Alabama Power extends Lake Martin summer lake levels

BY WILLIAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

Summer will last a little longer at Lake Martin as Alabama Power is extending the lake’s summer pool into the fall.

According to a company press release published Thursday, September 1, Alabama Power announced that water levels at Lake Martin will remain at their current levels until October 15.

The company noted in the announcement that the fall drawdown will be extended an additional month and a half.

According to the statement, drawdown generally occurs early September, often following Labor Day, with the lake reaching winter pool levels near mid-November.

The lower lake level allows the reservoir to capture and store winter rains. The lake begins to rise in early spring, returning to full summer levels around the end of April.

Drawdowns give property owners a chance to work on repairs and improvements to docks, ramps and other permitted construction projects.

The company encourages residents interested in performing shorelines maintenance during the drawdown to apply for the necessary lakeshore-use permits now by visiting apcshorelines.com/permits or calling the Shoreline Management Office at 256-825-0053.

Even with the extended water level, Alabama Power said in the announcement that people with boats, water-related equipment and facilities pay close attention to the changing conditions on the lake. This includes remaining mindful of personal safety and being prepared to take necessary steps to protect individual property.

Community Calendar

SEPT. 24

TITUS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

- Titus Community Center, 5859 Titus Road from 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Come join and enjoy bluegrass music featuring Homestead, Over The Mountain and Shannon Slaughter. Admission $10, children 12 and under free. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a day of music, concessions and arts and crafts. Everyone is welcome.

ONGOING

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: After more than a year long hiatus, Preschool Storytime has resumed at the Wetumpka Public Library. The first story time was held on Friday, May 14, and will take place every Friday at the library at 10 a.m.

ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.

NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.

LIVING WORD: You belong here. You and your family are always welcome here. We are located at 1826 Kowaliga Road Eclectic, across from the Dollar General. Call 334-4920777 for more information.

OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.

RED HILL COMMUNITY CLUB MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events.

MOUNT HEBRON CHURCH OF CHRIST: Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025

LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly. org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@ gmail.com.

Celebrate Recovery

SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christcentered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@ santuckbaptist.org.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/ Wetumpka. Call 334-567-0476 for more information.

AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka.

RED HILL GALLERY: The Red Hill Gallery on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.

MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE: If you have gardening questions you can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-2524769. The helpline starts March 1 and ends in August.

CHILDREN’S HARBOR: Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store Located on state route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of children’s harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Each year on the Sunday after Labor Day, many people in the United States will observe Grandparents’ Day. This day is set aside to celebrate grandparents and their wisdom and love for their families. The founder of the holiday was Marion McQuade of West Virginia. She set out to form a holiday that taught young people the importance of senior citizens in their communities. On August 3, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a resolution making Grandparents’ Day an official holiday. The official Congressional Resolution states that the day’s purpose is to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer. Communities around the Nation are encouraged to celebrate the commemoration by having family-focused events which allow families to spend time with one another. Not only is the day meant to highlight the bond between children and their grandparents and the contributions they make in our lives, but for younger people to take care of them. Another way to celebrate Grandparents Day is to adopt a Grandparent. If you do not have a Grandparent close by, find a senior citizen in your community to adopt for a year. Check on them, bring them a meal, and help them with chores. These are all ways that you can celebrate!

Across Clues:

Who founded Grandparents Day?

Seniors have a lot of ___ to share.

This holiday _____ Grandparents.

To care for someone who is not biologically related to you.

Older people are often referred to as _____ citizens.

Down Clues:

Grandparents & Grandkids often share a special ____.

Seniors add value to their _________.

Holiday falls on Sunday after _______.

The younger generation doesn’t understand a number of words and phrases, including “broken record,” “ice box,” “party line,” “ungawa” and “Kemo sabe.” Another phrase is one we don’t hear too much anymore, “Who does she think she is, the queen of Sheba?” This phrase is used to describe one with an inflated opinion of themselves-someone full of pride. It’s based on a story told twice in the Old Testament about the queen who traveled to see for herself the grandeur of King Solomon’s court. Some believe she came from the modern nation of Yemen. If so, she made an arduous journey of more than 1,000 miles. In

BETHLEHEM EAST BAPTIST CHURCH other words, she had a serious mission.

The writers tell us that when she saw the magnitude of Solomon’s wealth and heard his wisdom, “there was no more spirit in her.” The Hebrew word, “ruach,” means wind, breath or spirit. In this case, her pride went away like the air in a punctured tire. Or as a friend of mine said, “She went from hero to zero!”

We’re not sure what happened to the queen, but we’re certain when she left Jerusalem her life was never the same.

We don’t hear from the queen again until Jesus described judgment at the end of the ages (Matthew 12). Imagine the scene. The

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.

Lord, the robed Supreme Judge of the universe enters the courtroom, and the assembled crowd rises in respect. The accused sit in the front row. These are unrepentant sinners from all the ages. Michael, Gabriel and the other angels sit in the jury box awaiting the proceedings.

The judge calls the first witness. Jesus said this is the men of Nineveh. They heard the preaching of Jonah, and they repented. Jonah was a reluctant preacher since we gather he really wanted Nineveh destroyed, but ultimately he was faithful to preach the word of the Lord. And everyone from the king to the average citizen, repented