May 26, 2018 Alex City Outlook

Weekend The Outlook

YOUTH SOCCER, 11 U12 team reigns supreme in Alex City youth league

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

May 26-27, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 105 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

INSIDE TODAY • Obits, 2 • Arrests, 2 • Opinion, 4 • Faith, 6 • Classifieds, 7 • Sports, 11 • Outdoors, 12

Tourism bringing in big bucks to county A recently released study of tourism in Alabama shows Tallapoosa County had the fifth highest percentage growth in tourism dollars spent last year.

State tourism study reveals Tallapoosa County has record year in tourism spending, economic growth

By MITCH SNEED Editor

A recently released study of tourism in Alabama shows Tallapoosa County is seeing travel-related economic growth at one of the highest rates in Alabama.

From job creation, lodging tax to direct tourism spending, the numbers show 2017 was a banner year in Tallapoosa County

and the state.

The Alabama Tourism Department’s 2017 Annual Report shows Tallapoosa County had the state’s fifth highest percentage growth in tourism dollars spent last year.

The total has gone from $44,265,996 in 2015 to $52,630,452 in 2016 to $65,048,110 in 2017. That’s an increase of See GROWTH • Page 3

File / The Outlook

Tropical system develops in Gulf First named storm of year could bring impact at first of the week in county

GRADS | PAGE 10

YOU DID IT Dadeville High School graduation photos inside

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

The area of low pressure recently developing over southeastern Mexico was upgraded Friday morning, becoming the first named storm of 2018. Subtropical Storm Alberto gained enough strength to be upgraded Friday as it moved north from the Yucatan Peninsula into the Gulf of See STORM • Page 3

Crash data shows seat belt use critical in saving lives

CLOSING A CHAPTER The Benjamin Russell Class of 2018 graduated Friday night inside the school auditorium after an afternoon shower forced the service inside. It was announced that this class set a record in scholarships awarded, with $6,487,597 offered to this year’s seniors. Seniors congregated to make sure they looked perfect for the ceremony and were all smiles as they moved their tassels at the end of the commencement. For more coverage, see the entire service on the Outlook Facebook page and pick up a Tuesday paper for more pictures.

By ADAM JONES University of Alabama

Those involved in auto crashes while not wearing seat belts are 40 times more likely to die than those who buckle up, according to an analysis of state crash records from the past five years.

For the study, University of Alabama researchers at the Center for Advanced Public Safety examined crash records from 2013 through 2017 provided by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

See BELT • Page 2

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

The Alex City Veterans Honor Guard, the City of Alexander City and the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home have come together for Memorial Day this year.

“The veterans home, the Alex City Veterans Honor Guard and the city have combined their Memorial Day Programs,” Shonda Young of the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home said.

“We hope it makes it easier on everyone that wants to take part in the service.”

IN LOVING MEMORY Celebration tribute for ‘Toot Toot’ Marbury to be held Sunday in Strand Park

EVENTS | PAGE 5

LIVE MUSIC Lake Martin area offering live music, art festival, more to attend this weekend

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Today’s

Memorial Day programs combine, to be held Monday

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

LOCAL | PAGE 2

The program will feature many of the things guests are used to seeing at Memorial Day services to honor fallen veterans.

“We will have the posting of the colors by the Alex City Veterans Honor Guard,” Young said. “Kierra Fuller will sing the National Anthem.”

Like many of the functions at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home, air men and women from Maxwell Gunter will serve File / The Outlook in the program.

“Kiesha Green with the Veterans salute at a memorial day service at Bill Nichols Veterans Home. This year’s See MEMORIAL • Page 3 program is set for Monday at 10 a.m. +

FIRMLY ROOTED IN LAKE MARTIN AND HERE TO STAY.

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Teen caught in violent gang seeks way to straighten out

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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 Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 219 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@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 Publish- printing press. ers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

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

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Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

The Outlook

DEAR ABBY: I am 19, and I have been smoking and drinking -- a lot -- ever since I was 14. I also sneak out and go to parties and hang out with a gang I’m in.

We get into a lot of fights.

I know I have hurt quite a few people, and I want to set myself straight. I’m worried because I’m dealing with major anger issues and I don’t want to hurt anyone else. Please help me. -- ANGER IN THE SOUTH DEAR ANGER: The gang life can be difficult and dangerous to escape. If you have relatives in a different city, a step in the right direction might be to ask if you can live with them for a while.

I’m sorry you didn’t mention whether you managed to get your high school diploma. If the answer is no, your next step should be to see if you can take adult education classes and earn your GED. At the

DEAR ABBY Advice

same time, inquire if there is counseling available through the school to help you with your anger issues.

Stay safe, remain focused and you will be surprised at what you can achieve.

DEAR ABBY: My ex-husband and I are still living in the same house for financial reasons. We speak to each other only regarding our kids and the house. Otherwise, we keep our lives as separate as possible. I haven’t spoken to anyone from his family since our separation more than a year ago.

What would be expected of me if someone in his family falls ill or passes away? We

were married 30-plus years. I don’t think I’d feel comfortable inserting myself into their private time, yet I feel like maybe I should, considering our kids and the amount of time I’ve known them all. Thoughts or rules? -- DON’T KNOW MY PLACE IN THIS DEAR DON’T KNOW: If your presence would provide comfort to the grieving family members, you should go to the viewing or funeral. If you feel it would prove stressful, then send a card or flowers expressing condolences.

DEAR ABBY: I donate to a number of good causes.

But my mailbox and email are full of even more requests for donations. Now store clerks are asking for donations at the checkout counter, and if you don’t donate, you are treated like a cheapskate.

I’m really tired of being strong-armed in stores. If

they want store profits to go to these causes, fine, but customers don’t shop there to have someone else choose their donations for them. I wish stores would stop doing this. We can’t support every good cause. There are just too many. -- TOO MANY CAUSES DEAR TOO MANY CAUSES: The adage “We can’t change the behavior of others; we can only change the way we react” applies to your situation. If you feel you are being shamed or discriminated against because you are unwilling to donate to the cause du jour, shop elsewhere.

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 James Wesley Starns II July 9, 1964 – May 23, 2018 James Wesley Starns II passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at his home in Jackson’s Gap, Alabama. He was dedicated to his work at Russell Land’s Kowaliga Marina and cherished his family, friends and Alabama Football. As Jim would say, “Roll Tide Roll.”

He is survived by his beloved

son, James Maurice (Tiffany) Starns; mother, Lydia Faye Starns; sisters, Sharon Doyle and Lydia Cree; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 12pm in the Chapel of Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers located at 21927 Hwy 280 Camp Hill, Alabama. Visitation will be Sunday from 10am – 12 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tallassee, Alabama.

Mr. Willie ‘James’ Oliver Graveside service for Mr. Willie ‘James’ Oliver 81 of Alexander City, AL; Tuesday, May 29, 2018; 11 AM; Hollins Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, 7450 Goodwater Hwy. Sylacauga, AL. Visitation: Monday, May 28, 2018; 12-7pm; Family Gathering: 5-7pm at funeral home.

Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home.

