Jan. 2, 2018 Alex City Outlook

OPINION: WHY JOURNALISTS ARE A DIFFERENT BREED.

TUESDAY

THE CAMBER PULSE, PAGES 9-10

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

Business news inside

SPORTS, PAGE 10 A look back at the best of 2017

January 2, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 1 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

JOURNEY COMPLETE Mallard says ride through Lake Martin community was a highlight of his horseback trek

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Jonathan Mallard’s horseback ride across Tallapoosa County on his way from Florida to Missouri captured the imagination of the residents across our community.

Newspapers come out every day, so another group of stories and news items are published and read like clockwork. That means stories we read today often are forgotten tomorrow as they become yesterday’s news.

But not all of them.

The story of Jonathan Mallard who rode through our area late last spring on horseback as part of a cross-country journey to rediscover America is one that had people talking for

weeks..

Mallard, a 50-year-old Florida man, said he was at a point in his life where all the negative things he was seeing on television about politics and humanity had become too much. He decided to climb aboard his horse Lady near Orlando Florida last March, with a goal of riding to Uniontown, Missouri. The plan was to meet people, get by any way that he could and see what America was really all about.

In late May and early June he passed through Tallapoosa County and he made friends See JOURNEY • Page 3

Qualifying for 2018 races set to begin

Virginia man hit with drug charges

Local parties establish rules to seek various offices

More than 2 pounds of pot seized in bust

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

2018 will be a busy year for elections in Alabama. Not only are all seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives up for grabs, but the office of governor and a number of spots at the local level will also be included on the ballot in November.

For those interested in running for elected office, there are certain steps they must take in order to be able to do so. Denise Bates with the Tallapoosa County Republican Party explained what any potential GOP candidate from Tallapoosa County would need to know in order to meet these qualifications, while Carol Gowen of the Tallapoosa County Democrats and the Alabama Democratic Party website provided similar information for interested Democrat officeseekers. “Anyone wanting to run for a county office has to qualify through the county party, while federal and state offices and circuit judges have to go through the state party,� Bates said.

The qualifying window for candidates in either party opens on Jan. 8 and closes promptly at 5 p.m. on Feb. 9. In order to apply to be put on the ballot, all See QUALIFYING • Page 3

By MITCH SNEED Editor

FROZEN IN TIME Alexander City awoke Monday morning to start a new year facing frigid temperatures. A low of 19 degrees was recorded and it felt even colder as the wind whipped with gusts up to 15 mph. Meteorologists say that the wind chill dropped to a low of 8 degrees.

No matter how you look at it – it was cold. Above, the fountain in the roundabout in downtown Alexander City more resembled a holiday ice sculpture than a fountain as the water froze to a trickle and the greenery became icicles. Left, the digital thermometer at Express Lube on Highway 280 showed the days low of 19 degrees just after 6 a.m. as the sun rose. It appears that we will stay below freezing tomorrow, and drop back down into the 17-degree range early Wednesday morning. So take precautions for your plants, pipes, pets and of course yourself if you must be outside.

Autism advocacy group names Whatley Legislator of the Year

Senator Tom Whatley, left, received his award at the Autism Law Summit in San Diego.

Left to right are Whatley, Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, and State Senator Cam Ward who were also honored. Whatley (R- Auburn) represents a large portion of Tallapoosa County in the state senate.

By MITCH SNEED Editor

State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) was named a “Legislator of the Year� at the national Autism Law Summit, a conference in San Diego that brought together over 200 autism service providers, lawyers, state and federal lawmakers, and parents of children with autism.

Whatley, who represents Tallapoosa County in the state Senate, co-sponsored a bill in the 2017 session of the Alabama

Submitted / The Outlook

Today’s

Lake Martin

Weather Lake Levels

37 22 High

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

A Virginia man got a trip to the Tallapoosa County Jail after his failure to stop at a stop sign and use a turn signal resulted in a find that got him busted for drug trafficking.

According to Sgt. Fred White of the Tallapoosa Melton County Narcotics Task Force, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a routine traffic stop on StillWaters Drive in Dadeville Friday evening. The initial contact with the offender was developed after the deputy observed the driver run a stop sign and fail to use a turn signal. “After talking with the driver, a very strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle,� White said.

A search of the vehicle was done and See BUST • Page 3

Low

Legislature that required insurance companies to offer coverage for autism treatment. On May 19, Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law, making Alabama the 46th state to ensure insurance coverage for the treatment of autism. “Senator Whatley was our bill sponsor in the Senate - he eagerly volunteered to carry the bill and was key to getting it out of the Senate,â€? said Michael Wasmer, the Alabama State Director for Autism Speaks, a national non-profit dedicated to See WHATLEY • Page 3

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Both patience, pocketbook worn thin by grandkids

Wednesday

42 20 Low

High

Clear and extremely colds

Thursday

35 17 Low

High

Hard Freeze Warning in place

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press.

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

Postal

Information

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries Wendell Howell Moody 1940 - 2017

Funeral Service for Wendell Howell Moody, 77, of Alexander City, will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Bice Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 1, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Mr. Moody passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Russell Medical. He was born on August 31, 1940 in Tallapoosa County to Robert Frank Moody and Thelma Eunice Gamble Moody. Mr. Moody worked and retired from Russell Corporation. He loved his family dearly. He also was a car enthusiast, and enjoyed his friends while working in his shop,

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Outlook

© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

Alabama football, and his dog Scutz.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Elizabeth Melton Moody of Alexander City, daughter, Laurie Lynn Moody of Alexander City, son, Lee R. Moody (Tara) of Birmingham, grandchildren, Jack Henry Moody, and Harry Patrick Moody both of Birmingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Onley Moody, F.D. Moody, sisters, Myrtis Oliver, Imogene Moore and Shirlene Claunch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Duncan Memorial UMC or Bice Cemetery.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

DEAR ABBY: I recently moved back home to help take care of my mom. We get along well, but there’s one major issue. She has to care for my brother’s four kids every day and is pretty much raising them. Because they are loud, whiny, rude and demanding, my mother snaps and yells at them constantly. It makes life miserable for everyone.

My brother refuses to accept the fact that he’s taking advantage of our mom financially and emotionally. He has plenty to say about me moving back home, though, even though I help to pay bills and contribute.

Never once has he offered to make a dent in the huge grocery bill his children ring up, and he complains about how much gas Mom uses toting them to the half-dozen or so programs he has them in.

I have PTSD, and the situation is taking its toll on me to the point that I can no longer be around the kids or my mom.

Is there anything I can do? Or must I just accept that this is

DEAR ABBY

taking a toll on you, you must decide if you want to remain in that household under those conditions, or if coming home to take care of your mother was a mistake you should rectify.

Advice

how life will be if I choose to stay home? -- TAKING A TOLL IN NORTH CAROLINA DEAR TAKING A TOLL: Have a talk with your mother about her short fuse with the grandchildren, and figure out why it’s happening. If she is so stressed or sick that she can’t manage them, correct them and give them positive reinforcement, they should not be under her supervision.

Your brother should not expect his mother to foot the bill for feeding and transporting them. If your mother can’t make him understand that, then the two of you should make clear that if he doesn’t pony up, his children will have to go to day care rather than Grandma’s.

And last, because this unpleasant family dynamic is

DEAR ABBY: We are a couple in our 70s living in droughtstricken Southern California.

Our dearest friends moved to Nevada three years ago, and we visit them often.

What drives me crazy when we visit is the way they use water. When we finish a meal, my hostess will go to the sink and rinse the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher.

