July 12, 2018 Alex City Outook

THE LOCAL, PAGE 5 Library guests get visit from Mary Poppins

THURSDAY

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

July 12, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 137 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

SPORTS, PAGE 10 CACC sends anglers to championship again

Multi-car crash injures four, airlifts one

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

At least five people were injured — one of whom was airlifted — following a multi-car incident shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Highway 280 and Cherokee Road. “There were four vehicles involved with multiple injuries,� Alexander City Police Department Lt. T.J. Tuck said at the scene. “Some of these injuries were incapacitating, but there were no fatalities. One of the occupants was airlifted to UAB Hospital, and the rest

Roadwork still on time despite unseen issue

WISH COMES TRUE

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Correcting dips in the road on Airport Boulevard has created a few unseen issues.

City crews were going to do a lot of the work before paving but some issues were uncovered in the ACRIP project. “We were going to provide about 50 percent of the labor for the project,� Alexander City Public Works Director Gerard Brewer said. “We discovered some things that we cannot handle.�

Brewer explained that they discovered the base in the road was not what they thought. In the area where there are dips, some 15 inches of asphalt were already in place.

Instead of removing the thick asphalt, it will See ROAD • Page 2

were taken to Russell Medical Center.�

According to the driver of a Ford truck sitting in the left turning lane on Cherokee Road between Mapco and Patriots Point, a red Ford Focus heading westbound on Highway 280 and a white Buick that had been traveling east on 280 and was turning left onto Cherokee Road collided with one another in the intersection, though he was unsure on more specific details. The force of the impact pushed the vehicles into a white Chevrolet car sitting in the lane next to the truck, waiting to cross Highway See CRASH • Page 3

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

At least five people were injured — one of whom was airlifted — following a multi-vehicle incident at the intersection of Highways 280 and 63 shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Neill Trotman gets ready to see the inside of his newly-built treehouse as builder Joshua Bartlett unlocks the door.

Make-A-Wish Alabama made this possible and Trotman has been dreaming of an escape like this for several years.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Dream treehouse revealed to local 14-year-old

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Neill Trotman finally took the helm of his dream, a pirate-themed treehouse Wednesday thanks to Make-A-Wish.

Trotman’s pirate ship set sail from far away seas

three years ago not knowing if it would ever see land again. His red cedar ship made it up the Alabama River into the Tallapoosa River and through three dams before crashing on the rocks of Birch Shoals in Sandy Creek.

Today, the remains of that ship are a pirate-themed See TREEHOUSE • Page 9

Hydrant repair to cause water outage Friday STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The City of Alexander City Water Department will be making repairs to a broken fire hydrant in the Parrish Hills subdivision Friday, July 13. Plans are to turn the water off around 8:30 a.m. and turn it back on around 11 a.m. given no unexpected complications occur with the repair. Areas around Parrish Street, Parrish Loop, Parrish Drive, Parrish Parkway, Althea Loop, Karen Street, Cross Street, Watson Street and Elm Circle are expected to be without water at this time.

The City of Alexander City Water Department is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

School maintenance staff hard at work over summer months

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Summer is a busy time for local school systems. Though students may not be walking the halls and learning in the classrooms, there is a lot of what could be considered “behind the scenes� work taking place throughout the system. This includes the school bus fleet and maintenance inside the school buildings themselves. “We had several large projects we have been working on this summer,�

Alexander City Schools maintenance supervisor Mark Simmons said. “We choose our projects based on preplanned budgets.�

Today’s

Weather

92 71 High

In addition to routine maintenance at each of the schools, including submitting water samples to test for lead and other contaminants and holding an annual safety equipment review with members of the Alexander City Fire Department, the city schools maintenance department has been taking on major projects at each facility around town.

At Jim Pearson, workers painted the kitchen, cleaned out overgrowth from the fishpond, put down new flooring in the office and installed new blinds in several windows. The lunchroom received a new coat of paint and the freezer was rebuilt at Stephens, while See MAINTENANCE • Page 3

Lake Martin

David Praylou installs a set of locker doors on the new eighth-grade lockers at Alexander City Middle School Thursday.

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

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Friday

Talk of remarriage triggers questions about burial plots

91 72 High

Low

Chance of t-storms

Saturday

90 72 Low

High

Chance of t-storms

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@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

Thursday, July 12, 2018

The Outlook

Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com Jaylan Reynolds Advertising Sales, Ext. 209 jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com Carter Singleton Advertising Sales, Ext. 203 carter.singleton@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Shelley McNeal Composing Department, Ext. 219 shelley.mcneal@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: My brotherin-law “Charles” has earned the privilege of being buried in a military cemetery. He lost his wife, “Claire,” to cancer 10 years ago; she is buried in their plot in the military cemetery with a headstone. Their children are all adults now.

Charles has been seriously dating a divorcee, “Joyce,” and they are talking about marriage. Joyce feels that for him to be committed to her in marriage, they should have a plot together. It’s our understanding that only one wife is allowed to be buried in the military cemetery. This would mean Claire would have to be exhumed and transferred to another one.