Police Reports Alexander City Police Department May 24

• Laraun Terrell Darby, 27 of Alexander City, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

• Jacari Ontauis Hall, 24 of Alexander City, was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, persons forbidden to possess a firearm and drug paraphernalia.

• Malcolm Howard Jr., 22 of Kellyton, was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of a concealed weapon without a permit.

• Possession of a controlled substance and possession of a concealed weapon without a permit were reported in Alexander City.

• Possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana

was reported in Alexander City.

• Criminal trespass was reported in Alexander City.

• Criminal mischief and criminal trespass were reported in Alexander City.

• Theft of property was reported in Alexander City.

May 22

• Christy Ann Bagley, 37 of Alexander City, was arrested for quarantine of animals, dogs running at large, dog presumed to be vicious and chaining or tethering dogs.

• Jalen Kymari Hutchins, 18 of Alexander City, was arrested for possession of marijuana.

• Jason Lee Clayton, 36 of Alexander City, was arrested for harassing communications.

• Harassment or harassing communications was reported on Barrett Road.

• Burglary and theft of property were reported in Alexander City.

• Theft of property was reported at Robinwood Apartment Complex.

• Domestic violence was reported on E. Pine Street.

• Criminal trespass and criminal mischief were reported on Madison Street.

• Dogs running at large and vicious dog was reported in Alexander City.

• Possession of marijuana was reported in Alexander City.

• Burglary was reported in Alexander City.

• Dog killing livestock was reported in Alexander City.

• Assault was reported on Highway 280.

• Harassment was reported in Alexander City.

• Harassing communications was reported on Cedar Lane.

Tribute for late local icon being held at Strand Park

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File / The Outlook

A celebration tribute in memory of Mr. Thomas “Toot Toot” Marbury will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday evening in Strand Park in downtown Alexander City. The public is invited to attend and share stories about the late Alexander City icon.

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Belt Crash records showed about 1 of every 25 unrestrained motorists involved in a crash will suffer a fatal injury, but only about 1 of every 1,000 restrained motorists involved in a crash will have a fatal injury. This means that people are 40 times more likely to be killed without restraints.

One reason for this is those ejected from vehicles during crashes have 50 times the death rate as those who remain in the vehicles, and the probability of being thrown from vehicles increases about 337 times for those not restrained.

“There is no doubt that seat belts are the most effective way of reducing the chances of getting killed in a crash,”

continued from page 1

said Dr. David Brown, a research associate at CAPS who led the study. “The chances of avoiding a crash altogether that involves injury over your driving lifetime is very low, so these are not just hypothetical or extreme examples. They are real lifeand-death probabilities.”

Along with an increased chance of dying in a crash if unrestrained, there is an increased chance of serious injury. About 1 in 7 unrestrained motorists involved in a crash will suffer a serious injury, while only about 1 in 50 properly restrained motorists will have a serious injury.

The chances of serious injury for those unrestrained increase by more than a factor

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of 7. For those who buckle up, 9 of 10 are not injured during a crash.

Some other interesting factors include driver and passenger demographics and other correlations: Those between ages 17 and 36 are unrestrained significantly more than average.

Males are about twice as likely to be unrestrained as females.

If all backseat occupants were properly restrained, it would save an estimated 62 lives per year in Alabama.

Unrestrained drivers are about 2.5 times more likely to have their crashes in rural areas than in cities.

Brown said drivers can do many things to prevent severe traffic crashes in addition to the use of seat belts. They include, in the order of ability to prevent fatal crashes: Slowing down, as the probability of fatality doubles for every 10 mph increase.

Pulling over to a safe stopping point until distractions, such as cell phones, are resolved.

Never driving or riding with anyone who has had any alcohol or who has taken any

mind-altering drugs, even if prescribed.

Anticipating and avoiding bad weather, especially when coupled with darkness.

Watching for deer if traveling just after dark, and slowing down.

Driving defensively to reduce risk by putting distance between vehicles, staying out of the blind spots of large trucks and letting aggressive drivers pass.

Alabama is participating in the national “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign that began May 14 and runs through June 3. Each year around Memorial Day, law enforcement agencies across the country increase patrols as a reminder to drivers to buckle up.

In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division provides grant funding that helps law enforcement officers, deputies and state troopers boost enforcement of state seat belt laws. The mobilization involves more than 1,500 safety checkpoints across the state’s 67 counties, according to ADECA.

Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

Storm Mexico towards the United States. “The storm was upgraded and received its name as of our update at 10 a.m. Central Daylight Time,� meteorologist Holly Allen with the National Weather Service said Friday afternoon. “It should make landfall Monday evening, and it should slow somewhat after making landfall.�

Current projections from the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center show Alberto will spend much of the weekend crossing the Gulf, making landfall along the coastline between Panama City Beach and New Orleans.

Allen said Tallapoosa County could begin seeing the impact of Alberto Sunday evening, though much of the heavy weather the storm will bring will not begin until Monday or Tuesday.

continued from page 1

“The forecast right now, we believe it will maintain the strength to be a tropical storm, but not increase enough to become a hurricane,� Allen said.

Alberto will mostly bring rain to the area, but Allen said the path of the storm could bring more severe weather to Tallapoosa County during the first part of next week. “The current projections show from Sunday through Wednesday, Alexander City could see between 3 and 4 inches of rain,� Allen said. “This could cause flooding in some areas. We could also see the chance of some tornado development on Monday and Tuesday.�

Even though there is still some uncertainty about what Alberto will do as it inches closer to the United States, Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran encouraged locals to be

Page 3

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The Outlook

safe and weather aware. “I urge everyone to continue monitoring the situation over the weekend,� he said. “Be sure you have plenty of ways to get your weather information, be it a NOAA weather radio or Tallapoosa Alert. “If we are in the upper right quadrant of the storm, spin-up tornados are possible, so have a plan and be ready to shelter if one does appear. If a roadway is flooded over, turn around, don’t drown.�

Along with the statements regarding the weather, Moran encouraged everyone to be safe this weekend, no matter what plans people may have. “With the increased traffic on our roadways and on the lake this weekend, drive defensively and remain cautious,� he said.

Memorial

continued from page 1

USAF at Maxwell will introduce our speaker,� Young explained. “The speaker is Master Sgt. Jessica Denise Player also of Maxwell Gunter.�

Young said the City of Alexander City is contributing to the program as well. “The Parks and Recreation Department is loaning chairs,� she said. “The Alexander City Fire Department is bringing the bell to be used in a bell ringing ceremony.

The Alexander City Police Department Honor Guard will have a 21-gun salute and Tony East of the honor guard will play ‘Taps.’�

Alex City Methodist Church is also providing

chairs for the event.

Young explained the bell ringing ceremony will honor veterans who have passed in the last year. “The bell ringing is for those veterans who passed last year,� Young said. “We are inviting their families for that special ceremony where they will receive flowers.

Representative Mark Tuggle will make the Gold Star presentation.�

The memorial wreath will be placed by DAV’s Anita Perez and Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors.

For those that want to attend, the program starts Monday at 10 a.m. at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home.

Growth 23.6 percent from 2016 to 2017.

