Lake Wedowee Life Community 2017

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Community 2017 www.LakeWedoweeLife.com


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Specials An Affair to Remember Bridal Show. . Papa’s Lake Wedowee Area Culinary Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breast Cancer Fund-Raiser to Remember Woodland Native. . . . . Handley Family Answers State Championship Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . Progress in Healthcare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Life is About the Little Things. . . . . . . . Catholic Church Relocates to Lake Wedowee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Make a Difference and Volunteer at Local Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . .

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In Every Issue

Letter from the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lake Wedowee At A Glance. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Reader’s Photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Where in the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 What’s Cooking: Comfort on a Plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 The Tale of Jimmy Jack: Bucks and Trucks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lake Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Lake Wedowee on Instagram. . . . . . . . 46

Contributors Lavoy Caldwell Tracy Carpenter The Greg East Family Stephanie Kirby Charley Norton JJ Wendling

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“Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work , a society work, a civilization work.” — Vince Lombardi

I love our community! I’m not talking about the lake…Even though that’s pretty special. The people of Randolph County (and Lake Wedowee) are truly amazing. It doesn’t matter what the cause, if there is someone in need, we have another someone that will help. Coach (Chuck) Marcum (yes I still call him coach even though he hasn’t coached a lick since I moved back to Randolph County 10 years ago) and I were talking the other day (see page 18 to know more about the Handley Family) about the willing to give attitude of our community. “This community comes together whenever you ask,” he said. “It is evident every year with Relay for Life, Bike Hike and so many

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other fund raisers that happen in this county! Folks come through when it comes to giving,” he said. “I can’t prove it but I bet you can’t find another county that gives more per capita than Randolph County does!” I couldn’t agree more. We are a generous group. We pitch in, we give and we care! We are a cast of characters for sure, but I couldn’t be prouder to be from Randolph County. We are a fantastic community and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So this issue of Lake Wedowee Life is focused on the community that we call home!

Enjoy Life!

Kelly

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A foggy morning

compelled Nancy Burnes to take this picture of the family boat this winter. Alabama Power Company has been granted an increase in winter pool this season due to overwhelming drought conditions. To learn other happenings on Lake Wedowee, see page 8 and to view more photos from our Lake Wedowee Life readers, visit pages 28.

GENERAL MANAGER

EDITOR

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Leisel Caldwell

Kelly Caldwell

Lavoy Caldwell

holidaylifeads@gmail.com

news@lakewedoweelife.com

ads@lakewedoweelife.com

Lake Wedowee Life 256.357.4557

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877.959. LAKE (5253)

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104 West Broad Street

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Wedowee, Alabama

w w w . L a k e W e d o w e e L i f e . c o m

Lake Wedowee Life is published five times a year by parent company Caldwell Sales Inc., which also produces Friday Night Life and Southern Holiday Life magazines. All content in the publication is protected by United State copyright law and many not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Caldwell Sales Inc. © 2008-2017 Caldwell Sales Inc. 6 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE


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Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Officer Retires At the end of January, Barry Popham, officer with the ALEA Marine division, retired after 29 years serving Lake Wedowee. Alabama Power Company Shoreline Manager for Lake Wedowee, Sheila Smith, has worked with Popham for many years and had the following to say about him. “Barry has been a great asset to our lake and it is such an advantage to keep the same officer for such a long time. He has been a great partner to Alabama Power Company working with us to make sure the public can enjoy the lake in the safest manner possible,” she said. “Even though nobody likes to get stopped by a law enforcement officer his actions and dedication to his job have saved many lives and prevented numerous injuries. His main concern has always been the safety of boaters. Barry has always gone well beyond his normal duties as law enforcement. Many homeowners have been thankful to have him on patrol during flood events when he found structures broken lose and he tied them up and notified us of permit numbers so that we could contact owners about their property damage. He is leaving our lake in very capable hands but his presence will be greatly missed”.

Main Street Coffee Shop Changes Ownership The New Year saw a New Owner at Main Street Coffee in Wedowee. Amber Conger took over from Rita Young last month and has been putting her own spin on things. The coffee shop is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and starting this month (February 4) she will be open on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daily Lunch specials are posted on the shop’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ mainstreetcoffeehouse) and Conger invites each of you to join her for breakfast or lunch! Trivia with Papa will be starting soon!

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GLL Marine Opens Second Location Great Lakes and Land Company has been busy since Christmas opening a second retail location in West Point, GA. Named GLL Outdoors, the location will be open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (eastern time) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The store carries a variety of outdoor gear including kayaks, paddle boards, Big Green Eggs, Yeti Coolers, Oakley sunglasses, fishing gear and so much more. The store is located at 730 1st Avenue in West Point.

HGTV Show Films on Lake Wedowee Lake Wedowee is going to be a featured destination on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt. The television show has visited Alabama lakes four other times in the shows four seasons. The show focuses on a couple purchasing an affordable lake home. According to Crystal Barnes Walker, broker/owner for Hunter Bend Realty, the crew has completed filming and the final renovations were completed in January. The projected air date is sometime this Spring.

Lake Wedowee Water Levels Change Due to Drought Lake Wedowee is a storage project operated by Alabama Power Company and has different water levels for summer and winter. Traditionally winter pool is at 785 elevation. According to its website APCO was granted a temporary winter pool increase of two feet to the elevation of 787. APCO will operate for that level until it normally surpasses the 787 elevation in early April. This could have an impact on any current or planned work along the shoreline, so please take necessary precautions and


plan accordingly. Lake elevations are always subject to change, depending on conditions. To stay up to date on Lake Wedowee water levels and messages from APCO, please visit apcshorelines.com and subscribe to the newsletter for Lake Harris.

