Elmore
September 2016
County Living
Dam Century Ride ▪ The Story of Holtville – The Movie New Chamber Director in Millbrook ▪ Acting Up at The Depot ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
1
For Every Stage Of Life For more than 23 years OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery has provided that latest cutting-edge obstetrical & gynecological care for all phases of life. Located just outside of Elmore Community Hospital, OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery is now in WETUMPKA, ALABAMA. Make Your Appointment today!
Gynecology • Obstetrics
Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy Performed by: Paula Sullivan, D.O.
Joseph Desautels, M.D.
525 Hos pital Drive, Suite B , We tu m p k a , A L 3 6 0 9 2 • 3 3 4 -2 7 9 -9 3 3 3 W W W . O B G Y N M O N T G O M E RY. C O M
2
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
MINI MALL WE SELL THE BIG GREEN EGG! Gift With BGE Purchase!
Free Set-up & Delivery On BGE
5% Sales Tax
Everything for your tailgating needs!
We Believe in Quality Products & Service Wed.-Fri. 10-5 • Sat. 9-4 • Sun. 1-5 • Closed Mon. & Tues. 7995 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 • 334.857.3900 www.LakeMartinMiniMall.com ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
3
From the Managing Editor's Desk Earlier this month, I interviewed Elisa Jones for the article on page 26. Ms. Jones is the new executive director at the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, and we wanted to introduce you to her in one of our Movers and Shakers features. In the course of our very pleasant conversation, Jones told me that she looks at every unhappy customer or negative situation as an opportunity to make an even greater positive impression. That wasn’t the first time I’d heard that idea, but her sincerity stuck with me, and two days later, when I ran into one of those negative situations, her words returned to me with all the enthusiasm with which she’d spoken them. Those words inspired extra diligence, patient listening and problem solving on my part, perhaps more than I might have applied to the situation without Jones’ so recent reminder. And in the end, the situation turned out better than I could have expected if the original circumstances had been positive instead of negative. So I started looking for more situations like that – difficult situations that turned into great opportunities for something better, and I realized that they are all around us. When a five-page feature failed to arrive even several days after the submission deadline for this issue had come and gone, our staff scrambled to find a story to fill the empty pages. But not just any story would do. We needed something our readers would want to talk about, something that added value to the magazine. And when William Carroll proposed the article on page 14, we knew we had it. Carroll learned of The Story of Holtville while covering homecoming activities for Holtville High School, and the more he learned, the more intriguing the story became. His recounting of how a small town in Alabama influenced American education is all the better because it was caught on film. We were inspired. We were amazed at the impact this rural community had; we were proud of the people of Holtville and the legacy they left us. And none of that would have happened if the editorial budget had worked out as planned. We’ve spotlighted more great opportunities for you in this issue, as well. There’s the opportunity for great family fun at the Titus Bluegrass Festival (page 43); the opportunity to expand children’s imaginations at the Wetumpka Depot Players’ Young Actors Academy (page 25); and the opportunity to ride a hundred miles on a bicycle in Tallassee’s inaugural Dam Century Ride (page 20). And turn to the calendar pages, starting on page 41, for more opportunities this month and next.
STAFF Chairman
Kenneth Boone
kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com
President & Publisher Steve Baker
steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com
Managing Editor Betsy Iler
betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com
Assistant Magazine Editor Lonna Upton
lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com
Distribution Manager David Kendrick
david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing Consultant Molly Brethauer
molly.brethauer@thewetumpkaherald.com
Marketing Consultant Stacy Adams
stacy.adams@thewetumpkaherald.com
Creative Services Audra Spears
audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com
Contributors
Suellen Young Jeff Langham Mary K. Moore Carmen Rodgers Jacob Saylor
Corey Arwood William Carroll Amanda Hannon Larry Johnson Cory Diaz
Jessica Johnson Anderson
To subscribe to Elmore County Living, $25 a year for 12 issues, please call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 For Advertising Inquiries 334-567-7811 For Editorial Inquiries 256-234-4281 All content, including all stories and photos, are copyright of
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 99 300 Green Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-7811
Betsy Iler, Managing Editor
4
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Community Hospital 805 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 (334) 283-6541 www.chal.org
Community Skilled Care and Rehab Community Hospital of Tallassee is now offering a transitional level of care to those patients who need rehabilitative and restorative services on a shortterm basis. Our program is designed to assist patients when acute care hospitalization is not required, but the patient needs further care to reach a level of strength and wellness in order to safely return to their home or residential facility. We have partnered with Crain Rehab to offer the finest in inpatient rehabilitative care. Who Requires Rehabilitative Care?
Why Choose Community Skilled Care and Rehab?
Patient examples include: • Generalized weakness • Rehabilitation following surgery • Recovery following an accident • Rehabilitation after a stroke or heart attack • IV medication therapy • Rehabilitation following an acute care inpatient hospital stay
Our caring and competent team provides personalized treatment, tailored to each patient’s needs. • Nursing care provided by experienced RNs and LPNs • 24-hour physician in-house • Low patient to nurse ratio • Physical, occupational and speech therapy • Respiratory therapy • Dietary and nutritional services • Social services • Coordinated & planned activities program • Team approach to discharge planning Community Skilled Care and Rehab
For more information please call: (334) 283-3857 E-mail: swingbed@chal.org Visit our website at www.chal.org
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
A division of
Community Hospital
5
30
CONTENTS ON THE COVER Tallassee Chamber member and avid biker Barry Parker organized the town's inaugural 100-mile race. Photo by Kenneth Boone
25
41
46 Columns
Features
28 Back in the Day
14 Holtville, Alabama
8
30 Community Care
19 Hunters Take Note
10 Business Spotlight
32 Movie Man
20 Dam Century Ride
36 Out & About
34 The Gamer
25 Acting Up
41 Coming Up
46 Southern Delights
26 Mover & Shaker
44 Where to Find Us
Three Times a Lady
Bugs, Bows and Bass The Great Outdoors
Exploring No Man’s Sky Alabama’s Whiskey
Education That Rocked the World Game Reports Now Required Tallassee Hosts Bike Race WDP’s Young Actors’ Academy Elisa Jones
43 Titus Bluegrass Festival Pickin’ and Grinnin’
6
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
In Every Issue Extra! Extra! News Briefs
Swayback Campground In Elmore County
Fun Activities for Everyone Distribution List
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
7
TES students can now 'Look It Up!' in their own dictionaries Tallassee Rotary Club earlier this month presented every third grade student at Tallassee Elementary School with a brand new copy of Webster's Dictionary to supplement the children's vocabulary and word bank resources and help them develop better writing and communication skills.
Tallassee Recreation sends relief to flood victims
The Tallassee Recreation Center conducted a fourhour drive to collect items for victims of floods that recently devastated areas in Louisiana. As many as 60,000 homes were damaged, and more than 100,000 residents there registered for Federal aid, inspiring Tammy Merrett, programs coordinator for the Tallassee Recreation Center, to initiate the collection drive. Items collected included nonperishable foods, cleaning and personal hygiene supplies, as well as bottled water, pet supplies and school items for children. For more information, call (334) 283-4726.
8
Lynch honored at ribbon cutting Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Director Gerry Purcell recognized the chamber's former director, Vanessa Lynch, at the ribbon cutting for the new Business Innovation Center. Started under Lynch's tenure, the center is deisgned to attract and grow new business in the area.
Local charity helps Louisiana cleanup Addullam House, a local charity and children’s home, has sent three crews of volunteers to flood-stricken regions of Louisiana, directing their efforts to salvaging what homes they can, amid work described by one of the organization’s founders as “overwhelming.” Crew members said they were in a race against the clock and the elements, as mold quickly overtook houses, rendering them too hazardous to enter. “We helped everybody from business owners that weren’t insured, to homes that weren’t insured and
pretty much we were cutting out sheet rock about 4 foot high, taking it out,” said Josh Hellums.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Sixth grade students learn how water works Students from sixth grade classes throughout the Elmore County School System recently trekked across the Alabama Nature Center (ANC) grounds to learn about natural water systems and how they sustain communities and local wildlife. Over three days, about 1,000 sixthgraders participated in the Elmore County Water Festival at the Alabama Wildlife Federation's headquarters at ANC in Millbrook. The program coordinator, Hollie Terry, said they used the entire property as the water-scape where students went on hikes to find aquatic life and study creek beds. The students followed their guides from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They walked down creeks beds and fished around in ponds, being introduced by AWF instructors to everything from turtles to snakes.
Traffic flows once more on Company Street
Company Street in Wetumpka once again is open for traffic. The road – a main thoroughfare from Highway 231 to downtown Wetumpka – had been closed for several months after damage to the street required extensive repairs. Flooding, a sinkhole and a broken sewer pipe caused damage that had prevented traffic in the area since December 2015.
Highway department opens new building for business Elmore County cut the ribbon on its newest addition, a $1.2 million Highway Department Administrative Building, during a ceremony recognizing Elmore County Highway Department employees. The building is a component of “Blueprint 2020,” the Elmore County Commission’s $38 million total investment plan to improve county roads, bridges and buildings. Some $24.5 million of the $38 million in county improvements went specifically to road and bridge projects throughout the county while $13.5 million went toward upgrading county buildings. Since 2003, $125 million dollars has been utilized or secured for the purpose of improving and maintaining the county’s roads.
