May 3, 2017 Wetumpka Herald

Page 1

INSIDE TODAY

Trump’s May Day was true distress call

Holtville falls to LAMP in second round of playoffs

OPINION, PAGE A4

SPORTS, PAGE A8

244-7778

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • MAY 3, 2017

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 119, NO. 18

Broom, Traylor take Sewell Awards By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Robert Broom of Holtville High School and Hannah Traylor of Elmore County High School in Eclectic have been named the winners of the 2017 Joe Sewell Memorial Awards and $3,000 John Sewell Memorial Scholarships. Broom and Traylor were presented their awards Tuesday night at the annual Sewell Award banquet, held at the Wetumpka Civic

Center. The Joe Sewell Memorial Award and the John Sewell Memorial Scholarship are presented each year to senior Elmore County high school athletes – one male and one female – who consistently represent the highest ideals of Christian leadership. The award has been presented annually since 2005. “I believe I can speak for the entire Joe Sewell Memorial Award Board of Directors when I say what an outstanding group of

nominees we had this year,” said Mark McGhee, this year’s chairman of the awards committee. “As done since the inception of the award, each high school nominates up to four seniors for the award. We are looking for the most well rounded Christian athletes in Elmore County who demonstrate a high standard of moral character and leadership, excel in academics, and are involved in their church and community. Broom “Each school nominated students who all See SEWELL • Page 2

Youth art contest set for Tuesday

Cool quackers to ride river for charity, prizes

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

The Elmore County Art Guild will sponsor its annual “Sparking the Arts” youth art awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Some 350 to 400 young artists from public and private schools in Elmore County are expected to participate, according to Shirley Esco of the Elmore County Art Guild. “The purpose of the competition is to promote the arts in the Elmore County School system,” said Esco. “There are only two high schools in the Elmore County system that have an art teacher (Stanhope Elmore and Elmore County High in Eclectic). Now, Wetumpka High School – I don’t know if Ms. (Fagale) Grant is actually called an art teacher, but she always has a lot of her students See ART • Page 2

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Cory Diaz / The Herald

The only good snake is . . a live one? A gray rat snake visited the Herald office on Thursday, sunning in the road for a while before escaping up a tree. According to an Alabama Nature Center expert, such a snake can consume 50 rats annually and a pair of brown rats can produce approximately 1,000 offspring a year. Motto: Some snakes are good.

Council establishes medical authority for land transfer

Weather

86 63 Low

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

THURSDAY: HIGH 73 LOW 50

CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 Corey Arwood / The Herald

USPS 681-260

a k p m Wetu

They are, without a doubt, the coolest quackers in town. They’re so cool, in fact, that people are still asking Wetumpka Rotary Club president Eric Hyde how to get one. “I get email from people that aren’t getting the big ducks,” said Hyde. “Well, you have to be a sponsor to get a big duck. A lady out in Emerald Mountain that has a plant farm told me yesterday that she wanted one of the big ducks and I ended up getting another sponsor.” The “big ducks” are the bright yellow ducks sporting shades sitting out front of several Wetumpka businesses and they are indicative that the time is approaching for the five minutes of annual madness the Wetumpka Rotary Club calls Duck Dash, set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Bibb Graves Memorial Bridge. “If you’ve never seen it, it’s worth seeing,” said Hyde, a financial advisor in Wetumpka’s Edward Jones office. “It only takes five minutes, but it’s five See CHARITY • Page 2

Today’s

High

Traylor

Former Boy Scouts among those at Monday night’s Wetumpka City Council meeting recite the Boy Scout Pledge during the presentation of the citizen’s badge to current Scouts.

The Wetumpka City Council voted on a resolution establishing a healthcare authority that could be the recipient a land transfer of property currently owned by the city in order to develop it into medical complex. The ordinance regarding the transfer of property received its first reading at the meeting by City Attorney Regina Edwards. A subsequent resolution established the incorporation of the entity, or The Coosa River Health Care Authority, that

would receive the property. In her reading of the ordinance it stated the CRHA would pay the city annually 50 percent of income it generated from leases or development of the property on each Sept. 30. Edwards spoke about the ordinance and the latter resolution. “This is to be able to establish the health care authority for the city,” she said. “The purpose of that is to be able to hone and develop property that would be for medical purposes and provide additional healthcare in the city and the community.” See COUNCIL • Page 3

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Sewell

continued from page 1

exceeded our expectations. Two selection committees comprised of Sewell Board members took on the daunting task of selecting the eight category winners and two overall winners. This year was especially tough. We truly had the cream of the crop.� Broom, the son of Robby and Jeannie Broom, was captain of both the cross country and soccer teams at Holtville High. He played in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star soccer game and was voted honorable mention to the all-metro team in soccer twice. Broom is a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society and was a semifinalist for the U.S. Senate Youth program. He is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and attends Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church where he is a worship leader and guitarist. Broom has been accepted by and awarded scholarships to Troy University, Auburn University and The University of Alabama Birmingham. Traylor is the daughter of Shane and Abby Traylor and Jason and Allison Tatum. She played basketball, volleyball and competed in track & field and powerlifting at ECHS. She served as captain of the volleyball team and was a state champion in powerflifting. Traylor is a member of the Beta Club and the National English Honor Society, the Key Club, which she serves as secretary, and the Family, Career and Community Leaders

of America, which she serves as vice president. She is also a student council representative. Traylor attends First Baptist Church of Eclectic where she served as a Vacation Bible School crew leader and a volunteer to the nursery and kindness ministry. Traylor has been accepted by and received various scholarships to Auburn University, Huntingdon College and Auburn University at Montgomery. The Sewell Award committee also selected winners in certain categories, who were presented with $1,000 scholarships each. Those winners were: • Boys Leadership Award: Easterling Carpenter, Elmore County High School • Girls Leadership Award: Caity Jo Lee, Edgewood Academy • Boys Academic Award: Philip Warlick III, Stanhope Elmore High School • Girls Academic Award: Nicole Tyler, Holtville High School • Boys Church, Community and Character Award: Zachary Mozingo, Stanhope Elmore High School • Girls Church, Community and Character Award: Jana Venable, Elmore County High School • Boys Athletic Award: Jake Baker, Tallassee High School • Girls Athletic Award: Kelsey Hansen, Edgewood Academy

Art

continued from page 1

participate. But I know that Stanhope Elmore and Eclectic have formal art programs.� Grant is listed as an art teacher on the Wetumpka High School web site. Sparking the Arts Achievement Program provides local recognition for student achievement in the visual arts, Esco said. The program offers encouragement and recognition to young artists by highlighting their work at the school and county levels. Each year, Esco said, members of the Elmore County Art Guild go to each of the schools in Elmore County and select 10 pieces of art to go to the county competition. This year, Esco said all schools competed except the Tallassee elementary and high schools and Adullam House school.

