Elmore County Living January 2019

Elmore

January 2019

County Living

Kilos on the Coosa Tallassee Technology Fair

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The Penguin Project

Tallassee Health and Rehabilitation, LLC

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A very good place to do that is Tallassee Health and Rehabilitation, LLC. There is a well trained staff who are also kind and helpful. It doesn’t take long to feel like it’s a family. -Mary Bellury, a Resident

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CALL SUNNY TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS TODAY!

334-283-3975

2639 Gilmer Avenue • Tallassee, AL 36078

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dle the Past, L n i L eK with Jimmy & Judy

Primitive & Antique Furniture, Tools & Collectibles.

Valentine's Day is Coming Soon!

Shop ReKindle the Past and Treat Your Special Someone to Something Special! · We appraise & buy antique fishing lures ·

Thursday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm | Sunday 1 - 5 pm

6364 Holtville Road (Hwy 111 Across from Chevron) 334-478-3716 | 303-0535 Wetumpka, AL We’ll help show you the way to financial security. No map necessary.

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Call Marilyn Hawkins 334-202-5108 or Shannon Filyaw 334-415-0781

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From the Editor's Desk

STAFF

Don’t Stop Believin’ may be a wildly well known song, but you can’t deny it’s a good go-to, karaoke, sing-at-the-topof-your-lungs-in-the-car-type melody.

Most of us have heard it, which is why we know it.

This rock song by the iconic ’80s band Journey still inspires feelings of hope, happiness and harmony – well, for me at least.

So when I visited The Wetumpka Depot last month for The Penguin Project kickoff event, I thought the choice of this tune as the group’s theme song was symbolic for its mission.

This new chapter in Wetumpka is part of a worldwide nonprofit that provides an opportunity for special needs children to engage in theater performance and production. Not only does this provide a unique experience, but also The Penguin Project provides these children with an opportunity to build confidence and helps them hone motor skills, all while having fun and making new friends. Turn to page 20 to read a more in-depth description of The Penguin Project and see a few of the smiling faces that will appear in Annie Jr. this summer when the curtains open.

Switching our listening tunes to something a little more hardcore and motivational, the participants of Kilos on the Coosa likely jam out to some grunge, hard rock when preparing to lift an insane amount of weight in this powerlifting competition (at least that’s what I picture). Personally, I recommend Eye of the Tiger. It packs a powerful punch that helps power through a workout.

On page 10, we delve into the first nationally sanctioned powerlifting event that took place in Wetumpka. With nearly 60 entrants, there was a range of ages, both males and females, all hailing from various locations across the South.

While this is truly an impressive feat, the children of Tallassee are doing some heavy lifting of their own. The school system has recently adopted a STEM program in which kindergarteners are learning coding and robotics. I channel some Mr. Roboto in the background when I think about this class. Implementation of these courses led to the creation of a local Technology Fair.

On page 16, read all about the new Region 8 Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education Fair coming in March. This region will be hosted by Tallassee but include seven other counties, multiple grade levels and more than a dozen categories of competition.

Whatever song motivates you, challenges you or gives you strength – turn it on, crank it up and soar into this New Year with confidence. Keep us updated about your accomplishments in 2019 by emailing editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

Chairman

KENNETH BOONE kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com

President & Publisher

STEVE BAKER steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com

Managing Editor

BETSY ILER betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

Editor

AMY PASSARETTI amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Distribution Manager

ERIN BURTON erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Consultants

MARILYN HAWKINS marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com SHANNON FILYAW shannon.filyaw@tallasseetribune.com TIPPY HUNTER tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com KATIE WESSON katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com JULIE HARBIN julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com JESSICA WARE jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com JOLIE WATERS jolie.waters@alexcityoutlook.com

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KAT RAIFORD kat.raiford@tallasseetribune.com

Contributors

Kenneth Boone Jeff Langham Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor MK Moore Peyton Moore

Sharon Fox Amalia Kortright Ann Harper Gerald A. Sweeney Tony Edwards Josie Bauscher

To subscribe to Elmore County Living, $25 a year for 12 issues, please call Erin Burton at 256-234-4281 All content, including all stories and photos, are copyright of

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 99 300 Green Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-7811

Amy Passaretti, Editor

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER Amber Leonard lifted a total of 347.5 kilograms between squat, bench press and deadlift at the Powerlifting Competition at Impact Fitness in Wetumpka, earning her the title of best female lifter.

Photo by Josie Bauscher

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41 Features

Columns

In Every Issue 6

EXTRA! EXTRA!

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BACK IN THE DAY

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VERSATILE PLAY PARK

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OUT & ABOUT

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DOLLARS & SENSE

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KILOS ON THE COOSA

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COMING UP

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COMMUNITY CARE

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MILLBROOK'S 2019 SEASON

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WHERE TO FIND US

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MOVIE MAN

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TECHNOLOGY FAIR

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THE GAMER

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SOUTHERN DELIGHTS

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News Briefs

In Elmore County

Fun for Everyone

Distribution List

Lessons from Riverside Inn

Dodge Investment Mistakes

Devise a FITT Exercise Plan

The Envelope Please ...

On the Horizon

Comfort by Casseroles

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Volunteers build structure at WES

Wetumpka Hosts Powerlifting

A Year of Entertainment

STEM engages young minds

THE PENGUIN PROJECT

Theater embraces opportunity

PASS A GOOD TIME Mardi Gras Festivities

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EXTRA! EXTRA! News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Full Pool at Thurlow Dam The water levels on Lake Thurlow have returned to full pool after the completion of the first phase of a project to replace spillway gates at Thurlow Dam, according to Alabama Power Company.

The original spillway gates, known as flashboards, were installed in the 1920s and will be replaced by a more efficient steel system. New gates will allow for better control but will mimic the original historic look.

Another drawdown is scheduled from June to October 2019, so APC could continue making necessary improvements to the dam.

Local acts of kindness aid hurricane victims

Redden makes a long distance call Amateur radio specialist Clay Redden demonstrated to local Boy Scouts how to communicate with places around the globe, including Antarctica, the International Space Station and the North Pole, using a ham radio.

This device radio is a mode of long-distance communication, including for emergencies.

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Hurricane Michael hit in October, and the damages continue to be prevalent. Locals are raising funds to help those affected.

Eclectic’s Holiday Hope organization raised and donated $7,000 to families in Georgia.

Last month, volunteer Stephanie Southerland distributed $500 checks to 14 families in Donalsonville, based on the city’s recommendations. The checks were sent along with handmade cards from local Eclectic kindergarteners.

Redland Elementary School student Nicholas Thomas, along with some of his classmates, raised $1,354.95 for the Bay District School System in Florida.

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The Sanfords decorated with a popular movie theme

A Great Griswold Christmas A local couple’s home in Wetumpka drew crowds and garnered attention from all over the River Region as its decorations represented a popular Christmas comedy.

Homeowners Wynn and Tina Sanford embellished their home based on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

They began the tradition on a small scale last year and

really upped the game during this past holiday season.

From lights all over the house to the station wagon with a Christmas tree tied down on top, the unique display attracted traffic to their home. Sanford parked a shopping cart on the lawn and asked visitors to fill it with dog food, as donations to the Humane Society of Elmore County.

Memorialize the Fallen More than 400 veterans were honored in Millbrook last month during a Wreaths Across America ceremony. Organized by American Heritage Girls Troop 0125, the ceremony took place at Brookside Memorial Gardens, and dozens of people laid wreaths on the graves of military veterans throughout the cemetery.

The troop joined more than 1,400 other locations across the U.S. that hosted similar ceremonies.