I mentioned to her that it was only necessary to scrape the plates, that the dishwasher is designed to wash dirty dishes, and she agreed -- temporarily.

The last time we visited, she was back to her old habits.

Also, she runs the dishwasher when it’s only half-full, instead of waiting until there’s a full load.

I realize that Nevada is not having a drought, but I find her

water waste very upsetting. I’m aware that it’s her house and her water and she can do what she wants, but is there anything you can suggest that I can say or do to get her to cut down on her water usage? -- PARCHED IN SO-CAL DEAR PARCHED: I have news for you. California is not the only state that has suffered through drought problems.

Nevada has plenty of them, too. Make the speech you’re dying to make once and get it off your chest. After that, be a gracious guest and keep your mouth shut. You are not the drought police, and if you keep harping on this, you may no longer be a welcome houseguest.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.Roush, sroush@amuniversal.com.)

Obituaries Mrs. Mary Cu Moran Shivers 1930 - 2017

Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Cu Moran Shivers, 87, of Daviston, will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Ben Keeble and Rev. Bennie Lee Yates will officiate. She will lie in state for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Cemetery. The family received friends on Sunday, December 31, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

Mrs. Shivers passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 at her residence. She was born on August 12, 1930 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to Carl Mitchell Moran and Annie Ruth Merritt Moran. Mrs. Shivers had a 42-year teaching career, that included teaching at Sulligent, New Site, Daviston and at Southern Union State Community College. She was an

David Garrett Hall 1955 - 2017

Memorial Service for David Garrett Hall, 62, of Alexander City, will be Friday, January 5, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Don Cross will officiate. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 5, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.

David passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2017 at his residence. He was born on November 26, 1955 in Birmingham. David loved

Alma C. Harrell Mrs. Alma C. Harrell of Alexander City, Alabama died Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Russell Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home

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active member of Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Church. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, AEA and NEA. She also served on the Camp ASSCA Advisory Committee.

She was active in the Cottaquilla Girl Scouts Council for over 25 years and was honored with the Thanks badge. Mrs. Shivers was instrumental in getting Bald Rock in Wadley established as a National Educational Environmental Landmark. She was an accomplished seamstress and gardener and was famous for her yeast bread. Mary Cu was also a devoted caregiver to her beloved Sheila.

She is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Bishop of Daviston, Sharon Whitehead (Kenny) of Daviston, Cheryl Whisenant of Wadley and Sheila Shivers of Daviston; grandchildren, Renae Dempsey (Roger), Chad Bishop (Amy), Justin Whitehead, Jordan McGuire (Dwaine), Carla Hudson (David) and Catlin Hand (Lee);

great-grandchildren, Scotty Taylor (Shannon), Jessica Taylor, Michaela Taylor, Elizabeth Bishop, Cheyenne Bishop, Bayley Hand, Brantlee Hand, Griffin McGuire, Tyler Brown and Makenzie Brown; great great grandchild, Jason Meyers-Taylor; sister, Jane Moran of Daviston; sister-in-law, Peggy Shivers Smith (Benny); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and caregivers She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Aaron “Jack” Shivers; and brother, Leon Moran.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mount Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Kenny Whitehead, 6719 County Road 79, Daviston, AL 36256 or to the Southern Union Scholarship Fund.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com.

his family dearly. He enjoyed golfing, finding arrowheads on Lake Martin, college football and nurturing his many plants.

He is survived by his wife, Jan Ballard Hall, sons, David Garrett Hall Jr. and Andrew Ballard Hall, brothers, John Hall (Jane), Porter Hall (Cindy), Allen Hall, Jimmy Hall, Tommy Hall, Allen Culp (Leslie), Stephen Culp (Karen), sister-in-laws, Debbie Whitaker (Wayne), Susan Davis (Dave), and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death

by his father, John Cox Hall Jr., mother, Gayle Trechsel Culp (Charlie), and a brother, Clay Hall.

Memorials may be made to: David Hall International Golf Scholarship Attn. Coach Jennings at CACC Golf 1675 Cherokee Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Dadeville Library concludes very successful food drive

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

To do its part to help others during the season of giving, the Dadeville Public Library held a food drive throughout the month of December to collect canned goods for the Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center.

The drive finished up last Thursday, and Library Director Abbi Mangarelli said the drive was a success.

“We got a lot of food, I would say several hundred

WHATLEY MONUMENT Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner

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dollars’ worth,” Mangarelli said. “It was very good. We had a good turnout and great community support.”

Kicking the drive off during the last week in November, the library put out a large cardboard box just inside the main library room for patrons to drop off any donations, which steadily filled throughout the month of December.

The Dadeville Public Library normally holds a stuffed toy drive for the Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center around the end of the year. However, due to the advocacy center being well stocked on stuffed toys as well as the crisis center sending out a call for assistance to restock the food pantry, the library made the decision to hold a food

drive this year. This effort will go a long way in helping the crisis center continue to provide for its clientele.

While the Dadeville Public Library has not made any decision on how future drives will be conducted, Mangarelli said the library would not rule out having another food drive for the crisis center.

“I’m proud of our community for stepping forward,” she said.

“I’m also thankful the community supported us in the way that they did.”

When the Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center re-opens after the holiday season, Mangarelli said the library will be more than happy to transport all the canned and other non-perishable food items up to the center.

“We will take it to them as soon as they open back up,” she said. “We have a lot to carry over there.”

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Qualifying

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Claire Yearkey offers Jonathan Mallard an American flag as he rode his horse Lady along Cherokee Road late last May. Mallard completed his cross-country journey on horseback to rediscover America on Oct. 31. Mallard said the kindness of the people here is something he will always remember.

continued from page 1

interested candidates are required to fill out a qualification form, which includes basic info about the candidate, what office he or she is seeking and how their name should be listed on the ballot. Along with the qualification form, candidates must submit a qualification fee, which is $50 for non-paying offices and 2 percent of the annual salary for offices that do pay a salary to the officeholder. “Once all the forms are in, the county candidate committee reviews all the applications and talks with the candidates before reporting back to the party,� Bates said. “There is a certain amount of time following the closure of the qualification window that we have to submit all the proper documents in to the probate judge’s office.�

In addition to all of this, the Alabama Democratic Party website states that documents must also be filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, the Secretary of State’s office, and the Internal Revenue Service. Per IRS rules, all candidates must have an Employer Identification Number, sometimes referred to as a federal tax ID number, attached to their bank account.

During the review period, there also exists the unlikely event that someone may challenge a candidate’s qualifications, where the person bringing the challenge can say the candidate in question should not be allowed to run for a particular party, though the challenger must have credible information in order to back up the challenge.

If the county committee

decides to deny ballot access to the candidate, he or she can appeal to the state party, with judicial remedies beyond that should it advance that far, according to Bates. “We don’t anticipate any challenges,� she said. “I’m a firm believer of letting the people decide.�

With so many offices up for grabs including virtually everything except county revenue commissioner to be on Tallapoosa County ballots during the 2018 cycle, it is little surprise that a handful of interested people have unofficially made their intentions known to Bates and Gowen. “We have multiple people running for (State Representative Mark) Tuggle’s spot,� Bates said. “We also have several interested in probate judge, but I haven’t heard anything definite on the county commission.�

Gowen also said she has recently heard from people interested in running for the office of probate judge.

With the qualifying window opening less than a week away before the primaries on June 5 and the general election Nov. 6, both Bates and Gowen said they would be happy to answer more questions and talk to potential candidates.

