August 2016 Elmore County Living

Tallassee’s

MARION POWELL

The great town of Spectre today Carol Barksdale’s Titus studio

Coaches UA’s Dance Line

‘Quickle’ your taste buds

Elmore August 2016

County Living

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Community Hospital 805 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 (334) 283-6541 www.chal.org

Community Skilled Care and Rehab Community Hospital of Tallassee is now offering a transitional level of care to those patients who need rehabilitative and restorative services on a shortterm basis. Our program is designed to assist patients when acute care hospitalization is not required, but the patient needs further care to reach a level of strength and wellness in order to safely return to their home or residential facility.

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For more information please call: (334) 283-3857 E-mail: swingbed@chal.org Visit our website at www.chal.org ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

A division of

Community Hospital

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From the Managing Editor's Desk August is a month of getting ready. Local schools started earlier this month, and college dorms are filling fast. At the Iler house, we’re getting registrations, books, dorms and financial aid squared away for our three in college, but the big news is that we picked up a new TV remote.

The old remote was worn out, and it no longer responded quickly to channelchanging commands – a cardinal sin during college football season. This fall, while our son moves his few meager belongings into an 8 x 10 room at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, we’ll expand our reach in the den, beefing up the cushions on the couch and making a new cover for the big square ottoman. After all, we have our priorities. And we’re getting ready.

We’re grateful for those who have labored all summer to be ready as well, the football players who worked to get in shape, coaches who reviewed their playbooks and field groomers who babied the grounds through the summer heat.

University of Alabama Crimsonette and Crimson Cabaret Coach Marion Powell has choreographed this year’s show with the Million Dollar Band and spent recent weeks at the head of the line in an intensive training program, going through the moves with her teams and polishing the routines. The work that goes into just that portion of the half-time show is a full-time job for this Tallassee native who grew up creating dance routines in her mother’s studio. Turn to page 20 to learn more about how Powell converted her childhood pastime into shows that are watched in football stadiums across the country.

Elmore County artist Gale Douthit is getting ready for football season, as well. Her in-home studio is teeming with tough-as-bricks Auburn football players, along with mascots and team members from all of the SEC schools and beyond. Some five years ago, Douthit saw a photo of a painted brick character in a craft magazine. She picked up a paintbrush for the first time in her life and has translated a newly discovered talent into a brisk business. Check out her brick art on page 28.

When the revving up for football season gets too intense, drive out to Titus with us on page 24, where we visited Carol Barksdale’s farm.

This award-winning painter finds inspiration in the easy gait of the horses in her pastures and the rolling meadows of wildflowers and songbirds. Though she lives fulltime near her Montgomery gallery now, Barksdale returns to the Elmore County homestead that still feeds her art.

More adventures await you in this issue of Elmore County Living magazine. Pull up a spot on the couch and join us for college football and more!

STAFF Chairman

Kenneth Boone

kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com

President & Publisher Steve Baker

steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com

Managing Editor Betsy Iler

betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

Distribution Manager David Kendrick

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Consultant Molly Brethauer

molly.brethauer@thewetumpkaherald.com

Creative Services Audra Spears

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

Suellen Young Cory Diaz Jeff Langham William Carroll Mary K. Moore Kathy Monroe Carmen Rodgers Mia Osborn Jacob Saylor Bill Goss Corey Arwood Jessica Johnson Anderson

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

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

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor

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Trusted. Rooted. Affordable.

Since 1969, one name has served our great community with the care and compassion it deserves — Jeffcoat. We celebrate the beauty of a life and make it our purpose to honor each one respectfully and affordably. Please take the time to compare our prices and services with those of other funeral homes... we know you will be pleasantly surprised.

Our family would like to thank you for placing your trust in us for nearly 50 years.

255 Friendship Road • Tallassee • (334) 283-6801 • jeffcoatfuneralhome.com • Since 1969 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER Coach Marion Powell with the Crimson Cabaret Dance Team. Powell also coaches the University of Alabama's baton team, the Crimsonettes.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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31 Columns

10

Features

In Every Issue

27

Back in the Day

14

A Visit to Spectre

8

Extra! Extra!

31

Community Care

20

Marion Powell

10

Business Spotlight

Movie Man

24

Brushstrokes

36

The Gamer

28

Brickwork

44

32 34 50

6

Tallassee Mill Stalls Dam Get Vaccinated Fall Flicks

Uncharted Four

Movie Town in Millbrook Dream Behind the Dance Line Art inspiration in Titus Putting Personality in Pavers

Southern Delights Making Quickles

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News Briefs

Bless Your Heart

Out & About

In Elmore County

Coming Up

Fun Activities for Everyone

Where to Find Us Distribution List

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New weight room lifts spirits of ECHS athletes Elmore County High student-athletes got to break in their new weight room on July 11.

New equipment by Total Strength and Speed, totaling around $75,000, was delivered to campus. Coaches put together everything, and the next morning, varsity Panther football players got their first taste of the customized facility.

“This will really change to what we can get done,” said Coach Daniel Carpenter.

Corn Creek Park Road now open

A recent Elmore County Commission meeting confirmed the opening of Corn Creek Park Road leading into Corn Creek Park in Wetumpka.

Plans for an official opening ceremony were cancelled by the torrential rains.

Members of the Coosa River Paddling Club, which raised money for the project, were present at the Monday commission meeting to offer their thanks for the completion of the road project.

The project ends a lengthy period where there was no direct access to the popular park while the road project was ongoing. The road and park are both open now.

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Women in Business Kicks Off The kick off meeting of the River Region Women in Business was held July 21 at the Wetumpka CIvic Center. Around two dozen ladies participated in the event.

Group organizer Shea Irvine said that she had the idea for the group because there was not a similar group in the region.

Depot players bare all in Calendar Girls The Wetumpka Depot Players brought a little light hearted humor to town with the Tim Firth comedy Calendar Girls.

The play is based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for leukemia research.

The play, which ran from July 14-30, is one of the most widely produced plays in the U.K. “The play is based on a true story of a group of middle aged ladies who posed nude for a calendar,” said Kristy Meanor, Depot

executive director. “This show is such a celebration of courage and love."

The cast featured Eleanor Davis, Teri Sweeney, Brooke Poague, Hazel Jones, Cindy Smith, Marcella Willis, Gayle Sandlin, Bill Nowell, Lee Bridges, Tatum Pollock, Mariah Reilly, Katie Therkelson and Jay Russell.

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Seeking New Class of Local Leaders Leadership Elmore County is gearing up for another year and another class of future leaders.

According to LEC Chairman Jenifer Glover, the group took last year off to completely revamp the program.

“We wanted to make it more of a curriculum-based program with a positive leadership aspect tied into each of our sessions,” she said.

Glover said the program will consist of nine classes of which participants must attend six classes in order to graduate. The classes will run from a group retreat in September until May. Glover said the LEC is looking for 15-20 candidates for its 2017 graduating class.

“We have had a wide range of people in the program from elementary school teachers to CEOs of major organizations,” she said. “We are looking for people who want to learn, give back and be leaders in our community.”

Wetumpka Elementary to get new playground

The recent grants from the Alabama Department of Education through the Department of Early Childhood education continue to pay dividends, as Wetumpka Elementary school will be getting a new playground structure for pre-K students.

Wetumpka Elementary School Principal Bonnie Sullivan said the school is seeking to build a “natural playground,” which will include a tricycle trail, including a toll booth; a play area, including a double slide; a large drum set and a storage shed for tricycles and wagons.

“We are really excited about our new pre-K program,” Sullivan said.

Improvements coming to Highway 14 in Elmore The Alabama Department of Transportation, through a cooperative effort with CSX Railroad, will be advancing a construction project on a section of Alabama Highway 14 in Elmore. The upcoming widening project of Alabama Highway 14 will begin at the intersection of Coosada Parkway and end at the intersection of the unpaved portion of Lucky Town Road.

