SELMA SUN | March 28, 2019

YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS IN SELMA AND DALLAS COUNTY, ALABAMA

www.selmasun.com

March 28, 2019 | Volume 4, Issue 10

50 ¢

Dallas Academy facelift coming by May

Dallas Academy, in its heyday, was a stunning Renaissance Revival building built in 1889, but it has fallen into disrepair after a fire in October 2017.

BY TODD PRATER

Special to the Selma Sun Dallas Academy turns 130 years old this year, and it is

expected to get a facelift.

After shutting down following a mysterious fire in October 2017, the former elementary school turned nonprofit art

hub is scheduled to be renovated this year.

A construction firm has been chosen and given until May 11 to complete renovations.

Capital Program Management, the company representing the City of Selma and the city’s insurance company AMIC, awarded the bid to Lovelady

Construction. The bid stipulates the work is to be completed no later than May 11. The repairs to the Dallas Academy building will put each floor

National retail recruiter hired to bring more stores to Selma

back as it was but bring it up to a much more modern quality standard.

See ACADEMY, Page 5

Selma native aims to ‘bridge the gap’ through community events at the YMCA

BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff

Within a week, Austin Williams went from the lifeguard stand to an office at the YMCA Selma-Dallas County.

How’d he do it? He suggested the Y do a Fall Festival for the community.

Held in November, the festival brought about 100 parents and children to the YMCA Selma-Dallas County, which increased awareness of what the YMCA has to offer the community to increase participation.

“The exposure this position is creating for the Y is really helping us,” said Leonard Speed, new CEO of the YMCA Selma-Dallas County.

Williams had never planned an event like this, but it was so successful it led to a part-time job with the title community outreach liaison. It could become full time.

Williams, a 22-year-old from Valley Grande, left Selma to attend the University of West Alabama and returned after graduation last May. Unsure what he wanted to do with his psychology and sociology degree, he started working at the YMCA as a lifeguard as he looked for job opportunities.

He says he never wanted to move back to Selma because the city has more industrial jobs that don’t fit in with his liberal arts interests. But when he ended up back in Selma, he said he figured, “If I’m here, I don’t want to sit back idle. I’m going to bring opportunities to Selma.”

It was actually more natural than Williams realized to fall into a job organizing community events. He grew up attending hundreds of events and seeing how they impact Selma with his dad, Tracy Williams, who led Selma’s recreational sports program for many years until retiring a few years ago.

Austin grew up playing rec sports and making friends with kids from all over Dallas County, not just Valley Grande and Dallas County Schools that he attended.

“I was born and raised here, and I have a unique experience that helps me know what the needs are,” Austin Williams said. “I know we have a lack of resources and things to do.”

Growing up playing rec sports with his dad gave him a well-rounded experience in Dallas County, an experience

See YMCA, Page 5

Empty storefronts litter downtown Selma. A retail recruiter is helping Selma economic development leaders fill them.

BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff

A consultant will be using the latest digital data gathering technology to identify ideal retail space available within the city of Selma and Dallas County.

The firm Nextsite contacted the Centre for Commerce about a year ago and offered to assist with recruiting retailers to Selma, said Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Economic Development

Authority of Selma-Dallas County.

The EDA looked at the deal and agreed to pay $75,000 over three years, saying it was worth it to improve the quality of life in Selma-Dallas County. Having more retailers in a city improves quality of life and attracts more people to live in the city, said Chamber President Sheryl Smedley.

Nextsite is assisting the EDA and the city in its recruitment efforts by collecting data, most-

ly in Selma’s heaviest-traffic areas like Highland Avenue, downtown and 80 West.

They are getting the data through “geofencing,” which involves gathering information from cell phones used within a certain area and learning more about the demographics of the person carrying each phone.

That information helps identify what types of retailers would be a good fit for that part of town.

Smedley said recruiting retail is often a chicken-egg

problem in Selma-Dallas County. The county has a low median income of $28,000 a year, and the population is too small to attract larger retailers.

“We need more people to live here to support retail,” she said.

Selma Mayor Darrio Melton is hopeful Nextsite will bring good retail options to the area.

The Selma Redevelopment Authority, which Melton reinitiated when he was elected to office, is also tasked with filling empty storefronts.

Subscribe today at

Austin Williams, 22, is the YMCA Selma-Dallas County’s new community outreach liaison. Photo by Shane Morgan.

www.selmasun.com

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March 28, 2019

Selma Sun

COMMUNITY

From the Publisher: Cindy Fisher When your kids are bored and bickering, dig into adventures in Dallas County Spring Break snuck up on me this year. Running newspapers has been pretty time-consuming, and I didn’t even realize I failed to make plans for my 12- and 9-year-olds until school was out.

Bored around the house, they bickered nonstop. By Sunday, I decided my job

as a journalist involves doing cool things for stories almost every day. Why not take them with me, and we can serve as reporters together?

So we headed to Selma-Dallas County with the plan of finding interesting historical sites and other adventures.

Searching for church ghosts My daughter, Allie, the 9-year-old, is really into ghosts right now, so our first stop was to find a pre-Civil War church off County Road 55 in south Dallas County.

We read about the church on onlyinyourstate.com before we got there. The church was built in 1853 with cemeteries on both sides. It says the cemeteries are one of Alabama’s most haunted locations and listed stories of the ghost of a Confederate soldier who orders trespassers off the property. They say some folks have also seen the ghost of a former minister inside the church right before a major thunderstorm. And some say they hear sounds of a crying

baby in the one-room church that held its last service in 1974.

