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Missing Dadeville girl found safe in Georgia By MITCH SNEED Editor
After an emotional day of searching and prayer, a missing 11-year-old Dadeville girl was found safe by a Georgia deputy early Monday morning. According to Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett, Victoria Skye Smith was located in Walker County, Georgia, not
far from the town of LaFayette at about 8 a.m. Abbett spent much of the day traveling with the girl’s parents to pick her up, he said he hoped to have more details soon. A press release is planned once Abbett has more information. “We have talked with authorities and have been able to talk with the girl by phone,� Abbett said. “She spoke with her
parents and that really gave them a sense of relief. She is alive and healthy and we are thankful of that and to all involved in bringing this to a positive conclusion.� Her location brought to a close more than 24 anxious hours for her family, friends and law enforcement. The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department issued an
Emergency Missing Child Alert at 12:53 p.m. Sunday after receiving a call at 6:48 a.m. reporting the girl as missing from the Murphy Dam Lake area located off Highway 50 in Dadeville. Law enforcement put out photos and a description as to the clothing she was wearing. She was believed to have left the home of a relative on
First Presbyterian to close long-running day school
Suspects in bar fire, drug trafficking, sex abuse cases are sentenced
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Since the early 1960s, the First Presbyterian Church of Alexander City has offered local children an education opportunity as a way to be prepared to start kindergarten. Despite being an excellent way to help children with the basics of shapes, numbers and letters, the church will no longer be offering its day school after August 4, ending a long-standing educational tradition within the community. When the day school at First Presbyterian was first established, there was no other preschool
Smith
See SMITH • Page 3
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
TAIL WAGGIN’ GOOD TIME Cliff Williams / The Outlook
See SCHOOL • Page 3
Top: Dogs, alpacas and chickens wait with their people while taking the stage at the Sun Festival Dawg-Gawn Parade. Left: Alabama cheerleaders Minnie and Elodie Waller of Alexander City wait their turn before taking the stage. For more photos of Sun Festival from this weekend, see page 10 inside.
SUN FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Today
Pie in the Sky Treasure Hunt 6:05 a.m. KidsFest Healthy Living 10 a.m. - noon Bingo 2:30 - 4 p.m.
File / The Outlook
Morgan Baker dances with his daughter Karleigh at the First Presbyterian Day School’s Spring Dance in March.
Show Me the Movie 3 - 5 p.m. Hittin’ the Links Glow -in-the-Dark Golf Tournament 5:30 p.m. Drone Race & Training Day 5:30 p.m.
It was a day full of emotion in the courtroom of Judge Ray Martin as he sentenced the two defendants from the arson of Colonel Tom’s, Stanley Holloway on trafficking and Christopher Carleton on sexual abuse Monday morning. Martin heard emotional pleas from both victims and defendants from the arson of Colonel Tom’s about how they hoped the incident would turn lives around for the defendants. Last month the See SENTENCES • Page 3
Are majorettes a dying art? By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
With high school band camps set to kick off within the next couple of weeks, the newest crop of musicians will begin preparing for another season of exciting halftime entertainment. However, in some places throughout Alabama, one element will be missing from practices and performances: majorettes. Originating in the Rhineland of See MAJORETTES • Page 3
Robinson Iron helps refurbish three iconic landmarks By MITCH SNEED Editor
Fountain Square Park is the focal point of the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky and the park is in the process of getting a major facelift. While work at a park in Kentucky may not seem like news here in Alexander City, there is a very important local connection. The largest part of that major renovation involves Alex City’s Robinson Iron. The centerpiece of the park is a large fountain, called “Hebe, the goddess of youth.� Earlier this week, workers from Robinson Iron were in Kentucky and disassembled the massive fountain. The piece featured four sections and they carefully loaded it for transport back to their shop here to refurbish the fountain. The job required
Today’s
a crane and a lot of manpower to make sure that all of the components could be transported without incident. The fountain was originally installed in the park in May 1881, although many of the pieces of the current fountain are from more recent renovations. The fountain has had issues with leaks and needs a general facelift. The fountain is not scheduled to be reinstalled until the end of the renovations in November. That’s just one of several high-profile projects that the company is involved with currently. Robinson is also handling work on the cupola atop the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, according to Scotty Howell of Robinson Iron. “It’s a Greek Revival building with lots of detailed metal accents at the
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
88 72 High
Low
490.60
Reported on 07/17/17 @ 12 p.m.
See IRON • Page 2
File / The Outlook
The centerpiece of Fountain Square Park in Kentucky is getting a facelift, with Robinson Iron refurbishing it.
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Newlywed’s world caves in when the truth comes out
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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.
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Tuesday, July 18, 2017
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DEAR ABBY: I dated the perfect man for two years. When he asked me to marry him, I had to say yes. He was kind, gentle, attentive, easygoing, full of dreams, great sense of humor, an excellent provider and sexually the best. Three months after our perfect wedding, it all began to unravel. I learned he is bipolar with manic episodes. He has been married three times before me and always lost interest in sex. He says he may be attracted to men, then tells me he’s not sure. He also isn’t as good handling his financial affairs as he led me to believe. I’m 58, and he’s 59. How could I not have had a clue about any of this? I sold my house to move into the parsonage with him. After repeatedly being lied to, misinformed or left out of the loop all together, I am now couch-surfing, mainly at my ex-husband’s house. I feel tired and broken -- no income, no home, no respect
DEAR ABBY Advice
and no hope of him getting it together. I would appreciate any advice or counsel. All I have figured out is to start over and remain single as he is my third husband. -- THIRD TIME AROUND DEAR T.T.A.: You will feel less tired and broken after you have consulted a lawyer about helping you get out of this fraudulent marriage. And while you’re at it, you and your lawyer should bring this to the attention of the church council or whoever holds the lease on that parsonage. I am sure they will be very interested in what you have to say about the leader of their flock. DEAR ABBY: When I started
dating my husband, “Ralph,” 22 years ago, I made it very clear that I would never move to his hometown, which is six hours away. Even though it may seem selfish, my wish was to be near my family. Our relationship progressed anyway. We’ve been married for 15 years, live in my hometown, and have three little boys. Ralph is 42, homesick and wants us to move back home now to be around his parents because he’s lived around my parents for 15 years. I told him my intentions were made crystal clear before we got married and I wasn’t moving. His response was, “So you were worth moving for, but I’m not?” There are other reasons for my not wanting to move there, but the bottom line is that I wish he had been true to himself before deciding to marry me. I think it’s a bit late to be playing this game. I’d like your thoughts, and please give it to me straight. -- STAYING PUT
DEAR STAYING: OK, here they are. I think your husband has a valid point. Marriage is supposed to be about compromise, and for the last 15 years he has lived in your community. I wish you had shared what your other reasons for being against moving are, because they might have influenced my opinion. But from where I sit, I think you owe it to Ralph to give it a try. Perhaps you and your family could rent out the home you’re living in and rent a place in his hometown for a year. That way, if you can’t adjust, you would be able to move back near your own family, which appears to be your first priority. 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.
