Elmore County Living February 2018

Elmore

February 2018

County Living

Annual

Bridal Issue

Mt. Vernon Theatre Re-opens

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Secret to the Perfect Ganache

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ECL is the River Region’s preium coffee table magazine with more in-depth features and more faces from around the area.

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From the Editor's Desk

STAFF

People enter our lives for any number of reasons, and relationships are formed under unforeseen circumstances. We may not always know it at the time, or it may be an instant connection.

In our annual bridal issue of Elmore County Living, we explore the foundation of different relationships and attempt to bring those connections to life on the following pages – whether it’s friendship, an engagement or a marriage.

Every love story has its own personality and its own uniqueness that make it personal. The choices a bride and groom make for the destination, season, décor and special details surrounding their big day are what make it so memorable.

Elmore County is full of beautiful venues to help ensure that love story is told the way it was intended, so the importance of that unique personality can shine through.

From Shelby and Caleb Lusk’s superhero-themed wedding at Tallaweeka Baptist Church in Tallassee on page 16 to Carrie and Tyler Herring’s rustic, country-themed wedding at Iron Horse Ranch in Wetumpka on page 24, we enjoyed getting to know these couples and hearing their enthusiasm when telling their stories.

No matter what the wedding theme, or other special occasion, may be, Cody Odom of Cake-aholics will fulfill custom-made baked good requests to complement it. On page 8, we explore the technique that goes into making one-of-a-kind cakes and how she got started doing that in the first place.

Some chance encounters are just fate waiting to happen, as is the case with Hannah and Logan Whitehead, who became chilhood friends at Smile-a-Mile camp as children. They chose to marry at the exact spot they met – Children’s Harbor – more than a decade later.

We wanted to share this beautiful story with you on page 20.

Jacob Saylor goes into memorable detail about his own personal experience exploring online friendships during his time playing World of Warcraft on page 32.

Memories are in full force at the Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee as the 50-year-old building has been restored and re-opened to once again provide an entertainment outlet to the area. Read more about the people who helped the theatre’s historic personality shine through on page 10.

Whatever the reason is that we meet certain people in our lives, embrace the moments and let the relationship’s personality come alive. You never know where it may lead.

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 David Kendrick

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Consultant Marilyn Hawkins

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

Marketing Consultant Kat Raiford

kat.raiford@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services Audra Spears

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

Jeff Langham Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor Corey Arwood David Granger Suellen Young

Sharon Kilpatrick MK Moore Holly Ayers Judith Hill Jasmine Bowman

Stone Images Photography Alex and Dylan Photography To subscribe to Elmore County Living, $25 a year for 12 issues, please call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 For Advertising Inquiries 334-567-7811 For Editorial Inquiries 256-234-4281 All content, including all stories and photos, are copyright of

Amy Passaretti, Editor

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Chairman

Kenneth Boone

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

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CONTENTS

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ON THE COVER Carrie Herring carried sunflowers tied with her late grandfather's hankerchief at her rustic, but elegant, outdoor wedding at Iron Horse Ranch in Wetumpka.

Photo by Alex and Dylan Photography

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Columns

In Every Issue 6

Extra! Extra!

14

Back in the Day

8

Business Spotlight

29

Community Care

34

Out & About

30

Movie Man

42

Coming Up

32

The Gamer

44

Where to Find Us

46

Southern Delights

News Briefs

Cake-aholics

In Elmore County Fun for Everyone Distribution List

24

30

Married in Jail

Help is Available

And the Nominees Are ...

World of Warcraft The Secret to Ganache

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Features 10

Grand Theatre Re-opening

16

The Power of Love

18

Proposal Changes the Game

20

Meant to Be

24

Herrings Get Hooked

50 Years Later

Superhero-Themed Wedding Church in the Pines Surprise Smile-a-Mile Romance Iron Horse Ranch in Wetumpka

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Taste Testing The Elmore County Food Pantry’s 2018 Taste of Elmore County brought in scores of diners who sampled dishes from dozens of area restaurants to the sounds of bluegrass music by The Back Porch Pickers.

The event was the first for recently appointed ECFP Director Kathy Moseley, and a silent auction, along with giveaways, coincided with the main event.

In all, she said there were about 450 tickets purchased to the event.

Tavern 231: Changes and Renovations The grand opening of Tavern 231 in Wetumpka marked the renovations to a building that has been home to numerous bars over the last 20 years.

Managing partner Misty Taylor said interior and exterior upgrades have been done, and although the location is not new, the management and staff have undergone significant changes.

Tavern 231 opened roughly a week before Christmas and hosted themed parties, which the owners plan on continuing throughout the year, Taylor said.

Hometown hero sets example for Tallassee children

Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock along with members of the Tallassee City Council, last month honored hometown hero Derrik Ansley, defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders.

Ansley, a graduate of Tallassee High School, went on to help the Alabama Crimson Tide win the national championship over Georgia after high school.

Previous to his stay at Alabama, Ansley worked as an assistant coach at Kentucky; was the defensive backs coach for Tennessee, and he was a graduate

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assistant at Alabama from 201011, which included a national championship in 2011.

Hammock believes that because of Ansley’s accomplishments, children in the community now have a positive role model to look up to.

“I think this shows the children in Tallassee that if they work hard and stay on the right path good things can happen,” said Hammock.

Extra!

Extra!

News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Clean Coosa River The Coosa Riverkeeper was awarded the 2017 Group of the Year by Alabama Rivers Alliance for its partnership that began last year with the economic development entities in Wetumpka to keep the Coosa River's water clean for swimmers and marine species and safe for fishermen.

Coosa Riverkeeper Executive

Director Justinn Overton's organization oversees water quality monitoring projects at points along the river in its entirety and advocates for its health in the state legislature. “The group surpassed its intended goal of increasing its reach to the community by 70 percent, and nearly 120 new

members joined its swim club, which supports its bacteriological testing program," said Overton.

Swim Guide, a free app, provides weekly water safety data during the summer months. Its monitoring projects also include a fish guide that provides data on the safest fish to catch and eat on the Coosa.

Get Ready to Rumble!

The Warehouse in Eclectic was transformed into a wrestling ring last month as Randy Epperson, the promoter for Sylacauga-based Venom Championship Wrestling, put on an eight-match show with special guest WWE referee Nick Patrick.

Patrick was the main attraction as the former half of the tag team The Assassins. Originally from Eclectic, he's spent the past few years training new guys on the wrestling track.

"You got to love seeing guys bringing wrestling to small towns and to the people and giving guys in the ring chasing a dream a place to do what they love," said Patrick.

Grapplers with names like Kornbread, The Patriot, The Demon Master, Dirty John Brewer, Red Solo Cup, Joe Hogan and Scott Patterson entered the ring to theme songs.

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Business Spotlight

Odom and Dassel are self-taught and can customize any cake design

Custom Made at Cake-aholics

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Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Amy Passaretti and Courtesy of Cody Odom

ody Odom unveiled her hidden talent when she baked and decorated her first cake for her son’s first birthday. She realized she saved money by hand-making her own dessert and learned that the artistic skill came naturally to her. She began sharing her new hobby with friends and family for special occasions.

Her ‘hobby’ outgrew her home, and 10 years later, the need for a full-fledged operation was in order.

Odom opened Cake-aholics last May in Millbrook and has grown her passion into a successful career in less than a year.

With the help of her assistant, Laken Dassel, who has worked alongside Odom since March 2017, Odom produces custom cakes for any occasion, and bakes cookies and cupcakes fresh daily that are available in her storefront.

“I really enjoy the decorating aspect of the business, but what I enjoy most is having a satisfied customer. It’s hard to run your own business because you are 100 percent

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responsible for the outcome of the product,” explained Odom.

Each cake must be at least ordered two weeks in advance and is custom made based on a client’s specifications. Everything that goes into producing that delectable treat is handmade in Odom’s shop by her and Dassel.

Cody Odom “People really don’t understand everything that goes into what we do here,” said Odom.