Pitching in for recruitment The Elite Pitching Academy in Wetumpka got a major training upgrade with technology that will aid practice.

Owner Krystle Wilson-Lawson connected with SmartMitt LLC to bring in the first machine of its kind in Alabama.

The program is a way for the players to keep track of training sessions by recording players’ data. WilsonLawson’s goal is to make it easier for college coaches to see high school recruits statewide by seeing softball players’ stats online.

Before each pitch, the program displays on an LED screen what type of pitch needs to be thrown and what spot to hit. The machine then tracks the speed and accuracy of the location.

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Versatile play park built by community

Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Amalia Kortright and Amy Passaretti

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he children at Wetumpka Elementary School are in a position to combine recreation with a workout thanks to a new playground on site that is bigger, safer and focused more on physical activity.

From the time the equipment pieces were delivered to the completion of the structure, school staff and local volunteers assembled the structure in three days.

WES Principal Bonnie Sullivan was relieved to finally receive a grant to offset the costs after bring denied by nearly a dozen others.

“This was our final grant written, and we were excited that it came through,” said Sullivan.

GameTime Playground offered the school 100 percent matching funds, which led to a 50/50 budget. The total structure was purchased for $140,000.

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To offset additional expenses, Sullivan decided that the community would construct the playground on its own but with the guidance of a GameTime supervisor.

Project manager Drew Warren spent the days walking the workers through the proper channels of how to build the piece.

“By doing it ourselves, we saved money, which allowed us to purchase more items for the playground,” said Sullivan. “We serve 900 kids, so we needed a bigger structure than what we had.”

The old playground was disassembled and taken to Grace Baptist Church.

“We’re very excited that they bought it, and we know its going to a good home,” Sullivan said.

On a Monday morning, a truck delivered the hundreds of pieces, and the first step was to organize them all into

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The new playground is bigger, safer and available for all ages

Volunteers from across the community assembled the equipment in three days

The structure was open for use in December

groups based on numbers and letters associated.

Having just come off a heavy rain streak, the ground was still wet when the first holes began to be dug. Concrete was added to the bottom of the nearly 80 holes that were drilled on site in front of where the old structure used to be.

The mulch that was dropped off prior to the weekend starting the project had to be covered with a tarp and surrounded with hay bales to prevent it from being washed away during the storms.

“The project was put together completely by volunteers ranging from school employees, Wind Creek Casino, Elmore County Maintenance Department, Wetumpka Fire Department and many others,” said Sullivan. “We could not have done it without the support of Superintendent Richard Dennis, First Community Bank and board mem-

bers, both current and retired.”

The team effort of nearly 25 daily volunteers was supported by local churches who served lunch to those offering their time. Construction began around 7:30/8 a.m. every morning and continued until around 4 p.m.

“This is such a new, innovative playground. There is something for all ages to enjoy,” said Margo Thomas, WES Physical education teacher. “It’s well-rounded and well built.”

The structure includes a rock climbing wall, multiple slides, a drawbridge, a climbing area – a huge emphasis on physical activity. Kindergarteners use the area during recess and other grades incorporate its use into physical education classes.

“We just built it piece by piece and it all just came together,” said Sullivan.

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Kilos on the Coosa

Wetumpka hosts powerlifting competition Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Josie Bauscher

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wenty-year old Amber Leonard from Alabama lifted a total of 347.5 kilograms between squat, bench press and deadlift rounds. This highest Wilks score earned her the title of best female lifter at the Kilos on the Coosa powerlifting event last month.

Ten of the 58 total lifters who competed at Impact Fitness and Sports Training in Wetumpka were female; 60 percent were firsttime power lifters, and nearly all were under the age of 25.

“Female powerlifting is definitely growing, but we still don’t see as many as we do males,” said Christina Myers, owner and coach of Lift Heavy Princess, a female-centric fitness center.

Nationally sanctioned by USA Powerlifting – an affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation – this local-level event could be used to qualify lifters for state-level competitions and above.

“Lifters competed in the squat, bench press and deadlift, in that order. They are arranged in flights based on the number of lifters in the competition, beginning with females and lightest males and progressing up to the heaviest males,” said Myers.

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Lifters competed among others in their weight classes

Each lifter gets three rounds to lift in each category

Auburn students were well represented in the competition

A competitor prepares to step up to the barbell

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There were medals awarded for each event, division and weight class Each lifter in a flight makes one attempt at each lift; then, a second and a third in a rounds system, she said.

After all flights have competed in the squat, the platform resets for bench press and then deadlifts.

“Three referees decide if each lift is valid as determined by the rules. A white light indicates a good lift; red light indicates a lift does not count toward the lifter’s total,” Myers explained.

The total amount of weight lifted – sum of all three categories – determines each lifter’s placement within the

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lifter's respective weight class. The Wilks score formula is based on gender and bodyweight. It serves as a measure of strength across all weight classes.

The competition was the first sanctioned powerlifting event in Wetumpka and the first USA Powerlifting event in the Montgomery area.

“Lifters came from all over Alabama – Auburn, Prattville, Montgomery, Wetumpka, Birmingham and more – and a small percentage that competed were from out of state, including one foreign exchange student from Italy,”

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The deadlift was the final round of the day

Myers said.

The reigning IPF bench press champion and American record holder, Brandon Maddox from Montgomery, earned the title of best male lifter at the Kilos on the Coosa event. “Brandon benches 2.6 times his body weight,� said Myers.

Maddox lifted a combined total of 690 kilograms during Kilos on the Coosa.

At this contest, lifters ranged in age from 13 years

old to 60 years old and included one Special Olympics competitor.

First through fifth place medals were awarded for each event, division and weight class. Events included full power; push/pull; bench only and deadlift only.

There are multiple powerlifting events around the country every year and about four USA Powerlifting competitions are held in Alabama annually.

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Millbrook Depot Players Entertainment for the whole family Story by Amy Passaretti

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he Millbrook Theatre is coming up on its 13th year of entertaining audiences and is kicking off the season with a lineup that should not be missed.

Starting in February, the Millbrook Community Players will take the stage in a hilariously deadly tale of two spinster aunts and their nephew who visits and joins in covering up their morbidly funny antics. Arsenic and Old Lace is a dark comedy by Joseph Kessellring and directed by Stephanie McGuire.

Opening night is Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Following dates include Feb. 22-23 and March 1-2, also at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances will begin at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and March 3.

In April, a comedy starring the elderly will have audiences laughing throughout its entirety. Independence Day at Happy Meadows is about a group of nursing-home bound ladies trying to break out of their accommodations. They are fed up with the regulations, authority and food, so they make a plan to escape. Show times will be April 25-27 and May 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28 and May 5 at 2 p.m.

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The first musical of the year will be the well-known storyline, Hello, Dolly! With great music and dancing, this entertaining show takes place in New York City and features matchmaker Dolly Levi as she tries to play cupid on herself. Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder and the book by Michael Stewart, the performance will be directed by Brady Walker, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. There are plenty of options to catch this classic on June 20-22, 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on June 23 and 30.

The September show is one both adults and kids may enjoy. Cheaper by the Dozen is based on the book by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. The synopsis follows a uniquely large family whose father is one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency. He applies his unorthodox methods to his own household, but the oldest, Anne, rebels against these embarrassing tasks. The dad is actually holding a secret, which creates miscommunication for everyone. Catch this family-friendly play Sept. 12-14 and 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. or Sept. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.

The 2019 season will wrap up in December with The Christmas Carol, which will be directed by Millbrook Theatre executive director John Collier. The story is based on the classic by Charles Dickens involving Ebenezer Scrooge and his longforgotten festive spirit. The ghosts of past, present and future visit Scrooge and remind him what the holiday is really about. Kick off the holiday spirit with this play Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15.