Gowen’s number is 256794-7432, while Bates can be reached at 256-7490715. Qualification forms can be obtained at the law office of Joseph Fuller, or by contacting Bates or Gowen. “I feel we will have a strong field in 2018,�

Bates said. “This is going to be a big primary season.�

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Journey

approximately 1,073 grams, or about 2.3 pounds, of highgrade marijuana. Also found in the vehicle was 10 grams of cocaine, 21 hydrocodone pills and $5,673 in cash. Task Force investigators responded to the scene, logged in the evidence

and take them to a place where they are confident and lead virtually normal lives. “Plus, we are training people at Auburn University to do this incredible therapy. Now maybe we can keep them here where they can offer it to children in Alabama.�

The 2018 session of the Alabama Legislature will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.

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summer and the cold as they got close to their destination – was the toughest factor, Mallard said there were no major issues. “Health wise we did pretty good,� Mallard said, “We took it slow so it wouldn’t be too much for the horse, but it was tough on her feet. We got hooked up with some rubber boot-type shoes that helped, but that far on pavement took a toll. She’s doing well now. She was very good to me and people really went out of their way to be good to her too.�

He said that through sleeping under the stars, being able to stop and take in sights and sounds along the way and interacting with people has given him a whole new outlook on things. “I learned a lot, but more than anything it reaffirmed my faith in God and the goodness of people,� Mallard said. “You hear and read about all the bad things that are happening and the bad things that people are doing, but I saw a different side.

This trip proved to me that most people are good inside. People may have encountered socioeconomic circumstances that have caused them to do things that are against that inherent good. But given the chance, good will win out. What people did for me, that’s proof. It was almost as if every time we needed anything, from a meal to a place to stay, God put people there for us. It was just amazing.�

Bust

continued from page 1

bill,� Whatley said. It means that insurance companies now must provide ABA therapy coverage for children on the autism spectrum.

That kicks in Jan. 1, 2018. Why that’s important, is that it has the potential to change the lives of children. ‌ It’s a situation where this therapy is making a tremendous difference and has shown the ability to take children with profound issues

continued from page 1

everywhere he went. The Outlook tracked Mallard down to see if he made it to his destination, ask about his experience and hear about what he learned on his memorable trek. “I made here to Uniontown on Oct. 31,� Mallard said. “In all we were on the road about seven months and covered more than a thousand miles. It was an adventure for sure. From day to day you never knew what you would encounter or what would happen, but it was something I will always treasure.�

Mallard said that his three days or so in and around Tallapoosa County was special to him for many reasons. He said the beauty of the area and the goodness of the people here is what he will remember most about his time here. “It was just so good to be able to talk to so many people from different walks of life,� Mallard said. “We met so many people while we were there, and they all respected what we were doing, and they all said they wished they could just let go and do something like that. “But mostly there in Alexander City, I recall the outpouring of generosity that everyone there showed to us. It was like they couldn’t do enough for me and Lady. The people there are some of the most generous people I have ever met.�

While the weather – the extreme heat of the

Whatley increasing healthcare access for autistic individuals. “In addition to steadfastly representing autism families, Senator Whatley’s district includes Auburn University, which houses a premier Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program.�

Whatley said it was a deep honor to receive the “Legislator of the Year� award. “Autism affects thousands of families across Alabama, and it was time that we made sure those families could access affordable treatment for their children,� Whatley said. “There are a lot of dry legislative battles in Montgomery, but this was a fight that was clearly worth it, and it is an honor to be recognized for the small part I played in the process.�

Whatley said that another milestone for the treatment of autism is that the mandate to cover this special treatment kicks in on Jan. 1. He said that Auburn University trains people on this cutting edge treatment, and now hopefully families can take advantage of it. “I’m especially proud of the autism

Page 3

continued from page 1

and also seized a 2010 Ford F-150.

Scott Allen Melton, 33, of Charlottesville was arrested without incident and booked into the Tallapoosa County Jail.

Melton was charged with trafficking in marijuana ,

trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of controlled substance, promoting prison contraband and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melton was able to post a $62,500 bond and was released on Sunday.

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Our

Opinion

Outlook The

Every day is an adventure for a journalist

Focus on big I things in 2018

W

ith the beginning of a new year, there is always reflection on the passing year and the hope that the coming year will bring bigger and brighter things.

While many good things were accomplished in 2017, we feel like our area faces some incredible opportunities to make 2018 even better. So today, let’s look ahead at the things we feel should become priorities in the coming year.

Continued industrial recruiting: The job done by the Lake Martin Economic Development Alliance is incredible. They have played an important role in creating new jobs in our community by getting in front of industries looking for a home.

Last year saw several expansions that mean more jobs in our area. We believe that the potential is there for more big things in the coming year.

Let’s all do our part to make our area clean, attractive and inviting to industries who visit the area.

Increase retail opportunities: We have read for years about the local dollars that are leaving the area simply because our area doesn’t have outlets for all the consumer needs of our residents. The Chamber of Commerce has been incredibly busy behind the scenes and there are some very big things that are on the verge of happening. We feel like with continued cooperation and the combined effort of several governmental groups, there will be big headlines in this area in 2018.

Develop a strategic marketing plan that capitalizes on Lake Martin: While there is no doubt that retail and industrial recruitment are at the top of the list, we have to make an effort to capitalize on the tourist draw of Lake Martin. We need to embrace it and do all we can to let the world know what we have here in our own backyard.

Use former Russell Campus as an asset: The completion of the demolition and cleanup of the old Russell property is done and it can be used as a home to new tenants.

The former Russell Headquarters building needs to be saved and given a new life. It is important to our community’s history.

That’s not a long list, but things that, if accomplished, could make 2018 a banner year in our area.

We say these things should be made a priority over the next 12 months.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

t’s our first paper of a new year here at The Outlook and I like to approach every year as a chance to do new things and find a better way to bring the news to the people of our community in new and exciting way.

I know it sounds hokey, but I have the greatest job in the world. Even though I’m writing this at 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day, all alone on my office while most people are sleeping, I get excited every day about this job I love so much.

Why do I love my job?

That’s easy. I have a vocation where I learn something new every day and each day in this charge brings something new, exciting, strange or humorous.

Instead of turning the same nut or bolt on an assembly line, my job is exciting and fresh. Each day I get to create something new and share it with the thousands of people who invite our newspaper into their home.

Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Want some examples? Here are a few things that I have learned: You never know when a caller may have a great story? No matter how crazy a caller sounds when they call to tell you about something, always check it out. I could write a book on the crazy things that I have gotten calls about that actually turned out to be great stories.

If you hear something that sounds odd on a police scanner call, get off your fanny and go out to check it out. I found out a long time ago that news rarely happens inside the walls of a newspaper office.

You have to be out there to get the story. There is no substitute for being there to make sure you get the whole story. It’s hard to get from a phone call what your eyes record when you see it for yourself.

I often tell young reporters the story of a scanner call I heard when I was the city editor

MITCH SNEED Editor

in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The call was a simple, short call that I could have easily dismissed.

“All units, 3200 block of 62nd Street, child injured.”

Could have been a child in a household accident, but I grabbed the camera and ran to the car and took off. It turned out that a little boy had walked to the store with his brother and sister and as they were crossing the street to go back home a car struck and killed the 7-year-old. I took a picture of the boy’s shoes that had been knocked off his feet by the impact and of the child’s father being consoled by a Kenosha patrolman.

If a person takes the time to call with a news tip, it’s probably worth your time.