Extra! Extra! News from Elmore County and surrounding areas
Craft beer coming to Wetumpka
Those who like specialty and craft beers can look forward to the December opening of Coosa River Craft House at 108 South Main Street. Owner John Stewart, himself a craft beer fan, is also the owner of Autauga Creek Craft House in downtown Prattville. Stewart said the new establishment would feature many different varieties of craft beers, 85 percent of which are from Alabama. “We want people to become familiar with the types of craft beers we have here in Alabama,” he said. “We really have some very good beers here in Alabama that people don’t even know exist.”
Hurricane help from CAEC Crews of linemen with Central Alabama Electric Cooperative's (CAEC) local branch went to Florida over the Labor Day weekend to help with restoration efforts for those hit by Hurricane Hermine. The three crews helped to coordinate efforts with two Florida-based coops as they worked to get the power on for residents in Hermine’s wake. A communications specialist with CAEC said they joined with other co-ops from across the state that travelled to the affected regions of the panhandle. The company also had two other groups from their westside crews out of the Prattville area at work in Florida.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
9
Campers fill the sites at Swayback Campground over Labor Day weekend
Business Spotlight 10
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Swayback Campground Swayback Campground brings top-notch accommodations to one of Elmore County’s most popular recreation areas Story & Photos by Jessica Johnson Anderson
N
estled back on Old Highway 231, Swayback Campground could be another planet compared to the hustle and bustle of Wetumpka, though it only sits nine miles from the heart of downtown. The loudest noise is the hum of a few cicadas, or in the cooler months, the idyllic crackle of the campfire. It’s just that away-from-everywhere atmosphere that brings many primitive tent campers and RVers alike to the space, said owner Jackie Ragan. The land on which Swayback sits belonged to Ragan’s father. Following his death, she purchased the 50 acres and relished the peace and quiet as her own. But soon it became clear that she needed to do something with the rolling hills and beautiful pine forest. That’s when her partner, Gardner Perdue, started talking about building a campground.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
11
Perdue, an active duty military member heavily involved in Scouting throughout Elmore County, saw Swayback Campground as something that could not only benefit Ragan but also the community as a whole. The land is just yards away from the Trail of Legend’s Association Swayback Bridge Bicycle Trail, with the Coosa River and Lake Jordan only a mile down the road. “Making a campground and RV park was a way to use the land and still enjoy the land. Jackie liked camping. I liked camping. The land was available, and it made sense,” Perdue said. The mother of a Boy Scout, Ragan was familiar with other tent camping options in and around Elmore County, so after mulling over Perdue’s suggestion, she decided to dedicate six and a half acres to the project. Swayback Campground officially opened its gates in August of 2014, and it has been a work in progress ever since. Before the campground opened, the YMCA’s Camp Chandler was the only viable accommodation near the 12-mile-long hiking and biking trail. Ragan and Perdue have been able to market the primitive camping accommodations to outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy the trail, float the river or fish the lake.
Ragan admitted she was hesitant, at first, to build an RV campground in connection with tent camping. More than 30 years ago, the land was used as a mobile home park, and that was not something she was interested in undertaking. But because of its previous incarnation, the space had a well house, power and water lines running around it. That came in handy when Perdue began to rewire and rework the RV sites. Currently, Swayback has six spots for RV campers. Each is equipped with full electric hook New bathhouse offer ups (both 120V and 30 and 50 modern conveniences amp), city water and sewage, in a rustic setting a fire pit and a picnic table. Included in the space is access to Swayback’s brand new bathhouse. Ragan’s dogs Maggie, Charlie and Buddy serve as the campground’s official welcome committee, which just adds to the quaint charm of the facility. In the future, Perdue and Ragan plan to build out eight more RV hookup spots around the other side of the circular area from the existing campers to make more room for recreational, weekend campers. “We’re only looking to have 12-14 total spots; that’s all we want. We don’t want to grow big,” Perdue said, “Just keep it nice and quiet.” Additionally, Perdue and Ragan plan to build a pavilion
The campground property is just yards away from the popular Swayback Bridge Bicycle Trail
12
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Local Boy Scouts enjoy a weekend in the woods
in the center of the circle, close to the communal fire pit, where RV and tent campers can get together and hang out under cover. Perdue plans to fully renovate the old well house to bring well water to the RV campers and take them off the city water system. The big draw for Ragan and Perdue though is the bathhouse that sits directly between the RV campsites and the designated primitive tent camping areas. Since both were very familiar with primitive camping, they knew they wanted to include a place where patrons could take hot showers. Situated in the trees, the modern bathhouse is very private and rustic. “I wanted to build a bathhouse because I felt like it was an amenity many people need. It’s awfully nice to be able to take a shower and get clean when you’re tent camping,” Perdue said. Both Perdue and Ragan work on Swayback Campground as a passion project, so they make improvements as time allows. Currently, there are several spots on the land that are conducive to camping, though for the most part, when folks make reservations Ragan and Perdue encourage them to find their own place and enjoy it fully. The area can accommodate as many as 15 tents in a single grouping, but with a large number of trees surrounding the two main camping areas, hammocks are the most popular ways to get a restful night’s sleep, she said. Currently, campers use the many aisles for both actual camping (sleeping) and camp activities. Perdue intends to push out alcoves, cutting groups of trees, to tuck individual
campsites away from the main aisles. Not only would this leave the trails open for hiking and biking, but also, it would move the tents and hammocks farther from the fire pits. The ultimate goal with pushing the campsites back into the woods, Perdue said, is to be able to run power and water out, as well, so it would be feasible to pull a vehicle up and camp every 25 yards or so, leaving campsites still secluded and quaint but with some added value. As far as other future plans, Perdue would like to rebuild a five and a half acre pond that was previously destroyed by beavers. Ragan’s dream is to see a camp store on the land. Ragan’s vision for the store is to serve the needs of the RVers and tent campers alike. Perdue will build the store on the other side of the bathhouse, giving it visibility from the street. Ragan will stock essentials like coffee and bottled water, as well as bicycle parts and items RV campers need, such as propane. Currently, the RV campers have to go elsewhere to get propane. “My dad always wanted to do something like this,” Ragan said as she gestured toward the place where the camp store will eventually stand. “He thought of a country store. So I want to build it and call it Pop’s, because that’s what we called him.” Ragan offers nightly, weekly and monthly rates on camping, with all military personnel receiving a discounted rate. To learn more about Swayback Campground, visit the Facebook page or call 334-782-1695.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
13
A 1946 documentary film showcases local town’s innovative educational system
I
Story by William Carroll Photos submitted
t was an epic film – one that was translated into 22 languages and shown in more than 50 countries. The subject of the 68-minute movie was featured in a 1941 issue of Life Magazine, as well as a 1946 edition of the Rotarian Magazine and a condensed article that was published in Reader’s Digest. It was The Story of Holtville, a 1946 U.S. Information Service documentary that sparked the rethinking of education around the world. A cinematic depiction of the innovative educational techniques implemented at Holtville Consolidated School
14
(HCS) before World War II, The Story of Holtville gave rise to today’s vocational and technical centers. The film featured local community members, including children, in acting roles and real life demonstrations at the school. A handful of those children still live in the area. Now in their late 70s and 80s, they were part of the unprecedented educational model that still shapes the lives of millions of students every day. And they were the celebrated guests this month at Holtville High School homecoming events that commemorated the 70th anniversary of the film. Local cast members were honored at a reception in the Holtville High School Library on Sept. 23. And they were
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
The school offered classes in 24 vocational disciplines, including the butchering of meat
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
15
recognized on the field during Holtville High’s homecoming football game as Alabama natives who lived and worked in a town that became famous for its educational techniques and the importance of its school to the community it served. During the 30-year tenure of HCS principal James Chrietzberg, the school became a one-stop shop for almost anything that might have been needed in the community. HCS featured a machine shop for automotive and tractor repairs; a barber shop; a press that printed the community’s only newspaper; and a sewing operation that supplied clothing to area residents. The school even had its own bank and a bowling alley. In one year alone, students butchered 50,000 pounds of local meat and canned 8,359 cans of corn, okra, kraut, apples, peaches and other items. Students also set out 100,000 slash-pine trees and 8,000 peach trees, as well as hatching and selling some 23,000 chickens. The school also was the social and entertainment center of town. Tickets could be purchased for picture shows at the price of 10 cents, and audiences often numbered 100 people. Under the direction of Chrietzberg and J.R. Formby, the school’s agricultural instructor, HCS became the economic, cultural and spiritual hub of the community. And while the magazines tell the story of the school, the film took those stories a step further, starting with Chrietzberg’s childhood in the Eclectic area. Wayne Helms, who was around 10 years old at the time the movie was filmed, played the role of the young Chrietzberg.