Senator Clyde Chambliss said, “This project has resulted from the hard work of many state and local government officials. In a time where improvement projects are hard to come by, the cooperative efforts of the business community, along with state and local government, are the reason this project is possible. I am thankful to see this much needed project advance.”

Extra!

Extra!

News from Elmore County and surrounding areas

Community supports law enforcers

In light of recent events across the country, the people of Tallassee have shown tremendous support to the Tallassee Police Department.

According to Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers, “An abundance of people have shown their support for our department,” he said.

According to Rodgers, this show of support is typical Tallassee fashion.

First pre-K students chosen Parents and students gathered at the Elmore County Board of Education in July for a random selection process to decide whether they would be part of the Elmore County School District’s first pre-K class.

The process selected 64 students as part of a program that Elmore County Superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison said he hopes will be a model program.

“Our goal is to establish a model first-class pre-K program for the entire state,” said Harrison.

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Business Spotlight

Bless Your Heart Story by Mia Osborn Photos by Suellen Young

Bless Your Heart sells home furniture and ornaments online and in store

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t all started with a can of chalk paint.

Their love has caused Bless Your Heart to expand Melanie Evans and her daughter, Amy Evans beyond the brick-and-mortar store and into the online Hibbs, managed a small booth in a Montgomery marketplace. Over half their sales begin on social media. antique mall. Chalk paint had just come out, “A lot of people have gone to shopping online. That’s and the shabby-chic look had exploded overwhy our Facebook is working so well,” said Hibbs. night. Amy hatched an idea that she and her The pair posts photos of their new items on the Bless mom could create their own inventory, rather Your Heart Facebook page, and guests can request pieces than just sell antiques. via comment or private message. They can then pay “One day, Amy came to online or in person when me and said, ‘Mama, we they pick up their orders.

Owners Amy Hibbs and Melanie Evans also can do this,’” Evans said.

But online shopping is run a successful home decorating business “We just got a can of paint just one branch of Bless and started doing it. It Your Heart’s business. turned into a business that Evans also loves to restore we absolutely love.” items that guests bring in.

That business is Bless “One girl brought her Your Heart in downtown husband’s rocking horse Eclectic. from when he was a “We named it the most child. We’re painting it Southern thing we could so it has an antique feel think of,” Evans laughed. but it’s cleaned up and The store is a natural new for their little girl to development of Hibbs’ use. That’s more fun to and Evans’ interests. me than anything else we Evans was a floral dedo,” said Evans. signer for years. Mother The store also takes and daughter had already orders for custom farmtackled many decorating house tables, courtesy projects for themselves as of Evan’s husband and well as friends.

Hibbs’ father, Rick. MothBefore any of their er and daughter have recharming farmhouse cently taken their talents décor went on display, out of the shop and into Evans and Hibbs gave a their guests’ homes as makeover to the former interior decorators. post office building where “It started with one they set up shop. They person saying, ‘Can you covered the walls with just bring all this stuff to a mixture of distressed my house and decorate white clapboard and paint for me?’ So now we’re on in pale blue gray and eggshell, so as not to distract from our fourth house, and we have another one lined up,” their colorful merchandise. said Hibbs.

Bless Your Heart offers gifts and decorations for every News of the decorating business is spreading, largely room of the home, from knickknacks and wall plaques to through word of mouth. Hibbs and Evans offer decoratfurniture and chandeliers made from repurposed lamp ing clients a $50 in-store gift card if they recommend a shades and scraps of old lace. friend.

Hibbs specializes in personalized chalk paint signs Between managing the physical and online stores, lettered with scripture, names, quotes or anything else decorating, restoring old pieces and building new ones, a customer requests. She said this job has helped her Hibbs and Evans stay busy, but they’ve discovered the express her artistic side. secret to success is to stay stress-free.

“I really was looking for something to use as a creative “We laugh a lot,” Hibbs explained. “And we feed off outlet,” she said. “Every day, we’re excited to come to one another’s creativity.” work. I’m not just saying that – we really love coming For more information visit the Bless Your Heart page here.” on Facebook.

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CALLING ALL YOUR Life, ARTISTS YOUR Goals, YOUR Credit Union Enter the

2016 Annual Lake Martin Living Art and Photography Contest

Join us... www.yourASEcu.com Winners will be featured on the cover and inside pages of our October magazine edition, and this year entries again will be on exhibit at Alexander City’s Wine Emporium and Gallery 128. Submissions accepted in acrylics, oil, watercolor, pastels, pencil and photography. All entries must reflect life and scenes in Tallapoosa County. Each artist may submit up to three works of art. All entries must be framed, matted or mounted on boards and ready to hang. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes or monetary awards will be made. The contest is just for fun! A panel of local artists will judge the entries. Clearly mark each entry with the artist’s name, address and telephone number and deliver entries to the office of Lake Martin Living magazine on or before 5 pm September 23. The office is located at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, across from Benjamin Russell High School.

Please call magazine editor Betsy Iler at 256-234-4281 with questions or email editor@lakemartinmagazine. com.

Now accepting submissions through September 23, 2016 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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A Visit to Spectre

Two trees are all that is left of the spooky forest fabricated for the movie

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The Big Fish movie town still draws attention on an island below Millbrook Story by Mia Osborn Photos by Suellen Young, Audra Spears & courtesy of Lynn Bright

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ust a few miles property. south of Millbrook “I grew up in Montgomery, on a teardropand my husband and I lived shaped island in a there. When Bobby went to glassy lake, there Congress, Elmore County was sits a town that in his congressional district. So never was. we moved here in 2009 and built That’s a poetic way of saying a home on the river next door,” the idyllic town of Spectre from Lynn Bright said. the 2003 film Big Fish still exists Bright considers it an honor on Jackson Lake Island. But to the memory of her parents to there’s more to the island than keep up the property, and she just the film set; Jackson Lake loves seeing guests enjoy all Island has become a center for that the island has to offer. The lakeside activities, with guests 60-acre Jackson Lake Island is coming from as far away as filled with natural attractions for The "First Baptist Church" of Spectre is a Europe and Canada to enjoy the outdoor enthusiasts. popular wedding venue today fishing, camping and peaceful Anglers will find ample atmosphere of a town out of fishing opportunities on the calm time. waters of Jackson Lake, while more intrepid fishermen The island’s owners, Bobby and Lynn Bright, have can use the island’s boat ramp to sail up Gun Island worked to preserve and promote both the town and the Chute and into the Alabama River. Jackson Lake is an island since it became their responsibility. The island excellent spot for still water kayaking and canoeing, as originally belonged to Lynn’s parents. Following the well. death of her mother, she and Bobby – who was the The island has become a popular event destination mayor of Montgomery for 10 years – took over the in recent years. The Brights have added a pavilion with

Cypress trees grow around Jackson Lake Island

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bathroom facilities to keep up with demand and turned an existing bandstand into a screenedin “tree house” wrapped around the trunk of a huge tree on the island’s western side, a short walk away from Spectre.

“We thought, ‘what can we do with this?’

Our son came up with the idea of turning it into a tree house,” said Bright.

People can rent the pavilion, tree house or both for birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, family reunions and even weddings.

“Some people want to get married in front of the church in Spectre, so they’ll have the wedding on one end of the island and their reception on the other,” Bright explained.

It costs $3 per person to make use of Jackson Lake Island for the day, or $10 per person for those planning on an overnight camping trip.

Visitors leave their money in a metal box at the island’s gate before calling the Brights for the code that will let them gain access. Lynn Bright said the payment runs mostly on an honor system, but lately they have needed someone to man the gate on sunny days, not for security reasons, but to keep the traffic flowing smoothly as visitors cross the bridge in ever-greater numbers each summer.

The key reason for the island’s popularity is the decayed town of Spectre. When Bright’s family first agreed to the use of the property as a set location for the film, the crew was under contract to leave the island as they found it. But over the course of the nine months of construction and filming, the Brights fell in love with the town Burton’s people created.