From all of those entries, first-, second-, and third-place trophies will be awarded in three age groups: grades K-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. “We have a juror come in and pick first, second and third in each of the three categories,� Esco said. “Of course, the reason for that is that the ages have different levels of ability. Your grammar-school art is pretty primitive. They’re just learning how to use different types of media. “Now, in our high schools – especially at the two schools that have the formal art teachers – some of the work is just mind-boggling. I think it was last year we had one piece that looked like it was something that needed to be on the cover of the river and blues brochure. It was from

Wetumpka High School and it was different musical instruments. But we’ve seen some work that could compete with the members of the Elmore County Art Guild at the older level.� In addition to prizes for first, second and third in each age group, two participants will be selected to receive $50 gift certificates for art supplies. In conjunction with the ceremony and exhibit, a reception will be provided courtesy of Wind Creek to Go Hospitality. Guests expected at the event include Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis and Richard Dennis, superintendent of Elmore County Schools.

Charity

continued from page 1

crazy minutes.� Ducks are sold to the public by Rotary to raise money for different area charities, including the Elmore County Food Pantry, the Elmore County Pregnancy Center, the local YMCA, Adullam House, the Elmore County Humane Shelter and the James Bart Hart Memorial Scholarship, Hyde said. Ducks may be purchased online at riverregionduckdash.com or at Hyde’s Edward Jones

office located at 103 E. Bridge St. Single, or “lonely,� ducks are available for $5, a “quack pack� of five ducks for $20, a “quacker’s dozen� ducks for $50 and a “flock� of 25 ducks for $100. According to Hyde, the 5,000 ducks are dropped from a huge sack into the Coosa River off the Bibb Graves Memorial Bridge and race down a lane boundaried by two fire hoses filled with air which act as bum-

pers. The first duck to complete the run wins its owner $1,500, the second-place duck wins $1,000 for its owner and third place gets the duck owner $750. Hyde said sales of the ducks are running a bit behind last year’s pace and encouraged everyone who hasn’t to adopt a

duck. Those who have adopted ducks may want to consider adopting more to increase their chances. “We’d like to sell all 5,000 so that we can really help out these charities and give more people a chance at a nice little windfall.�

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Relay for Life joins survivors in celebration

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Cancer survivors, caregivers, family and friends all joined in a one-day celebration walking, dancing, remembering and recognizing one another and those they lost in their common fight against the disease and their yearly efforts to fund its research. Crowds gathered inside Wetumpka Middle School’s track over the weekend. The tone was jubilant and the participants seemed united in their celebration. In the afternoon, the music fell and the atmosphere changed from party to commemoration as a survivor’s reception was held and afterward the recipients walked a lap on the track. “It’s a really emotional moment,� said the lead organizer, Amber Voss with Wetumpka Relay for Life. “One of the emotional moments for them is that survivor and caregiver lap.� And after the survivor’s lap the music returned and so did the sporadic dancing. Along the track white tents were up with a number of the teams that had worked throughout the year to meet their fundraising goal for the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life. Each tent was decorated with a decade and a music style. Two Elvises could be seen strolling the grounds along with a luau girl, while one tent was decorated with an ‘80s theme and

Obituaries Bobby Hager

Mr. Bobby R. Hager, 79, of Eclectic, passed away at home on April 25, 2017. He was born February 12, 1938. Visitation will be Friday, April 28, from 12 noon till 1:30 p.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Bullard Cemetery with Mr. Jack Clark officiating, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is sur-

the slogan ‘Moon-walking for a cure,’ with Michael Jackson cutouts by the Omega Xi Zeta sorority of Wetumpka. Voss said the theme was “Dancing through the decades.� She was sunburned from being out in the 12-hour event, but said the event and the results of the year’s efforts were worth it. “Yes definitely,� said Voss. “Everyone’s just been having a really good time.� A number of civic and church organizations and families had tents with displays and artwork. One of those was the team “Bus for A Cure 2017� with captain Janise Winborn, who said she was a retired Elmore County Board of Education bus driver and a 10-year cancer survivor. Wetumpka First United Methodist and First Presbyterian churches both had teams at the event along with the Crenshaw Community and it’s 50s-themed “Twistin’ for a Cure.� Luminaries lined the track, some had inspirational quotes while others had names of survivors or lost loved ones written by the team members whose tent they were in front of. Lit in honor of those with cancer Voss said, “One of my favorite parts of it is our luminary ceremony. It’s a really emotional time.� Altogether Voss said they raised to date $24,222 toward a goal of around $40,000.

vived by his wife, Columbia Hager; daughters, Ruth Ellis and Lisa Sides (Tim); grandchildren, Bradley Sides (Amy), Ashley Ellis and John Ellis IV (Hannah); and great grandchildren, Bryson Sides and Hallie Ellis. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

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Chamber’s haunted investigations series to resume in June By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Have an interest in the paranormal? You know, ghosts, spooks, things that go bump in the night? Beginning in June, the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is giving you an opportunity to explore that interest, to find out how those who hunt ghosts for a living go about the business of doing so. “We’re doing a haunted investigation every third Saturday of each month at the Chamber of Commerce beginning in June,” said Corey Rushing of Central Alabama Paranormal Investigors (CAPI). “It’s $50 a person. We were wanting to do it for a little bit cheaper, but we’ve got to pay the power bill and stuff. They can sign up on the wetumpkachamber.com website.” Rushing said the investigations at the Chamber office are performed just as CAPI, which has done investigations in Selma and Wetumpka as well as out of state, would perform any paranormal investigation anywhere. “ What we do is we come in and we have a full-blown investigation, just like we would do any other investigation at any other place, and we’ll walk them through every piece of equipment that we use, we let them get hands-on with setting up the equipment, which is our camera system, our recording system, our K-2 meters (an electromagnetic device through which spikes may signify paranormal communication or activity), we get temperature readings of the building; we just break it down to the very basics of how we do an investigation, step by step. We let them be a part of the investigation, let them be a part of the set-up procedure, let them be a part of the investigation. “Then, after the investigation’s over, which it lasts 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., we’ll sit and talk with them, ask them if they have any questions. And then we’ll tell them that we’ll go over all of our readings and any evidence that we find, we’ll send to them in an email so they can actually see the

evidence that we got during their investigation.” Rushing was going over the information gathered at the one haunted investigation already held at the Chamber on March 18, the first in the Chamber’s series that will resume in June, when interviewed for this story. “We’re not sure about any evidence yet, but we did have some things happen during the night that blew all of our minds.” Specifically, Rushing said a glowstick was found on a stair set in the chamber that hadn’t been there just minutes before. “The glowstick was just sitting on the stairs,” Rushing said. “I had gone up the stairs just a minute before and when my co-investigator went down the stairs, the glowstick was there. The guest could see it. It was right there. It was not faked. We would never fake any evidence. It baffled all of us. “As far as any voices we could have gotten on the recorder or any images on the photos, we’re not sure yet.” Jamie Young of the Chamber said that there were sounds that were picked up on the recordings that were not fully explained, but nothing in the photos. Although only one person showed up for the first investigation, Rushing said he expects that number to grow beginning with the June investigation. “We’ve been having more and more people ask about it. I think it’s going to go along the same route as the haunted history tour did. It’s going to take a moment for the traction to really pick up, but once word gets out it’s going to go. With the haunted history tour, we actually had to add groups on because we had so many people coming in at the last minute, so I think as the word gets out about it, it’s really going to blow up and we’re going to have many more people.” If you are interested in signing up for for the June haunted investigation at the Chamber, you may call Young at 567-4811 or sign up on the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commer website at wetumpkachamber.com.