During that week, the Millbrook Community Players will perform a children’s version of The Christmas Carol. Also for kids, there will be a performance of the True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

For all shows, tickets are $14 at the door; $12 in advance; and $8 for children under the age of 12. For tickets and more information, visit millbrooktheater.com.

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Second-grade students build domes with Zometool

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Tech fair advances curriculum Tallassee STEM program engages young minds

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Story by Amy Passaretti & Photos by Peyton Moore

tudents from seven counties will have the first-time opportunity to compete in a technology fair at Tallassee High School March 7.

Tallassee City Schools’ Superintendent Wade Shipman, with a background working with technology fairs, is leading the charge to bring this opportunity to the school system.

“I was a technology coordinator and helped create the fair in West Alabama nearly 15 years ago because I saw

the value of it. That was not an active area for technology, and we saw a huge spike in attendance over the years,” said Shipman.

Additional teachers are on board to assist getting the project off the ground.

Tallassee has been established as the host for Region 8 of the Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education, which covers Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Macon, Lee and Russell counties.

The fair will be open to students in grades three Fourth-grade students show off their project, which features a zipline and elevator

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through 12 with a teacher sponsor. There is a $15 entrance fee per student, and entrants will compete within one of five levels, based on grade.

Projects could be submitted within any one of 14 different categories, which have shifted focus over the years, and there is now more for kids to explore.

Categories include: animation, audio production, computer-project programming, digital art, digital game design, hardware modification, internet applications, 3D modeling, multimedia applications, productivity design, robotics, technology testing, team programming challenge, video production and website design.

Within the categories, there will be both individual and group winners. A group could include up to four students.

“We wanted the opportunity for kids to be able to show off what they’re doing in school and take it to another level,” Shipman added.

His hope is that teachers take the lead and design classes around projects that could be entered in the contest.

“Entries can be school-specific if a teacher is willing to encourage certain projects, and I am sure we’ll see some of that,” said Shipman.

Industry volunteers from outside the school system will be judges as many local companies are very involved within the community. Shipman said the number of judges required would depend on the number of entries. The deadline for submitting is Feb. 22.

“If it grows, it could be quite large, considering the area we cover. This gives kids the opportunity to compete at the

Students learn about electricity using snap circuit kits in the lab

A student uses the launchpad in the lab to learn about circuitry

First-grade students practice number recognition while learning how to build with K'NEX

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Third-grade students work on their activity cards for the engineering and design kits state level as well,” said Shipman.

Tallassee Elementary School has recently added a STEM program to its curriculum and is expanding its offerings to include some classes geared toward the growing technology advancements of today. The program is a module-based experience and will be a progressive learning slope up to eighth grade. It’s mainly a project-based class.

“The kids love it, and it gives them an added background.

STEM activities have been proven to increase math scores within the system,” Shipman added.

Kindergarteners are currently learning robotics, circuitry,

coding and engineering. As students advance in school, they will continue with similar things at a more progressive level.

Shipman said that Tallassee Middle School is in the process of adding a STEM program as well by converting the library into a computer lab and moving the library to a better location.

“There is still a learning curve for us, and we have some logistics to work out, but we hope to start small and be able to expand our offerings down the road,” Shipman said.

For more information about the technology fair, visit AlabamaConsortiumforTechnologyinEducation.com.

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The Penguin Project

Wetumpka theater embraces opportunities for special needs children Story & Photos by Amy Passaretti

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A group of nearly two dozen 8 to 21 year-olds let loose on the stage

enguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring.

This is the mantra of The Penguin Project, a theater program developed for special needs children in a peer-to-peer mentor setting. The Wetumpka Depot launched its inaugural musical program as the 27th chapter of this nationwide organization.

“There are several big takeaways from this program. Our penguins learn to grow and gain self-confidence. This provides them the opportunity to make friends and explore things they may not get in a school or home setting,” said Kristy Meanor, executive director of The Wetumpka Depot.

Last month, about 20 special needs children between the ages of 8 and 21 learned choreography to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey – the theme song for the Penguin Project. This officially kicked off the season with the announcement of their summer production, Annie Jr., which will be directed by Daniel Harms.

“You can really see how music and movement opens up a child and allows them to express themselves,” said Brooke Brown, parent communications liaison.

The plan is to produce one show a year midsummer, which will be the modified version of some well-known Broadway musical. This means shows typically are only an hour long, instead of the full length.

“What they don’t realize is what they did on stage was their audition, so we can get an idea of who can do what. We just want them to get on stage and have fun,” said Karen Anderson, a volunteer with the program and costuming coordinator.

Rehearsals will start in February, and most likely will be held once a week – twice as show time approaches.

The crucial aspect of The Penguin Program that ties together the benefit for these children is the mentor system – this is why two penguins form the logo. Each artist, a child with developmental disabilities, is paired with a peer around his or her same age. The pair will operate as a single unit, and the mentor will provide assistance in whatever way may be needed.

“Mentors will really be their eyes, ears, legs, arms – an extension of who they are, so the art-

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Volunteers taught the actors choreography to Don't Stop Believin'

Smiling faces filled the room during the kickoff event

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ists are not being held back by anything,” said Anderson, whose daughter has volunteered as a mentor.

Every child will likely require help differently, but the relationship formed is valuable for all involved.

“These are going to be priceless friendships and an experience they will have for a lifetime. There will probably be some kids that don’t need the obvious support, but the mentor is still there as a friend, a partner in crime,” said Meanor. “It’s such a great opportunity for a group of really diverse people to all come together and celebrate the craft of theater.”

To be affiliated with The Penguin Project, a theater must go through a selection process. Meanor said she had heard positive results of the program from other community theater connections and finally decided to take initial steps to get involved.

“Wetumpka was chosen as a replication site because we demonstrated that we have the resources to present the program and to staff it and proved that the theater has longevity and history with a supportive community,” said Meanor.

Dr. Andrew Morgan is a development pediatrician who founded The Penguin Project in 2004, as he saw the benefit this could have for children with disabilities. Morgan will visit The Wetumpka Depot this month for training on how the program works and how to establish those relationships between artists and mentors.

He will attend the second kickoff event in February, as well, to show support of this newest chapter.

The theater hopes to ignite inspiration in more children throughout the community to be involved in productions.

“Theater is a unique opportunity and activity providing language development and motor skills,” Meanor added.

Mentors willing to participate in the program have to be mature, flexible and compassionate, she said. They have to commit to the 12 to 13 weeks of rehearsals, and do not need to have any theater background.

As a nonprofit, The Wetumpka Depot continually raises funds for playbills and additional resources.

“We are seeking funding from the community to help support the cost of costuming, props, royalties and any modifications needed to accommodate these children,” said Meanor.

For those interested in participating or volunteering, the next Penguin Project kickoff will be Jan. 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Wetumpka Depot, located at 300 S. Main St. For more information or to get involved with The Penguin Project, call Meanor at 334-868-1440 or email her at kmeanor@wetumpkadepot.com.

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

(Let the good times roll!)

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Story by Amy Passaretti & Photos Courtesy of Kim Bell

ardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Shrove Tuesday – all signify the same celebration, and towns throughout Elmore County certainly know how to throw a party in its honor.

Both Millbrook and Wetumpka host annual Mardi Gras parades and festivals complete with authentic fare, colorful beads and family-friendly activities.

The Krewe of Millbrook Revelers is organizing its 14th annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade for Feb. 23, which is 10 days before Ash Wednesday. The festival grounds open at 9 a.m., and the parade begins at noon.

