Elmore County Living October 2018

October 2018

Elmore County Living

FINDING BIG FOOT: Halloween Happenings

The Friendship Tree Spook-tacular Showings Archery Park Now Open

Your Business Should Be

HERE!

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Elmore County Living

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ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Of course we’re supporting Alabama’s next generation of female engineers.

WE SUPPORTED THE FIRST.

In 1923, we hired our first female engineer, Maria Whitson, who was also the first female engineering graduate in the state. Today, through our iCAN program, female engineers are inspiring the next generation of young women interested in science, technology, engineering or math. Our continuing commitment to education is one more way we’re helping elevate Alabama. Learn more at AlabamaPower.com.

© 2018 Alabama Power Company

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From the Editor's Desk

STAFF

Halloween has never personally been one of my favorite holidays. The stress of choosing a costume and trying to put it together in time (because let’s be real – I’m not going to pay $100 to buy one!) always leaves me underwhelmed.

On a positive note, it provides an opportunity to be something we’re not for a day, or someone we wish we could be.

Not to mention, kids just look so cute in those pumpkin outfits, which are pretty much a right of passage for those under the age of 4.

All that being said, Elmore County offers some truly spectacular events to celebrate All Saints Day throughout the month of October.

Check out the Halloween Happenings on page 18. Choose your favorite one or make time to do them all!

With the brisk air, supposedly, rolling in soon, spending time outdoors seems less daunting. The Wetumpka Sports Complex recently added to its immense amenities by opening a multi-use public archery park. The range is suitable for both youth and adults with targets stationed at various increments. Whether you’re a seasoned bowman or looking to start a new hobby, read about this new attraction on page 21.

The changing of the seasons is a good time to try something new. For a home-cooked breakfast or lunch, stop in at Anna’s Place in Slapout. The intimate, welcoming atmosphere honors Paula Cardwell’s late daughter who was killed in 2012 at the age of 20.

While the story is tragic, Cardwell’s mission to bring some good back to the community is inspiring. This restaurant is her way of giving back to a town she feels has given her so much. Read the story on page 8.

One thing I really miss the most about fall in the North is the changing colors of the leaves. When I saw Laura Hughes’ mural design, I felt somewhat transported to a whimsical autumn scene.

Hughes led Tallassee Health and Rehab patients and staff in a painting project where individual canvases were pieced together to form a complete piece of art. See the completed artwork on page 12 and read about the process it took to get there.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Kathy Monroe reminds women on page 25 to be proactive to detect any early signs of breast cancer.

If the weather’s gone down by now, grab a nice hot cup of tea, curl up with a blanket and enjoy this month’s issue of Elmore County Living.

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

Kat Raiford

kat.raiford@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

Digital Marketing Consultant Carter Singleton

carter.singleton@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services Audra Spears

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Shelley McNeal

shelley.mcneal@alexcityoutlook.com

Darlene Johnson

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

Kenneth Boone Jeff Langham Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor MK Moore

Sharon Fox Amalia Kortright Marla Ruskin Kathy Monroe Caleb Turrentine

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 The Alabama Wildlife Federation's After Dark: Into the Woods event warns children that Big Foot may be lurking along the trail they will be hiking with glow sticks to guide the way.

Photo courtesy of Marla Ruskin

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21

28 Columns

Features 12

The Friendship Tree

25

Community Care

17

Long Journey Home

26

Back in the Day

18

Halloween Happenings

28

Movie Man

21

Aim for the Bullseye

30

The Gamer

46

Southern Delights

Rehab Residents Paint Mural Lost ECHS Ring Rightfully Returned Spooky and Fun Events

New Archery Park in Wetumpka

Think Pink

Prison Paradise?

Spook-tacular Showings Magic: The Gathering Arena For the Love of Corndogs

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In Every Issue 6

Extra! Extra!

8

Business Spotlight

32

Out & About

40

Coming Up

44

Where to Find Us

News Briefs

Anna's Place

In Elmore County Fun for Everyone Distribution List

5

Here comes

the sun

The Edgewood Academy Elementary School music program performed a halftime Beatles program for entertainment at a football game last month against Macon-East.

Extra!

Extra!

News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

High School field filled with fun Elmore County High School Band

Marching bands from Elmore County and Tallassee City schools were featured in the annual Elmore County Night of Bands, held at Holtville High School’s Boykin Field on Sept. 18.

According to HHS assistant band director and Holtville Middle School band director Kevin Lenker, Showcase of Bands gives students from across the county the chance to perform in front of their peers.

Lenker said Night of Bands also allowed

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students to perform their field shows for fun, without the pressures of a competitive environment. About 1,000 spectators filled the stands.

For many, Lenker said, Night of Bands serves to unify different communities in support of the arts.

According to Lenker, Night of Bands is a decades-old tradition that travels from school to school each year.

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Go Mustangs!

The Stanhope Elmore Honor Society students completed a 4-foot by 8-foot Mustangs mural that will hang in the trainer’s room at the new gym.

Winning cash split six ways The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Second Annual Drawdown and Silent Auction at the Wind Creek Hotel and Casino Entertainment Center on Sept. 11.

Associate Director Jamie Young said 117 drawdown tickets were sold, which is double the amount of last year’s event, and more than 100 items were bid on. As its primary fundraiser, the event earned the chamber more than $16,000.

Throughout the evening, guests were eliminated until six stood the chance of winning $4,650. Instead of choosing to eliminate any more tickets, the winners elected to split the prize money, walking away with $775 each.

Biggest Bass Catch Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Alabama, won the FLW Bass Fishing League Bama Division tournament on Lake Jordan last month. He ended with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 8 ounces, which netted him $4,110. Stracner said he fished 30 to 40 brush piles each day in anywhere from 12 to 20 feet of water. Other notable Elmore County rankings include Dusty Robinson from Eclectic who placed fourth and Shaye Baker of Tallassee who placed fifth.

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Business Spotlight

Anna's Place Story & Photos by Amy Passaretti

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The old house was previously a daycare before Cardwell renovated it to a restaurant

Anna Catherine Cardwell and Abigail

A

nna Catherine Cardwell was an energetic, people-loving, unique individual, according to her mother, Paula Cardwell.