I’m not sure how close Joyce is to her family, but she does have grown children. I suggested they get an outside opinion and a prenuptial agreement before they get married, which both would be

advice I can offer is to contact it and find out what its rules are in circumstances like this.

DEAR ABBY Advice

agreeable to. What have others done in similar situations?

-- CONCERNED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DEAR CONCERNED: There are different types of military cemeteries in this country, 135 of which are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

(None of them are located in your state.) However, there are many state and private military cemeteries nationwide, and their rules may differ from those of the national. Because you didn’t mention which category your brother-in-law’s cemetery falls under, the best

DEAR ABBY: I tend to be a people pleaser. So when my wife wanted to buy a home for us to raise a family in, I went along with her plan to move to her hometown. I wanted her to be happy, and I was excited about the home-purchasing process.

It’s almost two years later, and I regret it. I’m not happy here. I miss my hometown where all my friends and family live. It’s a beach town, a throwback to a time when everyone knew everyone and you could walk or bike-ride anywhere.

People don’t lock their doors, and homes are insulated from the streets and traffic, so kids can play freely outside. To me, it’s the perfect town.

But there is no convincing my wife to try giving my hometown a shot as our full-time

residence. Despite knowing we will never be able to own a summer house there, that’s the “dream” my wife sells to me. I resent her because she got what she wants, and I just have to deal with it. Should I just accept my fate? -RESENTFUL IN NEW YORK DEAR RESENTFUL: I am sorry you are unhappy with the decision you made. Your wife may have wanted to move to her hometown because she felt her relatives could help out with your children, which is a plus. However, unless you find the strength to assert yourself, “accepting your fate” is exactly what you may have to do.

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.

Obituaries Mr. Johnny McIntrye Funeral Service for Mr. Johnny McIntrye will be 2:00 p.m.

Friday, July 13, 2018 at Flint Hill Baptist Church with interment following in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Professional Service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.

Hubert J. Mitchell Funeral services for Hubert J. Mitchell, age 73 of Alexander City, will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville with Bro. David Wilkinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Poplar Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Mitchell passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the Clay County Nursing Home. He was a native of Tallapoosa County, had lived most of his life in Alexander City and had been living in Clay County for the past six years. Mr. Mitchell worked for Alex City Pipe and Ace Products but was logger for most of his life.

He is survived by one daughter; Barbara Southers of Shinbone; two sons: Hubert Mitchell Jr. of Clay County and Billy Frank

Mitchell of Alexander City; one sister, Mavis Ann Freeman of New Site; two brothers, J.W. Mitchell of Birmingham and Don Mitchell of Anniston; nine grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Mitchell and Mozelle Stewart Mitchell: three brothers: Ronnie, Harold and Buford Mitchell.

Pallbearers will be Cody Mitchell, Hubert Mitchell Jr., Hubert Mitchell, Billy Frank Mitchell, Dante Mitchell and Jeff Potts.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday at the funeral home. Share condolences online by visiting benefieldfuneralhome.com Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville in charge of the arrangements.

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 Publish- printing press. ers, 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.

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

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

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

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YOU’RE NOT A SUBSCRIBER? Call 256-234-4281 and subscribe to The Outlook www.alexcityoutlook.com

ACFD responds to small brush fire Wednesday The Alexander City Fire Department responded to a stretch on Highway 128 Wednesday afternoon to a small brush fire. Firefighters used the new brush truck and another truck to extinguish the blaze quickly.

Road

continued from page 1

remain in place.

“We were going to work on the base some,” Brewer said. “But the way the asphalt is, it is strong enough.

We will have to let the contractor do the other work.”

Brewer said the public works department will still provide oversight of the project from a cost perspective.

He said he still hopes all the work can be completed this week.

Airport Boulevard is a popular cut through road between Airport Road and Elkahatchee Road. Over the years, the road has developed substantial dips due to settling and this project corrects the dip issue along with slope and drainage concerns. Several industries are located on the road and while work Cliff Williams / The Outlook has stopped through traffic, there is Work continues on Airport Boulevard but businesses are still accessible. still access to all businesses.

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Thursday, July 12, 2018

The Outlook

Page 3

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Crash

continued from page 1

280. While he was involved in the incident, the driver of the truck said he received no injuries and his vehicle was only slightly damaged, while damage was more severe on the other three cars involved.

Traffic backed up for several minutes in both directions on Highway 280 while the helicopter landed in the middle of the intersection and one of the injured was prepped to be flown to Birmingham.

Officers from the Alexander City Police Department and Alexander City Fire Department and officials from the Alabama Department of Transportation were on the scene to investigate the incident. Tuck said the crash remains under investigation, with the Alexander City Police Department leading the investigation.

Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said no further information was available as of Wednesday afternoon.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

At least five people were injured — one of whom was airlifted — following a multi-vehicle incident at the intersection of Highways 280 and 63 shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Above, brand new tables occupy an art classroom at Benjamin Russell High School. New furniture in classrooms and the library were among the top maintenance items to be addressed at the high school over the summer. Right, Dwayne Webb and Willy Taylor work together to put brand new lockers together in the eighth-grade hallway at ACMS while David Praylou prepares to put another set of locker doors in place.