From the original recipes that are constantly tweaked and tested to the designs and decorations that adorn each dessert, Odom and Dassel often put days into perfecting a customer’s request.

“We are both self-taught and practice often. It can get stressful when people want specific things, but if we’re unfamiliar with a technique we just YouTube it or use the internet. We can pretty much figure out how to do anything though,” said Dassel, who began working in a bakery when she was 16.

Dassel has her own skill set, different from Odom’s, that helps the women excel as a strong team. Each of them

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learns from the other, and they are constantly improving their techniques and undertaking new projects.

While Odom has some traditional recipes she uses, she often experiments and asks her brother to try each new concoction.

“He calls himself Head QC – Head Quality Control.

He’s very honest with me, though, and will not sugarcoat anything.” said Odom.

The standard cake base for weddings and birthdays is a vanilla cake because people seem to really like it, said Odom. All icing flavors are a buttercream base.

Although the majority of Cake-aholics orders are for birthdays, Odom said, they get plenty of wedding requests and enjoy being a part of a bride’s big day.

Currently, Odom said, she already has many wedding cakes booked for the upcoming year, and with that, her reassurance is flourishing.

“Doing wedding cakes doesn’t bother me like it used to. I used to get bad anxiety because there’s so much pressure for it to be perfect. But once you’ve done so many, it starts to come naturally, and you become more confident in your skills,” said Odom.

Additions of burlap, ribbon and texture are at the forefront of the popular wedding cake requests. While Cake-aholics will hand deliver each cake and has cake stands for bride’s to borrow, any supplemental supply – such as cake toppers, natural flowers and extra decorations – must be provided by the bride.

“People are steering away from fondant and going for the messy icing look. The rustic, more vintage cakes are in style right now,” said Odom.

Wedding cakes are baked at least three days in advance, to ensure there is ample time for decorating and correcting any mishaps that may occur. Odom prefers a month’s notice for any wedding cake pre-orders.

Cake-aholics is beginning to get involved with community events, and the Millbrook Christmas parade was its first outing. Odom also was a vendor at the Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival this month.

Her community outreach stems from more than just public gatherings. Odom offers military discounts, along with discounts for law enforcement, firefighters or medical personnel.

“They’re out saving lives. The last thing they should be stressing about is a cake,” said Dassel.

Also, if Odom has any leftovers from the week, she drops them off to public safety stations or hospitals for them to enjoy.

Cake-aholics is open Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The store is located at 2536 Highway 14 in Millbrook, and Odom can be reached at 334-517-6880. For more information, visit the Cakeaholics Facebook page.

Laken Dassel decorates a cake for a birthday party

Odom is skilled at creating texturized icing, which is the latest wedding cake trend

Cake making is a multi-step process, and everything is hand made

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Mt. Vernon Theatre opened last month after 50 years of sitting vacant

50 Years Later

Grand Re-opening of Mt. Vernon Theatre Story by Betsy Iler Photos by Suellen Young and Carmen Rodgers

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M

ixing authentic vintage atre, Inc., with a vision that has come to fruition. fixtures with modern Jan Autery, who declared the Year of the Thetechnology, Tallassee’s atre in 2014 and became project manager for the newly renovated Mt. Verrenovation, worked closely with the nonprofit non Theatre last month board to plan and finance the extensive remodel. opened its doors in artHer work included countless conversations with deco fashion to celebrate Montgomery architect Rick Wendling, the review the performing arts in Elmore County. The new of scores of drawings and much begging of funds look and operations are the result of a 10-year long before carpenters and subcontractors started effort and a $725,000 their work inside the fundraising campaign building. to not only restore but What those workers also revitalize the 1935 found when they did theater building that finally start amounted closed 50 years ago. to a trip back in time, Mt. Vernon Mills as the building – with built the original its art-deco tile floors movie house in 1935 and elongated audito enhance the qualtorium lighting – was ity of life for its textile preserved under the employees, and for heavy layer of dust 33 years, the theater that had settled over was a center of life the building during its for Tallassee. Towns50 years of idleness. people marveled as Many of those period Hollywood greats accouterments were made their film debuts salvageable and have on the local screen: been refurbished or Clark Gable, Katharefitted and replaced rine Hepburn, Barbara to honor the historic Stanwyck, Lionel Barbuilding and its future rymore – they all apin Tallassee life. peared at the Mt. VerThose items include non. Later, the theater the original lighting became an information fixtures in the audicenter featuring newstorium. The 3-foot reels of World War II by 5-inch frosted A stained glass window action, calls to arms glass globes that once commissioned by Morris Hall and public appeals for hugged the corkthe war effort. board theater walls in But as televisions elegant vertical curves became more affordable and TV networks more have been carefully cleaned and remounted on powerful, the movie house lost its niche in Amerinew fixtures that meet today’s building codes. can households across the country, including The corkboard walls have been preserved as Tallassee. When the Mt. Vernon Theatre closed well and have been treated and painted with bold in 1968, it became a storage facility, untouched colors that will not be a detriment to sound qualand undisturbed, until Gene Lawrence and Wiley ity in the renovated auditorium.

Troupe started talking about its rescue.

“This place had awesome acoustics,” Autery The two men founded Tallassee Mt. Vernon The- said. “We wanted to make sure we kept the sound

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quality.”

In addition, the ceramic tile in the theater’s outer lobby was found in perfect condition and required only a thorough cleaning to restore its historic splendor.

Even the original marquee and the slanted auditorium floors remain.

New features include mezzanine seating, a carpeted outer lobby, an enlarged stage, dressing rooms, crow’s nest balconies above the stage, an orchestra pit, a lovely courtyard and the wiring, plumbing, lighting and sound equipment that will transport modern audiences into the productions that will be staged there.

While the old movie theater stage was considerably limited in size, today’s theater corporation installed a 29-1/2-foot by 48foot stage with high and wide exterior doors in the wings to facilitate the moving in and out of large pieces of scenery. The full fly space above the stage will make quick work of scenery changes and allow for special effects, such as a flying Peter Pan. Crow’s nest balconies could present unique and sophisticated production options; perhaps the perfect perch for Shakespeare’s Juliet, for example.

With a 4-foot stage height and the slanted floor, every one of the 750 seats in the auditorium will offer optimal viewing. Vintage wooden seats were obtained in Roanoke, Alabama, and installed throughout the auditorium.

To maximize storage, the theater board adapted space under the stage and built out the wall in the inner lobby.

“Storage will be very limited, but we’ve done the best we could to find or make room for it,” Autery explained.

Some storage might be available in the concrete building that has been added to the back of the original theater. Here, the architect incorporated dressing rooms and bathrooms for the actors. This building also offers a bit of theater history, as it includes the access stairs to the old boiler room.

The boiler, which ceased to be operational many

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years ago, still sits in the room at the bottom of the stairs, but its removal was impractical and expensive, so access to it has been permanently blocked.

Several new features have been added to enhance theatergoers’ experiences, including the installation of a courtyard that borders Dubose Avenue on the side of the building.

“At intermission during productions, we would have tables and benches there. It also could be available for receptions and weddings,” Autery said.

The art-deco style is emphasized with several art pieces that were commissioned for the hall: a stained glass window by Morris Hall and two paintings by Ann Christian.

An existing painted mural of trailing film will be used to recognize the project’s biggest donors, Autery said.

“Directors and Producers are the names of the highest-giving categories. We also have some old reels that are original to the theater, and we want to use those in some way,” she said.

Even the theater’s opening production was a tribute to the theater’s history. The Friends of Tuckabatchee, an arm of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society, presented Dear Mama: Letters and Music from World War II on Jan. 19-21.

The original production, written by Adrian Lee Borden, featured a cast of 47 townspeople in 41 historic vignettes that told the story of life in Tallassee during the theater’s heyday.

Other events are being added to the calendar as well. On March 2, the Birmingham Children’s Theatre will present Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In addition to live theatrical productions, cinematic presentations will be held on the first Saturday of each month, beginning in the spring. The theater, lobby and courtyard also could be rented for private events.