When Anna was killed at age 20 in 2012, Cardwell wanted to find a way to give back to the community and honor her daughter.

Anna’s Place Restaurant in Slapout morphed into the perfect solution, since Anna loved to eat, and its doors opened just a few weeks ago.

Anna was working at "The Boy's Store" (Piggly Wiggly) and attending Southern Union Community College when a friend's boyfriend took her life.

“Anna loved this community, and the community loved her. She would have loved this place,” said Cardwell, who also manages the local pharmacy and tanning salon.

Originally a daycare, the house at 10380 Holtville Rd. had to be renovated and painted to suit the needs of a dining establishment and reflect the essence of Anna, said Cardwell.

Three separate dining rooms create an intimate atmosphere, and each one is named for one of Anna’s animals. Different themes adorn each room and eclectic sets of tables and chairs occupy the din-

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ing space. The front porch has three tables as well for al fresco dining.

“I really wanted all the rooms to be different, and I like decorating. There are multiple names for each room too, depending on what’s on the walls,” said Cardwell.

There is a choice of a room with a TV and one without to accommodate guests’ needs. All of the dishware, silverware and glasses are mix-andmatch, which was an intentional decision.

Since Anna was a part of the community, Cardwell wanted to include photos of her, including Cardwell’s favorite, which is Anna’s senior portrait with her horse. Other photos represent the obvious admiration Anna had for her other pets, along with portraying a welcoming smile.

“It started out with a few touches of Anna, but then I went overboard. Angels and horses are a large theme,” said Cardwell.

Cardwell’s son also did most of the woodwork, including everything in the pallet room.

Cardwell said she has always been fascinated with restaurants. She also recruited the assistance

Gloria Calloway and Paula Cardwell

Each of the three dining rooms is decorated differently with mismatched sets of tables and chairs

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of Gloria Calloway who has more than 40 years of experience in every possible restaurant position.

“We will know most of the people coming in here to eat, and I want them to feel comfortable and at home when they’re here,” said Calloway.

Open only for breakfast and lunch right now, seven days a week, the food will be all homecooked, Southern-style menu options. The meat-and-three styled meals will change daily and include specialty hand-built burgers – such as the Bulldog Burger and Diamond Doll, – sandwiches, catfish plates and more.

Some staples that will be available regularly include omelets, biscuits, hamburger steak, club sandwich and more.

Breakfast will run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. Breakfast will not be served on Sundays until the pair gets more comfortable with large crowds.

“There is an emphasis on the home cooking. It will all be from scratch,” said Calloway who will help with some of the cooking.

Since Slapout is an inclusive community, many diners will be regulars and well known by Cardwell.

“People wanted something different, and they really wanted a breakfast place. For me this was all about giving back to the community who has been so kind to us,” Cardwell added.

“I think it’s going to be a huge hit. We have a lot of people already showing interest. We are scared and excited at the same time,” said Calloway.

For more information, call 334543-4331 or visit the Anna’s Place Facebook page.

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The Friendship Mural hangs with a plaque listing the names of everyone involved

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The Friendship Tree

Nurturing artist leads Tallassee Rehab residents in a mural art project Story & Photos by Amy Passaretti ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Teams of two worked on each canvas

Artists were given a guide and a color palette to follow

The finished piece hangs in the residents’ social area

Staff members assisted with the painting

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whimsical new painting greets residents in their social room at Tallassee Health and Rehabilitation, and the added bonus is that the residents and staff created it themselves.

Laura Hughes, community liaison for Ivy Creek Hospice, is also a nurturing artist who leads activities with various facilities in the area. The Friendship Tree, a 36-inch by 90-inch painting, was pieced together from 30 10-inch by 12-inch canvases each painted by teams of Tallasse Health and Rehab residents and a staff members.

“This is something they can keep and enjoy.

They’re so proud of the accomplishment and impressed with the finished product,” said Hughes.

Stephanie Weatherly, admission nurse for Ivy Creek Hospice, suggested the idea to add a mural in the social room, and Brittany Matthews and Terri Blount, activity coordinators for Tallassee Rehab, chose the tree theme based on its coloring and the happy feeling it created.

“We passed out a pre-sketched canvas, brushes and palettes of paint to each team.

Some didn’t follow the sketch outline and color scheme exactly. Some did, but it came together beautifully,” said Hughes.

Hughes painted the background and the center tree on the final canvas ahead of time.

Overall, Hughes said, both staff and residents seemed to enjoy the project, and having the full group participate is what makes the painting so personal.

About once a month, Hughes visits the residents at this facility to participate in handson art activities, usually art in nature, so the residents feel comfortable and confident with her around.

“They really are such a positive group. I love being there. We shared the story of our lives together, and I feel like I’m part of the family,” Hughes added.

A plaque bearing the names of all the participating artists hangs next to the finished product. About 60-70 people had their hands on it in total.

Hughes is a self-taught artist who began painting years ago with her mother. She expanded her talent to paint murals at schools,

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churches and other locations and became an art teacher at East Memorial Christian Academy for 12 years.

“I began volunteering at Homestead Hospice in Autauga and Dallas counties and learned about the job opening at Ivy Creek Hospice in Elmore County. This is now my mission field, and I never knew how beneficial and supportive hospice could be for families,” said Hughes. “It’s been a great fit, and I love my job. I’ve got the art side down, and I am quickly learning the marketing aspect through guidance by my co-workers.”

Her personal belief, Hughes said, is that art is valuable and therapeutic for any stage of life.

“It builds confidence and causes people to tap into their creative minds, which builds a great platform for building relationships with others,” said Hughes. “This project was created with a lot of love, laughs and joy. More importantly, it strengthened friendships and is something for them to be proud of.”

Tallassee Health and Rehabilitation is located at 2639 Gilmer Ave. in Tallassee. Visitors are welcome to come view the mural.

Some residents prefered to choose their own colors

Laura Hughes is a nurturing artist who brings an art project once a month

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Long Journey Home

ECHS Principal Wes Rogers with his father-in-law Ronald Burke

Lost ECHS class ring returned to its owner 50 years later

R

Story & Photos by Amy Passaretti

onald Burke is the rightful owner of a long-lost class ring from Elmore County High School that had gone missing exactly 50 years ago.