Man who stole school employees’ tax refunds pleads guilty STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
A Nigerian man who defrauded more than 100 employees of the Alexander City School System of tax refunds last year plead guilty in federal court Friday. Kevin Kunlay Williams, a.k.a Kunlay Sodipo, 56, a Nigerian national who resided in St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty on Friday to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, voter fraud and illegally re-entering the United States after having been removed, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Carrie Costantin for the Eastern District of Missouri. According to documents filed with the court, Williams and others stole public school employees’ IDs from a payroll company and used them to electronically file more than 2,000 fraudulent federal income tax
returns seeking more than $12 million in refunds. He also stole several return preparer’s Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) and used them to secure tax-related bank products and services that facilitated the issuance of tax refunds, to include blank check stock and debit cards. Williams used the blank stock to print checks funded by the fraudulent refunds and directed some of the refunds onto debit cards. Williams previously entered the United States from Nigeria under the name Kunlay Sodipo, but was deported in 1995. In 1999, Williams illegally returned to the United States from Nigeria using the last name Williams. In 2012, Williams registered to vote in federal, state and local elections by falsely claiming that he was a US citizen and voted in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections. Williams remains in federal custody and his sentencing is scheduled for October 13 before Chief U.S. District Judge Rodney W.
Sippel. Williams faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud, 10 years in prison for illegal reentry, five years in prison for each voter fraud count and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. Williams also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, forfeiture and deportation. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Costantin commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service as well as the Dothan, Alabama Police Department and Alexander City, Alabama Police Department, who investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Charles M. Edgar, Jr. of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and Middle District of Alabama.
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A young hummingbird comes in for a quick meal at a feeder on Little John Loop Sunday. Several of the diminutive birds took turns at the feeder throughout the day.
Dark Insurance Agency joins Frankenmuth Insurance “It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”
256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
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an agency, and we are very excited to begin working with John Dark and his staff.” Dark Insurance Agency has been servicing families and businesses with insurance products and solutions since the early 1920s, as one of the oldest independent agencies in Alexander City and a proud community member of the Lake Martin area. For more information about Dark Insurance Agency, visit them on Facebook or at www. darkinsuranceagency. com. Frankenmuth Insurance
Iron top,” Howell said. “It is a big project and it’s been getting a lot of attention because it’s the state capitol, but also because of the height at which the guys are working.” According to reports the building was built in 1859, and is one of the oldest working Capitol Buildings still in the country. The cost of the entire
has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses for nearly 150 years. Because insurance is both complicated and critical to people’s lives, we work exclusively with independent agents to provide business, home, auto and life insurance policies. With more than 600 employees, we are headquartered in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and offer insurance products in 15 states. Frankenmuth Insurance is financially sound, with more than $1 billion in assets and an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent).
continued from page 1
renovation is $2.2 million. The company is also taking down and repairing a massive statue that was atop a county courthouse on Waco, Texas. Themis, the 18-foot Greed Goddess of divine law was 150 feet above the courthouse, but an arm and her scales were blown off in high winds
three years ago. Robinson is removing the 5,900pound statue and will bring it back to Alexander City and return it to Texas once it is repaired. “We do have some pretty neat things going on right now,” Howell said. “We are proud that so many people trust us to take care of things that are so important to them.”
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Page 3
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The Outlook
Majorettes
continued from page 1
present-day Germany, majorettes can be an integral part of marching bands. While they are most well known for twirling batons, they may also spin knives, perform cartwheels and flips and even use flaming batons, depending on the particular routine. Related to gymnastics, majorettes are, in some respects, becoming somewhat of a dying art. At Benjamin Russell High School, the marching band will not feature a majorette group this year, according to band director Dale Bloodworth. “The numbers interested in participating has gone down over the last 10 years,” he said. “It all mainly has to do with the number of those interested that audition. We just haven’t had the numbers interested lately.” For Tallapoosa County schools, the number of majorettes
taking part in the marching band may be small, but they are dedicated to what they do. “We’re going to have four majorettes in the marching band at Horseshoe Bend this year,” Horseshoe Bend majorette sponsor Sandra Fuller said. “Dadeville and Reeltown will have them too.” She said that around the same number try out each year for the group at Horseshoe Bend, though the band as a whole has grown. Both Bloodworth and Fuller had thoughts and ideas as to what may be happening with majorette groups. “It’s hard to pin it on any one thing,” Bloodworth said. “There are always going to be those who are interested in it. It’s thriving in places where it’s taught in dance studios, being kept strong that way.” “I’m not sure I would call it a
dying art,” Fuller said. “I teach baton in Alexander City, and I’ve been working with twirlers for 35 years. There are those who are interested.” At other places around the state, the existence of a majorette section for the marching band has been relatively mixed. Cullman High School Band Director Christopher Smith said that for the upcoming school year, his band would have four majorettes, which he noted was around the average number for the group. “We usually have four to six. The high I’ve seen has been eight, and the low was three,” he said. In the Cullman area, Smith believed that one of the main reasons majorettes were thriving was due to having a dedicated majorette studio in the city of Cullman.