Maintenance

continued from page 1

the principal’s office will be getting a fresh paint job this summer as well.

Plenty of painting took place at Radney as well, with new paint in the office and hallways, while the office also got new flooring. The exterior doors and hallways at ACMS received fresh paint, and new lockers are currently being installed in the eighth-grade hallway. Lastly at Benjamin Russell, new carpeting has been put down in the library, new tile flooring has been installed in the librarian’s office and library conference rooms, televisions have replaced projectors in many classrooms, new art tables occupy the art room and two new pedicure spa centers have been placed in the cosmetology department. “These lockers are fairly easy to put together,� David Praylou said Thursday as he put doors on the new lockers at ACMS. “It’s not really that difficult.

They come ready to assemble.�

Along with all of these items, Simmons said the maintenance staff has been working on the same types of projects tackled every summer, changing out air conditioning units and refinishing the floors. “We’ve been doing pretty much the same thing we do on a monthly basis,� Tallapoosa County Schools bus maintenance supervisor Len Carter said. “We keep a sheet we check regularly with the mileage of all the buses. The ones closest to service maintenance mileage get focused on first.�

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the same kind of maintenance they get during the school year, Carter said transportation staff are going over everything with a fine-tooth comb and replacing things like seat covers and seat cushions — things that are not always able to be dealt with during the school year.

Things have also been fairly routine for maintenance staff at all three county school facilities, with tile floors having the old wax coating stripped off and a new finish laid down. However, that is not to say larger things have not also been receiving attention this summer. “There was no new construction taking place this summer,� Tallapoosa County Schools maintenance supervisor Dwayne Johnson said. “We did finish replacing the carpeting at Horseshoe Bend, which we’ve been working on for the past couple of summers.�

This summer, the final 11 classrooms that still had carpeting dating back to when the school building was first built had their floors redone. Once the 8,000 square feet of carpeting was removed from the rooms, maintenance staff went in and prepped the floors before putting down a new tile floor and giving it a wax coating finish.

While the maintenance staff was busy removing carpeting, the Horseshoe Bend gym also had its floor redone, though Johnson said this was taken on by an outside source. “It took us about four weeks to get the carpeting done,� Johnson said. “It was pretty intensive. We finished it all up about two weeks ago.

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“Other than that, it’s been a pretty normal summer otherwise. It’s been pretty much business as usual, like stripping and waxing the floors.�

When students return to their classrooms in early August, they will be heading back to facilities that have been given a lot of special attention

over the summer months and riding on buses which have been checked and re-checked to make sure they are operating as smoothly as possible.

Without the many hours of dedication the maintenance staff for both the city and county schools put into their work, this would not be possible.

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Opinion

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker

Page 4

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Our

View

Let’s do our part to prevent tragic accidents

A

labama ranks as the third deadliest state in the country when it comes to speedingrelated fatalities. There are 6.52 speeding-related fatalities per 100,000 residents per year, which is more than DUI fatalities in the state.

Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee all rate better and rank in the bottom third of fatality rates.

Speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes in the state. More than 30 percent of all fatalities in the state could be attributed to speeding, in part because the high speeds can turn a minor mishap into a fatal accident.

We have seen our share of fatal accidents on Highway 280. From east to west there is no one section that has more. Some have involved vehicles unable to slow to the speed limit in time.

Others, we believe, involve distracted driving of some sort, maybe texting or falling asleep at the wheel was the cause.

It is time we call on city and state officials to figure out ways to slow traffic as it moves through Alexander City on Highway 280.

First let’s lower the speed limit through town but also consider the placement of the signs to give adequate notice allowing vehicles a chance to slow down before encountering high traffic intersections. Let’s move the 45 mph sign at Walmart closer to the Coosa County line. Trucks have a tough time slowing down on coming down that hill to the traffic light.

Next let’s consider more traffic lights.

We believe lights should be considered on Highway 280 where it intersects Coven Abbett Road. There has been one fatality there this year. It is also a place where many guests turn in our community going to Wind Creek State Park. Some of those vehicles are pulling campers and need help making the turn.

There might be another intersection needing one as well.

While signs and traffic lights might slow traffic, we all need to take safety into our own hands.

Let’s slow down. Let’s put the phones down.

And let’s be more aware of our surroundings as we drive and arrive safely.

Outlook The

Sorry, but Russia is not America’s friend

T

here’s a recent warming to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ex-KGB agent from the Soviet Union who stood against prodemocracy demonstrators in the waning days of the USSR. Now he’s looking to undo economic sanctions imposed several years ago, which have frozen his territorial conquests.

Ending the sanctions will embolden this ex-Communist leader to not only remake the Soviet empire of Cold War days, but to do something his former masters couldn’t do: destroy the NATO alliance that stood up to the USSR, and America’s freedoms if they can.

In President George W. Bush’s final year of office, Russia attacked the Republic of Georgia, taking territory away from our former ally.

A Georgian student of mine who served to help evacuate the wounded documented the horrors from this invasion.

The United States did not respond to this aggression very effectively. I know it was a bad year (elections, The Great Recession, etc.) but letting Putin get away with his actions would come back to haunt us.