The story began with the school librarian. She forwarded ECHS Principal Wes Rogers an email from William Yancey who said he had found a 1968 class ring amonsgt his late father’s possessions and after some research, realized it had come from a student at ECHS. Evidently Yancey’s father had discovered the ring somewhere in Texas. Yancey, who now lives in Virginia, noticed it was coming up on the 50th anniversary of the ’68 class reunion and felt it was time to get a search under way.

In the email, Yancey also apologized for taking so long to reach out and for procrastinating.

Yancey followed uphis email and said the ring had the small initials ‘R.B.’ engraved inside.

Thus began Rogers’ efforts to find the class ring’s owner. He began checking yearbooks and looking into students with those inititals.

“I was at a family dinner one day and just happened to be reading the email to everyone, as I thought it was such a crazy story,” said Rogers. “My

father-in-law just stopped and said, ‘That’s my ring!’”

As many people have three lettered initials with a middle name, Ronald Burke knew his lack of one was unusual. He also knew he had lost that Balfour 10-karat gold ring only a few months after graduation when he was stationed in Fort Walters, Texas.

“I really don’t know how I lost it. I thought maybe someone had stolen it,” Burke said.

“It only cost $35 back then to buy it, but I remember I picked truckloads of pecans to earn enough money to pay for it.”

Burke’s family moved to Eclectic when he was in eighth grade, and the current high school building housed the entire Eclectic school system. He graduated with a class of about 65 students and played baseball for the Panthers.

“Most people would have just pawned that ring.

I thanked Mr. Yancey for being so honest and how honorable his actions were to give it back – even if it was 50 years later,” Burke said.

The ring was mailed from Virginia and was back in the rightful hands of its owner by Aug. 1.

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n e e w o l l ha s g n i n e p p ha As Halloween draws near, the month of October fills up with plenty of spooky, safe and entertaining ways to celebrate All Saints Day. That costume that only gets worn one time could be repurposed for a number of events throughout the county this month. From outdoor adventures, to safe trick-or-treating, children and adults could enjoy costume contests, haunted stories and of course, lots of candy and sweets. Here are just a few highlights of upcoming Halloween events in Elmore County.

Millbrook Creatures of the Night

Hosted by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, on Oct. 20, this Halloween-themed evening under the stars is held at the Alabama Nature Center beginning at 3 p.m. Kids will encounter a slithering snake, creepy crawler for insects, ewwy gooey touch table, a flashlight spider search and a night hike. The hike will include glow sticks and be led by an on-site naturalist. The night will end with a movie under the stars. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs to camp out for the show. While there, be sure to meet the baby alligator, Delta.

ANC After Dark: Into the Woods

ANC offers the opportunity to encounter different forms of wildlife

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From Oct. 25-27, families could enjoy hayrides on the Treat Trail and be given glow sticks to light the way. Kids are encouraged to be on the lookout for Big Foot, as he’s been spotted at ANC before. Hitch a ride back to the NaturePlex after the tour for fun games, creepy critters and stories around the fire. Guests are treated to hot chocolate and s’mores. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 online or $7 at the door.

The hayrides, creature features, games and s’mores for purchase will be ongoing throughout the night.

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Big Foot is known to make an appearance along Lanark’s trails during Halloween events

Millbrook offers Halloween fun under the stars at Creatures of the Night There are many safe trick-or-treating options available this month

Kidz Zone Activity Center Costume Party

Located at 1881 I-65 in Millbrook, drop the kids off decked in their Halloween costumes Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The price is $15, which includes pizza, drinks and treats for ages 3 and up.

Wetumpka's Candy Walk sees thousands of adults and children come through the line of vendors

Millbrook’s Boo Fest

Sponsored by The City of Millbrook Parks and Recreation Department, this annual event will be held Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Village Green. Vendor cost is $25 a booth, and setup is from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will be kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors and treats. For questions, call 334-290-2047.

Wetumpka City of Wetumpka Candy Walk

For the sixth year, the City of Wetumpka will host its candy walk behind the City Administration Building from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29. About 50 local businesses will set up their decorative tables and don their Halloween attire to pass out candy to the nearly 6,000 kids that flood the grassy area of 408 S. Main St. Parents, bring the kiddies dressed as their favorite character of the year to trick-or-treat in a safe, confined environment. All participants are asked to bring a canned food item that will be donated to the Elmore County Food Pantry.

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Take a tour through Wetumpka’s haunted buildings during the month of October

Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce’s Haunted History Tours

From Oct. 24-27, the third annual haunted history tours will explore Wetumpka’s historic downtown buildings. The daring that attend will hear hair-raising personal experiences of paranormal occurrences in the buildings through these haunted tours. If bold enough, guests could even participate in an additional paranormal investigation in one of the most haunted buildings in Wetumpka. The tour begins at 116 E. Bridge St. at both 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tallassee Halloween Healthy Initiatives

The City of Tallassee and Tallassee City Schools are partnering to encourage physical activity. There will be a 1-mile walk Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. Register at City Hall.

Be sure to join the fun and dress in costume! For more information, call City Hall at 334-283-6571 or Tallassee Chamber of Commerce at 334-283-5151.

Eclectic Trunk-or-Treat Street Festival

Hosted by the area churches on Oct. 31, Main Street is blocked off so cars can line up along the streets to pass out candy and other sweets to the hundreds of children passing through in costume. Usually held from about 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there also will be games, inflatables and other activities for children. For more information, contact First Baptist Church Pastor Britt Green at 334-541-4444.

Trick-or-treaters form a long line waiting to collect their sweets

Aim for the bullseye Wetumpka Sports Complex opens multi-use archery park Story & Photos by Amy Passaretti and Amalia Kortright

The archery tower allows three shooters at a time to practice hunting skills

T

he Wetumpka Sports Complex has gained another offering, on top of its already expansive features, to include a public archery park in different ranges for all ages.

The Wetumpka Community Archery Park is Alabama's 15th of its kind and the grand opening at the beginning of September was designated by a ribbon cutting with local and state officials to celebrate the collaborative project.

“These parks provide a great opportunity for our youth and adults to learn the sport of archery and to hone their skills in a safe and structured environment,” said Chris Blankenship, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources commissioner. “Anything that gets

22

people outside for recreation is great for Alabama.”