For more information about the new Mt. Vernon Theatre at 313 Barnett Blvd., call 334-991-2086.

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Jan Autrey was instrumental in the re-opening of the theater

Dear Mama was the first performance at the renovated Mt. Vernon

Each of the 750 vintage wooden seats has optimal viewing

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Married in Jail A couple takes drastic measures to be together despite father's wishes

Sharon kilpatrick

BACK IN THE DAY sharon kilpatrick is the curator at the elmore county museum located in wetumpka.

One of the most unusual wedding stories I’ve ever come across involves the union of Carrie A. Sedberry and Christopher C. Edwards. It is a little funny; although at the time, I’m sure Sedberry and her soon-to-be husband didn’t think so.

Christopher Columbus “Lum” Edwards was a deacon in the Baptist Church. He also ran a primary school in Friendship, and when that closed, he became a merchant in the city of Wetumpka.

The Baptist Church where Edwards was deacon was also the church where Sheriff George F. Sedberry was a deacon.

Sheriff Sedberry was Carrie’s father. He was born in Wetumpka and lived there all of his life. He was a military man who had returned from the War Between the States as a captain, was currently a sheriff and was the soon-to-be state auditor. It must have been hard for Sedberry to find suitors having such a strong-minded father.

Edwards had the courage to begin courting Sedberry, as they most likely met at church. The couple decided to get married even knowing the sheriff would not approve. Edwards was a Carrie A. good man, but a not-so-great businessman. Sheriff Sedberry said he wanted more for his daughter.

Despite – or because of – knowing Sedberry’s father wouldn’t approve, the couple decided to elope. They set the date for June 19, 1895, and made a plan. Edwards would pick up Sedberry in Wetumpka after he left Montgomery, and the pair would head for the preacher’s house in Speigner – just a few miles northwest of Wetumpka.

The sheriff was a smart man, and he knew something was going on. He quickly realized his daughter was planning to run off and get married without his permission; however, he was ready to stop this plan.

Edwards picked up Sedberry early in the day

on June 19, and the two headed for the preacher’s house in Speigner. They quickly realized the sheriff was following them and decided to pick up the pace. The sheriff – accompanied by his son, Sedberry’s brother – nearly caught up to them three times in the first hours of travel. Edwards decided it would be best if the two of them split up and met back up at the Speigner Reformatory (currently known as the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore). The new plan would be for Edwards to swing by and pick up the preacher before meeting Sedberry at the prison.

Sedberry arrived at the prison before her groom and told the story to the warden who agreed to lock Sedberry in a cell and leave her there until Edwards arrived with the preacher. Edwards managed to make it to the prison camp just ahead of Sheriff Sedberry, and the warden let him and the preacher inside the cell with Sedberry; locked it; and went out to face the sheriff.

While the warden dealt with an angry father and brother, Sedberry and Edwards were married while still locked in the jail cell. The two of them snuck Sedberry out the back of the prison camp after the ceremony and quickly caught a train to Texas – hoping to honeymoon there long enough for Sedberry’s family to calm down and accept her new husband.

In July 1895, the couple returned to live in Wetumpka and ran a local store until Edwards filed for voluntary bankruptcy in January 1898.

He then opened up a bakery/restaurant and was still able to keep his store.

Sedberry became critically ill in March 1898 and died April 27, 1898. She is buried in the Wetumpka City Cemetery. Edwards worked for a few more months with his father-in-law at the store, but by the end of 1898, he’d closed up shop and moved to Texas permanently.

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The Power of Love Caleb and Shelby Lusk host superhero-themed wedding at Tallaweeka Baptist Church

W

Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Stone Images Photography

hen Caleb Lusk saw Shelby Marsh When the couple was at Lusk’s uncle’s house for Lusk for the first time, he knew Christmas last year, the nearly 40 family members were instantly he wanted to marry her. all taking photographs. Knowing Lusk’s plan, they all “There really wasn’t any quesstepped out of the spotlight in time for Lusk to get down tion behind it for me,” said Lusk. on one knee and propose.

It wasn’t just love at first sight, as “I was so mad at him for making me cry in front of his the couple had been talking online for nearly two years entire family,” said Shelby. before ever laying eyes on one another in person; howBut she got him back on the day of their wedding ever, they lived three hours by making him cry as she apart and were both only in walked down the aisle. high school.

“I would not let him see They originally started me before I walked down talking online when they the aisle. I was persistent were 17 years old, using an due to my religious beliefs. I app that neither of them can finally told him you can hide remember, since they both behind a door for a photo, deleted it as soon as they but you can’t see me,” said met.

Shelby.

“We finally took a break Aside from their obvious going into our senior year instant connection, the two because a three-hour drive share a love of all things at that age just wasn’t feaSuperhero-oriented, which is sible. After we graduated, exactly what carried into the we started talking again theme, décor and focus of and finally agreed to meet their May wedding. in 2015,” said Lusk, who is All of the groomsmen from Tallassee while Shelby wore T-shirts with the graphlived in Georgia. ics of their favorite superLusk drove the three hero characters. There were hours to see Shelby for the no repeats. Lusk wore Thor, first time and things quickly and his groomsmen wore escalated from there.

Superman, Green Lantern, “The drive wasn’t bad Hulk, Captain America, BatThe Lusks' got married at Tallaweeka until I was pulling off her man, Spiderman, Deadpool Baptist Church by Caleb's father exit. I started getting those and Iron Man. Outfits were butterflies and shaking,” completed with matching said Lusk. superhero cufflinks and lapel “I cried when I saw him for the first time,” said Shelby. pins. All groomsmen posed in front of a wall hanging of After a couple months of dating, Shelby’s father oftheir alter egos. fered Lusk a job in Georgia, where the two lived until “We carried the entire superhero theme into the décor. recently moving back to Lusk’s hometown of Tallassee.

Even on a very tight budget and thrifty shopping, we

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Each groomsman represented a different superhero with matching T-shirt, cufflinks and pin

made it work,” said Lusk.

The bridesmaids did not carry out the superhero theme, but their dark green, floor-length dresses matched the vests and handkerchiefs worn by the groomsmen. In the bridal party of 16, most were family members with some being mutual friends from either Georgia or Tallassee.

“We really have to give credit to both of Caleb’s parents, Michael and Debra, who worked tirelessly on the wedding planning, painting of the Superhero signs, which took about one day to complete each, and many hours of work. The bridal party, and even people outside of the bridal party, all pitched in a whole lot. They all helped set up, receive deliveries and made sure things ran smoothly for us,” said Shelby.

Both wedding and reception were held at the Tallaweeka Baptist Church in Tallassee, because their wedding was too big for service at Bound By Grace Church.

“We knew we wanted to get married in a church and not a venue.

This sticks with our beliefs, which are very important to us,” said Shelby.

Another important part of the ceremony was asking Lusk’s father, Michael, to perform the ceremony.

He is a pastor at Bound By Grace Church in Tallassee and had performed Lusk’s brothers’ wedding ceremonies as well, which made it even more important for Lusk.

One of the most fascinating factors was the inclusive half-and-half cake made by Ligers Bakery in Montgomery. One side of it was superhero themed and the other was a regular white wedding cake, designed with decorative borders and ribbon.

“The cake was my absolute favorite part. It will always stand out in my mind,” said Shelby.

The food, catered by Jennifer Ducote and Sean Laherty, was amazing as the caterers incorporated superhero themes into the food as well, including Thor hammers made from pretzels and cheese squares; blueberries and strawberries designed to look like Captain America’s shield; and blueberries shaped into the Batman symbol. The music by Gil Melendez and Michael Clark, and the photography by Stone Imaging Photography, truly made this wedding a special superhero kind-of day, said Shelby.

“I just love him to death,” she said.

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The ceremony represented traditional décor

The unique wedding cake was two-sided to be half themed and half traditional

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Austin Golson proposed at Church in the Pines where Ray used to have lunch with her grandfather

Proposal changes the game

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Story by Judith Hill & Photos Courtesty of Denise Ray

n December, Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Austin Golson proved his heart was in the game of a lifetime when he proposed to the love of his life, Alexandria Ray, at Lake Martin – the spot where they officially became a couple.