For several years, the Wildcat Marching Band of Fort Payne High School went without any majorettes. Recently, however, they have made a resurgence, having been brought back by one of the most recent band directors. For the 2016-2017 school year, Fort Payne’s marching band would have four majorettes performing in the show, according to band booster club treasurer Pam Elsasser. Dr. Jed Smart, the band director at Tuscaloosa County High School believed they were a different case from the rest of the state. “We have eight majorettes this year,” he said. “The Crimsonettes are a sustaining force in some regards. A lot of girls in our area, that’s what they strive for, to twirl batons at Alabama.” Another interesting case is Gadsden City High School.
Band Director Steve Reagan, who held the same position at Gadsden High School prior to the consolidation of Gadsden, Emma Sansom and Litchfield High Schools in 2006, has never used majorettes in his band. “There is plenty of local interest, with it being taught at the local dance schools,” he said. “We just don’t use majorettes. That’s my preference.” In some regards, majorettes are indeed becoming a dying art, but in other regards, it is thriving. There are many factors that go into it, including interest level among prospective majorettes, whether it is being taught outside of schools and location within the state. Whether majorettes make a resurgence in places they no longer thrive in or whether they become a lost tradition state-wide remains to be seen.
School
continued from page 1
in the area. However, in the years since, a number of programs to prepare children for kindergarten have popped up, according to church member Scott Goslin. One of the major reasons for the day school closing was this growth in other preschool
programs, both those offered at Jim Pearson Elementary School and those provided through other churches and similar organizations. Another key reason is that, in recent years, the population demographics in Alexander City have changed.
“Over the last 15 to 20 years, we’ve been seeing a steady decline in the total number of children taking part,” Goslin said. Despite the day school at First Presbyterian closing its doors, the church is still going strong and focusing on other programs.
“We have an excellent music program,” Goslin said. “We also have a good ministry for high school and college students on Wednesday afternoons.” At the same time, “We always have the possibility of bringing the day school back in the future if the need arises,” he said.
Goslin said that it was regretful that the church had to make such a decision, but they also felt they were being led to other important missions for the community. “When God closes a door, he opens a window,” he said.
Sentences defendants plead guilty under Alabama’s Youthful Offender law. “We are here because of some terrible actions of these young men,” Martin said. “There has been tremendous economic loss and restitution will be deep and hard.” “This has put a lot of people out of work,” property owner Tom McElroy said. “I sold the property for one third of what it is worth.” McElroy said he sold the property earlier this month for $125,000 and that did not get into the money he spent trying to clean up the County Road 34 business. Colonel Tom’s General Manager Lou Bess said she was surprised the defendants did it. “I signed for them to come in,” Bess said of the defendants coming into Colonel Tom’s. “I did not see them drink or anything. I have never been so shocked as when I found out they were the ones that burned me down.” Attorneys for both defendants stated their clients were using marijuana and ‘CCC.’ Derrick Blythe said his client had been cooperative and forthcoming and had a support system to keep him on the straight and narrow. Jason Jackson said his
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client had not been in trouble before he started using drugs, that since the arson he had completed 41 days in a Florida rehab facility, had completed 56 hours of community service and was attending recovery meetings. “He has taken every step to make sure it does not happen again,” Jackson said. Both defendants stated their wishes to go back and do things differently. “I wish (other defendant) and I could go back and take it back,” a defendant said. “I can not turn back. I still love yall. I wish we could take everything back and make it right.” Starr Miller said the defendants had stolen guns and other items from her home but was willing to forgive her family members. But she was wanting to see more than just a court room confession from them. Miller considered the defendants family. “I am counting on you to turn it around,” Miller said. “We can paint a pretty picture over night. You have got to work for it. Don’t get with a bad crowd again. I want them to get straight. I want to forgive you but you have got to get straight.” “I need you in my life,”
Smith Highway 50 just after 4 a.m. The investigation found that she was spotted along Highway 50, had reportedly knocked on doors of some homes in the area and motorists reported seeing her as well. A video surveillance camera captured an image of her at the Eagle Station at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 49 at about 6 a.m. Sunday morning. There was additional report of a sighting further along Highway 50 a short time later. From there Abbett said they followed several leads, but did not elaborate on what they may have learned during the investigation. The call that she had been spotted came in at about 8 a.m. Monday. “We are anxious to get there and learn more,” Abbett said. “But the big thing is that she was found safe and sound.” Her family issues this statement on their Faebook page . “Thank you for all the
a defendant said. “I have taken from the family that loves me so much. I made a bad decision.” Martin cautioned the defendants about their emotional pleas. “I see it every day from the bench,” Martin said. “When people see what might be coming they almost always get emotional.” Under youthful offender status, Martin could have still sentenced the defendants to prison time. “This is a day of accountability for you,” Martin said. “From what I have heard, there is a glimmer of hope. “What Ms. Miller has said is one of the most eloquent thoughts from a victim I have ever heard. It is an open and heart felt plea for the two defendants to turn themselves around. I cannot in good conscience send you to the Department of Corrections – the county jail is an option. Mr. McElroy cannot be made whole by anything we do here. Ms. Lou cannot be made whole by anything we do here. Sometimes we can’t get Humpty Dumpty back on the wall.” The state represented by assistant district attorney Mike Weldon told the court that the state did not oppose but did not recommend
probation. The Outlook has chosen not to identify the defendants as they were granted youthful offender status sealing portions of their record. They were arrested as adults and previous stories have been written identifying the two defendants. Martin sentenced the two defendants to three years probation, the maximum under youthful offender status and is waiting on ruling on
restitution until victims file paperwork with the state. “It will be a closely monitored probation,” Martin said. You all have a long way to go. If there is a violation of the conditions of probation, I am going to feel like (victim). I am going to feel betrayed.” Martin sentenced Holloway to life in prison. In June, a jury found Holloway guilty of trafficking cocaine. Based on Holloway’s previous conviction of
felonies, Martin was forced to sentence him under habitual offender status. Martin did hold open the case to allow appointed defense attorney Robin McIntryre the chance to file a motion to reconsider or vacate. Carleton, who plead guilty to second degree sexual abuse in June, was sentenced to 24 months of unsupervised probation. As part of his plea agreement, Carleton will have to register as a sex offender.