The new multi-distance range contains three levels. The youth range is for use with bows 30 pounds and lighter, and targets are set at 5-yard increments starting at 5 yards and ending at 20 yards.

“The set-up of the youth targets allows two children to be shooting side by side,” said Ron Dickerson, Wetumpka Parks and Recreation director.

The adult range is more competitive and only allows one archer per target. This range also is set in 5-yard increments but starts at 15 yards and ends at 50 yards.

Each area has a place to hang a bow and quills in between rounds. Also, safety is of utmost priority on this course, said Dickerson.

“This sport teaches discipline and communication. That’s

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Youth and adult ranges are separate and each has targets placed at 5-yard increments

City and state officials take the first shots at the grand opening of the archery park

the key to being on the range. You can’t retrieve your quills down range until everyone agrees they are done shooting for the time and puts down their bows,” he added.

A tower is built outside the 100-foot covered pavilion that houses the youth and adult ranges. For use in animal hunting practice, the tower allows three shooters at a time to be strapped in.

The pictures on these targets are animals instead of bullseyes to better mimic the woods scenery. Targets are set at 10-yard increments from 10 to 50 yards away.

“One of the main rules is that from any area, all archers must shoot direct and not up in the air. You don’t know where it will land that way,” said Dickerson.

The park is open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset. The ADCNR’s Division of Wildlife and

Freshwater Fisheries funded the project and constructed the range.

The City of Wetumpka is responsible for its maintenance, including lawn cutting, target replacement and safety checks. Wetumpka also agreed to build a parking lot for the area, and Dickerson said the future goal is to construct a building to rent fishing poles and archery bows, along with public restrooms.

“This is a great asset for the community. It’s right in their backyards and it’s very visible,” said Melissa Futral, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries hunter education coordinator. “It just adds a little extra something for those who live in the area.”

The sports complex spans about 175 acres of land, and Dickerson said this area is the perfect spot for the range since there are no future plans for the land behind the targets.

“We are so happy to have this open and in use. This has been a three-year process, and I’ve been getting calls from all over about it,” said Dickerson.

He also said the 4-H organization will be huge contributors to the range’s use, and he hopes to see tournaments and outsiders come through the area as well.

“We want this to be an economic impact that brings people into Wetumpka,” Dickerson said.

Any sportsman aged 16-64 must obtain a valid hunting license before using the range.

“Anybody can do archery no matter their age. We’ve had folks of every ability shoot, some even with one arm or with a wheelchair,” said Futral. “We just encourage everybody to come out and enjoy this new recreation.”

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ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Tallassee Health and

Think Pink Be proactive for early detection

Kathy Monroe

COMMUNITY CARE Kathy Monroe is the assistant to the adminstrator and the

CFO

Community Hospital. at

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 266,120 women in the U.S. will be told, �You have breast cancer,� in 2018. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. About one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. These cells usually form a tumor, which can be seen on a mammogram or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant (cancerous) if the cells invade surrounding tissues and metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body.

The month of October was established as Breast Cancer Awareness month in 1985.

Many education, outreach and publicity programs have been organized and implemented throughout the years to bring awareness to breast cancer.

Those efforts have paid off. Death rates from breast cancer have decreased since 1989. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening and increased awareness.

Early detection is key. If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance for survival. Women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have a 93 percent or higher survival rate in the first five years. Breast cancer that is found because it is causing symptoms is usually larger and more advanced.

First symptoms may be an area of thickened tissue in the breast or a lump in the breast or armpit. The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are two of the most important factors in predicting the prognosis.

Breast cancer that is found during a regular screening exam is more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast.

A mammogram could often find breast cancer before it could be felt. While it is the

best screening tool we have, it is not perfect.

When mammography is combined with clinical breast exams and breast self-exams, chances for early detection are even greater.

Finding breast cancer early could be life saving.

The main risk factors for getting breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.

Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. Growing older, having dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer are all risk factors that we cannot change; however, there are several risk factors that we can change. Controllable risks include not being physically active, being overweight after menopause, taking hormones and excessive alcohol consumption.

Diagnosing breast cancer also involves staging the cancer to establish the size of the tumor; how far it has spread; whether it is invasive or non-invasive; and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The stage of a breast cancer is expressed as a number on a scale of 0 through 4, with stage 0 indicating non-invasive cancer that remains in the breast and stage 4 indicating invasive cancer that has spread outside the breast to other parts of the body. Determining the stage of the cancer could help the patient and her doctor make a decision on the best treatment option.

Remember, early detection is vital. A yearly screening mammogram is recommended for women beginning at age 40 to 45, possibly earlier for those with certain risk factors. Regular breast self-examination is important, along with clinical breast exams as well. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a healthcare provider right away.

Prison Paradise?

Original correctional facilities offer obscure amenitites

Sharon fox

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

In the old spaghetti Westerns, outlaws were hung in public for anything from stealing horses and cows to money and women. The town sheriffs were the law, and they alone determined if someone was guilty. It was the same in Alabama. The communities were happy to handle their own problems unless the sheriffs decided it was necessary to send it to the county lawmen.

It wasn’t until some time in the 1830s that the idea of a state prison was brought to the legislature. Gov. John Gayle pushed hard to build a state prison or at least create a standardized criminal code that would stop the hangings, floggings and brandings and use more humane punishments for criminals.

Gov. Arthur Bagby was finally able to push a criminal code through that authorized a state penitentiary. The land bordering the Coosa River near Wetumpka was bought in Aug. 21, 1839, and Bagby laid the first cornerstone in

October 1839.

The Alabama State Penitentiary had 208 cells surrounded by 25-foot walls, and it cost the state $84,889 to build. William Hogan was appointed as the first warden.

This penitentiary wasn’t anything like today’s prisons. It took up acres of land, and after additions, it ended up housing more than 80 buildings. There were shops where the inmates built wagons, buggies, saddles, harnesses, shoes and rope, among many other things.

The warden’s residence stood where Dr. Bipin Kumar’s offices are now, and beside it was the house where the transfer agents stayed.