After the Ukrainian people ousted their corrupt proRussian dictator who had fixed elections and attacked peaceful demonstrators, Putin responded by annexing The Crimea from Ukraine and backing proRussian rebels in Ukraine (who also shot down a Malaysian airliner that flew over the country). The United States, Canada and the European Union responded with stinging sanctions that continue to plague the Russian economy today.

are recognizing Russia’s role in controlling our politics, others JOHN remain skeptical, or even see Putin as an American ally, instead TURES of our friends from free countries Columnist who have stood by us during the Cold War and War on Terrorism.

So let me tell you what Evidence shows that the Russians leaders really think Russian economy lost nearly of President Trump and the half its value, falling by nearly GOP. Last year, I was invited a trillion in value from where to appear on RT, the Russian it was in 2013. Russia’s Ruble government mouthpiece, to talk lost more than 75 percent of about Trump’s policies on the its value. But it hasn’t hurt Middle East and Turkey. Since the Russian people, given that these are areas I agree with our goods and services still flow president, I touted the benefits across borders. But the bank of these policies. Imagine my sanctions, technology sanctions, surprise when the RT hosts and oil sanctions, have hit the spent all of their time trashing Russian rich, beholden to Putin Trump’s strategy in the region, more than the dictates of any showing their true colors, while truly free market system.

I defended Trump. It was a This explains why Putin and similar story when Russian his Russian agents have sought media mocked the Republican to meddle in nearly every senators who flew to Moscow European election, from Brexit on July 4 to try and find some to the rise of populists with common ground. authoritarian streaks in both Russia played us all for West and East Europe. And fools in the last election, and yes, the evidence clearly shows will do so again, manipulating Russia meddled as well as the our ballot boxes and not just United States election. The our news feeds. Ending the Senate Intelligence Committee, sanctions will lead to more chaired by a Republican, has Russian military conquests, now concluded that not only did destabilizing Europe and Putin’s regime directly interfere America, while their leaders in the 2016 election, but will laugh at Trump, his supporters do so again in 2018 and 2020, and his opponents behind our seeing as they got away with backs. If you care for Truman’s their manipulation last time.

Eisenhower’s, JFK’s, and Democrats and liberals were Reagan’s legacy, don’t let these duped by Russian social media ex-Soviets succeed where they accounts claiming to promote failed during the Cold War. LGBT causes, Muslim, Bernie Sanders supporters, and Green John A. Tures is a Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. professor of political science Republicans were fooled at LaGrange College in by social media claiming to LaGrange, Georgia. He can be represent Texan secession, the reached at jtures@lagrange.

TEA Party, gun rights, veterans, edu. His Twitter account is etc. While some Republicans JohnTures2.

District 1. His phone number is 256-3920344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Bobby Tapley

Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663.

Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Buffy Colvin

Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

Scott Hardy

Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

Eric Brown

Tommy Spraggins represents District 5.

His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Tommy Spraggins

Tim Funderburk represents District 6.

His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Tim Funderburk

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”

—John Barrymore

Today’s

Scripture

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

—Jeremiah 32:17

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Wednesday’s question: Have you ever presented an idea to improve Alexander City to the city council or chamber?

No — 90%, 9 votes Yes — 10%, 1 vote

Thursday’s question: Do you think the speed limit should be reduced on Highway 280 coming into town approaching the intersection of Highway 63?

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

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Socialists battle middle class America

Bobby Tapley represents

Quote

How to

Officials

Jim Nabors

Today’s

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.

Know Your Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

A

rticle II, section 2 of the Constitution grants the president power to appoint justices to the Supreme Court “by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate…”

Now that Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy has resigned from the Court, President Trump has the opportunity to appoint a second justice. Of all the powers invested in a president, appointing judges may have the most enduring impact of any of a president’s powers.

Clarence Thomas is the longest serving justice, having been appointed by President H. W. Bush in 1991. The Senate approved Thomas by a vote of 52-48. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the second longest serving justice, and was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

The Senate approved Ginsburg by a vote of 96-3. In 1994, President Clinton appointed his second justice to the Court, Stephen Breyer who was approved by the Senate by a vote of 87-9.

Eleven years later, President George W. Bush appointed John Roberts Chief Justice in 2005. The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed Roberts’ record and approved his nomination with a 13-5 vote.

Democratic Senators Ted Kennedy, Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein voted in committee against Roberts. The Senate approved Roberts by a 78-22 vote.

Months later in January

DANIEL L. GARDNER Columnist 2006, President Bush nominated Samuel Alito to fill the vacancy left by Sandra Day O’Connor’s retirement. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Alito’s nomination on a party-line vote of 10-8.

The political left waged a huge campaign to thwart Alito’s approval by the Senate. Senator John Kerry failed in his attempt to filibuster the nomination, and the Senate confirmed Alito by a vote of 58-42.

Six years later in 2009, President Barack Obama nominated his first justice to the Court, Sonia Sotomayor, who was easily confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 68-31. The next year, 2010, President Obama nominated another woman to the Court, Elena Kagan, and the Senate easily confirmed her with a vote of 63-37.