These increases were reflected in state lodging taxes collected in Tallapoosa County, which also showed a 23.6 percent increase from 2016 to 2017. In 2015, $222,542 was collected, with $264,593 collected in 2016 and $327,021 collected in 2017.

What are the factors in that growth? Experts say the 2017 spike comes from two areas.

The stature and popularity of Lake Martin is growing by leaps and bounds. In 2017, the area also saw an influx of visitors for an extended period as construction of the Sabal Trail Pipeline had workers staying in the area for several months.

What makes Alexander City’s numbers even more impressive is currently there isn’t one entity dedicated to promoting the area and attracting tourists and visitors.

Plus, the county’s lodging tax is well below the state average.

County Commissioner Steve Robinson and Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ed Collari have been championing the launch of a tourism authority. The group could be funded by slightly raising the lodging tax to get it in line with other areas. “When you look at other lodging tax rates around the state and even in nearby communities, Alexander City’s rate of 9 percent is below average,� Collari said at a forum on the subject in April.

Currently, Alexander City’s lodging tax rate is 9 percent with 4 percent going to the state and 5 percent going into the city’s general fund. The average lodging tax in Alabama is 12 percent with comparable communities like Sylacauga checking in at 15 percent with 9 percent going to the city. Wetumpka’s rate is 16 percent with 12 percent dedicated to the city. Auburn and Opelika both have 13 percent lodging tax rates.

A work session is planned for next Thursday with Collari and the Alexander City City Council to further discuss the possibilities.

Tourism meant a lot on the employment front in Tallapoosa County as well.

Tallapoosa was the Alabama county with the 15th highest growth in Alabama in two categories related to direct travel employment and travel-related jobs from 2016 to 2017.

The county had 780 tourism-related jobs in 2015 and that number grew to 876 in 2016. But in 2017 the number jumped by 12.6 percent to 986 travel-related jobs in the county. That’s an increase of 110 new jobs related to tourism and travel.

Direct travel-related jobs in Tallapoosa County have gone from 526 in 2015 to 590 in 2016 and were at 664 in the current economic impact study for 2017. That’s a 12 percent increase from 2016 to 2017.

Those increased percentages gave Tallapoosa the 15th biggest increase among Alabama’s 67 counties in both of those categories.

Tallapoosa’s good news falls right in place with what happened across the state last year.

Governor Kay Ivey announced in a press release Tuesday that the Alabama travel industry grew by $1 billion in 2017, to a record of $14.3 billion in expenditures, and increased jobs by 7,399 to some 186,906 employees. The industry grew by 7 percent and attracted an additional 810,000 visitors to top 26 million guests for the first time in state history, according to the release. “Every part of the state saw dramatic growth, from the beautiful mountains of the Tennessee Valley to the stunning white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast,� Ivey said in a released statement. “Most communities generated more revenue and gained jobs through hosting meetings, conventions, sporting events and visits to museums, among other attractions. These gains were especially seen

continued from page 1

in those areas which have invested in sporting venues which attract youth sports tournaments.�

The industry notched its highest growth in 2017, since the Gulf Coast oil spill in 2010, when tourists spent $9 billion, according to numbers released by Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell. “This is such great news for the state of Alabama. In 2017, we had more visitors than at any other time in our history – visitors whose spending added one billion dollars more to the state economy than the year before,� Sentell said in a released statement.

Consider these stats from the 2017 Annual Report: • Travelers are estimated to have spent more than $14.3 billion in Alabama. This represents an increase of 7.1 percent as compared to 2016 spending. • Based on the primary and secondary data, it is estimated more than 26.6 million people visited the state of Alabama during 2017. • In 2017, more than $879 million of state and local tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism activities.

Montgomery economist Dr. Keivan Deravi says without those taxes, each household in Alabama would have had to pay $467 in additional taxes to maintain current service levels. • Travel industry expenditures represent 7 percent of Alabama’s Gross Domestic Product – overall production – in 2017. • An estimated 186,906 jobs – 9.4 percent of nonagricultural employment in Alabama – were directly or

indirectly attributable to the travel and tourism industry. • The total impact of the travel and tourism industry on Alabama’s earnings in 2017 is estimated at close to $5 billion. • Every $113,843 of travel-related expenditures creates one direct job in Alabama. • For every $1 in Alabama’s travel-related expenditures, the state retains a total of $0.34. • The most visited counties in the state were Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery, accounting for 68 percent of the total number of visitors to the state.

The hospitality industry was responsible for $627.5 million in state taxes and an additional $251.6 million in local revenue for a total of $879 million, an increase of five percent over the previous year, the report said. Some $70 million was generated in state lodgings taxes of which 75 percent benefits the State General Fund.

TRAVEL RELATED EXPENDITURES IN TALLAPOOSA

2015

2016

2017

2016-17 GROWTH

44,265,996

52,630,452

65,048,110

23.6%

STATE LODGING TAX COLLECTION

2015

2016

2017

222,542 264,593 327,021

$ INCREASE

16-17 GROWTH

62,428

23.6%

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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213 editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Page 4

Opinion

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The

Memories and advice from a full life

Our

View

Remember the reason for Memorial Day

F

or most of us, Memorial Day is a time to mark the beginning of summer with fun, family and, more often than not, an outdoor feast.

For all of us, it should be more. As you and yours gather around the grill this weekend, take time to reflect and, more than anything, time to appreciate those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free.

From our battles for separation from the tyranny of British rule in the American Revolution to our current efforts in the Middle East, the bravest among us – and often men and women barely out of their teens – have given their lives so that we can maintain the greatest, most privileged lifestyle in the world. Our freedoms are many and paid for with the blood of those who loved them more than life itself.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, let’s take time to remember the 50,000 lives lost in the American Revolution, the 750,000 lost in the Civil War, the more than 1.4 million killed in World Wars I and II and the 400,000 killed in various conflicts and wars since then.

All those lives were lost for one reason: to maintain American life as the most free, most abundant, most enjoyable way of life on this planet.

We should not take that heavy, heavy price that’s been paid by American family after American family for granted.

We should remember.

Always.

Remember we are free because hearts that once beat stronger than most have grown still, smiles that once shined so brightly have grown dim, warriors that once fought so valiantly have been felled, but their enemies – like all of our enemies – were unable to extinguish our flame of freedom.

So, this weekend, let’s celebrate, but also remember.

Those bravest among us who have given their lives to keep us free would want us to do exactly that.

Happy Memorial Day from all of us at The Outlook.

Know Your

Officials

T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill community. His phone T.C. Coley number is 256-212-9316.

His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton.

Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City.

Outlook

Steve Robinson

John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-7944405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.

John McKelvey

Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek.

She can be reached at 825-4207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.

Emma Jean Thweatt

George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road, Dadeville.

George Carleton Jr.

I

was able to see some young people reach a milestone in life this week as they walked the aisle at graduation ceremonies.

This is a huge accomplishment and a time to cherish the memories you made in your high school years. I know there are still high school moments that remain as vivid in in my head today as they were the day they occurred.

With graduation ceremonies around the area this week, I guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic and some of those memories have been playing on a loop in my head.