Those stories were definitely spooky, but what really did my daughter in were reports of a shadowy man with fiery red eyes who occupies the church and the cemetery.

We found the church with no problem, only 100 feet from the road. We looked around, with Allie shivering behind me the whole time, but we have no ghost stories to report.

However, we saw headstones from the 1700s that gave a neat perspective to the deep history of Dallas County. The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Adams Grove Presbyterian Church was built before the Civil War, and it has ghost stories to tell that are almost that old.

Hidden in heavy brush in Selmont is an old steam engine.

Hacking our way to an old train My son, William, 12, is really into trains. He wants to be a conductor when he grows up. We heard about this abandoned steam train on property off Kings Bend Road in Selmont and headed that way.

The owners were kind enough to let us explore the engine that was placed there on a small piece of track raised above the

ground many decades ago.

But first we had to use a machete to get through the thick brush and dodge the poison ivy.

My son found that it is an H.K. Porter made in the early 1900s. These were small versions of steam engines made for light-duty work. He had never seen one before, so the discovery was a real treat.

Swing bridge for trains After the rusty train adventure, we went to a traditional Selma historic site: Edmund Pettus Bridge. But we weren’t there to track Civil Rights history. My son wanted to see the swing bridge over the

This gate leads to one of the most haunted cemeteries in Alabama.

There’s a story that a Confederate soldier orders trespassers not to enter.

The headstone to this above-ground grave is so faded that the name of the occupant is lost to history.

Driving fire trucks

Alabama River that is used by trains passing through Selma.

We were told it’s too dangerous to walk on ourselves, so we found a great spot on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and got some great photos.

Making spaghetti and meatballs cake

Allie and I got to pull the cord that honks the horn.

Allie found out that the water hose is more powerful than you think.

Allie made this cake with new friends from Morgan Academy.

With all this train talk, you may be asking, “What about your daughter?” Well, we got set up with retired teacher Kelly Pomeroy who hosts art and cooking classes at her home after school for girls Allie’s age. The class includes eight to 10 girls who attend Morgan

Academy, and Allie made friends while making a spaghetti and meatballs cake. Sounds gross, right? Pomeroy calls it an April Fool’s cake, because the stringy vanilla icing looks like noodles and the covered Whoppers with jam look like meatballs. It was delicious!

William sprays water from the top of the truck.

What kid doesn’t dream of driving a fire truck? We got to do just that at Craig Field thanks to friends there. With endless runway space, the kids

could drive the huge trucks without fear of hitting anything and honk the horns and run the sirens without scaring neighbors.

We even got to run the water hoses. The power of the water out of a pumper can surprise you.

It’s always good to know

you can find activities that your kids can do without needing Wi-Fi. Thanks, Dallas County, for a fun Spring Break.

Selma Sun

March 28, 2019

3

BUSINESS

EDA kicks off new campaign called Vision 2020 & Beyond at event At an EDA reception Tuesday night, Executive Director Wayne Vardaman recognized the success of the last three years that includes Dallas County ranking first in the state for capital investments made. International Paper’s investment of $616 million to grow its existing plant is a huge part of giving Dallas County the high ranking. The EDA worked with International Paper to get incentives for the expansion that keeps them here with their 750 jobs and 150 contractor jobs.

BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff

The Selma-Dallas County Economic Development Authority is entering its fourth and final year of a four-year vision that included huge wins during its first three years.

And they kicked off a new campaign called Vision 2020 & Beyond that asks local industries to pledge funding to allow EDA room to take care of existing businesses and attract new ones in the next four years.

Al Allenbeck of Goodwin Mills & Cawood and Rick Williams of Selcom

Publisher: Cindy Fisher

Jim Bruce of IP credited EDA with helping them secure grants to improve the roadways leading into International Paper.

Cleve Poole, executive vice president of economic development and legal affairs at Pioneer Electric, said the business community in SelmaDallas County is unique for its Contributors: camaraderie and the way leadTodd Prater ers support each other and the Chico Cleveland local EDA. Nathan Prewett

Johnny Jones, retired judge, and Aubrey Carter of Alabama Power.

Pilgrims Flock The Pilgrimage headquarters is the Vaughn-Smitherman Museum at 109 Union Street in Selma. There, pilgrims can

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purchase tickets for the complete tour.

You can get information at http://selmapilgrimage.com

or email info@selmapilgrimage.com you can also call 334412-8550 or 800-45-SELMA (800457-3562).

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part other than for personal use is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher Kingfisher Media LLC

How Glenn King plans to train Selma’s workforce through WCC The Selma Sun is a news source for the community of Selma and Dallas County, Alabama.

Information gathered for coverage of Selma-Dallas County is from sources that are considered reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Issues with accuracy or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at publisher@selmasun.com.

BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff

Email news tips to news@selmasun.com

Wallace Community College The Selma Sun (USPS) is published weekly for $26 per year by Kingfisher Media, LLC, Selma711 plays a key role in Dallas Alabama Avenue, Selma, AL 36701. Periodicals postage (USPS #21110) at Selma, Alabama.

County – to turn out a trained workforce.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Selma Sun, PO Box 476, Selma, AL 36702-0476.