President Donald Trump nominated the newest justice on the Court, Neil Gorsuch, in 2017, following the untimely death of Antonin Scalia, and failure of the Senate to consider Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee, before the end of Obama’s presidency.

Again, the political left waged a fierce campaign against Gorsuch. The Senate Judiciary committee approved

his nomination along a partyline vote of 11-9. This time Democrats were successful in using the filibuster to prevent a vote by the Senate.

Nevertheless, Republican senators invoked the so-called “nuclear option,” first used

by Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid, to end the filibuster by a simple majority vote. April 7, 2017, the Senate approved Gorsuch by a 54-45 vote.

Monday night, July 9, President Trumpannounced Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to the Supreme Court.

Before knowing who Trump would nominate, the political left announced they oppose and are already waging a political campaign against “anyone” nominated.

Opposition by the political left has nothing to do with jurisprudence or qualifications of any of the nominees Trump is considering. The left’s opposition is purely politically ideological.

Why is America so divided?

The extreme ideological left, aka socialists, have been waging a political war against the traditional middle class for decades to transform America into a socialist nation.

Hopefully, the Senate will confirm Trump’s nominee, and America can resume her exceptional historic narrative.

Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

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 email david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com.

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Thursday, July 12, 2018

‘Spoonfuls of sugar’ Photos by Donald Campbell As part of the ‘Libraries Rock’ summer reading program, librarians at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library welcomed special guest Mary Poppins Wednesday afternoon before the library’s weekly movie. Poppins was on hand to take photos with the children as part of a meet and greet session. She also brought with her plenty of ‘spoonfuls of sugar’ (Pixy Stix) for the children to enjoy before the movie began. Mamie’s Place librarians popped popcorn and had juice pouches available as refreshments for the movie for the approximately 40 children and parents in attendance. Fittingly, the movie of the week was the 1964 film ‘Mary Poppins’ starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

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Today’s Anniversaries

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Voters who usually cast their ballots at the Alabama National Guard Armory in Alexander City will vote at The Mill Two Eighty located at 4562 Highway 280 in Alexander City for the upcoming runoff election on Tuesday, July 17.

Today - July 13

EARLY ROSE DISTRICT CONGRESS: The 59th Annual Session of the Early Rose District Congress of Christian Education is July 9-13 at 9 a.m. daily at Miracle Missionary Baptist Church.

Today - July 31

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Registration for Faith Christian Academy’s After School program 2018-2019 will be July 9-31 for schoolaged children K4 and up. The program provides snack and help with daily homework. Pick-up from schools is available.

Faith Christian Academy is a ministry of Faith Temple Church and is located at the corner of Franklin and Gorgas Streets in Alexander City. For more information please contact Vickie Waters at 256-397-4130.

July 12-14

WARREN’S APPLIANCE PARTS, LLC Johnnie Warren, Owner

MAJOR APPLIANCE PARTS! 1008 Hillabee Street Alex City, AL 35010

256.215.PART

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The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Housekeeper.

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

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• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Family Worship Center is hosting Game On, Vacation Bible School July 12-14 for ages 3 through teens. July 12 and 13 will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and July 14 will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Tony Harris is pastor of Family Worship Center.

Saturday, July 14

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Comer Methodist Men’s Club pancake breakfast is July 14 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. It is $6 a plate, eat-in or carry out.

MARKET ON THE HILL: Artisans will display and sell their handmade items at Market on the Hill next to the Good News Baptist Church on Highway 280 in Jacksons Gap. There will also be face painting, prizes and awards. All pre-registered vendors are eligible to receive a $100 Hobby Lobby gift card.

For more information call 256-8279857 or email at frslatter@gmail.com MARRIAGE WORKSHOP: Calvary Heights Baptist Church in Ashland is hosting a marriage workshop on communication Saturday, July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be a discussion and video on how to improve communication with your spouse.

Childcare is provided.

Sunday, July 15

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services July 15 at 11 a.m. with a covered dish to follow.

The church is located at 3610 Dudleyville Road in Dadeville. Rev. John Marks will deliver the message.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting homecoming services July 15 at 2 p.m. Pastor John Leonard Sr. of St. James AME Church is the guest speaker.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Joyce Cauthen, a member of the Alabama Humanities Foundation’s Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, will present “Way Down in Alabam: Finding Old-Time Fiddlers and their Tunes” on Sunday, July 15, 2 p.m. at Tallapoosee Historical Society Museum on the square at 214 N. Broadnax Street. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

WOMEN’S DAY PROGRAM: Bread of Life Apostolic of Promise on Highway 280 West in Kellyton is hosting a Women’s Day Program Sunday, July 15 at 3 p.m.

Guest Speaker will be Elder Brenda Mock, pastor of Sylacauga. Elder Netherland Tuck is pastor of Bread of Life.

MENS AND WOMENS DAY: New Elam #1 Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Men’s and Women’s Day Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Michael McCain Sr. of Cornerstone House of Prayer.

Rev. Michael McCain Sr. is pastor of New Elam #1 Missionary Baptist

Church.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: New Hope Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services Sunday, July 15 at 10:30 a.m. Covered dish dinner to follow at noon. The Mike Lowery Trio will be singing.