The Wetumpka Herald will publish senior photos for the local graduating classes on May 17th. We will include graduate photos and your special message on or near the graduation section. Schools included: Edgewood Academy, Elmore County High School, New Life Christian, Stanhope Elmore, Wetumpka High School, Victory Baptist & Holtville High School

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Council

MAY 3, 2017 • Page A3

continued from page 1

Edwards said the plans for the property had been underway for a few years and had involved previously the Elmore County Health Care Authority. She said the authority was going to oversee the development, but had decided against participating and declined involvement. “We had to regroup and figure out another (way) we could do this. We’ve actually gone back to the governor and the DoC (Department of Corrections) and got a corrected deed into the city which removes the reverter language which specifically authorizes us now to convey the property – not just lease it – to convey the property to a healthcare authority,” said Edwards. “And that allows them to turn around and they can put it out to bid for a long-term lease to a developer that will hopefully come in and remove the building that’s at the armory and build a medical complex.” The ordinance read that the property consisted of four acres of property on US Highway 231, and was formerly owned by DoC. It stated that city became owner in 2015 and it was not presently in use, therefore the council determined it should be declared surplus. The CRHA consists of a board, which as of Monday was introduced as being made up of three members. Councilman Percy Gill asked how the board members were determined initially and what were the qualifications to serve on the board. Edwards said the authority’s certificate of formation had been sent to the council members. She said the qualification to be on the board was that the interested party be a voting citizen of Wetumpka. Currently there was a dentist, a local retiree and an Alagasco representative. She said initially it had to have three members and the mayor and council would appoint additional members, but that those three were needed for the land transfer. Councilman Steve Gantt asked whether it was necessary to pass the resolution at the meeting or if it could be postponed for further consideration. Mayor Jerry Willis responded, “I think it’s very important that we move on this because of the timeframe that we have…” He referred to Edwards who said she had been working on it for almost two years. “There’s a need to move on this to make sure it happens,” Willis said. Edwards said she would like to get the incorporation resolution passed so it could be in place once the ordinance is passed for the property transfer. One of the authority’s board members was at the meeting – Heather Collier a local dentist. Edwards said the other two members were Sharon Alexander of Alagasco, and retiree James Dean McConnell. Willis introduced a Dr. Bipin Kumar and asked how important proposals were to the medical operations in the city. Kumar said it would allow specialists to locate in the area. “So I think building up a complex like this is going to be a tremendous boost to the community in keeping the patients residents locally in the area and I think also help the local economy,” said Kumar. After the resolution was read, Willis asked for a vote on its passage. Both Gill and Gantt voted to postpone, or table the vote until next meeting. “I’m not opposed to what we’re doing but I do have a problem with the fact that we’re getting information like this on the Monday prior to the meeting and this is really important for the citizens of this community but it’s also important that the council have a better understanding,” said Gill. He said he also he was also concerned about the board members acting as initial signers of the agreement, would like the council’s involvement. “I think the council should have the opportunity to make appointments … we should have this info sooner than what we received it to be able to make an informed decision about this.” Ultimately, their efforts to hold off the resolutions were unsuccessful, from the three votes by Council members Kevin Robbins, Rebecca Thornton and Steve Jones against the table and in support of the resolution.

NOTICE WETUMPKA POLICE DISPATCH IS MOVING

EFFECTIVE APRIL 18, 2017 AT MIDNIGHT WETUMPKA POLICE DISPATCH WILL NO LONGER BE LOCATED AT THE WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT, 208 MARSHALL STREET. THESE DISPATCHERS WILL BE MOVING TO THE CONSOLIDATED 911 CENTER. THERE WILL BE A FEW MINOR CHANGES ON HOW WE DO BUSINESS: THERE WILL NO LONGER BE A DISPATCHER AT THE WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WILL HAVE TWO PHONES LOCATED IN THE LOBBY: (1) DIRECT LINE TO 911 DISPATCHERS (2) A PHONE ALLOWING YOU TO CONTACT EVERY ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION IN THE DEPARTMENT AND A NON EMERGENCY PROMPT IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO AN ON DUTY PATROL OFFICER. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT 911 CALLS WILL NOT CHANGE. ALSO NON-EMERGENCY CALLS AND ADMINISTRATIVE CALLS WILL STILL BE AT PHONE NUMBERS 567-5321 AND 5678432. ON THESE LINES YOU WILL PROMPTED TO THE CORRECT OFFICE.

Steve Baker, Publisher David Granger, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

OPINION

Page A4 • MAY 3, 2017

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

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Trump’s May Day was true distress call

M

ay Day was no celebration of labor for the White House staffers charged with cleaning up the messes of or trying to interpret the sometimes-uninterpretable utterings of our president. Instead, it was a distress call. Monday, May 1, 2017, will not go down in the Trump annals as his best day. He showed his lack of knowledge of history and further illustrated a tendency to want to pal around with fanatical rulers. First, there was what we’ll call the “Old Hickory” debacle. If you know anything about American history, you know that “Old Hickory” was the nickname of Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, called so because of his strong personality. On Monday, Trump told a reporter, “(Jackson) was really angry that — he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War. He said, ‘There’s no reason for this.’ ” If Trump is right, Jackson’s foresight was uncanny. He died 16 years prior to the Civil War. Moreso, if Trump is correct, Jackson’s feelings ran counter to his lifestyle. At the time of his death, Jackson owned approximately 150 slaves, a number he had grown from nine at the time of his purchase of his Hermitage estate near Nashville. In fact, the website for the Hermitage, which serves largely to trumpet Jackson, states bluntly, “In all reality, slav-

DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

ery was the source of Andrew Jackson’s wealth.” Perhaps Jackson would have stopped slavery and, thus, the Civil War – by making slavery the law of the land. But the shouts of “Mayday!” from the Trump crisis team didn’t stop there. In a separate interview with Bloomberg News, Trump said of a meeting with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, ““If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it.” Honored to meet with Kim JongUn? Really? This is a man that has killed his own people – killed members of his own family, even – while thousands of others labor away in forced labor camps at his whim. This is a man that has no honor and should be shown the same amount. This is a killer and a despot. But, hey, it wouldn’t be Trump’s first meeting with such a man. By that time, our president’s planned meeting with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte would likely have taken place, a meeting agreed to in a Saturday phone call between the two.