Even though the two attended the same high school in Prattville, Ray and Golson’s paths never crossed. They officially met at a mutual friend’s housewarming party May 2017. Ray, being under 5 feet tall, said that 6-foot, 5-inch tall, dark and handsome Golson caught her attention the moment he walked into the party.

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“I happened to sit down where he had been sitting, and he just looked at me and said, ‘I think I was sitting there.’ I was like, ‘Well, you’re not anymore!’” Ray said.

Later that evening, the group decided to move the party to downtown Montgomery. Even in the Uber ride, Ray was drawn to Golson after hearing him talk about a mission trip he and some football friends had attended. Once downtown, the pair was inseparable and ended up talking for hours into the night.

The following day, Golson already made plans to ask her on a date to the lake.

“There was just something about her,” Golson said. “I

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couldn’t wait for my family to meet her.”

After two weeks of spending every day together, Golson invited Ray to his family’s lake home on Lake Martin.

They spent the majority of the weeknd out on a boat enjoying the early summer weather. One evening, they ate dinner at Kowaliga Restaurant – a longtime favorite for both Golson and Ray – and afterward, Golson grabbed a blanket and set up the perfect spot on the pontoon to stargaze. On that romantic May night, Golson asked Ray to officially become his girlfriend.

The couple spent all summer traveling together to and from both the lake and beach. It wasn’t until summer ended and school began that Ray truly understood the important role her boyfriend played in the Auburn football world.

“It was amazing to see how hard he worked and how diligent he was,” Ray said.

Ray, whose family members are actually Alabama football fans, admitted she was a kind of nervous to introduce Golson to her mom and dad.

“For my daddy, it was a hard pill to swallow,” Ray said. “When I brought home a football player from the opposing team, I knew my dad was not going to like it.”

Despite the friendly rivalry, the couple’s relationship grew with each passing day.

What impressed Ray the most was Golson’s interest in her relationship with her late grandfather.

Ray and he were the ultimate fishing partners and close friends before he passed away nearly two years ago. Aside from recreational fishing on Lake Martin, her grandfather often asked Ray to fish in tournaments with him.

Whenever they would fish together, a sack lunch often followed at Church in the Pines or Children’s Harbor.

By the time November rolled around and the regular football season had ended for Golson and the Auburn Tigers, the couple began to wonder what the next step in their relationship would be.

“Austin was graduating with his master’s degree that December, and he would enter the NFL draft later that spring,” Ray said.

One day in December 2017, Golson asked Ray on a lunch date, but it was unlike any date they had gone on

before. The couple looked at rings together in a local jewelry store. Ray tried on ring after ring, giddy with excitement.

“I actually bought a ring a month before taking her shopping,” Golson said. “What’s crazy is she ended up trying on and loving the exact ring I had already bought her.”

The day before the SEC championship game on Dec. 22, Golson asked Ray on one last lake date of the season after a summer of lake romance.

The couple made plans to visit their favorite Kowaliga Restaurant and take a bouquet of poinsettias to Ray’s grandfather’s grave at Macedonia Baptist Church. After putting the flowers out, the biggest surprise of her life awaited Ray just moments later.

As they pulled up to Kowaliga, Golson veered off to Church in the Pines.

“He just looked at me and told me he loved me more than anything,” Ray said. “He then asked me if I would go for a walk with him.”

Hand in hand, the couple began walking toward the church. Ray recalls candlelight dancing off the pews as they approached the quaint church where she and her granddad would picnic.

Golson Ray said she was shaking with picked out excitement and doesn’t remember the exact exactly what her now-fiancé said. ring Ray “I was having an outer-body wanted experience. But I do remember him a month saying, ‘Will you marry me?’” said before Ray. taking her And she said yes. shopping The surprise didn’t end there.

Golson planned an engagement party with friends and family at Kowaliga where they had shared so many fond memories with one another.

“It was just amazing that Austin was able to include almost everything that was so important to me during the proposal,” Ray said. “He thought through all the little things, from visiting my Pawpaw and then getting to celebrate at our favorite place with all of our family and friends.”

At the end of the 2017 football season, Golson ended with 39 career starts for the Tigers with plans to head to the 2018 National Football League draft, but his future was celebrated both on and off the field.

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Meant to Be Childhood cancer opens a door to the future Story by Amy Passaretti & Photos by Holly Ayers

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annah and Logan Whitehead have known each other since childhood and never knew they’d be getting married at Children's Harbor – the exact location they met a decade ago.

Last month, the Whiteheads celebrated in the place where they grew up attending Smile-A-Mile, a program that provides hope for the childhood cancer journey. Evolving from camper to counselor over the years, the

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path each of them has lived through is the same thing that bonded them from the start.

“We were best friends from the moment we met. I was 10, and he was 12, but we kept in touch over the years,” said Hannah Whitehead.

When she was just two and a half years old, Whitehead was diagnosed with ALL leukemia and went through treatment for about two years. Logan was diagnosed when he was 12, the same year he met Whitehead, and went through treatment for AML leukemia for a year.

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The bride chose red accents to honor the SmileA-Mile mascot – a red monkey named SAM

Hannah and Logan Whitehead celebrated their wedding at Children's Harbor, the spot they met during childhood “Logan’s treatment was much more vigorous because of his age, and he was OK until 2013. Due to the chemo his body had undergone, he contracted a heart issue from a fishhook wound. He was really sick the summer before his senior year of high school, but we’re both in remission now,” explained Whitehead.

This unique experience both individuals encountered provided comfort to their relationship early on and made the initial friendship a natural result.

“I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, but I cannot imagine

not having it because it would not have led me to Logan,” said Whitehead. “And by the grace of God, we are healthy.”

The sentimental attachment to Children’s Harbor and Smile-A-Mile’s summer camps made the location to celebrate their love an obvious choice. The Whiteheads were married at Church in the Pines and held their reception in The Galley at Children’s Harbor.

“I’ve always loved the camp and the beautiful bliss of it being on the lake. I’ve always wanted to get married there,” said Whitehead. “When we got engaged, we both knew – that’s our place.”

One of the camp directors that witnessed Whitehead and Logan growing as both individuals and as a couple has been involved in their lives from the start. Whitehead always joked that this camp director would marry them one day, which became a reality after she was ordained and stood before them on that perfect January day.

“That was really special because she was like our camp mom,” said Whitehead.

The favorite part of the nearly 180-person wedding was the reception, said Whitehead, because all the family and friends that have taken this phenomenal ride with them were present to celebrate the moment – including their oncologists, nurses and camp family.

“It was a really meaningful event for us. Having everybody there that has had an impact on some part of our lives was very special for us,” said Whitehead.

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Many bridesmaids and groomsmen were friends from Smile-A-Mile

Hannah's oncologist, Dr. Robert Castleberry, was among the special guests

The couple’s first dance was a camp “We dated for about three years and The newlyweds song, where participants typically got got engaged at a Smile-A-Mile place in shared their first on the tables and sung and danced. downtown Birmingham,” said Whitedance in The Galley They chose the slow, wedding version of head. “Logan and I went for a ride in the at Children's Harbor Backstreet Boy’s I Want it That Way. bucket of a fire truck, and he had them “It was really sweet,” said Whitehead. lift us up where we could see Children's Red accents throughout the décor and Hospital, where we had both undergone formalwear fittingly honored the Smiletreatment. Then he asked me to marry A-Mile mascot – a red monkey named him, a hundred feet in the air.”

SAM. Currently living in Helena, Alabama, With rain in the forecast, Whitehead Whitehead is in school to become a and Logan decided to forge ahead on nurse, and Logan works at the Hometheir outdoor plans and succeeded with wood Fire Department as a paramedic not a drop of water falling from the sky. and firefighter.