Everyone is welcome.

July 15-17

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School July 15-17 at 5 p.m. daily. The theme is “God First” and a closing ceremony will be Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed.

Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.

July 15-19

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Comer Baptist Church is hosting “Game On” Vacation Bible School July 15 - 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 4 through sixth grade. The church is located at 341 East Church Street. Call 256-234-2236 for van pickup.

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, Youngs Ferry Road at Mullican and Gibson roads and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.

July 16-18

CHURCH REVIVAL: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting revival services July 16-18 at 6 p.m. Guest speakers are Pastor James Grasham of Haven Chapel, Pastor Lou Benson of GAP Fellowship and Associate Pastor Joann Finley of Haven Memorial United Methodist Church.

Tuesday, July 17

ELECTION: The primary election runoff will be held July 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

IF YOU VOTE AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN ALEXANDER CITY, THE POLLING PLACE HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE MILL 280 JUST UP THE STREET ON HIGHWAY 280 AT ELKAHATCHEE ROAD. BOARD OF EDUCATION: The July meeting of the Tallapoosa County Board of Education will be July 17. A work session will be held at 3 p.m. and the board meeting will be at 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 19

DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING: Jeremy Jeffcoat, candidate for Alabama House of Representatives District 81 will be the speaker at the monthly meeting of the Tallapoosa County Democratic Party.

SENIORX: Deborah Jones, SeniorRx coordinator will be at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help seniors determine if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK: First Baptist Church of Alexander City Daycare is holding a touch-a-truck event 9 a.m.

July 19. There will be fire trucks, police cars and other vehicles.

July 20-21

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church is hosting vacation Bible school July 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 21 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The church is located at 50 County Road

87, Kellyton. Rev. Michael Strong is pastor of Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church.

Saturday, July 21

CITY CLEANUP: Please join members of the community, in association with Clean Community Partnership, to help clean up the streets of Alexander City on July 21. Meet in Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. for supplies and assignments. Contact Jacob Meacham at jacob.meacham@alexandercitychamber.com for more information.

Sunday, July 22

VBS CLOSING CEREMONY: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting a VBS closing ceremony at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed during the recent VBS program. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.

July 23-26

ASTHMA CAMP: The Auburn University School of Nursing is holding the first Asthma Camp Eagle (ACE) in partnership with the Morris family and Children’s Harbor from July 23-26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Martin.

The camp is for children 7-12 years old. Most of the campers will be from Tallapoosa County.

The camp is free and parents of possible campers are asked to contact Linda Gibson-Young at gibsolm@ auburn.edu. or call at 334-844-5601.

Saturday, July 28

FAMILY REUNION: The MahanYates-Jarvis Family Reunion will be July 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rocky Creek Fellowship Hall. Bring covered dishes and enjoy the fellowship and food.

Sunday, July 29

OPEN HOUSE: Living Word Eclectic is hosting an open house July 29 at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and learn about the church, facility and programs offered. The message will be delivered by Rev. Stan Davidson.

The church is located at 1826 Kowaliga Road. Call 334-399-1486 for more information.

August 3-4

CONFERENCE: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting the LIFT Ministries Women’s Conference “Restoration” August 3-4. Tajuan McCarty will be the special guest speaker and there will be worship, fellowship and communing together in the name of Jesus.

Tickets are currently available at liftministriesal.com/shop for $50 each and include seats for the two-day event, a T-shirt, notebook, movie, night of worship, light breakfast, refreshments and a catered lunch.

Friday, doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. and movie following at 8 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 9 a.m. with coffee and donuts provided, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a worship rally to follow. Vendors may also purchase a ticket online for $70, which includes a general admission ticket as well as the vendor fee. Vendors may have tables set up for both days until the end of the night of worship.

For more information, contact LiftMinistriesal@gmail.com

Saturday, August 4

BACK TO SCHOOL EXPO: GAP Fellowship Church is coordinating the 18th Annual Back to School Expo Saturday, August 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center. There will be free school supplies, free back packs, pizza and drinks.

All students K-12 are welcome.

Teachers will receive a free resource gift.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.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

–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

How to add a calendar item: Participate in your

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com

Thursday, July 12, 2018

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Thursday, July 12, 2018

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Treehouse treehouse escape for the 14-year-old of Dadeville who was given his wish Wednesday.

“This is great,” Neill said with a smile as his mother removed a blindfold Wednesday evening. “This is cool.”

Neill’s mother Jennifer said the tree house has been a dream of Neill’s for a while and got the idea from his two favorite things – the Animal Planet show “Treehouse Masters” and the movie series “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Neill actually met the reality star Pete Nelson of “Treehouse Masters.”

“He was in Montgomery and we met him,” Jennifer said.

Neill now takes the helm thanks to Make-A-Wish and Joshua Bartlett of Imagine That Playhouses. Bartlett showed Neill around his treehouse created from those pirate ship remains.

“The door has a secret code,” Bartlett told Neill. “Only you and I know it.”

Terri Floyd and Coleen Humphries of Make-A-Wish Alabama joined Bartlett to give Neill a tour of the treehouse complete with a finger print kit.