LWPOA Membership Directory According to its bylaws, the Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association formed in 1997 as a way to enhance, improve, and protect the quality of Lake Wedowee, to promote the welfare and propensity of the residents of Lake Wedowee, and to stimulate public sentiment to these ends through education and outreach. Annually, the LWPOA does this and so much more. With more than 600 members, the association continues to be a driving force in raising awareness for Lake Wedowee as well as helping to protect what makes the lake what it is to so many... Our little piece of paradise. This year, the LWPOA has partnered with Lake Wedowee Life to publish its membership directory which is full of useful information for all that enjoy the Lake Wedowee area. In it you will find what it is the association does annually like community events such as the Kid’s Fishing Derby and the Renew Our Rivers Lake Cleanup. “We are very excited to play our part in helping the LWPOA,” Leisel Caldwell, General Manager of Lake Wedowee Life said. “They do so much and we want to help let our readers know more about this wonderful organization.” To ensure, you receive a copy of the directory, join the Lake Wedowee Property Owner’s Association. It costs $35 a year and you can download the membership application at www.lakewedoweepoa.com

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Make Your Wedding An Affair to Remember Bridal Show offering a unique experience for AL/GA Brides Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 19, and prepare to take a little journey back in time to the era of glitz and glamour that was ushered in during the Roaring Twenties and brought to life in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary Classic, The Great Gatsby. The jazz music and vintage décor of this beloved era will be highlighted during “An Affair to Remember,” the exclusive Bridal Show sponsored by Southern Holiday Life Magazine, Hubbard’s Off Main and Simple Elegance Bridal & Formalwear. If you are planning a 2017 wedding, you do not want to miss this event that will feature a variety of vendors to help you prepare for your special day! The unique event venue is Hubbard’s Off Main in Historic Downtown Oxford, Alabama. Doors will open at 2 p.m., and a bridal fashion show will begin at 4 p.m. Come early to visit each vendor and qualify for prize drawings of great gifts and show specials from the vendors. Registered brides who visit all vendors will be eligible for the prizes, and each bride registered by February 18 will be guaranteed an exclusive swag bag filled with special gifts from the vendors. Admission for brides and their guests is $7 per person for pre-registration or $10 per person at the door on the day of the event. To register, go to eventbrite.com and select “An Affair to Remember.” When you register through this site, you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card from Hubbard’s Off Main. Vendors confirmed so far include floral designers A Southern Wedding Flower and Kudzu Creative Designs, SnapScott Photography, A. Williams Photography, Class Act Photo Booths, Theory Y Design (wedding films), Kake Savvy, WM Grocery (catering and wedding cakes), Simple Elegance Bridal and Formalwear, Peacock’s Formal Wear, 10 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Frey Boutique, R & R Travel, Wedding Planner Cindy Williams, Stephanie Kirby with Rodan+Fields, Spa Blue, Memories In The Making Vintage Car Rentals, and Top Notch Events and Rentals. Area wedding venues that will be featured at the show are Hubbard's Off Main, Silver Run Chapel, Chimney Cove, The Barn at Bennett Flats, and The Michael Wedding Barn. With this exclusive group of vendors, you will be able to find everything you need to make your perfect day truly “An Affair to Remember.


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Papa’s Lake Wedowee Area Culinary Tour Step right up folks, if you would like to take the Grand Tour of some of the finest eating establishments in East Alabama, I am Papa and will be your tour guide. The tour will start in Roanoke, wind around and end up in Ashland with stops along the way at some fine places to eat…..sit down…pull up a chair to rest your feet on and enjoy….better still…after you finish reading this …Go on out and see for yourself that PaPa might stretch the truth about somethings…but never about food….ENJOY

Main Street Coffee Shop

Main Street · Wedowee 256-357-4238 www.facebook.com/mainstreetcoffeehouse Mainstreet Coffee Shop located on Main Street (imagine that) in Wedowee is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A full sit down breakfast or a biscuit (to go) will start your day, for Lunch try out the Ladies Specials (Lighter fare) and Gents Specials (Heavier Fare) that are offered daily along with a wide variety of sandwiches and salads. The Gents Special, today was brown sugar glazed ham with pintos, loaded baked potato salad, corn muffin, sliced tomatoes and onion with drink OUTSTANDING. A variety of coffees, lattes and other specialty drinks complete the offerings at Main Street Coffee Shop. Amber Conger is graciously waiting to serve you….

Jon Boys Smokehouse

East Main Street · Roanoke 334-863-5511 www.JonBoysSmokehouse.com Jon Boy’s Smokehouse located on East Main Street in Roanoke is open daily for lunch and dinner Monday thru Saturday. Offering a daily lunch special along with fresh Pit Smoke BBQ, ribs, burgers, sandwiches of all types, 12 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

steaks, chops and fried catfish (whole or filets). Owners Chris Rombokas and Jon Taylor along with Miss Dianne and Laraine welcome you to join them for lunch or dinner at Jon Boy’s Smokehouse.

Happy Trails Restaurant 431 South · Roanoke 334-863-8011 www.HappyTrailsRestaurant.com

Happy Trails Restaurant located on US 431 South of Roanoke is open Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (CST). Steaks, Pork chops, Catfish, Shrimp, Frog Legs, and some of the Best Chicken Fried Steak you ever gonna get ,this side of Texas, along with potato stumps (deep fried goodness!!!) and a fresh salad bar make up the standard menu offerings. A great choice for an appetizer would be the fried portobella mushrooms, oh my goodness, I am making myself hungry now. If you would like a cold beer or mixed drink, Happy Trails got you covered there too….See Pam or Anita and tell ‘em that PaPa sent you….