The temperature was not too cold or hot “I’ve always had a high respect for and not too windy, but the ideal day to the nurses that are like family for me get married. and always wanted to save lives like When Whitehead was young, she said, she admitted her they have. Logan also is a very compassionate person and a never-ending crush on Logan, which wasn’t feasible since he lot of that comes from the experience he went through. It’s lived in Gulf Shores, and she was from Helena. very fitting for our future choices,” said Whitehead.

“We kept in touch throughout the years through Facebook The pair plans to remain heavily involved in the Smile-Aand text messages. There was nothing we could really do Mile program as well by attending camps, being involved in though because neither of us could drive and we lived so far the Red Nose Ball fundraiser and assisting with other events. apart,” Whitehead explained.

“We see how big of an impact this had on us and our During Whitehead’s junior year of high school, Logan families, so to be able to help another family is just special,” was accepted to a fire department school in Bessemer, and Whitehead said. the two agreed it was time to give the relationship a chance.

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The couple held the ceremony at Church in the Pines with about 180 guests

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Herrings Get Hooked

The ceremony was held in front of a pond on the horse farm

Local couple celebrates their rustic, dream wedding at Iron Horse Ranch Story by Amy Passaretti Photos by Alex and Dylan Photography

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arrie Herring has known she would one day get married at the Iron Horse Ranch in Wetumpka since she was a little girl. On Oct. 21, her dream came true when she said, “I do” to Tyler Herring, and it was better than she could have ever imagined.

“It was the best day of my life. I remember very little … but it was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for anything different,” said Herring.

The owners of the ranch are good family friends, and Herring said she practically grew up there. With near perfect weather, Herring and Tyler were married on the grass in front of the pond.

Herring described the wedding style as elegant, but simple with a rustic, outdoors feel. And since the setting was a horse pasture, Tyler was adamant about the decision for him and his bride, along with their wedding party, to wear cowboy boots.

“Tyler really let me make all the decisions – whatever made me happy. But he had a few details he requested,” said Herring, who appreciated many unique touches – such as embroidering “Mrs. Tyler Herring” on the inside of her wedding dress as her something blue and riding to the ceremony on a horse-drawn carriage with her father.

The one detail the couple insisted on was to have as many people as possible around to celebrate their favorite day.

“The most important thing for our wedding was

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The bride's bouquet honored her late grandfather, with his hankerchief and a photo

Carrie embroidered her wedding dress as her 'something blue'

The newlyweds had nearly 350 guests present to celebrate their marriage

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The weather was perfect for Tyler and Carrie's fall wedding at Iron Horse Ranch

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The couple chose a fishing theme to represent their favorite time spent together

Herring and her mother decorated the venue with personal touches

The reception was held outside under a string of lights at the open barn

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people, so we just invited everyone. Even if we didn’t send them an invitation, if we ran into them, we would tell them to come. We wanted everyone to feel welcome,” said Herring.

With nearly 350 people in attendance, Herring and Tyler held the wedding reception outside at an open barn area on the farm, under a canopy of lights and fishing- themed décor that included lanterns made to look like buoys, poles for the ring bearers to carry fake rings on and personalized cups for the guests that said, “We Got Hooked.”

“Ever since we started dating, we would always go fishing together. We went to the pond almost every day we could, and Tyler loves bass fishing. It just made sense to make the wedding a fishing theme,” explained Herring.

Both wedding cakes matched the atmosphere, and one was made to look like tree bark while the smaller groom’s cake carried out the fishing theme. Created by Turks Sweets and Treats, Herring said, it was one of the best cakes she’s ever had.

Herring's mother, Jamie Edwards, owns the floral gift shop A Beautiful Creation in Wetumpka, and Herring said she was glad to have her expertise during wedding planning.

“I am lucky that my mom does this for a living and knew what to do since we planned it all ourselves pretty much,” said Herring.

Her decorations and floral arrangements focused on her favorite flower, sunflowers, but her bouquet had extra special meaning to her. The flowers were tied with her late grandfather’s handkerchief held together by a photo of Herring and him.

“He truly was my best friend in the whole world,” she said.

Herring grew up on 30 acres of land in Titus, and

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Tyler and she now live on the same land in her grandparents’ old home that they are slowly renovating.

Tyler grew up in Wetumpka, and the couple attended the same high school but had different groups of friends. Two years after graduation, they ran into each other at a friend’s house and hit it off.

“Tyler pursued me hard. I was not really interested in a relationship when we met, but he’s a goof ball and has just meshed with my family so well,” said Tyler and Carrie Herring, who graduated Herring attended the Auburn University Montsame high school but gomery in December and didn't date until later has taken a long-term substitute position teaching first grade this year in Wetumpka.

They were married by Dr. Jeremy K. Pridgeon, who was a preacher at the First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka during Herring's youth group years.

“This was another no-brainer decision for us. I taught his little girls in pre-school and babysit them all the time. They are other very close family friends,” said Herring, who taught pre-school for six years and included two of her students in the wedding.

She joked that she could have chosen six little girls as her bridesmaids to stand beside her on her big day, as both she and Tyler love spending time with children. Both of their brothers are 15 years younger than them, so each grew up helping to raise a younger sibling.

During an annual Easter egg hunt at Herring's parents’ house, Tyler proposed during the treasure scavenger hunt she had put on for the children. The last clue found at the final stop had an additional letter for Herring. After opening the clue that said, ‘Will you marry me?” she found Tyler down on one knee with a ring.

“He made every single thing that I dreamed of happen that day. It was a total surprise, and I was shocked, but so excited,” Herring said.

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Help is available The opioid crisis in Alabama continues to affect the lives of many

Jasmine Bowman

COMMUNITY CARE Jasmine bowman is the director of the nu direction program at elmore community hospital.

What are opioids? They are drugs that relieve pain and can be either prescription or illegal.

Opioids are heroin, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, hydromorphone and hydrocodone.

Opioids accounted for 44 percent of Alabama overdoses in 2016. According to the Center for Health Statistics, fatal opioid overdoses in Alabama have more than doubled and are prescribed more widely in Alabama than any other state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 121 prescriptions for opioid painkillers for every 100 people in Alabama.

What can be done to help? Access to treatment can play a major role when a person suffers from addiction. If someone suffers from addiction, there are many options throughout Elmore County, including Elmore Community Hospital.

The Nu Direction program is an inpatient chemical dependency program located at the hospital. This program helps a patient safely detox from alcohol, benzodiazepines and opiates. The admission process begins with a phone intake, consisting of questions about the substance abuse, medical history, background and insurance.

A patient must be 19 years or older to be admitted into the program, which is directed by Jasmine Bowman. She handles and confirms all intakes, and most insurance is accepted. The facility accepts private payment, as well.

Patients that have been approved to enter the detox program can enter at any time of the day. If transportation is a problem, that issue can be addressed, whether a person is in or out of state. An out-of-state patient will be provided a bus ticket to get into the program.

The medical detox program is a four- to fiveday length of stay program.

A Nu Direction provides the fundamentals of recovery based on the 12 steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous program.

The patient will attend daily strict group sessions focused on education, recovery and relapse prevention. The sessions provide lessons on lifestyle changes necessary for recovery.

During the process, the patient sets short- and long-term goals. The facility is a co-ed facility, and each room is semi-private, including a half bathroom and closet. A patient’s stay is completely private and confidential, and the patient is provided three meals a day with snacks in-between.

If a patient decides to continue treatment after detoxing, there are 30- to 90-day programs available at other facilities, although some insurance does not cover after-care treatment.

Dr. Melissa Thompson heads up the Nu Direction program, and she has been with Elmore Community Hospital for five years. Nurses provide around-the-clock care, administer medications and monitor health precautions. Technicians assist the patients, check vitals and make sure the patients remain healthy throughout their stays in the Chemical Dependency Program.

Drug addiction is a chronic disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. This disease, not only affects the person, but also tends to have a negative impact on a family. Issues range from financial tension to impaired judgment, which often lead to child and/or spousal abuse, along with health and legal problems.

When a patient recognizes that drinking and/ or using any product is out of control and he or she needs help, call the professional staff at A Nu Direction at 334-567-4311 ext. 154.