“We were invited to watch the filming of the party scene, where all the townspeople dance in streets. It was so perfect, right down to the grass. That town, that night, would have taken your breath away,” said Bright.

Lynn and Bobby got to meet several of the actors, as well as director Tim Burton when then-mayor Bobby presented him with a Key to the City of Montgomery. As filming neared completion, the Brights started to think about changing their contract.

“As it got close to time, we thought, ‘Why would we ask them to tear it all down? People

The Welcome to Spectre sign still greets visitors just as it did when fliming began

Film crews constructed a falsefront Main Street for the movie

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Main Street Spectre was paved for the movie set

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One of the few six homes still standing

Visitors leave their shoes as they did in the movie

Jenny's house had to be removed after a flood, but the porch pillars are still standing.

The storefronts on Main Street did not stand the test of time and had to be torn down for safety reasons

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might want to see this,’” Lynn Bright said. have people from another state, if not another country,” As it turns out, they were right, but it took a while for said Bright. word to get out.

Visitors have come from as far away as Australia and “For the first eight, nine, 10 years, there was hardly France to see the remains of Spectre. Although Lynn any interest. A lot of people from the area didn’t even Bright loved being part of the experience of making Big know it was here,” she added.

Fish, originally she was lukewarm about the film itself; In that time, a lot of the town was lost. The film however, talking to fans of the film who travelled such crew had already aged the town’s buildings for the long distances to see Spectre changed her perception. latter scenes of the movie, “My love for the movie has when Ewan McGregor’s grown over time,” Bright said.

The new tree top character, Edward, returns “The more you watch it, the more pavilion can be to Spectre years after you understand the depth.” used for parties and his first visit to find it in Bright has been touched by the other events disrepair. On top of that, reactions of many of these guests, several parts of the set had to whom the story of Big Fish to be removed for safety meant so much. reasons, like the spooky “A couple of years ago, I forest constructed of reached a turning point in my love Styrofoam and metal that for the movie,” Bright recalled. “A Edward braved in order to man drove up from South Florida. reach Spectre.

His grown son had had cancer, “In very little time, and they’d had problems with it started becoming communication.” dangerous. The whole During the son’s illness, father forest was full of metal and son watched Big Fish together. spikes, weeds and vines.

The man said that connecting with My husband finally had to the father and son characters at get it out of here,” she said. the heart of the film opened up the The tilted house on lines of communication between the water’s edge, which him and his son, helping them to belonged to Helena heal their relationship.

Bonham Carter’s character, “Four or five weeks previous, also had to be removed his son had died. He stood at the after flooding left it unsafe to enter. The Brights left the gate and broke down crying. He said, ‘I had to get here. house’s porch pillars standing on the shore, along with a That movie changed our lives forever.’” plaque to mark the spot.

This and other similar stories have renewed the Another loss was the storefronts that lined Spectre’s Brights’ dedication to protecting what is left of Spectre. main street in the film. Soon after filming ended, the They recently added new, durable metal roofs to the false three-sided storefronts began to lean and collapse. metal buildings to shelter them from the elements.

When Bobby Bright tried to burn the remains of one of “Our attitude towards it has changed,” Bright said. the fallen structures, a stray spark drifted across the road “I’m really proud we kept it to some extent, but I feel and set the rest of Spectre’s commercial district on fire. bad we didn’t do a better job. Now, I’d do anything to “It burned to the ground,” said Bright. “I think we had make it last.” about 11 fire departments come to our rescue that day.”

Jackson Lake Island is located off Alabama River At first, the Brights believed they had been wrong Parkway, about 4.5 miles south of Millbrook. It can be about the town’s tourism draw. But that changed with accessed seven days a week during daylight hours. For the increase in social media outlets in the early 2010s. more information, visit the Facebook page at www.

“When social media picked up, they started coming facebook.com/JacksonLakeIsland/. from farther and farther away. Now every weekend we ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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Marion Powell Story by Mia Osborn Photos by Kenneth Boone

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allassee native Marion Powell has been preparing for her job for as long as she can remember. She just didn’t know it at the time.

Powell is the University of Alabama’s dance line coach.

“My mother taught dance in all the little towns in Elmore County for years,” Powell said.

As a child, she learned all types of dances and movements under her mother’s guidance, from jazz to ballet to acrobatics. Some of her earliest memories are of times when she created her own dance routines.

“I just love to choreograph. I used to go into Mother’s dance studio and play her records and make up

little routines and play with the costumes,” she said.

That enthusiasm never left Powell. In her early school years, she added baton twirling to her repertoire, a skill she took with her to the University of Alabama where she was a Crimsonette – one of the Million Dollar Band’s prestigious twirlers.

Powell completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Administration in 1978. Just before she graduated, then-director of the band Dr. James Ferguson asked her if she would like to stay on at the university as the Crimsonettes’ official choreographer. Powell was just 22 years old at the time, but she jumped at the opportunity.

And she’s coached the Crimsonettes ever since.

She held the position while working on a master’s degree, also in Business Education and Administra-

Powell takes a publicity shot with the 2016 Crimson Cabaret team

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tion. After completing her education, she turned all of her energy to choreographing and raising sons K.T. and Kasey alongside her husband and fellow University of Alabama graduate Mark Powell.

In 2004, Powell was invited to coach the Crimson Cabaret dance team in addition to the Crimsonettes. The position was a little different, mainly because the Crimson Cabaret is part of the university’s athletic department.

The new position meant a substantial increase Marion in the number of events Powell leads on Powell’s calendar. the Crimson “Crimson Cabaret is Cabaret in a a full time position in new routine athletics. I’ve had the Crimsonettes longer, but it’s part time,” Powell explained.

Each July, the Crimsonettes gather for an intensive 12-day training program in which they memorize new routines and cheers and perform acts of community service, such as putting on a show for kids at Tuscaloosa’s Belk Activity Center.

Once the school year begins, Powell must divide her time between rehearsals, exercise sessions and, of course, performances for both Crimsonettes and Crimson Cabaret, though the Cabaret has a more intense schedule.

The dance team only performs at one football game per year, but they are a feature at every men’s and women’s basketball game. The Crimson Cabaret also makes appearances at other University of Alabama sporting events, such as volleyball, tennis and soccer games and gymnastics competitions.

“The Crimson Cabaret schedule basically runs the whole year. They have workouts through the athletic department, and they practice about four times a week in addition to those workouts,” Powell said. “Then sometimes we have three or four events in one week!”

It’s a lot to handle, but Powell’s tireless efforts have yielded impressive results. Her choreography has been performed at nearly 350 football and basketball games, more than 20 bowl games, three national championship games and SEC championships. Under her instruction, the Crimson Cabaret has ranked in four national hip-hop and jazz dance competitions.

Powell said she is able to do it all because she is fueled by love.

“I have always loved the art of dance and the girls I work with. I have so much love for the university as well, and all the athletic events. The people who work in athletics are like a family,” she said.

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Powell has coached the University of Alabama dance team and majorettes since she graduated from the University of Alabama herself.

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Powell found it difficult to single out a favorite part of her work as coach.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one thing because this job’s the complete package,” she said.

Powell said that the success of the Crimsonettes or Crimson Cabaret teams requires a lot from her as coach, but also is tough on the team members. Crimson Cabaret dancers, in particular, need to hold themselves to the same standards as any of the other athletes at the university.

“It takes a really special person and really talented dancer because we do jazz, hip hop and all kinds of other routines, as well as all the band cheers for events,” she said.

All of the dancers of Crimson Cabaret have been in dancing since they were small children. Powell said girls who dream of a spot on the Crimson Cabaret team should start preparing early by taking care of themselves and seeking out quality training.

“It’s not something you can just say you want to do your senior year in high school. You have to be ready,” she said. “It takes preparation, as far as being healthy and really focused on good eating habits.

It’s not just getting ready for ball games.”

Powell has come a long way from that little girl who made up dances in her mother’s studio; and yet, today she’s doing what she dreamed of all those years ago – making up dance routines and creating spectacular shows for thousands of people to enjoy.