Celebrating a
Milestone
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prayers, well wishes and help,” the statement read. “Now, the healing begins.
Please continue to pray for Skye and our family.”
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Our
Opinion
F
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 334242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@gmail. com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Kay Ivey
Steve Marshall
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
My hands haven’t seen anything yet
Sun Festival I brings fun to the area or those people who complain that there isn’t much to do here in little ol’ Alexander City, they simply aren’t looking very hard. Sun Festival is in full swing and from the first events on Friday, there has been an enthusiastic response. For each of the past five years, Alexander City Chamber of Commerce has put on 50 or more events stretched out over a week or so. We’ve already seen a first-class play in “Our Town” at the Arbor by ACT II, a 5K Slip-N-Slide Road Race on Saturday, a farmers market, family fun day at Wind Creek State park that featured sailing, volleyball, paddleboard and canoe races and a hotdog eating contest. The Pie In The Sky Treasure Hunt kicked off Monday and will run all week with chances to win big money. At area retirement homes activities were held Monday and the big dog parade and Lip Sync Battle were held at Strand Park Monday event. That quite a list and we are only a couple of days into the week. There will be kids building ice cream sundaes, honors heroes, a pie-baking contest, Christian music, a car and motorcycle show, trivia events, movies, glow-inthe-dark golf, drone racing and training and lots and lots of music including Band Battle on Friday and Moon Taxi in concert of Saturday night at Strand Park. This festival is designed to have something for everyone. There’s lots of active events, lots of music, lots of good food, good times and community building togetherness. We expect many tourists will be visiting Alexander City this week, which will give our local economy a shot in the arm. We applaud the Chamber, all of the sponsors who help make the events possible and the countless volunteers who help stage the fun. The planning and hard work is greatly appreciated. So get out and enjoy the summer. The activities you’re sure to enjoy just might take your mind off the summer heat. You will be entertained, see old friends and make some new ones in the process.
Outlook The
’ve always heard that one can tell a lot by a man’s hands. For example, if they’re soft and smooth, then they very likely don’t work very hard. I once shook the hand of a very well-known politician. It felt as if I was shaking hands with a very non-threatening cloud. I was almost repulsed at the softness of them. On the other hand, pun intended, if the person’s hands are tougher than Tarzan’s feet, then he or she works hard for a living. I think my hands are somewhere in the middle. I don’t necessarily work hard anymore, but I sure do stay busy – too busy. The other day, I was multitasking to a fault. I was transferring clothes from the washing machine to the dryer with one hand while eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the other. After fishing that last sock out of the washer and throwing it into the dryer, without hesitation, I threw my sandwich into the dryer, too, and didn’t realize I’d done so until I was ready to press the start button. I didn’t even look at the clothes. I just pulled out the sandwich and washed them all again. My hands do a lot of dumb things, but where would I be without them. I know there
JODY FULLER Columnist
have been incredible advances in technology over the years, so I would still be able to write, type, and text, but I’d still be left shorthanded in other areas. Sunday morning, I picked vegetables from my garden. It was a wonderful little harvest with an eggplant, beans, tomatoes, okra, and peppers. I grew these with my own hands. Sunday night, Lucy used her hands to cook a lot of it. We’ll be eating the rest this week. Before dinner, I was sitting in the living room when Emily asked if she could paint my nails. I thought about it for a second, and then decided that it’d be okay just if I didn’t have to get up out of my chair. Emily was happy about decorating my semi-soft hands. She even gave me the option of picking my own color. I went with orange and blue but somehow still wound up with sparkly pink nails before it was all said and done. I didn’t mind. Plus, I felt pretty. I even had an excuse to turn down a couple of chores because “my nails were drying.”
Since Lucy cooked dinner, it was my job to wash the dishes. I usually do that anyway. I can’t stand to see dirty dishes. About half way through, I realized that the nail polish was coming off. I was a bit sad, because Emily had done such a great job. Apparently, this wasn’t the best nail polish out there, and my nails may have not been completely dry. Now, my nails look awful. They look like I’ve been soaking my fingertips in expired, off-brand Pepto-Bismol and then tried to scratch it off. It ain’t pretty, folks. We live in a different world than our parents and grandparents. We live in a world where men don’t necessarily need calluses to show how hard they work. We now live in a world where men wash dishes and let little girls paint their nails. It’s simply a different world, but my hands haven’t seen anything, yet, as my world will be totally different in four and a half months when I have a baby on my hands. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller. com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com
Today’s
Quote
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
Today’s
Scripture
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalms 34:8
alexcityoutlook.com
Daily Poll Weekend Question: Do you think enough is being done to clean up the former Russell complex?
No — 89% Yes — 11%
Tuesday Question: Have you participated in any of the Sun Festival events yet?
To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www. alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.
Our
Mission
The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
How much is a boss worth?