16
“Mr. Chrietzberg himself picked me to play him as a boy,” Helms said. “I think maybe he saw something in me that reminded him a bit of himself when he was a boy.” Helms appears at the eight-minute mark of the film as he walked through a wooded area during a narrator’s voiceover about the young Chrietzberg. A few minutes later in the film, Helms walked along a bridge and watched a train go by. “Other than a few In addition to the film, the church and school town was featured in a 1941 plays, that is really the edition of Life Magazine only acting I have ever done,” said Helms. Though he said the film fairly accurately depicted the tale of Holtville, Helms stressed that it was a community-based effort that brought the school to the level it achieved. The original school had burned down prior to Chrietzberg’s 1929 arrival in Holtville, and the town’s residents, who did not want their children to be sent to school several miles away in Wetumpka, held a variety of fundraising activities, eventually raising $6,000 to build their own school. “In those days, Holtville and Wetumpka were like Alabama and Auburn,” explained Elizabeth Crouse, who appeared in a scene of the film among a group that was shelling peas. The real change for the school came in 1938 when the high school was selected as a Southern Study Association (SSA) school. Only two other schools in the state, Tuscaloosa and Montevallo high schools, were selected for SSA affiliation, through which the school expanded tremendously. The National Youth Association (NYA) and the Farm Security Administration loaned the school funds for the building of additional structures, and the NYA set up a project on the campus.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Local children played roles in the movie
Wayne Helms took the role of the young James Chrietzberg, the school's principal “There was an NYA camp A plaque marks the at Holtville,” Helms said. school's history “It was there to help young people learn a skill in the hopes they could get a job. It was one of the programs Roosevelt started. “It made Holtville into a trade school. A lot of boys and girls who might not have stayed in school did. It wasn’t like a classroom; it was more hands on. It worked out so well, it got national and international recognition.” “Holtville had those types of classes before anyone else, and it has continued to the present day,” said Laura Norris, who appeared in three scenes of the film and later spent 28 years working at the school as a teacher and librarian. “I am in there three separate times,” she said. “In the early part when the students are having band practice, I am the girl with the cymbals. I am also in the scene where several of us kids had to run across the road and stand at the fence to watch the train go by. The director told us to watch the train and dream of faraway places.” According to an authorized non-fiction book of the same name as the film, 24 vocations were taught at the school, including agriculture, typing, bookkeeping, auto mechanics, banking and woodwork. “Really, just about anything that happened in the com-
munity happened at the school,” Norris said. “We all looked forward to the picture show on Friday afternoons,” Helms said. “The school was kind of the social center of the community.” “Every Friday, there was a movie for the students and Friday night for the adults,” Crouse said. “Everyone was there.” Movies, though, weren’t the only game in town. The school also had an area for bowling and other forms of entertainment. “Really anything entertainment related in town happened at the school,” Norris said. The idea to bring together those students who helped depict an era of Holtville history was the brainchild of current educators at the school. Holtville marketing teacher Jennifer Daniel said the idea came about during planning for this year’s homecoming theme. “The theme this year is the decades,” she said. “At some point, The Story of Holtville was mentioned. We did a little research and realized this is the 70th anniversary.” Daniel said the school wanted to do something to recognize those students who had participated in the film all those years ago and decided to do so at homecoming because the film has reached legendary status at the school. Math teacher Cathy Billings said she remembers that,
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
17
when she was a girl growing up in Holtville, her parents talked about the movie. Billings and Daniel both mentioned that teachers still show the film from time to time. “It is good because it teaches the kids about the history of the school and gives them a sense of school spirit,” Daniel said. Connor still keeps a ledger in which the name of every Holtville graduate is handwritten, from 1925 to the present. “This is part of our heritage,” Connor said. “I am a sucker for holding onto the past.” The preservation of the film, then, became paramount as the 16 mm film deteriorated from numerous showings. Jackie Earnest, who according to Norris and Helms was instrumental in facilitating the preservation of the video, said that the version available to them was so damaged that the first few minutes of the video were not available. “That first part of the video that references Wetumpka was not there, it actually started several minutes in,” Earnest said. “When we started teaching, it was on a reel to reel; it was old.” Earnest said a professor at Auburn University actually had made a VHS tape from the reel to reel version. “He used it as an example of progressive education,” she said. Now, the film has been converted to DVD. The Story of Holtville can be watched in its entirety at www.youtube. com/watch?v=9UOTYB6QHdM.
Scrapbook pages help to keep the memory alive
Technology continues to drive education in Holtville today
18
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Hunters Take Note Game Reports Required
E
Story by Lonna Upton
lmore County hunters preparing for the deer and turkey seasons will need to add one more item to the checklist of what to do when bringing home the prize: Game Check. Hunters are now required to report harvested deer and turkey to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Game Check will be the first mandatory program the state has ever attempted in collecting wildlife data in a fast, timely and accurate format. Previously, some hunters voluntarily reported their harvests; however, the data taken from that small sample was not accurate enough to allow state agencies to understand the deer and turkey population concentrations. ADCNR officials have estimated that voluntary information from hunters makes up less than 10 percent of total game harvested. With Game Check, wildlife officials will have the data they need to make better-informed decisions about the deer and turkey populations, bag limits and hunting season dates. A record of harvest data will tell officials where deer harvest numbers are especially high or low. Previously, without accurate data, officials were forced to make guesses about deer herds and harvest sizes. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources explained that the data from the Game Check system has huge implications for hunters in the state. It will allow wildlife biologists to monitor trends in deer populations throughout the state. Physical condition, sex of harvested deer, hunter success rates and overall harvest numbers are just some
of the items that could be gleaned from the data. The data would allow more accurate decisions to be made concerning wildlife management, including setting bag limits and dates for hunting seasons to begin and end. It is possible that seasons and bag limits could be determined for specific counties or regions; rather than all decisions being made for the entire state. The Outdoor Alabama website has more information about the process of Game Check, including a downloadable harvest record form. Hunters must report their harvests within 48 hours through an online app, the website or by telephone. With a smartphone, hunters can download the Outdoor Alabama app for iPhone and Droid smartphones. They also can report harvests at www.outdooralabama. com or by calling 800-888-7690.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
19
Dam Century Ride
Tallassee Chamber to host inaugural 100-mile bicycle ride through four counties Story by Lonna Upton Photos by Kenneth Boone
Ride organizer Barry Parker leads riders through a portion of the race route
20
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
21
W
ith spokes and spare tires, helmets and handlebars, riders in the inaugural Dam Century bicycle ride Oct. 15 can choose their own adventure route of a 30, 60 or 100 miles trip. The
ride, sponsored by the Greater TallasThe day's events will see Area Chamber of include a children's ride in Commerce, will take addition to the main race cyclists through parts of four counties and will raise funds for local chamber events. The day will include a short ride in downtown Tallassee for children before the big event and a music-filled celebration with hot dogs and hamburgers for participants when they arrive at the finish line. Chamber Director Michone Roye said she anticipates a festival atmosphere for riders and onlookers. Century bike rides are named for their 100-mile length. For many cyclists and cycling clubs, century rides have been the ultimate biking challenge since the late 1800s. In recent years, they have become popular internationally. Although the rides are not meant to be competitive, the first rider to finish has bragging rights, explained ride organizer Barry Parker, and since most riders have competitive spirits, trying to be the first to finish will add fun for old or new friends riding alongside each other. Parker, Greater Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce member and a cycling enthusiast for 15 years, brought the idea to the chamber board as a fund-
22
raiser that would also be a fun event for the entire community. He has participated in rides in other Alabama towns and believed the Tallassee area near Thurlow Dam would be an ideal location to begin hosting a ride. Both Roye and Parker are confident that the inaugural century ride in Tallassee will be successful, and, after next year, the Dam Century Ride should be eligible to be included on the Alabama Backroads map. At that point, riders across the state and the U.S. will see the ride in Tallassee as another great event to add to their biking schedules. Alabama Backroads (www. alabama-backroadscycling.com), an organization that keeps cyclists informed about century rides across the state, requires that a century ride has a track record of two successful events before Backroads will recommend the ride. “Cycling communities band together to support each other, and bike shops in Birmingham and Montgomery are advertising our century ride,” Roye said. Roye said sponsorship for the Dam Century Ride has been enthusiastic and includes large companies, such as Alabama Power, as well as area doctors, restaurants, bike shops and other businesses that have jumped in to be part of the big day. The Lion’s Club, Rotary Club and the volunteer fire department will step up to help, and the Tallassee High School Key
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
The ride is named for Tallassee landmark Thurlow Dam
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
23
