July 21, 2017 Alex City Outlook

INSIDE, PAGE 2: TWO MORE PERFORMANCES OF ‘OUR TOWN’

FRIDAY

THE

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

July 21, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 144 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

SPORTS, PAGE 9: CACC golf wins Academic National Championship

Council gets look at $51.2 million budget

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

City Finance Director Sandy Stanbrough looks through budget sheets following Thursday’s budget work session at city hall.

Members of the Alexander City City Council, city department heads and interested members of the public got an overview of a proposed 2016-17 city budget designed to close out the current fiscal year.

After more than nine months of operating on the previous year’s budget and long hours to untangle three years of financial records, the numbers presented painted a much better picture than some feared.

The proposed budget calls for a total of $51.2 million, which includes $46.4 million in expenses and capital expenditures of $4.8 million.

“When we heard the auditor present the 2014 audit, he used the analogy of a checkbook and how if you haven’t balanced that in quite some time it’s hard to figure out where to start,” said Alexander City Finance Director Sandy Stanbrough. “In our case, picture a big box with a lot of the financial records from 2015 and another box with all the items from 2016.

Dadeville Kiwanis learns more about Smith Mountain restoration

Six bands to square off in tonight’s Band Battle

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Harold Banks and Jerry Bynum of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association were the special guests Thursday afternoon at the weekly meeting of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club. The two talked about the history of Smith Mountain on Lake Martin, including the fire lookout tower, as well as how CRATA was working to turn the area into a sort of outdoor museum, telling residents and visitors alike of the history and nature on Smith Mountain and the surrounding lands.

Smith Mountain, the highest point See KIWANIS • Page 2

No coolers, food or drink allowed into free concert at Strand Park

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Kaiden Glenn, 9, of Alexander City takes advantage of the slip-n-slide at the Sun Festival Fun in the Sun event at the Airport Pavilion Thursday. For more Sun Festival pictures, see page 7 inside.

FUN IN THE SUN

Children indulge in summer treats know, most of the folks here are teachers, overseeing the kids,” said Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President A crowd of Alexander City children, Ed Collari. “We can always count on the including some from Woody Woodpecker, schools and the daycares for their support Jacob’s Ladder and the Boys & Girls Club of this one.” of the Lake Martin Area made their way to He hoped that having a couple of hours the Airport Pavilion Wednesday morning to get out and play on the slides broke for Fun in the Sun, one of the many events the standard pace of a typical day for of Sun Festival. Lines formed up to speed the children who took part. Collari also down a giant waterslide and zoom across wanted to thank the supporters who had a giant slip-n-slide, while others cooled made Fun in the Sun possible, especially down with a refreshing round of Kona Ice. Kona Ice and Space Walk of Alexander “This is a pretty good sized crowd. You City.

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

An image on a projector from Harold Banks’ discussion shows the type of technology lookouts in towers like on Smith Mountain would have used to spot smoke and determine the location of a potential wildfire.

Weather

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6

SUN FESTIVAL FRIDAY SCHEDULE • 6 a.m. - Pie in the Sky Treasure Hunt • 9 a.m. - noon - KidsFest Wet ‘n Wild at Alexander City Pool • 10 a.m. - Pie Baking Contest at Lake Martin Innovation Center • 6 p.m. - Band Battle at Strand Park

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Low

54708 90050

One of the most popular events of the entire Sun Festival lineup is set for tonight at Strand Park beginning at 6 p.m. as Band Battle cranks up the music.

Bands from musical genres all across the board will be featured as they battle for cash and a chance to be the opening act for Saturday June 22’s finale featuring Moon Taxi.

Bands participating in Band Battle are: Madwind, Airside, Duece’s Wild, The Common Phenomenon, The Talismen and The Rachel Wilson Band.

See BANDS • Page 3

Local man grows plants with the help of coffee grounds

Today’s

High

That’s essentially what we had.

“What you see today, because we are so far along in the current year, is based on actuals and what is projected based on those averages. When this one is done, we feel like we will have much better starting numbers on the 2017 budget. This by no means is perfect, but I feel as good as I can about this budget and these numbers given all the factors involved.”

The proposed budget is about $3.7 million more than the previous See BUDGET • Page 3

8

USPS Permit # 013-080

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

490.53 Reported on 07/20/17 @ 3 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

Gardeners can be like fishermen and not let out their secrets to success.

Walking up to the Gunter Circle residence of Alexander City’s Rudy Neff, the first thing one notices is his the size of his elephant ears. Neff has tried a few things to grow them.

“I tried Miracle Grow,” Neff said. “I didn’t get no luck out it. Nope. I wasted my money.”

One day Neff was drinking coffee like he often does when the idea struck him.

“I am throwing all these coffee grounds away,” Neff said. “So I just put grounds in there and mixed it up and

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went out there and started putting on there and they just shot up.”

Neff did not buy the plants but acquired them.

“This one on this end and that one on the end of the house, Cindy (neighbor) had them down there,” Neff said.

I put them there.”

After a while trying this and that, Neff gave them the “mornin’ Joe” he drinks.

See PLANTS • Page 3

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Above, Ruddy Neff shows off the elephant ears he has grown around his home on Gunter Circle with the help of coffee. Left, Roses have also benefitted from Neff’s coffee.

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Page 2

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Wife with sketchy memory depends on husband for help

Saturday

89 73 Low

High

Partly sunny, 40% chance of thunderstorms

Sunday

88 72 Low

High

50% chance of thunderstorms

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 Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@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

Friday, July 21, 2017

The Outlook

DEAR ABBY: When my wife was 17 (she’s now 54), she was in a car accident. She and her three friends were high and drunk. She suffered two skull fractures, which have affected her memory. She thinks it’s my job to remind her of things and becomes angry to the point of hitting things when I don’t do it. I feel her schedule is her responsibility. But when I tell her that, she claims I am not being “supportive.” -- UNSURE IN THE SOUTH DEAR UNSURE: In successful marriages the division of labor is usually “each according to his ability, each according to his need.” Your wife’s schedule should be her responsibility, and if your wife were irresponsible, I’d agree with you. However, because she suffered a traumatic brain injury, she may be unable to be as organized as you are and need your help.