A
n awful lot of Americans are skeptical about the value of their nation’s corporate executives. As a 2016 nationwide survey reveals, 74 percent of Americans believe that top corporate executives are overpaid. This public dismay with CEO compensation exists despite the fact that Americans drastically underestimate what top corporate executives are paid every year. In fact, the survey found that CEO compensation at Fortune 500 companies was approximately 10 times what the typical American thought it was. What are these CEOs actually paid? According to a study for the Associated Press by the executive data firm Equilar, in 2016 the typical CEO at the S&P 500 companies received $11.5 million in salary, stock, and other compensation. Of course, this was the median CEO income. Some were paid a great deal more. Thomas Rutledge (Charter Communications Inc.) received $98 million during 2016; Leslie Moonves (CBS Corp.) $68.6 million; Robert Iger (Walt Disney Co.) $41 million; and David Zaslav (Discovery Communications Inc.) $37.2 million. A few CEOs didn’t make the list because, as fantastically wealthy business owners (like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, collectively worth $146 billion), they didn’t bother taking a salary from their companies. CEO income during 2016 reflected substantial increases over the preceding year, with the typical CEO getting an 8.5 percent raise. Some, especially the best-paid, received far more. Rutledge received a raise of 499 percent, while Moonves’s pay rose by 22 percent.
LAWRENCE WITTNER Columnist
American workers haven’t been doing nearly as well. According to the AFL-CIO (which estimated average corporate CEO pay in 2016 at $13.1 million), the average production or other nonsupervisory worker earned only $37,632 that year. Thus, in 2016, there was a CEO-toworker pay ratio of 347-to-1. This gap between CEO and worker pay has been widening substantially over the years. In the 1950s, the S&P 500 CEO-to-worker pay ratio was 20-to-1. Even as late as 1980, it was 42-to-1. But the rise of the political Right, the adoption of pro-corporate public policies, and the decline of union strength have led to a situation in which the average CEO of America’s largest corporations has an annual income 347 times that of the average worker. In the last five years alone, corporate CEOs received percentage pay increases nearly double that of the U.S. workforce. This enormous and rapidly growing economic inequality between bosses and workers can certainly be challenged on the basis of social justice. Why, after all, should roughly 20 million Americans, working at full-time jobs (and, sometimes, two or three jobs), receive such pitiful incomes that they are forced to rely on food stamps and other forms of public assistance while their CEOs grow ever wealthier and enjoy an opulent lifestyle once limited to kings and princes?
In addition, are these extravagantly-paid corporate CEOs producing commensurate value for their companies? According to a detailed 2016 study by MSCI, an investment and corporate research firm, businesses that provided their CEOs with higher incomes delivered smaller financial returns to investors than did companies with lower compensation for their top executives. Favorably impressed by the study, a Forbes columnist concluded that “maybe it is time to rethink and restructure CEO compensation.” Indeed, some corporate boards have begun doing just that. Although most Americans do not serve on the boards of major corporations, they do support sharp reductions in CEO compensation and other means of fostering greater economic equality. Indeed, a recent survey has found that a typical American favors limiting CEO pay to no more than six times the pay of the average worker. Furthermore, polls have found that most Americans support increasing taxes on the rich and substantially raising the pathetic federal minimum wage, long stuck at $7.25 per hour. Against this backdrop, it’s striking that the Republicans controlling Congress and the White House champion huge tax cuts for the wealthy and oppose any increase in the minimum wage. But, in this case, as in so much of American politics, he who pays the piper calls the tune. Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/Albany. His latest book is a satirical novel about university corporatization and rebellion, “What’s Going On at UAardvark?”
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Subscribe
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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Opinion?
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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The Outlook
ALLIGATORS & CROCODILES
Alligators and crocodiles are both large reptiles that belong to the order Crocodilia. The basic body form of these ancient reptiles has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, making them one of the oldest types of animals on the planet, and has changed little since then. Alligators are found in only two places in the World-- the Southeastern United States and the Yangtze River Region of China. American alligators are normally around 8-12 feet long, but they can grow as long as 20 feet. The Chinese alligator can grow up to seven feet in length. They prefer temperate climates and fresh water. Crocodiles live in tropical environments and are found in many places around the World. The American Crocodile is one of the smaller breeds, measuring around seven feet. They are shy creatures that usually hide from humans. They live in the southernmost tip of Florida, as well as in the Caribbean. The largest of the crocodiles (and all reptiles) is the Saltwater Crocodile which is found in places like Australia and Africa. These animals are extremely dangerous. They have the strongest recorded bite on the planet and can be as long as 21 feet. Nile crocodiles are found around the Nile River and in other parts of the Continent of Africa. They are also very aggressive. All Crocodilia are cold-blooded animals. They are the same temperature as their surroundings and must lie in the sun in order to heat their bodies. 7KH\DUHQRFWXUQDODQGSUHIHUWRKXQWDWQLJKW7KH\DUHPHDWHDWHUVDQGOLYHPDLQO\RႇRI¿VKVPDOODQLPDOVDQGELUGV$WWLPHVWKH\GRNLOOODUJHU SUH\OLNHGHHU7KHVHUHSWLOHVFDQEHLGHQWL¿HGE\WKHLUVQRXWV$QDOOLJDWRUKDVDZLGHUXVKDSHGVQRXW:KHQKHFORVHVKLVPRXWK\RXFDQQRWVHH his teeth. In comparison, a crocodile has a more-slender, v-shaped snout. When he closes his mouth, some of his teeth still show. Alligators g are also als generally darker in color. Remember to never approach either of these animals!
ALLIGATOR CONNECT THE DOTS
HOW MANY CROCS CAN YOU FIND?