The 30-mile route map (top photo) and 100-mile route map (lower photo); Maps for the ride routes are available for viewing at www.tallasseechamber.com
24
Club will be in on the action as well. The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce building will be the start and finish for the ride, plus the Chamber will host the finish line celebration for cyclists. Tallassee residents who want to be part of the fun but don’t care to ride a bike can volunteer to help, Roye said. “We’re looking for volunteers to help with the children’s ride, cheerleaders along the route and help at the finish line,” Roye said. Organizers plan to encourage the riders up a slight incline toward the finish line with a pep band. Children are invited to do chalk drawings on the asphalt at the finish line to offer messages of support. This inaugural ride will take cyclists through parts of four counties: Elmore, Tallapoosa, Macon and Montgomery. Support and gear vehicles, also known as SAG trucks, will be moving alongside riders in case they need medical assistance or their bikes need repairs. Volunteer drivers in a sweeper car will follow the last rider throughout the ride for safety and to let rest stop sponsors know when they can close their stops and join the festivities. The designated rest stops will be sponsored by organizations that will provide food, restrooms and encouragement for the cyclists; in turn, cyclists will vote on the best rest stop along the route, and the Chamber will award a $500 cash prize to the winning organization. All the rest stops are required to have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, olives, olive juice, pickles and pickle juice, standard fare for century ride rest stops. Also, Roye said, rest stop sponsors are encouraged to add their own homemade specialties to entice voters. Besides raising funds for the Tallassee Chamber this year, Roye said the chamber hopes to expand next year’s ride to support Tallassee-based charities or organizations that need assistance. Each year, the Chamber will determine which organizations will receive proceeds from that year’s ride. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 15. The course opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. To register before Oct. 15, visit www.tallasseechamber. com. The registration fee for riders is $45. There is no charge for the children’s ride in downtown Tallassee before the century ride begins. “I just want everyone to enjoy the ride!” Parker said.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Acting Up
Depot launches Young Actors’ Academy
T
Story by Lonna Upton Photo by Suellen Young
his fall, Wetumpka students from third to sixth in theatre work, including listening, space and movement, grade have an after-school program designed to focus, character development and reaction. keep them in the Ducote explained, “Just like spotlight. From a sport, practice makes perYoung Actors' Academy students September through fect.” develop confidence and team mid-November, At the end of the workshop bulding skills as they learn the Wetumpka Depot Players sessions in November, the chiltheatrical techniques (WDP) will offer Depot Days: dren will do some playwriting Young Actors’ Academy, a and perform their own skits. theatre workshop, two afterWDP Executive Director noons a week for students who Kristy Meanor said the impetus have theatre experience and to add the after-school program those students who have never was parent interest. Although thought about being on stage. WDP has offered weeklong Brooke Carrico, one of the summer workshops for several children in the program, said years, once the need for the the best thing about the class outreach program was estabis that they play games while lished, the WDP board acted they learn. She has been a part quickly to begin the program. of WDP for a long time, perMeanor said WDP works forming in several productions collaboratively with the but said she wants to become schools, supplementing arts a better actress and knew the programs that are already in classes would help her. place. She hopes this curricu“I have always loved theatre, lum-based program will help and I wanted to find a way prepare children for the high to be better,” said 12-year-old school drama program. WDP Carrico. and the high school often share Carrico believes the most actors, and many of those important thing about attendactors have received college ing the Young Actors’ Academy is to learn to work as a team. scholarships in theatre. She explained that if actors only focus on their own lines, “We want to get the kids excited about theatre,” Meanor they couldn’t be there to help other actors on the stage if said, “so they will continue through their school years.” someone misses an entry cue or forgets a line. This first group of students in the Young Actors’ Academy Teamwork and collaboration are just two of the curricuis piloting the new after-school program, and students can lum objectives of the workshops, said Megan Ducote, the still register for the current session. instructor for the youth outreach program. Ducote has a deClasses are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 gree in theatre and uses a curriculum specifically designed to p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wetumpka Depot Theater on Main teach acting to students through game playing and hands-on Street in Wetumpka. activities. She said combining games and acting skills keeps For more information, visit the Wetumpka Depot Players the young actors engaged and having fun. website at www.wetumpkadepot.com or call 334-868-1440. The objectives are broken up to teach additional skills
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
25
Elisa Jones
Millbrook Mover and Shaker
E
Story by Betsy Iler & Photo by William Carroll
nthusiasm and energy popped through the door at the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce in July through the bright outlook of Elisa Jones, who said she expects to put those attributes to work as the chamber’s new executive director. Jones hopes to use her experience in guest development to help local businesses gain and use information they need for success in the area’s competitive markets. “Being in business is tough, especially for small business owners. The hours are long. There’s very little support. It’s hard to find the resources you need to keep a business going, and the goal of the chamber is to be a gateway of information for business owners,” Jones said. More than that, she explained, she wants to not only help business owners access resources, but also she wants to initiate activities that will help them put those resources to work. “I want our members to see value in the chamber,” she explained. “I hope to bring in some activities and relevant speakers. We’ll make it fun but helpful.” In her first few months, Jones has not spent much time behind the desk in the chamber office. “I am introducing myself to the current membership. I want to hear their concerns and needs, and I appreciate it when they are very frank with me, even when they have negative things to say,” she said. “We can’t move forward until people are willing to talk.” Jones said she learned to take a positive approach to negative feedback during her tenure as a small business owner in South Florida. “Every negative should be viewed as an opportunity to turn a situation into a positive,” she said. “When you do that, you usually get a stronger positive result than if you never had the
26
negative situation in the first place because word of mouth carries a great deal of weight. And when you’ve turned a bad situation into a good one, people talk about that.” Jones was head of guest relations for the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center about an hour south of Orlando. Under her direction, the guest contracts for the facility grew from $1 million annually to $2.6 million. She also helped to found the Lake Placid Merchants Organization. “We wanted to bring people into the area, to shop at the antiques stores and boutiques, so we developed day trips,” she said. “One of our target audiences was the red hat ladies, and we had package deals for them and special occasions. We had 400 red hat ladies at a special event with all sorts of giveaways and discounts. “The chamber saw what we were doing with the day-trippers programs, and they asked us to help them do some similar programs. So we grew that organization into the existing structure of the chamber of commerce.” An Indiana native, Jones moved to South Texas after high school, and she met and married her husband there. When her grandparents needed assistance, the couple moved to Sarasota, Florida, to care for them. “That was the absolute best thing I’ve ever done in life and the worst thing at the same time,” she said. Later, they moved to Lake Placid, where they lived for 20 years. “We are at a place in our lives where we just want to be closer to family now,” she said. “We have relatives in Michigan, West Virginia and Alabama. We don’t do snow anymore, so that meant we moved to Alabama.” With family nearby in Autauga County, Jones was already acquainted with Elmore County and
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Millbrook in particular. She looked forward to settling into a quiet lifestyle here; but then, she took the helm at the chamber office and visitors center. Though she said she’s starting slowly, Jones already has added a host of networking opportunities to the calendar, including monthly meet-andgreets at the chamber office. “We are alternating months with Good Morning Millbrook and Good Evening Millbrook events,” Jones said. “One day a month in October, February and April, we’ll have coffee and doughnuts at the office, and we’ll invite people to stop in on their way to work to start the day. In November, January, March and May, we’ll have snacks in the afternoon, so people can stop at the end of the day – on their way home or on the way to dropping the kids off or picking them up from after-school activities. “It will be a great way for people to meet and get to know each other. A different business will sponsor each one.” Jones said she also hopes to introduce 50/50
door prizes at some chamber events in which the winners would select the local charities to which their portions of the money would be donated. One service organization Jones hopes to support is Women in Business. The group will meet at the Millbrook Civic Center Elisa Jones brings her guest Oct. 20 with a development experience breast cancer to the Millbrook Area awareness Chamber of Commerce program. “We’d like everyone to bring a friend, and in the future, we want to encourage high school girls to get involved. They are the future membership,” she said. But future membership is not Jones’ only concern as executive director of the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce. “Membership retention is a big part of what we’ll be working on,” she said. “It’s fine to bring people in as new members, but if we want to keep them as members, we have to offer opportunities and resources that are relevant to their success. That’s the key.” To meet Jones or for more information about the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce programs and activities, call 334-285-0085.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
27
Miss Sara James Zeigler
Three Times a Lady Larry Johnson
BACK IN THE DAY
Larry John-
son now lives in Robinson
Springs, just a
few miles south of where he
grew up at El-
more, Alabama.