DEAR ABBY Advice

That said, “hitting things” when she becomes frustrated is not appropriate, and she needs to find a less threatening and destructive way of venting.

DEAR ABBY: Because our country’s marriage laws recently changed, my partner and I have decided, after 16 years together, to be married. If something unfortunate were to happen to one of us a few years down the road, what’s the proper way to acknowledge our marriage in an obituary?

Technically, we could say, “He is survived by his husband

of two years,” but that would discount the 16 years we were together and would have been married had the laws permitted it. But saying that he is survived by his husband of 18 years seems misleading as well. How can our many years together be honored without being misrepresented? -- OBITUARY ETIQUETTE DEAR OBITUARY ETIQUETTE: How about this: He is survived by his husband and partner of 18 years.

DEAR ABBY: I have a problem with my family that’s driving me crazy. They are Facebook snobs. I prefer not to join Facebook for personal reasons, and because I haven’t, they don’t keep me up to date regarding special events such as births, family picnics, etc.

They each expect the other ones to notify me, and no mat-

ter how often I ask, they’ll say, “Oh, ‘So-and-So’ was supposed to let you know.” It’s not like I am estranged from any of them; it’s just that they keep insisting I should join Facebook, and I’m tired of hearing it. Advice? -- NO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ME DEAR NO SOCIAL MEDIA: There are other ways to communicate online than Facebook.

Are you on the internet at all?

If you are, you could be notified of events through group email, group chat or group texting. I don’t think it’s fair to expect your relatives to make a special effort to keep you in the loop.

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. Charles Ron Manning 1943 - 2017 A Celebration of Life for Mr. Charles Ron Manning, 73, of Alexander City, will be held July 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., at Jakes Restaurant in Alexander City, Alabama. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.

Mr. Manning passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Russell Medical Center. He was born on November 26, 1943 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Tom Manning and Mardel Holder Manning. He attended Alex City Methodist

Church. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years.

Mr. Manning retired from American Express and was owner of Lake Martin Prop Shop.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Spencer Manning of Alexander City; son, Jayson Sellers (DaShell) of Flower Mound, TX; daughter, Kristi Sellers Browning (Shannon) of Alexander City; grandchildren, Leeroy Keith Manning, Kendra Lynn Manning, Megan Browning, Haley Browning, Gavin Sellers, Audrye Sellers, and Janna Sellers; two great grandchildren; sisters, Carolyn Steenburg, Linda Wills (David), and Kathy Jones; and several nieces

and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kenneth Wade Manning; brother, Michael Ervin Manning; and brother-inlaw, Dutch Steenburg.

In lieu of flowers the family request contributions to Children’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Highway, Alexander City, AL 35010, to the church of your choice, or Russell Medical Foundation.

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

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Ms. Annie R. McElrath Funeral Services for Ms. Annie R. McElrath will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22 at Great Bethel Baptist Church with burial following in the church cemetery.

Professional Service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.

Ms. Geneva Leonard Funeral Services for Ms. Geneva Leonard will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22 at Wright’s Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Old Union Cemetery, Dadeville, Alabama.

Professional Service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.

Two more performances remaining of ‘Our Town’

© 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 or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

Kiwanis on Lake Martin, is part of a geological formation known as the Devil’s Backbone, stretching from the northeastern corner of Tallapoosa County along the Tallapoosa River down into Elmore County, according to Banks. The mountain stands near where an old Creek Indian village was located. This village was the home of Menawa, who led the Creek forces during the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

The fire tower on top of the rise officially opened in 1939, and was commemorated with a fish fry held by the Dadeville Kiwanis Club.

“A network of towers was built throughout Tallapoosa County. Smith Mountain was the central tower of this network, and also served as the district office of the Division of Forestry,” Banks said.

In addition to serving as a vantage point for locating potential wildfires, the area surrounding the Smith Mountain tower became a center of activity, with locals hiking up and picnicking near the tower among other things.

Even though it was a popular location, time and technological advances took its toll on the lookout tower.

“By the late 1970s, fire towers were no longer as necessary as they had been,” Banks said. “The Smith Mountain tower was decommissioned in 1980, after which it began to fall into disrepair.”

After trying for several years to obtain the tower and the land surrounding it, Alabama Power gave it over to CRATA, who set out to fix the area up almost immediately. The group

continued from page 1

began creating hiking trails that not only went up to the restored fire tower, but also one that dropped down to follow the shoreline of Lake Martin and one that wound down to Little Smith Mountain.

CRATA still has a number of plans they are currently working on, including a new set of trails closer to the Martin Dam that would allow hikers to go up Saddle Rock in Elmore County.

Jerry Bynum added that a major movement has been growing, encouraging people to get outdoors and enjoy all of the natural beauty around them.

“There were between 700 and 800 people that went hiking up Smith Mountain during the three days after Thanksgiving last year. They’re coming for the beauty and the view,” he said.

With people coming from all over the country and the world to hike up Smith Mountain and take in the panorama from the lookout tower, CRATA’s next goal is to put up a series of signs along the trails and on the tower, teaching people about the history, geology and plant life of the region, along with pointing out what locations they might see from the top of the tower, according to Bynum.

While some of the necessary funds to complete this project came from a state grant, the group is also accepting donations from the public to make this fully possible.

“The tower is stronger and safer than it was when it was new. People are going out and frequenting it once again,” Banks said.

Kenneth Boone / The Outlook

Two performances remain for the ACT II production of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. The play will be on the stage at the Arbor on Green Street at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and are available at designated local merchants or at the door.

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Friday, July 21, 2017

City’s tree board awarded Good Roots grant STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Alexander City Tree Board is one of 41 Alabama agencies that have been granted $1,000 each from The Alabama Power Foundation’s Good Roots grant program.

In partnership with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association, the foundation provides Good Roots grants of up to $1,000 each to help cities, counties, schools, towns and nonprofit organizations plant trees. Good Roots helps beautify and strengthen communities

with tree-planting projects that benefit the environment and support recreation and economic development efforts.