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Brushstrokes The fields and forest of her Titus homestead inspire the works of a Tallassee artist Story by Carmen Rodgers Photos by Suellen Young

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hen I was four years old, I got my farmhouse. first box of crayons. I remember Though Barksdale now lives in Montgomery, the Titus when I opened them up, it was homestead still feeds her artistic senses. It is here that she like the world opened up,” said keeps her horses and her memories of raising children Elmore County artist Carol Barks- and making friends at the small town’s New Home Bapdale, tist Church. whose art hangs for public and The horses have always Barksdale painted some private collections that include been part of her artistic exof the most notable Alabama Power Company, Enpression. At the age of six, she landmarks in Tallassee ergen Corporation and Moore drew her first book of them.

Wealth Management.

“I still have that book,” she Barksdale had three juried said. pieces in last year’s BienBarksdale started with the nial Montgomery Museum of basics and went from pen and Fine Arts show, and in 2011, inks to watercolor, a medium the University of Alabama’s that captures well the relaFerguson Gallery featured tionship between reality and her retrospective one-woman abstraction, often the interpreshow. Her work was included tive matter of her works. in the Smithsonian’s The Way “I love painting historic We Worked exhibit when it places, like the ones I did in visited Wetumpka, and she Tallassee – things that have has received numerous other meaning to people,” Barksdale honors and awards, but she said. paints from a small studio on The late publisher Jack 40 acres of horse pasture and Venable once commissioned timberland in Titus, where she Barksdale to paint his Tallassee and her first husband settled home, and the project lead to early in their marriage. her landmark work with the As the child of a U.S. serTallassee Chamber of Comviceman, Barksdale lived in merce. Barksdale created a Germany, Norway, the Philippines and Italy and visited series of watercolors depicting the town’s architectural the adjoining countries of France, Amsterdam and others. and historic structures, including the Hotel Talisi, House She graduated high school in Rome, and when her father of Seven Gables, the Fitzpatrick Bridge and others. retired at Maxwell Air Force Base and purchased a small “Even though it wasn’t a pretty structure, we did the plot of timberland in Elmore County, Barksdale attended mill because everyone had worked there,” Barksdale the University of Alabama. When she married, her father said. gifted the newlyweds with an acre of timberland. Shortly Her home portraits, horse paintings and abstracts after that, Barksdale and her husband purchased a Titus continue to be popular, but recently, the artist has been

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The country homestead is a place of pastures, peace and beauty where Barksdale finds inspiration

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commissioned to paint weddings.

“It’s a really fun thing to do, and there aren’t that many people who do it,” she explained.

Barksdale loves to share her love of art with children as well. She taught art with the Elmore County Public Schools’ 21st Century Community Learning Centers and is a great defender of arts programs in schools.

“There are so many people who, for them, the arts are their gift. It fosters so much, such as critical thinking, thinking outside of the box and all those great things,” she explained.

And she delights in art lessons with her grandson, Darwin.

Today, Barksdale continues to draw inspiration from her travels.

“Travel inspires my work in a lot of different ways.

I use soft colors to bring that mood, the tranquility, harmony and peace,” she said. “For the most part, it’s toned down soft, provocative colors. That’s how people recognize my work.”

While painting is a highly successful profession for Barksdale, it’s also an outlet of personal expression and a vehicle for self-identification.

“It’s a vital part of who I am. I know when I’m not painting. It’s something I try to do everyday. It centers me. It’s a very big part of who I am,” she said.

Barksdale is represented by Gallery One in Old Cloverdale and serves as the gallery’s president.

The studio is always ready

The farm includes 40 acres of pastures, meadows and timberland

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Tallassee Mills Delay Construction of Martin Dam For several years, the Tallassee Mills delayed the construction of Martin Dam through a court action. Under its official name of Mt. VernonWoodberry Cotton Duck Company at the time, mill management filed suit to stop the construction of the dam at Cherokee Bluffs. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In 1911, James Mitchell (1866-1920), a Canadian and pioneer American hydro and electrical system developer, and Thomas Wesley (Tom) Martin (1881-1964), a lawyer, businessman, industrial, scientist, civic leader and legal counsel for Tallapoosa River Hydro Development Group, visited Cherokee Bluffs on the Tallapoosa River, upstream from Tallassee.

Cherokee Bluffs was their first choice for their first dam on the Tallapoosa River. James Mitchell had been told by Dadeville, Alabama, land owners and entrepreneurs that Cherokee Bluffs was the prime dam site in eastern Alabama. It became their first choice, so Martin focused most of his attention on the Tallapoosa acquisition.

There was opposition to construction of a dam at Cherokee Bluffs by the Mt. Vernon-Woodberry Cotton Duck Company, a Baltimore, Maryland, company, as its Tallassee Mills, which were 67 years old, were powered by a water wheel. The Tallassee Mills management believed that a dam upstream at the bluffs would restrict its water

supply and reduce its production.

The Tallassee Mills, through its parent company, went to court to stop the project. Mitchell tried to compromise with the Tallassee Mills but failed.

The court case slowly worked its way through the Alabama courts, and the Alabama Supreme Court upheld Alabama Power’s right to build dams and sustained Thomas Martin’s argument that the Tallassee Mills would not be injured. The Tallassee Mills appealed each decision until it reached the Supreme Court of the United States.

On Jan. 24, 1916, in Mt. Vernon-Woodberry Cotton Duck Co. v. Alabama Interstate Power (1916) No. 240 U.S. 30, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the opinion siding with Alabama Power Company. He said that “the development of waterpower was for public use, and condemnation rights prevailed.”

After five years of legal battles and seven years later, the APCO began construction of Martin Dam on July 24, 1923. On Dec. 31, 1926, three years and five months later, it began producing hydroelectric power for Alabama and the Southeast.

The mill, which dated back to the 1840s, once produced cloth and guns for Confederate armies during the Civil War in the 1860s. It closed in 2005 and burned down earlier this year while the building was being dismantled.

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Bill Goss

BACK IN THE DAY Tallassee's

bill goss has been writing historical accounts for area magazines since

2003.

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Douthit creates characters around any theme

Brickwork Elmore County crafter puts personality in pavers

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Story & Photos by Jessica Johnson Anderson

oing into her workshop off the living room is just playing, said Gale Douthit, who moved a thriving Texas craft business to Elmore County last year.

Her workroom in the den of the home she shares with husband Jim Conner is fully stocked with half a dozen brick football players and a variety of mascots, doctors and policemen in various stages of completion.

Douthit transforms patio pavers and concrete bricks into bookends, paperweights, desk ornaments and college dorm décor.

Her methods may seem simple – she grinds out the roughness, coats on the paint and assembles the parts – but for Douthit, taking the process from the photo she first saw in a craft magazine to a successful business has been anything but simple.

The owner of GJD Designs said she never was

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a painter, so the idea that she now creates football players, doctors, policemen and every-and-any kind of animal under the sun still boggles her mind sometimes.

It started when she saw painted pavers in a craft magazine and couldn’t resist trying it out.

“I thought ‘I don’t paint, but what the heck, let me give it a shot.’ I tried it and thought it’s not too bad.

My first couple of ones, after I go back and look at them now, I think ‘whoa!’” she said.

But like most things, practice makes perfect, and for the last five years as her hobby, now GJD Designs, has grown, she’s sought out art classes and practices in her own workspace.

“I just continue on to do the best I can. It was just a cute little thing in a magazine,” she said.

Douthit battles sock and glove neuropathy, as well as arthritis, and has had four operations in each arm.

Depending on the weather, she will have good paint-

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Aubie is one of her most popular mascots

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ing days and bad painting days.

“If I know I am not going to have a good day of painting, I’ll just go sit in the living room with my pets and chill until the aspirin kicks in, and I can come back in here and play. Because that’s all this is, just playing,” she said.