Duterte is said to have killed 7,000 of his own people in his government’s crackdown on drugs, some by his personal hand. He cursed and used racial epithets in tirades against our former president Barack Obama. Tapes shown of his press conferences reveal a vile and profane man who obviously has no vocabulary outside curses and even less regard for human rights. So, two days after Trump’s “Mayday!” here are my questions: Do we have a president who knows nothing about the history of the country he leads and just makes it up as he goes along? But, more importantly, does our president have true regard for human rights? If so, why is he becoming so chummy with despots who most assuredly don’t (and we haven’t even touched on Vladimir Putin yet)? For years, countries throughout the world have looked to the United States to stand up taller than anyone and demand that the most basic human rights be respected, to be that shining beacon on the hill. Now, our president is “honored” to host a madman and having conversations with a leader who proudly boasts of killing his citizens with his own hands. God, please bless America. David Granger is the managing editor of the Elmore County papers under Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X.

We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 306 SALES Brandy Bowman, marketing consultant brandy.bowman@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 313

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If the world had a front porch

ere in town, I spend a lot of time on my back porch. Sure, I’ve had a couple of rocking chairs on my front porch for quite some time, but I spend more time in the back. That’s where the grill is, and that’s where my garden is. It’s my own little private getaway within the confines of my privacy fence. My awesome neighbors stick their heads over the fence on occasion, but, for the most part, it’s just me and my dog. While it has its advantages, there’s just something special about a front porch. Usually, when I turn into my neighborhood, I press the button on my garage opener thingy and pull right on into the Bat Cave, not to be seen again until I go out on my next bat adventure. That’s what’s wrong with the world. We just keep to ourselves and don’t know our neighbors. While I know one set of my neighbors really well, I don’t know the others. For all I know, they may be The Riddler, The Penguin, or the Joker, although I like to think I’m the only Joker in this neighborhood. We’ve been spending a lot of time out in the country at my mawmaw and pawpaw’s farmhouse in Tallapoosa County. We absolutely love it out there. There’s nothing like sitting on that old wooden porch way out in the country amongst the lizards and birds and bees, oh my! The homeplace sits just off a

JODY FULLER Columnist

paved road on a dirt road and is just a couple of miles from the Tallapoosa River. The 5:00 traffic can be overwhelming at times. The other day, a four-wheeler and an ATV drove by at the same time. That was rush hour. The lady driving the four-wheeler was in her pajamas. When she came back by a few minutes later, she had a kid with her. Maybe she stole him off someone’s front porch. I don’t know. My dad and many of his siblings were born in that house. Every time I go there, it stirs up beautiful childhood memories of “wrasslin”, food, and family get-togethers. My mawmaw was one of the best cooks to ever come out of God’s kitchen. From what I hear, her possum was delicious when cooked with sweet potatoes. I hate I missed out on that southern delicacy of the past, but it is a delicacy of the past, which is where it needs to stay. I remember eating mawmaw’s rolls and banana pudding more than anything else. I also remember taking my plate outside and sitting down with my little legs dangling off the side of the porch

during the family get-togethers. My dad and uncle would sit in the rocking chairs and talk, chew, and spit off the porch before, during, and after lunch. I had to be careful, though, because daddy was blind. I had to stay out of his line of fire. One of my favorites songs is “If the World had a Front Porch” by country music artist Tracy Lawrence. If the world had a front porch like we did back then We'd still have our problems but we'd all be friends Treating your neighbor like he's your next of kin Wouldn't be gone with the wind If the world had a front porch, like we did back then The front porch is a place where many of us recall some our fondest memories with family and friends. It’s also a place where new memories are made. It should be a place where we put down our phones and listen to nature and family, not to mention our friends and neighbors who just happen to stop by. They didn’t have a reason; they had an open invitation. When I was a kid, we called that “viztin.” Jody Fuller is from Opelika. He is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.

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MAY 3, 2017 • Page A5

Trust and integrity earned, not given O

ver the last two weeks, the people of Alabama and the rest of the nation have been following the information reported around the resignation of former Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. What started as a new beginning in 2010, centered on trust and integrity, turned very ugly around misuse of campaign funds, a marriage ending after 50 years, and a moral failure. Key ingredients that erode trust and take away integrity can take years to rebuild. As my grandfather taught me many years ago ... trust is earned, not given. So, here we are again, reeling from the aftermath of failure. Moreover, Robert Bentley has appeared to show no remorse in public. Only the facts have now come forward, and he has apologized in that same vain. He has received a lot of criticism for the tone he has taken. It is easy to judge other people, and my prayer goes out to Governor Bentley, his family, friends, and all close associates that have been hurt by what has happened. For we all stand in the need of grace and forgiveness. Furthermore, we all face the

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temptations of this world. If we are not careful, each of us can fall into the consequences of bad decisions that we make. Today, I am thankful for the kindness, grace, and forgiveness that has come my way over my youth and adult life. If not for people believing in me and giving me another chance, I would not be in the position of leadership that I am today. So, we learn from mistakes, move forward, and I believe can get to a better place. This is my prayer for Robert Bentley and for all who feel overwhelmed by their actions or the actions of others. Realizing the depth of our actions affects all of those around us perhaps in more difficult ways than ourselves. It is like a rock thrown in the water and the ripple effects keeps moving out from where the rock initially hit. This is where Alabama politics finds itself today. Yet, if we work to get to a better place today, there is great hope for tomorrow. As followers of Jesus, we believe in healing and restoration of people’s lives. Sometimes, we in the church are good at shooting our wounded. Therefore, this ele-

ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143

ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God

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Lake Camp Director, Steve Lewandowski, gave me. It is black and has the word, “Integrity” written on it. I have Integrity turned inward on the bracelet. It is easy to point fingers at others, but integrity begins with each one of us. I prayerfully ask that each of us step forward to live a life of integrity. Along the way, be the first to forgive others and each of us needs to walk with others to help hold them accountable. Integrity! We all need to work hard to restore this element back into our lives. “In the same way, encourage others to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching” Titus 2:6-7 Bishop David W. Graves serves as the Resident Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. The conference is comprised of eight districts, over 600 pastors and churches with a membership total of approximately 140,000 persons.

504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist

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ment of integrity has really been on my heart and mind in recent days. As a Bishop in the United Methodist Church, I have been given tremendous power that affects millions of lives in our 12.5 million United Methodist world-wide denomination. Here in the AlabamaWest Florida Conference, we have nearly 140,000 members and more than 600 congregations. One of the major items I am tasked with is the appointment of clergy to churches. In the United Methodist Church, clergy are appointed for a year at a time from July to June of the following year. Here in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, we are near the completion in the process of projecting appointments. Most of our pastors will return to their places they presently serve. We will make around 100 changes. This process is hard, but Holy Spirit filled.