Dari Delite

40631 Hwy 77 · Ashland 256-354-7956 Located just off the Square, Dari Delite has been a fixture in Ashland for many years. Chili Dogs, Bacon Cheeseburgers, Fried Chicken Strips and a variety of milkshakes and ice cream sundaes are only a sampling of the menu items at Dari Delite. The footlong chili dog topped with mustard and onion ,an order of onion rings, and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake would be a great way to start your journey through the menu at Dari Delite. Go by and see Paul or Darlene or Dewayne or David….you will not regret it…


Anderson’s Bistro

Courthouse Square · Ashland 256-354-2481 www. facebook.com/andersonbistroashland Bobby and Ashley Anderson welcome you to Anderson’s Bistro, located on the Courthouse Square in Ashland. The Bistro is open at 8:00 a.m. each day Monday thru Saturday closing times varies check their facebook page for closing times. The menu is wide and varied from Banana Nut French Toast for breakfast to a Jalapeno Cheese burger or Melvine’s Chicken Salad or Shrimp and Grits for lunch…oh my goodness gracious…and those are just the tip of the iceberg of the wonderful food available…a suggestion would be come over to Anderson’s bout 11:00 a.m. order you up some pimento cheese and crackers to start off…then get you

a chili cheese burger with bacon for lunch, making sure to save some room for dessert….what is for dessert… some of the best cake you have ever put in your mouth, that’s what…I strongly recommend the Italian Cream cake…being diabetic I can eat this cake and all the other cakes that Bobby Anderson bakes cause they are sugar and gluten free…and are SOOOOO GOOD… then top your meal off with one of the specialty coffees that are offered, or if you are like me just a plain black coffee will do for this day!

Hope you enjoy all of these restaurants in easy driving distance of Lake Wedowee. I promise they are worth the visit and make sure to tell them Papa sent you!!!

This is an additional service to participating advertiers. If you are a restaurant owner interested in a visit from Lavoy “Papa” Caldwell, let us hear from you! You can email Lake Wedowee Life at ads@lakewedoweelife.com for more details.

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Breast Cancer Fund-Raiser Dedicated to Woodland Native Sheila Fincher to Be Remembered at March Event A fun event with a simple name returns to the Lake Wedowee area on March 4, but it means a even more to the community than it did a year ago. The Second Annual Bingo for Boobies event is dedicated to the memory of Sheila Herren Fincher, whose 17-year battle with cancer ended less than six months ago. “After the hard shocks of discovery, she always developed a plan for recovery,” State Representative Bob Fincher, Sheila’s husband for 38 years, said. “She always fought with courage, grace and a deep spirituality. She studied cancer, its various forms, treatments and side effects. Many cancer survivors helped her early on and she always tried to help others. “Sheila was the kind of friend you would want to have,” her husband said. “She loved being with people and genuinely cared about them. She listened closely and cared deeply. She could enter a room of strangers and leave having developed strong ties.” In the spirit of helping others, Fincher is sure his wife would have been tickled and humbled at the recognition from the Bingo for Boobies organizers Donna Maner, Pat Laney and Carol Ann Traylor. “Well, she was my cousin and it was only fitting that 14 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Bingo for Boobies raises money for the Tanner Medical Foundation’s Mammogram Assistance Fund. Sheila and Bob Fincher attended last year’s event, which raised $12,000.

we dedicate this event to her memory,” Maner said. “Shy in her youth, Sheila was more outspoken later in life,” her husband said. “She fought hard for caused she believed in and was not afraid to speak out.” Bingo for Boobies is a fundraiser through the Tanner Medical Foundation and was an event

Sheila supported in its first year. “She was with us last year and will be with us in spirit this year,” Maner said. “God gave us 17 good years together after the original diagnosis and I feel very blessed He did,” Bob Fincher said. “This cause is important to my family and we are very humbled


Fincher’s Niece Continues Fight for The Cure Sheila Fincher was Alison Herren’s aunt. Herren witnessed Sheila’s battle with breast cancer from the first diagnosis in 1999 to the end of her battle in October of last year. In 2008, Herren decided to begin a journey in honor of her aunt. This is her story…

Sheila Fincher and her husband Rep. Bob Fincher were married for 38 years and have two sons, Brandon and Stephen. that Sheila is being remembered this way.” According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 36. However, death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. Again, according to the American Cancer Society, these decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment. “Monies raised at this event will help provide mammograms to area women who could not otherwise afford one through Tanner Medical Foundation’s Mammogram Assistance Fund,” said Carla Maner Duncan, Donor Relations Coordinator for Tanner Medical Foundation. In 2016, the event raised $12,000 for the assistance fund through sponsors, donations both in game play and the live and silent auctions. “It was so exciting to see how supportive the community was last year in joining the fight against breast cancer,” Beau Bowman, Vice President-Executive Director of Tanner Medical Foundation, said. “Community events like this help raise awareness of the importance of early detection and regular mammogram screenings.” Bingo will be played from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 1 p.m. with Daniel Hall donating his time as auctioneer. Jerry Hall will be the bingo caller for the second year. Participants can play bingo for $5, $10 and $15 donations. The Woodland Civic Club will be selling concessions during the event.

A few years ago, I began an amazing journey. My destination was finding a cure for breast cancer. My donors were in my thoughts every step of my lifechanging 60 mile adventure, and the experience was so extraordinary that I am determined to do it again! I will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, joining thousands of men and women committed to this battle against a despicable enemy – breast cancer. I am asking you to donate again because the battle continues. Every 74 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone dies from breast cancer – a sobering statistic and one that I believe we can reduce. I am sure each and every one of you knows someone whose life has been affected by cancer. I personally hope a cure for breast cancer is found because it has affected my family tremendously. My aunt, Sheila Fincher, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 at 40 years old. She received a mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery and chemo. She remained on tamoxifen for years and was breast cancer free. Then, in 2006, Sheila had a nodule to appear on an X-Ray. Several tests, scans, and a biopsy followed only to show the nodule was cancerous. Sheila’s previous breast cancer had metastasized to her lungs. She received 4 months of chemo, and then received an estrogen blocking injection once a month and a CT scan every 6 months. Recently, just in 2015, LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 15


her breast cancer had metastasized again to her liver, lymph nodes, and bones. She had began the chemo all over again, hanging by a hope and a prayer. Sheila passed away October 25, 2016. She fought a long hard battle over the last 17 years and I admired her strength and her courage. She was beautiful, inside and out. She was a courageous warrior. Her battle is over. I hope advancements in breast cancer are made in order for families to enjoy their time together for years longer than we had with my Aunt Sheila. 57 years were not enough. Since her first walk in 2009, Herren has raised $52,446. Susan G. Komen was founded on a promise from one sister to another, to do everything in her power to help bring an end to breast cancer. Since its creation, the organization has raised more than $800 million. for more information, visit www.the3day. org. If you would like to support Herren on her 2017 journey, click on the donate now tab and search for her name as a participant. She has selected the San Diego event for 2017.