Her love for the art is apparent, and she clearly does not let her various medical problems slow her down, as each brick takes about a week to progress from the grinding stage to completion.

“I like getting up in the morning, having breakfast, going through the mail and then coming in here and playing,” she said.

Jim Conner, Douthit’s husband, is responsible for grinding and priming the bricks, as well as cutting the wooden pieces that help the bricks really pop. He said he enjoys messing with the patterns and adding solid wood to the bricks enhances the designs and lends character and personality to the finished products.

After the grinding has been completed, Douthit polishes and primes each brick before painting the finished design.

No two pavers are exactly the same, so each of Douthit’s creations is a one-of-a-kind with details that separate it from other bricks, though the pieces do all have a number of design elements in common.

Each creation has an average of three wooden pieces. Typically, Douthit “orders” the parts she needs from Conner a few days ahead of time, allowing him enough time to get them done. Sometimes, she will order the parts and paint them but not paint the bricks themselves. By wrapping the parts in wax paper, she’s able to store them ready-to-assemble if she has a custom request for a specific design from her catalog.

“We do our best to try and figure out what customers want,” Douthit said about custom orders. “If

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a customer gives me a picture of something, I try to match it as best I can.”

She’s had some success with custom orders and especially loves being able to show someone a design that is a near exact replica of a beloved deceased pet, for example.

“We’ll do our best to make a cartoon-style brick of whatever someone wants,” she said.

Her catalog includes about 30 different designs that she’s tried and successfully mastered.

“Everyone seems to enjoy the little guys,” she added.

Originally from Texas, With the help of her Douthit had husband, Douthit a good folworks from a studio lowing in the in her Elmore Dallas-Fort County home Worth area, as she attended craft shows and received orders from word of mouth recommendations.

Last year brought her to Alabama, and the ElmoreCoosa county line, where she is working on building her following here.

“Over here, it doesn’t seem like people have seen these too often,” she said.

Her goal for the future is to find a few craft shows around her new home state where she can display her bricks and build a new following.

Priced around $30, bricks can be ordered or purchased directly from Douthit, or customers can visit River Perk in downtown Wetumpka to check out a sampling of the designs.

The bricks are catching on. Savannah Dart at River Perk said she can hardly keep them in stock, especially the Alabama and Auburn designs. Douthit’s Alabama and Auburn football players, as well as her Big Al and Aubie designs, sell quickly every time she gets them in.

“A lot of people like to buy one of each, a player and a mascot, and use them as bookends,” Dart says.

“They are so fun.”

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Get Vaccinated Summer is over – although, one may argue that the heat we’ve experienced lately is convincing evidence that summer remains in full swing. Maybe I should say that summer vacation is over because kids in the area are back in school.

Included with the many forms and documents required to enroll, school systems in Alabama and across the nation ask parents to provide proof that their children’s vaccines are up to date. There are always objections and questions about the safety, effectiveness and necessity of routine childhood vaccines.

All vaccines must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to being used in the United States. A vaccine must go through rigorous testing to show that it is safe and that it works before the FDA will grant approval.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health. Vaccines remain the most effective tool we have to prevent infectious diseases. The idea behind a vaccine is to give you immunity to a disease before it has a chance to make you sick.

And the data shows that vaccines really do work. The history and statistics of some of the most prevalent diseases bear witness.

For example, through the early 1920s, diphtheria was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases in the U.S. Vaccinating children against diphtheria began in the 1930s and 40s, and the disease began to disappear. Today, it is extremely rare for a doctor to even see a case of diphtheria, much less have a child die from it.

In 1962, the year before the measles vaccine was introduced, almost 500,000 cases of measles were reported in the U.S. Ten years after the vaccine came into use, there were about 32,000 cases. In 2015, only 189 cases of measles were reported.

As late as the middle of the 20th century, smallpox was one of the most devastating diseases the world had ever seen.

Millions died from it every year, but in 1967, war was declared on smallpox with a worldwide vaccination campaign. Twelve years later, smallpox was gone!

Parents in the 1950s were terrified as polio paralyzed children by the thousands. Then, a polio vaccine was developed, and now the fight against polio is nearly won. Soon, polio will join smallpox as nothing more than a bad memory.

Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the best defense we have today against influenza. While the vaccine will not prevent the flu, it does help make the illness more mild and greatly reduces flu-related hospital admissions across all age populations.

One of the best ways to protect children is to make sure they are up to date on all vaccinations. And adults need routine vaccinations, too.

Yes, throughout life – infants, toddlers, children, pre-teens, teens, adults and the elderly – everyone needs to be sure to receive all scheduled vaccines.

Contact your healthcare provider to check your and your family’s vaccination records. By making sure your vaccines are up to date, you can help prevent harmful diseases from affecting you and your family.

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Kathy Monroe

COMMUNITY CARE Kathy Monroe is the Assistant to the

Administrator and the CFO at Community Hospital.

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2016 Titles to Fall For

The fall season is almost upon us, and football stadiums locally and statewide will be packed with enthusiastic fans. When you are not cheering your favorite teams to victory on the gridiron, settle down in your local movie theatre for one of the many film treats this fall has to offer:

September

The Light Between Oceans – Based on the 2012 novel

by M.L. Stedman, this film adaptation stars Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) and Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs). Set during World War I, a lighthouse keeper and his wife adopt a baby girl who washes up in a lifeboat on their remote shores. This simple gesture sets the stage for a riveting emotional drama.

Sully – The gripping true story of the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s quick actions with his disabled plane saved the lives of his passengers on Jan. 15, 2009. The film is directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks as Sullenberger.

Snowden – Firebrand director Oliver Stone takes on the incredible untold personal story of the NSA’s Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who is considered a hero by some and a traitor by others. The always-fascinating Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Walk) stars in the title role.

The Magnificent Seven – Move over Yul Brynner! Here is a rousing remake of the beloved 1960s classic about seven gunmen in the Old West who come together to help a poor village combat a savage band of thieves.

Action director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Southpaw) is at the helm with a blended cast of exciting new faces,

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including Chris Pratt, along with screen icon Denzel Washington at the center of the action.

Queen of Katwe – Walt Disney Studios presents this engrossing biographical film of the life of Uganda chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. The film stars David Oyelowo, who gained notoriety in his role as Martin Luther King in the much-celebrated Selma, and Lupita Nyong’o, equally memorable for her Oscar-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave.

Miss Perrigine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Hopefully, this movie will help director Tim Burton rebound after his Alice Through the Looking Glass did a belly-flop into the pool of box office receipts this summer. Based on the popular young adult novel, this mystical, magical treat stars Eva Green, Allison Janney and the ubiquitous Samuel L. Jackson.

October

The Girl on the Train – For fans of Gone Girl and Hitchcockian suspense, this is a much anticipated fall treat based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel. Featuring an impressive cast that includes Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux, Allison Janney, Lisa Kudrow and Laura Prepon, along with top-notch director Tate Taylor (The Help). This thriller promises to be “right on track” (excuse the pun!).

The Accountant – By day, Ben Affleck serves as a small town CPA, and in his spare time he is an assassin for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. Get ready for non-stop action! Affleck is joined by Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back – This action-packed

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sequel to 2012’s Jack Reacher once again stars screen superman Tom Cruise. Based on Lee Child’s phenomenally successful character, get ready for plenty of bone-crunching thrills and assorted mayhem.

Inferno – Here is round three in author Dan Brown’s internationally bestselling series that started with The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. The ever reliable Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon in yet another effort to thwart yet another deadly scheme, this time with global implications. Blockbuster director Ron Howard is back behind the cameras once again.

November

Doctor Strange – Benedict Cumberbatch (TV’s Sherlock) brings the popular Marvel Comics hero to vivid life with strong support from the chameleon-like actress Tilda Swinton and screen beauty Rachel McAdams.

Trolls – From the creators of Shrek comes a funny and irreverent animated comedy graced with the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Gwen Stefani and many more. Justin Timberlake’s theme for the movie, “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” has already won the distinction of being one of the top songs this summer.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Fans will be in heaven with this Harry Potter spin-off/prequel that marks Potter author J. K.

