SPORTS, PAGE B1: CADILLAC WILLIAMS TO SPEAK AT AUBURN CLUB
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper Est. 1898 | thewetumpkaherald.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 | VOL. 123, NO. 28 | $1.00
Meet and greet held for Main Street Wetumpka’s new director By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Haley Greene is seamlessly settling into her new role as Main Street Wetumpka’s new executive director just fine. Since Greene joined Main Street Wetumpka on July 1, she’s been busy learning the lay of the land and already has plans in place to make
improvements in downtown Wetumpka. Main Street Wetumpka hosted a welcome reception for Greene on Thursday, July 8, at the Jeanette Barrett Civic Room to give residents a chance to meet and get to know her. Since starting the position, Greene has been busy completing Main Street Alabama’s training program
for new directors. She’s engulfed in learning how to use the Main Street software and in learning about the businesses in the area. But she’s also finding time to get started on a project at the Tourist Trap. Greene said the organization plans to add outside lighting to the sitting area at the Tourist Trap to encourage people
to sit and hang out there in the evenings. Greene said she’s also trying to get online sales started and has been brainstorming new merchandise ideas with Kiera Champion, Main Street Wetumpka’s special projects coordinator. Items such as coffee mugs and dog bandanas could be coming soon. Profits from the Tourist
Trap are funneled back into the small business to restock merchandise and to keep the facility in good shape. “I love this place,” Greene said. “I’ve met so many awesome, friendly and kind-hearted people since I’ve been here. I’m excited to continue meeting See DIRECTOR • Page A3
Local influencer needs help of community for nomination By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Slapout resident Jenna Smith is vying to become a candidate for the American Influencers Awards. The American Influencer Association was established in 2016 to recognize well known and emerging influencers on social media, and the first American Influencer Awards show took place in 2017. In 2021, after success with beauty categories, the American Influencer Awards expanded to also include fashion, fitness and lifestyle categories. Nominees and winners are selected through a public nomination and voting process and reviewed by an advisory board. Smith is asking for nominations in the Emerging Lifestyle Influencer and Emerging Fashion Influencer categories, and she needs as many people as possible to cast their votes for her. Smith started her Instagram page in 2019 under handle of Lady. serendipity21 and it has quickly grown to have more than 29,000 followers. Her page focuses on showcasing her community and southern fashion. “Through my page, I want people to see that even though we’re from a small town and we may be moms, we still have access to fashion and we have style,” Smith said. See INFLUENCER • Page A2
Cherie Taylor, owner of Sunshine and Pixie Dust, offers crafting classes in Wetumpka.
Briana Wilson / The Herald
Inaugural Coosa River Art Expo a success By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
T
he Inaugural Coosa River Art Expo was a success on Friday, July 9, as artists and creatives gathered at the Wetumpka River Walk to showcase their artwork. Founder and organizer Rhonda
Sims said the event served as an opportunity for artists in the region to sell and showcase their work, and even to demonstrate how they create their artwork. Sims said she was initially looking for a way to showcase her own art and the Coosa River Art Expo emerged from that. The event included several
different types of art including paintings, woodwork, jewelry making, photography, live music and homemade baked goods, jams and jellies. About 30 vendors participated in the event, including the Wharf Casual Seafood’s food truck, Anne’s Candy and Ice Cream Truck and Mr. V’s Gumbo. Musical guests include singer See EXPO • Page A3
Pooches on the Coosa raises hundreds for humane society By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Submitted / The Herald
Jenna Smith poses in front of a barber shop in Slapout.
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The Pooches on the Coosa dog pageant raised more than $800 for the Elmore County Humane Society. The event, which took place on June 11, raised a total of $837 for the shelter and several pounds of dog food was donated. Pooches on the Coosa was a collaboration with The Furry Kid, a pet grooming business, and Main Street Wetumpka. “Pooches on the Coosa was the brainchild of Brett Fuller over at
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The Furry Kid,” said Pam Martin, the chair of Main Street Wetumpka’s Promotions Committee. “Brett and Andrea Peel, a volunteer on the Promotions Committee, worked together to organize the event and they did a great job.” Martin said there were more than 20 dogs, and one goat, that participated in the pageant. The dog that won the first-place prize was rescue dog, although the judges didn’t know that at the time. The event is expected to become an annual fundraiser for the shelter.
Marilyn Hawkins / The Herald
Main Street Wetumpka volunteer Andrea Peel and Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene present a check to Rea Cord, the executive director of the Elmore County Humane Society.
Flea Market & Antiques 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 • Wetumpka, AL (Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC)
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