The prison morgue was located on the land where Skate Zone 2000 and Wetumpka YMCA now stand. The prison cemetery was on the hill below Skate Zone down close to U.S. Highway 231. There are older members of the community who can still remember the wooden crosses on the hill standing in rows,

This silo still stands today behind River Run apartments and was part of the original prison land

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no names or dates, just the crosses and a few stones to mark the graves. The remains were moved sometime during the last 50 years to the Alabama Department of Corrections cemetery.

The land where the Community Hospital now stands was where the prison hospital once stood, housing both men and women. The drug store, washhouse, boiler room, coalhouse and the vegetable house, where vegetables that had been harvested in prison gardens were stored. The old silo behind the River Run apartments was built as part of the prison, although then it was called the “lime and cement house.” The barns were only a few feet from the silo toward U.S Highway 231 and just behind the barns was the slaughterhouse.

There were cottages around the prison where families who visited with their incarcerated loved ones could stay for weeks at a time. Groups from churches across the state could tour the prison and enjoy lunch or supper with the inmates. An article from 1857 gave a personal point of view of a church group visit from Montgomery. The group had come up the river on a steam ship in the middle of the night and started the tour early in the day. They ate meals with the inmates, toured the cells and described it as an interesting adventure.

The main office of the prison was moved to the State Capitol in Montgomery by 1885, and local wardens were eliminated. A board of inspectors was established with the board president being deemed the state warden. Convicts were allowed to earn money for their families, and libraries were added to prisons.

Kilby Correctional Facility was built in 1922, and Draper Correctional Center was built in 1939.

The old state penitentiary in Wetumpka was used for women prisoners only until the new Julia Tutwiler Prison was finished in 1942. The land where the original Alabama State Penitentiary stood was sold off in parcels beginning in 1945, and only the silo and a support wall from the main building remains standing.

PLAY

THE

PINES!

The Pines Golf Club 307 Deatsville Highway, Millbrook 334-285-7529

w w w. c i t y o f m i l l b r o o k . o r g

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Spook-tacular Jeff Langham

MOVIE MAN

Beware! Halloween is quickly approaching, as well as the November political election cycle. Some cynics would say that these are both scary events. Let’s take the opportunity to salute some suspenseful flicks – both current hits and enduring classics – and some scary politically themed films as well.

Don’t miss these cinematic chillers to celebrate All Hallows Eve.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and

Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.

Endlessly re-made, re-imagined and imitated, director George Romero’s first foray into Zombieland is timeless in its frightfulness. I can still remember seeing this lowbudget chiller shot in grainy black and white, during a midnight showing at my hometown picture show back in 1970 and how it haunted my dreams for weeks.

Play Misty for Me (1971) Clint Eastwood made his directorial debut here in this simple, yet terrifying tale of the plight of a popular radio disc jockey who is stalked by a demented fan (Jessica Walter). Play Misty stands as one of my all-time favorite screen thrillers and also served as a precursor for films like 1987’s Fatal Attraction with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.

What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971) This rarity shows up on Turner Classic Movies on occasion and provides a field day for Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters as two moms entwined in horrific circumstances in 1930s Hollywood.

The Conjuring (2013) This film weaves the reportedly true frightening tale of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who encounter

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supernatural horrors when they come to the assistance of a Rhode Island family in 1971. This film has quickly become a franchise with The Conjuring 3 soon to be released.

Hereditary (2018) Proclaimed by many critics to be the “scariest movie of the year,” it has been compared to terrifying classics like The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. Toni Collette stars in this unforgettable shocker.

A Quiet Place (2018) John Krasinski (who also co-scripted and directed) stars alongside his wife Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow) in this post-apocalyptic horror film in which a family must live in silence while hiding from extraterrestrial creatures that hunt by sound. This relentlessly suspenseful box office blockbuster also proved to be a hit with critics. A sequel is planned for 2020.

Halloween (1978) In this terror fest, director John Carpenter perfectly demonstrates that gore is not necessary to scare the living daylights out of audiences. Forty years later, Halloween retains its classic status in the Scary Movie Hall of Fame.

And now, for all of us who loved the original Halloween …

Halloween (2018) is here and is a direct sequel to the 1978 film. Set 40 years after the original film, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again comes face-to-face with Michael Myers for a final showdown on Halloween night. Fans of the first Halloween are

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Showings thrilled that original co-creator John Carpenter is involved in this latest installment where he serves as a composer, executive producer and creative consultant.

And if this is all too scary for you, why not try a little fun with:

Hocus Pocus (1993) In this cult favorite, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker star as a villainous trio of witches who are resurrected from the dead and return to modern day Salem, Massachusetts, to wreak comic havoc.

If you grow weary of Halloween fright fests, then maybe, during this election season, you will want to move on to frightful features centered on the world of political intrigue.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962) This tops my list for chilling politically themed films.

This electrifying thriller features Frank Sinatra in top form and Angela Lansbury shattering her adorable Jessica Fletcher/Murder She Wrote image as Laurence Harvey’s diabolical mom.

Seven Days in May (1964) Fresh from his success as director of The Manchurian Candidate, John Frankenheimer directed this political thriller about a takeover of the United States government. Scripted by Rod Serling, the mastermind behind television classic The Twilight Zone – and featuring an all-star cast including Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Ava Gardner – Seven Days in May has proven to be an enduring classic. Don’t miss it the next time it pops up on Turner Classic Movies.

The Parallax View (1974) One of Warren Beatty’s best, yet least known, films, this is a superlative political conspiracy thriller that grips viewers from start to finish. It’s an overlooked gem.

All the President’s Men (1976) Screen legends Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman headline this true and tragic story of the downfall of President Richard Nixon. This classic film also celebrates the tenacity of news reporters in their fight to uncover the truth at all costs.

Twilight’s Last Gleaming (1977) Tough guy director Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen) and tough guy actors Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark joined forces for this nail-biting thriller about a renegade U.S. Air Force general (Lancaster) who escapes from a military prison and takes over a missile silo in Montana. He threatens to launch the missiles and start World War III unless the president releases a top-secret document to the American people about the Vietnam War. Other political thriller honorable mentions go to director Brian DePalma’s Blow Out (1981); Costa Garvas’ Academy Award-winning film Z (1969) as well as his acclaimed 1982 film Missing; Sydney Pollack’s Three Days of the Condor (1975); Sidney Lumet’s nightmarish Fail Safe (1964); Steven Spielberg’s somber Munich (2005); Ben Affleck’s Best Picture Winner Argo (2012); and Oliver Stone’s controversial JFK (1991).