Many a small thing

Rickey Luster, Music Director

You will receive a warm welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church.

United Methodist Church

Area Churches

Rev. Ryan Johnson

Sunday School..........10:45 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m.

BISHOP DAVID GRAVES

I have a Cabinet of nine people who help me in this process, but at the end of the day, all appointments are the responsibility of the bishop. The lives of pastors, their families, and each congregation depend on the decisions that I make. Most people that I run into say, “I would not have your job for anything in the world.” Yet, I have a lot of people telling me how to do my job. The word “integrity” is screaming in my head, heart, and soul these days. I am thankful for those who I have placed around me to call me into accountability and remind me that being humble is so important. Remember, trust and integrity is earned, not given. Jesus modeled for us by bringing 12 others to be in his inner circle. Some of them missed the mark often times while one of them betrayed Jesus. We too will have those who let us down and yes, betray us. Who are you placing around you to help you keep focused and centered? For the last few weeks, I have been wearing a bracelet that our Conference Blue

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd.

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Children's Director

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship.....10:30 School........9:30 a.m. a.m. Morning MorningWorship.......6:00 Worship...10:30p.m. a.m. Evening Evening Worship.....6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Supper.....................5:30 p.m. Choir PrayerRehearsal.........6:45 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m. Student Worship........6:00 p.m. Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m. Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.

CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us. Nursery Check out our Facebook page

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B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Chad Middlebrooks, Students Amy Pugh, Director of Matt Fallin, Worship Children & Preschool Amy Pugh, Children & Students Preschool Chad Middlebrooks,

SUNDAY SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship...................9 &&10:30 Worship........................9 10:30a.m. a.m. EveningCelebration.................6 Celebration...........5 p.m. Evening p.m.

WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age Programs 6:15 -- 7:30 p.m. 6:15

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ Call Brandy Call Jayne or Shannon at 567-7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

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MAY 3, 2017 • PAGE A7

Holtville baseball falls in second round of playoffs By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Winning the most innings won’t win the ballgame. LAMP outscored Holtville in 10 of the 12 innings in games one and two Friday, but a late, big surge allowed the Bulldogs (22-18) to push the Class 4A, second round playoff series to Saturday. LAMP mirrored HHS’s late rising from the night before in game three, scoring four runs in the sixth before senior Pruett Singleton ultimately drew a two-out, full-count bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh off Drew Nobles to give the Golden Tigers the walkoff 7-6 victory Saturday at Paterson Field. “I told (Singleton) throughout the whole game that anytime he goes up to bat, before it’s over you’re going to have an important at-bat,” LAMP coach Chad Smith said. “And he played like a senior. “I’ve got a prepared speech for the season being over, but at the same time, I do believe since I saw it (Friday), that even with two outs you can score four or five runs. I kept telling them to wait for something positive to happen.” The Golden Tigers (16-13) run-ruled Holtville, 11-1, in the series opener and built a 4-1 lead through five frames in game two. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Nobles and Jake Brown got back-to-back hits before senior catcher Zach Weldon ignited the rally with an RBI single. Evan Headley and junior leadoff Alex Cantrell followed with RBI hits before senior Austin Lankford gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the series, 6-4, with a two-run double.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

LAMP senior Pruett Singleton (10) celebrates after drawing a two-out, bases loaded, series-winning walk off Holtville sophomore Drew Nobles (4), who’s appealing to the umpire, Saturday at Paterson Field.

Junior lefthander Dylan Culverhouse earned the save in game two and started game three, pitching into the fifth inning, giving up just two runs. In the final two games, Cantrell led the team,

going 7-for-8 with four RBIs and three runs. The Dawgs scorched LAMP for five runs in the first two frames, taking a 5-0 advantage before the Golden Tigers

started climbing back in it. A sacrifice fly RBI in the third and a run scored on an error in the fifth from Gerald Lash pulled LAMP within 5-2 going to the sixth. Cantrell stretched the Dawgs’ lead back to four with an RBI single in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough. With two outs, Nobles allowed a run on a wild pitch and after three walks, RBI hits from Seth Hudson and Chris Phung tied the game, 6-6, setting up the dramatic seventh. “There’s never a worse way to lose a game,” HHS coach Michael Dismukes said. “A hit there or ball four there, it’s still a loss. I feel for our kids. They put their heart and effort into this and it’s a tough one to swallow. “Tip your hat to their guys, they played an extremely great series. They jump out on us early yesterday to keep the momentum, then we find a way to scratch late and take the second game. (Saturday), we do the same thing, get an early lead and we just never put them away. They chipped away, chipped away and they found a way to win it. To advance, you got to find ways to win and they did. We just didn’t make enough plays.” For the first time since 2009, Holtville advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. “You want to get the monkey off your back. It’s been a while since our club has been to the second round,” Dismukes said. “You know, it’s not easy to do and they finally got the monkey off their back. We moved forward, had a great series. A break here or there and we win this series. Great job by LAMP.”

Lady Mustangs chase down 1st area title in 10 years By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Stanhope Elmore hammered out 14 runs in the final seven innings of play to capture the program’s first area championship in a decade Saturday at SEHS. Trailing Chilton County, 2-0, heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Mustangs rallied to gain their first lead, 4-2, of the regional play-in game behind junior catcher Martha McDaniel’s tworun hit and an RBI from Kayla Wright. Blistering the Lady Tiger pitching staff for 12 runs on 10 hits in the Class 6A, Area 5 title contest, Stanhope closed out its pursuit of area’s top regional tourney seed in five innings. “(Friday) was a tough game,” SEHS softball coach Virginia Barber said. “Chilton County came out and was ready to play. Before (Saturday’s) game I said, ‘We’re already going to regionals, so just relax, let’s just play our game.’ We were a little uptight yesterday and still came out with a win. We came out strong, never slowed down. We still have to play the way we know

how. We’re practicing for the next opponent.” Freshman Raven Hudson broke out for the Lady Mustangs with four RBIs on a single and a double and scored two runs, protecting freshman clean-up hitter Sherrell Matthews from intentional walks. McDaniel added a two-run home run to centerfield and sophomore shortstop McKayla Wilson also had two RBIs. “They wouldn’t pitch to Sherrell. So, we told Raven she had to step up and she did,” Barber said. “She did it (Friday) also. If they don’t want to pitch to our top hitter, then we’ve got more and we showed it tonight. We showed them that we can all hit.” Matthews picked up the victory in the first game versus the Tigers, throwing a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out five. Eighth-grade left-hander Harleigh Anderson earned the win in the area championship game, giving up just one run late despite Chilton County’s nine hits. “We’re ready (for the 6A South

Submitted / The Herald

The Stanhope Elmore softball team is all smiles after capturing the top seed in the regional tourney with a win over Chilton County.