Staying on top of what industries in Dallas County need is Published by: Glenn King Jr., the new direcKingfisher Media LLC tor of Workforce Development 711 Alabama Ave. Selma, AL 36701 at WCCS. King took over six months ago, bringing experiStay up-to-date on Selma News ence of 18 years in banking and at SelmaSun.com retail and 10 years of teaching at Concordia College in Subscribe Selma. for only $26 a year at selmasun.com/about King served as dean of the business school at Concordia until it closed in June, and he now has a mission to produce a skilled workforce through the path of a community college.

“WCC is a great place for students to get the foundation Glenn King Jr. is the new Director of Workforce Development at Wallace of their education, to build and Community College Selma. foster relationships for job purposes, and it’s a good place to job sites. WCC Selma also helps heavy items without getting grow as an individual,” he said. employees as Crown Health hurt are also taught. They also Many students come to WCC Care Laundry Services with conduct mock interviews and trying to figure out what their leadership and development public speaking.

WCC also works with area training under a $5,000 grant. career path should be.

WCC is one of four communi- high schools for co-op pro“A lot of students are trying to find themselves, and we ty colleges in Alabama selected grams. One program teaches try to help cultivate and nur- to teach a pilot phase of Apple’s starts working with students ture them before they go into new app development curric- when they are sophomores in the world and further their aca- ulum called Swift. It teaches high school so they can become how to create fully functional a welder in three years. And demics,” King said.

WCC has traditional stu- iPhone apps and builds on the they collaborate with other dents who come there right “Everyone Can Code” platform. community college campuses Another program he over- in Lowndes, Perry, Hale counafter high school as well as non-traditional students who sees is Ready to Work, which ties as well as Dallas County, return after being in the work- gives students employability with WCC instructors teaching skills, like how to communi- there. force to start another career.

King is continuing his King is working toward meet- cate, how to create a budget and ing the needs of businesses and other soft skills, according to own development. He recently participated in the 34th industries in Selma and Dallas instructor Anne Williams.

Ready to Work teaches con- annual Intensive Economic County. “We ask the workforce, ‘What are your needs?’” Then flict management because get- Development Training course Auburn University’s WCC develops curricula need- ting along in the workplace at & Economic ed to train the workforce for the is key, she said. She address- Government es workplace behavior, like Development Institute. The jobs available.

WCC works with harassment, discrimination two-week course demonstratInternational Paper and Bush and even active shooters and ed phases of economic develHog to provide training in addi- workplace violence. Safety in opment. He attended thanks to tion to what they get at the the workplace and how to lift scholarship from Spire Energy.

Publisher: Cindy Fisher

Contributors: Todd Prater Chico Cleveland Nathan Prewett

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part other than for personal use is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher Kingfisher Media LLC The Selma Sun is a news source for the community of Selma and Dallas County, Alabama.

Information gathered for coverage of Selma-Dallas County is from sources that are considered reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Issues with accuracy or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at publisher@selmasun.com.

Email news tips to news@selmasun.com

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March 28, 2019

Selma Sun

OUTDOORS

Southern Sportsman Lodge expanding with new cabins, event space

BY TODD PRATER

Special to the Selma Sun The Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge in Lowndes County has welcomed celebrities of all types in its nearly 40 years as an outdoors destination and played host to nationally televised hunting competitions.

Its owners have plans to grow, with new cabins for added lodging and event space for large parties such as weddings.

The Lodge started in 1982 as a doublewide trailer, but over time, farming buddies Jim Mason and Dave Lyon built different sections of the site, ditched the trailer and patched farming land and some rental land together to become a lodge with 5,000 acres of prime hunting land.

Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge is not a hunting club. There is no membership.

Mason said you get a room, get fed and they take you to prime hunting locations with a guide.

This is for both deer and turkey seasons. Mason said there are some people who come every year. One regular guest has been driving down from Long Island, N.Y., every deer season for at least 20 years. He is now 85 years old but still drives down to hunt and stay at the Lodge. Mason said he has built stairs and will help the loyal hunter up into his stand and back down after a day of hunting. There is a group that comes every year from Florida and other regulars that come from other states as well. Two other regulars come for the first week of turkey season every year, one from Huntsville the other

The Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge has been a staple in the Alabama hunting world for 37 years. from New York.

In 1985 the Lodge really took off, according to Mason. He said people came from up North to hunt when it was too cold to hunt up there. In 1987 the Buck Master’s Classic became a regular tournament at the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge.

This is when some big-name celebrities stayed at the Lodge,

names like Dale Earnhardt, Davy Allison, Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Varney to name a few.

There were big names from the music and recording industry, pro football players, baseball players and wrestlers that were guests at that time. Mason said they were taking 10 or 12 people a day just turkey hunting and many more deer hunting. He said there were seven full-time employees to keep everything running smoothly.

Mason said he and Lyon have slowed down a bit in recent years. He usually takes only two people turkey hunting and four or five deer hunting each day. He said these days he likes to have weekends to go turkey hunting with his family. But the lodge is in no way shutting down.

In November, a group stays at the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge for a bow hunting competition. They go out and hunt on their own, no guides, but stay at the Lodge.

Each year in February the Buck Master Squirrel Classic comes to the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge. This is a squirrel hunting competition with five or six teams using pellet guns. Not just any pellet guns, new Gamo Pellet guns.