CROCODILIA WORD SEARCH GAME HOW MANY WORDS CAN YOU SPELL FROM THE WORD
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR MAZE
CROCODILE? _____________ _____________ _____________
How Many Crocs Ans: 9
Hidden Words: Alligator, American, Caiman, Carnivores, Chinese, Cold-blooded, Crocodile, Gavials, Nocturnal, Predators, Snout, Teeth
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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
Today is
July 18, 2017 Today’s Events
RETIREE MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Education Retirees will meet Tuesday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at Catherine’s Market. The program will be on pre-paid funeral arrangements.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Outlook
CHURCH REVIVAL: God’s House Church on Highway 63 is holding revival July 17-19 at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Bro. Ton Harris. The pastor of God’s House Church is Bro. Roger Green. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Comer Baptist Church, located at 341 East Church Street, will be hosting its Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School July 16-20 from 5-8 p.m. for ages 4 years old to 6th grade. For more information, call 256-234-2236
Submit calendar items:
Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.
or 256-749-1926.
Today’s Birthdays
Anthony Fuller, Darlene Betts, Helen Walton, Larry Freeman, Misty Tapley, Dianne Weathers and Ed Otralek are celebrating their birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Roulain and Eric Harrett are celebrating their anniversary today.
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H
OLMAN
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“WE’RE
Come Visit Us!
C
OMPANY
Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
THE PROFESSIONALS”
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
One of the Sun Festival highlights each year is the Pie in the Sky Treasure Hunt sponsored by USAmeribank. Monday’s winner was Sabrina Lamb who saw the clue on the Outlook Facebook page, deciphered the clue and located the medallion at Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast. She picked up a check for $200 and will be entered in a drawing for $1,000 to be given away at Saturday night’s Moon Taxi concert at Strand Park.
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Wednesday, July 19 FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Creek State Park is hosting a field and 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
PRECIOUS MEMORIES GIFTS & MORE
forest hike July 19 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach.
Thursday, July 20
ART SHOW: Members of the Artists Association of Central Alabama will be presenting their art work and paintings in a show at the Comer Museum in Sylacauga July 20 from 6-8 p.m. There will be music, wine drinks and refreshments. There will also be an art demonstration by Dottie Holdren. 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 6-8 p.m. Cards are $1 each.
Friday, July 21
Monogramming onogramming Boutique outique CClothing lothing Jewelry ewelry Bathing athing SSuits uits & More More 10147 County Road 34 Dadeville, AL
256-496-4017
The FANS HEAR You!
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 21. The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
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 welcomed.
Sunday, July 23
Small Space Advertising Works! call the
Advertising Dept.
256.234.4281
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.
Wednesday, July 26
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 26 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach. 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 6-8 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 6-9 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 2-5 p.m. for $20 and $25 for sign ups from 5-6 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.
dB
Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner Cutting •Edging Weed Eating •Mulch Weed Control
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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. Time is to be determined.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
Thursday, August 3
OPEN HOUSE: Horseshoe Bend School is hosting an open house for elementary school students Aug. 3 from 5:30-7 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.
haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
How to add a calendar item: Participate in your
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
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.
By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience
Saturday, August 5
BACK TO SCHOOL EXPO: The will be a Back To School Expo at the Betty Carol Graham Center at CACC August 5 from 2-4 p.m. 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.
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Tuesday, July 18, 2017
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The Outlook
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Outlook
www.alexcityoutlook.com
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The Outlook
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
SUN FESTIVAL 2017 KICKS OFF
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Sun Festival is in full swing and over the weekend there was plenty of fun. The Slip-N-Slide 5K saw Lance Cunnigan win the men’s division and Andi Fox win the women’s division. Susan Foy, Jessica Sanford, Fox and kids played in the slide following the race. In the ‘Doggin’ it at the Park’ Hot Dog Eating Contest Dustin Bence won with seven dogs woofed down and Mackenzie Gill winning the women’s division with three and half dogs eaten.
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
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Games to Watch
LUKE ROBINSON Columnist
Auburn vs. Notre Dame would be a dream come true
S
o I am listening to a SiriusXM Radio program last week during the SEC Media Days, just minding my own business. The show’s hosts were running guests through like track-team cattle. Most of them (whether coach or player) gave the standard, boiler plate answers as expected. Total verbal minutia. “We have really been practicing hard.” “This is a fine group of young men.” “Our players just love the game of football.” “Anyone seen my shirt?” (OK, that last one was from Ed Orgeron only) Etc., etc. Then, some seemingly stiffsuited executive from the Chic-Fil-A Kick-Off Game (or something like that) was dragged on air to give some even more seemingly mundanely innocuous comments about how blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I just knew this interview would be audio Ambien. For reasons unknown (cough… probably laziness… cough, cough), I didn’t change the channel. I just half-heartedly listened to what was sure to be a snooze-fest. Then this guy — this unknown and probably bow-tied executive who turned out to be a pretty cool listen — casually threw out some pretty big news. Huge news is more like it. Dang near explosive news, really. The guest went on to discuss how in 2018, Auburn is to take on Washington at the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium — that part you knew. However, the match up his group wanted to put together was Auburn versus none other than Notre Dame! (Well, it was explosive news to me as I really love talking about schedules. You probably barely even shrugged.) Isn’t it a cool thought, though? That Auburn and the Irish came within a few TV scheduling movements of playing each other for the first time ever? The exec explained that because of ND’s tie-ins to NBC and the SEC’s deal with ESPN the game never got real traction, but wow! Now I know I am writing about a game in 2018 when we haven’t hyped the 2017 season enough yet. I know Washington versus Auburn is the better game. The Huskies have a better present and brighter future than Notre Dame. Auburn has never faced U-Dub on the gridiron either so there is a cool novelty about that game as well. But Notre Dame is still Notre Dame in the marketing sense. The Irish are the original blue-blood of college football. Meanwhile, Auburn is no slouch itself through the years. A game against the boys from South Bend is still a hot ticket. Maybe the hottest ticket. Luckily since that interview, ND’s athletic director Jack Swarbrick has come out and said he really wants to play Alabama as well as other SEC teams like Auburn, Kentucky and Mississippi State. So what I heard on the radio wasn’t just “big talk;” these games may happen! Back to Auburn and Notre Dame specifically, though, given the copious amounts of bowl games in existence, how can these two programs have avoided each other for well over a century? Bottom line: The odd fact that in the history of the sport AU has never played ND is a baffling scheduling quirk that needs to be rectified ASAP. Maybe it’ll happen in my lifetime. Probably not, though; I eat a lot of fatty foods. Luke Robinson is a regular columnist and president of the Lake Martin BAMA Club.