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Awards Season

And the Nominees are...

Jeff Langham

MOVIE MAN Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and

Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.

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The awards season for motion pictures has been going strong since the first of the year. The Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards have already ignited the festive competition among movies and their stars.

As the Academy Awards come and go this year, it is time for you to make sure that you have not missed the opportunity to see this year’s nine amazing nominees for Best Picture. Which one will receive the distinguished honor at the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4?

Dunkirk – Already recognized as the highest-grossing World War II film of all time, this masterwork was written, directed and produced

by Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight) and depicts the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II from three perspectives: land, sea and air. Boasting a stellar cast, including Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles, this movie has been garnering Oscar buzz since its release last summer.

Get Out – Comedian Jordan Peele wrote and directed this disturbing and ultimately horrifying satire on race relations today. Laced with stinging humor, this award-worthy film generated hours of post-viewing discussion from enthralled moviegoers. It is interesting to note that much of this film was shot right here in Alabama just south of us in the scenic town of Fairhope.

NOTE: If you missed Dunkirk or Get Out in their original theatrical run, both films are available now to watch in the comfort of your home.

Call Me by Your Name – Entertainment Weekly recognized this film as its top favorite among its staff of movie critics.

Oscar-nominee

Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg headline this coming-of-age drama directed by Luca Guadagnino (A Bigger Splash), written by James Ivory (A Room with a View) and based on the 2007 novel of the same name by André Aciman.

Darkest Hour – Gary Oldman has already garnered multiple awards for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in this World War II drama directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice). Oldman seems to be strongly favored to take home the Best Actor Oscar this year.

Lady Bird – Masterfully written and directed

by Greta Gerwig, this delightful film – set in Sacramento, California, in 2002 – focuses on a high school senior (Saoirse Ronan) and her turbulent relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf).

Their Oscar-nominated performances are complemented by a stellar supporting cast, including Tracy Letts (The Post), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea), Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) and Lois Smith (Fried Green Tomatoes).

Phantom Thread – Critical darling Paul Thomas Anderson wrote and directed this dazzler set in London’s couture world in the 1950s.

This film reunites Anderson with Daniel DayLewis following their huge success with 2007’s There Will Be Blood. It is reported that this is Daniel Day-Lewis’s final film role.

The Post – It is not surprising that this film has been such a hit with critics and audiences alike. How can you miss with the irresistible combination of Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks? Set in the early 1970s, this riveting thriller focuses on the behind-the-scenes drama at the Washington Post with Katherine Graham (Streep) and Ben Bradlee (Hanks) and their attempts to publish the incendiary Pentagon Papers to subsequently expose the shattering truths about our country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The Shape of Water – The always-fascinating Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) has deliv-

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ered a remarkable film worthy of its 13 Oscar nominations.

With amazing performances all around from its impeccable cast – Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins and Alabama’s own Octavia Spencer – this film merges the best screen love stories with the best screen creature features.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Frances McDormand will likely pick up her second Oscar win for her ferocious performance as a grieving and vengeful mother who rents three billboards to call attention to her daughter’s unsolved murder. This crowd pleaser is written, produced and directed by Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) and stars Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell.

If you have not experienced this year’s Oscar-worthy films, why not take the opportunity to do so now?

I also need to give equal time to another list of nominees – the five films that have been nominated for Worst Picture of the Year in the 38th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards – better known as the Razzies.

And the nominees are as follows: Baywatch, The Emoji Movie, Fifty Shades Darker, The Mummy and Transformers: The Last Knight.

I can proudly assert that I haven’t seen any of these films (nor have I even had a desire to see any of them). I even tried to warn readers to steer away from Baywatch months before its release.

Before I close, here are some of my random thoughts

about this year’s Oscar pool: I loved Wonder Woman and was surprised that it was not nominated for Best Picture. Just sayin’.

Other Oscar snubs that surprised me … the lack of a Best Picture nod for The Big Sick and recognition for two of its extraordinary supporting actors, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano … the lack of Best Director nod for Steven Spielberg (The Post) … I am also surprised that I, Tonya was overlooked in the Best Picture category.

On a final note, here in 2018, let’s reflect on the films that took home the Best Picture Award in the years ending in the number 8 over the past fifty years: 2008 – Slumdog Millionaire; 1998 – Shakespeare in Love; 1988 – Rain Man; 1978 – The Deer Hunter; and 1968 – Oliver!

I still shudder to think that 1998’s Shakespeare in Love won Best Picture over the enduring and unforgettable Saving Private Ryan. Inconceivable!

Happy viewing! Until next month ...

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Fond memories of the journey through an iconic game

World of Warcraft It’s been more than six years since I last logged into World of Warcraft (WoW), which is perhaps the world’s longest-standing and most important monument to video games.

The game took literal weeks of playtime for meaningful progression and absolutely decimated my realworld social life. At the time, people likely thought I was crazy for spending so much time with the game.

It wasn’t all doom-and-gloom, though. WoW brought me some of the best times in my life, and I’d never take it back if I were given the opportunity. So, in today’s column, I wanted to talk a little bit about my time with the title.

Stepping into the world

While there are thousands of new video games published each year, many are linear or lack the scope and complexity of WoW. The in-game world is undoubtedly the biggest of any game and walking into it for the first time is purely magical. There are hundreds of villages or cities to explore and thousands of quests to complete.

I began my journey in December 2006 as a Human Warrior named Skulldrey. He had barbarian-like braids in his hair, a mighty beard and a chiseled physique – essentially my opposite.

I made two immediate and long-time friends my first time booting up the game: Atris and Shareth. Atris and I journeyed through the game together, and Shareth – a

longtime player – gave me advice and guidance on how to progress through the game most efficiently. I began my journey on a school night and wished I had just waited until the weekend to start because I wanted to play so badly. I knew that was the beginning of a beautiful adventure.

Building and bonding

Eventually, I learned enough about the game to start what is called a guild. I called it the Forgotten Vanguard and began recruiting. The guild grew exceptionally fast, and I spent any downtime I had trying to bring new players in and offer them a fun, relaxed environment where they could team up with others to tackle WoW’s many challenges; Shareth and Atris were members.

While most guilds had a set goal in mind, ours was simply to have fun. I ran numerous in-game events for the guild. We’d raid enemy cities, tackle tough levels and even attend guild-run weddings … yes, you’re reading that right: weddings.

And while I don’t have the room here to list them all, I could name most of the players who spent more than just a couple months with us. They likely have no idea what sort of effect they did and do have on me, but being a leader and putting events together for an immensely diverse age group improved my then-nonexistent confidence.

Nothing lasts forever, but that’s OK

While the Forgotten Vanguard had a good run, it eventually ran its course. I can’t remember exactly why, but some of the founding members left and my attention had moved to other parts of the game. I disbanded the guild, and while I do recall this process being difficult, it needed to happen.

I played without a guild for some time after this, focused on a smaller group of people and turned to what’s known as player versus player (PvP) combat. It was around this time things started to get much more serious. I teamed up with players Vízard and Sin for arena battles, where players participated in three-on-three matches against others who have similar rankings.

The pressure for each team member to do well was huge. Playing poorly meant you couldn’t access the game’s best gear. But perhaps more important than this access was your reputation in the community. We found ourselves in the top 10 percent of players in one season and were respected on our Realm (server). I was never into high school sports, so for me, this was analogous to having that glowing respect from my peers.

Cataclysm was … a cataclysm

I remember that the 2010 Cataclysm expansion changed everything – literally and figuratively. It ripped apart old parts of the game world, and for WoW veterans like myself, this tarnished the memories made there. Sweeping changes were also made to the combat systems, which flipped the script on mechanics that the community had come to know and appreciate.

Expansions tend to be the perfect time to join in on games like WoW – but they’re also a great time to jump ship. And that’s exactly what my teammates did; although they tried to stick with it for as long as they could.

I proved to be the most stubborn of the team, departing the game a month or two after Vízard and nearly a year after Sin. I tried my best to maintain contact with a select few individuals, hoping that should I ever decide to come back to the game, I’d have a support network from which I could get started. For the most part, though, I assumed most would still be around when I came back.