So, whether you gather thrills and chills from the Halloween season or the political arena, grab some Halloween candy and popcorn and seek out these tense treats. Happy hunting for these haunting features! Until next month …

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The popular tabletop game converts to digital

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.

Magic: The Gathering is one of the oldest trading card games in existence. It first popped into the world in 1993, when it quickly established itself as one of the premiere tabletop games. To this day, the game remains the gold standard. Other trading card games look to Magic for ideas, inspiration and more.

That’s why it’s so exciting that the game’s parent company, Wizards of the Coast, has finally published a well-made, engrossing version of the title for gamers. It’s called Magic: The Gathering Arena, and it’s been shaking things up in recent weeks.

While Wizards of the Coast created a video game version of its golden goose a few years back (Magic: The Gathering Online), it’s been plagued with errors and general ease-of-use complaints. Players have been chomping at the bit for something a bit easier on the eyes, and Arena certainly provides.

Arena pares down the card collection barrier-to-entry to just the bare essentials. This means that players only have to collect cards from the most recent sets of Magic: The Gathering. With hundreds of sets in the rearview, this comes as a welcome change for individuals who are just joining in on the game; note that there are formats in paper Magic that follow the same guidelines.

That said, it could still be daunting to jump in when there is such a selection available. Catering to new players isn’t something Wizards has been known for – getting into Magic is known to be notoriously expensive. And for those of us who don’t have the extra dough lying around to play traditional paper Magic, Arena is a bright, new option.

Playing in one of the many game modes available in Arena is much, much cheaper than players might find anywhere else.

The caveat here is that players don’t actually get to redeem their cards for any sort of real-world value. The product is entirely virtually made, and players can’t trade cards to other players. In this sense, the lower cost is very much a double-edged sword; the only way they’re able to achieve that price point is by disabling trading.

But with paper Magic still as popular as ever, and Magic Online continuing to trudge along, it appears that there’s room enough for one more version of Magic to exist. It’s actually kind of amazing that the game can support such a variety of play options.

So, how do you try it out?

Currently, the account that gamers play Arena on is completely free. Technically, the game is still in “open beta,” which means the creators are still working out kinks and testing new features. As a result,

the company needs activity on the game’s network, and players provide them a service by being part of that activity. I don’t envision that accounts will ever cost gamers much, if anything, but now would definitely be a good time to jump in and try out the title.

Once players have booted up Arena, they’lll find very quickly that spending money will be a reality – at least, for a time. While I’ve complimented the title on being far cheaper than its kin, it’s still pretty expensive to get involved. If players have been playing Magic for a while, they could get by on their current winnings.

Long-time Magic gamers probably have experience and understand the game on a fundamental level, which would allow them to build their collections faster than newer players. Unfortunately, the learning curve will prey on some of the newer folks, and it’ll cost them around 1,500 “Gems” to join a Draft, which is one of the game’s most popular modes; for reference, 1,500 Gems will run you close to $10.

That's still cheaper than what a player might pay in real life or Magic: Online.

I can’t say for sure whether or not it’s true, but booster packs (a mainstay of the reward system on Arena) seem to have better, more powerful

cards more often. In addition, they offer a “Wildcard” system that allows players to automatically create older cards that they could have missed. In this way, falling behind in Arena never feels like a death sentence for a gamer’s wallet. And since we’re talking so much about value and money, I feel obliged to mention that normal Magic decks often cost upward of $300. Putting something similar together in Arena will only cost players a fraction of that number.

This new title from Wizards of the Coast offers longtime fans of the game an entirely new version to enjoy while simultaneously creating ease-of-entry for everybody else. The lack of trading absolutely diminishes the title in a small capacity, but a good job has been done in creating an environment that isn’t money-hungry. Gamers can build collections on their own merits, or by simply spending more time playing the game than others.

Alternatively, if players have the money to do so, they could just flesh out their collections with a few hundred dollars. For such a well-crafted and fun experience, it seems to me that Wizards of the Coast is on its way to another big win.

No surprise there.

Screenshot of Magic: The Gathering Arena

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OUT & ABOUT

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Showcase Central Alabama Reception Sept. 18, 2018 Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery 1. Sandra Gray and Carol Bush 2. Peggy Raines, AimĂŠe Harbin, Kay Brummal,

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Ladonna Idell and Edward Brummal 3. Nada Boner 4. Mindy and Winston Buckley 5. Steve Duke 6. Cathy Saylor and Charlotte Henderson 7. Jenna Lewis, Sunny Donaldson, Jerry Willis and Ron Donaldson

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OUT & ABOUT

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FLW Bass Fishing League

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Tournament Sept. 22, 2018 Lake Jordan 1. Odell Curtis and Trina and Tony Goggins 2. Bob and Jimmie Lou Marshall, Allyson Bull and Rick Earnest 3. LaShanne and Ricky Baker 4. Tony Moore and Jason Nixon

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Bark in the Park Sept. 16, 2018 Fort Toulouse, Wetumpka 1. Donna, Gracie and Temperance Garrison and Edgar

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2. Sandy and Tom Carmony and Duke and Leroy 3. Anna Berkstresser and Titan 4. Rea Cord 5. Lexi, Lola and Luci 6. Ben Fowler and Vince, April and Lauren Hensley with Bandana, Winston and Tessa 7. Joey and Stephanie Keithahn and Ozzy and Gypsy 8. Richo Boyd, Rodesha Vincent and Majestie 9. Ellie

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OUT & ABOUT

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Arts Council Reception

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Sept. 14, 2018 Red Hill Art Gallery 1. Johnny and Angie Holleman 2. Cathy and Rick Gassenheimer 3. Carol Hickman and Shellie Whitfield 4. Steve and Joan Adams

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5. Shotsie and Ricky McDuffie 6. Heidi Lewis and Chrissy Reeves 7. Spence Singleton, Mike Squires and Gus 8. Janet Pouncy 9. Judy Rigdon, Marsha Nelson, Katie Cooper, Beppy Hassey and Nancy Cooper

