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SSPORTS, PORTS PAGE PAG 11: PANTHERS HOST TALLASSEE AS SEASON WRAPS UP
Eclectic Observer The
WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 31, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 44
Group seeks to help hurricane victims
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Town officials, churches, businesses and residents in Eclectic have recently come together in support of a community in need. For the Christmas season, members of the recently formed Holiday Hope for Donalsonville group will be work-
ing to raise funds for families in need in Donalsonville, Ga. Mayor Gary Davenport said Donalsonville officials seemed appreciative and pleasantly surprised when he called to tell them the news Monday. “They were shocked that a town of our size was even interested in doing something like this,” Davenport said. “At the same time, they were excited.”
According to Eclectic United Methodist Church pastor Rob Gulledge, a member of his church had the idea of reaching out to a city or town similar to Eclectic that had been affected by the hurricane. “Frank (Keith) had an idea of the community doing something.” Gulledge said. “It’s more than just the churches, but the whole town.”
Gulledge said they plan to work with officials in Donalsonville to identify needy families. “The big thing is that those families that were hit the hardest need a little bit more help just before Christmas,” Gulledge said. “We just want to make sure that they know that they’re not forgotten.” Davenport said he felt compelled See HURRICANE • Page 3
Local farmers to open market, butcher shop
Long journey home Lost ECHS class ring returned to its owner 50 years later
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
By AMY PASSARETTI Elmore County Living Editor
R
onald Burke is the rightful owner of a long-lost class ring from Elmore County High School that had gone missing exactly 50 years ago. The story began with the school librarian. She forwarded ECHS Principal Wes Rogers an email from William Yancey who said he had found a 1968 class ring amongst his late father’s possessions and after some research, realized it had come from a student at ECHS. Evidently Yancey’s father had discovered the ring somewhere in Texas. Yancey, who now lives in Virginia, noticed it was coming up on the 50th anniversary of the ’68 class reunion and felt it was time to get a search under way. In the email, Yancey also apologized for taking so long to reach out and for procrastinating. Yancey followed up his email and said the ring had the small initials ‘R.B.’ engraved inside. Thus began Rogers’ efforts to find the class ring’s owner. He began checking yearbooks and looking into students with those initials. See RING • Page 2 Amy Passaretti / The Observer
Elmore County High School Principal Wes Rogers, right, poses for a photo with his father-in-law Ronald Burke.
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A family of local farmers recently announced the location of a new market and butcher shop, which is set to open in Wetumpka’s downtown area early next year. According to Chris George, who is starting George’s River Market and Butchery with his family, all of the meat and produce sold in the market will come from the George Family Farm, which is located in Eclectic. “We have about 400 acres, and we produce livestock, we produce vegetables and we direct-market everything to our end-user customers,” George said. “There’s nothing like this in the area, where you can come in and get a fresh steak and tell us how you want it cut. We’ll be able to tailor everything directly to the customer.” George described George’s River Market as a “true family run business,” and said many of his family members will have a hand in its operation. George said they had looked at several cities to start the business before narrowing the list down to Wetumpka and Alexander City. George cited the market’s close proximity to the Coosa River and the See MARKET • Page 2
‘I’ve just enjoyed the community:’ EPD’s Sgt. Wilhoit retires By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The Eclectic Police Department is saying goodbye to a well-known officer. Sgt. Ronald Wilhoit, who has spent more than a decade working with the EPD, recently announced his retirement. “It’s hard for me to get out of here, even though Cpl. (Fred) Griffin’s already moved my butt out,” Wilhoit joked. For the past 10 years, Wilhoit said the highlight of his job has been interacting with everyone from coworkers to community members. While Wilhoit lives close to Wetumpka, he said he considers Eclectic to be his second home. “I’ve enjoyed the community. If you’re hurting, everybody in town will know
Sgt. Wilhoit recently announced his retirement after 10 years at the Eclectic Police Department. Wilhoit said he has spent 47 years working in law enforcement. Amalia Kortright /
See WILHOIT • Page 3
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