28
Miss Sara (1895-1987), also known as Mrs. a teacher’s certificate in 1915. At the tender age Sara James Zeigler, was once, twice, three times of 20, she began a teaching career. She taught a lady. She would be horrified if she knew I said one year at Linwood School in Pike County, that about her, especially if she knew that the Alabama, and for the next 41 years taught in the words were taken from a popular love song. I rural schools of County Line, Elmore, Coosada, would do it anyway and argue with her that Millbrook and Robinson Springs. She became it was true, but she still would not like it. She an English teacher at the Robinson Springs would be surprised and not want me to write Consolidated School (grades 1-9) when it was about her at all. She was just that way. established in 1926 and remained there until her Miss Sara was the only name that she went by, retirement in 1958. She taught a total of 42 years. except that her immediate Miss Sara was a typical family referred to her as SisEnglish teacher. She mainter. During her day, everyone tained high standards with in West Elmore County knew great expectations, and she “Miss Sara.” got results. She boasted that Miss Sara was born in she would put her students 1895 at the James’ homeup against any who had stead, which is still in learned from the Blue Back existence today in Elmore, Speller. The Blue Back Speller Alabama. Elmore was a was first published by the community, and now a city, great American educator, founded and established Noah Webster, and is still by John Archer Elmore, for available in book stores towhom Elmore County is day. It is credited with helpnamed, and his son-in-law, ing to build the most literate the Honorable Benjamin nation in the history of the Fitzpatrick, former Alabama West. I confess that I never governor, legislator, U.S. conhad a class under Miss Sara gressman and United States or learned from the “blue vice presidential nominee. book” but if I had, perhaps Mrs. Sara James Zeigler They both lived at Elmore. It I would be a better speller was in Autauga County at the today. time but became Elmore County in 1866. Elmore Miss Sara was instrumental in bringing adult is located in extreme western Elmore County. I education to the Robinson Springs, Millbrook am proud to call Elmore my hometown. and Coosada area. Early in her career, she often With a name like Miss Sara, one would expect brought an extra meal to school, and after teachthat she never married, but that was not the case. ing children all day, she remained and taught Sara James married James E. Zeigler of Robinson adults at night. Springs, and she lived there the remainder of her She was a strong supporter of the 4H Club as a life. Mr. Zeigler was a descendent of the one of character builder, as well as an educational tool, the founding families of the Robinson Springs, and she was recognized as the best 4H teacher in Millbrook and Coosada area. an eight-county district. She taught honor, honThey had no children, but the children of esty and truth as much as she did the specifics of the area were Miss Sara’s children. Miss Sara grammar, literature and spelling. It is estimated graduated from Troy State Normal College with that she taught in excess of 3,000 children and
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
adults from Robinson Springs, Millbrook, Coosada and Elmore in her career. Miss Sara was recognized as Millbrook’s Woman of the Year in 1965 and received congratulations from the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama State Superintendent of Education, the great Senator from Alabama, Senator Howell Heflin who ended his letter of congratulations with these words: “It is inspiring to me, and I am sure a comfort to you, to know that your life as a teacher has been an investment in the American dream of prosperity through education.” A former student wrote to Miss Sara after being elected first Vice President of the State FHA (Future Homemakers of America) organization, saying ”Miss Sara, it was you that molded my school life into what it is now. How can a person thank another for such a wonderful gift? I shall always remember you as the helpful and loving one who made me what I am today.” Miss Sara, a hero to many, had a good long life. She passed away in 1987 at the grand age of 92. Her eternal resting place is in the Zeigler Cemetery on a knoll overlooking the Coosada Elementary School. This could not have been a better location for Miss Sara, as it is a place where children’s laughter and chatter fill the air daily and big yellow school buses zoom by regularly, transporting the next generation of great Americans.
Trusted. Rooted. Affordable.
Since 1969, one name has served our great community with the care and compassion it deserves — Jeffcoat. We celebrate the beauty of a life and make it our purpose to honor each one respectfully and affordably. Please take the time to compare our prices and services with those of other funeral homes... we know you will be pleasantly surprised. Our family would like to thank you for placing your trust in us for nearly 50 years.
255 Friendship Road • Tallassee • (334) 283-6801 • jeffcoatfuneralhome.com • Since 1969 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
29
Bugs, Bows and Bass
Be Aware and Other Tips for Hunting and Fishing
Amanda Hannon
COMMUNITY CARE
Amanda Hannon is marketing director
at ivy healthcare and is
working to-
ward her business degree
at Faulkner university.
30
A bad day fishing and hunting beats a good day at work – a popular phrase among outdoor enthusiasts but probably not the case for Dr. Martin “Rocky” Lyons and CRNP Brandy Laurenzi. Though both are outdoor enthusiasts, they also enjoy their work at River Region Family Medicine in Wetumpka; Dr. Lyons loves to fish, and Brandy is an avid bow hunter. Dr. Lyons has been fishing since he was 5 years old, and he’s a big fan of freshwater and saltwater fishing. He likes to fish for bass, snapper and tuna. According to Dr. Lyons, eating fish – especially cold-water fish, including trout, halibut and salmon – are great sources of Omega 3’s, which lower triglycerides. “If people don’t eat enough fish, they can supplement with any over-the-counter brand, and if they find the fishy aftertaste unpleasant, they can put them in the freezer. It will alleviate the aftertaste,” said Lyons. Fishing is a great stress reliever, he said, and being in the sun increases Vitamin D levels. Finding a means of relieving stress is very important to overall health. Stress can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorder or other illnesses. Finding enjoy-
able activities reduces stress levels, and for Lyons, that activity is fishing. It is very important to wear sunscreen when outdoors to protect the body from sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer. SPF clothing is now available from commercial markets, and SPF gloves are particularly beneficial for fishermen, as the hands get a great amount of sun exposure. Those who have experienced a great deal of sun exposure through the years should check their bodies for changing moles, new skin growth with darkened, irregular borders or rolled edges. If skin areas look irregular or have changed, they should see a doctor and get checked. Wear insect repellant as protection from the Zika virus. The Alabama Department of Public Health has reported 30 cases in the state, one of which was reported in Montgomery County. The Aedes mosquito carries the virus and lay eggs in and around the water. This mosquito bites during the day. Symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, red eyes and headache. Anyone who notices any of these symptoms should see a health care provider immediately. It’s important to be aware and careful during any outdoors activities, said Laurenzi, an avid bow hunter. Elmore County has nearly 5,500 acres of public land that is designated for hunting whitetail deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, feral hogs, waterfowl, rabbits, squirrel and morning dove. Hunting is an extremely popular activity in Alabama; however, it is important to exercise on a regular basis, as exertion in the field could be dangerous if the body is not
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
properly conditioned for it. Hunting seasons past have been marred by a rash of heart attacks when ill-prepared hunters have walked long distances with heavy gear and dragged animal carcasses, creating more stress than their hearts could handle. This is especially true for hunters who are not physically active, smoke, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or other health problems. It is probably a good idea to get a checkup before going into the field. Laurenzi said most hunting accidents stem from lack of safety measures taken by the hunter. Most hunting related injuries are related to falls from tree stands, failure to identify targets and self-inflicted incidents. Falling from tree stands is one of the leading causes of injury for Alabama hunters. It is important to wear a safety harness when climbing trees. Never climb a tree with a bow or gun and always use a rope to get equipment into the tree stand. Being safety-minded can help to make hunting a safe and fun sport, but hunting has lots of other health benefits, as well, she said. Walking in the woods is very therapeutic and great exercise. For Laurenzi, hunting is a family affair. She and her husband hunt whitetail deer and turkey together, and enjoy preparing healthy meals with the meat they harvest. “Venison is one of the leanest meats you can eat, and it is great for spaghetti, tacos and meat loaf,” Laurenzi said. “Eating low-fat meals is important to help keep cholesterol levels low.” To get in shape for the upcoming season, Laurenzi recommended at least one hour of exercise per day. In doing so, it is important to elevate the heart rate. Using a tree climber will really get the heart pumping, she said. Always put safety first with gun and bow. Always assume every gun is loaded and point the gun or bow in a safe direction, away from other hunters, and be absolutely sure of the target. In addition, wear hunter orange, Laurenzi said. The deer can’t see that hunters are wearing orange, and a hunter in orange is seven times less likely to be shot than a person in the woods not wearing the color. It won’t be long before the hunters are back in the woods, and when the time comes, always practice safe hunting habits. If an accident does occur, get medical attention as quickly as possible.
Wear hunter orange
Contact Dr. Martin “Rocky” Lyons and CRNP Brandy Laurenzi at River Region Family Medicine, 334-5673309.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
31
The Great Outdoors in Movies Attention all hunting and fishing enthusiasts! Here are a few film suggestions (in no particular order) to help you recreate the excitement of the great outdoors right in the comfort of your own home on your own television screen: A River Runs Through It (1992) – Directed by screen legend Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt in the early days of his career, this sumptuously photographed memoir is set in western Montana prior to the Great Depression and utilizes the art of fly fishing to propel its narrative of a family in turmoil. Gone Fishin’ (1997) – A critically savaged attempt by Joe Pesci and Danny Glover to capitalize on their popularity in the Lethal Weapon film series, Gone Fishin’ centers around two bumbling sport fishermen and the hijinks that ensue when their boat gets stolen during a fishing trip. One of the writers, using the pseudonym Jeffrey Abrams, has a name you might recognize today as J. J. Abrams, the Spielberg protégé responsible for multiple blockbusters, including last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
32
Jaws (1975) – The ultimate “fish tale” directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel. The formula is simple: Giant man-eating great white shark plus beachgoers equals movie blockbuster of historic proportions. Moby Dick (1956) – This classic film adaptation is based on Herman Melville’s massive novel, directed by the legendary John Huston and features Gregory Peck in a memorable performance as Captain Ahab, nemesis of the great white whale. Noted author Ray Bradbury, who many consider the king of science fiction, shared screenwriting credits with Huston. The Old Man and the Sea (1958) – Sensitive rendering of Ernest Hemingway’s tale of an old Cuban fisherman and one persistent fish. Spencer Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his lead role in the film. The Perfect Storm (2000) – This gripping adaptation of Sebastian Junger’s 1997 non-fiction book tells the tragic story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel that meets its doom along with all crew members in the perfect storm of 1991. Director
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Wolfgang Petersen (Air Force One) expertly balances jaw dropping special effects with emotionally charged drama through a stellar cast that includes George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. The Shipping News (2001) – Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Annie Proulx, this quirky fishing story set in Newfoundland features Kevin Spacey, Judi Dench, Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett. Unfortunately, neither the exotic locales nor top-tier stars delivered the goods at the box office. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) – Acclaimed director Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules) helmed this British rom-com with stars Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas. The charming plotline centers on the quest to bring the sport of fly fishing to the Yemen desert. Bait Shop (2008) – Comic Bill Engvall and country crooner Billy Ray Cyrus headline this story of the owner of a small town bait shop who signs up for a fishing tournament in hopes of using the prize money to save his shop from foreclosure. Understandably, this flick did not “cut the bait” for Academy Award consideration. Big Fish (2003) – The captivating fantasy drama, based on Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel, brought Hollywood magic to Elmore County when director Tim Burton and stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Marion Cotillard filmed in several locations here. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) – Starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas in a screenplay written by William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), this story is inspired by the true story of two lions that attacked and killed workers in Kenya in 1898 and the relentless hunt to track down these predators. The Grey (2011) – Liam Neeson headlines this survival thriller about oil men stranded in Alaska after a plane crash in a fight to the death against a pack of marauding grey wolves and debilitating cold weather.
