, and have made said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with the project should immediately notify Goodwyn Mills and Cawood – 2660 Eastchase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117 Liberty Construction Co., LLC (contractor) 791-A Anderson Road, Montgomery, AL 36110 (business address) Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2023 COMPLETION
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Christian Young And Mary L Young Husband And Wife to Green Tree Financial Corp. - Alabama dated August 19, 1998; said mortgage being recorded on September 14, 1998, in Book 207, Page Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely as Trustee on behalf of the Lake Country Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-HE1 by assignment recorded in Deed Book 2020, County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely as Trustee on behalf of the Lake Country Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-HE1under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 28th day of November, 2023 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH, RANGE 18 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, RUN WEST ALONG THE QUARTER SECTION LINE 719.52 FEET; THENCE RUN NORTH PARALLEL TO THE EAST QUARTER SECTION LINE 210 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUE LAST NAMED COURSE 120 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 156 AT PAGE 29; THENCE RUN WEST 980 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY OF CRENSHAW ROAD (60 FOOT RIGHT OF WAY) THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY 130 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN DEED ROLL 63 FRAME 01923; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG NORTH LINE THEREOF 301.5 FEET; THENCE RUN SOUTH 1 DEGREE 30 MINUTES EAST 70 FEET; THENCE RUN EAST 525 FEET AND ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF MILTON PROPERTY AND OTHERS 525 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 2 ACRES MORE OR LESS. Said property is commonly known as 1308 Crenshaw Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36092. the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR BANKING CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE LAKE COUNTRY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-HE1 as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 9274720 www.foreclosurehotline.net
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 9274720 PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Brian L. Hudson, an unmarried man, to Mortgage Electronic Regis-
Public Notices
gg g tration Systems, Inc., as Mortgagee, as nominee for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns, on February 13, 2019, said mortgage being recorded
Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on February 15, 2019 at Book RLPY 2019, at Page 6601. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, the current holder, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Elmore County Courthouse, in Wetumpka, Alabama, on December 7, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, towit: Lot No. 1 of the Burlington Subdivision on Plat No. 1 of property of Katherleen Melton and Hoyt C. Melton, according to map and plat prepared by Ralph H. Hayes, a Registered Land and Plat or map being recorded in Plat Book 5 at Page 25 in the of Elmore County, Alabama at Wetumpka, Alabama . More commonly known as: 2672 Gilmer Ave, Tallassee, AL
This Property will be sold on as “as is, where is” basis, without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expense of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender
Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. form of a wire transfer, bank or credit union’s cashier’s check, Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. If sale is voided, Mortgagee/Transferee shall return the bid amount to the successful purchaser and the Mortgagee/ Transferee shall not be liable to the purchase for any damages. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the purchaser at the sale shall be only entitled to a return of the deposit and bid amount, if paid. The Mortgagee/ Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit is purchase price against the expenses of sale and indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC (“Transferee”) Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C.
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 AL21743
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARTHA THELMA COPELAND ESTES, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023- 255 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to JAMES L. ESTES as Executor on the 9thday of November, 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
JAMES L. ESTES EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARTHA
THELMA COPELAND ESTES, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq.
The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 EST/ESTES M.
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF WETUMPKA STREET IMPROVEMENTS EAST COOSA STREET TO COTTON STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA
The city clerk of the City of Wetumpka will receive bids for City of Wetumpka Street Improvements East Coosa Street at Cotton Street, Wetumpka, Alabama, until November 16 2023, at 1:00 PM, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the City Council Chambers, City of Wetumpka, Alabama, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, Alabama
5% of bid (maximum-$10,000) made payable to the City of Wetumpka must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved. The Project will include: Asphalt & sidewalk removal,
Public Notices
p new curb & gutter, sidewalk, storm drain & inlet structures, full depth asphalt and asphalt overlay on East Coosa Street and Cotton Street NOTE: All item bids are complete in place. The Contract documents consisting of the Advertisement foreral Conditions, Supplementaltice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Drawings, Plans, Specassociated documents may be at 535 Herron Street, Montgomthe City Engineer, City of Wetumpka. Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained 535 Herron Street, Montgomery, Alabama upon payment of $ 150.00 for each set. Upon returning the Contract Documents promptly and in good condition following the bid, $ 75.00 will be All bidders must comply with the requirements of the Contracthe type of work for which a proposal is submitted. that he must provide the information necessary to show evidence of license before an award is made. The Contractor may include the following information with his bid: Name of Company, Address of Company, Telephone Number of Company, Company Contact Person, Contractor’sing Agency (State and Expira-
The City of Wetumpka is re-son-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, § 31-13-1 et seq. of Code of Alabama 1975 (Act No. 2011-535), subsequently all bidders are re-davit stating they are enrolled in the E-Verify Program with their sealed bid proposals (form will be included in the project specNo bidder may withdraw his bid within 30 days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
The successful bidder will be allowed 150 days to complete this project.