“We have close to 14,000 people that arrive for this festivity. It’s one of the largest celebrations north of Mobile, and entrance to the parade is free,” said Kim Bell, Millbrook Revelers publicity chairperson and 2018’s queen. This year’s king and queen are Walter Wallace and Gail Inman. Around 10 a.m. the day of the festival, the pair will parade through the park

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leading the Umbrella Stroll.

“There is a coloring contest for kids, and the winners get to escort the king and queen through the stroll,” said Bell.

The festival will include more than 60 vendors from throughout the Southeast with classic Mardi Gras food options, items for sale and activities for children of all ages, including pony rides, a climbing wall and zip lines.

Entries to the parade are free and must be in place by 11 a.m. to be considered for judging. The theme is Laissez Les Bons Temp Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll).

Floats then will progress down the 1-mile route while parade participants throw beads, candy, stuffed animals and more to the thousands of visitors lining the streets.

The Krewe of Revelers formed in 2004 and now has more than 125 members. For more information about the Millbrook Mardi Gras celebration, visit millbrookrevelers.org.

A few weeks later, Wetumpka’s Order of Cimarrón will host its Mardi Gras festivities for the seventh year.

On March 2, nearly 70 vendors will open around 8 a.m. at Gold Star Park with food, crafts and activities.

The parade will embark from Wetumpka’s First Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with about 50 entries.

“Originally, all we did was a parade. Two years ago, we drew a crowd of 6,500. A crowd that festive and grand caused us to revamp some things, including the length and area of the parade, along with additional vendors,” said Griffin Pritchard, a charter member of Order of Cimarrón.

There used to be another

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The parade crosses over the Bibb Graves Bridge

Lavish outfits add to the authenticity of the day

Millbrook Krewe of Revelers parades along a 1-mile route

Entrants are encouraged to throw items to the crowd

Spectators catch beads thrown from the floats to adorn their ensembles

Wetumpka Mardi Gras Parade

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organization in Wetumpka that prepared this event, but as that became dormant, a group of about 14 members reinvented the organization, said Pritchard.

“It’s exciting to see something that was formed by a group of like-minded people wanting to see a celebration come to the city grow throughout the years,” he added.

“We didn’t know what to expect the first year, but we dove headlong into making something special. It’s been a great experience.”

A grand marshal is selected for the annual parade, and entries do not have to be from Elmore County to participate. It’s free to join, and groups are encouraged to throw beads and festive items to the crowds.

There is a $35 charge for vendors, but any organization can join.

Around the festival area, the king and queen host a parasol stroll, similar to the Revelers.

“That’s a pretty fun little thing.

The royalty gets to wander through the park and have some pictures taken, thank people for coming out; and then, race back to across the bridge to get ready for the parade,” said Pritchard.

With help from the Wetumpka Police Department and the City of Wetumpka, the parade has been a growing success, he added. The Poarch Creeks have been the parade’s sponsor for the past few years as well, which helps offset necessary costs.

Pritchard said the name Cimarrón means runaway. For information, visit wetumpkamardigras.net to learn about the Wetumpka Mardi Gras celebration.

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Railroad rumours incite creation of hotel Wetumpka hotspot home to business, school and recreation

Sharon fox

BACK IN THE DAY Sharon Fox is the curator at the Elmore County Museum in Wetumpka.

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The railroad was coming to Wetumpka.

It was exciting news in the late 1830s, and local businessmen began making plans to take advantage of it. People from all over Alabama, perhaps even from all over the country, would be coming to Wetumpka, Alabama. The town would need a place for them to stay while here.

A large, three-story building was erected in 1840. It was called The Railroad Hotel. The building was completed quickly but not before it became evident that plans for the railroad to come to Wetumpka had failed. The Wetumpka-Coosa Railroad was not to be.

The town of Wetumpka overflowed with entrepreneurs filled with normally successful ideas. The new plan was for The Railroad Hotel to become an establishment for businessmen, schools and lodges. The third floor was given to local doctors, the first and second floors to the schools and local lodges. Allen Robison taught dance classes there for several years.

The building was destroyed in the fire of 1853, leaving only a small part of it standing.

Long before the Old Wetumpka Post Office was built, the Riverside Inn stood in its place. Built sometime after the flood of 1844 and before the first advertisement in 1847, the Riverside Inn began business

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as The Coosa Hall, also known as The Coosa House. It stood three stories high and was built almost exclusively out of the undamaged materials from the old Railroad Hotel.

The same local businessmen, schools and lodges occupied Coosa Hall, and many of the single young men in the area used it as their home. A restaurant was on the ground floor and was a popular place for a home-cooked meal, as well as business meetings.

The Coosa Hall took up the entire block across from the courthouse – it was a sight to see. It was also part of what was once called the “Dark and Bloody Square.” Between 1838 and 1898, this was the area where nearly all the murders in Wetumpka happened. The square consisted of The Coosa Hall, the old courthouse across the road, the jail and Haggerty Hall.

Within the square, there were no less than eight deaths, and only one was accidental. Mr. W. G. Deloney was coming out of the Probate Office and fell against the low railing surrounding the entrance to the barbershop in the basement of The Coosa Hall. He fell over the railing and fractured his skull, dying instantly. Two of the murders happened during the dances at the hall.

Dances at the Hall were well known

Riverside Inn was built almost entirely out of materials from the old Railroad Hotel and well attended, and the young ladies who attended those dances played a large part in renaming the Hall in 1890.

The owner of Coosa Hall in the 1880s was A. G. Campbell, a prominent and successful businessman in Wetumpka. Mr. Campbell died in the fall of 1890, leaving his wife, Flora, the sole owner of the hotel. A newspaper article dated Oct. 2, 1890, stated, “All the furniture of the Coosa Hall, consisting of a large number of bureaus, washstands, bedstead, chairs, quilts, bowls and pitchers, lamps, etc., will be sold at auction before the Coosa Hall on Saturday, Oct. 11, 1890, for

cash to the highest bidder.”

The building was then sold to Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, who invited the young ladies attending the dances held at the hall to enter a contest to rename it. A month later the Coosa Hall became The Riverside Inn. The Riverside Inn burned in 1904/05 after a kitchen fire. The entire town was across the river at a funeral being held for one of Wetumpka’s favorite founding women. The inn was almost completely burned before the townspeople realized it, and help was too long in coming. This tragedy prompted the formation of a more organized volunteer fire department.

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No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal service performed by other lawyers.

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Dodge leading investment mistakes

Tony Edwards

DOLLARS & SENSE Tony Edwards is a wealth advisor with WealthMark Financial Solutions, LLC, and can be reached at 334-279-1987.

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Investing in the stock market provides an opportunity to put hard-earned money to work, seeking to earn an impressive return. Historically, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index has returned close to 10 percent on an average annual basis. Of course, past performances are no guarantee of future results. But most investors fail to take full advantage of this opportunity. In fact, they often earn considerably less than the average market return.

A 2015 report from DALBAR, Inc., showed that the average investor underperformed the S&P 500 by 3.6 percent. In 2016, the gap widened: The S&P 500 returned about 12 percent, while the average investor saw only about a 5 percent return.

Why does this happen? There are three big mistakes investors tend to make over and over.

Mistake 1: Trying to time the market It’s impossible to predict when to sell ahead of a downturn or start buying before resurgence.

When investors try to time the market, they often miss the mark, buying high or selling low – or both. In the process, they negatively affect their potential returns.

People who think they know the market is about to drop, or make a comeback, may be kidding themselves. No one knows for certain what will happen next. What is predictable is that the market will experience periodic volatility.