Where the Red Fern Grows (1974) – Based on the beloved children’s book, this is a 10-hanky story of a young boy in the Ozark Mountains and his faithful hunting dogs. Remade by Disney in 2003. Jeremiah Johnson (1972) – Another successful collaboration between director Sydney Pollack and superstar Robert Redford, this story of the legendary mountain man features breathtaking vistas of Utah locations among its many highlights. Dances with Wolves (1990) – Directed by, produced by and starring Kevin Costner, this epic Western tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant and his sweeping adventures on the American frontier. Made during the heyday of Costner’s film career, Dances deservedly won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a nod for composer John Barry’s unforgettable score. Legends of the Fall (1994) – Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins headline this epic tale of a Montana family in the early 20th century. Cinematographer John Toll took home an Oscar for his breathtaking work, which also features one of the late James Horner’s most beautiful and memorable scores. The Deer Hunter (1978) – A scalding look at the Vietnam War through the battlefield experiences of a trio of American steelworkers. The film stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Michael Cimino. Deer Hunter was the career zenith for Cimino, who died earlier this year. So there you have it; numerous films that prominently feature the wonders of hunting, fishing and the overall majesty of the great outdoors. These features are readily available via streaming, rental or purchase. After a day in the woods or on the water, feel free to cozy up with one of these cinematic treats.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Jeff Langham
MOVIE MAN Dr. Jeff Langham is State Assistant Superintendent for External and
Governmental Affairs and a lifelong lover of film.
33
Video games are expansive bastions of diverse content. As gamers, we too often have to pick one game over another – to players, time is a commodity. The completion time for many titles is long past eight hours, and in the case of August’s No Man’s Sky, the in-game exploration options are very close to endless. The space-faring video game offers players more than 18 quintillion planets to explore. As impressive as that number may be, game critics and players came to the conclusion that there isn’t much depth to No Man’s Sky. Sad, too, considering the title was supposed to be a genre-carving achievement in video game history. Developer Hello Games had stood behind all of the hype surrounding the game, grinning as players placed their preorders, watching the media spin into a frenzy of ridiculous proportions – the game even had a segment on The Late Show in which Stephen Colbert did his best to feign interest in video games for a solid eight minutes. Hello Games also fought through a Christmas Eve flooding in 2013 that destroyed some of the work they had completed on the game. In many ways, the development of No Man’s Sky resembles a version of The Karate Kid in which Daniel loses to Johnny, even after all of the training montages and character-building setbacks. All of this begs the question: “Where did Hello Games go wrong?”
34
I’ve written – for this publication, even – that wanderlust in video games is important. Players should feel that they could go to that mountain in the distance, or swim to an island on the horizon. Eventually, even video games that are more linear will offer open-world aspects that lure players off the beaten path; some already do. This being said, how necessary is it that we have 18 quintillion planets to explore, especially when the game isn’t really multiplayer? The game was always touted as a multiplayer experience that offered chance encounters with other explorers in a vast, procedurally generated universe. These were supposed to be special moments, matched only by the sheer size of the game. But a few days after the game’s release, two players made a point of standing at the same spot on the same planet at the same time. Suffice it to say, this ‘meeting’ gave new meaning to the title No Man’s Sky. They might as well have been in two different universes. Sadly, the “multiplayer” part of No Man’s Sky seems to have been lost in translation. To be fair, Hello Games didn’t explicitly say the game would be multiplayer, but they also never made any attempt to belay speculation that implied it would be. In fact, they often fanned the flames of this sort of commentary, getting by on some of the pseudo-multiplayer facets of the game’s inner workings.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Exploring No Man's Sky
For example, a player could “claim” a planet. Other players could see that player there, and there’s a true Machiavellian rush that comes from knowing someone wasted time parking in an attempt to claim it; however, the true value of claiming one, two or even 30 planets out of 18 quintillion is almost indistinguishable from doing nothing at all. Video games were invented with one goal in mind: Fun – maybe money, too, but let me be romantic. Even if a player enjoys No Man’s Sky for what it is, the game doesn’t offer anything in terms of story or plot. It feels very much like an unfinished game. No Man’s Sky is a fierce advocate for freedom in video games, but I think its message comes on too strong, and perhaps even is a bit misguided. Exploration is something that should come as second nature in video game development, but Hello Games has made a fatal miscalculation in the decision to push this aspect of video games to the spotlight. The game feels empty and is filled with creatures that just don’t make much sense, anatomically or otherwise. Many players have reversed their purchases through a refund service offered by Steam, an
online video game marketplace. Players have one month to get their money back, but realworld retailers like GameStop were – as of Aug. 31 – offering just $16 for a trade-in copy of the title. Steam’s decision to offer such a refund has proven highly controversial, but given Hello Games’ track record, there’s little reason to believe that much will change in future updates or downloadable content packages. Furthermore, I’m not sure there are many gamers left willing to spend more on a game that has already proven lackluster. Despite its numerous failings, No Man’s Sky does play a vital role in the video games industry: Hello Games has taught us that gamers want bigger worlds and more fantastic scenery. Players are willing to spend money on the idea of exploration, but there needs to be a more channeled method applied to creating titles that follow in this game’s footsteps – a storyline couldn’t hurt, for instance. Regardless of review or opinion, No Man’s Sky remains a financial success. Hello Games is currently floating in cash, so here’s to hoping they can shake off the stardust of No Man’s Sky and trudge forward into a new project – one without 18 quintillion planets.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Jacob Saylor
THE GAMER Video games journalist
Jacob Saylor has covered the massive
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. Follow Jacob on Twitter @skulldrey.
35
OUT & ABOUT
1
2
3
4
Elmore County Football Game August 19, 2016 1. Jamie Landreau and Hannah Eller 2. Coach Rodgers 3. Autumn and Faith Varden 4. Chase Wilson, Chayanne Sanchez and Cole
5
Hagler 5. Morgan Daniels, Coden Gates and Stormi Davil 6. Tina and Bo Fulmer 7. Angie Freeman, Kenyatta Harris and Wanda Estes 8. Belinda Phillips and Sylvia Worley
6
36
7
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
8
OUT & ABOUT
1
2
3
An Afternoon at Memorial Park
2
4
Millbrook September 14, 2016 1. Taylor Revis and Diane Chapman 2. Nate and Anna Adams and David Mills 3. Brooke Swindal and Sherrie Jones 4. Teagan Hudson, Latreshia Stokes and Taylor Powell 5. Jennifer and Sam Daniel 6. Marley Hicks, Tara Church and Savanna Worthy
5
6
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
37
OUT & ABOUT
1
3
4
5
6
7
Tuesday with Kelly, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery August 16, 2016 1. Rita Thomas 2. Jessie Freeman, Lilie Grayson, Gwen Turner and Sandra Peavy 3. Ebba Dunn and Sarah Louise Dunn 4. Barbara Brenza and Evelyn Moreira 5. Phyllis and Crawford Kennedy 6. Jane Jones and Mary Spear 7. Iva Hayne, Catese Chaffee and Betty Stricker
38
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
OUT & ABOUT
1
3
2
4
5
Dialogues on the Experience of War, Elmore County Museum September 9, 2016 1. James Lawrence 2. Mariah Church 3. Billy Ray 4. Jerry Duncan 5. Keith Womack 6. Edward Stevens, Michael Stevens and Gardner Perdue
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
39
1
2
4
Rumbling Water Bass Tournament, Gold Star Park September 9, 2016 1. Jim White 2. Stan White 3. Joseph Schmidt 4. Buddy Coleman
40
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
3
Coming Up CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 23 3rd Annual Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce Clay Shoot
Put together a team of four shooters for an adventurefilled day at the Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sport Club. $100 entry fee for individuals; $400 per four-person team. The event starts at noon with a cookout by The Front Porch Grill. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place teams and high schooter. Sponosred by Central Alabama Electric Co-op. To register or learn more, call 334-285-0085.