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Handley Family Answers State Championship Call

Community Raises $63K for Travel, Rings & More If it is true that it takes a village to raise a child, in Randolph County it took a community to win a state championship.

In December the Handley Tigers won its second state title in five years, the first under head coach Larry Strain. The players, no doubt, won the actual title with a decisive 30-7 win over Madison Academy on Dec. 2, however, the team has relied on the community or the “Handley Family” to get them where they are today. “Handley Family is not just a slogan for a T-shirt,” Roanoke City Schools Superintendent Chuck Marcum said. “It is a mindset that carries through to our people and community. They stay connected to this school and its programs no matter what.” The Handley Family was represented with estimates of 10,000 people attending the AHSAA Class 4A State Championship at Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn University. “It just proves that God has a sense of humor,” Marcum, a diehard Alabama fan, said. “Never would have thought that I would be at Jordan Hare cheering for Tigers…But I did, and I would do it again in a second.” 18 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Head Coach Larry Strain talks to reporters after his first state title win as a football coach. He won two state titles in girls basketball at Woodland and competed for the state title twice as the Bobcat’s head football coach. The road to the championship on paper seems relatively easy for Handley with a 13-2 record, but Strain will quickly tell you otherwise. “I knew this was a special team even before the season started,” he said. “But, we had to overcome some things just like every team. One of our biggest was the jealousy of each other… “There is only one football and only so many people can

physically touch it at one time during a game. When we first got here there were a lot of issues with who played and who didn’t. “Everyone was doing their own thing and when it came down to it, they didn’t care.” It was a process, but the Tigers did unify not only as a team but as a brotherhood. “The Andalusia game was a great example of the brotherhood,” Strain said.


2016 AHSAA CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPION HANDLEY TIGERS 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Darius Joiner Malik Meadows Quon Darius Lyons Hudson Burns Spanky Watts Da’ron Zachery Jakell Houston Christion Allen Xavier Slaugher Jay Brown Cagan Hamby Rhett Fetner Brett Crockett Cadarious Burton Quay Patterson Tyrese Heard Josh Hatcher Christian Nash Gage Estes Khalifa Nunn Jamal Fuller Dre Watkins Quay Cofield Jatavian Wright Sherrod Curry

WR WR QB WR RB WR WR WR RB TE QB QB RB WR WR TE RB TE WR WR RB TE RB RB RB

SR SR SO SR SR JR JR SR JR SR SO SR SO SO JR SR SR SR JR SR JR SR SR FR SR

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 40 42 44 45 46 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

Timothy Wright Jacoby Linson Nicholas Kimble Tyler Gosdin Ryan Askew Corey Bell

RB TE RB WR WR QB DeMeatrius Lawrence WR Riley Owens WR Devontae Houston RB Domic Kimble WR Logan Smith TE Zak Anthony WR Kechawn Morgan RB Isaiah Askew WR Jared Sears TE Shykeim Broome WR Deont’e Nelson RB Jack Hodnett QB Tykeon Wilkes OL Trae Drake OL Jordan Trammell OL Matt Farmer OL Justin Higgins OL Dammon Morgan OL RaShun Hawkins OL

Coaches Head Coach Larry Strain Offensive Line James McMurray Wide Receivers Tyler Hall Running Backs Jody Pike Defensive Ends Cedric Phillips Defensive Tackles Chris Glass Def. Coordinator/OLB Eric Dye Inside Linebackers Kevin Smith Secondary Randy Hill Off. Assistant Blake Smalley Def. Assistant Corey Trammell Defense/Secondary Trae Strain Assistant Conner Smith

SR SR SO SO SO 9th FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR SO JR FR FR JR SR SR JR SR JR SR

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 79 81

Saquavion Burdette

OL Bart Boyd OL Cory Arrington C Caleb Drake OL Kobe Rushton OL Will Clark OL Jeffery Knoll OL Slay Whaley OL Clayton Owens OL Ty’Von Lewis OL Michael Davis OL Brandon Ploof OL Jaxon Whaley OL Lewis Lee OL Andrew Scott C Demarius Stevens OL Thomas Newell OL Darryl Slaughter OL Jakob Daniel OL Will Johns OL Thomas Tritt OL Bryce Widdon OL Justus McCall WR

SR SR JR FR FR SR FR SR SR FR JR FR SO JR SO SR JR SR SO SO SO SO FR

Road to the Blue Map Date Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov.18 Nov. 25 Dec. 2

Opponent Score Callaway (GA) 42-28 Tallassee 21-12 Elmore Co. 47-21 Leeds 14-7 Lanett 43-31 Childersburg 42-14 Munford 24-13 Dadeville 50-13 Holtville 47-34 Central Clay Co. 50-29 West Blocton 49-7 UMS-Wright 20-14 Thomasville 36-18 Andalusia 19-0 Madison Aca. 30-7

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In the game Spanky Watts went down with a high ankle sprain and had to be replaced. There were options for the Tigers, either move senior Malik Meadows or put freshman Devontae Houston in at running back. “We kept Malik at Z and there were times when Malik was on the sidelines and Devontae was in the game,” Strain when I said. “Instead of being mad, knew. They got it! No Malik was on one was playing for the sidelines yelling ‘Give ‘em themselves anymore. the ball coach… They were playing for Give it to him.

That’s

the team! “That’s when I knew… They got it! No one was playing for themselves anymore. They were playing for the team!” Houston rushed for 118 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown in the 19-0 win over Andalusia. The Andalusia game was the semifinal round of the playoffs and it marked the fourth straight week of traveling long distances for the Tigers. “We played three of the four teams

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According to some estimates more than 10,000 fans watched the Handley Tigers win their second state title at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn.

out of region 1 and we traveled to them for each of those games,” Strain said.

win, when it was evident Handley was going to travel for a third straight week.