Central Regional Tournament). It’s starting to click,” Barber said. “These last couple of games, we’ve clicked. We’re playing as a team, we’re getting clutch hits off the bench, we’re getting base runners coming off the bench

doing what they’re supposed to do. It’s starting to all come together and I think that’s what we need.” Stanhope next plays in the regional tournament May 11-13.

Stale offense sticks Edgewood with 2nd place region showing By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Football drills heating up spring Local schools Edgewood Academy, Elmore County, Holtville, Stanhope Elmore and Wetumpka all opened spring football practice Monday. Catch all the action from the first day of spring practice over at our Facebook page. Pictured: Wetumpka rising junior middle linebacker Bubba Adams (15) defends a pass to rising senior skill player Robert Laprade (4) during Monday’s team practice on WHS’s campus.

For Edgewood Academy to make a run at the AISA Class AAA state championship this weekend, producing at the plate with runners in scoring position will be paramount. The Lady Wildcats (34-17) finished second in the Region 1 Tournament Thursday at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, falling 3-1 to Glenwood in the battle for their region’s state tourney top seed after battling back to beat Lee-Scott, 8-5, earlier that day. In the victory over Lee-Scott, EA turned around a 1-for-6 offensive start with runners in scoring position through the first four innings. Trailing in the bottom of the fifth, 3-2, Edgewood capitalized on four free passes and used RBI hits from eighth-grader Kelley Greene, senior Kevi Hansen and junior Kallie Johnson to blow the game open. The Lady ‘Cats produced six runs in the final two frames against Lee-Scott, but couldn’t keep the momentum against Glenwood as Samford signee McKenna Gillespie limited them to just three hits and stifled EA hitters to no hits with runners on second and third. Freshman third baseman Grayson Laney belted a solo home run for Edgewood’s lone run. “Lee-Scott had a pitcher that was throwing a drop ball,” Lady Wildcat head softball coach Mark Segrest See EDGEWOOD • Page 8

PAGE A8 • MAY 3, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Stanhope soccer sweeps Russell County in playoff openers By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Stanhope Elmore girls and boys soccer teams rolled to Class 6A first-round playoff victories over Russell County at FosheeHenderson Stadium Saturday. The Lady Mustangs shared the ball en route to their highest goal-scoring output, demolishing the Lady Warriors, 12-2. In the nightcap, the Stanhope boys team nearly matched the girls’ success, netting nine goals, but pitched a shutout in the 9-0 rout. Seniors Kelli Vaughn and Dauson Alexander, who celebrated a birthday Saturday, along with junior forward Madelynn Cantrell, all posted hat tricks against RCHS. “We just really got around to passing,” Vaughn said after the win. “Our team has been struggling with that this year and we’ve been working on it a whole lot. It ended up working out really well for us. I’ve been on it for six years now and it’s definitely the most we’ve ever scored. We played a great game. “Me and Dauson definitely worked together. It’s her birthday today and that last

one, I made sure she got her hat trick in.” Vaughn also had a team-high three assists. Senior midfielder Amy Lopez scored two goals and had an assist and freshman Emily Bush added a goal for SEHS. The Stanhope boys managed two hat tricks of their own from junior sensation Marcos Cortes and sophomore winger Michael Torres Mercado as the team started fast. In the third minute, junior defender Neyson Lopez scored from near midfield on a high ball that bounced through the Russell County keeper’s hands and setting the Mustangs off. Cortes converted a penalty kick, while Mercado and sophomore Dillon Lewis scored in the next 14 minutes, putting SEHS up, 4-0, early on. Mercado scored his second goal in the first 60 seconds after halftime and junior forward Nathan Warlick finished a breakaway run, as the Mustangs led, 6-0, in the 49th. Cortes and Mercado alternated goals Cory Diaz / The Herald the rest of the way. SEHS girls hosted Baldwin County in Stanhope Elmore senior striker Dauson Alexander (17) rips a shot past the crashing Russell County the second round Tuesday, while the boys goalkeeper Saturday during the Class 6A first round match at Foshee-Henderson Stadium. traveled to Daphne.

NLCA’s Blevins inks with Judson College By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Jenni Blevins signing Wednesday to play college volleyball and basketball at Judson College was never supposed to happen. Not because of injury or not being good enough – the New Life Christian Academy standout did indeed earn her scholarship offer. But college athletics were never a part of Blevins’ vision of the next step. “I really never got out there (on the recruiting trail),” Blevins said after her signing ceremony at the school’s gym Wednesday. “My plan wasn’t to play sports in college.” Playing guard and forward for the Lady Eagles basketball team and outside hitter on the volleyball squad, Blevins shined in both sports, knowing the whole time she would not play on the next level. Once Judson offered and she visited its Marion, Alabama campus, her plan changed. “Sports have been my outlet to go to for stress and stuff. It’s somewhere where I

can be myself and express myself and get some stress away,” Blevins said. “At first, Judson was not my plan. Judson just came and it was a blessing, honestly, because when I went there, I was unsure of how I was going to feel. But the atmosphere of the whole school, it was like where I need to be. It’s where God’s telling me to be. The basketball and the volleyball programs, I am excited because it’s just so welcoming, so I’m excited about it.” Blevins credited her family and high school coaches for pushing her to get an opportunity to sign a college scholarship. “They’ve encouraged me and I wouldn’t be where I am without my coaches. (New Life volleyball and basketball coach Tina Jozwiak) and (Sharon Wilkes) have had a major impact on my life and they’ve pushed me to be the best I can be,” Blevins said. “I’m my own worst enemy and they’ve made me realize that.” Cory Diaz / The Herald It’s true Blevins never saw herself sign- New Life Christian Academy standout Jenni Blevins signed a national letter-of-intent Wednesday to play ing to play sports in college. But plans college volleyball and basketball at Judson College. change and she couldn’t be more excited. “It’s huge. I was so nervous honest- thought I was going to misspell it. But I’m step in life. It just started happening and it’s ly,” she said. “Trying to sign my name, I really excited because this is my next big awesome. It’s just an awesome feeling.”