“The Alabama Power Foundation has a goal of supporting vibrant communities and healthy environments statewide,” said Myla Calhoun, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “We are delighted to enhance the natural beauty of Alabama communities through the Good Roots program.”

To date, the foundation has awarded more than $600,000 in Good Roots grants, benefiting hundreds of cities, counties,

towns and nonprofit organizations.

Good Roots is one of several grant programs funded by the Alabama Power Foundation.

To learn more about Good Roots, as well as other Alabama Power Foundation and Alabama Power community programs, please visit www.powerofgood.com.

Since its creation in 1989 with funds donated by shareholders, the Alabama Power Foundation has supported Alabama communities, educational institutions and nonprofits with nonratepayer dollars through more than 20,000 grant and scholarship awards.

Page 3

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Public Meetings Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.

Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.

Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.

Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month.

Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.

Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.

Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.

Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a premeeting at 5:30 p.m. in city hall.

Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.

Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire

Plants

Department.

Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.

Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m.

Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.

Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.

New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.

continued from page 1

“I started pouring grounds and coffee on them,” Neff said.

The growth is not the only thing that has happened to the elephant ears.

“Last year, that elephant ear bloomed,” Neff said. “It blooms.

Everybody was flipping out over them blooming.”

The elephant ears are not the only thing Neff puts coffee on.

“I put it on my rose bushes too,” Neff said while explaining where the rose bushes come from. “It was across the street. It was a

after Katrina. I lost everything there. Then I came here. I lost everything up here – I lost my wife, I lost my home, I lost my car. I always heard from my black mama, ‘When it rains, it pours.’

Sometimes I want to go home.”

But Neff stays and is always answering the same question.

“Everybody always asks me, ‘What do you do to your plants?’”

Neff said. “Well I drink a lot of coffee and whatever I got left over, I pour it on them.”

little bitty rose bush. I started pouring coffee and coffee grounds on it – now it is bigger than it used to be.”

Coffee is not the only thing Neff uses.

“I buy these bags of tea and put that on them sometimes,” Neff said. “When the tea sours, I will pour it out on them, but I mainly put coffee on them.”

Neff is not a native of Alexander City but has several neighbors he keeps up with.

“I have been here since ‘05,” Neff said. “I cam here from Mississippi

Budget

continued from page 1

budget, but Stanbrough reiterated what Mayor Jim Nabors has said during the year that revenue is about 10 percent higher than last year.

Nabors said that while $4.8 million in capital expenses may sound high, department heads did a very good job prioritizing their needs and reached that number by cutting about half of their original requests.

“You can’t blame them for asking, but they really put their city hats on and worked to get down to what is needed versus what was wanted,” Nabors said. “All the department heads are to be commended for that.

“For a lot of various reasons, we have had to let some things wait for quite some time. We are to the point now where we have to get a lot of those things taken care of or face bigger problems.

But they really did a good job of getting us to that bottom line.”

There are no across

the board pay increases for employees in the proposed budget, but it does allow for step increases, longevity increases and pay hikes awarded as certifications and degrees are earned.

The budget, if passed when the council brings it to a vote in August, will include a few new positions that have been requested previously.

The budget does allow for hiring a code enforcement officer in the police department.

The department has been without one for almost four years and the duty of enforcement had been handed over to the building department. As a result, many citizens have complained that ordinances were not being enforced as tightly as they should have been.

The budget would also add accounting help in the finance department, an assistant city clerk which has already been funded, the new billing manager on the fire department, a

landscape technician who will work at the airport, give back a position in parks and recreation that was taken away by the previous administration and add a laborer in the gas department.

Personnel and benefits makes of about 37 percent of the expenses in the proposed budget Stanbrough told the council.

Nabors also cautioned the council about the 2017-18 budget when it comes to personnel costs.

“We have not received the Auburn study, so we will likely have an increase in salaries when we get to 2017-18,” Nabors said. “Depending on what the study shows, the council will have some decisions to make as to how they want to handle the changes in those numbers.”

Council President Tommy Spraggins indicated that he hopes the council could vote on the budget at an August meeting.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Ruddy Neff shows off the elephant ears he has grown around his home with the help of coffee.

Bands Here’s what you can expect: • Alex City’s own Madwind bills itself as a party band that plays “the oldies but goodies, classic rock and classic country.”

The, which will be the first to take the stage tonight, band features some familiar names including Kenny Dean, Cheri Edwards, David Florine, Van Edwards, Jeff Loyd, Tina Marie, Freddie Lynch and Tony Buenger.

• The Rachel Wilson Band, is a group with Alexander City ties and features a blend of rock, blues and country.

• Airside hails from the Memphis area and has an Indie or Alternative Rock sound, but will play some funk and classic rock as well.

• The Talismen are a Montgomery based rock/jam band made up of one college freshman and recent high school graduates from Montgomery Academy

continued from page 1

and Park Crossing High School. They put on a show containing soulful and funk-filled originals along with some music of their favorite artists like Widespread Panic, Phish and The Dirty Guv’nahs.

• Duece’s Wild is also from Alexander City and plays a mix of old country, Top 40 Country and Southern Rock.

• The Common Phenomenon is a local band that has been together for about a year. They play a ton of original songs and their sound is pure rock. Sean Dark plays the drums, Craig Hunter handles lead vocals and guitar, Chris Lilly picks the bass and Justin Keel plays lead guitar.

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce CEO said that the format for music is the same, but there are a few changes this year at Strand Park.

“Each band will play for 30 minutes,” Dunn

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said. “They will all be judged by industry judges. The winner will receive $1,000 as well be the opening act for Moon Taxi the following night.

“The admission is free, but one big change is that we will have beverages, alcoholic and otherwise for sale at the venue. Part of the process with getting an ABC license is that coolers will be allowed and no outside foot or drinks can be brought in. Once attendees come into the park, if they want to purchase alcohol, they will need to go through one of the ID stations and get an over 21 wristband. We will have soft drinks and water for sale as well.”

