Weekend PAGE 11: HORESHOE BEND HIRES NEW VOLLEYBALL COACH
The Outlook
Paper celebrates a milestone: details coming Wednesday
Russell Library set to kick off reading program
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
June 3-4, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 110 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
FLORAL BRILLIANCE
Lake Magazine inside today
Council eyes cleanup plan for old signs Move would use public money to do work on private property By MITCH SNEED Editor
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The 2017 summer reading program hosted by the Russell Library and Mamie’s Place, “Build a Better World,” prepares to kick off what promises to be an exciting and fun-filled summer on Monday. Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Alexander City Sportplex Gym, entertainment will be provided by the juggler TomFoolery, Girl Scout Troop 6057, the varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders from Benjamin Russell High School, Cowboy Bruce and Dr. Wags from Main Street Family Urgent Care. Dr. Doug Roberts will emcee the event and will See LIBRARY • Page 3
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Pat Fuller checks on the lilies in one of the beds at her Maple Street home. The colors are vivid this year as the recent showers seem to cause a color explosion.
In every community, businesses come and they go. But what do you do when forgotten businesses are abandoned and the signage no longer meets code and is just plain ugly? The Alexander City City Council has an agenda item for Monday’s meeting that will address that very issue. The council will consider a resolution that will allow the spending of taxpayer funds to remove non-conforming signage along major corridors like U.S. Highway 280, Highway 22, as well as Dadeville and Cherokee roads. The resolution reads in part: “Whereas, blight in the form of dilapidated and abandoned signage, utility poles and lines, and other structures which do not meet the standards as set
Pat Fuller has created a rainbow of colors on Maple Street Funding brings Dadeville to Pre-K class for offer summer Dadeville arts program
See COUNCIL • Page 10
By MITCH SNEED Editor
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
For the second straight year, Dadeville Elementary School will be offering a summer arts enrichment program for students from kindergarten to sixth grade. Held every Monday through Thursday from June 5 to June 29, participants will be able to explore their talents in the areas of music, art and drama. “This provides an opportunity to expose these students to the arts,” Dadeville Elementary School teacher and program administrator Christie Davis said. During the month-long program, participants would spend part of each day working on the script, part of it on props, and part of the day on costumes, preparing themselves for the themed end-ofprogram performance. This year’s theme is The Wizard of Oz, though Davis said it was not the traditional story, but would instead have a special twist to it. The program is free to attend, though all participants would need to register, Davis said. Registration forms can be found at the school office or on the Dadeville Elementary School website. “They can also show up at 7:30 Monday morning and register then,” Davis added. “Preregistration is not required. We have 32 already signed up to participate, but I’ve talked to a lot of people around who See ARTS • Page 3
Have you ever seen something you pass in your daily travels that makes you smile? There is a local woman whose Maple Street yard has been bringing smiles to people’s faces for quite some time. Pat Fuller has spent the last 17 years creating an explosion of colorful, floral brilliance that is something to behold. From lilies of all colors and sizes, to Gladiolas that look like fireworks against the plush green foliage to roses that line the driveway – it’s hard to pass Fuller’s yard without slowing down to take notice. It’s a rainbow that seemingly never ends right there on Maple Street. See FLORAL • Page 10
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on Wednesday that state funding for Pre-K programs would be increasing for the upcoming fiscal year, allowing for schools throughout Alabama to continue growing their respective Pre-K programs. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, 122 new Pre-K classes will be added, making the state Pre-K classroom total 938 and enrollment of students 16,884. See PRE-K • Page 3
Shane Harris receives state award
Today’s
Weather
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Tallapoosa County Extension Service Agent Shane Harris has joined an elite crowd after being awarded the Distinguished Service Award this week by the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists. “It’s a big deal,” Harris said. “You have to have at least 10 years in extension and it’s usually given to those in the middle of the career or near the end.” Harris explained that the state is divided into three districts and a committee from each district makes nominations from the district and then a statewide committee selects a total of two to three statewide from those. Harris was not the only one honored. “A couple others got honored also,” Harris said. Harris is proud of the award especially since some of his mentors have received the award in the past. “It is a great honor especially when you look back at previous agents honored,” Harris said. “It is one of those things that everyone looks forward to receiving. A couple of my mentors, Tommy Futral and Chuck Browne received it several years ago.” Next up for Harris is a July banquet in Salt Lake City at the annual convention of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents where Harris and other Distinguished Service Award receipts from across the country will be recognized.
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Lake Martin
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Reported on 06/02/17 @ 9:00 a.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
Submitted / The Outlook
Shane Harris poses for a photograph after being given the Distinguished Service Award by the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists this week.
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