Sept. 24 16th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival
The toe-tappin’ and fiddlin’ begin at 10 a.m. at the Titus Community Center. Banjos, mandolins, fiddles and guitars take center stage at this family-friendly festival. Browse the arts and crafts booths while the music plays until 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for age 12 and over; children admitted free. Bring a lawn chair. Bands include Clear Blue Sky, County Clare and Dustin Benson Band. Visit the Titus Bluegrass Festival Facebook page for details. For booth rental, call Judy May at 334-567-7327.
Oct. 1 Miss Millbrook Pageant
The theme for this annual contest is “Pageant of Progress,” a celebration of young women and girls aged 2 years to 19 years. The pageant begins at 4 p.m. at the Millbrook Civic Center, 3168 Park Circle. For information, call 334-430-9654.
Oct. 1 5th Annual Louise M. Smith Center Bass Classic
Anglers from all across Alabama will vie for door prizes, food and cash awards in this friendly fishing tournament to benefit programs for adults with intellectual disabilities and early infant education intervention programs. Entry fee is $110 per boat. First prize is guaranteed $2,000; second wins $750; and third wins $500. If more than 50 boats enter, fourth and fifth place prizes may be awarded. For information, contact Jess Butrica at 334-365-4054 or smithctr. jess@yahoo.com.
Oct. 1 Coosa River Challenge
Sept. 29-Oct. 15 Young Frankenstein the Musical
Based on the 1974 Mel Brooks film that starred the late Gene Wilder, this Wetumpka Depot Players production is a campy, bawdy comedy from which audiences will have nothing to fear. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 online and at the door. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1, 6-8 and 13-15. A 2 p.m. matinee will be staged on Oct. 2. Call 334-868-1440 or visit the website at www.wetumpkadepot.com for reservations.
Join the adventure of this year’s mountain biking, trail running, river paddling challenge! Two-person teams will take from three to six hours to complete the course, which is tame enough for the novice but still holds challenge for experienced racers. Pick up race packets at the pre-event party on Sept. 30. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Swayback Bridge Trailhead and ends in downtown Wetumpka. For entry fees and other information, email info@coosariverchallenge. com.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Call for Entries
Oct. 1 Wacky Socks Fun Run
The Prattauga Art Guild will accept entries for their 2016 fall art show from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Prattville Creative Arts Center, 342 Chestnut St. Visit artguild@prattvilleal.gov for submission instructions and details.
Wear your wackiest socks to support The Miracle League and The Field of Dreams. The 5K and 10K races and the 1-mile fun run start at 8 a.m. at Millbrook Civic Center. Visit thewackysocks5kfunrun2016.itsyourrace.com.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
41
Oct. 1 Wyld in the Woods 5K Trail Run
Grandview YMCA will host the third annual trail run in Millbrook along a route that features beautiful fields, lakes and wooded areas. For all fitness levels, the run includes uneven terrain, rocks, roots and sand. Free childcare will be provided for participating runners. Entry fees are $25 for runners and walkers; military and first responders $20. Register online at www.active. com/millbrook-al/running/trail-run-races/wyld-in-thewoods-5k-trail-run-2016?int=72-3-A1 or at 7 a.m. the day of the race. Parking is available on the Grandview YMCA campus. Race bags may be picked up between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the lobby of the main building the afternoon before the race or at 7 a.m. on race day. The 1-mile warm up starts at 8 a.m.; 5K starts at 9 a.m. For information, call 334-290-9622.
Oct. 7 4th Annual Golf Tournament
Make plans now for the 2016 Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Building Fund Golf Tournament at Quail Walk Golf & Country Club, 2110 Holtville Road. Lunch and registration start at 11:30 a.m. with the ball drop and putting contest at 12:30 p.m. Shotgun start for the tournament at 1 p.m. Entry fee for a foursome is $260; individual golfers at $65 each. Sponsorships available; door prizes are needed. Call Jamie Young at 334-567-4811 for information.
Oct. 15 Dam Century Bike Ride
The inaugural century ride will include three routes covering parts of four counties (Elmore, Tallapoosa, Macon and Montgomery). For details, contact Michone Roye at the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce, 334-283-5151.
Oct. 15 Angel Fest
St. Michael’s and All Angels Episocpal Church will host this annual event on the church grounds at 5941 Main St., Millbrook. Artisan vendors, silent auction, entertainment, bake sale, free children’s play area with games, prizes and horse rides. Concessions and Boston butt sale. Contact a church member to pre-order. Vendor booth space is $20. Proceeds fund community outreach in area schools, W.E.L.C.O.M.E., Christ Cafe, Alabama Angels Pageants and more. For information, contact Kim Bell at 334-285-3905.
42
Oct. 16 25th Anniversary Celebration of Lake Watch of Lake Martin
In celebration of its 25 years of safeguarding the water quality of Lake Martin, Lake Watch will hold a special event at the Dunn Environmental Center on the Camp ASCCA campus at 5278 Camp ASCCA Drive in Jacksons Gap from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include an overview of current activities, a history of the organization, an open mike, catfish and music by The Campbell Brothers. Tickets are $10. Register at www.lakewatch.org. For information, visit the website.
Oct. 21 - 23 The Glass Menagerie
Wetumpka Depot will present The Glass Menagerie, an American classic. Catch one of only three performances for the Depot’s entry to the Alabama Community Theatre Festival Oct. 21 - 23.
Oct. 22 Tallassee Trade Day
The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the annual Trade Day Arts and Crafts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free to browse the booths. Admission is $3 for the Kidz Zone where children can play carnival games and win prizes. To rent a space, contact the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce at 334-283-5151 or email Chamber@Tallassee Chamber.com.
Oct. 26-29 Haunted History Tours
The rich history of Wetumpka’s historic downtown buildings includes hair-raising personal accounts of paranormal activities. Book a spot on the tour of the town’s most haunted spaces – if you dare! You can even participate in a paranormal investigation at one of the city’s buildings. There are paranormal investigation classes for adults, as well as junior investigators from age 13 - 18. Walking tours are $15; extended tour with class, investigation and certificate are $40. Limited availability. Some dates/times are already filled. Call Jamie Young at 334-567-4811 to reserve your place.
Oct. 27 Annual Candy Walk
This annual tradition is held behind the city administration building in Wetumpka and is a great way for toddlers to fourth graders to celebrate Halloween. Kids put on their costumes to collect candy from participating businesses. Call Tiffany Robinson at 334-567-1384 to sign up your business for the candy giveaway from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
F
Story by Lonna Upton
rom pickin’ and grinnin’ to some of the best barbeque around, good times are the goal at the family-friendly Titus Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24. The Titus Community Center, located 18 miles north of Wetumpka, has played host to the festival for 17 years, and with three bluegrass bands, grilled burgers and barbeque, plus a number of craft and food vendors, Titus will be the destination of choice for close to 800 people that day from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Three bands will headline this year’s festival. The Cottonmouth Creek Band, out of Birmingham, a self-proclaimed folksy-but-edgy acoustic roots band, plays traditional Americana and traditional and contemporary bluegrass. County Clare, whose release It Was Never Just a Song earned the No. 4 CD spot on the National Roots Music Report in 2015, will perform their heartfelt original materials and tight-knit harmonies for audiences. And Alabama native Dustin Benson, nominated for the 2010 National Guitar Player of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America and most recently with Special Consensus, will bring his newly formed Dustin Benson Band to Titus for the annual celebration. Vendor booths this year will include handcrafted jewelry, quilts, glass art and stoneware pottery, as well as Mary Kay Cosmetics and Pampered Chef items. Eagles Roost Herb Farm of Rockford will be at the festival selling fried pies, fruit tortes and cinnamon rolls. Visitors also will have an opportunity to buy fresh vegetables and fresh pork. The Titus Volunteer Fire Department will sell burgers and barbeque. Email frudymay@elmore.rr.com for booth rentals. Admission to the Titus Bluegrass Festival is $5 per person; children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Parking is
available on the property at 5945 Titus Road, Titus, Alabama, 36080. Music lovers who plan to settle in under the shade trees to listen should bring blankets or lawn chairs. Besides browsing the vendors and enjoying the food, the fun will include a moonwalk for the children. Visitors should leave alcohol, pets and firearms at home. In the event of rain, the bands play in the firehouse. For the people who live around Titus, the community center stands not only as a landmark in the center of town but also as a historical marker of a time when life was slower and residents gathered at the center of the community to hear the news. Although the building is available to rent for reunions and receptions, as well as to be used for meetings and voting, local resident and festival committee member Frank May said its significance as a historical site is an important part of the preservation of the school and property. The festival is one way to marry the importance of Alabama smalltown history to traditional American music roots, which most often celebrate family life in the hills or on the farm. The grounds of the Titus Community Center cover 11 acres, including a schoolhouse that was built in 1920 and donated to residents in 1940. May and other community members handle minor repairs. For instance, May’s wife Judy, a master gardener, recently spearheaded the addition of new shrubbery in front of the school. “Although residents pitch in to help keep the center in good condition, funds are always needed to pay the bills,” May said. Proceeds from the Bluegrass Festival provide those necessary funds. Visit Titus Bluegrass Festival on Facebook.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
43
Business & Service Directory Tail’s End Thrift Store Great Deals on Summer Clothing for the whole family. New & unique housewares every week.