I graduated from high school the same day I turned 18, so I became legal the same day I started a new chapter in my life.

Hours after the diplomas were put in our hands, we headed off to Daytona Beach for a senior trip. There must have been about 30 of us who were all staying in the same hotel. Those five days at the beach, where our biggest care was where we would hang out that night were incredible.

I learned how to plug a watermelon and that swallowing a wad of Red Man can turn you the same shade of green as the watermelon rind. There are no words to describe that sense of freedom that I felt that week. Oh, to be young again.

Then maybe I could get away with walking down the road with an open Hawaiian shirt, cutoff blue jeans and a scooped out watermelon on my head.

It’s also not a good idea to drive 117 mph just because you want to see the sun rise on Daytona Beach. The sun will rise tomorrow if you act right.

MITCH SNEED Editor Slow down and savor every moment.

Class of 2018, I know you didn’t ask for it, but here is some advice from an aging man who made every mistake in the book along the way, but wouldn’t change a thing: • Love your family and your dogs like you may never see them again. I have found out the hard way that you never know when they will be gone.

Spend as much time as you can and let the things about them that bother you become the things you love the most.

I would go deeper on this, but right now my dog Sadie is still wandering around out there somewhere lost and if I wrote too much the tears running down my face may short out this keyboard.

• Don’t fear failure. Only people who never try never fail. This comes from a man who has failed miserably many times in his life.

• Never dance with a person who has a tattoo of a dagger on their forearm. Just saying, not a good idea.

• Enjoy people. They are what make life worth living.

Hug the people you love often and hug the people who don’t like you even more regularly.

They hate it when you do that.

• Laugh every chance you get – especially at yourself. I’ve found laughing will keep you from crying.

• There will be plenty of people in your life who will help you along the way, be there in times of need and make your life better. Cherish those people and never forget to say ‘thank you’ to them every chance you get. With that said, the one person that will always be with you all the way until the day you die is you. At the end of the day, you can always count on you. So, take care of yourself and never sell yourself short.

There is nothing you can’t do.

• Live life. This is the only one you get so make every minute a memory. You won’t do that by being careful. Take a chance every now and them. Even the mistakes are great lessons.

• If someone tells you: “Hey, watch this,” watch it and it may be a good idea to have a camera in your hand.

• Never change yourself or sacrifice the person you are inside for anyone. Instead, just be the best version of yourself by keeping the things you like about you and working to rid yourself of the qualities that you don’t like.

• Never gamble with or buy a car from a person whose first name is a city. Sounds silly, but experience has taught me a thing or two.

• My high school principal Julian Mock, who passed away last year, told me on the last day of class my senior year to “find a job that you love and you will never work a day in your life.”

He was so right. I found it and that’s why I am still doing what I am doing today.

Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

Today’s

Quote

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

—Wayne Gretzky

Today’s

Scripture

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

—James 1:19

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Friday’s question: Do you have a family member you are honoring and remembering this Memorial Day?

No – 64%, 16 votes Yes – 36%, 9 votes

Weekend question: Do you think we do enough to promote tourism in Tallapoosa County?

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.

Sneed is the editor of The Outlook.

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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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State elections matter more than most think

W

ashington, D.C. — one of the most visited cities in the world — oozes a sense of superiority and power. How could it not?

Our nation’s Capitol building is truly enormous, the Secret Service and Capitol police carry rifles regularly, and the President of the most powerful country in the world lives within its borders.

Anyone, whether a visitor, summer intern or permanent resident, feels they are amongst the most formidable and important people in the world when in Washington.

This sentiment is mostly true. The president, Congress, and Supreme Court do yield great authority and power to influence our lives — if they choose to use it.

The truth, however, is that state governments are more likely than the federal government to create laws and policies that affect our day-to-day lives. This is, in fact, how our country was designed.

James Madison, a founding father and our fourth president, wrote in Federalist No. 45 that “the operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the state governments, in times of peace and security.”

In layman’s terms: the federal government will protect our national security and borders while the states dictate domestic policy.

Admittedly, Madison’s vision of federalism is not exactly what we see today, as the federal government often rules like it is “most extensive and important” in both peacetime and wartime.

PARKER SNIDER Columnist Even so, the 10th amendment of the Constitution remains, and all powers not delegated to the federal government are constitutionally reserved to the states. Although the federal government finds itself at a standstill arguing about all types of domestic policy, state governments are productively creating them every day.

Take, for instance, the Alabama legislature. In the first three months of 2018, the Alabama State House and Senate passed over 300 bills.

The U.S. Congress, with all its power and superiority, has passed only 172 bills since the beginning of last year.

This gap is even more pronounced when examined nationally. In 2014 alone state legislatures passed over 24,000 bills. The 113th Congress, by contrast, passed only 296 bills in both 2013 and 2014.

This productivity gap is largely because, unlike in Washington, many states have supermajorities of a singular political party. This makes it immensely easier to pass legislation in the states.

These laws, although restricted to a single state, are not limited to minor issues.

During the Obama administration, for example, states enacted over 200 restrictions on abortion. State governments are also in charge of public education, determine how to

tax their residents, and decide infrastructure spending — spending that could easily impact your daily commute.

State governments also recruit businesses and jobs to the area, determine many welfare benefits and qualifications, regulate occupations (for better or for worse), and draw their own district lines.

The reality is the actions of the state government can have immediate and consequential effects on our everyday lives.

This makes it critically important to know the candidates we are voting for in state elections.

The days of the national media covering Alabama politics constantly are, for the moment, over. Fox News and CNN aren’t reporting on our governor’s race like they did last year’s race for U.S. Senate — and they certainly are not following our races for lieutenant governor, attorney general or those of other down ballot positions.

Alabamians, therefore, must intentionally learn about the candidates, their records and their positions. Thankfully, there are ample opportunities to do so including recorded debates, coverage by local news organizations and detailed policy questionnaires.

On June 5, Alabamians will vote. When we do, we must not vote blindly based off name recognition or slick advertising. We should, instead, learn about candidates up and down the ballot because state elections matter more than most think.

Parker Snider is Policy Relations Manager for the Alabama Policy Institute.

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

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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) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number.

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Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

Call me.

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

This weekend is Today’s Events

RXR FEST: RXR Fest will be on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with music starting at 6 p.m. tonight and Sunday. The Bank Walkers featuring Roger Holliday, Steve Forehand, Brian Bice, Mark Tucker and David Sturdivant and Tyler Mac will play tonight. Sunday’s music will include King Corduroy and Lamont Landers Band.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, picnic baskets, friends and even pets (on a leash).

ART ON THE LAKE: The 12th annual Art on the Lake will be today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Children’s Harbor and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public.

LIVE MUSIC: Copper’s Grill at StillWaters in Dadeville will have live music with the River Dan Band at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Blackberry Breeze will perform Sunday night.

CONCERT: Sugabuzz will be performing at the Rodeo Club on Highway 34 in Dadeville at 10 p.m. tonight. Sugabuzz covers all types of music from classic rock’n’roll and funk, to ‘80s, ‘90s rock and country.