Instead of trying to time the market, plan for volatility by engaging in a long-term investment strategy and using dollarcost averaging – purchasing a certain amount of an investment on a set schedule. That way, investors will purchase more stock when the price is low, less when the price is high.

Of course, a program of systematic investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against

losses in declining markets. An investor should consider his or her ability to continue making purchases during periods of declining prices, when the value of investments may be falling.

Mistake 2: Reacting emotionally Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors ever, famously advised against letting emotions sway investment decisions when he said, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

It’s easy to feel confident and excited about investing when markets go up. It’s also natural to experience panic when markets drop and people start seeing losses in their portfolios.

Giving in to these emotions leads most investors to sell low (when the market goes down, and people are worried about “losing” money) and buy high (when the market goes up, and securities are more expensive).

Mistake 3: Believing you know more than the market Most economists and financial experts believe the stock market is efficient. This means the prices of securities in the market reflect their actual values.

But some investors act on hunches and predictions about what the market (or specific securities within it) will do next. Remember that professional investors and fund managers have access to an incredible amount of information that they use to make investment decisions, and this information is not readily available to the average investor.

The bottom line Avoid these three common mistakes by contributing consistently to investment accounts each month (regardless of what the market is doing), assuming an individual can afford to do so. Work with a financial professional who can keep investors calm and think rationally when they want to react emotionally; and stick to an overall financial plan and investment strategy – instead of trying to guess the next hot stock.

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Devise a FITT exercise plan Alas, the Yuletide is over, and all of those holiday-sanctioned overindulgences can no longer be justified by Santa’s jolly “Ho, Ho, Hos.” It’s a time for self-discipline and self-deprivation.

It’s also a time to realize New Year’s resolutions – but please – make them realistic. This year is not about being the best but about being better than today.

You’d be amazed by how many people say to me, “I need to exercise, Doc, so I can lose weight.” While exercise does burn calories, it is rarely enough – unless extreme – to get to an ideal weight. Exercise is about building muscles; improving balance and endurance; providing cardiac and pulmonary conditioning; and, least often noted, improving mental acuity and alertness. Yes, fewer crossword puzzles and more physical fitness.

Who should exercise? Well, just about everybody. Nowadays, there are even muscle stimulator suits for paralyzed people. It’s important to not overdo it and to keep in mind a few guiding principles.

The only difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do. A little progress each day adds up to big results.

Worried about your health? As a general rule, moderate exercise is less harmful than inactivity.

In fact, there is evidence to suggest that a sedentary lifestyle may be an even stronger predictor of mortality than smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Unfit individuals are two to three times more likely to die before their next doctor visits than their fit counterparts.

The United States Physical Activity Guide-

lines recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of activity per week of moderate or greater intensity. The FITT mnemonic could be used to summarize the components of an exercise program: F is for frequency – should be five or more days per week on average.

I is for intensity – should be moderate to vigorous, depending on the individual’s overall health and fitness goals; strive for progress, not perfection.

T is for time – should be 30 minutes or more on average.

T is for type – this really depends on the starting point. If sedentary, start by walking; if active, start with an elliptical or bicycle. Group activities, such as fitness classes or dancing, are often more motivating. Tailor it to your individual needs.

The intensity of exercising is a much more complicated subject but, in general, a good endpoint is to exercise within 55 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate for at least 30 minutes, with additional warm-up and cool-down periods. Your maximum heart rate is roughly 220 minus your age in beats per minute; however, if you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition (heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, etc.) or have concerning symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc.) it’s better to see a primary care physician first for medical clearance.

The ultimate goal is to grow your exercise activity into something you enjoy, such as hiking or tennis, and, if you need medical help, consult a physician.

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Dr. Gerald A. Sweeney

COMMUNITY CARE Dr. Gerald A. Sweeney is a doctor of emergency medicine at Elmore Community Hospital.

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The Envelope Please ...

A dive into the past and present of the Academy Awards

Jeff Langham

MOVIE MAN Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.

As the Academy Awards ceremony approaches, one may wonder which film will take home the coveted Best Picture Oscar. The nominations will be announced on Jan. 23, and the 91st Academy Awards will be telecast on Feb. 24.

Here are several films that have already made the rounds on the awards circuit, most notably the Golden Globes, the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute – all of which serve as effective barometers of potential success at the Academy Awards.

A Star Is Born – Bradley Cooper (in his directorial debut) also served as producer and co-writer of this blockbuster that stands as the fourth remake of the original 1937 film.

This newest version stars Cooper, Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott and follows a hard-drinking musician (Cooper) who discovers and falls in love with a younger singer (Gaga).

Roma – Written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Roma is set in the early 1970s and is a semi-autobiographical take on Cuarón’s upbringing in Mexico City. It is noteworthy that Cuarón won the Best Director Oscar in 2014 for his dazzling film Gravity. Roma enjoyed a limited theatrical run and is currently available on Netflix.

Green Book – Audiences have embraced this comedy-drama about a tour of the Deep South in the 1960s by African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and his driver/bodyguard Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen).

Black Panther – Under the capable direction of Ryan Coogler (Creed) and the megawatt star power of Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Angela Bassett, this film quickly shattered box office records to become one of the highest grossing films of all time. Unsurprisingly, a sequel is in the works.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? – Based on Lee Israel’s 2008 memoir of the same name, this film stars Melissa McCarthy as Israel and follows her exploits as she tries to revitalize her failing writing career by resorting to forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights. McCarthy’s performance has generated plenty of Best Actress Oscar buzz.

The Favourite focuses on the behindthe-scenes politics/treachery/comic mayhem between two cousins jockeying to be court favourites during the reign of Queen Anne in the early 18th century and stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

First Man – The film follows the years leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969 and is directed by Damien Chazelle (La La Land) and based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen. Hansen also happens to be professor emeritus of history at Auburn University. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and unfortunately has gained notoriety as a box office disappointment.

Vice – Get ready for this stinging satire starring Christian Bale as Dick Cheney with Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and

Tyler Perry in supporting roles. The plot follows Cheney in his desire to become the most powerful vice president in America’s history.

Now, let’s glance back over the last 50 years to revisit previous Best Picture winners:

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Considered a sleeper hit, this multi-award winner tells the story of 18-year-old Jamal Malik and his adventures in the slums of Mumbai.

It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won eight – the most of any 2008 film – including Best Picture, Best Director (Danny Boyle) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Shakespeare in Love (1998) depicts an imaginary love affair involving playwright William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) and Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow). The film went on to win seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Paltrow), Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) and Best Original Screenplay. To this day, it remains incomprehensible (in my opinion) that this film prevailed over a true masterpiece – Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan – for Oscar glory.

Rain Man (1988) – Barry Levinson effectively directed the box office giant about two brothers, a brash businessman (Tom Cruise) and an autistic savant (Dustin Hoffman), and their journey to brotherly love. Rain Man was the highest grossing film of 1988 and won four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor for Hoffman’s leading role.

The Deer Hunter (1978) – Michael Cimino co-wrote and directed this riveting epic about a trio of Pennsylvania steelworkers (Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and John Savage) whose lives were changed forever after they fought in the Vietnam War. The film also marks one of the earliest roles for screen legend Meryl Streep. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Cimino and

Best Supporting Actor for Walken.

It also marked Meryl Streep’s first Academy Award nomination (for Best Supporting Actress); she would go on to become the most nominated actor in history. Sadly, director Cimino’s career imploded after this early success, and he died in obscurity in 2016.

Oliver! (1968) is a musical extravaganza based on the stage play of the same name centered around Charles Dickens’ iconic character Oliver Twist and the motley cast of characters he consorted with in the streets of London. Oliver! was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won six, including Best Picture and Best Director.