“Is this real?” Neill asked.

“Yes it is,” Floyd said.

“Now I will know who gets into to my stuff,” Neill said grinning while clutching the key to his new treehouse.

Jennifer knows Neill will enjoy the freedom the space will give him as he has an older brother and younger sister sharing a home with him. Neill also has an older sister that lives in Auburn.

“He has an older brother that he says aggravates him all the time,” Jennifer said. “They are all teenagers.”

The treehouse looks like a pirate ship that has been in the woods in the edge of his yard for years. Instead of a plank, it has a spiral slide to the ground.

The journey for Make-A-Wish Alabama to help Neill and his family has been three years in the making.

Neill had a stroke at birth and has hydrocephalus which requires a shunt.

He has cerebral palsy on the left side and epilepsy. But Neill has not let health issues slow him down. He is active in school and is in the Dadeville High School Marching Band performing in the pit percussion.

Floyd said Neill’s wish is one of about 40 Make-A-Wish Alabama has been able to grant this quarter.

“It depends on the wish,” she said. “It also depends on funding.”

One of the reasons that took Make-AWish Alabama so long to make Neill’s wish come to be was trying to find a builder.

“We had never had a request like

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that,” Floyd said. “We kept looking around.”

Finally Bartlett’s talents were showcased on the Make-A-Wish Georgia Facebook page.

“They contacted me,” Bartlett said. “I was happy to do it.”

Bartlett’s company Imagine That Playhouses near Chattanooga has built about seven playhouses for Make-A-Wish in Georgia but Bartlett has traveled the country building his imaginative creations. The treehouse also comes complete with science kits, a microscope and a listening device – all part of something Neill loves, science experiments.

“He loves to make concoctions,” Jennifer said. “You can open the freezer and there will be a bowl of something another that he stuck there in the freezer.

It is all the time. I knew who to go straight to.”

Neill showed true character before devouring a meal donated by Lake Martin Pizza Company for the reveal Cliff Williams / The Outlook party.

Neill Trotman reacts to his brand new treehouse built by Joshua Bartlett with the help of Make“Can it be moved?” Neill asked A-Wish Alabama. Trotman, 14, of Dadeville has been dreaming of a space like this for quite Bartlett. “I want to be able to move it some time and his dream came true as the treehouse was revealed to him Wednesday evening. someday to share with my children.”

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

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Sports

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DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL

Outlook The

www.alexcityoutlook.com

RETURN TO NATIONALS CACC sends anglers to championships for 2nd straight year

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

For the second year in a row, Central Alabama Community College will be represented amongst the best of the best in college bass fishing.

Hunter Presley and Caleb Dennis are competing for the Trojans next week in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship. They’ll head to Lake Tenkiller in Talequah, Oklahoma, to perform amongst the top 90 bass fishing teams in the country.

“It’s definitely an honor for our club,” CACC assistant coach Michael McLain said.

“To have back to back years to qualify for the national championship, it doesn’t mean a lot to some people but we’re just a junior college and we’ll fish against Auburn, Alabama, teams from California to Georgia.”

Presley and Dennis earned their spot at nationals by placing 18th out of more than 200 boats at the Central Regional in Louisiana earlier this year.

Now, they’ll face the challenge of fishing on a completely foreign lake.

“You don’t know how the lake is going to set up,” Presley said. “Martin is rocky and deep but you go to Lay and it’s shallow and grassy with not as much as rock.

From research that we’ve done, it sets up a lot like Martin. It’s a deep, clear, rocky lake. I feel like that’s going to help us a lot because me and Caleb have both had success at Martin in high school.”

Luckily, all teams have three practice days before the tournament begins. They’ll check in Sunday with official practice days taking place Monday through Wednesday.

The championships begin Thursday and conclude Saturday.

During practice, Presley and Dennis will start trying to figure out the fish patterns and see what’s going to work best.

JOE MCADORY Columnist

Advice: Don’t ask your dad what ‘funk’ means

M

Submitted / The Outlook

Central Alabama Community College anglers Hunter Presley, left, and Caleb Dennis are headed to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Lake Tenkiller in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, next week.

“We’re going to start out fishing what we know, fishing what we like to fish and seeing if that works,” Dennis said. “We’re going to do what we like to do first and see if we can do well doing that because I know if we’re confident with what we’re doing, we’ll do good.

“If that doesn’t work out, we’re going to do stuff that we’re not too used to, which is fishing deep and slow, more of a finesse approach. We’ll just have to adjust and try to figure out what the fish are doing.”

Dennis is a self-proclaimed shallow water angler, but Presley isn’t worried about the potential of having to fish outside their comfort zone.

“With it being summertime, we’ll fish shallow early but

we’ll probably later in the day move toward deeper water just because it’s typical summertime patterns,” Presley said. “We just want to get on a decent pattern. Nothing that’s going to keep us finishing below where we need to finish, but something that’s going to make us stand out more than other people will.”

And although McLain can’t be on the boat with Presley and Dennis, he’ll be there for moral support and a daily review.

“These two guys here are phenomenal,” McLain said.

“They know how to catch fish.