There are 4-H members and celebrities that come to hunt. Mason said there are numerous television crews covering this, so it is on outdoor television, especially the Buck

IENDS FAMILY COWORKERS MOTHERS TEACHERS SONS UGHTERS NURSES GRANDPARENTS NIECES FATHERS AUNTS UNCLES EMPLOYERS COUSINS FAMILY NEPHEWS FIRST FAMILY OPIOID ADDICTION NEPHEWS DOCTORS PARENTS RIENDS HAS NO AGE LIMIT. FAMILY COWORKERS MOTHERS IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP.

Masters, regularly. Although this is a hunting lodge, in recent years a group of fishermen will rent rooms and stay at the Lodge but go fishing for crappie on the Alabama River. Mason said he is planning to build cabins that could be rented also. He said they are open to accommodating anglers that want to fish the local river and lakes but would rather stay in the Lodge than in a hotel.

Another development is

Mason’s catering business. One recent expansion to the Lodge was to build a huge and wellequipped kitchen. Mason can cater large parties at the Lodge.

The Lodge is available for reunions, church parties, and even weddings. Mason points out that Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge is self-contained. For less money than it would cost anywhere else, the wedding attendees will have rooms and meals. The rehears-

al and rehearsal dinner and the wedding and reception could be in the one location. There is plenty of room inside for the wedding but, with the beautiful grounds, an outside wedding is also possible.

The Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge is going strong and Mason plans on it being around for quite a while, even if it is not as busy as it was in its peak in the 80s and 90s.

Mason attributes the slow down to a number of factors. One is a drop in the number of hunters over the past few decades, a problem felt across the country. Another is a dip in the turkey population, although he said it is coming back rather well. A third factor is the landowners getting old and dying off, leaving the land to their children who often times would rather sell it than rent it. But ultimately, Mason said, he and Lyon are getting up in age and are just ready to slow down a bit.

The Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge was the first privately owned and operated hunting lodge in the state, according to Mason. Until they came along, hunting lodges were corporately owned. After Southern Sportsman opened, many other private lodges opened, and many of those have now closed. “I know two or three that say this is their last year,” Mason said.

Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge is not only still going strong but moving into areas that will keep it alive for years to come. And what if Mason and Lyon decide to retire? Mason said maybe his daughter Ashley or son Logan will take it over. “They help me a lot around here already.”

For more information on the lodge, visit their website www. southernhunting.com.

ANDPARENTS NIECES FATHERS AUNTS UNCLES EMPLOYERS IGHBORS COUSINS NEPHEWS FIRST RESPONDERS DOCTORS RENTS FRIENDS FAMILY COWORKERS MOTHERS TEACHERS AUGHTERS NURSES GRANDPARENTS NIECES FATHER AUNTS CLES NEIGHBORS COUSINS NEPHEWS FIRST RESPONDERS

24/7 Helpline 844-307-1760 COURAGEFORALL.COM a message of the Alabama Department of Mental Health

Dave Lyon and Jim Mason owners and operators of the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge relaxing in the "den."

The Selma Sun is gearing up to offer Public Notices starting in the April 4, 2019 edition!

What are Public Notices?

They tell you what you need to know about your community.

Lawyers, government officials and bankers will want to know more about our services for running legal notices.

For more information and a quote, email Publisher Cindy Fisher at sales@selmasun.com

or visit selmasun.com/legal-notices

4Selma March Sun 8, 2019

March 28,SELMA 2019 SUN5

NEWS OUTDOORS

SELMASUN.COM Academy Tennis event to benefit orphan care ministry in Selma

Three scout leaders have taught character, camping, leadership to Dallas County’s boys for four decades In Shape Fitness in Selma will hold a charitable event titled “It’s All About Love Tennis Mixer” to benefit an orphan care ministry next week.

The event, which will have

By Todd Prater

Special to the Selma Sun There are some areas where the local Boy Scout Troops still hold true to traditional scouting values and teachings, one of those areas is Dallas County. Much of that tradition comes from three leaders who have been working together for nearly 40 years.

Fred McCormick, Harold Wells and Robert Stapler have impacted the lives of many boys from Selma and Dallas County through Troop 46.

In the 38 years that McCormick, Wells and Stapler

participants play tennis to raise funds, will benefit the Bloom House, an adoption and foster ministry located on Dallas Avenue in Selma.

The event will be held from

have been a team, 60 scouts have earned their coveted Eagle badge. Over the years, 116 Eagle Scouts have come out of Troop 46.

One of those Eagle Scouts is Alden Holley, owner of Holley True Value in Selma. He said these men were a great and positive influence in his life growing up, and he said there are many more like him. Holley now has a son who is a Cub Scout.

Last weekend, the scout leaders continued their mission of scouting Dallas County with one of the two camporees they

6-8 p.m.

Tickets are available to be purchased at the Bloom House and In Shape Fitness, located 630 Medical Center Parkway in Selma.

host each year. There were at least 46 kids for this event and every two years there is a council-wide camporee at Camp Tukabatchee in Prattville, which includes Scouts from 16 counties.

The camporee was held on a piece of land that McCormick said is four or five acres owned by the local Boy Scouts that is adjacent to the state-owned land at the Dallas County Public Lake.

The land was given to the Scouts in the mid-1950s by the Pastor of Memorial Methodist Church.

The first camporee McCormick attended on that

14 states represented

in Road Scholars visit to Civil Rights sites in Selma in April.

Tourists were given a Director Joyce ONeal.

