‘Walking Wonderland’ coming to the Wetumpka Sports Complex

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

The new birding trail between the Wetumpka Sports Complex and the farmers market will be getting into the festive spirit soon.

The Wetumpka Parks and Recreation Department’s Tiffany Chandler brought an idea from her hometown of Opelika — a walking tour at Christmas.

“We wanted a leisurely activity for families to enjoy over the holidays,” Chandler said. “We wanted something for everyone to walk through that everyone would like. I looked to the Victorian Christmas front porch tour in Opelika in the historic district where people walk through the historic district.”

The Walking Wonderland isn’t meant to compete with the other holiday events happening in Wetumpka, but instead is the Wetumpka Parks and Recreation Department contribution to holiday spirit.

“I wanted to make sure we were doing something as well,” Chandler said. “We have Christmas on the Coosa and the Dickens... This would be more relatable to the community for parks and recreation.”

The idea is for businesses, individuals and city departments to decorate a spot along the birding trail between the softball fields and the farmers market. Chandler said she has commitments from several businesses and city departments to decorate a marked spot along the trail.

“We just ask they tie it back to sports in some sort of way,” Chandler said. “We still have a few spots open for those interested.”

The brand new event will be from dark until 8 p.m. Dec. 15-18. Chandler said those wanting to visit Walking Wonderland are asked to park at the softball fields.

“They would walk to the roundabout and back to their car,” Chandler said. “It will not extend all the way to the farmers market. It’s an effort to let more people know about the trail, just to have a nice Christmas event for families.”

The best part is the event is free to the public. Even to decorate a spot this year is free.

“We are trying to build interest,” Chandler said. “In the future we want the companies to pay a small fee to reserve their lot to be able to promote their business. They should put up some sort of sign that it is their lot.

Chandler said the last night, Dec. 18, will be a little more special.

“We are going to allow the community to vote on their favorite one,” Chandler said.

Those interested in decorating a lot for the Walking Wonderland should call Chandler at her office at 334-731-8476.

Class of 1962

its best season in the past 11 seasons. He was one of the key blockers for an offense that scored 35.3 points per game this season.

OL: AVEON JOHNSON, STANHOPE ELMORE SENIOR Johnson served as the Mustangs best offensive lineman this season as he primarily played guard but would slide over and play center as well. He helped pave the way for a Mustangs’ offense that averaged 22 points per game.

ATH: CADE EVERSON, TALLASSEE JUNIOR

Everson is arguably the county’s most versatile athlete and he proved that in a stellar junior season. On offense, he recorded 13 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns as he also tallied 55 rushes for 463 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 20 tackles and he added an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on special teams.

ATH: NATE ROGERS, WETUMPKA JUNIOR

Rogers, Wetumpka’s star quarterback, was the biggest dual-threat quarterback in the county this season. He did the most damage on the ground with 118 carries for 1,172 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and he improved heavily in the passing game as he completed 102 of 208 passes for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

K/P: LOGAN WEIGHALL, WETUMPKA SENIOR Weighall makes the cut for the second-straight year and proved his worth this year both as a kicker and punter. He punted the ball 46 times for an average of 40 yards per punt and downed 21 inside the 20-yard line. He kicked off 61 times for an average of 58.6 yards and 35 touchbacks. He was near perfect on PATs as he knocked in 35 of 37 attempts and hit six of his nine field goal attempts,

Downtown Dickens Christmas

including a school-record 49-yard field goal.

DL: MICAH COLE, TALLASSEE SENIOR Cole shined both on offense and defense this year, but he made the most impact as a nose guard for the Tallassee defense. He recorded 33 tackles with a team-high seven tackles for loss and five quarterback pressures. On offense, he graded at 77% at right guard.

DL: R.J. HARRIS, WETUMPKA SENIOR Harris haunted opposing offenses and got into the backfield better than seemingly anyone else in the county this season. The senior defensive end recorded 93 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble.

DL: LUKE REINHART, ELMORE COUNTY SOPHOMORE Elmore County’s star defensive end terrified opposing offensive coordinators with his ability to get into the backfield. The sophomore recorded 68 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and a team-high nine sacks with two forced fumbles this season.

DL: JAQUIZE BUYCKS, STANHOPE ELMORE SENIOR Buycks, a Liberty commit, filled up holes on the defensive line at a high rate this season. The star senior recorded 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery to cap off his stellar career.

DL: BRYSON BOONE, EDGEWOOD ACADEMY SENIOR Boone, who was named an AISA AllStar this season, was in opposing backfields all season long. The star senior recorded 83 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and one sack on the year. He also played right tackle on offense where he graded out at 81%.

LB: JUSTIN CRUMBAUGH, WETUMPKA SENIOR Crumbaugh, who is the 2022 Elmore County Defensive Player of the Year, was a star in Wetumpka’s tough defense. He recorded 110 tackles in 11 games, good for 19% of the team’s total tackles. He also recorded 11 tackles for loss and one interception for a touchdown.

LB: LUKE BURDETTE, TALLASSEE SENIOR Burdette made a name for himself as Tallassee’s leader on defense. The multiyear star recorded 84 tackles and nine sacks from his outside linebacker position. He also recorded a tackle for loss and scored one touchdown on the season.