They’ve been taught well, so our role really is support.

They can mark exactly where they fished all day long, we can see where they’ve been and what they’ve done all day,

and we can review it. We just give them support. We don’t really teach them anything.”

Last year’s CACC squad of Stewart Ward and Hunter Ward had a top-20 finish, but Presley and Dennis are hoping to surpass that. The top four teams have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the Bassmaster Classic bracket, so that’s something they’re definitely gunning for.

But winning it would be even more ideal.

“I’d like to win the whole thing,” Dennis said. “But I don’t want to go out there and be miserable the whole time and not do good. I wanna go have fun. You’re not always going to win, so you might as well make the best out of it while you’re there, whether you end up winning or not.”

Griffin Pritchard / For The Outlook

Dadeville gets some drills in against Tallassee during a Tuesday night 7-on-7.

Dadeville takes on Tallassee in 7-on-7 competition. And Dadeville is in the same situation that we are in, so both teams are really going to benefit from this.”

The two squads made the most of With the start of the 2018 high school their time together, splitting the Hot football season less than two months O’Brien turf into two separate 50-yard away, teams begin to hit a wall. camps. On one end of the field, the “You can only whip up on the same guy for so long before you start thinking quarterbacks threw different patterns while the receivers battled in one-on-one you are better than you are,” Dadeville situations. coach Richard White said Tuesday “It’s a chance to compete,” White said. afternoon, “until you line up against “We’ve been doing some stuff against somebody else.”

White’s Tigers traveled to Tallassee for each other and that gets monotonous after a 7-on-7 tangle with the Tallassee Tigers. a while.”

The other end was a crash course in “It’s a chance to get out here and a chance to go against somebody different,” reading the run as it was the Dadeville read-option versus the smash mouth Tallassee coach Mike Battles said. “Our Tallassee attack.

No. 1 group is going to get a lot of

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD For The Outlook

Thursday, July 12, 2018

“Everybody is getting some work,” Battles said. “And at this point in the summer, everybody is tired of going against each other. So it’s good to get (Dadeville) over here. It‘s (a chance) to see some different people.”

For the hometown Tigers, it’s a chance to see the two competing quarterbacks in head to head competition. Kalvin Levett and Dylan Turner are battling for the starting job.

“Those are the two working right now and we’ll make a decision probably when we start fall practice,” Battles said. “We’ll know who’s going to bet the starter.”

According to White, Dadeville has two more camps set for this summer, including hosting a 7-on-7 tonight.

y father took me to my first NASCAR race back in 1978 — the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. He made sure his son finally eye-witnessed what I’d been listening to on the radio every Sunday afternoon.

My father took me to my first Major League Baseball game four weeks later — a muggy night at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when Cincinnati’s Pete Rose extended his hitting streak to an amazing 44 games. Thinking back on it now, he provided me a seat where history unfolded. It’s a good thing, too, because the Braves held Rose hitless a day later.

My father took me to my first college football game that October — Auburn at the Florida Gators on a hot, sunny day in Gainesville.

He knew I loved football and made sure his son finally experienced the passion and pageantry that goes into a Saturday afternoon.

My father wasn’t huge into the sports scene, though he enjoyed a good ballgame every now and then. Serving others, whether it was helping at a local nursing home or playing an active role in community events, was his passion. A servant’s heart is the best heart, after all. He knew my passion was sports, and he helped feed that passion.

I wish I could go back to that first NASCAR race, seated on wooden bleachers within turn four’s Oldfield Grandstand and enjoy those moments with him all over again. There are so many things I’d like to ask. So many things I’d like to discuss. How in the world did he put up with me? How can a person accomplish so much in a given day? Should I rotate the tires in my Mazda every 5,000 or 10,000 miles? How often should I flip steaks?

I wish I could go back to that first baseball game, seated above right field, and share a bag of roasted peanuts. I wonder if he believes whether Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. How high should my lawnmower’s blade carriage should be? I don’t want to scalp the yard. Another thing … that time I asked him what “funk” meant, I really didn’t say the bad word. Truth.

I wish I could go back to those aluminum bleachers behind the north end zone at Florida Field – beside the Auburn cheering section with the perfect view of Gator receiver Chris Collinsworth’s diving touchdown catch. I’m sorry I flung my drink lid like a Frisbee onto the playing surface. Other folks were doing it and I thought it was funny. I’d love to turn back time and talk about football like we used to on Monday nights with Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Don Meredith. Auburn won the national championship eight months after you passed.

Whether it’s your father, mother, brother, sister, spouse or whomever … tell the people that mean the most to you that you love them and appreciate them. Parents — make time to spend with your children today. Not tomorrow. Today. Tell them you believe in them, because it helps them believe in themselves.

Sons, daughters — find your mom and dad, via phone, social media or by foot, grab their necks and thank them.

Don’t spend days reviewing what you could have, or should have, said. Say it now, and say it right.

No matter what riches or valuables we accrue in our lifetimes — cars, jewelry, or houses on a lake — they don’t have heartbeats and compassion. Loved ones matter, and they don’t come with lifetime guarantees.

Joe McAdory is Communications Editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.