I’ve had callers say they saw a UFO, a man in a robe walking down the highway dragging a cross and that they had a neighbor who was sitting in a tree. I’ve checked out tips that a former mayor had received thousands in improper payments for meetings that didn’t exist and that one commissioner was claiming expenses on for days that happened on the 31st of the month when April only has 30 days. I even had someone call and tell me that clothes had fallen from the sky. It was hard to believe, but turns out they fell out of an airplane that had failed to close a cargo hold.

In each one of those cases, they all turned out to be true and were great stories.

No matter how simple a person’s name sounds when they say it, always ask them to spell it. I tell the story of a man I thought to be John Smith who lived in a home in Morrow, Georgia that was

damaged by a freak wind gust.

I jotted down the name as I met him and then something in the back of my head told me to ask again about his name as I finished the interview. I handed him the pad and asked him to print his first and last name and phone number. When he was done, I was glad he did. The blue ink scratched on the pad read: Jon Smyth 770-96X-XXXX. You get more story ideas from the checkout line at the grocery store than you do from sitting in an office. I love being a part of the community.

Alexander City is a special place and people here love their newspaper. They read it and talk about it no matter where you go. I have met people in restaurants, convenience stories and in the checkout line at Walmart or the grocery store that see me and share a story idea with me. I have overheard people talking about something and asked them more about it, and then the topic became an incredible story.

My travels to and from work have provided me sights that have turned out to be big news. Jim Minter was a man who taught me more about this business than I ever learned in school. The former editor of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution once told me something that has stuck with me for more than 30 years in this business.

“If you see something and wonder ‘what’s that?’ chances are that someone else has seen it and wants to know what it is, too. So stop and find out what it is and write a story about it.”

That’s what I do every day.

If you see me on the side of the road, with a camera in one hand and a notepad in the other, don’t worry.

What you see is just me, being a nosy newsman in search of a story.

Sneed is the editor of the newspapers of Tallapoosa Publishers.

Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@gmail. com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.

Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Letter to the Editor

Points were missed in recent Senate race

Tom Whatley

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Weekend Question: Do you like the ghost decal on the new police cruisers?

No — 24 (65 percent) Yes — 13 (35 percent)

Tuesday Question: Did you see a lot of police officers and state troopers out over New Year’s Eve and Day? To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www. alexcityoutlook.com and vote.

Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Opinion?

Your View

Mark Tuggle

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

— Isaiah 40:30-31

What’s your

Kay Ivey

Steve Marshall

Scripture

Subscribe

Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following.

appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General.

He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer.

He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery.

Today’s

The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

Officials

Steve Marshall was

Quote

“The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting to the top.”

— Dr. Joyce Brothers

How to

Know Your

Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

Today’s

Dear Editor, Now that the Alabama Senate election is certified. The media and pundits have missed three points.

No. 1, Alabama and America will survive.

The media seems to think that giving this seat to a Democrat, will result in Congress devolving into gridlock. We have survived a civil war, depressions, bad decisions, and downright scandals. We will survive a split Congress.

No. 2, the will of many Alabama voters was hijacked by a poorly conducted expose’. It was poorly conducted even though the Washington Post stands behind it. Corroborating or disproving facts were reasonably available. Unfortunately, because of the way presented, the people of Alabama were kept from judging the truth of or disproving the allegations. The facts were held as political prisoners, such as the high school yearbook which was hidden from

scrutiny and only offered to a Congressional ethics investigation. The voters in Alabama were told we had four choices: vote for an alleged pedophile, vote Democratic, write in a name, or don’t vote. Talk about voter disenfranchisement.

No. 3, the women who came forward were used. If truthful, they were used by Roy Moore. We would like to believe the women.

As was said, “There is no reason not to believe them.” Unfortunately, because of the political grandstanding we cannot make a proper determination. Therefore, they have been used again by those who had a political ax to grind. We would like to believe that the women were not part of this that they were truly victims, but again the facts to make this judgment are being ignored or held hostage.

Ron Travers Oxford

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www. alexcityoutloook. com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates.

You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Page 5

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

WHAT IS PHOTOGRAPHY? You will need: dark colored paper, tape, a dry area with sunlight, solid objects to place onto the paper.

Step One: Decide how to arrange the items on the paper and then tape them down with rolls of tape.

Be sure to use tape that is easily removed once the picture is ready. Make sure that the edges of the items are taped down to ensure that no light can be seen under the objects.

Step Two: Place the paper in direct sunlight for around 8 hours.

Step Three: After 8 hours, you want to lift up the edges of the objects. If they appear darker than the now-faded paper, your picture is ready. If you cannot see the outline of the objects on the paper, place it in the sun for another 8 hours. When done, you will be able to see your objects clearly.

Photography is the art of capturing images with a cam-s era or a device which is sensitive to light. A camera is a light-proof box or chamber in which only a fractionall n amount of light is allowed in and a lens which projects an image. When the image is projected onto the light-sensi-y tive surface, an impression of the image is permanently H PDGH 7UDGLWLRQDO FDPHUDV XVH ¿OP DV WKH OLJKW VHQVLWLYH material. Images are created on what we call negatives;; they are called negatives because light objects appearr s dark and dark objects appear to be light. These negatives e must be processed in a dark room to reverse the image and show the proper representation that the photographerr s was trying to capture. Many professional photographers H VWLOO XVH WKH WUDGLWLRQDO PHGLXP RI ¿OP EXW PRVW SHRSOH n today now use digital cameras. A digital camera works in much the same way, yet the image is available to us im-mediately without the need to process negatives. Digitall cameras still use light to capture images. Sensors in the camera record the amount of light around objects through GLႇHUHQW W\SHV RI ¿OWHUV DQG SL[HOV DQG UHFRUGV WKHP LQstantly in the camera’s internal memory.

The word photography comes from two Greek words which mean “drawing with light.â€? The oldest known surviving photograph was taken in 1825 by Frenchman Joseph NicĂŠphore NiĂŠpce. Another photo taken by the inventor was taken in 1827; the image took eight hours to be recorded onto the exposure. Better techniques were invented in the 1830’s by Louis-Jacques-MandĂŠ Daguerre.

Known in most circles as the father of modern photograSK\ 'DJXHUUH WRRN WKH ¿UVW GDJXHUUHRW\SH SKRWRJUDSK LQ 7KLV LV FRQVLGHUHG WR EH WKH ¿UVW ³UHDO´ SKRWRJUDSK and is still in existence today. In 1884, an inventor named George Eastman created the technology that is used with PRGHUQ ¿OP FDPHUDV ,Q WZR LQYHQWRUV IURP WKH ODEV of AT&T Bell created the charged-coupled device which is the centerpiece of digital photography. The creators, Willard Boyle and George E. Smith, won the Nobel Peace Prize for their contributions to photography.

Across Clues:

CO OLOR LOR OR IT!

CREATE YOUR OWN “LIGHT� DRAWING!

PHOTOGRAPHY CROSSWORD

PHOTOGRAPHERS WORD SEARCH

1. Light sensitive surface used in cameras. &UHGLWHG ZLWK FUHDWLQJ ÂżOP WHFKQRORJ\ 7. Most modern type of camera today.

8. Device that captures an image.

10. A person who takes pictures.

Down Clues: 2. Photograph means drawing with what?

7KH ÂżQDO SURGXFW RI WDNLQJ D SLFWXUH 5HYHUVHG LPDJH RI WKH ÂżQDO SLFWXUH 7RRN ÂżUVW UHDO SKRWR LQ 9. Boyle and Smith worked for whom?