So, which picture will take home Oscar gold at the February ceremony?

Though I am captivated by the Oscars, some cynics would say, “Who cares?” A Best Picture Oscar does not necessarily bring increased box office receipts. Looking over the list from the past 50 years also serves as a reminder that not all Best Picture winners create an enduring legacy (when is the last time everybody wanted to get together to watch the musical Oliver!?).

Regardless, I will be keeping close tabs on all the Oscar adventures. Until next month….

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On the Horizon Explore new games in 2019

Jacob Saylor

THE GAMER Video games journalist Jacob Saylor has covered the massive Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

Follow Jacob on Twitter @skulldrey.

2019 is finally here, and there are seriously so many wonderful games on the horizon.

We’re taking a look at just 10 of them here, but players should do some further research.

This list could easily cover triple the number of games.

Here are 10 titles we’re particularly excited to explore in the New Year: Kingdom Hearts 3 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One) Release date: Jan. 25, 2019 It’s been more than a decade since we saw a main-series entry into the illustrious, longlived Kingdom Hearts series. The odd mix of Disney and Final Fantasy characters proved to be a massive win with my generation’s then-burgeoning teenagers. It’s time to see if the appeal is still there, and whether or not developer Square Enix’s (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest) hard work will pay off.

Anthem (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) Release date: Feb. 22, 2019 To say Anthem is a huge game is an understatement. Developer BioWare (Mass Effect, Dragon Age) started development on it way back in 2012. They showed it off for the first time at The Electronic Entertainment Expo in June, and the crowd was stunned by the massive, sprawling, multiplayer world available for players to explore. While this tease was great, it remains to be seen: Will Anthem meet the hype? We’ll find out in February.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) Release date: March 22, 2019 We’ve come to expect two things from developer From Software (Dark Souls, Bloodborne): exceptional difficulty and high-fidelity gaming. All of their games thus far have played like classic dungeon-crawlers, forcing

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players to fight their ways through various, pre-determined obstacles to reach myriad goals. Sekiro is expected to follow suit but with the influence of Japanese culture leading its art direction.

Days Gone (PlayStation 4) Release date: April 26, 2019 Who doesn’t love a good zombie game?

Days Gone is one that gamers have been anticipating for a couple years now, and for good reason: It looks fantastic! One of the first PlayStation exclusives of the year, Days Gone follows a biker in a massive, openworld setting two years after a global pandemic. And a gamer needs that bike … these zombies move with a quickness not seen in prior media.

Death Stranding (PlayStation 4) Release date: TBA 2019 Death Stranding is the latest brainchild of industry icon Hideo Kojima, and his first since breaking ties with longtime employer Konami in 2015. Not much has been revealed about the title, but with names like Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Lindsay Wagner taking part, my guess is we can expect something totally unique from Kojima in 2019.

Gears 5 (Xbox One, PC) Release date: TBA 2019 Gears 5 is the latest entry into the long and storied Gears of War franchise. While the series’ brutal imagery and gameplay have lent themselves to more masculine figureheads, this time the main character is Kait Diaz.

Fans have been waiting for this one a long time, and it’ll be fun to see how developer The Coalition handles the series’ three-year hiatus.

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Ghost of Tsushima (PlayStation 4) Release date: TBA 2019 Ghost of Tsushima tells the story of the last samurai on Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Naturally, this provides some fantastic storytelling opportunities, and well … there are just as many powerful action sequences.

Developer Sucker Punch Productions (Sly Cooper, Infamous) is one of Sony’s all-star studios, so my hopes for this one are sky-high!

Halo: Infinite (Xbox One, PC) Release date: TBA 2019 The return of Master Chief is probably the biggest selling point for this upcoming entry into the fabled Halo franchise. It’s public knowledge that Infinite will follow the iconic character as he brings hope and wonder to troops fighting against whatever the big bad enemy ends up being. It’ll be nice to see Master Chief back on the front lines – after all, he’s what made the original trilogy so exemplary.

Jedi: Fallen Order (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) Release date: TBA 2019 If there’s a time in Star Wars history that’s been covered the least, it’s almost certainly what lies between Episodes III and IV. Fallen Order looks to explore that gap in the timeline, and tell the story of the last remaining Jedi as the rest are wiped out. It’s unknown what side the player will be on, but it’s a ripe part of Star Wars’ jam-packed canon. We’re stoked to see a bit more of that.

The Last of Us Part 2 (PlayStation 4) Release date: TBA 2019 The Last of Us Part 2 is probably the most desired game of 2019, and while we’ve yet to get a concrete release date, developer Naughty Dog (Uncharted, Crash Bandicoot) has been shelling out development updates on Twitter. With a little luck, this behemoth of a title won’t get pushed back into 2020.

We haven’t seen series protagonists Joel and Ellie since the The Last of Us in 2013 – here’s hoping their returns are just as awesome!

It goes without saying 2019 is going to be a jampacked year for gamers. By year’s end, I’m sure our wallets will be the inverse. Keep a weather eye out for the latest release dates – players won’t want to miss any of these amazing games.

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OUT & ABOUT

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West Elmore County Historical Society's Winter Centennial Ball Dec. 8, 2018 Millbrook Civic Center

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1. Jimmy and Theresa Harris 2. Michael and Ann Harper 3. Frank and Cindy Clem and Gayle and Charles Oden

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4. Al and Brenda Kelley 5. Steve Chamber and Amanda Senn 6. Deborah Gilliam, Sharon and Jerry Callan, Craig and Aimee Pugh, Gwen and David Gilliam 7. Jim and Rosalee Wade, Kathy Wallace, Linda Sparks, Charlotte Williams, Tommy Sparks, Gary Williams and Walter Wallace

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Reeltown/Liberty City Lions Club

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Christmas Dinner Dec. 13, 2018 Cozumel, Tallassee 1. Geneva and Bobby Watkins 2. Jerry and Linda Hall 3. Butch and Julie Brock 4. Tina and Jerry Bishop

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5. Virginia and Daryl Thompson 6. Misty and Mack Landrum, Lincoln Nunn and Sylvia Landrum 7. Dorsey and Rhonda Rogers 8. Wayne and Jeri Casaday, Emilyn Pearson and Dee Roberson

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Christmas on the Coosa

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Dec. 15, 2018 Downtown Wetumpka 1. Genea, Leanna and Jeremiah Cook 2. Brandi and Jennifer Williams and Chloe Casey 3. Ashley Turner-Martin, Jenesis Martin and Tylar, Alicia and Josiah Turner 4. Lee Wilson and Vagabond 5. Kamyl Bozeman 6. Paisleigh Stallings

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Tallassee Volleyball Banquet

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Dec. 17, 2018 Tallassee High School 1. Jordan Walters, Chloe Baynes, Belle Haynes and Lexi Love 2. Drew Dark and Mary Kate Lackey 3. Kirsten Collier, Madelyn Martin and Avary Lumpkin

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4. Izzabella Kennamore, Alex Coker and Sarah Thompson 5. Anslee Osborne, Ivory Champion, Chloe Baynes, Belle Haynes and Sally Shipman 6. Armani Wilkerson, Ajaida Griffin and Areionna Green

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Cornhole Tournament

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Dec. 11, 2018 The Sports Gin, Tallassee 1. Brian and Ron Moreland

2. Christy Stough and Nikki Tennyson

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5. Michelle Gioiosa and Shannon Filyaw

6. Masyn Griffith

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8. Brent Tennyson and Brad Jones

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11. Leah Young and Nikki Jones

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Royal Princess Tea Party Jan. 5, 2019 Wetumpka High School

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jan. 18-19 Snore and Explore at ANC

The Alabama Wildlife Federation will host this overnight event in Discovery Hall with some resident animals, s’mores, animal encounters, a night hike and more. Space is limited, and the recommended minimum age is 6 years old. Cost is $13 per child. Check in is Friday between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and check out is 9 a.m. on Saturday. For more information or to sign up, email Tyler Burgener at tburgener@alabamawildlife.org or visit alabamawildlife.org.

presentation will be Feb. 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at PrimeSouth Bank. For more information, contact ECAG Show Chair Shirley Esco at 334-399-5115 or elmorecountyartguild@gmail.com.