Saturday night for the Moon Taxi concert at Strand Park, admission is $20 in advance and $30 at the door. The same rules as far as coolers, food and drinks apply.

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Opinion

Our View

We want to hear what you think

A

re you looking for a way to voice your opinion on current events?

Are you tired of only being able to air your opinion with friends and family? Why not try the public?

The Outlook is looking for well thought out letters of opinion. It does not matter if anyone agrees with you.

Get involved and make your opinion on issues you feel strongly about known. We will even let you do that through the newspaper.

What do you think about the way our city government is being run?

How about the community responses to recent events like Sun Festival? What are you looking forward to with the start of school?

Or how about the approval of expansion of the inert landfill to a site closer to a residential area?

Do you have any praise or concerns regarding our country’s leadership or current administration?

Do you have thoughts on how the influx of summer tourists to the Lake Martin area may or may not affect you?

Have you been on the receiving end of a good deed and would like to give credit where credit is due?

Do you have a bone to pick with any of the stories in this newspaper?

If you have something to say about any of these questions, then the answer is a letter to the editor or a guest column. This newspaper’s editorial page is an open forum for our community and we encourage you to write us and make your opinion known.

It’s free. If you need help writing, our editors will be happy to help you craft a letter. Our rules are simple: no cussin’, no libel, no slander. Basically, if you’d say it around the dinner table with your grandmother, it’s probably acceptable as a letter to the editor.

So let’s get the conversation started.

What’s on your mind?

Write us at editor@ alexcityoutlook.com or Editor, The Alexander City Outlook, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 25011.

Know Your

Officials 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.

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 334-242-7100.

Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

Outlook The

Friday, July 21, 2017

A photo is a window to the soul

D

on’t you just hate having your picture taken? It is bad enough if it is a decent photographer doing his best to make you look good, but it is especially bad on a passport, driver’s license or ID badge. Somehow the true nature of what we really look like to others comes out.

My old passport photo is a combination of a Middle Eastern terrorist and someone who recently escaped from the asylum. I’ve had security people in several countries take a look at me, then the photo, then me, and just shake their heads. They don’t know whether to arrest me, send me on or put me on medication.

As bad as my passport photo is, you should see my driver’s license! Forrest Gump looks like a PhD compared to the mug shot on this document.

How in the world can they get you slumped over, eyes half closed and mouth open? They are able to get this same effect every four years at renewal time in spite of my best efforts.

The scary thought is, maybe this is the way I really look.

I could get arrested for DUI

DR. GERALD HALLMARK Columnist

just on the looks of my photo, and I am a teetotaler, old line, Baptist preacher.

My all time favorite photos are the candid ones people take when you don’t know they’re around. You know the kind where you are eating, scratching, wearing a swim suit or generally looking normal. They produce the response of going on a diet, cutting your hair or never going back in public again. I’m surprised some of them haven’t shown up on a YouTube clip of deranged people.

The thing about photographs is that they are so true to life. They capture the way we are, not the way we perceive ourselves to be. The discouragement comes because we thought more highly of ourselves and these snap shots pull us back to reality. Maybe that is why they are called snap

shots because they “snap” us back to where we really are.

The Bible reminds us that God doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but looks upon the heart. His picture of us is the truest photograph we will ever have taken. We can dress ourselves up, air brush away the blemishes and doctor the negatives, but God still sees our hearts. God views the photos of His children through the eyes of love. His grace erases the rough edges and softens the harshness of our sins. Like a loving parent He sees us with love and this love removes our sin. We are precious in His sight because of His love. I’m glad my Heavenly Father has a true portrait of me in His home.

In the meantime, I have to have a new passport photo made. The folks at the State Department in Washington looked at the old one and now are requiring a FBI check and two doctor’s certificates of competency. Boy, that was a bad picture of me!

Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a retired minister who lives in Alexander City. He is a regular columnist for The Outlook.

Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer.

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

Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties.

He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com.

Mark Tuggle 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 334Tom Whatley 242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Quote

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.”

—B.R. Hayden

Today’s

Scripture “I have taught you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in the right paths.”

—Proverbs 4:11

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Yes – 10 No – 6

Friday’s Question: Have you hiked one of the trails of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association recently?

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

Letters to the Editor

Moore’s candidacy has nation watching Alabama Dear Editor, Current U.S. Senate Candidate Roy Moore was first elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2001. He was subsequently removed from office by the Alabama Court of the Judiciary for his failure to remove a 10 Commandments monument from the state judicial building ordered by a federal court.

Moore was, yet, reelected as Chief Justice again in 2013 only to be removed again for, “...ordering state Probate Judges to ignore a federal court order to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.”

Most of the voting public acknowledge that Roy Moore

did, on both occasions cited, violate his oath to obey and uphold the Constitution of the U.S. and to obey and enforce “all laws of the land.”

Mature adults know that Roy Moore is using gimcrackery of his Christian faith to appeal to a Bible Belt voting block in Alabama that is fundamentalist Christian and to not support Moore’s agenda would be somehow unchristian-even sinful!

The possible result for this senatorial election is both scary and very sad. Early research polling indicates that the two front-runners are Roy Moore and former Alabama Attorney General and incumbent Luther Strange. We cannot afford to pass up an opportunity to keep

this Senate seat in capable hands instead of electing a man who has demonstrated twice that he will not obey the law when it comes to his personal political agenda. There is little doubt that if elected from day one, Roy Moore will again start grandstanding using some weird personal cause and embarrass this state yet again nationally.

As you contemplate the current U.S. Senate race, please keep an open mind and base your decision on character and past performance and send Roy Moore back home — FOR GOOD! James W. Anderson Talladega

Tallaco K-9 Search and Rescue United seeks public’s help Kay Ivey

Today’s

Dear Editor, The Tallaco K-9 Search and Rescue Unit is kicking off our annual picture fundraiser.

We are a 501C-3 non-profit organization. We provide a public service for our area at no charge to them. We are a volunteer only organization and no one in our organization gets paid. All of our expenses for travel and equipment are covered by donations only.