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OUT & ABOUT

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Tallassee Chamber Chat Sept. 17, 2018 5

PrimeSouth Bank, Tallassee 1. Debra Hughey and Ann Christian 2. Kristin Harris, Brad Mason and Jerry Cunningham 3. Fred Randall Hughey and Bill Patterson 4. Klay Peters, Laurie Rygiel and Denae Owens 5. Joyce Vella, Andrew Hart and Dan Smith

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Night of Bands

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Sept. 18, 2018 Boykin Field at Holtville High School 1. Ellen and Grace Bozeman

2. Kevin Lenker

3. Gracie Clements, Alyssa Beam and Drew Dunn

4. Gene DeVaughn and Randy Cherry

5. Brian Ellis

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Dam Century Bike Ride Oct. 6, 2018 Downtown Tallassee 1. Mike McCrocklin, John Melkerson, Paul Gugliotta and Chris Goodman

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2. Mitchell Askew 3. Mary Beth Higgins, Hal Hornsby and Katie Lee 4. D’Angela Holmes and Catherine Crawford 5. Mary Kate Lackey and Kayla Jolly 6. Rob and Terri Sandlin 7. Doris Carr, Jack Hawkins and Lands Carr

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Tallassee Homecoming Parade

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Oct. 5, 2018 Downtown Tallassee 1. Jan Smith and Nikki and Clay Price 2. Anna and Cooper Lemmond and Donna Chumley

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3. Jessica Price and Ella Kate McGhee 4. Kaela Armstrong, Christy Goolsby and Cheyenne Armstrong 5. Beverly and Baleigh Fort and Tia Robinson 6. Lisa Dunson, Whitton Stephens and Scott Dunson

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7. Patrick Jockel, Jill Wisner and Angie Cook

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8. Savannah Wilcox and Maddy Norrell

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Oct. 20 Annual Angel Fest St. Michael and All Angels Church on Main Street in Millbrook will host its annual Angel Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include a bake sale, silent auctions, vendors with unique wares, a children’s carnival with a pumpkin patch and hayride and Boston butts for sale.

Admission is free, and this family-friendly event will include entertainment and concessions for everyone. For information, contact Veta Wall at vetawall@gmail.com.

out candy and other sweets to the hundreds of children passing through in costume. Usually held from about 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there also will be games, inflatables and other activities for children. For information, contact First Baptist Church Pastor Britt Green at 334-541-4444.

Nov. 2-3 Renew our Rivers Cleanup

Hosted by the City of Wetumpka, thousands of children dress up for Halloween festivities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. behind the City Administration building, 408 S. Main St. Local businesses set up decorative tables for a safe trick-or-treating environment. For more information, contact Valencia at 334-567-5147.

Hosted by the combined efforts of Lake Martin Resource Association, Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park and TowBoatU.S. Lake Martin, volunteers are encouraged to help remove litter from Lake Martin’s shorelines and adjacent roadways. This annual project removes tons of trash each year, and hundreds of volunteers from around the county step up to keep our Treasured Lake beautiful. Volunteers may work independently, and dumpsters will be available at Kowaliga Public Ramp, Wind Creek Park Marina, Union Public Boat Ramp and Real Island Marina. Volunteers can pick up supplies and a Renew our Rivers T-shirt from the designated dumpter locations at 8 a.m. both days. Trash can be deposited until 12 p.m. For more information, contact LMRA President Fourth-grader Caroline John Thompson at Stegall's art design will be 1942jthompson420@ on all ROR T-shirts this year gmail.com.

Oct. 31 Eclectic’s Trunk or Treat Street Festival

Nov. 7-10 Alabama Frontier Days at Fort Toulouse

Oct. 20 Wind Creek State Park Halloween 5K Run Sign in and warm up with stretches at 7:30 a.m. for this annual costumed run at Lake Martin’s state park. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the marina parking lot and will continue throughout Wind Creek State Park campground and picnic areas. Register at www.active.com.

Entry is $25 and includes a T-shirt.

Oct. 24-26 Third Annual Haunted History Tours Hosted by the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce, experience the city’s rich historic downtown buildings and hair-rasising personal experiences of paranormal occurences in these buildings. For the extra daring, participate in a paranormal investigation in one of the most haunted buildings in Wetumpka. Tours are held at 7 p.m. to midnight each day. For more information or to book a tour, visit wetumpkachamber.com or call Jamie Young at 334-567-4811.

Oct. 29 Wetumpka Candy Walk

Hosted by the area churches, Eclectic’s Main Street is blocked off, and cars will line up along the streets to pass

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One of the largest and most authentic living history events in Alabama, experience the South as it transi-

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tioned from Creek Indian lands to military forts and civilian homesteads during the period of 1700 to 1820 at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park. Held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., witness frontier life with reenactors from around the country. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for students.

For more information, call 334-567-3002.

Nov. 19-21 Thanksgiving Camp This three-day Expedition Lanark Thanksgiving Camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day for children ages 6 to 12. Attendees will go fishing, hiking, birding with binoculars and more. Cost is $75 for the week. Aftercare available for an additional $25. Campers must bring their own lunches and drinks, and it’s recommended to bring changes of clothes. For more information or to sign up, call 334-285-4550 or visit alabamawildlife.org.

Season-Long Events Now-Jan. 3 Central Alabama Showcase Exhibit

Frontier Days is one of the largest reenactments in the Southeast

November 14 Walk Where they Walked: at the Meaherg/Fitzpatrick Farm Join the Dixie Art Colony for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and plein air painting at the historic Mehearg/Fitzpatrick Farm located 460 Mehearg Rd., Wetumpka. The farm was once owned by Gov. Benjamin Fitzpatrick and later artist Kelly Fitzpatrick.

This site is known to have been one Kelly's frequent painting spots. Reservations required.

Nov. 16 Peggy Shores at EPAC The Equality Performing Arts Center will host pianist Peggy Shores who will entertain with songs ranging from Broadway tunes, movie themes, patriotic songs, oldies, country and Southern gospel. Join Peggy for an evening of fun and fellowship. Bring an appetizer to share, if you’d like.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. The EPAC is located on state Route 9 in Equality. For information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334-320-6326.