Crossword Ans: Across-1)Film

(DVWPDQ 'LJLWDO &DPera 10)Photographer Down-2) Light 3)Prints 4)Negatives 5) Daguerre 9)AttBell

HOW MANY WORDS CAN YOU SPELL FROM THE WORD PHOTOGRAPHY? ____________ ____________ ____________

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! TALLASSEE

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Currently available only at Zaxby’s store locations. Zaxby’s gift cards can be used at all Zaxby’s store locations.

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Zaxby’sŽ gift cards are perfect for the chicken lovers in your life. Available in any amount from $5 to $100, So next time you are at Zaxby’s, ask about our gift cards.

Serving Central Alabama Has your home been inspected lately?

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Brown Nursing Home

STEFUL GIFT IDEA .

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21130 Hwy. 431 Wedowee, AL

New & Used Boats • Yamaha Waverunners Yamaha Golf Carts • Full-Service Marina & Service Center • Wet Slips & Dry Storage

256.357.2045

800.780.2045

Adam’s Health & Rehab We Care About You And Your Loved Ones!

(256) 329-0847 1555 Hillabee Street • Alexander City

S TEVE K ING , S R . P ASTOR Court Square, Alexander City • 256-234-6351• www.fbc-ac.org

A-1 LOCK & KEY THOMAS AUTO PARTS SOCIAL SECURITY Bernie Atkinson (256) 329-2539 • Automotive Parts 3211 Pearson Chapel Road Alexander City, AL AL LIC # 7139

• Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

AUTO PARTS

150 Green Street • Alexander City • 256.234.5023 157 E. South Street • Dadeville • 256.825.4155

FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

8:00-4:00 Mon.-Fri • By Appt.(Except Emergencies) 256-234-4295 • After Hours 256-329-7100

Temple Medical Clinic, P.C. YOUR FAMIY CARE CENTER Medicine, OfďŹ ce Surgery, Pediatric, & Industrial James P. Temple, M.D. • Timothy J. Cordin, M.D. Vincent Law, M.D.

859 Airport Drive • Alexander City, AL

Heritage South We Offer Powder Coating & Sandblasting

334/332-3435

334/391-0759

www.bluecreekironworks.com

CREDIT UNION

YOUR COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 256-245-4776 www.myhscu.com

825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

256-234-6421

w w w. f a i t h t e m p l e . u s

(256) 329-1018

Tolbert’s Elite Mobile Detailing “Taking care of your vehicle as if it were my own.�

Owner/Operator: Cameron Tolbert

(256) 786-1007

Email: camtoll2@gmail.com

“We Touch the Lives of the People You Love�

DADEVILLE HEALTHCARE CENTER Kim Russell, Administrator 385 E. LaFayette St., Dadeville 256.825.9244

Also dba...

256-825-2100

Weight Loss Center 256-409-1500

10973 County Road 34, Dadeville www.kelleyshvac.com • AL License #99129

3368 Hwy. 280 Suite 220 [ Alexander City, AL Connected to Russell Medical Center in the Professional Bldg. on the 2nd Floor in Suite 220

ELIZABETH HOMES LLC

Construction, Inc.

Rhodes Brothers

MAGGIN EDWARDS, MANAGER 5639 Elmore Road•Elmore, AL•334-567-0446 Toll Free 1-800-246-0220

256-825-8913 Cell: 256-675-0217

XFully Licensed and Insured X Custom New Homes X Commercial and Residential

TA X RETURN PREPARATION

Our Town, Alabama

256-329-8306

Lake Martin Automotive & Truck Center GRIFFIN’S OUTDOOR Buy Here, Pay Here!

POWER EQUIPMENT $ Payments Start at 199 Mo. (256) 212-1300

PEST CONTROL

652 Cherokee Road Alexander City

Alex City Internal Medicine & Nephrology

OUR TOWN GARAGE

2888 Dadeville Road•Alexander City, AL

SECURITY

2600 Hwy. 9 South • Goodwater, AL

Trey Griffin, Owner

256-839-6607

931 Market Place Alexander City, AL

256.329.2066 HOURS: Monday - Friday 9AM - 7PM; Saturday 9AM - 5PM

Page 6

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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

Call me.

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

Today’s Birthdays

Today is

January 2, 2018

Gloria Boleware, Brenda Brooks, Will Claybrook, Tiffany Davis, Martha Haney, Michael Harper, Mary Ann Livingston, Braylei Smith, Brenda Brooks and Shanna Thompson are celebrating their birthdays today.

–Since 1978–

BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”

Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH

256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

Coosa Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry Designing & Selling Quality Cabinetry since 1991 • Granite • Quartz • Cultured Marble • Laminate Counter Tops

25 Years and still going, Selling quality kitchen & bath cabinetry at reasonable prices.

Ben & Peggy Smith, Owners Thur & Fri 9-4 | Sat 9-1 256-675-0176 1222 Hwy 280, Kellyton, AL

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

The ice on the fountain at the corner of Madison and Tallapoosa streets in Alexander City Monday morning tells the story of this week’s weather. Monday’s low was 19 degrees and the forecast calls for lows in the high teens and low 20s all week.

Wednesday, January 3

AL 96175

CARLISLE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING New Year’ Year’s Special: Special:

TUNE UP’S STARTING AT $75 367 US H W Y . 280 A L E X A N D E R C I T Y , AL

256-234-0019 CA RLISLE AC.COM

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday Jan 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

Monday, January 8

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Craigger Browne will present “Tribute to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 8 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

January 8-9

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days January 8-9.

Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

Saturday, January 13

BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Jan. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery bag for $5 or three bags for just $15.

MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer breakfast will be Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Stephens Elementary Gym at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10.

Monday, January 15

Need your business to

STAND OUT from the crowd?

Call us, we can help!

256.234.4281

• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

dB

Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner Cutting •Edging Weed Eating •Mulch Weed Control

256.267.0518

MLK CELEBRATION: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be Monday, Jan. 15. It will start with a parade at 9 a.m. beginning at Stephens Elementary School and a program at the Stephens Elementary School gym at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, January 16

BEEKEEPING COURSE: The 2018 Beginner Beekeeping Course will start Jan. 16 and will be on Tuesdays through Feb. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. Cost is $45 for adults and $35 for students Call the Extension Office at 256-825-1050 and the deadline for registration is Jan. 11.

COMPUTER CLASSES: The Adelia M. Russell Library is offering computer classes in 2018. One program is for beginners, with a separate advanced program for individuals seeking to move beyond the basics.

The advanced class is aimed at anyone wanting to improve their skill set and/or enhance their employment opportunities. The basic classes will begin January 16, 2018, and the advanced classes will begin January 18, 2018; each session will last approximately one hour (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and will meet for four straight weeks. Classes will be small and the atmosphere will be relaxed.

To sign up simply come by the Adelia M. Russell Library. For more information, call 256-329- 6796. There is no cost to attend.

Sunday, January 21

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MEETING: The Tallapoosee Historical Society will meet at the Historical Museum on the square in Dadeville on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. Dr. Charles Mitchell will be the speaker. He will present “A Pictorial History of Alabama Agriculture.” While working at Auburn, Dr. Mitchell accumulated lots of old photographs related to Alabama agriculture. Several years ago, he began organizing them and realized that these old pictures could actually tell the chronological story of Alabama’s agriculture from the Creek Indians to modern production. He will share these photographs with the Tallapoosee Historical Society Please make plans to attend.

The meeting is open to the public, there is no admission fee and free refreshments will be served.