The End

The last time I logged on was in January 2012 after an on-again-off-again relationship with Cataclysm. I had “quit” a couple of times before this but never followed through. And while I might have continued this pattern into new content or expansions, a hacker got hold of my account information and deleted each person off my friends list. A system implemented by developer Blizzard Entertainment called Real ID meant that I had no way of locating them again.

I built these relationships over the course of five years, and without them tethering me to Azeroth – WoW’s main piece of in-game real estate – I said goodbye to those I could and haven’t looked back.

In some ways, it’s good that I’ve moved on.

The sad part of the conversation jumps in when I think about all those old friends who think I left permanently without saying goodbye – or at the very least giving them a better way to get in touch. It’s like going somewhere exciting and forgetting to take a picture or two: you remember it fondly, but can never really live it again.

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.

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Wetumpka Mardi Gras

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February 10, 2018 Downtown Wetumpka 1. Ellie Grant 2. Walter, Vanessa and Izzy Lynch 3. Laurie and Hannah Rhoden and Jason Ace

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4. Adam, Skyler, Gwen and Kayla Quates 5. Danny and Shelley Morris and Kinzley Baker 6. Jordan and Brandi Smoke 7. Jack Bowers and Robert Morgan

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Wetumpka Chamber Banquet

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February 8, 2018 Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Makenzie Anthony, Maranda Capell and Tara Sides 2. Randy Morgan and Tom Stackhouse 3. Scott and Donna Grier and Jessica Ceja 4. Kristie Richardson, Sonia Devine, Amber Beasley, Terqundar Graves and Ashleigh Taylor 5. Vicki Bonner Ward and Ronnie Ward

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Taste of Elmore County January 29, 2018 Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Sue Straw and Kathy Moseley

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2. Jonathan Yarboro and Louise Lambert 3. Gus and Nicole Katechis 4. Marty Ingram 5. Victor Hernandez and Alex Rocha 6. Terri Jordan, Cindy Brown and Karen Lunde

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7. Pamela Busby and Will Lanum 8. Gloria and Erich Flynn and DJ Ziggy 9. Marcy Mitchell and Diana White 10. Stacey, Jeni and Frank Haynes 11. Alyssa Thomas and Heather and Paul Norton 12. Lynette Johnston, Robbie Killen and Betty Huskey

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Bridal Extravaganza Janaury 21, 2018 4

Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Ayida Cumberland Lowery, Zakiya Henderson and Kimberlyn Byrd 2. Andi Frame and Lulu Smith 3. Monica McDaniel and Tamikka Woods 4. Edith McCary, Brandi Bowman, Christina Evans and Connie Emfinger 5. Butch Dill and Lynn Lefevre

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6. Achaunti Stevenson and Jasmine Boone 7. Christopher Swaney, Laci Lee and Sherri Young 8. Regina Milner and Dorothy Long 9. April Bryant and Kristy Passmore

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Dear Mama Opening Night

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January 19, 2018 Mt. Vernon Theatre, Tallassee 1. Joe and Tina Scarborough 2. Debbie Benson

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3. Brady Walker and Lolly White 4. Judy Barber 5. Jenny Whisenhunt and Ryan Wadle 6. Linda and Marion Patrick 7. Gail and Elizabeth Moseley 8. Beth and Lily Noble

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Launch Party for Alexandra Rushe's A Meddle of Wizards January 9, 2018 Wetumpka Public Library 1. Debbie Herbert, Libby Christensen and Tammy Lynn 2. Dale Mitchell and Debbie Holt 3. Linda Alexander Prevost and Pat Harden

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4. Elizabeth Barber 5. Barbara Roberts 6. Cathy Giesler and Alice Barnhart 7. Rebecca Gregory, Cathy Saylor, Madison Kathryn Estes and Nancy Vance 8. Donna Stokes and Fran Holland 9. Andy and Susan Hayes

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ECAG Winter Show Reception February 4, 2018 Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 1. Cavin, Luke and Kathleen Lea 2. Shirley Esco and Doris Bell 3. Bill Farshee Jr. and Bill Farshee

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4. Debra and David Summerlin 5. Ed George, Donna Pate and Sherry George 6. Mit and Wanda Fontaine 7. Teresa Wamble and Kathy Atchison 8. Donna and Phil Cantrell

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Tallassee Chamber of Commerce

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Banquet February 1, 2018 Wetumpka Civic Center 1. Rachel and George Barker 2. Kimberly and Isaac Stackhouse 3. Adolphus Gauntt

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4. Mark and Melinda Emfinger 5. Kimberly Baird and Johnny Hammock 6. Matthew and Mary Beth Higgins 7. Laurie Rygiel and Carli Aldridge

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Feb. 21 Homeschool Nature Explorers Program At 1:30 p.m., join the Alabama Wildlife Federation for nature-infused programs in small group settings designed exclusively to complement homeschool cirriculum. Topics will include orienteering, animal tracking, pond/creek exploration and animal encounters. For information, visit alabamawildlife.org.

Feb. 21 DAC Lunch & Learn The Dixie Art Colony Foundation will present at 11:30 a.m. its 2017 annual report, A Year in Review: A Comprehensive Look at the Activities and Developments of the Year 2017 and its strategic plan for the year 2018.

Feb. 22-25 and March 1-4 Sister Act This musical comedy presented by the Millbrook Community Players will be directed by Angie Mitchell. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 4. Call 334-782-7317 or visit millbrooktheatre.com for information or tickets.

Feb. 23 Equality Performing Arts Center Birmingham musician Hunter Goff performs at the EPAC at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 in Equality. For more information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334-541-3302.

Feb. 23 John Conlee Concert

Feb. 24 9th annual Russell Forest Run Hosted by Russell Lands on Lake Martin and the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation, the Russell Forest Run is a 10K scenic trail run over rolling hills on sand, clay and gravel. The run starts at Russell Crossroads at 7:45 a.m., with a 5K run beginning at 7:55 a.m. All runners will receive a high-performance running shirt. Registration is $40 and proceeds help provide educational tools for students in the Alexander City school system. For more information, call 256-397-1019.

Feb. 24 Talladega Wild Game Cook-off The Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off will be held at the Talladega Superspeedway at 4 p.m.

Individual and couple tickets available and track ride tickets available at alabamawildlife.org.

March 2-3 Seussical the Musical, Jr. Performances will be held at the Wetumpka Depot Players at 7 p.m. Visit wetumpkadepot.com for information.

March 3 Trash Walk John Conlee will perform at Tallassee High School Feb. 23

Grand Ole Opery star John Conlee will perform at Tallassee High School at 7 p.m. This legendary Nashville star is best known for his single Rose Colored Glasses. During his 40-year career, Conlee has released 32 singles, with six of them charting in the top 20. Purchase tickets online at itickets.com or by calling 800-965-9324.

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ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Starting at 8:30 a.m., volunteers will meet at three different locations to receive road assignments and supplies. The locations include Dirt Road Gourment at 1171 Red Hill Rd., Eclectic; Kowaliga VFD Station 1 at 1240 Prospect Rd., Eclectic; and Kowaliga VFD Station 2 at 4807 Mt. Hebron Rd., Eclectic.

All teams will finish around 11:30 a.m. and head back to Dirt Road Gourmet for a trash dump and hot dog cookout.

For information, contact John Thompson at 1942jthompson420@gmail.com.

March 4 Lake Watch Annual Meeting Members and guests are invited to the Lake Watch of Lake Martin Annual meeting at the StillWaters Home Owners Association Building. Lunch will be served. Tickets are $10 per person. Guest speaker Dr. Bill Deutsch will discuss his book, Rivers of Alabama, and the Tallapoosa Basin. Eric Reutebuch will provide a water monitoring update. Register at www.lakewatch.org or email info@lakewatch.org for time and further information.

March 7 Homeschool Nature Explorers Program At 1:30 p.m., join the Alabama Wildlife Federation for nature-infused programs in a small group setting designed exclusively to complement your homeschool cirriculum.