The difference in Tallaco K-9 and the other two rescue units in Tallapoosa County is that we use highly trained dogs to find missing people. Our dogs are

trained to find people in urban and wooded areas. Our dogs are also trained for cadaver (deceased) searches in those areas, as well in water.

With having working dogs in our organization we have an additional expense of veterinary bills. This picture fundraiser is our largest fundraiser each year and keeps our organization running. If you are approached by Spencer Forbes or anyone from his organization, this is not a scam.

The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s office knows of this fundraiser, and knows all the persons involved as well as

the vehicles they will be riding in. They will all be wearing orange shirts with our name and logo on them. We ask that you only donate if that is what your heart tells you to do.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to Tallaco K-9 Unit directly.

Spencer and his organization will be more than happy to give you any information you would like to prove the legitimacy of this fundraiser.

Faye Ingram Tallaco K-9 Search and Rescue Unit

Organizers need to rethink hot dog eating contest Dear Editor, The Alexander City Outlook published that “one of the most talked about events is Doggin’ it at the Lake – a hot dog eating contest where contestants see how many dogs they can woof down in a limited amount of time.”

This may seem like a fun and adventurous activity to

gather people together and watch hot dogs being digested in a gluttony, perhaps to win a prize. However, to me it is a dangerous event because those processed pieces of meats could get lodged into someone’s throat to cause severe choking.

I would suggest in the future that the committee decides to have a fun “doggin” day where friends, family and

tourists can sit down to a meal of hot dogs, coleslaw, French fries, etc. and no frivolity (idle folly).

Those with CPR certification be on alert just in case someone over eats the “doggins” and need help.

Be safe!

Blessings.

Teresa Harrell Moten Alexander City

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.

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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.

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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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Friday, July 21, 2017

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Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Sun Festival events entertain all ages

Top left: The Kountry Kritters perform at the Sun Festival Celebrate America’s Heros event at the Bill Nichols Veterans Home Thursday. Top right: Emmie Adamson, 5, Jack Adamson, 4, Brenley Adamson, 7, and Ainsley Daniel, 8, eat sundaes at Carlise’s Drug Thursday afternoon at the Sun Festival KidsFest Build Your Own Sundae. Bottom left: The line wrapped around the store at Carlisle’s for sundaes. Bottom right: Caroline Carley, 6, of Alexander City takes advantage of the slip-n-slide.

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a movie night July 21. The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.

Today is July 21, 2017 Today’s Events

Friday, July 21, 2017

The Outlook

Today’s Birthdays

MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting

Hollie Gordon, Charles Peppers, John Michael Sewell, Linda Graham, Hallie Gordon, Roniyiah Hester, Fay Morris, Morgan Deloach and Unya McCowan are celebrating their birthdays today.

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Dustin Bence was the big winner Thursday morning in the Sun Festival Pie in the Sky Treasure Hunt. Bence posed for a picture with his check after locating the medallion at the old Lake Hill Restaurant at about 6:20 a.m. He won $200 and is entered in the $1,000 drawing on Saturday night at the Moon Taxi concert at Strand Park. The treasure hunt is sponsored by USAmeribank. If you think Bence looks familiar, he is the Alex City EMT who won the hot dog eating contest Sunday at Wind Creek.

Saturday, July 22

STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky July 22 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park.

BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo Saturday, July 22 from 5-8 p.m. The event will begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks.

CHURCH SINGING: Family Worship Center at 1676 Sewell Street is hosting a singing July 22 at 6 p.m.

The pastor is Tony Harris. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, July 23

PRECIOUS MEMORIES GIFTS & MORE Monogramming onogramming Boutique outique CClothing lothing Jewelry ewelry Bathing athing S Suits uits & More More 10147 County Road 34 Dadeville, AL

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CHURCH HOMECOMING: Rock Springs Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap is hosting homecoming July 23 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jamey Williams will bring the message and The Dyes will provide the music. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Goodwater is celebrating its 128th Anniversary Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Christopher Todd and the pastor of Macedonia Baptist is Melvin Irving.

Monday, July 24

MINISTERIAL MEETING: The next ministerial meeting will be July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the River of Life Church past Buck’s Restaurant on Highway 22 headed to New Site. There will be discussion on the community revival.

Wednesday, July 26

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

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HEALTH FAIR: A Summer Safari Health Fair hosted by The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Senior Services Department will be held at the Bibb Graves High School in Millerville Wednesday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be health screenings, health education, refreshments, door prizes and more. Special guest will be Brian Peters, meteorologist from ABC 33/40. This event will be indoors and free to the public. For more information, contact Tabitha Royal, BSW, service coordinator at 256-751-3740 or email ROYAL.TABITHA@AIDB.ORG. GENEALOGY PROGRAM: The Adelia M. Russell Memorial Library is hosting “Genealogy Connects Us” July 26 at 11 a.m. Procedures for collecting, preserving and storing of church and other organizational records and artifacts will be taught by Sheralyn Belyeu, Loretta Whetstone and Frazine K. Taylor.

Thursday, July 27

GOSPEL QUARTET: The Carolina Boys Quartet will be at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium July 27. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The concert is presented by Radney and Langley funeral homes and admission is one non-perishable food item donation to benefit the Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center and Loaves and Fishes.

BINGO: Jake’s Restaurant is hosting bingo night to benefit the Boys and Girls and Club of the Lake Martin Area every Thursday this month from 6 to 8 p.m. Cards are $1 each.

Friday, July 28

MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 28. WWJD II The Woodcarver will start at 7:30 p.m.

Concessions will be sold.

Saturday, July 29

$500 GIVEAWAY: The Goodwater Disabled Veterans Organization is having a $500 giveaway July 29 at 2 p.m. at the Goodwater Disabled Veterans Organization, located at 7882 U.S. Highway 280 in Goodwater.

First prize is $250, second is $150 and third is $100.

Donations are being accepted by calling Richard McElarth at 256-2764776, Renell Hill at 256-839-6915, Wade McElarth at 256-749-9100 or Willie James Gaddis at 256-861-6177.

Proceeds will be used to help feed veterans.

YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP: Bridge Builders will be hosting a youth football camp for grades 1-8 July 29 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sportplex.