Monday, January 22

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: E. Paul Jones will present “Reverend Maxwell” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 22 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

Monday, January 29

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Marilee Tankersley will present “Wetumpka Impact Crater” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 29 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

Monday, February 5

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glen Willis will present “Forgotten Alabama” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

Wednesday, February 7

SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama Community College will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree in Nursing program by the ACEN on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of the Childersburg Campus. For further information go to the CACC homepage at www.cacc. edu

Monday, February 12

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Peggy Shores will present “Songs from the Heart” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 12 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

Monday, February 26

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. James Hansen will present “Neil Armstrong” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.

Wednesday, March 29

VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME: The Auburn Veterans Project is celebrating and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans March 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Auburn High School Auditorium. Speakers will be Joe Galloway and Medal of Honor recipients Bennie Adkins and James Livingston. Family is welcome to accompany their veteran and there will be a light reception afterwards.

Visit auburnveteransproect. weebly.com/east-alabama-vietnamveterans-welcome-home-cermony. html. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by either emailing Blake Busbin at wbbusbin@auburnschools. org or by calling Auburn High School at 334-887-2120.

April 9-10

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days April 9-10.

Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care.

Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

July 16-17

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17.

Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience

October 15-16

THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16.

Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

Ongoing Events

FREE SUPPORT GROUP: GriefShare, a grief recovery support group, will meet each Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reception Center of Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City. There is also a meeting on Tuesday at the Tallapoosa County Baptist Association from 10 a.m. to noon. This seminar is offered without cost to participants, and sponsored

by Radney Funeral Home and Rocky Creek Baptist Church. For further information and registration, call Larry Cummings at 256-397-2511.

WEIGHT WATCHERS: The group meets each Monday evening in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church on Green Street in Alexander City. The Fellowship Hall is located behind the sanctuary.

Registration is 5- 5:30 p.m.

Meeting is 5:30-6 p.m. New members will want to stay after the meeting for a 15-minute Weight Watchers orientation.

H&A Installation, Charge Outs and Repair Sheet Metal Work

FREE Estimates on NEW installations Service a 30 mile radius of Alexander City Licensed and Bonded #:84887 guysheating@live.com 256–234–4198 196 Thompson Ridge Road Alexander City, AL

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

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PULSE

Page 9

Our Community, Our Readers, Your Chamber

Coffee & Connections serves as new monthly event to be held in 2018

By CARLA CULLIGAN Membership Director

The Chamber of Commerce is introducing a new monthly event in 2018 called Coffee & Connections. Join us on the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 8 a.m. at the Lake Martin Innovation Center.

This new one-hour event is free and open to all Chamber members and their guests. This is an informal event and all attendees can come and go as they please. The primary goal of Coffee & Connections is networking, but we will also include a wide variety of coffee and a light breakfast to start your day.

Strengthening relationships of the businesses in our area is a key component to a productive and successful community.

The 2018 Presenting Sponsor of Coffee & Connections is Lake Martin Home Health, who is scheduled to attend each month to welcome all guests and share information about its

services. This event also has a monthly sponsor, with January being represented by Gizmo Electronics Repair.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 8 a.m. and drop by Lake Martin Innovation Center for some Coffee & Connections to start your day.

Future dates: Feb. 20 – sponsored by Dark Insurance Mar. 20 – sponsored by Harold Cochran, State Farm Insurance Apr. 17 – sponsored by Heritage South May 15 – sponsored by Main Street Urgent Care June 19 - sponsored by St. James Episcopal Church July 17 – sponsored by LMAAR Aug. 21 – sponsored by Distinct Home Inspection Sept. 18 – sponsored by Beyond Home Care Oct. 16 – sponsored by Dark Insurance

CHAMBER MONTHLY CALENDAR — JAN. 2018 Jan. 8 – Leadership Lake Martin – County Government Day Jan. 13 – Polar Plunge at Kowaliga Restaurant from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – tickets available Jan. 15 – Chamber closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan. 16 – Coffee & Connections at Lake Martin Innovation Center at 8 a.m. (free for all Chamber members) Jan. 19 – School Board Appreciation Breakfast Jan. 25 – Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at the Betty Carol Graham Center at CACC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – tickets available

Chamber welcomes new members Top, Lake Martin Chiropractic held a ribbon cutting on Nov. 29.

Dr. Ryan Peaden, new Chamber member, and his staff along with the staff of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce (Kim Dunn, Carla Culligan and Ed Collari) pose for a photo at the new business, which is located at 8341 Kowliga Rd. in Eclectic. Above, one year ago, Heritage South broke ground at 3353 US Hwy 280 in Alexander City. The Chamber recently helped celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its fifth location.

Submitted / Chamber of Commerce

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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Outlook

PULSE

Our Community, Our Readers, Your Chamber

LMYP to host Polar Plunge, Clean Up

By JACOB MEACHAM VP — Business Development

The Lake Martin Young Professionals organization is gearing up to host its third annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Kowaliga Restaurant. The event is presented by USAmeriBank and benefits the Lake Martin Resource Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping Lake Martin clean and safe. The event has raised over $8,000 in its first two years, which LMRA has used to fund the purchase and installation of lighted buoys to make for safer nighttime navigation of Lake Martin.

Tickets for the event are $20, which includes four food tickets to be used at Kowaliga’s special menu Polar Plunge food stations. In addition to a delicious selection of food, there will also be live music from Dallas Dorsey & The Rails, a costume contest and a “Dash

for the Cash.”

Doors open at 10 a.m. and registration for the Plunge lasts until 11:45 a.m. Stop by the registration table sponsored by Lake Martin Realty to sign up for the Plunge and the Dash for the Cash. The Plunge takes place at noon and will be immediately followed by the Dash for the Cash where participants race out to a buoy and back to the shore for the chance at a $100 cash prize. Another $100 cash prize will be awarded for the best costume in the Polar Plunge Costume Contest. The Dash for the Cash is sponsored by Ballard Construction and the costume contest is sponsored

by David Willis, Raymond James Financial Advisor.

Another fun feature for the event is the Polar Plunge Photo Booth presented by Russell Marine. Expect a polar marine experience complete with fun props, Snapchat filters and everything

necessary for a memorable picture.

Dallas Dorsey & The Rails, a staple at YP’s Strand Sessions the last two years, will play its mix of country music, southern rock and Americana tunes from 1 to 4 p.m. The live music entertainment is presented by Tallapoosa Publishers.

Of course, we wouldn’t ask participants to run into the lake in January without a place to dry off and change into warm clothes afterwards. Men’s and women’s dressing rooms are available as soon as you exit the frigid waters. Big thanks to Zajac’s Auto Collision for sponsoring the dressing rooms.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.lakemartinyp.com or by contacting the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 256-2343461.

The event wouldn’t be possible without the previously mentioned

sponsors and these generous supporters as well: Russell Lands on Lake Martin/Kowaliga Restaurant (Venue Sponsor), Brian E. Dix, M.D., Dark Insurance Agency, Lake Martin Dock Company (Gold Sponsors), and Central Alabama Community College, GCI Design, Russell Medical – Total Healthcare, SDM Inc., Steve Robinson – Tallapoosa County Commissioner (Silver Sponsors).

In addition to the Polar Plunge, LMYP is also teaming up with LMRA to help coordinate an Alex City Trash Walk Clean Up on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m. If you’re interested in helping keep our community clean, we will meet at the Broad Street Plaza in front of Jake’s where trash pick up supplies and littered routes will be available.

For more information, contact John Thompson at 1947jthompson420@ gmail.com or Jacob Meacham at jacob. meacham@alexandercitychamber.com.

Nominations to be submitted

by Jan. 12

Chamber plans annual meeting

By KIM DUNN Director of Marketing and Special Events

Nominations are currently being taken for two prestigious awards to be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, Thursday, Jan. 25.