Topics will include orienteering, animal tracking, pond/ creek exploration and animal encounters. For information, visit alabamawildlife.org.

March 11 Who We Are, What We Do Hosted by the Elmore County Museum, Georgia Ann Hudson will present Who We Are, What We Do at 2:30 p.m. at the museum, 112 S. Main St. in Wetumpka. This free event will teach about the Alabama Department of Archives and History, indicating how it can help research family history.

March 15 Native Pollinator Garden Workshop Hosted by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, come learn how to transform a backyard into an oasis for native pollinators. Entry fee is $5, and all participants will meet in the Main Hall at 6 p.m. There will be a BYOdinner at 5:30 p.m. before the workshop. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org for information.

March 17 Easter Eggstravaganza at ANC

ing session. This location is known to be one of the locations frequented by Kelly Fitzpatrick and the other Dixie Art colonists during the 1930s and 1940s. The program begins at 1:30 p.m., and reservations are required. For more information, visit dixieartcolony.org.

Season-Long Events ​Alabama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature 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.

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.

Wetumpka City Pops Wetumpka City Pops Community Band rehearses on Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wetumpka City Administration building. Any woodwind, brass and percussion players are encouraged to participate.

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

Beginning at 10 a.m., there are activities all day for kids of all ages to enjoy, including three different age group egg hunts, egg bocce ball, egg race, bunny pictures and more.

Hot dogs for sale at the pavilion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

General admission applies and is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family.The AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org for information.

March 21 DAC Walk Where They Walked: at Perkins Gin Join the Dixie Art Colony at the historic Perkins Cotton Gin located on Wetumpka’s west side for a plein air paint-

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

43

Business & Service Directory

334-567-7811

Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Bezlo's Bar & Grill Bless Your Heart Eclectic Town Hall Eclectic Library Johnson’s Furniture Original Grace First Community Bank

Lake Martin

Russell Lands Russell Marine Nail’s Cotton’s BBQ

Millbrook

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

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Gene Jones Insurance Liveoak Agency

Slapout

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

Tallassee

Kent Eagle Y Petro Parker Tire RoadRunner Herron Hill Pharmacy Friendship Grocery The Apothecary Community Hospital Tallassee Health & Rehab 5 Points Store Tallassee Automotive

Wetumpka

Aldridge Borden Company Bennett’s Archery

First 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 Wetumpka YMCA Adams Drugs Bell Chiropractic

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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 The Prissy Hen Wee Ones Daycare Wetumpka Health & Rehab Canal Grocery Kim’s Corner Wetumpka Flea Market River Perk

Our Advertisers • To Join, Call 334-567-7811 City of Millbrook............................................................................. 4 7 Community Hospital........................................................................ 4 5 Haircuts by Jo Jo............................................................................. 4 4 Jackson Thornton............................................................................ 4 7 J&M Tank Lines................................................................................. 3 Karen's Mane Tamers...................................................................... 4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.................................................................. 4 4 Liveoak Agency.............................................................................. 1 5 Mark's Service Center.............................................................................3 Photography by Lyn..............................................................................1 5 River Region Dermatology.....................................................................4 4 Tallassee Health & Rehab, LLC.......................................................... 1 5 Wetumpka Flea Market...................................................................... 3 Wind Creek Casino........................................................................ 4 8

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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 - Kat Raiford 334-444-8981 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092

45

Ganache versus a Chocolate Temper Tantrum 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.

While scooping a bowl of vanilla ice cream the other day, it suddenly dawned on me to employ a childhood tactic and add some chocolate. We rarely had chocolate syrup, but there always seemed to be cocoa powder or chocolate chips lurking in the pantry.

Mixing cocoa powder, water and sugar – while chocolately – was grainy and too much like hot chocolate. Melted chocolate chips didn’t pour and froze on contact with the ice cream.

But add a little cream to melted chips and bingo: pourable sauce for ice cream.

Through kitchen experimentation, I had hit upon the tried-and-true recipe of ganache before I ever knew what that was.

The thing about chocolate is it can be finicky. All the top baking show judges wax on about a shiny finish and a crisp snap to any chocolate applied to, say, a cake.

And how is this achieved? By a torturous process called tempering. Personally, I think chocolate already has a temper and shouldn’t be encouraged.

You already have to worry about the dreaded seize, which happens the instant a drop of liquid hits the melted chocolate. Have you ever used a double boiler to melt chocolate? If one stray wisp of steam hits the chocolate, the whole thing turns into a chalky, lumpy mess. The same thing happens if you put a cover over a bowl of chocolate chips that you are carefully melting in the microwave.

But tempering is a whole new level of temper – yours and the chocolate’s. When you melt chocolate and then solidify it again, it can solidify into six different crystal types. Depending on the temperature of the set, you will get soft, crumbly chocolate that melts all over your hands, all the way up to super hard chocolate that can take a week to form.

What you are going for is crystal type six, which means you have to melt it to a certain temperature, cool it to a certain temperature, melt it again to an-

other temperature and cool it to another exact temperature. As much as I love chocolate and food science, this is too much for me. It also makes a giant mess.

Enter the ganache – the yummy, easy going cousin to temperamental chocolate. All you need is chopped chocolate, or chips, and cream. No thermometers, marble sheets, heating pads or science. All you do is heat the cream and pour it over the chocolate. Wait two minutes, and stir.

Remember those truffles we made for Valentine’s Day one year? Ganache. Remember that ice cream topping we just talked about? Ganache. The proportion of chocolate to cream dictates the use, but other than that, the method is always easy-peasy.

For chocolate sauce or a pourable glaze for a cake, use a 1:2 ratio – one part chocolate and two parts cream.

To make truffles use a 2:1 ratio – two parts chocolate and one part cream. Let it set, roll into balls, and then roll in a covering of cocoa powder, nuts, sprinkles or whatever strikes your fancy. This is fun project for kids.

To make a divine chocolate frosting, use a 1:1 ratio.

Let the ganache set in the fridge, and then whip it. I love milk chocolate for this, especially for kids.

To make the ganache, measure your chocolate and cream. You can use a scale to measure exactly 4 ounces of chocolate, but I usually just eyeball the chocolate chip package. Put your chocolate in one bowl.

Measure the cream. Remember 1 cup of liquid is equal to 8 ounces. So, for 4 ounces of chips you would use a cup, or 8 ounces, of cream. This refers to the 1:2 ratio for chocolate sauce.

Heat the cream, but it doesn’t need to be boiling. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Watch that it doesn’t boil over. Once the cream is hot, pour it over the chips.

Now wait. This is really the only rule. Don’t touch the chips and cream for two whole minutes.

If you go any faster, the chips won’t melt evenly and will cool too quickly and leave lumps. I told you chocolate has a temper.

After two minutes, stir gently with a whisk until the chocolate is all melted and the sauce is smooth. This sauce literally takes 5 minutes to make.

Your kids will think you are magic! If you really want to blow their minds, coat the inside of an ice cream cone with the ganache and freeze it; fill with ice cream. No more boring vanilla!

JOIN US FOR LUNCH

THE BEST MEAT & THREE IN TOWN! B.B. King's new lunch menu is a hit, no matter what you choose. So come on out to Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery for the best lunch in town. It's worth the trip!

Lunch Special Monday - Friday • 11am - 3pm

MEAT AND THREE VEGGIES

$10.99 plus tax & gratuity Served with Southern Cornbread and Iced Tea

MEATS (Choose 1) Golden Fried Catfish Filet • Country Fried Steak with Mushroom Gravy • Fried Pork Chop Slow Cooked Pot Roast • Char-grilled Chicken Breast Tommy P’s Homemade Meatloaf with Brown or Tomato Gravy

HOUSE-MADE SIDES (Choose 3 or 1 with Side Salad) Black Eyed Peas • Baby Limas • Green Beans • Corn • Collard Greens • Baked Beans Fried Okra • Rice Pilaf • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Potato Salad ADD a Side Salad for $2.99

Banana Pudding $2

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