CONCERT: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting Bama Breeze in concert, Jimmy Buffet style with a food truck.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb

Friday, June 1

RUMMAGE SALE: The First Presbyterian Church is hosting a rummage sale to clear out the youth house at 371 Jefferson Street from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be furniture, appliances, crafts, Bible study kits and more.

CAMP HIDDEN LAKE: Applications for the Salvation Army’s Camp Hidden Lake from June 18-23 are due by June 1. The camp is free to those who qualify. Register online at campscui.active.com/orgs/ CampHiddenLake.

CHURCH SINGING: Family Worship Center is hosting a Friday Night Singing with Eternal Vision June 1 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 1676 Sewell Street in Alexander City.

Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, June 2

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

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

Need your business to

STAND OUT from the crowd?

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256.234.4281

• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

Today’s Anniversaries

Sunday’s Events

USHERS MEETING: The Early Rose District Usher’s meeting will be at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.

Helping Children Learn and Grow

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/.

Robyn and James Smith celebrate their anniversary today.

May 26-27, 2018

Tuesday, May 29

The Learning Tree

Page 5

www.alexcityoutlook.com

LEAVE NO TRACE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting National Trails Day Leave No Trace in the Park at 9 a.m. The hiking event will educate hikers on how to “leave no trace” when hiking.

This hike is part of the 100 Alabama Mile Challenge. Meet at the Campfire Trail Head in the North Picnic area.

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville is celebrating the pastoral anniversary of Rev. Edward Milner and First Lady Emily Milner June 2 at 5 p.m. in the New Adka Education Building at 21 North Thornton Road in Dadeville.

BOOK SIGNING: Lakesha Denise will have a book signing for her new book “Powerful Women of Faith” from 4 to 6 p.m at the Lake Martin Innovation Center.

BENEFIT SINGING: Oak Ridge Church in Dadeville is hosting a benefit singing and cake auction for Jimmy Bolt June 2. The cake auction begins at 5 p.m. and the singing starts at 6 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Masters’ Touch, Union Encouragers, Ray and Coby Fusion.

Sunday, June 3

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will hold its 133rd church anniversary at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Gordon McCord, pastor of Second Marrietta Missionary Baptist Church in Castleberry.

Rev. Roosevelt Gregory is pastor.

Everyone is invited to attend.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Bay Pine Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services at 10:30 a.m.

Eternal Vision will provide special music and a love offering will be taken.

There will be a fellowship dinner after the service.

Everyone is welcome.

CHURCH SINGING: Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church will host the Dixie Echoes of Pensacola, Florida at 6 p.m.

The group has been around for over 50 years providing Southern Gospel music. A love offering will be taken.

The church is located on Highway 280 in Dadeville.

MEN AND WOMEN’S DAY: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its annual Men and Women’s Day at 2 p.m. The guest minister is Rev. Richard Jacobs of New Popular Springs Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist is Rev. G.H. Pulliam.

June 3 - June 7

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: First Baptist Church of Alexander City is

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

A sign outside of the Adelia Russell Library reminds patrons to register for this year’s summer reading program.

The summer reading kickoff event will be held Monday, June 4 at the Sportplex gym, while registration for the program will run until Friday, June 8.

Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26. Begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks.

CELEBRATION TRIBUTE: A celebration tribute in memory of Mr. Thomas “Toot Toot” Marbury will be held at 6 p.m. in Strand Park in downtown Alexander City.

MISSION DAY PROGRAM: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will host its Mission Day Program at 2 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Lorenzo Caldwell, pastor of Almighty God Baptist Church in Goodwater.

Rev. Roosevelt Gregory is pastor.

Everyone is invited to attend.

PASTOR APPRECIATION: Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church in Kellyton is hosting the 9th Pastoral Appreciation service honoring Pastor and Sister Michael Strong at 2:30 p.m.

The guest minister will be Rev. Clarence Woodard, pastor of Rushing Spring Baptist Church in Lincoln.

Sunday’s Birthdays

THE MEADOWS ASSISTED LIVING

2712 Washington Street Alexander City

256-234-0800

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Audrey Rose Owens, Allen Lee, Joshua Huff, Elizabeth Jane Jackson, Victoria Delie Turner, Daniel Mitchell Hayes, Ginger McKee, Kayle Holman and Emily Clowdus celebrate their birthdays Sunday.

Frank Tapley, Brian Childs, Ronald Ingle, Janet Carr, Jimmy Sewell and Jimmy Wilson are celebrating birthdays today.

Betty French, Sandra Abrams, Suzanne Whatley, Jamie Amason and Leann Kelly Woodring celebrate their birthdays Monday.

Monday’s Birthdays

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700

hosting Vacation Bible School June 3 through June 7. Family night will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday through Thursday will be from 8 a.m. to noon. “Game On: Gearing Up for Life’s Big Game” is open for ages completing Pre K-4 through sixth grade. Register at www.fbc-ac.org/ gameon.

and a half-dozen other countries.

Lake Pointe Baptist Church is donating the use of its sanctuary and baby-grand piano in anticipation of a crowd too large for the smaller capacity of neighboring Sardis United Methodist Church. A reception with refreshments and light snacks will precede the performance.

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation

Saturday, June 9

Rehabilitation Services

Today’s Birthdays

Monday, June 4

SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Adelia Russell and Mamie’s Place libraries will have its summer reading program kickoff event at the Alexander City Sportplex Gym. Registration for both the summer reading program and the children’s talent show will be open until June 8.

June 4 - June 6

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: New Adka and Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist churches are hosting vacation Bible school June 4 to June 6 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. nightly at the New Adka Missionary Baptist Church.

SPIRITUAL: The Word Bible Church presents three nights of spiritual re-visitation and resurgence June 4 - 6 at 7 p.m. Monday’s speaker is Dr. Eddie Hunter of Miracle Baptist Church. Tuesday’s speaker is Overseer Calvin Daniel of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Wednesday’s speaker is Bishop Demetrius Griffin of Hatchett Springs Baptist Church.

June 4 -June 8

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: West End Church is hosting “Game On and Gear Up for Life’s Big Game” Vacation Bible School June 4 - 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. Supper will be served at 5 and VBS will begin at 6 p.m. Registration is now open and van pickup is available.

To register see a member of West End or call the church office at 256234-2130 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

June 5-7

CHURCH REVIVAL: New Harmony Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting revival services June 5-7 at 7 p.m. nightly. The guest speakers will be Rev. Jerry Dowdell of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Morris Lewis of St. Luke CME Church and Rev. Robert Cadenhead of Macdeonia Baptist Church. The pastor of New Harmony Baptist Church is Rev. Melvin Kelley Jr.

Wednesday, June 6

SPEAKER: Alex City Methodist Church is hosting creationist Kent Hovind Wednesday, June 6 at 5 p.m.

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday June 6 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

Friday, June 8

CONCERT: Award-winning pianist, arranger, music composer Christopher Cooley will perform in a free-will offering concert at Lake Pointe Baptist Church, located at 8352 AL Highway 50 in Walnut Hill, just east of AL 49, south of Dadeville.

The concert is a fund-raiser to support the Lei Bledsoe/Joe Ponder Fund of neighboring Sardis UM Church.

