OPINION: HATS OFF TO THOSE BATTLING TRASH, PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE
DECK THE FOUNTAIN, PAGE 6
December 8, 2016
Mrs. Dannewitz (played by Lacey Howell) and her daughter Leah (Anna Claire Stark) are the first villagers to visit Hans Lumpert (Keith Garrett) in his cobbler shop on Christmas Eve Day in the Alexander City Theatre II production of “The Vision” by William Grandgeorge. The play will be broadcast at 7 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night on local television station WAXC.
Vol. 124, No. 246
Alex City Theatre II to air ‘The Vision’ tonight STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Alexander City’s community theatre tonight will present their first Christmas production, a broadcast of the holiday drama, “The Vision” by William Grandgeorge. The show will air on WAXC TV, the local television station, at 7 p.m. and will re-run tomorrow at 7 p.m., as well as several more times throughout the Christmas season. The play features local actors, Betsy Iler / The Outlook
including 15 area children, in the retelling of an old Bavarian folk tale about a humble shoemaker named Hans Lumpert who has a vision that Christ will come to his shop on Christmas Eve Day. But the entire village knows that Hans Lumpert is the last person Christ would visit if he came to town; Hans hasn’t been to church in years, and he has such a Bah! Humbug! Christmas attitude that last year, he chased the carolers away. Still, Hans, played by Alexander City’s Keith Garrett, persists in
his belief that Christ will come all throughout the day as customers stop at his cobbler shop. Also featured in the Alexander City Theatre II (ACT II) production are Rodney Meadows, Stephanie Childers, Rob Iler, Luke Grier, Lacey Howell, Anna Claire Stark, Jacob Iler, Scott Riley, Betsy Iler, Allie Reams, Stephany Sasser, Alexis Carter, Lily Jones, Olin Childers and Journee Culpepper, along with Lilly Coker, Shae Walls, Lauren Tidwell, Nicole Easterwood, See THEATRE • Page 3
City extends search for finance director
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
See PARK • Page 9
Sports, page 10.
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Christmas in the Park set for Saturday For the second year, kids of all ages can fulfill their dreams of outdoor iceskating as the Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department hosts Christmas in the Park Saturday at the Sportplex. This year’s event takes on special meaning. “In memory of the passing of our beloved coworker, Jennifer Jones Baker, we dedicate this year’s Christmas in the Park to her and her loved ones,” Corley Holt said. “We want to embrace all that she stood for: faith, family, community and love.” Baker passed away this past weekend after a courageous battle with cancer. After drawing thousands to the Sportsplex last year, Parks and Recreation Director Sonny Wilson said the department brought back the ice skating rink and
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
CES General Manager Barry Holdridge and co-owner Jay Harris watch sheets of compressed paper roll off the line at the plant in the former Russell Double Knit Building in Alexander City.
OUTSIDE THE BOX Local company thriving in former Russell building By MITCH SNEED Editor
Ever wonder who actually makes the hard, narrow spine inside a three-ring binder? Have you thought about what’s inside the material on the arm and back of a chair or sofa and consider where it came from? Ever buy a piece of furniture that you had to assemble that has the thin bot-
tom, sides and back that fit together to make the drawers? Owners Todd Smith and Jay Harris along with General Manager Barry Holdridge of CES Industries have thought about those things and found ways to make them and make them well right here in our area. CES has been up and running in the former Russell Corp. Double Knit See CES • Page 3
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City’s search for a permanent finance director has been extended, but city leaders say progress is being made on getting finances in order. City Council President Tommy Spraggins said at Monday’s meeting that the city extended the search until the first of the year in hopes of finding a better pool of candidates. The deadline for submitting applications had been Nov. 25. “We have extended the search for a director of finance in hopes of receiving more quality applicants,” Spraggins said. “In doing so, we have gotten some additional resumes this week that we feel pretty good about. “Finding the right person for the position is vital. So we plan to leave the search open until the end of the year and hopefully move forward at that time.” The city has been without a paid finance director from the time the new council and mayor were sworn in. One of the first acts by the newly installed city See FINANCE • Page 3
Lake Martin
Local high schools to perform Christmas concerts tonight
Lake Levels Hallmark honored 483.37 by state of Israel
Reported on 12/7/16 @ 5:30 p.m.
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
A number of area schools will hold their annual Christmas concerts Thursday, however anyone wishing to attend one will need to make their choice early because they will not be able to attend them all. The bands and choirs of Benjamin Russell High School and Dadeville High School in Tallapoosa County will gather in their auditoriums tonight to perform a number of holiday favorites and traditional Christmas tunes. BRHS will begin at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, while DHS principal Chris Hand said their concert See CONCERTS • Page 9
Dr. Gerald Hallmark, retired senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Alexander City, was recognized on Dec. 1, by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism for his long-term commitment to the promotion of the Holy Land. Dr Hallmark was invited to the Ministry of Tourism Headquarters in Jerusalem where he was honored with a reception and received a citation and plague during his 15th pilgrimage to Israel. Minister Yariv Levin stated that Hallmark is, “a true friend of Israel, and we thank you for your support and solidarity which are deeply appreciated. Levin went on to name Dr. Hallmark a Goodwill Ambassador for Israel. A rabbi gave a blessing in Hebrew on Pastor See HALLMARK • Page 3
Submitted / The Outlook
Retired Alexander City pastor Dr. Gerald Hallmark was recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism for his longterm commitment to the promotion of the Holy Land.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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