OPINION PAGE 4
LOCAL, PAGE 11 Meet pet of the week, Dennis Hopper.
“Taking a break from the norm”
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Tallassee varsity baseball heads to state.
INSIDE
LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
April 20, 2016
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 117, NO. 15
Reeltown 20-year reunion honors past, present By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
People came from miles around Saturday as Reeltown High School graduates gathered in the original auditorium, which is now part of the Reeltown Elementary School to honor past students, facility and staff enjoyed good times and great company at the 2016 Reeltown 20-Year Reunion.
The 2016 Reunion began with a meet and greet at 10a.m. and the halls of RHS were quickly filled with happy voices renewing friendships of years past. “Assembly” met in the original auditorium at 11 a.m. with the pledge to the American flag, prayer by Jimmie Benson, Class of 1962, followed by a moment of silence in memory of those who have passed. A memorial list was available and listed
Betty Ledbetter Evers, a graduate of Reeltown, Tommy King and Pete Cottle. Administrators were also honored during the reunion. Tom Cochran, principal, Joe Windle, Tallapoosa County Superintendent of Education and a 1962 graduate of Reeltown High School, and the Bear Bryant of Reeltown, former Coach Duane Webster, were See REUNION • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Billy Dean Welch looks at the memory board during Saturday’s 20 year reunion. Welch is 1959 Reeltown High School graduate.
Bike for Life takes off in Tallassee By CARMEN RODGERS Staff WRiter
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Bill Garnett and Jimmy K. Lanier stand behind years of trash and debris that has been illegally dumped into the ravine that will soon be part of the new Alabama Forever Wild hiking trails that will follow the old Highline and Lowline Railroad bed.
CLEARING THE WAY Lanier and crew work towards new trail construction
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Jimmy K. Lanier is at it again, cleaning and clearing land for hikers to enjoy. Lanier and a crew of five men are working hard to clear the walking paths for the Forever Wild trails that will follow the majority of the length of Gold Mine Road where the Highline and
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Lowline Railroad, which carried needed materials during the construction of Martin Dam, once ran. The railroad system was the most effective and efficient method of carrying the heavy supplies needed to construct the massive dam. The train tracks made a loop down to the dam. This loop included a total of seven bridges. Today, however, there are no signs of these bridges. This is
why the Hiking Association plans on building a suspension bridge for hikers to cross at the exact location where the railroad trestle once stood. “This suspension bridge will be longest suspension bridge this side of the Mississippi,” said Lanier. The total stretch of the suspension bridge will span well over the length of a football field. See TRAIL • Page 3
Carnival to benefit Tallassee Firefighters By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Anyone who lived in Tallassee during the eighties remembers the carnival next to the rec center that came to town every year. It was a popular attraction in a city with little entertainment venues. This is why the Tallassee Firefighters along with J and J’s Magic Midway brought this tradition back to town. The carnival will be in town from April 20-23. Wednesday and Thursday the midway will open at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Saturday the midway will open at 4 p.m. and remain open until the fun comes to an end.
907 W. Martin Luther King Hwy.•Tuskegee, AL
334.421.2089
See BIKES • Page 3
Tallassee Hardee’s raises more than $2600 to battle MDA STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Submitted / The Tribune
Tallassee Firefighters along with J and J’s Magic Midway present the carnival from April 20-23. Wednesday and Thursday gates will open at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Saturday gates will open at 4 p.m.
The carnival is also a fundraiser for the Tallassee Fire Department.
“The carnival owner came to us looking for See CARNIVAL • Page 3
15 Years Experience
MOM’S MUFFLERS
Jamelle Jelks has been the coordinator for the Tallassee recreation Center for the past 20 years. Throughout the years he has coordinated several events, but the Bike For Life is a new event and also personal to him. Jelks’ brother-inlaw was diagnosed with cancer and it is expected to take his life. This is what moved Jelks to action. “I hope to bring awareness to cancer and raise funds for those affected by cancer.” The event began at Southside Middle School. Registration ran until 7:30 a.m. and the ride began at 8 a.m. Riders followed Highway 299 for a total of 8 miles. “10 riders, we raised over $100
The Muscular Dystrophy Association of South Alabama announced today that its 2016 MDA Shamrocks fundraising program raised over $2600 to help free kids and adults from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases. From February through March 17th, local grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants participated in the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day fundraising program in which customers purchased an iconic paper MDA Shamrock (pinup) for just a $1, $5 or a larger contribution at checkout. Each Shamrock was signed by generous customers and prominently displayed in each store, symbolizing strength, independence and life for MDA families in the community. “Once again, Tallassee Hardee’s and their See HARDEES • Page 7
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