Castle Morgan – otherwise According to the Selma look into Civil Rights history as they visited sites in his- and Dallas County Chamber known as Cahaba Prison – was toric Selma as part of Road of Commerce and Tourism a POW camp that held Union Scholars, a nonprofit educa- Information, ONeal and Harris soldiers during the American tional organization that takes were both “1965 Foot Soldiers” Civil War. The tour will explore the conditions of the prison people across the nation and during the Civil Rights era.

Old Cahawba Walking Tour camp as well as residents who even outside of it.

Recently 14 states were rep- explores Civil War prison in lived nearby.

Admission is $8 and will be resented by tourists of Road April In the nearby town of held on April 6 from 10 a.m.

Scholars as they were led by Thelma Dianne Harris of Orrville, the Alabama Civil to 11 p.m. For more information, Stapler. visit the event page on War Heritage will presSelma Historical Tours and Harold A scout leader team for 38 years, Wells, FredTrails McCormick, and Robert Brown Chapel AME Tour ent a tour of Castle Morgan Facebook.

Early in the morning of Oct. 15, 2017, an arsonist set the fire that damaged the Dallas Academy building, and three other fires were set nearby during the same time frame.

A photograph of a person of interest was released by the state fire marshal, however, to-date no arrests have been made.

Dallas Academy was built in 1889, originally housing a private school funded by the Ladies Educational Society of Selma. It later became Selma’s first public school, according to rural southwest Alabama archives. Selma’s public school system is the second oldest in Alabama. The Dallas Academy school closed in the early 1960s.

More recently it housed the popular Selma Ceramic Art Program on the first floor, which received the most damage in the fire. According to one person associated with the pro-

YMCA

gram, once repairs are completed the Ceramic Art Program should resume, but no exact date has been given. Other floors housed the Boy Scouts and other organizations.

Dallas Academy is part of Selma’s “Old Town Historic

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District” and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Selma Dallas County Historic Preservation Society created a GoFundMe page in March 2018 to raise $25,000 for renovation of Dallas Academy. It reached about $3,200.

continued from page 1

he knows not all kids get. Plus, he knows not all kids play sports but still need a social outlet that isn’t on the streets. So he started programs at the Y like video game tournaments to engage with a range of kids who don’t play sports.

He’s looking at hosting game nights and open mic nights. He’s already partnered with organizations to do an art class.

“I want to plan events that are inclusive to everyone, every age group,” Williams said. “I Austin Perkins, blue bow, and Gage Strickland, red bow, practice archery. want to bridge the gap here.”

Community outreach is not just for kids.

As for some of the recent land was in 1956. Before that, wind and rain off and set up Williams is planning to add classes for a wide changes in Boy Scouts they were held at Keenan’s there.” range of ages, including more workout classes at Williams planned a Fall Festival at the YMCA that These camporees are more that have been in the news, Mill. Part of the land they use night for those who work, a cooking class in the attracted more than 100 in the community. is owned by the state, but the than just big, fun camping McCormick said Dallas County Y’s full kitchen and a healthy eating class. state has let them use it for trips, they are also educational. troops have always been tradiSince the Fall Festival, Williams organized the bers. For the first time, he tried a reward prodecades. There is even a pavil- McCormick explained that the tional and the three leaders will annual Father-Daughter Dance that also drew gram for current members to bring in friends ion built on that area by the Scouts have tasks to perform. always teach traditional scoutmore than 100 people. He was told to expect 30, as and family. They gave away a TV and other prizScouts. The original roof was One of the first was to make a ing skills, camping and valin previous years, but his social media skills and es to three winners. built in 1975. Improvements bulletin board stand and lantern ues. McCormick said they will Summer camp is coming up, and the YMCA is connections throughout the community helped were made in 1998 with the holder out of logs by lashing them also continue to teach characexploring an afterschool program next school year. him draw nearly four times that many. addition of a brick fireplace together. They learn to tie knots, ter building because “we don’t Williams and his crew will be doing a “Popup Speed, the Y’s CEO, said the events are helpand concrete pad. McCormick read maps and use a compass have enough leaders nowaing them show how important family is to the Y. Workout” event throughout Dallas County, with said sometimes when the among many other skills. They days.” He chuckled and added, their first at Bloch Park on March 30 at 9 a.m.

“Family is very close to us,” he said. weather gets a little rough, also have to keep the campsite “obviously or we wouldn’t have They’re also participating in area health fairs Williams hosted a membership drive at the “we hang tarps from the roof neat and will have a site inspec- been here for 38 years if we New Year, when many make healthy living goals with a booth to demonstrate what the Y has to could find replacements.” of the pavilion to keep the tion and a uniform inspection. for the year, and they added more than 100 mem- offer for fitness and well-being.

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March 28, 2019

Selma Sun

LIFESTYLE

Chef Andrew Armstrong shares syrupy good recipes from New Hampshire ger train since 1955, this state planted the first potato in North America, and they love maple syrup way more than I ever could.

However, if you’re from the state of New Hampshire I’m sure you and that syrupy goodness have had a long-lasting relationship!

New Hampshire likes to sweeten everything with maple. It doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch or dessert. This week’s column is more focused on sweet after-dinner desserts. This will let you enjoy your own little piece of New Hampshire right here at home.