Rowling’s screenwriting debut based on her novel of the same name. This eagerly awaited film, starring Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, is the first installment of a trilogy.

December

And for a peek into the Christmas season releases, LaLa Land is a modern day musical set in Los Angeles and starring the appealing screen duo of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

Many are excited about the Gosling and Stone screen reunion in that they garnered much critical acclaim for their romantic antics in 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Star Wars: Rogue One – Last year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens blasted off to extraordinary box office receipts and enthusiastic response from both audiences and critics. Expect more of the same with the release of this next installment that is centered on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. A surefire blockbuster!

Passengers – Columbia Pictures is releasing this futuristic science fiction adventure with box office golden children Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. An intriguing premise and early buzz could make this a solid box office winner.

So this fall, when you are heading out of the football stadium, make sure to swing by your local multiplex and “fall” into the delirious escapism of these cinematic treats!

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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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Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Review In the pantheon of video games, there are few franchises more immediately recognizable than Uncharted. The Naughty Dog-developed series has been Sony’s flagship property for the PlayStation 3 and 4, offering gamers what may be the most defining experiences on these platforms to date. Last month, Naughty Dog released its latest creation: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. To give Uncharted 4 a fair shake, we first have to compare the title to the last three games in the franchise. Many would argue that the series saw its strongest outing with the first game, Drake’s Fortune. From there, the studio experienced a decline in support for the franchise – at least in terms of review scores and critical opinion. The remarks many critics have made concerning Uncharted 4 have connoted a continued decline in quality, but I disagree wholeheartedly.

I think the bedrock of any good video game is the presence of a nuanced and human storyline. Time and time again, it is the video games that focus on the emotions and motivations of characters that accumulate Game of the Year awards. The Last of Us, Grand Theft Auto V and Dragon Age: Inquisition are all examples of recent winners. Each of these titles has great action and graphics, but what sets them apart is their dedication to storytelling.

Uncharted 4 is a masterclass in this aspect. The title draws in various historical elements, much like previous games, but never falters to the supernatural. It feels like an Indiana Jones movie without all the hocus-pocus.

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The previous games in this franchise have all had enemies that weren’t based in reality, and leaving this particular aspect in the series’ wake is refreshing. The decision illuminates the characters in this adventure, shoving them into center stage. Naughty Dog took the handicap off, jumping on the very real challenge of crafting story

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from realistic, human characters.

This isn’t to say that Uncharted 4 is light on adventure or mystery, but it approaches the task of storytelling with an inherent value placed on character development. You see the main character, Nathan Drake, as a child. We all know who Drake is, but Uncharted 4 answers why he is; furthermore, this is the one game in the series in which the player interacts with Nathan Drake’s brother, Sam, on a frequent basis.

Being that this is Naughty Dog’s first game published on the PlayStation 4, fans wondered if the studio could bring the same graphical fidelity as they did at the beginning of the PlayStation 3’s life cycle. I would tend to argue that Uncharted 4 is – without any doubt – the most beautiful game I have ever played.

The developers are obviously trying to show off what the PlayStation 4 is capable of with this game. Each chapter in the story takes players to new and exciting environments. There are immersive nuances to each of these game worlds that really draw in the players.

In one instance, I shot a rock on the side of a mountain, triggering a landslide.

This attention to detail persists throughout the experience of Uncharted 4. While inclusions such as this aren’t necessary to produce a stellar video game, the bar has certainly been raised.

While I could fawn over Uncharted 4’s attention to detail forever, I’ll mention a particularly memorable section near the end of the title. Drake and his brother have made it to an island that is covered in lush jungle, the ground wet from a previous rain. The deluge has made conditions muddy, and the climbing that Drake must endure becomes all the more treacherous. When the sun finally comes out from behind gray storm clouds, light hits the leaves and plants of the island in a stunning display of pixelated elegance.

Naughty Dog has done their homework, and with an assuredly high budget, the result is absolute perfection. Fellow developers will be hard-pressed to create something this gorgeous until the next

console generation rolls around.

So, what about Uncharted 4’s gameplay? Next to story, I’d tend to agree that this is the most important quality of any good video game. This is the one area of Uncharted 4 that I feel needs some work.

The game is built on a cinematic foundation, which offers some pretty amazing interactions with its various structures and environments. Gunplay, including action sequences, feels well devised, and players will never want for better sound design. Beneath all of this sheen lies a particularly cumbersome attempt at the suspension of disbelief.

Uncharted’s Nathan Drake is the thief of thieves – he’s cunning, daring and adept at nearly everything that might be dubbed masculine. He’s the definition of an everyman, and fans can relate to him.

While this notion might be true as far as Drake’s personality is concerned, there’s a very clear disconnect when it comes to the real world. Some of the situations in which Nathan Drake is placed seem completely inescapable. The protagonist dispatches hundreds of well-armed enemies with ease and – at many points – climbs to heights that would have most trembling in fear; most of these climbs are preposterous at best. Uncharted isn’t the first series to feature these tendencies, but if Naughty Dog is going to sell Nathan Drake as a relatable character, I have to call them out.

In conclusion, this is probably the best game in the Uncharted franchise. The only gripes I have with the game are based purely upon personal grievances, and if I had to give the game a numbered score, there’s little argument I could present that would penalize it to the point of missing perfect marks. Uncharted 4 is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular achievements in video games history. If you’ve got 13 hours to spare and a hankering for adventure, you’d be committing video game heresy by ignoring the offerings presented by Nathan Drake and crew.

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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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OUT & ABOUT

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River & Blues Music & Art Festival Downtown Wetumpka July 16, 2016

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1. Heather Maddox, Karen Sutherland, Ashley Milan and Kurstin Griste 2. Daisy, Jake Boddie, Brooke Bianchi and Kadra Saint 3. Katie and Willie Wright 4. Hope Smith, Kaylee Wilson and Rodney Smith 5. Jada Alexander and Terrence Dunn 6. Kieran and Sara Powell, Amber Dickinson, Sydney and Josh Sadler 7. Finley Patton and Evelyn Holmes 8. Reba Steele, Kim Rawls, Sandra and Tyra Humphrey, Maretta Hunt, Sandra Matthews and Kathy Patmon

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Miss Tallassee Pageant

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Tallassee High School July 23, 2016 1. Matiece Jackson and Malea Fitzpatrick 2. Zoey Potts 3. Autumn Faith Varden 4. Paige Bruner 5. Harper Davis, Natalie Ellis, Taylor Holley and Olivia Kate Ellis 6. Allie Owens 7. Addison Sullivan 8. Caitlyn Emfinger

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Anne of Green Gables Millbrook Theater July 28, 2016 1. Lily Hillman 2. Randy Burdick and Joyce Carlson 3. Daniel Young, Craig Kenady and Nate Greenawalt 4. Jerry Keel and Michael Snead 5. Kelsey, Makenna and Ruth Blazer

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6. Amber and Jennifer Gay 7. Sarah Missildine and Emily Burdick 8. Tracey Quates, Lisa Kenady, Ginger Collum, Lynn Fanning, Shea Jackson and Wanda Harms 9. Beth and Sherry Pratt, Sherry Phillips, Kathy Brooks and Lisa and Brent Missildine

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Girls’ Club Luncheon Kountry Kitchen, Eclectic July 13, 2016

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1. Judith Parker, Clair Esco and Bennie Edwards 2. Anita Holley and Kitty Graham 3. Pat Colvard and Peggy Estes Jones 4. Vanessa Bowe 5. Geraldine Walles and Arlene Wasson 6. Jonny McCune and Edna Dean Martin

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7. Wanda Bard, Jackie Stearns, Penny Holley 8. Celia Baggett, Vanie Thompson and Kathy Corbitt 9. Mary Macheak and Verdi Nummy 10. Jean Pearson 11. Jennifer Searcy 12. Mack Daugherty 13. Karen Dunson