The Bledsoe/Ponder Fund provides financial support and acts of kindness to people in the community in times of hardship. Donations will be accepted.

Admission is free.

Cooley, who now lives in New York, has played a variety of instruments and with various vocal soloists at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center, as well as in Italy, Germany, Austria

PRODUCTION: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting musical artist Andy Griggs in concert at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $12 and are available at mtvernontheatre.net BRIDGE BUILDERS FOOTBALL CAMP: The annual Bridge Builders Football Camp will be June 9 and 23.

Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the $10 fee includes lunch.

Current and former Auburn University athletes are set to help including Tre’ Williams, Malik Miller and K.J. Britt. Pre-registration will be at JRs Mondays starting May 21.

For more information contact Hudson R. Hinton at 256-750-1140.

June 9 - 14

CAMP: Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting a theatre camp for kids June 9-14.

June 10 - 14

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting “Game On” Vacation Bible School June 11-14 from 5:20 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. with a kickoff party June 10 at 6 p.m.

The Kickoff Party will have smores, games, fun, music and more. You can register at this event for VBS. VBS will have music, art, Bible study, recreation and lots of surprises.

A free t-shirt is included. For more information call 256-749-1102. Pickup will be available upon request.

•Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

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

–Since 1978–

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

Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH

256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL

Tuesday, June 12

DELORES HYDOCK: Friends of the Dadeville Public Library are sponsoring a moment in history, “It’s the Little Things: Five small objects that shaped the world of the Dutch Golden Age” with storyteller Delores Hydock at 12:30 p.m. at Red Ridge United Methodist Church The church is located at the intersection of County Road 34 and Alabama Highway 49 just south of Dadeville.

Friday, June 15

CONCERT: Mean Mary will be in concert June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sundilla Concert Series at the Auburn United Universalist Fellowship Hall.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Saturday, June 16

CHURCH SINGING: The First Presbyterian Church Choir is presenting its Annual Concert at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary at 371 Jefferson Street. This year’s program is entitled “The Elders Sing the Oldies,” featuring music from the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The guest artists will be former Alexander City residents, Brink and Brinkley Norton from Charleston, South Carolina.

Admission is free.

How to add a calendar item: Participate in your

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

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

Small Space Advertising Works.

Saturday, June 23

SAVE OUR YOUTH TOUR: The 2018 Save Our Youth Tour featuring special guest Amari Asad will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cooper Recreational Center located at 625 MLK Jr. Blvd. in Alexander City. The theme is “teach, educate and motivate.”

Admission is $20 and advance tickets are available. Vendor spaces are also available for $25.

All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, call 256-496-4099.

For Consistent Advertising

at Low Rates ...

call the Advertising Department

256.234.4281

Page 6

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Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

“Since 1962”

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238

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

AUTO PARTS

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

Since 1976

256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com

Abbett Tractor Service ice 61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454

Let your heart be Christ’s home

D

will give you the food that really id you know life satisfies your life.” In the living doesn’t work when room, He looks for you and says, something is broken?

“I told you I would be here every That’s why God takes our morning to meet with you.” In broken lives — regardless the workshop, He says, “Give of what we’ve done before your talents and gifts to Me and or are doing now, no matter I will do things with them that how far we have fallen, no will surprise you.” In the den, matter how many mistakes CAROL all kinds of things have your we have made, no matter PAGE attention. He just thought you how broken we are — and Faith columnist might want to relax and share says, “I was willing to give your day with Him. My son, My only son just And last, but not least, there’s for you.” That’s what makes always a room or closet that stinks — the our relationship with Christ so personal. room where you try to hide things from He mends us together, brings cleansing God. But God can smell stink and He and healing, makes us whole again wants to clean it up. So just let Him — and transforms us into a beautiful new that’s what He does best. person.

Today, if Christ lives in you, make The Word says, “Now we look Him feel at home in your body. :et Him inside, and what we see is that anyone kick off His shoes and relax with you. belonging to Christ gets a fresh start and Let Him teach you and grow you. Let is created new. The old life is gone; a Him open and clean out all your closets new life begins!” (2 Cor. 5:17) When and rooms so He can dwell with you.

Christ comes to live inside you, He And as He is made to feel at home, His makes your heart His home! Just like power and love can rejuvenate us, turn when we clean our own homes, Jesus on the lights of our home and make us goes from room to room and begins to a new person. Let your heart be Christ’s clean up each area of our lives. home!

Let’s look at a few rooms. When He Love and blessings! enters the library in your home, what are the books, magazines and pictures Carol Page is a member of Good saying about what is important in your News Baptist Church and a regular faith life? When He enters the dining room, columnist for The Outlook. what foods are you eating? He says, “I This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

Tractor Work • Lawn Care Driveway Grading • Gravel Hauling

256.786.1759 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday

By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100

TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.

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Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees

ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN

R & R Refrigeration HEATING & AIR AL HVAC #92120

Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City

256-234-6366

Truck Accessories Sales & Installation

St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741 River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593

Trailer Sales Trailer Parts Trailer Repairs 1201 U.S. Hwy. 280 • Kellyton, AL (256) 392-5353

1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130

256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881

Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes www.radneyfuneralhome.com

Paradise Bed & Breakfast on Lake Martin

• Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week

256-825-9860 95 County Rd. 40 (Off Hwy. 280)

Our Business Is God’s Business

Whirlpool • Kitchen Aid Maytag • Amana Holland Grills Full Service Department

Tapley Appliance Center 574 S. Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 256.329.9762

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Season

Johnson

Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston

Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap

Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442

Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville

Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212

Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972

Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748

Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community

New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.

Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685 Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390 New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942

CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Alex City

The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513

New Hope Baptist 1133 New Hope Church Rd. 256-329-5218

Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820

Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City

New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635

Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180

New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville

New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433

New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City

New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331

BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site

Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road

New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846

Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716

Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070

New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932

Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865

Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882

Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville

The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696

Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873

Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street

Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171

CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941

Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City

256.770.7777 256.770.7777

Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County

The Meadows, L.L.C. of Alexander City ASSISTED LIVING

More like home.

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G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW 926 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL

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Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

TIGERS MOVE ON TO NEXT STEP IN LIFE Cliff Williams / The Outlook Congratulations to the Dadeville High School Class of 2018 students who graduated Thursday evening at Tiger Stadium. Top left, graduates toss their caps after graduating. Top right, Lance Chayka shakes the hand of Dadeville Principal Chris Hand and grabs his hard-earned diploma. Above left, Qua Tucker receives his diploma from Hand. Above center, Valedictorian Amaya Hatcher gives her speech. Above right, Salutatorian Garrett Mann gives his speech. Right, Jalen Sullivan reacts to having his name called. To see more photos from Dadeville High School’s graduation, visit The Alexander City Outlook on Facebook.

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

Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

Sports Outlook The

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Page 11

LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

A sports moment I’ll never forget

M

any little girls grow up dreaming of their wedding day.

I grew up dreaming of winning the Stanley Cup. I may not technically be a little girl anymore, but on Wednesday night, as the clock ticked down in the final minutes of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning, I felt like a little girl, jumping up and down for joy. Nearly in tears. Pacing.