If you have an exciting recipe to share in 2019, then please send it to me at P.O. Box 693 Leeds, Alabama 35094 -Andrew M. Armstrong Strawberries & CreamCheese Cobbler 1 stick of butter 1 egg, beaten 1 Cup of milk 1 Cup of flour 1 Cup of sugar 2 teaspoons of baking powder

BY ANDREW ARMSTRONG Special to the Leeds Tribune

This week’s recipes come from the state that had the first legal 20th century lottery, their town of Warner hasn’t seen a passen1

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1/2 teaspoon of salt 2 quarts of whole strawberries, washed and chopped 1 block of cream cheese, cut in small pieces Preheat oven the oven at 350 degrees. Melt the butter and pour into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish, but do not stir.

Add the strawberries. Sprinkle cream cheese pieces over strawberries. Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbling.

New Hampshire Pound Cake 2 Cups of butter, softened 1 3/4 Cups of flour Pinch of salt 5 eggs, separated 1 1/2 Cups of confectioners powdered sugar 1/2 Cup of maple syrup 1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (Optional) 1/2 Cup of nuts, crushed Preheat the oven at 325 degrees. Whip the egg whites, until they are very stiff. Remove the egg whites and set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg yolks, salt, nuts, maple syrup and vanilla mix very well. Sift together the flour, baking soda and powder.

Combine the flour 1 Tablespoon at a time. Fold in the egg whites by hand. Once combined, pour into a greased bundt cake pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick is inserted in the middle and comes out clean.

Note: when mixing do not over mix the batter after the flour is added, make sure the prior ingredients are mixed very well, before the flour is incorporated. The egg whites will lose its stiffness the more it is folded and the cake will not be as airy.

Butter Cake

March 26

your phone number and email during registration in the event 2019-2020 Pre-K Program of a cancellation. 334-327-3293 or - Selma City Schools will 19 20 17 18 email: stephanie.tarver@operacontinue to offer premiere tionhope.org.

First Class Early Learning Old Depot Museum Low 21 22 23 24 25 26 Program. The registration webCountry Boil at 6 p.m. at the Old site is https://prek.asapconnectDepot Museum. For more infor30 31 27 28 29 ed.com . Please register under mation call 334-874-2197.

Byrd Early Learning Center 34 32 33 for the upcoming 2019-2020 to secure placement in the Selma 36 37 35 City Schools First Class Early MDA Walk/Run at 10 a.m. at Learning Program. Please con- Bloch Park, 108 Dallas Avenue in tact the school at 334 874-1620 for Selma. This is the second annu38 39 40 41 42 43 any questions. Pre-Registration al MDA walk/run hosted by the dates are January 15-March 28.

Frederick D. Reese Foundation.

46 47 48 49 44 45 Coffee with a Cop - from 8:30- Each year they partner with 9:30 a.m. at The Coffee Shoppe, the Muscular Dystrophy 51 52 50 308 Broad Street - Casual cof- Association to bring awareness fee conversation with the Selma and raise money to find a cure 54 55 53 Police Department. for this disease. Finding a cure is Tuesday at the Movies dear to the Foundation because (Senior Citizens) Showing Rev Dr. Frederick D Reese lost ACROSS DOWN Redbox/Netflix Surprise at the two sons to this disease. Cost 1 Cinderella's delight 1 Louisville Slugger Larry Striplin Performing Arts is $20.

2 Great Wall continent 4 When doubled, it means Across Down Center, 1000 Selma Avenue, 3 Joyce Carol Oates novel Four Seasons Spring Open quickly 4 Least distant Selma, AL-Doors 1 Cinderella's Louisville delight open at 1:30 House from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 81 Lower in theSlugger meadow - Movie starts at 2:30 p.m. - Four Seasons Garden Center 11 falloutit means quickly5 Bounce like a rabbit 4 Campout 2 Greatp.m.

When doubled, Wall continent 6 ___ Flew Over the Cuckoo's $1 donation for movie, popcorn and 611 Cahaba Road in Selma 12 Flying solo 8 Lower in the meadow 3 Joyce Carol Oates novel Nest and a drink. 334-874-2145 - Refreshments, giveaways, spe13 Reverent feeling 11 4 Least distant Campout fallout 7 Farm features cial pricing on select items.

14 Inventive account 8 Egg holders 12 5 Bounce like a rabbit Flyingoffsolo YMCA Popup Workout at 15 Lead 9 Be a little shy?

Bloch Park from 9-10 a.m.

13 6 ___ Flew Reverent Over the Cuckoo's Family Nest 16 Word withfeeling cent or herring Dallas County 10 Bring together 14 17 Symbols gentleness 7 FarmResource Inventiveofaccount featuresCenter will hold Money Fitness Instructor: Mia Suggs 18 The x in '2x4' 19 Made use of a divan 15 Lead off holdersClasses on Wednesdays (aerobics) 20 Prior to this moment 8 Egg Smart 21 Raise 22 Emblem on Canada's flag 16 9 Be afrom Word the withroof cent or herring little 10-11:30 shy? a.m. at the Dallas 24 Green activity 23 Word with "express" and County Family Resource Center, 17 10 Symbols of gentleness Bring together 27 Every dog has ___ day "shipping" 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Dallas County Family 19 Madesome use of a divan x in '2x4' 25 Pass again in a race 18 The Selma.

30 Like resorts To reserve your seat in Resource Center will hold Money 21 20 Priorthese Raise the roof to thisclasses, moment 26 Take wing 32 Unvarying call 334-874-7785. Smart Classes on Wednesdays 27 Like unfriendly stares 22 Emblem 34 Watch from the bushes 24 Green activity onand Canada's flag provid- from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Dallas Water light snacks 28 Dactyl, e.g.