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OUT & ABOUT

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Back to School Bash, City Hall

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Tallassee August 9, 2016 1. Mckinley Robinson and Keith Mann 2. Zadian Hooks 3. Charity Priest 4. Terrel Brown and Rob Rygiel 5. Rick Golden and Mike Allard

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6. Raynlynn Clayton, Taylor Clayton, Corianne Bennett and Chloe Mayfield 7. Johnny Hammock 8. Tristan Fannin, Stephanie Carter, Crystal Lawson, Brenda Lawson, Jacob Lawson and Katelyn Fannin 9. Burnette Hooks and Shelia Jones

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First Day of School for Wetumpka High School & Wetumpka Middle School August 8, 2016 1. Tremeca Jackson 2. Samantha Curvin, Jill Corbin, Sherry Nowell, Lucy Loftin and Andre Harrison 3. Teresa Wingard, Angie Shaw, Belena Millergren 4. Mike Hale, Torrie Price 5. Gwendolyn Cole, Tressie Smith 6. Drew Glass, Robert Slater, Benetta Eutsey, Nick Davis, Rahman Bell

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OUT & ABOUT

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River Region Women in Business

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Wetumpka Civic Center July 21, 2016 1. Paula Sargent 2. Shay Irvine and Jennifer Mendez 3. Summer McDade, Carol Jean Boyd and Lisa Pinson

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4. Savannah Dart 5. Sharon Alexander and Terri Mitchell

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First Day of School Wetumpka Elementary August 7, 2016 1. Daniel Anderson 2. Caleb Coalson 3. Kenzie Dasinger 4. Cody Fletcher 5. Darnell Smith 6. Jozef Cardenas-Miszkiel 7. Kaleb Bonasera 8. Allanah Williams

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Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Aug. 19 Friday On The Green

Join the fun at the Russell Crossroads Town Green.

The featured entertainment will be shadowood, playing from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kids and pets for live music, lawn games and time with family and friends.

Sept. 2 Friday On The Green

This Friday’s free concert on the Russell Crossroads Town Green will feature The Bank Walkers from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kids and pets for live music, lawn games and time with family and friends.

alize their service and sacrifice. For more information, contact the commission office at 334-514-5841.

Sept. 13 Wetumpka Business and Healthcare Fair

Wetumpka's biggest business event of the year will be held at the Wetumpka Civic Center at 410 S. Main St. from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To get a space for your products and services, call Jamie Young at 334-5674811. Spaces sell out fast, as this event historically has more than 500 in attendance. Best way to get fast exposure for your products and services.

Sept. 20 Seeing Is Believing

The Community Garden Club members will be up early cooking pancakes for all to enjoy from 8 a.m until 10 a.m. on holiday weekend Saturdays. Come by the Artist’s Cabin and feed the family and help out the garden club.

Kathie Buntin and Bennie Kennedy of Dothan will offer a lesson in flower arranging at this Tuesdays with Kelly program at noon in the Kelly Fitzgerald Memorial Gallery at 408 S. Main St., Wetumpka.

Charlotte Henderson will play the flute. Refreshments will be provided by Rumbling Waters Arts Club. Bring a sack lunch; drinks and desserts will be provided at this free program. Open to the public. Door prizes will be awarded.

Sept. 4 Labor Day Weekend Concert at The AMP

Sept. 24 16th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival

Sept. 3 Russell Crossroads Community Garden Club Pancake Breakfast

The summer concert series at The AMP comes to a dramatic close as concert goers of all ages gather for the final event of the year. The AMP has hosted quality entertainers like Blue’s Traveler, Sister Hazel, Trotline, Shooter Jennings, Corey Smith and others for the unofficial end to the summer. This year will be no exception. See the facing page article for details on this year's concert and visit The AMP on Lake Martin on Facebook, www.theamponlakemartin.com or call 256-397-1019 for details to come on this year’s concert event.

The toe-tappin’ and fiddlin’ begin at 10 a.m. at the Titus Community Center. Banjos, mandolins, fiddles and guitars take center stage at this family-friendly festival. Browse the arts and crafts booths while the music plays until 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and over; children admitted free. Bring a lawn chair.

Bands include Clear Blue Sky, County Clare and Dustin Benson Band. Visit the Titus Bluegrass Festival Facebook page for details. For booth rental, call Judy May at 334-567-7327.

Sept. 12 9-11 Memorial Rededication

Oct. 1 5th Annual Louise M. Smith Center Bass Classic

Join the Elmore County Commission as they continue to honor every county member of the armed forces to be deployed since Sept. 11, 2001, to memori-

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Anglers from all across Alabama will vie for door prizes, food and cash awards in this friendly fish-

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Labor Day at The AMP The music starts at 6 p.m. at the Lake Martin Amphitheater at Kowaliga on Sunday, Sept. 4. Rexton Lee will get the annual Labor Day Concert at The AMP warmed up, followed by The Bank Walkers, The Bama Gamblers and Nashville, Tennessee’s, The Vegabonds.

It’s another great night to relive the glorious summer of 2016 and bid farewell to long, lazy days in the sun until next year. Gates open at 5 p.m., and tickets to the closeout event at The AMP are just $10. Bring a cooler, snacks and a blanket to the grassy hillside overlooking Lake Martin.

Good friends and good times will ensue.

Rexton Lee, an Alexander City native who started playing guitar at 13 years of age, won a recording contact with Sony/ATV Tree Publishing after an appearance on a local television show. Now based in Nashville, he remains a popular entertainment artist at home.

The Bank Walkers will follow Lee’s introduction to the evening’s music with a songlist of Southern and classic rock and roll hits. This collection of local professionals is always a favorite any time they step to the stage.

The Bank Walkers will yield the stage to The Bama Gamblers. This five-piece band from Auburn will rev up the night with classics and current sounds from their Iron Mountain debut album, as well as showcase some their new music.

The Vegabonds, led by Daniel Allen, will end the evening with their seamless harmonies, instrumentation and heartfelt tunes, such as Hope She’s Still Mine, and crowd pleasers like Where We Used to Go and What We’re Made Of. This is the last big blowout of the summer, so bring a lawn chair and make a great night of it at The AMP. Purchase tickets at www.theamponlakemartin.com/tickets. The Lake Martin Amphitheater is located on Kowaliga Road in Eclectic.

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Introducing Children to Nature Aimed at adults, the Alabama Nature Center’s Thursday Night Program on Sept.

15 will benefit scouts, youth groups and kids of all ages. Introducing Children to Nature will give parents, grandparents, teachers, scout leaders and church youth group leaders the tools they need to get children interested in being outdoors. In addition to games and special activities that can be done in their own backyards, participants will learn safety tips and take a short hike on the ANC trails.

Meet in the Main Hall at the Nature Center at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Bring your own dinner at 5:30

p.m. and take a stroll through the Discovery Hall. The program begins at 6 p.m. Admission is just $5. For information, call 800-822-9453.

For information about Saturdays in September at ANC, visit the website at www.alabamawildlife.org/ alabama-nature-center/.

ing tournament to benefit programs for adults with intellectual disabilities and early infant education intervention programs. Entry fee is $110 per boat. First prize is guaranteed $2,000; second wins $750; and third wins $500. If more than 50 boats enter, fourth and fifth place prizes may be awarded. For information, contact Jess Butrica at 334-365-4054 or smithctr. jess@yahoo.com.

ville Road. Lunch and registration start at 11:30 a.m. with the ball drop and putting contest at 12:30 p.m.

Shotgun start for the tournament at 1 p.m. Entry fee for a foursome is $260; individual golfers at $65 each.

Sponsorships available; door prizes are needed. Call Jamie Young at 334-567-4811 for information.

Oct. 1 Coosa River Challenge

The inaugural century ride will include three routes covering parts of four counties (Elmore, Tallapoosa, Macon and Montgomery). For details, contact Michone Roye at the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce, 334-283-5151.