Cityscape

by Libby Christensen

Jan. 20 Third Annual Bridal Extravaganza

King Bridal and Formal Boutique will host its annual bridal show at Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will be on site from around the Southeast to provide resources for future brides and their families about wedding planning and ideas with wedding professionals. One lucky couple will win a Dream Giveaway event. General admission is $5, and tickets could be purchased online on the event’s Facebook page.

Jan. 22 Artists’ Reception for Broader Horizons

The Kelly FItzpatrick Memorial Gallery will host a reception for the aritsts who submitted works to their first exhibit of 2019, Broader Horizons: Collectors and Creators, Exploring Our World. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available. For more information, visit thekelly.org.

Jan. 24 Lost Antebellum Sites Presentation

The Elmore County History Museum will host a presentation by Alabama’s Bicentennial historian Jim Phillips at the Wetumpka Public Library at 6 p.m. He will include a video of lost antebellum sites in Alabama and will have a table of artifacts. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 334-567-5097 or email elmorecountymuseum@gmail.com.

Feb. 15-22 ECAG 35th Annual Winter Show

The Elmore County Art Guild will host its annual art show at the Wetumpka branch of PrimeSouth Bank located at 3936 U.S. Hwy. 231. The reception and award

Feb.21-24; Feb. 28; March 1-3 Arsenic and Old Lace

The Millbrook Community Players will host this comedic classic about Mortimer Brewster’s visit to see his spinsister aunts. When he arrives, he finds they have a deadly secret and decides to help them. The show will be peformed at the Millbrook Theatre, 5720 Main St. in Millbrook. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21-23 and March 1-2, and they will begin at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and March 3. TIckets are $12 in advance; $14 at the door; and $8 for children 12 years old and younger. For more information, visit millbrooktheater.com.

Feb. 23 Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade

The Krewe of Revelers will host this annual Mardi Gras celebration at the Village Green. The grounds will open at 9 a.m. and feature tons of vendors from across the Southeast and plenty of kids activities. This has quickly become one of the largest Mardi Gras events north of Mobile. The parade starts at noon after the staging at Mill Creek Park. Judging begins at 11 a.m., and the only theme is Let the Good Times Roll. Entries are encouraged to throw beads, candy and other festive items to the crowds lining the 1-mile route. For more information, visit millbrookrevelers.org.

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Feb. 23 AWF’s Annual Critter Crawl

The Alabama Nature Center will host its annual 5K Critter Crawl and Yeti Dash. This trail run benefits ANC’s education programs. The Yeti Dash is a 1-mile trail system run and nature/critter costumes are mandatory.

The Critter Crawl is $25 to participate and begins at 8:30 a.m. The Yeti Dash is $20 and begins at 9:45 a.m. Sign up at runsignup.com. Fees go up $5 on the day of the event.

ANC is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. For more information, visit alabamawildlife.org.

March 2 Wetumpka’s Seventh Annual Mardi Gras Festival

held at the Tallassee High School, located at 502 Barnett Blvd. For details about categories available, visit actregion8.com. For more information email wade.shipman@ tcschools.com.

March 10 History of Mitchell Dam

The Elmore County Historical Society will host a presentation by Bill Gardner about the history of Mitchell Dam. The event will be held at the Elmore County Museum at 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Light refreshments will be served. For information, call 334-567-5097 or email elmorecountymuseum@gmail.com.

Season-Long Events Country Music Jam

The 2018 Grand Marshall parades down the route in Wetumpka

Every Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Red Hill Community Center hosts an open-stage country music jam. All players, singers and listeners are welcome. Coffee and snacks are provided at this family-friendly event. No admission is charged, but donations are welcome. The community center is located at the Old Red Hill School on state Route 229 south of Kowaliga. For information, email Paula Castleberry at mcasby53@windstream.net.

Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced ANC naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or ID plants and animals; splash through the creek; or catch insects in the meadow. General admission applies and is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family.

AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

Alabama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature

The Order of Cimarrón will present this annual festival to celebrate Mardi Gras in downtown Wetumpka. The festival begins at 9 a.m. at Gold Star Park, and the parade filled with floats, beads and giveaways will roll at 1 p.m. down the streets of downtown Wetumpka. Booths of vendors will be set up along S. Main Street from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. For more information, visit WetumpkaMardiGras.com. For parade entry information, contact Jeff Royal at 334-301-0730.

March 7 Technology Fair

The Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education Region 8, with Tallassee City Schools, will host a technology fair for students with competition in animation, digital art, digital game design and more. There is a registration fee of $15 due by Feb. 22. The fair will be

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Every Monday and Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m., come learn about Alabama’s woods, water and wildlife. Get up close and personal with some of the creatures you may find in your own backyard and even some you may have never heard of. General admission applies and is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook.

Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

Alabama Nature Center Movie Showings

The Alabama Nature Center, located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook, shows an educational, entertaining film at the top of every hour, starting at 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Tallassee Civitan Club

The Civitans meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Budde Building on Gilmer Avenue. This volunteer organization serves individual and community needs by funding and hosting special events for people with developmental disabilities.

A social time at 5:30 p.m. precedes meetings.

Master Gardeners Lunch and Learn

Bring a sack lunch to the Elmore County Extension Office in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month for a gardening presentation hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. The event is free and open to the public. Drinks are provided. For information, call 334567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.

Countywide Cleanup Day

The Elmore County Commission sponsors free cleanup days for residents on the second Saturday of odd numbered months. Drop off household and yard trash free of charge at the following locations: old highway department in Kent; old highway department shop in Holtville; Crenshaw Park; Sweeten School; Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center; County Jail; Shaylee Place at Hwy. 231 and Titus Road; Old Central Transfer Station; Anne Building in Elmore; CEW&SA parking lot at Redland Road facility.

Blue Grass Jam, Sit and Scrap and Sit and Sew

All three activities are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 am. to noon at the Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments and skill levels are welcome at the Bluegrass Jam. Scrappers and paper crafters are encouraged to attend Sit and Scrap. All sewers and knitters are welcome at Sit and Sew. For details, call 334-578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org.

Stories and Rhymes

The Eclectic Public Library hosts a variety of activities, including stories, rhymes, dress-up, dance and music at 2 p.m. every Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. every Saturday.

These programs are free and enrich a child’s lifelong love of reading. Guests are welcome to visit the library’s gift shop and bookstore during hours of operation from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on Highway 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Childrens Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Busy Bee Quilters

The quilters meet the second Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Santuck Community Center, 7300 Central Plank Rd. For information, call Vickie Ham 254-423-5966.

Cruise-In Car Show

Pull into the Super Foods parking lot on Gilmer Avenue in Tallassee from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month for a look at the spectacular wheels.

Dixie Art Colony Foundation Exhibit

Regular gallery hours are held from 10 a.m. until noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at 219 Hill St., Wetumpka.

Appointments and small group tours are available upon request. Special tours include a 16-minute video, Dixie Art Colony: A Look at Its Lasting Legacy. Exhibits rotate every four months, and a selection of periodicals and books from the DAC Foundation Resource Library also are on display. For information, contact Mark Harris at 334-328-0730.