Was this really happening?

I’ve been a Capitals fan my entire life, and for 28 seasons, I’ve watched them have playoff heartbreak after playoff heartbreak. The only time the Caps have ever made the Stanley Cup Final was in 1998. I was 9. I didn’t quite get it.

Now I get it.

Because of all those playoff heartaches, it didn’t feel real Wednesday night. It still doesn’t feel real. We’re going to the Stanley Cup Final.

When Alex Ovechkin scored just 62 seconds into the game, I didn’t believe. When we weathered a complete Lightning onslaught in the first 10 minutes of the second period then Andre Burakovsky somehow broke free for a goal to make it 2-0, I still didn’t believe.

When Burakovsky — now nicknamed Swagger-Kovsky by my brother — scored another one by the end of the second to put the Caps ahead 3-0, I wasn’t ready to believe.

With 20 minutes to go, I couldn’t believe. Not until the clock struck all zeros.

But with four minutes left, the Lightning pulled their goaltender and Nicklas Backstrom delivered the blow that finally let me take a breath.

Scott Allen, of The Washington Post, put it like this: “When Nicklas Backstrom scored an empty-net goal with less than four minutes remaining to give Washington a four-goal lead, even the most pessimistic of Capitals fans, scarred from years of playoff heartbreak, had to realize this was really happening. Washington had done the thing.”

I finally believed. Washington was going to the Stanley Cup Final.

It’s hard to explain to a person who isn’t a sports fan what sports can do to someone. When you’ve been a diehard fan of something for years, when you felt like you’ve given your heart and soul and sweat and tears to a team year after year after year, it’s an indescribable feeling. Some people say, “It’s just a sports team. Who cares?”

The answer: I care. My brother cares. My family cares. Two of my ex-boyfriends I haven’t spoken to in years who I converted to Caps fans during my times with them, they care — I know because they both texted me out of the blue.

On Thursday morning, I woke up still not sure if it was OK to believe. Was this real? Was this a dream? Did the unthinkable actually happen?

I then proceeded to get lost in postgame interviews, recap stories, blog posts and reaction videos. The same article I quoted from The Post above was the introduction to a page full of fan reaction videos. The sheer joy, the tears, the high fives, the hugs captured on those videos, all those people care.

All those people, just like myself, resigned themselves to thinking that once again, we’d lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. Once again, we’d be the laughing stock of the NHL. Once again, we’d choke.

But we didn’t. We got past Pittsburgh in thrilling fashion. I was lucky enough to be home with my brother during the overtime victory, and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Then two weeks later, here’s another moment to add to the list. The crazy thing is, it’s not over yet. We still have to do what the Capitals have never been able to do.

And as pessimistic as I’ve learned to be and as often as I’ve cursed myself for allowing myself to believe, I can’t help but think …

Could this be the year?

U12 team reigns supreme in Alex City youth league

Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Outlook.

This U12 team won the Alexander City Youth Soccer league’s spring season. Team members included, front row, from left, Kip Thompson, Sergio Rojo, Rob Alvarado, Gizell Diaz, Camila Sanchez, Everado Rodriguez; back row, Luke Walker, Hayden Haddock, Mackenzie Moseley, coach John Pappion, Makayla Wingard and Sariah Pappion. Kam Marvel is not pictured.

HUNTERS HAVEN

Coosa is one of top 5 counties for turkey hunting

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

The Game Check numbers were recently released from the spring turkey season, and not only did Alabama see a slight increase in its turkey numbers from this year to last, one of the best counties for gobblers is close to home.

Coosa County was one of only five counties in Alabama that reported the in the highest range of turkeys with 221 to 340 harvested during the 2018 season.

The total number of turkeys went from 9,117 to 9,628 but representatives at the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries still aren’t sure how accurate that number is. It is only the second year that hunters in Alabama are required to report turkey harvests through the Game Check system.

“I think it’s very beneficial for guys who actually do it,” said Drake Hayes, a senior conservation enforcement officer in Coosa County.

“We have some issues with folks not doing it because they want to kill more birds than we allow. But I think

Submitted / The Outlook

Top: Coosa County resident Jim Hardy harvested this turkey during the spring season. Above: Drake Hayes harvested this turkey in Coosa County.

people are realizing it’s not just for the negative as far as too many turkeys are being killed. It might be the opposite.

“We may see there are plenty of turkeys and we may extend the bag limit.

It’s not just to reduce or to punish or to try to

overgovern. It’s for the benefit for the people of Alabama and to have some data and science behind this.”

Whether the numbers reflect actual turkeys killed, it does seem those in Coosa County found quite a bit of success hunting gobblers.

“I myself had a better year than in years past as far as hearing turkeys, but also went to some properties that I did not hear a turkey all year long,” Coosa resident Joel Glover said.

Stewart Abrams, a See TURKEY • Page 12

Submitted / The Outlook

Page 12

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Weekend Edition, May 26-27, 2018

The Outlook

CAB discusses snapper, CWD and turkeys

By DAVID RAINER Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Three species – red snapper, Eastern wild turkeys and white-tailed deer – dominated the discussion at the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) meeting last weekend in Tuscaloosa.

With the red snapper recreational season opening on June 1, Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), thanked Marine Resources and other proponents of a longer red snapper season for Alabama’s potential 47 days of fishing for the state’s most popular reef fish.

“The Gulf states were granted exempted fishing permits to be able to manage the red snapper fishery, recreationally, off our coast,” Blankenship said. “That was done primarily because of good work by Sen. (Richard) Shelby that included language in legislation that allowed the permits. The exempted fishing permits were worked on by Marine Resources Director Scott Bannon and Kevin Anson, our chief biologist at Marine Resources. Our state (private recreational) season will be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting June 1 and that runs through Labor Day. It will also include the whole week of the Fourth of July. That ends up being 47 days. It could be longer if we have bad weather and the catch is reduced, or it could be shortened by a few days if our catch is above what we are projecting. I do want to commend Scott and Marine Resources for getting that done in a short period of time to be approved by NOAA Fisheries for this year. We will also manage that fishery next year.”

Alabama’s charter fleet remains under federal jurisdiction. The charter season is set for June 1 through July 21.

Bannon explained after the meeting that one of the reasons the exempted fishing permits were approved is the Alabama Red Snapper Reporting System, more commonly known as Snapper Check. The system requires anglers who land red snapper in Alabama to report their catches before the fish are removed from the vessels.

Anglers have three ways to report catches: the Outdoor AL app for smartphones, online at outdooralabama.com or by paper reporting forms at select public boat ramps.

The Outdoor AL app has been totally revamped for the 2018 season. The Pocket Ranger app previously used is no longer viable. The new Outdoor AL app must be downloaded onto your smartphone.

“The new Snapper Check will have an offline function, which had been requested by the fishing community so they

Submitted / Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Alabama’s expansive artificial reef system offers great red snapper fishing.

can submit their report even when they don’t have a cell signal,” Bannon said. “When they do get a cell signal, the system will automatically upload their snapper report.