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Edgewood said. “She had good spin on the ball. We were really out in front those first four innings. So, I encouraged the girls to wait back, let the ball travel a little bit and start driving the ball to center and right field. Just be more patient at the plate, let the ball get deeper. “The Glenwood game was a hardfought game. We played a better game against Glenwood, and that’s a team we’re going to have to go through to advance in the state tournament. We put a bat on a ball against (Gillespie), but we couldn’t drive in runs in scoring position and you have to do that against teams like that.” Seventh-grader Alexis Walls earned the win in relief versus Lee-Scott, throwing 2.2 frames and only giving up one run. Sophomore Avery Roberts pitched a complete game against Glenwood, surrendering a two-run home run to Kamren Bence and only

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five other hits. “Roberts did a great job of keeping us in the game. We’ve got to play better defense behind our pitchers for us to have a chance in the state tournament,” Segrest said. “The deal with us is we’ve got to get healthy. Our starting shortstop (Peyton Rodie) broke three fingers (versus Lee-Scott), so she’s out for the rest of the year. We need everybody to get healthy. “But it’s really a matter of us playing better defense. We’ve played well these last six weeks. These games in the state tournament are going to be one-run games. So, we’ve got to get girls producing and driving in runners in scoring position. If we do that, we’ll have a chance.” EA will open AAA state tourney play Friday at noon at Lagoon Park.

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Rane, Johns could easily buy governor’s race CommunityCalendar Submit calendar items: Participate in your

W

ell, folks, let’s put the final coup de grace to the Robert Bentley sixyear governor’s reign and move on. Ole Bentley was quite a story his last two years. He had become the ringleader of a circus and an infamous national cartoon character. The salacious and lurid details of his affair with Rebekah Mason were a never ending, titillating saga. The story, along with his picture, could aptly be a plot for a tabloid or a soap opera. I will actually be surprised if it does not make it to television or even the movies. Unfortunately, this story will be his legacy as governor. He has no public policy initiatives to tout for posterity. He will be known as the “Luv Gov.” Our last two governors may not have gone to jail like previous ones, but they garnered terrific nicknames for their exploits over their last year in office. Bob Riley spent his last year doing the bidding of the Indian gambling syndicate and his cowboy and Indian escapades closing down all the non-Indian casinos earned him the nickname of “Bingo Bob.” Ole Bentley, who appeared to be the least likely person to play the part, became a sex-crazed philanderer. His and Rebekah’s sordid romance tapes sounded like the x-rated version of Barney Fife sweet-talking Thelma Lou. Even the national media dubbed him the “Luv Gov”. Bentley never really showed any genuine remorse or contrition. Even when he read his prepared resignation speech, it did not seem heartfelt or sincere. They were just words wrapped in religion. He never seemed

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

to apologize from the heart. He still seemed a little bit haughty. Having taught Sunday school for many years, one would have thought Bentley had taught some from the book of Proverbs. One of Solomon’s greatest proverbs says, “Pride goeth before a fall.” Early in the day of Bentley’s resignation, I was walking around the Capitol with rumors swirling that Bentley’s demise was imminent at any time. I was wishing the best for ole Bentley. I thought about ole Big Jim Folsom standing on the Capitol steps when the press would pound on him and ask him to resign. He would say to them, “Y’all ain’t gonna get old Big Jim to quit. When I was a boy, growing up in Coffee County my old pappy would make me get out of bed before daylight and go work in the fields chopping cotton and plowing behind a mule. I’d see a rain cloud come up and start praying for rain so I could quit for a while. My pappy would say boy it may cloud up but it ain’t gonna rain on Big Jim.” Well, bless his heart, it did rain on Bentley. He’s gone. Kay Ivey will serve out the remaining 19 months of his term. She may decide to run for a full term of her own as governor. As the incumbent governor, she would be a viable candidate. There is an ever-growing list of potential and probable horses

that are gearing up for the 2018 gubernatorial derby. The list of viable candidates is at about a dozen. However, let me tell you again, like I have been telling you for years, Alabamians like to vote for a dark horse for governor – one who has not been around the political track. Let me give you the names of two very rich businessmen who could pull off a Fob James 1978 like coup. Jimmy Rane, known as “Yella Fella” from his ads of riding a horse and wearing a big yellow hat advertising his yellow lumber, started out and built Great Southern Wood out of Abbeville where he was born and raised and still calls home. Forbes magazine has his net worth at $600 million. Johnny Johns became CEO of Birmingham-based Protective Life at a young age. He built the company started by Colonel Rushton into one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. When an international corporation bought Protective several years ago, Johnny walked away with $300 million. He is known throughout Birmingham as one of the most civic-minded people in the Magic City. Either one of these two distinguished gentlemen could easily buy the governor’s office with their pocket change and they may be interested. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Herald and Observer by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to the.editor@thewetumpkaherald.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/.

NOW – May 22 Registration is now open for the City of Wetumpka’s CJ Deputy Summer Program. Packets can be picked up and returned at the Wetumpka Police Department from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The program will be held at the MLK, Jr. Center located at 200 Lancaster Street in Wetumpka. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served daily at no cost. There will be daily devotionals, reading time, motivational speakers, field trips, arts and crafts, games, movies and ice cream Fridays! They are still in need of volunteers or donations such as water, snacks, and juice. For more information contact Sergeant Ella Roberts at (334) 850-2566 during regular business hours only, or by email at eroberts@cityofwetumpka.com.

NOW – June 2

Star Dust: From the Alabama Pastel Society is on displayed at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery which is located on the second floor of the City Administrative Building, 408 South Main Street in Wetumpka, Alabama. It is free and open from Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30.

May 4-7, and 11-13

The Wetumpka Depot Players are ushering in warmer days with Neil Simon’s classic comedy, Last of the Red Hot Lovers. The play invites audiences to the “groovy” and “out of sight” days of the swinging sixties! Audiences will love this comedy with a surprising resolution. “This is a laugh a minute Neil Simon classic that our audiences will love, “ said director, Tom Salter. Tickets are available by calling (334) 868-1440 or visiting wetumpkadepot.com. The box office is located at 300 S Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Wetumpka.

May 4

Wetumpka Elementary School is rolling out the red carpet for Art Under the Stars. Please join us from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wetumpka Elementary School. • Wetumpka High School Honors Day, 8 a.m., Wetumpka High School gymnasium. Seniors will be presented their scholarships. • “Drive New Business with Social Media & Get Started with Email Marketing,” 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Brown Bag Lunch & Learn Workshop presented by the Alabama State University Small Business Development Center at the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, 110 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka.