A certain amount of travel expenses are budgeted each year and the AHSAA does reimburse a certain amount on mileage, but after two straight weeks of traveling to South Alabama, the money wasn’t there to make a third trip in as many weeks.

“His post was getting a lot of likes and shares but that was about it and Mr. Marcum messaged me saying we have to do something,” Merredith Sears, Handley High teacher and chairperson of the ring committee, said.

“When we travel we are taking two buses for the football team and then an additional two buses for the band and cheerleaders,” Marcum said. “After two weeks of travel, we needed some help so we reached out to the family.”

“I am a football mom, a teacher here and consider all of them my children,” Merredith Sears, chairperson of the championship ring committee, said. “They needed a bus and we had to do what needed to be done.”

Marcum initially posted a message on Facebook on the Saturday after the Thomasville

Sears posted on Facebook again, but her approach was a little different. “I am a plain and simple spoken person LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 21


and I put my PayPal information on the post because this was the ninth hour and we didn’t really have time to wait for checks to come. “That Sunday morning, I was at church and two ladies came up to me,” Sears said. “They said ‘Jared (Sears’ son) needs money for a bus’ well the ladies opened their purses and gave me what they had and apologized that it wasn’t more.” The goal for the Andalusia trip was $10,000 and by Tuesday morning the goal had been surpassed to the tune of $15,000. “These donations came from all over the world,” Sears said. “We got a donation from Dubai. That’s the power of social media and the giving 73 players didn’t stop!”

It took

When a team wins a state championship, the school is not allowed to purchase personal gifts to commemorate the accomplishments.

to win this title. Every single player on our roster contributed to our success and were a valuable part of the championship season.

“It’s a state law that public funds can not be used for personal gifts,” Marcum said. “So we had to develop a plan to honor the football team, band and cheerleaders.” “Yeah I think I was on the field celebrating the championship and someone nudged me and said ‘Get Ready,’” Sears laughed. A committee was established with Sears, Marcum and Strain as well as Handley Athletic Director and Principal Greg Foster, Quarterback Club Captain Benji Whaley and Tiger Moms President Donna Owens. “Lots of options were discussed on how to best achieve our goals for honoring these accomplishments,” Sears said. “But ultimately, it was the giving nature of the Handley Family that came through for us once again.” For the rings and memorabilia for the players, band and cheerleaders a goal of $42,000 had to be raised. “It was important for us that it included all our kids… football players, band and cheerleaders. They all participated on Friday nights and 22 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

they all deserved to be honored,” Marcum. “It took all 73 players to win this title,” Strain said. “Every single player on our roster contributed to our success and were a valuable part of the championship season. Obviously some contributed in bigger ways than others, but they all matter.” In the end, Handley received more than 200 individual donations for the celebration fund and in a little more than a month (from Nov. 19 to January 4), the Handley Family gave more than $63,000 for travel expenses and championship gifts. “People rally around winners of course,” Strain said. “But this was more than that. I like to think it has to do with the type of players we have. We have done things the right way and it makes it easier for the community to support us.” The Handley Tigers will be honored on February 13 in Roanoke with an official state championship trophy presentation by AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. The celebration will be open to the public for those that would like to attend. The presentation of the state championship rings and other memorabilia will be done at a later date.


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Tanner Medical Center/East Alabam A little more than a year square foot hospital that is has passed since the citiprojected to be completed zens of Randolph County and occupied this year. are so many ways that we are began paying an additional “We are definitely on one cent sales tax for a new leaping forward compared to what we schedule,” Alexander said. hospital in Wedowee, and “There are so many moveven lesser time has passed have now in Wedowee Hospital. ing parts to this puzzle but since construction began I would say that if we are on the hospital on May 9, not in the new facility by 2016. the end of the year something major went wrong.” “What a difference a year makes,” Mike Alexander, The facility is technically three levels with the mahospital administrator, said. “This time last year, this jority of the square footage on the main level. was just an empty field.” “Its kind of like a split level with a basement if you Construction is well underway for the 54,000 are thinking in housing terms,” Alexander said.

There

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n Healthcare

bama on track to Open in Early Fall “There are so many ways that we are leaping forward compared to what we have now in Wedowee Hospital,” Alexander said. “In the little things like having a gift shop and cafeteria that is open to the public, to major medical advancements like a 64-slice CT scanner and a surgical department.” The project is budgeted at $27-million and the construction plans include room for growth in a variety of areas. The hospital will be a 15-bed facility which is the smallest it can be to be licensed as a hospital in Alabama. “There might be more beds at Wedowee Hospital,

but we are not downsizing by any means,” Alexander said. “Currently the hospital building is 19,000 square feet and antiquated to say the least. The new building will be 54,000 square feet with state of the art equipment and room to grow. “So, yes it will be 15 beds, but the need for more beds just isn’t there because of technology and the move to more outpatient services.” The hospital is designed with the future in mind, if the need for more patient rooms becomes evident, the main floor has been designed to support the construction of 10 additional rooms on the second floor. “We also have things built into the design of the LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 25


hospital for future use like the number of ER patient rooms and an additional Xray room,” Alexander said. “This hospital will not be outdated when we open the doors. We have room to grow for sure.” On a first glance, the biggest improvements are in the emergency room area. There are separate entrances for walk-in patients and those that arrive by ambulance. There is also a HAZMAT decontamination room and the ER patient rooms have nearly tripled in size as well as dedicated waiting area for the emergency room. Other areas of improvement include a surgical department, a rehab/occupational therapy area on the second floor as well as dining room that will be open to the public. “Actually we are already thinking about enclosing an area that was originally designated as an outdoor eating area. “We are hearing a lot of talk about this being a new restaurant in town and the dining room could get small really quick,” Alexander said. “So if we can figure out how to do it without it adding to the budget we are going to expand that.” The second level of the hospital will house the patient room, the occupational therapy/rehab area, some office space and a conference room. “The therapy gym will be available to people here for rehab or that have had procedures done and we want to make sure they can function when they get home,” Alexander said. The second floor also has the potential for future expansion. “There has been a tremendous amount of thought and planning put into this project. Not just for current use, but for future growth and use for years to come. 26 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama will have a state of the art surgical department in the new facility which is slated to open later this year. It will also have a separate entrance for ambulatory transport and general public in the Emergency Room area.