For more information, contact Hudson Hinton at 256-750-1140 or Tommie Kelly at 256-786-0542.

BENEFIT SINGING: All for Him will be praising God with the Pritchard family. Sonny went home and those of us that wait for our time to join him will be rejoicing and singing praises for a blessing to fall on his wife and children in their time of need. Please come out and join us at Kellyton Revival Center July 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.

BENEFIT SINGING: Mt. Siani Baptist Church in Waverly is hosting a benefit for Edger Tug Woody July 29 at 5:30 p.m. Host Star Wonder gospel singers will be performing. Rev. Cory Hughley is pastor.

BACK 2 SCHOOL DRIVE: The Jacksons Gap Back 2 School Drive is Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jacksons Gap Fire Department.

There will be food, fun and school supplies for students who can’t afford them.

Donations are being accepted through July 25 at the Jacksons Gap Town Hall.

FAMILY REUNION: The Mahan Yates Jarvis Family Reunion will be July 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rocky Creek Fellowship Hall. Bring a covered dish and sit a spell.

Sunday, July 30

REGENERATION PRAISERS REGISTRATION: The Studio will be taking registration for praise dance, tumbling and cheerleading, basic lyrical/lyrical/ballet dance and majorette dance.

The early bird sign up is July 30 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for $20 and $25 for sign ups from 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 9, 10, 16,17, 23, 24, 30, 31, and Sept. 1.

For more information, contact Kenyatta Simmons at Regeneration Praisers or email Ksimmons@acsk12. net or call Diane Deloney at 256-3074195 or Rosalyn Salter at 256-7941023.

Tuesday, August 1

USHER MEETING: There will be a meeting of the Early Rose District ushers August 1 at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.

Wednesday, August 2

OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend

School is hosting an open house for high school students, for seniors at 1 p.m., juniors at 2 p.m., sophomores at 3 p.m., freshmen at 4 p.m., eighth grade at 5 p.m. and seventh grade at 6 p.m.

Thursday, August 3

OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend School is hosting an open house for elementary school students with kindergarten, second, fourth, sixth grades at 5:30-6:15 p.m. and first, third and fifth grades at 6:30-7:15 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE: Dadeville Elementary School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 5-6:30 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE: Reeltown Elementary School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 2-6 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE: Reeltown High School is hosting an open house for high school students Aug. 3 from 2-6 p.m.

Friday, August 4

ALZHEIMERS CONFERENCE: The 15th Annual Alzheimer’s Professional and Family Caregiver Conference will be Friday, August 4 at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. UAB research specialist Dr. Rita Jablonski-Jaudon will be discussing strategies to deal with dementia patients with non-drub interventions.

For more information, call 334-3994342 or 334-233-2139. $20 general admission or $55 for professionals needing CE credit.

Saturday, August 5

BACK TO SCHOOL EXPLOSION: The will be a Back To School Explosion at the Betty Carol Graham Center at CACC August 5 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The event is being coordinated by GAP Fellowship Church as it has for the last 16 years.

The guest speaker is 13-year-old King Nahh from Newark, New Jersey who has been featured on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots and Good Morning America.

Students of all ages are encouraged to attend. There will be free school supplies for all students and backpacks will also be given way.

Teachers and administrators are also encouraged to attend as well.

There will be pizza and drinks too.

Sunday, August 6

CHURCH SINGING: Old Providence Baptist Church in Hackneyville is hosting an all day singing August 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Special singers will be the Kingsland Quartet from Arab. Lunch will be at noon and everyone is invited.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Wall Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is celebrating 137 years of ministry August 6 at 3 p.m. A program is being prepared to commemorate the occasion to be followed by dinner.

OPEN HOUSE: Dadeville Christian Academy will be having an open house August 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2392 Eagle Creek Road, Jacksons Gap.

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The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in 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

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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

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

Friday, July 21, 2017

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 9

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE DAVID RAINER Columnist

Eastern indigo release adds 26 to Conecuh Forest

J

im Godwin crouched next to a patch of white sand in the Conecuh National Forest last week and gently released a dark, 6-foot-long serpent. The threatened eastern indigo snake didn’t hesitate to slither quickly into the intended target, a gopher tortoise burrow.

The head of the eastern indigo snake, with its tongue testing the muggy July air, made a brief appearance at the burrow’s entrance, but there was too much hubbub going on in the longleaf pine forest for it to pose for photos.

No encore. Elvis has left the building.

The hubbub was created by efforts to reestablish a viable population of the snakes that once were abundant before the longleaf pines became a prime species for lumber production. More than two dozen people, including wildlife and forestry professionals as well as interested citizens and their children, joined the project leaders to release the snakes.

Godwin, of Auburn University’s Alabama Natural Heritage Program, has spearheaded the project for the past 11 years, and last week’s release of 26 eastern indigo snakes increased the number of released snakes significantly.

Through a grant from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, the program had previously released 107 eastern indigos into the wild, according to WFF Grant Coordinator Traci Wood.

“This project is an example of great accomplishments for the eastern indigo snakes and all the partners involved,” Wood said. “It’s a great effort toward the recovery plan to enhance and maintain a population in the historical range of the eastern indigo.

This species was extirpated from the state and hadn’t been seen since the 1950s. It is considered an apex predator. It plays an important role in the ecosystem, specifically the longleaf pine ecosystem. I think this is an exceptional example of the reintroduction of an imperiled species.

“This project is not only about the propagation and release of these snakes in the forest; we are also monitoring these snakes.

PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags were inserted into the snakes. We will have technicians walking areas where snakes were released to look at survival, abundance and demographics.”

Eastern indigo snakes are the longest reptiles native to the U.S. at more than 8 feet long. They prey on a variety of small mammals, amphibians, lizards and numerous species of venomous snakes. The venomous copperhead snake is a common meal for the indigo. Godwin said indigos will range far and wide during the warmer months then seek refuge in the gopher tortoise burrows during the winter.

Wood said the WFF’s State Wildlife Action Plan identifies 366 species in the category of greatest conservation need.