The City of Wetumpka, in acCivil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252.42 U.S.C.2000D to 2000D4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A. OfNondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such act, here-
contract entered into this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved.
Mayor Jerry Willis 408 South Main Street
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 BIDS
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RODNEY HARRINGTON FINCH, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-243 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of RODNEY HARRINGTON FINCH, deceased, having been granted to HUGH HARDIN FINCH on October 26, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
HUGH HARDIN FINCH
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RODNEY HARRINGTON FINCH, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: WILLIAM FIELDS ATTORNEY AT LAW 645 WILDWOOD COURT BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35209 334-531-4936
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023
EST/FINCH R.
PUBLIC NOTICE
ELMORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FENCING BID # 24-002
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR FENCING SYSTEM INSTALLATION AT ELMORE COUNTY HIGHSCHOOL, LOCATED AT 155 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE| ECLECTIC, AL 36024, FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, WETUMPKA, ALABAMA.
Sealed proposals will be received at the Elmore County Board of Education, 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama, opened and read aloud in the Maintenance Building Conference Room on Friday November 17th, at 10:00 AM. This project shall be bid excluding taxes. The bids must be submitted on company
Public Notices py letterhead and the company name, bid number, and proof of insurance are to be posted on the outside of the bid envelope. **This is required for the bid to be accepted and opened** No bid may be withdrawn after scheduled closing for receipt of bids for a period of sixty (60) days. Five percent (5%) retainage will be held on the estimated amount of work done and the value of materials stored on the site or suitably stored and insured off-site shall be held until all work, and completion of work advertisements for 4 consecutive weeks are made in the local county newspaper. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors ($50,000.00) must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975. The Bidder must display current General Contractor’s License Number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered or it will not be considered by the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.
Bid Bond payable to The Elmore County Board of Education in an amount not less than of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract. The Contractor is responsible to provide a portable toilet for his employees to use for the duration of this project. All contractors bidding this project are encouraged to visit the sites and examine all existing conditions prior to submitting their proposal. All bidders shall have general liability insurance of no less than $500,000.00, and a current business license. The project shall be bid excluding taxes.
Supervision: Contractor to ensure proper supervision of all work at each site. Questions may be directed to Kenneth Garner work - 334567-1420 Ext. 22007, mobile –334-530-3956, ken.garner@ elmoreco.com or Mike Czerpak work – 334-567-1420 Ext. 22003, mobile 334-391-3029, mike.czerpak@elmoreco.com. Please see the RFP project on the ECBOE website under the “BIDS” tab. www.elmoreco. com
Owner: Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, Elmore County Public Schools 100 H.H. Robison Drive Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 Phone: (334) 567-1200. Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 BIDS 24-002
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HELEN BUYCK HOLLYFIELD, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-273 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to RONCHETTA C. RICHARDSON as Personal Representative on the 24th day of October, 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. RONCHETTA C. RICHARDSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HELEN BUYCK HOLLYFIELD, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 EST/HOLLYFIELD H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA A. MULDER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-182 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of SYLVIA A. MULDER, deceased, having been granted to JULIE MULDER GOLDEN on November 1, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. JULIE MULDER GOLDEN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA A. MULDER, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: LINDA BENSON ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 780818 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-5800 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 8, 15 and 22, 2023 EST/MULDER S.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALICE I. JARMAN, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-280 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: KEITH SYKES AND ALL HEIRS AND NEXT OF KIN OF ALICE I. JARMAN, DECEASED: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 6th day of November, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of ALICE I. in the Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by Petitioner, BARNEY LEE MCCORMICK and HELON IREAN BENNETT, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and that the Petitioner be named as Co-Executors of such Estate. This Notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as an heir at law and next of kin of ALICE I. JARMAN. Unless an objection to admission to Probate of such Last Will and Testament or to the appointment of BARNEY LEE MCCORMICK and HELON IREAN BENNETT as Co-Executors are submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: REGINA B. EDWARDS, ESQ. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, PC 109 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 EST/JARMAN, A.