May 5

Central Alabama Aging Consortium will host their annual Mayfest from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic

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Cruisin’ for Critters raises $8,000 for humane shelter By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

It was another great year for the 15th annual Cruisin’ fer Critters at Déjà Vu Billiards in Montgomery. Many thanks to all the members, families and friends of The Predator’s Riding Club for their dedicated support to our shelter. Through their hard work they raised almost $8,000 for our shelter and the pets we care for! Simply awesome! We also want to thank Déjà Vu Billiards for hosting ‘Cruisin’ and Justin Turberville and DJ G-Rivers for their musical and entertainment talent. Please also thank these most wonderful event sponsors: with any fundraising event there was a core group of sponsors so please thank all the following for their most generous support: Herring Chiropractic, Tallassee Tire, Tallassee Rehab, Herren Hill Pharmacy, Sarah A. Jill, Sheri & Georgia Grace Kirkley, SWAT Exterminating Company, Jack & Baby Doll, American Legion Post 133, Cougar & Casanova & Chuckles. We also thank all the riders and non-riders who came and supported this annual event and all those who donated

items for door prizes and the live auction. The Predator’s Riding Club are true friends to our shelter and we can never thank them enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your dedication to helping our shelter and we are certainly lucky to have their unwavering support. This weekend is the PetSmart Charities National Adoption weekend. Please check our Shelter Facebook page for updates later this week as to the PetSmart where we will be and the times, as it will be based on our available manpower. If you want to volunteer to help for a couple of hours, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Charline Pope at 334-202-1381 or email her at popecharlie58@yahoo.com. Not sure what to for your Mom for the upcoming Mother’s Day? Check out our “Giving Grid In Honor of All Pet Loving Moms.” Here you can donate to help our shelter and recognize your mom OR your own love for animals at the same time. We hope to fill our Giving Grid in honor of Mother’s Day as the litters of kittens and puppies are coming in fast so these funds will go a long way to helping us as our intake increases dramatically.

Humane Society Pet of the Week – Grier Grier is a one-year-old male possible hound/heeler mix that came to us as a stray. He is a very sweet boy, only about 35 pounds, great with other dogs and cats, walks well on a leash, just a love! Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. Go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday–Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m until 3 p.m.

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Frontier Spinning Mills announces expansion By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A project that has made its way through meetings of town and county governments for months spearheaded by the Elmore County Economic Development Authority recently came to fruition at a ceremony marking a local manufacturer’s expansion. The Alabama Department of Commerce reported the new facilities and machinery soon to be found at Frontier Spinning Mills are planned to create 18 new jobs. The Town of Eclectic was instrumental in the expansion of the Wetumpka-based plant. Multiple public meetings between town and county officials were held to establish the tax abatements the Town of Eclectic would undersign for the local manufacturer with headquarters in North Carolina. Mayor Gary Davenport spoke before the groundbreaking ceremony along with the other key speakers of the partnering entities of municipal governments and economic development organizations. “As a mayor of one of the smallest communities in Elmore County, it was an honor and a pleasure for them coming to us and asking us if we could assist through the help of our ID (industrial development) Board,” said Davenport. “Being a small business owner for 37 years I know what it’s like … anytime that you can expand a business … bring new jobs in here to the community, it’s a help and I love to see it in Elmore County.” ECEDA lists FSM as one of the county’s major manufacturing employers with about 125 employees. According to the Alabama

Department of Commerce, the expansion is the result of a $6 million capital investment will be used in the construction of a new warehouse and the acquisition of new “state-of-the-art” fiber preparation and open-end spinning equipment. FSM specializes in this technique of open-end spinning, which involves the creation of yarn without a spindle. Historical accounts of the spinning process state it was developed in Europe in the sixties as part of the move toward a more automated, less labor-intensive and expensive process. At Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony dozens of workers still wearing their protective gear gathered under the shade of a tree on the lawn out front of the factory. A pile of sand was placed there with shovels and helmets atop them. In the background the sign bearing the company’s name loomed large as the backdrop for the government officials and plant management set to speak. The expansion was described as a collaboration whose partners were Elmore County, ECEDA, Town of Eclectic and Wetumpka Water Works and Sewer Board. Senator Clyde Chambliss spoke as well as ADoC’s Assistant Director of Business Development, Bob Smith. A representative from Martha Roby’s office attended and Elmore County sommissioner Mack Daugherty and Bart Mercer, Davenport along with plant manager Matt Hardegree spoke at the event. ECEDA Executive Director Leisa Finley delivered the introduction. Finley gave all the credit to Jill Corbyn. “We’re extremely excit-

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Elmore County commissioners Bart Mercer and Mack Daugherty and Eclectic mayor Gary Davenport join Frontier Yarns officials at the groundbreaking for the expansion of the Highway 9 facility.

ed about what’s going on at Frontier right now, we’re glad this has continued to grow in Elmore County,” said Finley, before introducing Chambliss who had earlier toured of the facility. He talked with some of the workers before the event – one man about the remnants of cotton fabrics he had on his suit from the tour. “I’ve already done my tour. I’ve got my raw materials. I got my cotton over here and a little polyester over here,” said Chambliss as he pulled the white bundles from his pockets. He went on to say, “I’m just really really glad to see an expansion in a textile industry…” Frontier’s Hardegree talked

about the company’s cotton commodity, how it was produced and the process it went through before it was finished. He said they sold their materials internationally – to Central and South America and other Caribbean countries – and nationally from coast to coast. “We purchase cotton fibers and polyester for sale to us, we open those fibers, we clean them, we blend them, we align them, we prepare them and then we spin them into yarns,” said Hardegree. “We’ve had a presence here for 16 years…” He thanked ECEDA and Finley and the rest of their partners, including ADoC, whose Bob Smith spoke next. He talked about the state

of manufacturing, saying that ADoC information showed 60 percent of all new jobs came from existing industry. “This is living proof of that at work,” said Smith. “There’s no truer sign of success than an expansion at one of our industries because you know that everything is falling into place, that people are doing the right thing.” He credited the employees. “I’d like to appreciate all of the workforce here and workers who come to work every day to make this establishment successful because that’s why we’re able to expand it today,” Smith said.

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Center. Join us for food, fun, games, prizes, entertainment, exhibits, and much more! This event an event to honor senior citizens ages 60 and older. No children please. Call (334) 240-4680 by April 7, 2017 to make reservations. Admission is free.

May 6

The Wetumpka Rotary Club is doing it again!!! The 2017 River Region Duck Dash will be held from 3 p.m.

– 6 p.m.in conjunction with the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce’s “Coosa River Showdown” Bass Fishing Kayak Tournament. The River Region Duck Dash is an event put on by the Wetumpka Rotary Club to raise money to assist non-profits throughout the River Region. Visit www.duckrace.com/Wetumpka for more information. • Come out and run from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Join the Communities Improvement Association (CIA) for

its inaugural Healthy 3K Fun Walk/Run. The route will start at Millbrook City Hall, turn left onto Main St., turn left onto Grandview Rd., turn left on Sandtown Rd and on to the Old Sandtown High School. For registration contact Catherine Vinson at (334) 221-3226 or Jeanetta Belser at (334) 595-1205. Cost to rre-register by April 21 is $12, which includes a t-shirt or $5 with no t-shirt.

May 7

Lebanon Baptist Church at Titus will be hosting the Back Porch Singers at 6 p.m. The public is invited to join us for an evening of beautiful music.

May 9

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Sparking the Arts Youth Art Awards Ceremony, 4-6 p.m., Wetumpka Civic Center. See art by Elmore County’s most talented young artists in three age groups and enjoy a reception provided by Wind Creek to Go Hospitality.

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