Tuesdays with Kelly

On the third Tuesday of each month, The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery hosts free events with various speakers, topics and demonstrations. This is a brown bag lunch event beginning at noon. The Kelly is located at 408 S. Main St., Wetumpka. For more information or a list of upcoming programs, visit thekelly.org.

AWF Survival Skills

The program each Thursday at the Alabama Nature Center teaches attendees basic survival skills, such as fire and shed building. The ANC is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. For information, visit alabamawildlife.org.

To have your upcoming event featured in the Elmore County Living’s ‘Coming Up!’ pages, email information to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com by the first of the month preceding the event.

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Business & Service Directory

O’Neal Electric Michael O’Neal

256-510-2146

10% Off

Electrical • Controls DataCom • Security Serving Central Alabama for over a decade!

Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Cornerstone Cafe Red Hill Gallery Eclectic Town Hall Eclectic Library Johnson Furniture 1st Community Bank Eclectic Do-It Center Trustmark Bank

Lake Martin

Russell Lands Kowaliga Marina Lake Martin Dock Lake Martin Mini Mall Nail’s Convenience Store Children's Harbor Cotton’s BBQ Oskar's Cafe

Millbrook

Verizon Wireless First Community Bank Lucretia Cauthen Realty Bliss Salon Millbrook Chamber of Commerce Realty Central Stone & Britt Law Gene Jones Insurance

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Liveoak Agency

Slapout

Lake Pharmacy The Golden Frog The Boy’s Store First Community Bank

Tallassee

Kent Eagle Y Petro RoadRunner Convenience Store Herren Hill Pharmacy The Apothecary Community Hospital Tallassee Health & Rehabilitation 5 Points Store Tallassee Automotive Tallassee Rehab 1st Community Bank PrimeSouth Bank Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Tallassee Community Library Wal-Mart District Nineteen St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church Three Lakes Dental Ivy Creek Game Day Clips Mitchell Veterinarian Hospital

True Value Parker Tire

Wetumpka

Aldridge Borden Company Bennett’s Archery 1st Community Bank Russell Do It Center Bumper’s Karen’s Mane Tamers River Ridge Steakhouse Emerald Mountain Store Redland Market Seivers Accounting Wetumpka Depot Players A Touch of Class Angel Locksmith Verizon Wireless Unplugged Must Stop Café Alfa Realty Wetumpka Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty Wells Fargo BB&T Jackson Thornton Lee’s Auto Repair McQuick Printing Company Hankins Insurance Hog Rock BBQ

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Wetumpka YMCA Adams Drugs Bell Chiropractic Wetumpka Urgent Care USAmeriBank A Beautiful Creation Austin’s Flowers Camo Country Alabama State Employees Credit Union Smokin S BBQ Elmore Community Hospital Wetumpka Preschool Wetumpka City Library Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce City of Wetumpka Administration Bldg.

Coosa River Adventures Stoddard’s Bait Shop Collier Ford Wee Ones Daycare Wetumpka Health & Rehab Canal Grocery Kim’s Corner Wetumpka Flea Market River Perk Hampton Inn

Our Advertisers • To Join, Call 334-567-7811 Allstate, Mark Shaw...................................................................................2 3 City of Millbrook........................................................................................4 8 Gene Jones Insurance.................................................................................1 9 Jackson Thornton.........................................................................................2 Jim Debardelaben, Attorney at Law...............................................................27 Karen's Mane Tamers.................................................................................4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.............................................................................4 4 Liveoak Agency.........................................................................................2 3 Mark's Service Center........................................................................................2 O'Neal Electric...............................................................................................4 4 Rekindle the Past, LLC......................................................................................3 River Region Dermatology................................................................................4 4 Singleton's Alignment.......................................................................................4 4 Tallassee Health & Rehabilitation, LLC.............................................................2 Weatlh Mark...............................................................................................3 Wetumpka Depot Players...........................................................................23 Wetumpka Flea Market...............................................................................2 3

Don't see your ad in this issue of Elmore County Living? Neither did the thousands of potential customers who read our magazine monthly.

To advertise please contact - Marilyn Hawkins 334-202-5108 - Shannon Filyaw 334-415-0781 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092

Call 334-567-7811 or 256-234-4281 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Comfort provided by casseroles MK Moore

SOUTHERN DELIGHTS Mary Katherine Moore is an Alabama State Fair pepper jelly champion, has butchered a wild hog in her kitchen and grows heirloom tomatoes in her backyard.

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I am so ready to see the back of 2018. It was a rough year and just seemed like an endless parade of one tragedy and obstacle after another.

Right at the start of 2018, a family member passed away – our dog. I know some of you are rolling your eyes at “family member,” but, Dixie, our beloved dachshund, had been my constant companion for 15 years. We worked together every day. We snuggled and played every night. Losing her was a tragedy that about killed me with sorrow. It took until March for that grief to stop poking and prodding my heart.

Just when I was feeling better, 2018 dealt another blow. On my birthday, I got the news that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was just about ready to crawl into my bed and never come out.

I told a few close friends but didn’t go public with the diagnosis. I don’t know why.

Could be I just couldn’t take any more condolences. Could be that if I didn’t tell anyone, it wasn’t real. But it was all too real; and fast; and scary.

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t long before a dear friend gave me a stern talking to. She told me I needed to let all my friends know, that I needed to tell them and that I needed to let them help me. So I did.

Usually, I’m the one dropping off casseroles and baked goods for friends sidelined by

grief or sickness. It is hard to know what people need during trying times, but they always need food. It is how I show my love, concern and caring. It is what we do in the South.

But now I was on the other end of that. And you know what? The minute I told my wider circle, one friend organized a meal delivery for the two weeks post surgery. There is an app for that! So, for two whole weeks, Sweetheart and Sister could concentrate on my care rather than worrying about cooking.

Now, I have some friends who are fabulous cooks and made whole feasts, including a memorable brat sausage spread with loads of homemade condiments in tiny containers; a giant Company Chicken casserole; pork loin with roasted vegetables; Greek lasagna.

But, it wasn’t just my Mom-pro friends who pitched in. Friends who do not or rarely cook for themselves, cooked for me. College kids who haven’t cooked anything more complicated than ramen noodles tried their hands at casseroles. Far away friends arranged to have Olive Garden delivered through a sort of Pony Express; or they had meals shipped in from meal services.

It was a bunch of people who cared, visited, called, texted and brought comfort in a casserole dish. The food sustained our bodies, but the love sustained our hearts and souls.

I realized that to get through breast cancer, I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed the love, support and kindness from my friends and family, and they gave it to me in large measure. Their giant hearts, along with bunches of prayers, got me through and helped me beat the cancer.

So buh-bye 2018.

2019 is going to be great! I have my health.

I have my new puppy. I have friends and family. And I’m back in the kitchen!

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Your Business Should Be

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Elmore County Living

T advertise contact our marketing consultants To Marilyn Hawkins 334-202-5108 or Kat Raiford 334-444-8981 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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! r e l u o R s p m e T s n o B s Laissez Le

The Krewe of Millbrook Revelers Present One of Central Alabama’s Biggest Events...

Mardi Gras - Festival & Parade Saturday, February 23, 2019 Village Green Park, Millbrook, AL

Festival Grounds Open 9 am - Parade Rolls out 12 noon Music, Craft & Food Vendors, Children’s Activities and Much More!

A FREE ADMISSION can’t miss family friendly event!

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thekreweofmillbrookrevelers or www.millbrookrevelers.org THE CITY OF

ALABAMA