Dadeville gets early tests By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After missing the playoffs by just one spot last year, Dadeville has a lot to prove this season after the graduation of Margarius Buchanan. He proved the majority of the Tigers’ offense last year, and they’ll need to find someone to fill his shoes. Things are going to get rough for Dadeville from the start. Here are the top three Games to Watch this season. Week 2: Reeltown Rebels Historically, Dadeville has had the best of this matchup. The rivalry game, which is played on Thursday night and draws a huge crowd from both teams, has been played 51 times with Dadeville winning 36 of those. Last season, the Tigers were the easy winner, bringing home a 48-21 victory, but the tables might turn this year. Buchanan was the catalyst for the Tigers’ win last season, scoring three touchdowns and combining for 253 yards on the ground and through the air. Qua Tucker may take over as starting quarterback for the Tigers this season, but with Reeltown’s returning core of young skill players, Dadeville must find someone to compete.
Dadeville’s Kadore Glenn runs the football during last year’s game against Reeltown.
Week 4: Leeds Greenwave Leeds will kick off the Class 4A Region 3 schedule for Dadeville as it hits the road for the last of three-game road trip. And it’s not going to be an easy feat for the Tigers
against a team that will likely be ranked high in the Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason poll. Defense was the problem for the Tigers in last season’s 46-14 loss, as it was in most
File / The Outlook
of the season’s defeats. Dadeville allowed 44.6 points against in the five games it lost last year, and allowed just 17.2 points against in games it won. See GAMES • Page 12
File / The Outlook
Alex City’s Carter Neese makes a catch in centerfield during an 8U All-Star game earlier this season. Alex City’s defense was one of its best attributes during the South West Regional tournament.
‘We not me’ motto pushes Alex City to success By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Everyone has heard the motto “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team,’” but Alexander City’s 8U All-Star baseball team lives by the philosophy “We not me.” “That’s really what carried us through the state and regional tournaments,” said
Alex City assistant coach Scott Meachem. “If a kid was struggling at the plate, it could be that kid to make a play on defense. I can honestly say there was never necessarily a standout in any particular game. When we needed a hit or needed a score, or we were in a jam and needed a rally, it was always somebody different to make it happen.”
That philosophy paid off for Alex City this past weekend at the Cal Ripken South West Regional tournament, where the All-Stars climbed to the semifinals before falling to Daphne, the eventual regional champion. Alex City had a hot start to pool play, defeating Broken Bow, Oklahoma, 8-1, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, 13-3,
to earn the No. 2 seed out of 24 teams in the single elimination tournament. Alex City had a first-round bye in the tournament after winning a tiebreak that came down to runs allowed. “If anything stands out, we played really good defense in pool play,” AC head coach See ALL-STAR • Page 12
Family Day on the Lake provides fun and education By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Tanner Barnett hits a ball over the net during Sunday’s beach volleyball tournament as part of Sun Festival’s Family Day on the Lake.
Sun Festival’s Family Day on the Lake was jam-packed with activities designed for family fun at Wind Creek State Park on Sunday afternoon. But hidden in all that fun was a big educational experience on the water sports Lake Martin has to offer. From canoeing and kayaking to fishing and sailing, a handful of area groups volunteered their time to teach families about their sports. “My family and I feel it’s important to give back to the community,” said Chuck Browne, owner of Off the Beaten Path. “They support us in our business, and by teaching the younger people (to canoe and kayak), they’re going to want to go again.” Central Alabama Community College offered its services for the first time at the Hook ’Em at Sun Festival booth, where the club fishing team took youngsters to the Wind Creek pier to catch brim. The CACC anglers showed the kids how to cast and set a hook and let them reel up the catches as well. “I like coming out here a lot, teaching the kids,” CACC’s Stewart Ward said. “My See LAKE • Page 12
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The Outlook
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Torpedos represent Alex City at district meet By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
A total of 11 swimmers represented the Alex City Torpedos at the District V swim competition this weekend. Carley Forbus had the most impressive day, securing two spots at the APR State Swim Meet, which will be held July 28 and 29 in Opelika. In all three of her swims, Forbus had personal bests. She qualified for state in the 11-12 girls 50 breaststroke and the 100 freestyle. In the freestyle race, she dropped nearly five seconds off her best time to finish in 1:12.46. She swam 3.62 under the state-qualifying time and earned 10th place. Forbus’ best place of the day came in the 50 breaststroke where she captured sixth with a time of 40.46. It was her personal best by more than a second and was less than two-tenths of a second under the state-qualifying time. In the 100 IM, Forbus clocked in at 1:20.81 for eighth place. Briley Mann was the Torpedos’ youngest swimmer at districts. At just 4 years old, Mann competed in two events. In the 6U girls 25 backstroke, she had a personal best by a staggering 12.74 seconds to clock in at 46.29. In the 8U girls division, Kendall Mann, Brynlee Alford and Gabriella Wright all posted personal records. Mann knocked 3.38 seconds off her 25 freestyle time to finish in 28.83. Alford, who is a first-year swimmer, earned seventh place in the 25 freestyle with a time of 21.40, and Wright dropped 2.78 seconds off her 25 free time for a finish in 25.54. Wright also swam in the 50 freestyle for the first time and had a time of 58.48. The Torpedos also had two PRs in the 9-10 girls division. Kandalyn Gregg cut 1.31 seconds off her
Alex City’s Kandalynn Gregg had a personal best in the 50 freestyle at the District V competition this weekend.