This eliminates any excuse not to report. You can report anywhere. You can report as soon as you catch your fish offshore, or you can report before you remove the snapper from your boat upon landing.

We are excited about that portion of it.”

Bannon said anglers still are required to report their snapper catches even if they interacted with Marine Resources personnel.

“Being surveyed by the Marine Resources biological staff at the boat ramp is not considered reporting your fish,” he said. “Additionally, if anglers have been interviewed by enforcement, either stopped while underway or checked at the boat ramp, that is not considered reporting either.

You still must report your catch.

“The new Outdoor AL app will also have a tab to review your snapper reports for the year.”

Snapper Check will require the number of red snapper caught and retained. Other questions include where the fish were landed, Mobile or Baldwin County, whether the boat landed at a private or public access point, whether the boat is a charter or private recreational vessel, how many anglers were on the boat and how many dead discards were observed during the fishing day. Dead discards are red snapper that are caught and released and do not survive.

“Dead discards are in the management plan,” Bannon said. “The feds account for that, and Marine Resources accounts for that to give us the data point for fish mortality.”

New this year is the ability for anglers to report their catches of gray triggerfish and greater amberjack.

“Triggerfish and amberjack are two hot topics,” Bannon said. “They are highly desirable species. There are pending changes in the management of amberjack, and we made some changes to triggerfish.

We would like to gather more real data on what fish are being landed in Alabama.”

The gray triggerfish limit was reduced to one fish per person with a minimum size of 15 inches fork length. The amberjack limit is one per person with a minimum size of 34 inches fork length.

Amberjack and triggerfish seasons close on June 1 and are scheduled to reopen on August 1.

In wildlife news, a significant threat to Alabama’s deer hunting tradition occurred last season when a 4½-yearold buck in west-central Mississippi tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), which is always fatal.

Mississippi has tested more than 1,400 deer since October 2017 and no other animals have been detected with CWD. Louisiana has also conducted extensive testing inside the 25-mile CWD containment zone, which crosses the Mississippi River, and none of those animals have tested positive for CWD. Since that positive test, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) officials have been working rapidly to update the plan to deal with CWD if necessary.

“I’m happy to report we have finished the revision to our surveillance and response plan for chronic wasting disease as to what we would do and how we would respond if CWD were ever discovered here,” Blankenship said.

“There was a lot of great work

by Keith (Gauldin, Wildlife Section Chief), other people in the Wildlife Section, along with people in our Enforcement Section. Our staff has also researched what was happening around the country to help us put a plan together to take the best and most relevant science to ensure our state is ready, one, to keep it out of our state, and two, that we are ready to respond in the unfortunate case that CWD is detected in Alabama.”

The updated response plan is available online at www. outdooralabama.com. Type chronic in the search box to pull up the link to “Chronic Wasting Disease – What You Should Know.”

Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan, who sits as an ex-officio member on the Advisory Board, said the CWD testing equipment that was recently purchased with funds provided

by WFF has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The technician tasked with operating the equipment, which can test up to 90 samples per day, has also been certified.

“Now we are no longer dependent on anybody to get those tissue samples tested,” Blankenship said. “We are self-contained in Alabama. We don’t have to wait on anybody.

We take our samples to the Department of Agriculture lab at Auburn University. We will get those test results quickly and be able to respond as soon as possible. I appreciate the partnership with the Department of Agriculture as well as the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to make sure we have a robust response plan.”

WFF Director Chuck Sykes

Turkey

highlighted the potential devastating effects CWD could have on Alabama. Sykes has been traveling around the state to speak at seminars hosted

by ALFA (Alabama Farmer’s Federation) and the Alabama Treasure Forest Association.

The next seminar is scheduled for Monroeville on May 29 and another is set for Tuscaloosa on June 7.

“We’re not trying to scare people to death,” Sykes said.

“We want them to be informed that this is a serious issue. I don’t want to pour water on anybody’s issues here, but dog hunting, baiting, night hunting, poaching, all of that pales in comparison to problems we’re going to have if CWD ever gets in the state. As Commissioner McMillan says, we all need to band together.

This is not a dog hunter issue or a private landowner issue. This is a hunter issue.

I encourage your friends, families and hunting partners to come to one of the seminars and listen and ask questions.

“Misinformation is running rampant out there right now.

We need to get the right information out there.”

CAB member Jessica Butler of Scottsboro introduced motions that would change turkey season for the 2018 fall and 2019 spring turkey seasons. Butler’s first motion proposed a change to the starting date of the spring season from March 15 to the third Saturday in March, which could range from March 15 to March 21. After discussion, the Board passed the motion.

Butler’s second motion to reduce the season bag limit from five birds to four led to considerable debate among the Board members. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board voted down the reduced bag limit by a 7-4 margin.

continued from page 11

Submitted / The Outlook

Drake Hayes bagged two gobblers this spring season in Coosa County.

conservation enforcement officer with Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said the unusual weather played a part in the success or decline of a turkey season.

“I wasn’t seeing or hearing as many birds when I was out working but later on, it did pick up,” Abrams said. “We did have some earlier on in the season, but it was kinda cooler.”

But in Coosa County, there’s always going to be more success than in other areas in Alabama for a couple reasons.

One big factor in the gobblers loving Coosa is just how rural it is.

“We don’t have much urban area,” Abrams said. “I think we have one red light in the whole county. There are maybe 11,000 to 12,000 people so there’s a lot of hunting and fishing opportunities in Coosa County.”

Not only is the low population conducive to turkeys, but the people who are living in Coosa do a lot to ensure keeping the turkeys around.

Hayes said many land owners in the county manage their property well,

and Glover added that prescribed burns also help the turkeys.

When an area of the forest burns, it creates good habitat for turkeys with the regeneration and new growth.

Plus, the natural habitat in Coosa County is good for gobblers.

“We have lots of pine plantations, which also attract turkeys,” Hayes said. “If you know anything about the life of a turkey, a turkey flies up in a tree every evening and they go to roost. They love to roost in pine thickets. There’s a lot of undergrowth in there too, so there’s a lot of bugs and a lot of worms in there that they can eat, so there’s lots of food for them.”

There’s a couple of really important things turkey hunting being so good in Coosa County provide. Turkey hunting is No. 2 in Alabama behind white tail deer hunting, according to Abrams, and the fact Coosa has such a high population will help bring people into the area.

Several hunting camps are located in Coosa County, as well

as a wildlife management area of about 20,000 acres which is open to public hunting.

Folks like Hayes are hoping the turkey numbers will continue to be on an upward trend.

“I think turkey hunting is so popular because it’s such a challenge,” Hayes said. “Deer hunting, you sit in your stand, you wait and most of the time you’re in one location. Turkey hunting is very active. One thing I love about it is you don’t have to worry about scent control.

“Turkeys are very intelligent; they can see and hear wonderful, but they don’t smell well. A lot of people think a turkey isn’t a very smart bird, but if you talk to any turkey hunter, they’ve been chasing turkeys their whole life and they’ll tell you exactly how smart they are.

Any little movement, they will pick out.

“I think it’s such a challenge and it’s exciting. When that bird is gobbling — they’ll strut and put on a show for you — there’s nothing better.”