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F a l l

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Photography submitted by (top left, clockwise) Nancy Burnes, Linda Barber, Karla Dodgen, Nancy Burnes, Kim Milam and Linda Barber. If you would like to submit pictures to be included in Lake Wedowee Life, please email hi resolution submissions to news@ lakewedoweelife.com.

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Photography submitted by (top left, clockwise) Shirely McGill, Claudia Walsh, Delinda Hudgens and Patricia Ballinger visited Paula Deen’s restaurant in Pigeon Forge with Southern Holiday Life magazine. Matt Markel took Lake Wedowee Life with him on a recent pheasant hunting trip to Aberdeen South Dakota; Ricky and Anita McCain brought Lake Wedowee Life along on a recent trip to the Hawaiian islands. The couple visited Ohau, the Big Island and Maui on their trip. Melissa, Breann and Scott Noles visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Lake Wedowee Life while at the Nation FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Pat Norred, Janet Black, Sandy Clayborne, June Burke, Lee Guthmiller, Susan Jacks and Sharon Inglis visited the Fantasy in Lights with Lake Wedowee Life. If you would like to submit pictures to be included in Lake Wedowee Life, please email hi resolution submissions to news@lakewedoweelife.com. 30 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

L i f e


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Life is About the Little Things In life we often take for granted the little things. We fail to notice the smile from a stranger, a door held open, or someone letting us advance through a four-way stop when it’s really not our turn. It’s those little things that shape our daily lives that go unnoticed. On July 23rd our family started to notice those little things. It was on that day that our special person needed help. First responders, Southern Ambulance, Wedowee Hospital, Air Evac and University Medical Center in Birmingham stepped in to give Poppy the best care possible. A Randolph County Deputy met my mama to drive her to the hospital. The outpouring of immediate love didn’t go unnoticed. The little things like phone calls, messages, prayers, gift baskets, rides to and from the hospital, and meals were the little things that made the difference in our life changing event. Life as we knew it was forever changed on July 31st. Poppy went to his heavenly home, and we know that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord. So to those who helped us over these last few months whether it was a smile you sent our way at the gas station, a hug just to show you cared, or dropping my the tire store just to speak, we thank you. Your love and support has made the difference in this difficult part of our journey. We urge you, take time for those little things. Enjoy a sunset with family. Help a neighbor in need, but most importantly make memories that will last a lifetime! The Greg East Family Greg East and his family have always been kind to the community and during the holidays, his daughters Nicole Gowens and Noelle McCain decided to honor him with a scholarship in his memory. The initial goal was to raise $500 to give a local scholarship in their father’s name to a deserving senior. They designed a T-shirt and put it out on social media in hopes of selling enough to raise the money. After two printings and donations, the East girls

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were able to raise $2,000 in scholarship funds which will be given as two local scholarships (in Randolph County) and a scholarship through the Alabama Tire Dealers Association.


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Catholic Church Opens in Wedowee As early as July 2013, Immaculate Conception parishioners began talking about the need for a new church. The mission home church in Roanoke had a capacity of 70-80 people. Bi-lingual Masses could not be held because the church simply could not house all the parishioners. The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church held its first mass in its new home in July 2016 and it was dedicated on Aug. 13. The first Mass was celebrated at the home church in Roanoke on January 28, 1950, by Father John King, C.M. at the home of one of the parishioners. In 1954, Father Paul Loeffler, C.M. purchased a house in Roanoke, Alabama which was renovated by parishioners and supporters including parishioners from Holy Family Catholic 34 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Church in Lanett, Alabama.

In May 2014, representatives from Immaculate Conception and Father Antoo Alappat traveled to Birmingham to meet with Bishop Baker and his Consulters. At that meeting, the Immaculate Conception representatives informed Bishop Baker that 14 acres of land had been donated to build a new church in Wedowee, Alabama. Upon presentation of the plan, Bishop Baker granted the group permission to proceed with a plan to build a new church and a parish hall. Following months of planning, meetings, and decision making, actual construction began in mid September 2015 by Albion Scaccia Construction. In addition to a Capital Campaign where parishioners

and supporters pledged money to build the new structures, many other fund raising activities have taken place and will continue. Hispanic basketball tournaments, regular Hispanic food sales, car washes, and a family fun day at a local park have all raised money for the new church and hall. More than 130 different people or businesses have donated to the building fund including people that have no affiliation to the catholic church. All this fund raising activity has been undertaken by a relatively small number of parishioners who make up Immaculate Conception Parish. There are approximately 45 English and 45 Hispanic families that make up this parish.


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Make A Difference... Volunteer at the Fire Dept. If you are like most people, your new year starts off with a few resolutions. Whether it is to lose weight, eat healthier, increase your fitness, spend more time with your family, or increase your spiritual awareness, consider one that makes all of these possible…getting involved in your local volunteer fire department (VFD). In Randolph County, when you dial 9-1-1 to report a fire, do you know who is going to show up? More than likely, it’s someone you know; a friend, or neighbor, or someone who goes to your church. A national survey conducted by the National Volunteer Fire Council in 2015 indicated that only 29 percent of respondents believed that their local fire department used volunteers, and 41 percent did not know whether their department used volunteers. In fact, according to the National Fire Department Census, over 87 percent of all fire departments nationwide, and 89 percent of all departments in Alabama, are all or mostly volunteer. Here in Randolph County, 100 percent of all fire departments are staffed by volunteers. Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals. Unknown The terms “volunteer” and “professional” are not mutually exclusive. All Randolph County volunteer fire departments train on their own time and maintain the standards required to provide fire suppression capabilities that protect our community. A large part of how your home owner’s insurance premium is determined is based on the Public Protection Classification rating of your local VFD. Therefore, the more 36 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Don’t ever question the value of volunteers.

Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals. capable your VFD, the lower your premiums. So, you can give yourself a “pay raise” by getting involved and making your local VFD better. However, our VFDs face some serious challenges. The number of volunteer firefighters has been falling for decades. According to the National Fire Protection Association, volunteer firefighter rates across the country have dropped by about 12 percent from 1984 to 2014. That has spelled trouble for cities and towns, especially smaller ones in rural areas that have always depended on volunteer departments to save thousands, even millions, of dollars every year on salaries and benefits. In Randolph County, the decline in volunteers has become more drastic in the last few decades. As the mills closed, young people moved out of rural areas and into bigger cities. The

result is Randolph County’s population is growing older, and your local VFD mirrors this overall trend. According to the 2015 U.S. Census, the percentage of Randolph County over 65 years of age has grown to 19.9 percent of the total population, up 3 percent from just the 2010 Census. We need help in recruiting younger people to fill in the gap as our older generation of firefighters look toward retirement. Additionally, costs are going up, and funding sources are going down. Apart from local fund raising efforts and gracious donations, Randolph County VFDs use state funding (Ad Valorem and Tobacco Tax) for normal operating expenses. However, this is not sufficient to purchase or replace a fire engine that can cost in excess of $250,000. VFDs in Randolph County have used the Federal Emergency


Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase new apparatus and equipment, and provide training for new members, however, without new legislation, the AFG program will end in 2017. The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. DeAnn Hollis Your VFD is an integral part of the community, we are committed, and we are “all in”. Did you know that you are eligible to join your local VFD if you live or work in the area? All departments need people now and for the future. So, the questions you might ask yourself are: Do you appreciate friendships and camaraderie? Do you want to help people? Do you care about your community? Do you want to learn new skills? Do you like excitement? If the answer to any or all of these questions is “yes”, then choose to make a difference and contact your local VFD for more information. Donnie Knight or Jan Prescott at the Randolph County EMA Office, 256-357-0014, or 1-866-3574011, can put you in touch with someone from your local VFD who would love to talk to you about opportunities within your department and answer your questions.

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Comfort on a Plate

Whether I’m having a bad day or feel like I’m on top of the world, I am game for a comfort meal. Although the weather has been abnormally warm for this time of year, earlier this month the weather got pretty frigid. When it’s freezing cold outside I want our meals to be cozy and comforting at the same time. This pot roast and baked potato recipe is one of the boy’s favorite comfort foods. It’s the type of comfort food meal that sings to my soul. So... are you ready for a hot, soft baked potato topped with savory melt-in-yourmouth beef with tender vegetables? Let’s make it happen!

Jacked Up Baked Potatoes 1 3 lb. sirloin tip roast 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup 1 packet of buttermilk ranch dressing mix packet Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Place carrots, quartered onion and then the roast in crockpot. Mix cream of chicken soup, Lipton onion soup packet, ranch dressing packet, and beef broth together and pour over roast. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or until tender. I cook

1 can beef broth 1 large white onion, quartered 1 bag baby carrots Baked potatoes

mine over night. When done, remove Roast from crockpot and place in a large bowl. Using two forks shred the roast like pulled pork. Add the carrots and gravy to the roast and stir. Slice open hot baked potatoes and top with the shredded roast, carrots, onions and gravy mixture. Serve with greens and definitely

bread so you can sop up all that greatness that runs down onto your plate. *Note: If you just can’t wait to cook the roast in the crock pot you can use the fully cooked slow simmered beef roast found in your grocery store’s refrigerated section.

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Bucks and the Truck We must of looked a fool! Three guys in a hole on a hillside a hooting and hollering on a Saturday afternoon. But it was a big deal to find that ole Jimmy Jack wasn’t just stringing us along like a prank made from his grave.

eye on the meat while B and I went through the papers that were in the first container we found in the hole. In the paperwork, there was a bill of transfer for a 1972 Ford truck from Jimmy Jack to me. Then there was a deed to a piece of property that Jimmy Jack had also transferred Then we started to looking to me in a small community around the room we were in. called Delta. There were so many There was a bulk head at one end documents with my name on them. with a metal door that looked like There were mineral rights and something that came out of a ship. leases that were Big A tried to turn paid 15 years in the handle but it advance and even was rusted shut. properties as far “There’s a torch in south as Florida the shed”, I said.” just told him that were also Let’s bring it up not to kill anyone and signed over to me. in the morning

She

and get some fire How could he she was fine with it. on those rusty have done that? (It was clear who was hinges and see How could he what’s in there in have done all this trained and who was the morning”. In paperwork and all the meantime, we this legal stuff in not!) took everything just the few months out of the two from when I met containers, sealed him until he died? the room and I had spent all this flooded the chamber so we could time looking at the Manus family. get the water wheel working and Maybe I should look at Jimmy Jack. the power back on at the shack. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but this looks more like he had planned Back at the shack, B had this long before I met him and not a good fire going outside. In it, a happenstance meeting on the-side there was a basketball size piece of aluminum foil. In that was an entire of the road. Was I set up? All know is I’m starving and there’s a feast bag of red potatoes, 3 chopped awaiting me. Eat, be merry and all onions, garlic, a half-pound of will work out in the morning. mushrooms and a stick of butter that had been cooking since we got back from dropping the mole off on the opposite shore. In the shack, we had three ribeye steaks the size of roasts that had been marinating in half soy, half Worcestershire and a can of doctor pepper since that morning. I threw the grate over the coals and the meat went on in a sizzle of anticipation. Big A kept an 40 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE

Morning came with the sound of gunshots in the air! There was the chopping sound of helicopters from above. I grabbed the nearest weapon I could find and leaped to my feet. Big A was already outside. Just then, B George yelled. “Be cool, guys! This has been set up. Just wait and it’ll all be fine”….. So we did. We waited. We waited

until the gunfire stopped and the helicopters left, then I turned to B and said, “What the heck was that all about?” “You said to take care of them so I did” B said. “ It doesn’t take much, nowadays, to have someone accused of terrorism. The ‘Feds’ will figure it out soon enough and let them go but in the meantime, the Manus’s will know that we can hurt them far worse than they can hurt us. You wanted time, you got it but mark my words, this works only short term. When the Manus bunch gets mad enough, they aren’t going to worry about what the government will do to them. They will come at us with everything they’ve got!” “ Well, if that’s the case,” I said “we better use this time to let our families know what’s going on. Do you agree?” We did agree. It’s been long enough and all three of our phones have been blowing up with the calls our wife’s have made so we called them and met them at the 48 bridge dock. On the ride back to the shack, Avery filled them in on what was going on and we watched as their eyes widened at the news. Kim (my wife) scolded me for keeping this a secret so long. She couldn’t believe I got shot and she didn’t know while Big A’s wife whaled on him for putting his life in jeopardy with two young children at the house. B Georges’ wife (Lynn) was different. She just told him not to kill anyone and she was fine with it. (It was clear who was trained and who was not!) We made it to the shack and took the girls up to the cabin. We showed them the map and the deeds to properties as well as taking them up to the hole, but we didn’t drain it for them to go inside. All the time, I noticed the almost eerie


sound of nothing that came from the other side of the hill where the Manus compound was. We decided to stay for the night but I knew what had to be done. The three of us have to go over the hill and see what’s going on. The women won’t like it, but what they don’t know won’t hurt them. B George said he had a plan to keep our families safe and I trust he can do it.

told me otherwise so I started looking around. On the wall, there were several part of me that says forget it, find family pictures. I recognized some of the gold and be rich. them were people I knew in town, which I assume were the five or so structures that were part of the family. One of which spread apart. There was one that was Lavoy Caldwell. I’ve known was the largest so we went there him for years and considered first. The whole place seemed him a friend. Also was Waylon empty. B went in first. The door Vowell. He worked for me, for was unlocked. He did a security Pete’s sake! From this, I realized walk through and cleared it so that we couldn’t trust anyone. me and Big A walked it. There

There’s

I was up at day break in the morning. I tapped Big A and B on the shoulders so not to wake their wives. We grabbed a couple of guns and headed up the hill with Big A leading. He knew where the mines were. Down the other side, I saw the Manus compound for the first time. There were a few trucks, a car, and some boats parked around

was no electricity that we could see. No light bulbs, no switches. Just a very primitive cabin with a wood stove and a fireplace.

I almost felt bad that we went to such dramatic measures to get them out of our way but the sting of the bullet wound on my side

We checked out the other cabins but they were mainly living quarters. There were gun cases everywhere but they were all empty. My guess is the government raid took care of that. In the last cabin, which was the smallest one, we found it mostly empty. No one had lived there in a while. We were

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about to leave when I opened a small drawer at one end of the kitchen cabinet and found a small book. When taking it out, several pictures spilled out onto the floor. I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were pictures, old pictures, of Jimmy Jack and Willard Earl together! They had to be teenagers at the time but it was them all right.. There’s part of me that says “forget it, find the gold and be rich”, then there’s the other part that just wants to know the truth. How could Willard Earl and Jimmy Jack be friends at one time and enemies the next? How could there be a feud for generations if the two of them were friends at one time? They seem pretty chummy in the picture. I feel I’m a token in a board game and someone else is rolling the dice. I’m more confused now than I ever was.

Charley Norton is the co-owner of Norton’s Flooring with his brother Tom. The company was founded by his parents more than 40 years ago.

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Index of Advertisers Affordable Tire and Repair 32 Anderson’s Bistro 43 Bank of Wedowee 11 Bingo for Boobies 2 Bonner Heating and Air 37 Chad Lee, Attorney at Law 43 Corson’s Tree Service 17 Dari Delite 37 Deason Home Inspections 17 Docks Plus More 33 Dr. Michael Edwards 29 EHC Pharmacy 29 Emergency Medical Transport 23 First Bank 42 GLL Marine 29, 41 H&M Drugs 17, 33, 47 Halls Gas 23 Happy Trails Restaurant 17 Hunter Bend Realty 38 Jon Boys Smoke House 23 Lake Wedowee Body Shop 31 Lineville Clinic 42 Main Street Animal Hospital 23 Main Street Coffee Shop 38 Norton’s Flooring 35 Perry Land Foods 38 Randolph County Appliance 27 RE/MAX Lakefront Grady and Linda Stone 31 RE/MAX Lakefront Leisa Waldrep 43 Rock Stand Kwik Mart 27

Russell Do It Center Smalltown Bank Southern Holiday Life An Affair to Remember Southern Holiday Life Southern Holiday Shop Southern Home Comfort Southern Union State Community College State Farm Agent, Ken Seiffert State Farm Agent, Mike Coleman Steele Chiropractic Life Center Superior Gas Superior Pest Control Tanner Medical Center Traylor’s Health and Rehab Center TREC Waste Solutions Wedowee Building Supplies Wedowee Lake and Lands Realty Wedowee Marine Wellborn Cabinet WM Grocery

11 31 3 11 33 37 16 22 38 43 16 35 48 13 35 35 29 9 4 33 7

If you are interested in advertising in Lake Wedowee Life or any of our other publications, email ads@lakewedoweelife.com for more information LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE 45


Instagramis a fun and quirky way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. The following pictures were selected based on the photographers use of hashtags. The hashtags #lakewedowee and #lakewedoweelife were how the pictures were selected. If you wish to contribute pictures to this section of Lake Wedowee Life, be sure to tag all your lake pictures with #lakewedoweelife. Thanks and happy snapping!

@bethdefying

@redwards5

@conwaymoves

@grannychick71

@kestes33

@the_crazy_dragon_lady

@ginahard1008

@aworld4change

@trciastearns

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