50 freestyle time to clock in at 51.48, while Katey Tucker had personal records in both the 50 freestyle (54.29) and the 50 back (59.17). It was the first time Tucker scored under 1:00 in the backstroke. Dani Smith impressed in the 11-12 girls 50 freestyle by cutting 6.90 seconds off her best time. She finished in 50.76, and she also had a PR in the 50 breaststroke (1:04.20). In the same division, Sarah Brown notched personal records in the 50 breaststroke with a total time of 54.91, and in the 100 freestyle, which she dropped 2.44 seconds for a time of 1:25.68.
File / The Outlook
Rounding out the PRs for the Torpedos was McKayla Mulkey, who sliced 2.03 seconds off her time in the 13-14 girls 50 backstroke (48.36). “I am extremely proud of the swimmers,” Alex City coach Heather Forbus said. “We faced challenges this year, from forming a parent-led team to weather cancellations, but these swimmers have pushed themselves. They have all had positives attitudes and have been extremely coachable and their parents have been exceptional as well. The team plans to continue practicing for the swimmers that have the tenacity and drive to push harder.”
Lake
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cousin came down (Saturday) and I helped him fish around the pond at my house. I just love teaching people about fishing, it’s just a passion of mine. Just seeing a smile on their face is a pretty good feeling.” For the second year in a row, Dixie Sailing Club also offered an instructional clinic, Raising the Sail, and had a constant flow of kids throughout the day. Off the Beaten Path volunteered with Oh, the Places You’ll Canoe, teaching kids basic paddling strokes as well as safety out on the water. “It’s very important first for safety because we’ve had two drownings on the Tallapoosa River in the summer season,” Browne said. “We always need to stress safety. We teach them about lifejackets and let them know that one size doesn’t fit all.” In addition to the learning experiences, there were also several competitions throughout the day. It kicked off with a paddleboard race, then there was a volleyball tournament featuring about 10 teams. Off the Beaten Path also hosted a series of canoe and kayak races before the conclusion of the day. “Everyone seems to be having a good time,” Alex City Chamber President Ed Collari said. “We’re always happy with the folks out at Wind Creek; they do a really good job and let everyone come out for free all day, which is nice.”
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Top left: Stephan Tomlin heads into shore nearing the end of the paddleboard race. Middle left: Central Alabama Community College’s Hunter Ward, left, shows Ian Patterson the ropes during Hook ‘Em at Sun Festival. Bottom left: For the second year in a row, Dixie Sailing Club offered a free instructional clinic as part of Sun Festival’s Family Day on the Lake. Top right: Kayakers race to the finish line. Bottom right: Miles Tomlin smiles as he completes Sunday’s paddleboard race.
Games
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Dadeville Tigers Date
Opponent
Place
Last Year
Aug. 25
LaFayette
Home
L 44-29
Aug. 31
Reeltown
Away
W 48-21
Sept. 8
Munford
Away
L 35-24
Sept. 15
Leeds
Away
L 46-14
Sept. 22
Holtville
Home
W 51-14
Sept. 29
Valley
Home
W 30-10
Oct. 6
Tallasee
Away
W 44-27
Oct. 13
Elmore County
Home
W 42-14
Oct. 20
Handley
Away
L 50-13
Oct. 27 Nov. 3
Childersburg Bye
Home N/A
L 48-46
But much like last year, Leeds is going to have a high-powered offense that graduated virtually no skill players from last year’s squad. Zac Roberts was the starting quarterback and threw for nearly 1,000 yards last year, while the Greenwave’s top running backs, Torrence Pollard and Jakobi Hunter, both return. Week 10: Childersburg Tigers Dadeville is going to
want this one bad. A win against Childersburg in the final game of the regular season last year would’ve ensured a playoff spot for the Dadeville Tigers, but instead, Dadeville suffered a two-point loss in triple overtime. The good news for Dadeville is it showed it could score points — the final score was 48-46 — without Buchanan, as he was out with an injury.
Tucker stepped up in a big way, scoring five touchdowns. This season’s game will also be at Dadeville’s home field and will serve as the last game of the regular season. Editor’s Note: Stay tuned in upcoming Outlook editions for Games to Watch as well as an early look at season schedules for Horseshoe Bend, Central Coosa and Reeltown.
All-Star Wesley Coleman said. “We gave up only four runs in the first two games, and we beat some really good teams.” Broken Bow was the Oklahoma State champion, and Alex City defeated George County, the Mississippi state champ, to advance to the tournament quarterfinals. The George County game was one of the most challenge for the All-Stars. They were down 7-4 going into the bottom of the fifth inning and scored six runs to storm back and capture a 10-7 victory. “That gave us some confidence going into the quarterfinals because they were a very good team,” Coleman said. “From a bat standpoint, that was our best game all tournament. The
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guys really swung the bat extremely well all the way from top to bottom.” Coleman said CJ Young, Dayton Lankert, Jamichael Greer, Carter Neese and Jesse Worthy all had “monster hits” during the George County game. Alex City went on to defeat East Central, Mississippi, 14-4 in the quarterfinals before falling to Daphne, 10-2. “For our little group to go 4-1 in the South West Regional tournament, it’s pretty incredible how far this group has come in the last year,” Coleman said. The experience should bode well for Alex City in the future, as it proved it’s capable of playing with some steep competition. Alabama was well represented
at the regional, as all four teams in the semifinal were from the state and two of the teams, Alex City and Phenix City, were from District 5. “If you look back a year ago, basically with the same corps group of kids, we were pretty much dominated by a lot of these same teams that we faced,” Meachem said. “We decided last fall that we would go into practice throughout the fall and play some travel ball, and it really elevated our game to another level. To be able to finish runner-up in the state and runnerup in regionals, it was huge. The biggest thing is it lays a great foundation going forward.” This group now moves to its first season of kid pitch baseball.