Nov. 16-17 Artists’ Market Hosted by The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, up to 20 artists will set up to display and sell their artwork. There will be no cost to be in the market, but an aritst must be a member of The Kelly to join. The Artists’ Market will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, located at 408 S. Main St. in Wetumpka, will host its first Central Alabama Showcase featuring artists and their works from around the area. Local art organizations juried entries to their shows and selected the best to send to The Kelly for this exhibit. First prize will be awarded to an art organization. First, second and third prizes will be awarded to individuals.

Haunted Wetumpka Investigations In-depth paranormal investigations will take place in the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Building from 7 p.m. to midnight on the third Saturday of the month. Cost is $50 per person, and reservations are required. For information, call 334-567-4811 or email jyoung@wetumpkachamber.org.

Country Music Jam 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 Alabama Hwy. 229 south of Kowaliga.

Email Paula Castleberry at mcasby53@ windstream.net for information.

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. To check holiday closings, visit alabamawildlife.org.

A ​ labama 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.

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.

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 Tutus Road; Old Central Transfer Station; Anne Building in Elmore; CEW&SA parking lot at Redland Road facility. There is no longer a drop-off at the intersection of Redland, Firetower and Dozier roads.

Electronics Recycling On the first Saturday of each month, electronic items for recycling are accepted at the Wetumpka Recycling Center on East Charles Avenue. There is a $10 fee to recycle tube televisions; other electronics incur no charge.

Come from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other accepted electronics include computers, monitors, cell phones, chargers, modems, remotes, printers, batteries and more.

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.

Santuck Flea Market The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month (except January and February) at 7300 Central Plank Rd., state Route 9 in Wetumpka.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store Countywide Cleanup Days help discard yard trash free of charge

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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

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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 Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for information.

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 334-567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.

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 254423-5966.

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

in business. Topics and speakers vary on tips, advice or support for professional and personal growth. The group meets the third Thursday of each month at the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, 116 E. Bridge St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No cost to attend the first meeting, and then dues are $50 per year for chamber members and $100 for non-members. Contact Shea Irvine at 334-651-8289 or sheainal@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP.

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, along with putting these skills to the test.

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 or email him at M.Harris@ DixieArtColony.org.

River Region Women in Business This women’s networking group meets once a month to support, encourage and help other women succeed

AWF teaches survival skills and puts them into practice

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.

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Business & Service Directory

O’Neal Electric Michael O’Neal

256-510-2146 Electrical • Controls DataCom • Security

334-567-7811

Serving Central Alabama for over a decade!

Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Bezlo's Bar & Grill 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

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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 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

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Hog Rock BBQ 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 Alabama Power...........................................................................................3 Allstate, Mark Shaw...................................................................................2 4 All That Space...........................................................................................1 6 Anna's Place.............................................................................................1 6 City of Millbrook........................................................................................2 7 District Nineteen........................................................................................1 6 Gene Jones Insurance.................................................................................4 3 Jackson Thornton.......................................................................................4 7 Karen's Mane Tamers.................................................................................4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.............................................................................4 4 Liveoak Agency.........................................................................................4 7 Mark's Service Center......................................................................................2 4 O'Neal Electric...............................................................................................4 4 River Region Dermatology................................................................................4 4 Singleton's Alignment.......................................................................................1 6 Tallassee Health & Rehabilitation, LLC...........................................................2 4 UAB Medicine Heart & Vascular Clinic..........................................................11 Wetumpka Depot Players...........................................................................16 Wetumpka Flea Market...............................................................................2 4 Wind Creek Zip Line..................................................................................4 8

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

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

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For the Love of Corndogs

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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You know what love is? Love is when your sweetheart pays $100 for a corndog just because you love them. You see, I love corndogs.

My obsession with food on a stick goes way back. I’ve already told y’all that my perfect food is the sausage wrapped in pancake on stick. Sweet, salty, on a stick and ready in one minute. You just can’t beat it.

Well, corndogs are a right on up there in food Nirvana. I had no opinion on the new casino going up until I found out that I could get a foot-long corndog, 24 hours a day within walking distance of my house. On that day, I put on my sneakers, slathered up with sunscreen and skipped out the door. I spent a day by their pool, and the corndog they delivered that day was delicious.

Everyone knows that the best corndogs come blistering hot right out of the fryer. For this, you need a fair. Preferably a large fair. I went to the Texas State Fair where they have all sorts of fancy fair food. What did I eat? A corndog.

I’ve tried making them at home. Shouldn’t be that hard, right? But it is. Besides making a mess, there are loads of variables from the type of dog to the batter to the stick. I’ll tell you right now, a bamboo skewer in a Conecuh sausage will lead you straight to Fry Daddy disaster. I’ve tried all sorts of batters, which mostly slid off in the fryer or cooked on the outside but remained

gummy in the middle. Nope. Best leave this to the professionals.

And the best professionals are the carnies at the fair. Now if you go during a lull, you can request that that they hand dip it and fry it right in front of you. I tip well for this service.

They might even answer a few questions about corndogs. Tip number one is letting the batter rest and be room temperature, which in a corndog stand at the Alabama National Fair is about 100 degrees. The actual batter ingredients are a big old secret. No one would tell me. As for how hot the oil should be and how long do you fry, the best answer was “hot oil” and “until it is done,” although one guy elaborated to say that he alternated fryers so that the oil stayed hot. Also, he only fried one dog at a time per fryer. This makes sense. One of the keys to good frying is to not overcrowd your fryer. Overcrowding leads to temperature drop, which leads to greasy corndogs.

Why did my corndog cost $100? Well, the only reason I go to the fair is to eat corndogs.

I’m not interest in riding rides. Pig races make me kind of sad. I do like walking through the barn and looking at cows. They look so different up close than far away in a field. Plus, at the fair they are all gussied up. I like the games, even though we all know they are rigged. It never ceases to tickle me to watch Sweetheart dunk a clown. But all in all, it is the corndog.

So when Sweetheart asks if I wanted a corndog. My answer is always, “Yes!” So off we went to the fair. Parking, entrance ticket, a corndog, lemonade, funnel cake and a couple of games later, we were headed home.

No $100 gourmet meal tasted better than standing on the midway taking that first bite of a piping hot corndog.

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256-596-3081