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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-282 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, deceased, having been granted to WILLIAM ROBERT RAGAN, III on November 9, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. WILLIAM ROBERT RAGAN, III PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 EST/LANKFORD, V. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CRAIG HUGH ROWE, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023- 285 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to EDWARD TAYLOR ROWE as Personal Representative on the 8th day of November 2023, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. EDWARD TAYLOR ROWE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF CRAIG HUGH ROWE, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Justin D. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 EST/ROWE C.
SENIORS FIND FUN AND FRIENDSHIPS AT ECLECTIC SENIOR CENTER
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The building might be labeled Eclectic Senior Center, but there is little senior about it.
Yes, some of the services at the senior center on Fleahop Road are intended for the aging population, it doesn’t limit the fun.
Director Minnie Johnson said the center’s mission is to get seniors together to stay mentally and physically sharp.
“We want to have fun,” Johnson said. “It helps get you out of the house.”
The senior center services are for those 60 and over and includes lunch Monday through Friday. But it’s not just a group of elderly sitting around and watching the world go by.
“We play cards,” Johnson said. “We play dominos. We play Bingo.”
There are scheduled exercise times and Bible studies at the center, too.
Johnson said everyone is looking forward to a program in December.
“The first part of the month the kindergarten from Eclectic Elementary is going to come and sing Christmas carols,” Johnson said.
Robin Nummy retired to Santuck and was bringing her child to Eclectic Middle School everyday. She saw a chance to volunteer and help the senior center.
“I might as well stay in town,” Nummy said. “Often I go and pick someone up.”
Nummy also sees value in the senior center for the aging population.
“Playing games like cards helps keep minds sharp and
the interactions are good for everyone,” Nummy said. “It allows us to keep an eye on each other.”
Entertainment in the winter months is just outside the window looking over the park. In the window is a bird feeder that attracts wildlife.
“There are squirrels, birds,” Johnson said. “They entertain us.”
Johnson said the birds and squirrels can be seen jockeying for position to take advantage of the sunflower seed and more in the feeder.
Nummy does this before
helping to deliver meals for those who are homebound managed by kitchen director Pam Haskins.
Nummy starts her route about 11 a.m. and finishes up about 1 p.m.
The meals are funded by the State of Alabama and the Central Alabama Aging Consortium but there is a suggested donation of $1.60 per day. The center also has a handicap van to aid in picking up seniors who are unable to drive.
Once a month there are basic health screenings and sometimes nursing or medical school students help
with the checks.
“We have health providers that come and do programs but we don’t know too far in advance when they are coming,” Johnson said. “Everyday we play it by ear.”
The delivery of homebound meals is something Nummy and other volunteers do not play by ear.
Every Monday through Friday except holidays the meals are delivered to those who are unable to make it to the senior center.
“Many of them live by themselves,” Johnson said. “This is a good way to
check to make sure they are OK. We have been there and found people on the floor and other issues. It is a way to check on elderly.”
Nummy said the center helps seniors when nobody else can.
“Some families are out of state,” Nummy said. “It helps make sure they are fed. It keeps the seniors active. If they don’t have anyone else around, we are here for them.”
Those interested in taking advantage of the programs at the Eclectic Senior Center can call 334-5413917.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE OBSERVER
TOP: Eclectic Senior Center director Minnie Johnson plays cards with clients and volunteers before lunch. The senior center facility is provided by the Town of Eclectic and the meals come from state and federal funding.
ABOVE: Robin Nummy, second from right, is a volunteer at the Eclectic Senior Center. Nummy helps deliver meals to homebound seniors and give rides to other seniors unable to drive themselves to the center.