These awards are designed to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Alexander City.

One of the two prestigious awards is Business Person of the Year presented by Nowlin & Associates, Lee Williams.

The recipient of the Business Person of the Year Award is based upon that individual’s outstanding achievement, leadership, loyalty and dedication to his or her profession and to the business community of Alexander City.

Nominees must be a member of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and have been in business in Alexander City for a minimum of five years. A detailed summary and the address and phone number of the nominee should accompany nominations.

The other award is the Community Spirit Award presented by Russell Medical. This award is presented to an individual who embodies the principles of community leadership, selflessness and integrity, and promotes the good of the community through his or her profession and/ or volunteer activities.

Nominees must be a resident of the Alexander City or Lake Martin area.

Nominations should be accompanied by a detailed essay, address and phone number of the nominee.

Letters of support from other individuals may accompany nominations for either award.

Nominations must be received by Jan. 12.

Nominations should be mailed to:

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce PO Box 926 Alexander City, AL 35011

Nominations can also be emailed to:

Ed Collari ed.collari@ alexandercitychamber.com

Nominations can also be submitted online at:

http://www. alexandercitychamber.com/ nominate.html

By KIM DUNN Director of Marketing and Special Events

Submitted / Chamber of Commerce

Team members from USAmeribank, called the Loan Rangers, set a team goal of $32,000 and easily shattered their own expectations with $44,180 in Total Resource Campaign sponsorships. The team consisted of Scott Blake, Teresa Grier, Lori Harrell, Kevin Speaks and Jeannine Williams. The team captain was Mark Spencer. Jeannine Williams led the team with $11,645 in sponsorships herself. Pictured from left to right are Kevin Speaks, Teresa Grier, Lori Harrell, Mark Spencer, Scott Blake and Jeanine Williams.

‘Loan Rangers’ team paved way to a successful Total Resource Campaign

By ED COLLARI President and CEO

This past fall, the Chamber of Commerce kicked off our inaugural Total Resource Campaign (TRC), which is a more technical term for a sponsorship drive.

We were blessed to have John Russell Thomas serve as the chairman for the TRC as well as to have the support of Dr. Susan Burrow, Tom Lamberth and Jim Peace as our vice chairs.

The overarching goal of the

TRC is to recruit volunteers who serve on teams and reward them for selling sponsorships for all of our events, programming and initiatives in 2018. Our goal was $207,000 and we ended up totaling just over $220,000. To say the least, it was an overwhelming success.

One team far exceeded expectations. They consisted of team members from USAmeribank and nicknamed themselves the “Loan Rangers.” They set a team goal of $32,000 and easily shat-

tered their own expectations with $44,180 in TRC sponsorships.

The team consisted of Scott Blake, Teresa Grier, Lori Harrell, Kevin Speaks and Jeannine Williams. The team captain was Mark Spencer. Jeannine Williams led the team with $11,645 in sponsorships herself.

The Chamber staff and myself would like to thank the “Loan Rangers” from USAmeribank for their dedication to our Total Resource Campaign and for all they do in the community.

Accomplishments represent a successful year for Chamber

By ED COLLARI President and CEO

One of my new favorite sayings is that the days are long and the years are short. The specific application in my personal life is associated with the raising a four-year-old girl and two-yearold boy. But it can also be applied to our day-to-day existence at the Chamber of Commerce. As we prepare to ring in the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the Chamber’s accomplishments of 2017. I can assure you this list doesn’t cover everything our team has done, but hopefully highlights some of our big wins.

• Lake Martin Innovation Center – The new home of the Chamber, this 17,000 square foot facility also serves as a business incubator. Launched last February, the Innovation Center is home to six full-time tenants, more than 20 co-working members and has hosted over 100 meetings and events in less than a year.

• We assisted with recruiting and/or locating the following businesses, which resulted in

record sales tax revenue for the city: AT&T store, Badcock Furniture, Dairy Queen, Fermenter’s Market, Harbor Freight, Lake Martin Pizza Co., Lake Martin Tractor & Outdoor, Ocie & Bell’s and Shay Dean Aesthetics. Inside of the Lake Martin Innovation Center, we recruited Beyond Home Care, Nowlin & Associates and VuePoint Diagnostics.

• Leadership Lake Martin celebrated the graduation of a 22-member class last May and has an enrollment of 24 in our current class as we continue to foster community involvement amongst our current business leaders.

• Gateway to Education – The Chamber administers the Gateway Foundation and provided 59 former Benjamin Russell High School graduates with over $129K in tuition in the 2016-17 school year.

• Young Entrepreneurs Academy – The Chamber aided BRHS students with training, planning and mentoring of their start-up businesses and awarded $7,000 in funding to launch their projects.

• Visited economic development

and business leaders as well as elected officials from communities throughout the state including Cullman, Florence, Montgomery, Opelika, Auburn and Tuscaloosa.

• Hosted Professional Development Workshops for Chamber members on topics such as economic development, social media, government contracting, leadership agility and public speaking.

• Hosted events including the Polar Plunge, Annual Meeting, Lead Forward, Alabama Bass Trail, Sun Festival (more than 50 events over 9 days), Strand Sessions, Holiday Open House and the Christmas Parade.

• Attended conferences and workshops throughout the state including the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) annual meeting, Business Council of Alabama (BCA) annual meeting, Rural Economic Development Conference in Opelika, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference in Atlanta and the State Economic Development Forum in Tuscaloosa.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce’s 107th Annual Meeting will be a time to celebrate a year full of accomplishments.

From the launch of the Lake Martin Innovation Center, the wide variety of new retailers recruited to our community to our inaugural Total Resource Campaign, 2017 has been a prosperous year for the Chamber. The Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 25 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center located on the Alexander City campus of Central Alabama Community College.

A big part of the event will be recognizing several award recipients such as the Business Person of the Year, Community Spirit Award, Ambassador of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. We will also take the opportunity to re-recognize the Alexander City schools Teacher of the Year as well as the BRHS and HBHS Jr. Ambassadors of the Year. The Alexander City Police Department will name its Police Officer of the Year and the Alexander City Fire Department will name its Firefighter of the Year.

This year’s meeting’s Presenting Sponsor is River Bank & Trust. Our Gold Sponsors are Central Alabama Community College, Russell Medical and S&S Tires.

The Annual Meeting is open to the public.

However, reservations are required in order to plan appropriately for lunch. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes lunch.

Reservations can be made by calling Kim Dunn, Director of Marketing & Special Events at 256-234-3461 or emailing kim.dunn@ alexandercitychamber. com.

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 11

Top storylines of 2017 BRHS hosts Coosa in alumni basketball One day in late April, Benjamin Russell’s gym was the hottest spot in all of Alexander City, as the parking lot was full and the stands were packed for the Wildcats hosting Central Coosa in an alumni basketball game.

People sat on each other’s laps and even the baselines were crowded with fans during the sellout contest, and the event raised more than $3,500.

Alumni such as Adalius Thomas and Terrell Owens played in the game, and it proved the

Benjamin Russell-Central Coosa rivalry is definitely alive and well.

“This is what the community needed,” said Thomas, a twotime Super Bowl champion who once again donned a Coosa jersey for the game. “Two different counties, two different teams from different eras coming together for a game that we love. It didn’t matter how old you were, what color you were or what culture you came from, it was about coming out here competing for a good cause.”