Join the adventure of this year’s mountain biking, trail running, river paddling challenge! Two-person teams will take from three to six hours to complete the course, which is tame enough for the novice but still holds challenge for experienced racers. Pick up race packets at the pre-event party on Sept. 30. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Swayback Bridge Trailhead and ends in downtown Wetumpka. For entry fees and other information, email info@coosariverchallenge.com.

Oct. 7

4th Annual Building Fund Golf Tournament

Make plans now for the 2016 Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Building Fund Golf Tournament at Quail Walk Golf & Country Club, 2110 Holt-

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Oct. 15 Dam Century Bike Ride

Oct. 15 Angel Fest

St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church will host this annual event on the church grounds at 5941 Main St., Millbrook. Artisan vendors, silent auction, entertainment, bake sale, free children’s play area with games, prizes and horse rides. Concessions and Boston butt sale. Contact a church member to pre-order.

Vendor booth space is $20. Proceeds at this event fund community outreach in area schools, W.E.L.C.O.M.E., Christ Café, Alabama Angels Pageants and more. For information, contact Kim Bell at 334-285-3905.

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Season-Long Events Tallassee Civitan Club

The Civitans meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays 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. preceeds 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 Titus 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.

grass Jam. Scrappers and papercrafters are encouraged to attend Sit and Scrap. All sewers and knitters are welcome at Sit and Sew. For complete details, call 334-578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org.

Santuck Flea Market

The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month at 7300 Central Plank Road, Highway 9 in Wetumpka.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

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

Master Gardeners Lunch and Learn

Millbrook Farmers’ Market

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. Event is free and open to the public. Drinks provided. For information, call 334-567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.

Jasmine Hill Gardens

The quilters meet the second Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the City of Wetumpka Administrative Building. For information, call 334-451-2493.

Pick up fresh produce from 8 a.m. until noon at the Village Green in Millbrook every Tuesday all summer long. Early birds will find some growers who arrive before 8 a.m. Support your local growers and enjoy the market.

Alabama’s “Little Corner of Greece” will open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31. Admission is charged. For information, visit www.jasminehill.org or call 334-263-5713.

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 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments and skill levels are welcome at the Blue-

Busy Bee Quilters

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.

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 the Elmore County Living ‘Coming Up!’ pages, email information to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com by the first of the month.

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Business & Service Directory

Bark the Park 2016 in

Sept. 18 • 1-5 pm

Fort Toulouse, Wetumpka

Microchip Clinic Pets can be micro-chipped for $25.00

The Humane Society Of Elmore County

255 Central Plank Road • Wetumpka, AL 334-567-3377 hselco@bellsouth.net

334-567-7811 Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic

Eclectic Town Hall Moose's Eclectic Library Johnson’s Furniture Tropical Tan Zone 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 Gene Jones Insurance

Montgomery

Publix – Atlanta Highway

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Wetumpka

Publix – Zelda Rd Publix - Vaughn Rd Publix - Taylor Rd

Prattville

Publix – Cobbs Ford Road

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 Ben Atkinson Motors

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 Wachovia Bank BB&T Jackson Thornton Lee’s Auto Repair McQuick Printing Company Hankins Insurance Hog Rock BBQ Wetumpka YMCA

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

Adams Drugs Bell Chiropractic Wetumpka Urgent Care Aliant Bank 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

Our Advertisers • To Join, Call 334-567-7811 Alabama Power.............................................................................. 5 1 Alabama State Employee Credit Union.............................................. 1 3 Collier Ford...................................................................................... 7 Community Hospital.......................................................................... 3 Jackson Thornton.............................................................................. 5 Jeffcoat Funeral Home....................................................................... 5 Karen's Mane Tamers...................................................................... 4 8 Kowaliga Whole Health.................................................................. 4 8 Lake Martin Mini Mall.............................................................................2 Mark's Service Center.............................................................................7 OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery......................................................4 9 Russell Lands on Lake Martin..................................................................5 2 Tallassee Health & Rehab, LLC............................................................ 7 The Humane Society of Elmore County............................................... 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 Molly Brethauer At 334-567-7811 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092

Wetumpka Health & Rehabilitation LLC................................................ 7

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525 Hos pital Drive, Suite B , We tu m p k a , A L 3 6 0 9 2 • 3 3 4 -2 7 9 -9 3 3 3 W W W . O B G Y N M O N T G O M E RY. C O M ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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'Quickle' your taste buds M.K. 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 to-

matoes in her backyard.

Many years ago, I came across a prize find: The stained recipe card for a family favorite, Glad’s Pickles. They are sort of an icicle pickle that only uses the flesh of the cucumber.

On one of my first trips to Alabama to visit my Sweetheart’s family, I decided that I wanted to make these pickles. It was the best way to meet the whole family. Everyone pitched in, offering advice, donating crocks, peeling 14 pounds of cukes and generally stopping by to check on progress. It literally took a tribe to make them, as this pickle recipe is more of a multi-day chemistry experiment that involves lime, alum and multiple soaks and rinsings.

By chance, I stumbled on a recipe that would satisfy my need for a sweet-and-sour pickle without the 96-hour investment. I found a dish of chunked up cukes and sliced white onions dressed in vinegar with a little sugar added on a Sunday dinner table. They were freshly made, and these didn’t sit in vats of lime. They were simply whipped up right before lunch.

What could be simpler? And they sure hit the spot for something tangy and crunchy to perk up the roast and peas.

So I started experimenting, starting with cucumbers. I quickly branched out to whatever fruits or vegetables were fresh and available, adjusting pickling times from eat-rightaway to leave-in-the-fridge-for-aweek-or-so. I substituted acids and sweeteners, added spices and herbs and combined all sorts of items to see what would fit. Watermelon and radish anyone? Black-eyed peas and jalapeño?

I found that the sky is the limit! I could quick-pickle just about anything!

There are a few basic rules to this ‘quickling,’ but other than these, you can let your imagination roam to make use of the season’s bounty of fresh produce.

The Basics

Start with a basic pickling juice of one part vinegar and one-half part sugar and salt. For every cup of vinegar,

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add ½ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of salt. Combine and bring to a simmer just until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Taste it. This is the ratio that I like, but you can adjust to fit what you like.

Acids to Add

Plain vinegar, apple vinegar, rice vinegar, half vinegar and half lemon juice or lime juice. Don’t use all citrus, as it will break the veggies down to mush.

Sweeteners

White sugar, brown sugar, honey, cane syrup.

You can even use artificial sweeteners, like Splenda.

Adding Flavors

Toss flavoring ingredients into the pot with the pickle juice to flavor the brine before adding veggies. You can use pickling spice mix, plain mustard seeds, chili peppers, herbs, garlic or pretty much whatever appeals to you. One of my favorites is curry powder. Add about a tablespoon total of flavoring.

Once the brine is simmered, pour it over the veggies. For softer produce, wait until the brine has cooled. For harder veggies – like turnips, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower – pour the brine over the vegetables while it is hot to soften them just a little.

You can pack the veggies in a jar before pouring on the brine or just use a glass bowl.

And these treats can be eaten right away, but most improve after a few hours of chill time. You can keep them in the fridge for up to a week.

Here are some of my favorite combinations: Cucumber and red onion with apple cider vinegar, cane syrup and pickling mix.

Carrots (sliced thin), shallots (or white onion) with rice vinegar, honey, curry powder, garlic clove and red pepper flakes.

Watermelon, radish and red onion with white vinegar, sugar and pink peppercorns. The whole batch will turn a gorgeous shade of pink.

Pickled peaches with white vinegar and lime juice, honey and black pepper. This is best eaten right away or at least within 24 hours.

Corn, black bean, onion, jalapeños with apple vinegar, sugar, cumin and chili powder. You can use fresh corn, but canned is OK, too. This makes kind of a pickled salsa that is delish on tacos. Or scoop it straight out of the jar with a corn chip.

ELMORE COUNTY LIVING

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