35 Slangy "Really?" ed.

27 23 Word Every dog has ___ day with "express" and "shipping" County Family Resource Center, 29 Broke suddenly 36 Fodder 10096 AL Highway 14 W in 30 Like some resorts 31 Like Mayan pyramids 25 Pass again in a race 38 __ green Selma. To reserve your seat in 32 Unvarying 33 "Tonight ___ Comes" 26 (hit Take wing 40 Stud earring parts these classes, call 334-874-7785. by the Cars) End of registration for the 34 27 Like unfriendly Watch from the bushes stares 44 Cartography sample Water and light snacks provid37 Accomplish SUDOKU by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan 2019-2020 Pre-K Program with 35 28 Dactyl, e.g.

Slangyproblem "Really?"

46 China ed.

39 It's quite a lot the Selma City Schools. The reg49 Leader's

36 29 Broke Fodder position suddenly 41 Baby-book first istration website is https://prek.

50 Copper source 38 31 42 Flew __ green Like Mayan pyramids asapconnected.com.

Each Sudoku puzzle consists43 of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided intoRegister nine smaller 51 Dash or marathon Year, e.g.

40 33 "Tonight Stud earring parts Comes" (hit Learning by the Cars) Wannabe Rescued 4th Annual under___Byrd Early 52 Paleozoic ___ 44 Althe Capone's gang grids of 3X3 squares.

To solve puzzle each row, column andthebox must contain each Center for upcoming 2019- Draw Down drawing will be 44 37 Accomplish Cartography sample 53 Word with rock or roll 45 ''Chances ___'' 2020 to secure placement in held at 6:30 p.m. at the Sandbar 46 39 of numbers come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult.

China problem 1 to 9. Puzzles It's quite a lot 54 the Saw 47 It's pitched on a field the Selma City Schools First Restaurant. You do not have to 49 55 Parker Waterman 41 Baby-book 48 Swelling aid Leader'sorposition first Class Early Learning Program. be present to win. Raffle Tickets 50 Copper source 42 FlewContact the school at 334 874- are $50 each, and all proceeds Level: Medium 51 Dash or marathon 43 Year,1620 for e.g. any questions. go to help homeless animals in Operation 52 Paleozoic ___ 44 Al Capone's gang HOPE Small the area. Only 200 tickets availBusiness 53 Word with rock or roll 45 ''Chances ___''Workshop at Regions able. Purchase tickets from Bank, 101 Church Street from Valley Creek Vet and Northside 54 Saw 47 It's pitched on a field 3–4 p.m. Join us to learn more Animal Hospital, the Wannabe 55 Parker or Waterman 48 Swelling aboutaid entrepreneurship, start- Rescued Facebook page, ing a business, and small busi- Downtowner Restaurant, any ness operations. To attend, you Wannabe Rescued Member or must register via Eventbrite. by calling Jenny 251-610-5758 or com. Seating is limited. Include Lorraine 334-412-1963.

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April 5

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April 6

Selma Animal Shelter, in conjunction with the Human Society of Central Alabama, will be open on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. for adoptions only. All adoptions are fully vetted, ready to go to a loving home. Call 334- 877-2204 for more information.

Pet Adoptions — Selma Animal Shelter in conjunction with the Human Society of Central Alabama are open on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Adoptions Only, no take in’s. All adoptions are fully vetted, ready to go to a loving home. 334- 877-2204.

April 9

Free Legal Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities—Call ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program) at 1-800-826-1675 to set up an appointment -ADAP is in Selma the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 9 am- noon and the 4th Tuesday of every month from noon-4 pm. The ADAP Office Location in Selma is at 801 Alabama Avenue (Inside the offices of Legal Services of Selma).

April 10

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

April 15

The YMCA of Selma-Dallas County is having senior B-I-NG-O from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

April 17

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

April 24

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Concord Maple Dressing 1/3 Cup of maple syrup 2 Tablespoons of shallots, chopped 3 Tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard 2 Tablespoons of red wine vinegar 1 Tablespoon of canola oil 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon of salt

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Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

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Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend to desired consistency. Toss over fresh salad greens such as spinach, kale or lettuce.

Maple Syrup Pie 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch 2/3 Cup of water 1-1/2 Cups of maple syrup 2 Tablespoons of butter 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla 1 frozen pie crust in an aluminum tin Preheat the oven at 325 degrees. Polk holes in the crust with a fork and bake until it’s a light golden brown. Keep the oven at 325 degrees. In a large saucepan, whisk the cornstarch and water, until it is smooth. Whisk in the syrup and bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes and stir constantly, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Set aside to cool. After it has cooled for 15 minutes pour into the baked pie crust and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, until the pie is bubbling and golden.

Community Calendar

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1 Cup of butter 2 Cups of sugar 1 Cup of milk 1 teaspoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 Tablespoon of vanilla 3 Cups of self rising flour 4 eggs Preheat the oven at 325 degrees. Cream the eggs, sugar and butter. Add the milk and flour. Mix in the remaining ingredients and pour into a greased tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for hour or until a toothpick is inserted in the middle and comes out clean.

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Solutions

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

May 4 Pet

Adoptions

—

Selma

Animal Shelter in conjunction with the Human Society of Central Alabama are open on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am – 2 pm. Adoptions Only, no take in’s. All adoptions are fully vetted, ready to go to a loving home. 334- 877-2204.