“Alabama is one of the most diverse See INDIGO • Page 10

Submitted / The Outlook

Central Alabama Community College’s golf team has been named the Academic National Champion for the NJCAA Division I. Team members include front row, from left, Steven Wysocki, Chase McLelland, Bailey Scifleet, Carden McCay; back row, Carter Henley, Jake Maples, Reynolds “Chuck” Carl, coach Dave Jennings, Sam Goldasich and Jacob Morgan.

CACC golf wins national academic championship

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Central Alabama Community College’s golf team won the highest academic honor this week when it was named the Academic National Champion for NJCAA Division I schools.

The award is given by the Golf Coaches Association of America, and the Trojans actually had the highest cumulative grade-point average across all junior colleges.

They finished with a 3.52 GPA and were the only junior college to earn the President’s Special Recognition, which is awarded to teams with a 3.5

GPA or higher.

“We won the national (athletic) championship in 2003, and I think this is equally impressive,” CACC coach Dave Jennings said. “At nationals, we’re using five guys, this was all nine of the guys together that had to put their effort into it. They all worked really hard and hit a home run.

“They’ve all got promising futures and I’m super stoked about this award. It’s one of those feathers in the cap that many aren’t going to be able to enjoy.”

The team was made up of Steven Wysocki, Chase McLelland, Bailey Scifleet, Carden McCay, Carter

Henley, Jake Maples, Reynolds “Chuck” Carl, Sam Goldasich and Jacob Morgan.

It is the first academic national championship for CACC’s golf team.

“The kids are stoked; they love it,” Jennings said. “This is something they can put on their resumes for the rest of their lives. It separates them from the crowd that they had the No. 1 best GPA in golf in the nation against any of their peers. I’m very proud of them.”

Other winners were Georgia State (NCAA Div. I), St. Edward’s (NCAA Div. II), Kalamazoo (NCAA Div. III), Governors State (NAIA) and Mineral Area College (NJCAA Div. II).

Sports camp a hit for Camp ASCCA

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Water skiing, softball, scuba diving and basketball might not seem like the preferred activities of kids with physical disabilities, but during Camp ASCCA’s sports camp, all that changes.

Directed by Cody Graham, who went to school for exercise science with a specialization in adaptive sports, Camp ASCCA annually offers a camp for the physically disabled in conjunction with its Teen Week.

“It’s great for the kids (without disabilities) to see, especially with the sports, you have to be really tough,” Graham said. “To play wheelchair basketball, for instance, you have to be really in shape, and they didn’t realize that before. They see the other

kids that have to do that every day, and I think they have more respect for what they’re going through.”

This year’s camp was the youngest Camp ASCCA has had in a long time with 11 campers ranging from 8 to 13 years old. They also catered to a good mix with six boys and five girls with at least seven of them in wheelchairs.

“It was really neat to see these kids that haven’t really grown into their body yet and want to be more athletic, and they’re learning,” Graham said.

“There’s this one little girl named Faith (Sengvixay) who has CP (cerebral palsy). She can still do some walking and things like that, but she can book it on a wheelchair. It’s cool Submitted / Camp ASCCA to see.”

Dadeville’s Carrie Williams takes part in While some of the campers a wheelchair basketball clinic as part of See ASCCA • Page 10 sports camp at Camp ASCCA this week.

Caitlyn Harris dominates at EAHA Youth Show

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Submitted / Dept. of Natural Resources

Jim Godwin of Auburn University places an eastern indigo snake near the entrance of a gopher tortoise burrow in Conecuh National Forest recently.

East Alabama Horse Association’s youth show was moved to the Alexander City Horse Riding Club this weekend, and it was a chance for the youngsters to show off their talent.

Caitlyn Harris was nearly unstoppable in her competitions, collecting the top spot in six of seven events. She rode Bud on Tap to win the 17-and-under Youth Halter, the Western Halter with a horse age 3 and over and the Gelding Western Halter.

Harris then showed One Asset Shy and won the Color Halter, the 12U Walk-Trot and the Racking Open, and the pair combined for second place in the Western Walk-Trot Open.

Also performing exceptionally well was Ellie Butler, who earned four first-place finishes and a second place in her five events. On Eastwood, Butler won the 12U Pony Showmanship at Halter with a horse 54 inches and under and the Pony Halter with a horse 49 inches and under. Riding Uno, she won the Pony Walk-Trot and Pony Pleasure, both with a horse 54 inches and under.

Submitted / The Outlook

Kendall Bowling competes in the EAHA Youth at the Alex City Horse Riding Club arena on Saturday evening.

Butler rode a third horse, Star, for her second-place finish in the 17U Youth Trail Pleasure.

The top male competitor was Trent Wheeler, who earned three first-place

finishes. On John Smoltz, Wheeler was the top spot in the 17U Youth Western Gaited Flat Shod, the 17U Youth Racking and the Racking Flat See HORSE • Page 10

Page 10

www.alexcityoutlook.com

ASCCA were already involved in sports in their communities, others were just trying to get experience. Camp ASCCA offers a wide variety of sports because Graham thinks it’s important for each kid to find something they love.

Activities included skeet shooting, fishing, canoeing, climbing the ziptower, tubing, scuba diving, basketball and softball.

“Watching wheelchair softball is kinda neat because you think it’d be slower but it’s really not,” Graham said. “The field is a little smaller and the base paths aren’t as long, so you have a short amount of time to get them out before they reach base. It’s really neat to watch.”

Graham had plenty of help from outside groups as well, including Adventure Sports II out of Montgomery and the Auburn University wheelchair basketball team.

Although this has been a very successful sports camp, Graham said he is always looking for ways to improve. In the past, the camp has focused on a specific sport like basketball, which provided some specialization, but Graham also likes the idea of giving the kids a variety of opportunities.

“I want them to find something they love,” he said.

“I want them to go back to their homes and own schools and figure out what they can do in their communities to see what they can do to keep playing. But I also saw the positives of the basketball camp, so maybe we’ll do something like that with little spots of other activities.”