ADOPT • DONATE • VOLUNTEER
BARGAINS ON NICE KIDS CLOTHES AND FALL DECOR
NEW FACILITY COMING SOON
The Humane Society Of Elmore County
255 Central Plank Road • Wetumpka, AL 334-567-3377 hselco@bellsouth.net
334-567-7811 Pick up Elmore County Living at these locations: Eclectic
Eclectic Town Hall Moose's Eclectic Library Johnson’s Furniture Tropical Tan Zone First Community Bank
Prattville
Publix – Cobbs Ford Road
Slapout
Lake Martin
Lake Pharmacy The Golden Frog The Boy’s Store First Community Bank
Millbrook
Kent Eagle Y Petro Parker Tire RoadRunner Herron Hill Pharmacy Friendship Grocery The Apothecary Community Hospital Tallassee Health & Rehab 5 Points Store Ben Atkinson Motors
Russell Lands Russell Marine Nail’s Cotton’s BBQ
Verizon Wireless First Community Bank Lucretia Cauthen Realty Bliss Salon Millbrook Chamber of Commerce Realty Central Stone & Britt Law Gene Jones Insurance
Montgomery
Publix – Atlanta Highway
44
Wetumpka
Publix – Zelda Rd Publix - Vaughn Rd Publix - Taylor Rd
Tallassee
Bennett’s Archery First Community Bank Russell Do It Center Bumper’s Karen’s Mane Tamers River Ridge Steakhouse Emerald Mountain Store Redland Market Seivers Accounting Wetumpka Depot Players A Touch of Class Angel Locksmith Verizon Wireless Unplugged Must Stop Café Alfa Realty Wetumpka Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty Wachovia Bank BB&T Jackson Thornton Lee’s Auto Repair McQuick Printing Company Hankins Insurance Hog Rock BBQ Wetumpka YMCA
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Adams Drugs Bell Chiropractic Wetumpka Urgent Care Aliant Bank A Beautiful Creation Austin’s Flowers Camo Country Alabama State Employees Credit Union Smokin S BBQ Elmore Community Hospital Wetumpka Preschool Wetumpka City Library Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce City of Wetumpka Administration Bldg. Coosa River Adventures Stoddard’s Bait Shop Collier Ford The Prissy Hen Wee Ones Daycare Wetumpka Health & Rehab Canal Grocery Kim’s Corner
Our Advertisers • To Join, Call 334-567-7811 Cloverdale Jewelers........................................................................... 7 Collier Ford...................................................................................... 7 Community Hospital.......................................................................... 5 Jackson Thornton............................................................................ 4 5 Jeffcoat Funeral Home..................................................................... 2 9 Karen's Mane Tamers...................................................................... 4 4 Kowaliga Whole Health.................................................................. 4 4 Lake Martin Mini Mall.............................................................................3 Mark's Service Center.............................................................................7 OB-GYN Associates of Montgomery........................................................2 Russell Lands on Lake Martin..................................................................4 8 Tallassee Health & Rehab, LLC............................................................ 7 The Humane Society of Elmore County............................................... 4 4
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Don't see your ad in this issue of Elmore County Living? Neither did the thousands of potential customers who read our magazine monthly. To advertise please contact Molly Brethauer or Stacy Adams at 334-567-7811 or stop by our office located at 300 Green Street, Wetumpka AL 36092
45
Alabama Whiskey M.K. Moore
SOUTHERN DELIGHTS Mary Katherine Moore is an Alabama State Fair pepper jelly
champion, has butchered a wild hog in
her kitchen and grows
heirloom to-
matoes in her backyard.
46
September is National Heritage Bourbon Month, which celebrates the crafting and distilling of bourbon. I’m a bourbon drinker from way back. Back before it was fashionable. I spent my high school years in a small Tennessee county, next door to an even smaller Tennessee county, with the two producing the finest sippin’ whiskeys know to humankind: Jack Daniels and my favorite, George Dickel. My county also made one of the best mixers for these two spirits: Sundrop. Let me tell you, rolling the cruise circuit from Sonic, where you picked up a large Sundrop full of that crunchy ice (ordered with “headspace” for some George or Jack), to the mall on a hot summer night was heaven. Of course, I never ever did this. Geez, y’all, my mom reads this, ok? So what does this have to do with Alabama? You would think that Kentucky or even Tennessee would have some sort of official state recognition of bourbon, right? Nope. Alabama is the only state in the union with a spirit as the state beverage. It is specifically Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey. No kidding. And the story is so juicy that someone needs to make a movie out of it. So this is what I’ve been able to piece together so far. During a 20-year period from the 50s through the 70s, a gent named Clyde May was churning out some 300 gallons of moonshine a week down in the woods of Bullock County. That is grand amount, let me tell you. Old Clyde was legend, and his quality was the best that could be had in the backwoods. He fabricated his equipment out for the best materials he could find, used water from a local spring and prided himself on the extra steps he took to maintain purity and quality. What this means is that Clyde’s unaged corn likker may not have killed you if you drank it. But what he was known for, and what everyone wanted, and what was saved for special people, was
the “Christmas Whiskey.” Around New Years, Clyde set aside some of his spirits in charred oak barrels, threw in a handful of dried apples and let it age for one year. See, Clyde maintained that the hot Alabama summers accelerated the aging process. Every year at Christmas, this special reserve was bottled and given to friends and his best customers. Well, the 1973 batch of Christmas Whiskey must not have been that great, because the jig was up for Clyde. He was arrested and served an 18-month sentence at Maxwell Air Force Base for operating outside of state liquor laws. Some say he went right back to his still, but I can find no evidence of it. And in 1990, Clyde met his Maker. Enter his son Kenny Mays. Kenny wanted to honor his father by producing a legal spirit from Clyde’s recipe. In 2002, the first Conecuh Ridge Whiskey rolled out to ABC stores trucked in from Kentucky. What? Yup. Seems Kenny went through a Kentucky bourbon company to produce 4,000 bottles. To his credit, Kenny did use spring water from Conecuh Ridge, trucking it all the way up to Kentucky and then shipping the bourbon all the way back to Bama. Somehow in all this, and despite Governor Bob Riley’s veto, the Alabama Legislature adopted a resolution in April 2004 naming Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey as the official state spirit. What a coup for Kenny! I think Clyde would have been tickled about it. Well, until the ABC stopped stocking Conecuh Ridge that year due to limited demand. And, well, Kenny was arrested and pled guilty to selling liquor without a license. After several changes in ownership of basically the name and Clyde May’s recipe, Conecuh Ridge is now produced by an outfit in Dallas, which markets the whole “Clyde was a rebel” aspect, with their Clyde May’s Bourbon and Clyde May’s Special Reserve. It’s a great story but a little sad that the state spirit of Alabama is owned in Dallas and made in Kentucky. I’m off to taste-test Clyde’s spirit against George and Jack. And if you happen to be in possession of an original bottle of Clyde’s Christmas Whiskey that somehow survived all these years tucked away at Grandpa’s fish camp, call me.
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
Your Business Should Be
HERE!
Advertising GROWS Business So, Advertise with the BEST
2015
RIVER &
BLUES W
PREVIE
Cor nfie
Go pumpkin ld County Far m pickin' & Sunf lower mazin'
e stands
Elmore
Kids & Lemonad
5 June 201
Think You Can
Cook?
Summer is for
Musicals
ving County Li
1
Y LIVING
ELMORE COUNT
Read about
7 local innov
who are MAK
ORE CO TY ENTREPRENUN EURS
Elmore July
Coun
2015
in ty Liv
ators
ING IT HERE
SALUTING ELM
g
October
Elmore County L iving
2015
ECL offers the most competitive rates for marketing your business in the River Region. Our award-winning team is committed to producing effective advertising that works.
ELMORE COUN
TY LIVING
Tree arning The Le dians Lady In ate! win st y Living Health
msey's Dave Ra llection o Classic C ELMORE
COUNTY
1 LIVING
1
Elmore County Living
To advertise contact our marketing consultants Molly Brethauer or Stacy Adams at 334-567-7811 ELMORE COUNTY LIVING
47
THE LAKE IS THE PART OF US THAT
IS ALWAYS YOUNG.
Wild and full of wonder, it’s the place where we are still awed by sunrises and sunsets.
That’s the power of the lake.
PRESENTING THE NEWEST COLLECTION OF LAKE HOMES AND HOMESITES RUSSELLLANDSONLAKEMARTIN.COM | 256.215.7011 | LAKE MARTI N, ALABAMA
48
ELMORE COUNTY LIVING