May 7

Free Legal Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities—Call ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program) at 1-800-826-1675 to set up an appointment -ADAP is in Selma the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 9 am- noon and the 4th Tuesday of every month from noon-4 pm. The ADAP Office Location in Selma is at 801 Alabama Avenue (Inside the offices of Legal Services of Selma).

May 8

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

May 11

Tickets Available for Wannabe Rescued Sixth Annual “Butt” for Mutts Barbecue. Smoked Boston Butts or Turkey Breasts -$40- Each.

Pre-sell only. Purchase tickets

by April 24. Pick up Saturday, May 11 at Lannie’s BBQ, 205 Medical Center Parkway, Selma.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Valley Creek Vet, (334) 872-7577, Northside Animal Hospital, (334) 872-2355.

May 15

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

May 20

The YMCA of Selma-Dallas County is having senior B-I-NG-O from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

May 22

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

May 29

Dallas County Family Resource Center will hold Money Smart Classes on Wednesdays from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W in Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes, call 334-874-7785.

Water and light snacks provided.

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Selma Sun

March 28, 2019

7

EDUCATION

Selma schools kick up communication with ‘Talk SUP'T’ YouTube segment

By CINDY FISHER Selma Sun staff

Selma City Schools Superintendent Avis Williams wants to show the community that she is assessible, transparent and there to answer any questions, rumor or reality.

And you can see it for yourself by watching her videos and listening to her podcasts called “Talk SUP'T” (short for superintendent).

The first Talk Sup segment aired on Selma City School’s YouTube channel last Friday and has gotten several hundred views so far.

It will run each Friday at 10 a.m. as a video on the YouTube channel, the district’s social media accounts and as a podcast.

Williams’ goal is to make sure the community knows about the positive activities going on with “Team Selma,” which is her collective name for the district. In the first 16-minute video, Williams and community engagement specialist Courtney Washington discuss

what to expect with the show.

They plan to speak to parents, principals, teachers, scholars – their name for students, and business leaders about projects planned in the district.

Williams said the idea for Talk SUP'T started out as her making a video going over materials for the school board members to watch and get her thoughts on the recent agenda when they had to cancel a workshop due to scheduling conflicts. Like taping a lesson in class for an absent student to watch.

“The purpose is to communicate the great things happening in Selma City Schools, like business and community partnerships, student successes, announcing events and reminders of events,” Williams said.

Future episodes will include guests, such as a lesson on Haikus as it is being taught in the schools. There will be two new segments to look for when the show returns on April 5, the Friday after Spring Break, which is this week.

One new feature is “My Why” that features students,

teachers, coaches and more saying what fuels them do what they do. The other is “Street Committee Said What?” This is a segment where Williams will take questions from the community addressing rumors that are circulating.

“Rumors take on a life of its own. Many times there is no validity to it or is so far from what it was intended that I’m confused how it got there,” Williams said. “We have a goal of transparency and to show that we are assessible to answer questions … before it becomes a rant on Facebook.”

Getting the public to open up and ask those questions may not happen right away, but Williams wants the community to know that they have the opportunity to ask and be heard.

Follow Talk SUP'T by subscribing to Selma City Schools’ YouTube channel and the district’s other social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to stay in the loop when the videos are pushed out each week.

Clark Elementary

Payne Elementary

Faculty at Payne Elementary School participated in Teambuilding Tuesday at the school.

Team The Clark hosts afterschool tutoring that continues on April 2 after Spring Break this week.

Selma High and Middle School

Students of Ms. Needham’s class at R.B. Hudson Middle School and Mr. Irby’s Agriscience class at Selma High School started Repurposed bottles are used in gardening projects by their gardening projects.

Selma students.

Morgan Academy

School of Discovery

Best of Show Winners of an art contest were Jordan Harrison, High School and Caroline Shaw, Elementary

A student at the School of Discovery helps load donations to residents in Lee County who survived the destruction of the recent tornado outbreak.

Students in the afterschool tutoring program are engaged and participate.

Cedar Park Elementary

Cedar Park Elementary students play a game of musical chairs at the library.

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March 28, 2019

Selma Sun

SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Selma High School’s Kamau Little.

The Selma Sun honors a talented athlete in high school or college in Selma-Dallas County each week in our Athlete of the Week feature. This week, we recognize Justin Bufford.

Cerya Blake, Brittany Johnson, Lynderika Harris and Necole James of Selma High School’s track team.

Shot-put is a popular portion of the track meet.

The annual River Region Invitational was held in Selma last week at Memorial Stadium and hosted by Wetumpka. The track meet includes schools from the tri-county and Black Belt area. It is an AHSAA official meet.

Justin Bufford (JB) Ellwood Christian Academy 11th Basketball: Guard, 6’6, 185 Favorite pro team: OKC Favorite college team: Auburn Favorite subject in school: English Place you’d most like to visit: Spain Dream job: Professional basketball player Family: Beverly Smith (Mother) Social media handles:

Instagram goated. Facebook GO AT , snapchat kvng_jb12 If I were mayor of Selma, I would … build more gyms, as of right now we have nowhere to hoop consistently.

Graduation date: May 2020 Jersey number: 1 Current coach: Willie Shears GPA: 3.32 Three words to describe you: GOD FEARING, Dedicated, Humble Favorite quote: “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.”

Plans after graduation: After sports, I want to market my own brand & own a restaurant.

Schools with interest: Troy, UAB, ASU, Wichita State, Tennessee state, Northwestern University, & Mercer

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