Either way, Camp ASCCA is providing a great opportunity to both kids with disabilities and ones without.

“You’ll see some kids see a person in a wheelchair, and they might try to avoid or walk

Friday, July 21, 2017

The Outlook continued from page 9

Horse

continued from page 9

Submitted / Camp ASCCA

Above: Nigel Davis participates in a scuba diving clinic. Below: Tyler Hall participates in the sit ski activity on Lake Martin as part of Camp ASCCA’s sports camp for kids with physical disabilities.

Submitted / The Outlook

Brady Kissic competes in a barrels race during the EAHA Youth Show at the Alex City Horse Riding Club arena on Saturday evening.

around them or do anything they can not to interact,” Graham said. “But I think these kids will actively pursue someone with a disability

because they’re so used to it now. In high school and college, that’s going to be really good for them, and you can see it coming out now.”

Shod Open. Wheeler also collected a second-, fourthand fifth-place finish to round out his day.

Melissa Mitchell was the only other rider to win the top spot in three events. She was first in the 18-andover Western Gaited Flat Shod and Ladies Racking on Bold Score, and while showing Dangerous Catch by JFK, Mitchell won the Western Gaited Lite Shod. She also captured second in the Racking Flat Shod Open.

There were quite a few multi-event winners at Saturday’s show. Those included: Allyson Noles: 12U Pony Pole Bending for horses 54 inches and under (riding on Lightning); 12U Youth Barrels (Ronnie) Samantha Robbins: 18-and-over Stake Race; Pole Bending Open (both on Cricket) Tommy Thompson: Trail Pleasure Racking-Keg Shod (Hanks Golden Girl); Western Racking-Keg Shod (The Star) Kerry Bratton: Men’s Racking (Season Opener); 17U Youth Western Pleasure (Joses Dangerous Push) Jack Cockerham: 12U Pony Barrels for horses 49 inches and under; 12U Pony Arena Race for horses 54 inches and under (both on Peaches) Kyle Beard: Men’s Barrels; 18-and-over Arena Race (both on Revved & Ready)

Indigo states in the nation, specifically Conecuh National Forest, in terms of amphibians and reptiles,” she said. “This area is the most biologically rich public land in the country.”

Wood said the long-term goal for the eastern indigo project is to release 300 snakes into the wild.

“It’s a long-term effort our agency is committed to with all our partners,” she said. “I want to thank Jim Godwin with Auburn University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoo Atlanta and OCIC (Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation) for all their work and dedication. And I want to thank the U.S. Forest Service for their exceptional management to give us this opportunity to release these snakes in quality habitat.”

Tim Mersmann, Conecuh District Ranger, said he hopes the release of eastern indigo snakes becomes an annual event.

“We are all about restoring longleaf pine forest ecosystems on the Conecuh,” Mersmann said. “It’s really what drives us.

This open, fire-maintained forest is what we’re about. This type of forest ecosystem used to be the most common condition along the coastal plain and the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast. Now it’s fairly rare.

Many of the species associated with it are rare as well.

“We’re about restoring this condition as part of our natural heritage, and restoring the ecosystem means restoring the parts and pieces. One of the most exciting and striking pieces, no pun intended, is the eastern indigo. These snakes are very docile, but they are really a top predator in this type of ecosystem. So, to get them back after decades of being missing from this ecosystem is really exciting.”

Mersmann said herpetologists have studied the 84,000-acre Conecuh National Forest and determined it has more species of amphibians and reptiles than any public land unit in the country.

“We’re really proud of that,” he said. “It’s a great haven for reptiles and amphibians, a great home for a snakeeating snake like the indigo. They’ve got a real smorgasbord to choose from. And it’s heaven for herpetologists as well.

“Beyond the herpetologists, this is part of our natural heritage. It’s part of the legacy we want to leave for the future. That is why we really enjoy having kids out here for the indigo snake release. That’s been part of the tradition.”

Godwin said last week’s release was the fifth major release in the project’s 11-year history.

“When we set out looking for a place to begin this project, Conecuh stood out as the only place in Alabama where we could successfully accomplish this task of reintroducing a population of indigo snakes back into Alabama,” Godwin said. “It had

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to do with this relatively intact landscape and good ecosystem management, and, as best as we know, the perpetuity of that management.

“This area is incredible for reptile and amphibian diversity. Another species in Conecuh that is rare is the gopher frog. One of the top breeding sites for gopher frogs is right here in Conecuh.”

Godwin said during the early days of the indigo project the snakes to be released were propagated from indigos that had been captured in the wild in Georgia.

The indigos in last week’s release were bred in captivity at the Orianne Center at the Central Florida Zoo. Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army’s Fort Stewart also provided indigos in the past.

“Rearing an indigo in captivity costs a lot,” Godwin said. “When you multiply that by 50 or 60, it’s a huge task. We’re very grateful the zoos have been able to step up. The Birmingham Zoo now also has an interest. As this project has moved along, it has continued to expand. We also welcome new partners to help support this.”

Godwin said monitoring the success of the reintroduction of the indigo population is a difficult proposition, but new technology promises to make it easier.

During last week’s release, the youngsters in the group were given priority to release the snakes, hopefully fostering their interest in the species.

Goodwin said eastern indigos are next to impossible to find in the wild.

Submitted / Dept. of Natural Resources

Top: Several of those in attendance were willing to carefully handle the threatened species, including youngsters Joel Hernandez, left, and Isaac Elmore, who were coached by Michelle Hoffman of the Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation. Above: The eastern indigo project released 26 snakes with the help of a group of wildlife officials and interested members of the public.

“If you don’t have a radio transmitter in an indigo snake, you don’t know where it’s going or what it’s doing,” he said.

Godwin did say one eastern indigo snake was spotted in Conecuh National Forest this year.

“This is a federally threatened species, and the person who saw it knew it was protected,” he said. “I wish we could have collected some information, but he did the

right thing by leaving the snake alone. We know indigo snakes are surviving out here.

We hope in the future, the children will grow up with an appreciation and a real care and concern for these snakes.”

David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He writes a weekly column titled Outdoor Alabama Weekly.