Blasingame named 2A Pitcher of the Year After a very successful career with the Horseshoe Bend Generals, ace Kynsley Blasingame earned the highest honor in the state when she was named the Class 2A Pitcher of the Year.

“This year was my last year, and my fingers were crossed,” Blasingame said. “When I got to the state tournament and on the way to the state tournament, I saw some pretty good pitchers that we played against. I thought, ‘She could get it or she could get it.’ I hoped for it,

but I honestly wasn’t expecting it.”

Blasingame was the definition of a workhorse for the Generals in 2017, throwing all but 9 1/3 of an inning.

In 238 1/3 innings, she boasted an ERA of 1.057 by allowing only 36 earned runs all season. She gave up 129 hits and only 66 walks, and most impressively, she fanned an incredible 406 batters. That was an average of 1.70 strikeouts per inning.

Blasingame was also named the Outlook Softball Player of the Year.

Woody sinks buzzer beater to win area title With time quickly dwindling down and still 45 feet out, it seemed unlikely Shannon Woody’s last-ditch effort at the Class 6A Area 6 boys basketball championship would go through for Benjamin Russell.

But like one time earlier in the season, the shot somehow, unbelievably landed right on target. Swish.

The Wildcats defeated Wetumpka, 46-45.

“I saw myself making it,” Woody said. “I made one earlier in the season, so I had to have confidence in myself to make that one. I actually thought it was short. It brought back flashbacks. I haven’t had many buzzer

beaters in my life. It felt great.”

Woody’s other buzzer beater technically happened in 2016 in the BRHS Slam Fest, but it was even more jaw-dropping.

After watching his opponent score with less than two seconds left, Woody took the inbounds pass just outside the other team’s key when he let one fly and it miraculously went in.

Coaching change at Central Coosa It wouldn’t be a good year without a little bit of adversity, and Central Coosa definitely takes the cake for most challenging storyline of the year.

Just six days before fall football practice began, two-year head coach Barry Simmons announced his resignation from the Cougars to accept a spot as defensive coordinator at Ashville.

“I hated the timing of it, and I

hated when it happened,” Simmons said. “I was all set to go this week, and this happened so I had to make a quick decision. I feel like when God opens a door, you have to walk through it; you can’t just stand there looking at it and wondering.”

It wasn’t until football season had actually begun when Shane Rary was announced as the team’s new head man in charge, and,

despite the challenge he knew was ahead, Rary was all too happy to oblige.

“Once I got here and got around the boys, it was a life-changing experience for me,” Rary said.

“They really respect you and want you to push them to do more than they thought they could do, so knowing the guys were in there fighting for what they want is a really good feeling.”

Benjamin Russell defeats Opelika in football When Benjamin Russell and Opelika met on the football field in Week 5, the Bulldogs were still the favorite to potentially win Class 6A Region 3. They were the defending champion and, at the time, ranked No. 5 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A state rankings.

But the Wildcats were also riding an undefeated season, sitting at 4-0 at the time, and were ready to prove themselves.

Benjamin Russell

quickly silenced any doubters when it put on a defensive show, holding Opelika nearly scoreless in a 19-14 victory. All of the Bulldogs’ points came in the final five minutes of the game.

“It means a lot,” BRHS senior Ben Hendrix said. “My class has never beat Opelika. Ninth-grade year, they beat us 56-17; 10th-grade year, we were close, but then last year, they beat us 34-0, so that meant a lot to come out and win this game.”

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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Tucker collects 3 golds Tallapoosa County found quite a bit of success at the track and field state championship, but no one did more climbing up the podium than Dadeville’s Qua Tucker Tucker.

In the Class 4A state championships, Tucker won gold in the 100 and 200 dashes as well as the 300 hurdles, and he added a second-place finish in the 110 hurdles.

“It was fantastic,” Tigers coach Chris Hand said. “It was very, very exciting for him and for the team. It was just a great experience.”

Tucker wasn’t the only one to claim gold either, as Reeltown’s Eric Shaw won both hurdles races in Class 2A and Keke Hughley took home gold for the Rebels in the 100 dash.

Young ballplayers find success at state level One of the most important things about New Year’s isn’t just looking back on last year but also looking ahead to the future. If the success of 2017’s young baseball and softball players is any indication, there’s a lot to look forward to in the area’s sports world.

New Site’s 8U All-Star softball team won the first-ever state championship,

and Alexander City’s 10U All-Star softball team joined New Site in the state championship glory with one of its own.

“As coaches, we knew these girls were exceptional girls who had the determination and fight to be the best,” Alex City coach Lee McWaters said.

“All we had to just give them the

opportunity to show it, and they did.”

In addition to the two state champions, Alex City’s 5U, 6U and 8U baseball teams all won District 5 titles. Alex City’s 12U and 10U softball teams reigned supreme at the NSA Area tournament, and Dadeville’s 11-12 Majors headed to state after winning District 10.

Brooks, Horn both reach coaching milestones There were two incredibly big coaching milestones for Benjamin Russell during 2017. The first came in late February when the Wildcats’ baseball team shut out Cleburne County to give Richy Brooks his 600th career victory.

“We’ve been very blessed,” Brooks said. “We’ve got great kids No. 1, and No. 2, we’ve got fantastic assistant coaches. The biggest thing that we strive for is to be consistent.”

Brooks just completed his 25th season at BRHS and also racked up some of his 600 wins at Tarrant, where he spent three years as head coach. Brooks was also honored this year, as the former Doc Jordan baseball field at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex was rededicated to be named the Brooks-Jordan Field.

Just a month after Brooks’ big win, Benjamin Russell football coach Danny Horn was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Much of Horn’s success came at Clay County, where he earned

six state championships and posted an unbelievable 55-game winning streak that stretched from 1994-97.

Horn just completed his ninth season at Benjamin Russell, where he has a 62-43 record.

Rebels start 3 new sports In a matter of just one calendar year, the Reeltown Rebels, under the direction of athletic director Matt Johnson, has added three new sports to the repertoire.

The first was the resurrection of the successful track and field program in the spring, which caters to both boys and girls, then in the fall, they introduced a girls volleyball team, coach by softball coach Kelli Hilyer.

“In the fall especially, we just wanted to give the kids another option,” Johnson said.

“Band is big at Reeltown and they do a great job, so does cheerleading, but we wanted to get another sport for our female athletes.”

The Rebels capped off their growth with a wrestling team this winter.

While the volleyball team struggled a bit and Reeltown wrestling has just a few wins on the season so far, it’s definitely been a positive experience and the feedback has been good.

“Probably one of the biggest hurdles is getting the kids to learn more about the sport,” Reeltown wrestling coach Drew MacKay said. “They’re definitely learning, and (the response) has been really positive. The kids are always excited to come to practice and wanting to learn new moves.”

Former Wildcats make headlines Three former Benjamin Russell players had some serious accomplishments this year, and Kendall Graveman was chief among the headline-grabbers in 2017.

Graveman was named the Oakland Athletics Opening Day starters in April.

“He’s up for it,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said in an interview with MLB.com. “I talked to him about it when Sonny (Gray) went down and obviously he was concerned for his teammate but excited about the fact he was going to get his first Opening Day start.

“He’s kind of on a mission to be one of those guys who pitches at the top of

the rotation for many years to come.”

Another former Wildcat to work his way up the ranks and into a starting position this year was Bryant Horn, who was the starting quarterback for Division I Jacksonville State University. Horn found so much success this season that he was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference first team.

Terrell Owens has also been in the headlines in 2017 from hoping once again for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to debuting on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” Owens had guaranteed himself at least one Hall of Fame spot, as he’ll be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in April.