LB: CONNER HACKETT, HOLTVILLE SENIOR Hackett was a tackling machine this season as he led all player across the county in tackles. He recorded 143 total tackles, good for 13 tackles per game, along with 23 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

LB: JACKSON MANN, ELMORE COUNTY SOPHOMORE Mann has led the Panthers in tackles for both his freshman and sophomore seasons now. This year, he recorded 116 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and he recovered four fumbles. He averaged 11 tackles per game.

LB: DONNIE ARNOLD, STANHOPE ELMORE JUNIOR Arnold put together a stellar junior season for the Mustangs, both with tackles and sacks. He caused mayhem in the backfield as he recorded 52 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.

DB: TRISTAN BENNETT, WETUMPKA SENIOR Bennett was the Indians top cornerback and his stats show why he didn’t get tested very often. He recorded a team-high four interceptions and five passes defended, as well as 39 total tackles on the season.

DB: DORION JACKSON, WETUMPKA SENIOR Jackson made the move from offense to defense this year and the position change instantly worked for the Troy commit. The safety was one of the Indians’ leading tackles with 65 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He also shined in coverage with two interceptions and four passes defended.

DB: GABE LEMASTER, EDGEWOOD ACADEMY JUNIOR LeMaster had a stellar season on both sides of the ball and was named the 2022 Elmore county Two-Way Player of the Year, but he shined brighter on defense. He recorded 72 tackles this season with five tackles for loss, six interceptions, and 10 pass break ups.

DB: DASHAUN CAFFEE, STANHOPE ELMORE JUNIOR Caffee was one of the best ball hawks in the secondary this season as he led his team in interceptions. He recorded 68 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, four passes defended, and he blocked one punt.

Honorable Mention

Edgewood Academy: QB Austin Champion, Sr., LB Parker Shaw, So., WR/DB Bradley Boone, Sr., OL Elias Collins, Jr., WR Brody Whitt, Jr., DL Brock Whitt, Fr.; Elmore County: WR/ DB Garrett Allen, Sr., LB/DL Chris Holt, Jr., LB Drew Thornton, Sr., OL Payton Hall, Sr., OL Nicobe Hooks, Sr.; Holtville: QB Keiland Baker, So., OL Lane Talley, Sr., OL Tristan Gulledge, Jr., WR Eric Atkins, Jr., DL Kei Webb, Sr., DB Chasen Webster, Jr.,

LB Ty Langley, Sr.; Stanhope Elmore: LB Asher Brendelson, Sr., DL Terry Burke, Sr., DB Cortrell Mandosia, Sr., DB JaShawn Mays, Sr., RB Davion Thomas, Sr., WR Tevin Landrum, Sr., OL Davion Brown, Sr.; Tallassee: QB Tyler Ellis, Sr., RB/DB DJ Leonard, Sr., RB Josh Griffin, So., LB Caden Griffith, Sr.; Wetumpka: RB Mike Dillard, Jr., ATH Jamarion Thrasher, Jr., WR Quashawn Wright, Sr., DB James Ball, Jr., LB Dasean Smoke, Sr., OL

CANCER (June 21-July 22) This is a challenging day at work because of the Full Moon, and possibly with your pet and your health as well. Stop replaying past hurts, because this is a waste of your precious time and energy. All you have is now. The past is a memory; the future is a hope. Tonight: Be careful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Try to avoid squabbles with friends or members of groups today. Or possibly these arguments will take place with your kids or a romantic partner. This is because the Full Moon today can remind you of old injuries and insults. Let it go. Tonight: Be reasonable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Today’s Full Moon creates a tug-of-war between home and family versus your career and public reputation. You might feel hurt by something in the past that damaged your reputation. Don’t get caught up in this again. It’s a waste of energy.

“These are not the droids you’re looking for.” Tonight: Stay cool.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Be careful, because this is an accident-prone day for you due to the Full Moon energy. You might nd yourself caught up in religious or political arguments from the past that still sting or make you feel resentful. Why carry this baggage? Let it go and lighten your load. Tonight: Don’t get excited.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Don’t get embroiled in disputes about shared property, taxes, debt, inheritances or nancial matters, especially if you resent how something was handled in the past. You might still feel injured. But will your pain change anything? It only bothers you. It’s time to move on. Tonight: Rethink things.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Today the only Full Moon opposite your sign all year is taking place. To aggravate things further, it is lined up with retrograde Mars. This means you might be caught up by old resentments from the past, feelings that stop you from enjoying this relationship. Is it worth it? Tonight: Listen.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Be careful at work today. Likewise, be careful when dealing with your pet and your health, because today’s Full Moon might aggravate or trigger something. It could create tension. It also might cause you to rehash past hurts and resentment. Lighten up, for your own good. Let it go. Tonight: Work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Romantic disappointments from the past might come to the surface with today’s Full Moon. For some, these old resentments might involve dealing with your kids. It’s so hard to forgive and let go, I know. But why walk around with a pebble in your shoe? Tonight: Be patient.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Relations with authority gures and parents are stressed today because of the Full Moon. Possibly, this triggers bad feelings and anger from the past. Because lucky Jupiter is in your sign now, you have largess. You have the wisdom for forgiveness. Be wise. Tonight: Don’t overreact.

ATTENTION: