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OPINION: USE TIME WISELY, PAGE 4

THE

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FRIDAY

Football teams get a taste of summer heat

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

August 18, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 164 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

ACFD BUSY WEEKEND given AHEAD thank you gift

Alex City schools to stick with food vendor By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

During Tuesday night’s meeting of the Alexander City School System, Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Blythe informed the council that a number of individuals were bringing complaints before her regarding the school lunches provided by the foodservice company Southwest Foodservice Excellence the board entered into a contract with over the summer. During the meeting, it was suggested the system opt out of its contract with the company and begin the rebidding process. Blythe said she had a meeting with Southwest’s president scheduled for Wednesday morning, and that any action to be taken would wait until after the meeting. Following the meeting, Blythe said the Alexander City School System would be staying with Southwest Foodservice Excellence, while working to bring up the quality of the food served in cafeterias across the system “We had a very good meeting this morning,” Blythe said. “They agreed to meet all of our requests.” The company’s president found the meeting to be an eye-opening experience, while also being extremely nice and willing to do what the schools were asking, she said. “They’re definitely willing to step up and fix things,” she added. While the schools would not be opting out of their contract with the company, some changes were being See LUNCHES • Page 7

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Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Derby, Muster, Miracle Field benefit top area events By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

There is no shortage of things to do this weekend. For those that have the need for speed there is the Ducky Ward Soap Box Derby in Dadeville. If a history lesson is more your speed, the there is the Muster on the Tallapoosa. If neither of these is suitable, there are plenty of other events to satisfy any tastes. Marrell Ward who is organizing the first soap box derby in Dadeville in memory of his son, says its lining up to be a great event. “I anticipate 30 to 50 cars,” Ward said. “At practice this past weekend we had about 15 and I know of another 15-20 that were under construction and could not make it.” While the races start at 1 p.m. on Columbus Street near the Dadeville High School football field, events start at 10 a.m. “We have inflatables, bass casting, cornhole,” Ward said. “There will be

Auburn University’s Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine gave the Alexander City Fire Department an impressive thank you gift Thursday for helping its students get much-needed hands on training. Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Terri Plundo and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education David Plundo delivered a state-of-the-art Stryker Stair-Pro stair chair to the department on Thursday, a gift that ACFD Chief Reese McAlister said will be a tremendous help to the department and area residents. “This is incredible,” McAlister said. “You will not believe how much easier this will make some of our calls and how much better it will be for the people we have to transport where access is limited.” See CHAIR • Page 2

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Top, Kristi Hardy shows off an autographed jersey from AL MVP Josh Donaldson that will be part of an auction at Saturday’s Miracle Field Benefit at the Sportplex. Above, Ducky Ward Soap Box Derby organizer Marrell Ward helps a racer in practice. The See EVENTS • Page 2 first-ever derby will roll Saturday in Dadeville.

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Terri Plundo and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education David Plundo delivered a Stryker Stair-Pro to members of the ACFD.

Key Club president presents plans to Dadeville Kiwanis

Today’s

High

AU’s Med School donates stair chair to fire department

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

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Nine members of the Dadeville High School Key Club joined the Dadeville Kiwanis Club during their weekly meeting Thursday afternoon. Along with being recognized as special guests, Key Club President Cimone Presley stood before the Kiwanians to discuss what she hoped to accomplish during her year as the head of the club. “My top goal is to raise our membership this year,” she said. “Ninety-five students signed up during Opportunity Day last week, and I hope that all 95 will show up for our first meeting.” Presley’s other goals included wanting to build a better bond among the club Donald Campbell / The Outlook members, helping those interested in Dadeville High School Key Club President Cimone being members of the Key Club to truly Presley talks with the Dadeville Kiwanis Club about her understand what it means to be a part of the group, being able to take as many members goals for the club’s upcoming year.

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as possible to their district convention and working with the Kiwanis Club on a combined service project. “I want to encourage student leadership in the club,” she added. In addition to her goals of growing the Key Club and increasing the group’s level of student leadership, Presley also talked about a number of fundraising ideas the club officers had been brainstorming. To raise money for Children’s Hospital, a thought had been floated around to have students pay $2 to have their teacher wear a red nose and a doctor’s coat while teaching their class for one period. Plans for a car wash, along with allowing students to pay to pour a bottle of water over a teacher’s head were formulated as fundraisers for The Thirst Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing clean drinking water to places where such a resource is scarce. Club members had also thought about holding a bake sale to raise money for UNICEF See KIWANIS • Page 7

Starting Friday: Annabelle – R Girls Trip – R The Nut Job 2– PG

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Man questions his dating style after being cheated on twice

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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

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

How to Submit Obituaries

Friday, August 18, 2017

The Outlook

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

DEAR ABBY: I have been in two relationships. The first was with a girl a couple of years older than I am. We were together for several years before she cheated on me and dumped me. I was crushed. The next girl was a few years younger. She did the same thing after we were together a year. What am I doing wrong? Fidelity is important to me, and they both knew it from the start. How can I avoid this in the future? I have never been a controlling person. I was always fine with my girlfriends going out with their friends without me if I couldn’t go for some reason. (That’s how they ended up meeting the other guys.) The people in lasting relationships I’ve seen watch each other like hawks, and never allow their significant other to be in the company of the opposite sex without them. Is this normal? Should I be like them? That seems controlling,

DEAR ABBY Advice

but clearly, my “no boundaries” relationship style has backfired on me. -- CHEATED ON IN NEW YORK CITY DEAR CHEATED ON: Few things can ruin a relationship or a marriage like obsessive jealousy can. Watching one’s partner “like a hawk” is stifling. It will eventually drive the person away, as you will see as you continue to observe the couples you have mentioned. Please don’t try to change the person you are because YOU are just fine. I believe that in relationships there has to be a certain amount of responsibility. If someone is mature enough to be involved romantically, that person should be willing to admit if things aren’t work-

ing out. Being cheated on is painful, and being dumped is equally so. Not every relationship leads to marriage, but rather than sneak around to avoid a frank conversation, it’s better to practice the Golden Rule. DEAR ABBY: I am in a predicament. My therapist is great, but sometimes I think she shares too much. Last time I went, she was running late. When I finally got into her office, she told me the previous patient was nonverbal and had painted her nails during the session. Later in the session, she confided that years ago she had been date raped. Abby, I am in counseling because my father raped me when I was 15 (I am now 24). Her sharing has me worried because I don’t want her telling others what I say or do during counseling. Further, her story of the date rape scared me. She described a situation that is not uncommon for me to be in, and it caused some-

Events kids hunting and fishing,” said Sonny Wilson, the director of Alexander City Parks and Recreation. “There’s a similar fundraiser they do every year for OFF but they sell more like guns and hunting and fishing trips. This year, we’ll have all that but we’ll also have a bunch of sports memorabilia.” There’s a long list of items up for auction, including several signed sports memorabilia, a few overnight stays at Russell Cabins, rounds of golf at Willow Point, gift cards and fishing trips. Some of the big-ticket items may include a signed basketball from Magic Johnson; a Matt Ryan signed football; a Michael Jordan signed baseball; a Reggie Jackson signed baseball and more. Wilson said a ton of community members got involved, but much of the memorabilia donations came from Central Alabama Community College baseball coach Larry Thomas and Benjamin Russell graduate and current Oakland Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman. “Coach Thomas has a lot of sports memorabilia from the pro players he knew,” Wilson said. “Kendall has sent us kaboodles of stuff. Coach Thomas has been a part of it since Day 1, and we called Kendall when we got this all started, told him what we were doing and he said he wanted to be a part of it.” VIP Tickets include a dinner, private concert, meet-and-greet with the bands and a ticket to the auction. Tickets are available for $35 for a single ticket or $60 for a couple. General admission tickets, which includes the concert and auction, will be sold for $15. Bands include Russell Craig, Kyle Wilson and Route 66 featuring Justin Rivers; and

the auction will be held by 2017 Auctioneer of the Year Chuck Bradley. The Dream Field will be similar to a Miracle Field, but the Dream Field will be used for more than just baseball and softball. The idea of the Dream Field is for it be able to be used for volleyball, basketball, dodgeball and more. The rubberized surface allows for easier access for wheelchairs especially. It will be located near the softball fields at the Sportplex. If those do not suit your fancy there is also: YARD SALE: The Ladies of the Elks will host their annual yard sale Aug. 19 from 6 to 11 a.m. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on Aug. 19 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard and bake sale Friday, Aug. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 19 from 6 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center. All proceeds go to the building fund. BENEFIT RIDE: There is a benefit ride for Billy Ward Saturday, Aug. 19. Registration will be at Walmart starting at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands up at 10 a.m. The route will be 70 to 100 miles with a gas and rest stop and stopping at Jeff Abbett’s house. Riders are $20 and $5 for passengers. A $20 donation will get you lunch and a door prize ticket. For more information call Jeff Abbett at 256-794-8972, Pattie McLain at 256-267-5374, Scott Vick at 256-404-3841 or Donnie Ward Jr. at 334-703-3538.

Chair

continued from page 1

The chair will help firefighters move patients from structures where stretchers are difficult to navigate. The device is sturdy,

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yet lightweight and is equipped with wheels and special tracks which means patients will not be bumped around when they have to be taken up or down stairs. While no one would say just how generous the gift was, the chairs list online for about $3,500. So why such generosity from VCOM? Over the past few months, all 158 of the students who are part of Auburn’s VCOM program spent two days at the fire department.

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continued from page 1

musicians, the fire department will have some trucks there for the kids to look at and we will have food and craft vendors.” For more information on the derby contact Ward at 256-4960339. For the history buffs, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a Muster on the Tallapoosa Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We are going to have some Creek Indian hunting camp demonstrations,” Park Ranger Matt Robinson said. “We will have a militia camp where children can sign up and march with the militia. They will be able to see what frontier life was like.” The event helps celebrate the 58 th anniversary of the establishment of the park. Musket demonstrations will take place at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with cannon demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The museum will also be open with its artifacts and displays. No food is available for purchase in the park so visitors should plan to bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water. There are two picnic areas inside the park equipped with tables, charcoal grills and two shelters. There is no admission charge to attend this program. Frontier life will not be the only thing to do. “There will be things for children to do to earn their junior ranger badge for Horseshoe Bend National Military Park,” Robinson said. Also Saturday Dream Field organizers are hosting a fundraiser to make it a reality at the Sportplex. “We’re joining together with OFF (Outdoor Friends Forever) which takes handicap

Where Good Friends Meet!

thing almost like a flashback in me. I think what she did was insensitive, to say the least. I have nobody else to ask, so what should I do? I’m getting counseling for free now due to my income, and it took months to get set up with a counselor. Should I report her or accept that this was a mistake and say nothing? If I need to report her, how would I go about doing that? -CONFLICTED ABOUT IT DEAR CONFLICTED: You should change therapists because it appears this one has more problems than you do. As to what agency you should report her breach of professional ethics to, contact the state organization that has licensed her to practice.

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During their stay they rode with paramedics for transport and emergency calls, answered fire calls with firefighters and got familiar with the equipment used by the department. “We were glad to do it,” said Terri Plundo. “They really stepped up and gave our students some great training while they were here. The relationship between VCOM and the Alexander City Fire Department means a lot to us and to the students as well.” David Plundo said he spent time as an EMT and knows the situations that paramedics and firefighters often face in aging structures. “We used to have to use kitchen chairs and just muscle them down stairs at times,” David Plundo said. “So trust me, I know that this will be a big help and they will put it to good use.” The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private,

non-profit college that was previously affiliated with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia and Wofford University in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It started classes at the Auburn Research Park in 2015. At Auburn, VCOM has developed partnerships with fire departments and several hospitals including Russell Medical to provide experience for students. While the students got training, McAlister said the department got a lot out of them being here as well. “It was great having them here,” McAlister said. “Our guys really love what they do and when they get a chance to talk about it and teach other, that is even better. We didn’t hold back – exposing them to just about everything we do. It didn’t matter what kind of call it was. If we rolled, they were right there with us. You could tell for some of them it was an eyeopening experience.”

Friday, August 18, 2017

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.

Today is August 18, 2017 Today’s Events

GOSPEL SINGING: Bay Pine Baptist Church is hosting Brian Free

and Assurance Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard and bake sale Friday, August 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 19 from 6 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center. All proceeds go to the building fund.

Page 3

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Today’s Birthdays

Christy Smith, Eddie Hampton, Alana Tolbert, Donnie Royal and Wanda Weldon are celebrating birthdays today.

Today’s Anniversaries

Cory and Wendy Gardner are celebrating their anniversary today.

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County highway personnel work on repairs to Grimes Ferry Road. The road was washed out in flooding earlier this summer and the process of installing new culverts and making the repairs is almost complete. Commissioner John McKelvey reported Thursday that they hoped to have the road open again at the end of the day.

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Today - August 20

CHRISTIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: New Covenant Ministries of the World, Inc. is hosting its annual Christian General Assembly themed “Principles and Doctrine for the Perfecting of the Saints,” August 14-20 at the Liberty Life Center at 243 S Street in Alexander City. Daily at 9 a.m. there will be a prayer breakfast, 11:30 a.m. a seminar on Holy Bible research and at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday will be a worship and praise service with a speaker. Sunday, Aug. 20 is is Climax Day with Chief Apostle W.T. Traylor.

August 18-19

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: The Just Believe Women’s Conference will be Aug. 18 and 19 at Passion Church on Highway 63 North. Friday will start at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a time of fellowship and inspiring testimonies. AL 96175

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Saturday, August 19

SOAP BOX DERBY: Dadeville’s Ducky Ward Soap Box Derby Race and Festival is August 19 at 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with plans and set up. Help make this a great day for children. Deadline for entry is August 5. Call Marrell Ward at 256496-0339 with questions. The festival will start at 10 a.m. with inflatables, musicians, vendors, bass casting, horseshoe, cornhole and more. YARD SALE: The Ladies of the Elks will host their annual yard sale August 19 from 6 to 11 a.m. MUSTER ON THE TALLAPOOSA: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting a Muster on the Tallapoosa August 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Creek hunting camps, cannon firing, militia and musket drills, wool spinning and dyeing and more. There is a shaded picnic area with charcoal grills, tables and pavilions available. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on August 19 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard and bake sale Friday, August 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 19 from 6 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center. All proceeds go to the building fund. BENEFIT RIDE: There is a benefit ride for Billy Ward Saturday, Aug. 19. Registration will be at Walmart starting at 8:30 a.m. kick stands up at 10 a.m. The route will be 70 to 100 miles with a gas and rest stop and stopping at Jeff Abbett’s House. Riders are $20 and $5 for passengers. A $20 donation will get you lunch and a door prize ticket. For more information call Jeff Abbett at 256-794-8972, Pattie McLain at 256267-5374, Scott Vick at 256-404-3841 or Donnie Ward Jr. at 334-703-3538.

Sunday, August 20

CHURCH HOMECOMING: The New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting homecoming Sunday, August 20 at 11 a.m.

August 20-22

CHURCH REVIVAL: Eagle Creek Baptist Church will have revival services August 20-22 at 6:30 p.m. each night. Dr.John Ed Mathison will be the revival preacher. Dr. Mathison retired after 36 years as senior Pastor of the Frazer United Methodist church in Montgomery. Under his leadership Frazer grew from 400 to over 8000 members.

August 21-23

CHURCH REVIVAL: New Adka 256-496-4017 Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its

annual revival services August 21-23 at 7 p.m. nightly. Guest minister will be Rev. MacArthur Moss. Edward Milner is pastor.

Tuesday, August 22

VOLUNTEER TRAINING: Volunteer Connections is recruiting volunteers to assist with the January through April 2018 free tax assistance program. A pre-training class will be held and Tuesday, Aug. 22 and again Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are interested in participating in one of these classes of for more information please call VCCA at 256234-0347 or email at vcca.al@gmail. com. ORIGINS OF THE BIBLE: The Samford Ministry Training Institute is an extremely practical program that is designed for both ministers and laypeople, combining solid teaching with minimal assignments that won’t overload your schedule. Classes are simple and affordable. Each class is eight weeks and requires reading only one book. The classes are taught at the Tallapoosa Baptist Association building on Highway 280 in Jackson’s Gap, and are open to Christians from all denominations. The next class starts on Tuesday, Aug. 22 and is entitled “The Origins of the Bible”. We will discuss the inspiration of Scripture, how the Bible was collected into a “canon”, how the books of the Bible were copied and passed down, and much more! To register online, go to www.samford.edu/ programs/ministry-training-institute/. For more info about the upcoming class, call Pastor Matt Haines at 256-234-2408.

August 22-24

CITY WIDE REVIVAL: The Alex City Ministerial Association is hosting a city wide revival at the GAP Fellowship Church August 22-24 at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Rev. Josh Sammons of Hillabee Baptist Church, Wednesday will be Bishop W.T. Traylor of Liberty Life Christian Center and Thursday Rev. Mike Jackson of Flint Hill United Methodist Church.

Wednesday, August 23

Thursday, August 24

UNDERAGE DRINKING FOCUS GROUP: The East Alabama Mental Health Center at 287 North Tallassee Street in Dadeville is hosting an underage drinking and substance abuse focus group August 24 at 6 p.m. Questions can be directed to 334742-2112 or prevention@eamhc.org.

Friday, August 25

REUNION: All former Jaycees and Jayceettes are invited to a reunion Friday, Aug. 25 at noon at Jake’s. It will be Dutch treat. Contact Joan Morgan at 256-234-2166, Sandra Harris at 256212-4100 or Rita Barry at 1-205-9070005 for more information.

Saturday, August 26

STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park. FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in

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Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.

Sunday, August 27

CHURCH HOMECOMING: River Road Baptist Church at 148 Dean Road is hosting a homecoming Sunday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. with Rebecca Futral and ‘Just One’ in concert. A love offering will be taken. A covered dish lunch will be served at noon. Margaret Thornton is music director and Dr. Albert Pike is pastor. Everyone is invited.

Monday, August 28

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: The Alex City Area Ministerial Association is hosting a dinner for ministers and spouses August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Marshall Street Church of God. The meal will be a choice between pork chop or chicken with two vegetables, dessert and drink. The cost is $15 per person. Please respond ASAP to Pastor Mike Waldrop at radcom2jc@gmail com or leave a message at 256-392-4950. JOB FAIR: The will be a job fair at the Alexander City Sportplex at 1685 Riding Arena Monday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, September 3

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: The Mt. Zion East Baptist Church on Stillwaters Drive is celebrating the 14th pastoral anniversary of Rev. Sis. Jimmy Thomas Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. J.C. Fryer of Pine Hill Baptist Church in Phenix City. Everyone is invited. ANNUAL HOMECOMING EVENT: Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church will be hosting their Annual Homecoming Event Sunday, Sept. 3 at 10:30 a.m. There will be no evening services on this day. Mountain Community Amazing Grace Minister will provide the music and lunch will be served following morning services. Everyone is welcome to join for this special occasion of worship, music and fellowship. Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church is located in Mountain Community in Clay County. PASTORAL APPRECIATION: St. John A.M.E. Church in Socapatoy is hosting the 22nd Pastoral Appreciation of Rev. and Sister James R. MoCoy Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Minster Kelvin Woods of St. Mary Baptist Church in Lincoln.

Wednesday, September 6

GRIEFSHARE: The Trinity Campus of First United Methodist Church, next door to Russell Medical is hosting GriefShare. GriefShare is a grief recovery support group to find help and healing for the hurt of losing a love one. The 13 week curriculum uses videos and workbooks led by experts in the field of recovery. It starts Sept. 6 with meetings Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To register or for more information call 256-234-2455,

Thursday, September 7

DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP: The Trinity Campus of First United Methodist Church is hosting a divorce support group Sept. 7 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. to focus on helping separated and divorced individuals get through the difficulties of a broken marriage. The group will meet every Thursday through Oct. 19. PTSD SUPPORT GROUP: The Trinity Campus of the First United Methodist Church is hosting a post traumatic stress support group starting Sept. 7 and every Thursday through Oct. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The group is for anyone who needs support in dealing with post traumatic stress.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

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Stop lurking H and get involved

ave you ever seen a problem that you felt elected officials should address? Most of us have. But how did you handle it? The truth is, most of don’t handle it. Faced with these situations, most people either do nothing or they gripe about it. Some prefer to vent on social media. What do those three approaches accomplish? No much. We often hear people griping and complaining in public and on social media about what’s being done, or being done too much, not being done enough, or being ignored by our local government. Here’s the deal: a truckload of gripes doesn’t have any weight. But one person who stands up in a public meeting and makes a well thought-out request to one of our local governing bodies can pull a lot of weight. More people, working together for the same cause have even more influence. Why do so many choose to gripe and so few speak out? In order to stand up and plead your case you’ve got to know what you’re talking about. Often complainers are simply parroting what they heard from another – they are not personally involved. It takes personal initiative to research and fully understand a situation and individual thought to outline steps to make a positive change. Also, it takes courage and conviction to put your reputation on the line and take a stand in public. If you think about it, none of that is required to complain, gripe or gossip … which means complaining is simply an easier response to something that strikes you wrong. Next time you feel the urge to gripe, complain or gossip about an issue, we’d like to respectfully suggest that instead, you spend some energy thinking about what you can do to get involved, how you can speak out with honor and good intent, and what you can do to make our community a better place. You can make a difference. Be a part of the 1 percent who dare to get involved and make a difference.

Know Your

Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

Kay Ivey

Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and Steve Marshall his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com. Mark Tuggle His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Tom Whatley

Outlook The

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Friday, August 18, 2017

We must use time wisely

ow many expressions have you ever heard that refer to time? I bet we could list a page full with classics such as; “time flies, seize the moment, time marches on, every second counts, make the most of the time you have, time is money and time heals all wounds.” So, let’s get on with the article because time is a valuable commodity not to be wasted. Yet, time is relative to what activity a person is engaged. Let me give you an example. A couple of days ago my wife and I were on our way home when she mentioned she needed a few things from the grocery store for supper. All I had to do was drive up in front, let her out and she would only be a few minutes. The key phrase in all of this was “only a few minutes.” I knew better deep in my heart, but I thought this time would be the exception. So, being the dutiful, loving husband that I am I let her out and sat in the car to wait patiently. How long did I sit there? Well, soon the car ran out of gas from idling so long, then the battery went dead from playing the radio, and finally a church member walked by and commented on the nice beard I had grown, a beard that I didn’t have when

have sat in the car and waited on his wife when he worked out E=MC2. All of us have the exact same amount of time each DR. GERALD day. We have 86,400 seconds, HALLMARK or 1440 minutes, or 24 hours Columnist allotted to us in a day. This we pulled into the parking lot. time is a gift of God to be After a couple of hours she spent wisely because it can returned to find me mumbling never be recovered. That is to myself and bumping my why Psalm 90 reminds us,” to head on the dashboard. It number our days and apply our seems her few things turned hearts unto wisdom.” into three shopping carts of Since God gave us this time items ranging from flour to we should never be too busy flowers. According to her it for Him. I would never want had taken “a minute” longer to be so busy in this life that I because she had met one would have to spend eternity of her friends and they had in the next one wishing I had exchanged a few moments in taken time for Him. I think that conversation. I think I knew is why the scriptures sing out the other lady’s husband. to us, “this is the day the Lord He was the guy waiting two has made, I will rejoice and be cars over that finally started glad therein.” screaming and ran out into the Well, my time is already highway pulling his hair. Bless up writing for today so I’ll his heart he had already been close. Anyway, I have to go to waiting when I arrived. the dentist for a cleaning and The Latin term “tempus filling. She assures me it won’t fugit” (time flies) did not apply take long and I’ll only be in here. Time had slowed to a the chair for “a few minutes.” crawl while I was waiting, Being the sissy that I am this and waiting and waiting. The may wind up being a definition seconds, minutes and hours of eternity. were all passing at the same rate as they always did, but my Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a internal clock had ground to a retired minister who lives in halt. Einstein was right about Alexander City. His column time being relative. He must appears here each Friday.

Today’s

Quote

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

Today’s

Scripture “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” – John 15:16

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Thursday Question: Were you satisfied with the results of Tuesday’s primary election?

Yes – 18 No – 9

Friday’s Question: Are you making plans to attend a high school football game next week? To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www. alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

Your View

Letters to the Editor

Editorial was one-sided, missed the point Dear Editor, I have tried to remain calm and objective in the aftermath of the Charlottesville riot, but when the one sided fake news such as the anomalous staff writer with the Outlook who wrote the side bar editorial which was so one-sided, showing no objectivity what so ever and vindicating Antifa and BLM for the gross violence I had to respond. Whoever wrote this piece needs to examine both sides of this event. The truth is the Antifa’s started the violence. Why wasn’t that reported by the Outlook? You people are so one-sided it makes your content unreadable. The left is blatantly out of control and the finger of blame only points to the right. Anyone who took part in this vile action with express intent to promote violence should be prosecuted to the fullest. People wonder how anything of this severity could have happened the answer lies with the Democratic Party and their pet instigator Barrack Hussein Obama. For eight years Barack Hussein Obama promoted violence and division of the races. The right was pushed until the left and the Antifa got their desired result, which was violence. The whole time the effort was hiding behind the tired old rhetoric of slavery and the Civil War. Anyone who thinks the Civil War was fought to preserve slavery is either ignorant or stupid or both. Less than 1 percent of the individuals who fought in the Civil War actually owned slaves. With that in mind do you think a bunch of rich, white and black slave-owning, plantation owners were able to talk the ignorant white rednecks of the time into fighting so they could maintain the standard of plantation living? I don’t think so. I compare the leaders of the Confederacy to the Fathers of the Constitution especially the

military leaders, who most resigned commissions in the United States military to fight for what they considered right. The Federal Government was conceived by the states to insure the protection of the national borders not to dictate to the states. The leaders of the Confederacy were attempting to oppose a tyrannical oppressive government that was attempting to subjugate the economy of the South. Jefferson would have been proud. In 1968 our country desegregated. But racism is more of a problem today than ever before. The reason? Racism is perpetuated by the very people who claim to be victims of it and the Democratic Party. Without a mantra such as racism the Democratic Party cannot keep the minorities enslaved to an entitlement check. I was reading an article about Georgia being the last state readmitted to the union after the Civil War. Martial Law had to be declared in Georgia in 1867 before the state was readmitted in 1868. The reason Martial Law was declared, in the city of Camilla, Georgia, a black Republican rally ended with the death of 12 black citizens at the hands of white Democrats. How ironic. In conclusion if this situation is not addressed properly and severely the potential spread of violence could be catastrophic. The persecution and demeaning of the Christian faith by Barack Hussein Obama in our institutions of higher learning over the last eight years has helped feed this violence. Return to God and return to peace. As always thank you for your time. Woody Baird Alexander City De Opresso Liber

Workers show professionalism, residents show patience Dear Editor, As I travel through our city, I am impressed as to how professional and well the road crews are making us safe while doing the various construction work. I thank each of them for working so diligently in the heat and rain and being extremely polite to drivers on the highways. Also, It is great to see local crews like Henderson and Coker, who did excellent work downtown and Gary Ingram Company from Dadeville using crews on Lee, Washington and other areas. Citizens, visitors, let us show upmost respect and patience when travelling the highways. It’s amazing how we can still ride the road ways in the midst of all the construction. May God keep all of us safe as we ride down roads where construction is taking place. Also, thanks to all the drivers, who allow others to jump in lane as crew direct when we somehow get right at construction work area and

they have to help keep traffic flowing into the right lane. I’m impressed with Alexander City and the way we are working to better our streets and highways. We see the ATRIP monies and our sales tax increase monies working for other projects too. Thanks to the City of Alexander City. A great big thank you to all the employees who work even in the heat of the day and still speak kindly to the passer byers in route to our destination. Be safe everyone. Let us watch out for workers while we drive. I like the back of the work vest of employees – “Turn off Cell Phone.” We love Alexander City, can someone echo this. Blessings, Teresa Harrell Moten Alexander City

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

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

What’s your

Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

On the Web

Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www. alexcityoutloook. com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Friday, August 18, 2017

The Outlook

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The Outlook

Friday, August 18, 2017

The Outlook

Kiwanis and partnering with the Edward Bell Career Technical Center, working with some of the Health Sciences students there in taking care of the baby dolls they use for training to benefit the March of Dimes. Following her presentation to the Kiwanis Club, several Kiwanians asked Presley questions regarding possible service project ideas. One member asked if the Key Club would

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be interested in helping out if the Chamber of Commerce hosted an Easter egg hunt in the spring and at the Fall Festival, which replaced the summer Lakefest event. Presley answered yes, and also said she and a few others might be at the Ducky Ward Soap Box Derby Saturday. Others had comments for the high schoolers in attendance, such as letting the senior Key Club members know they

were working to try and streamline the application process for scholarships provided through the Kiwanis Club. In conclusion, Presley reiterated how she wanted to see the Key Club at Dadeville High School filled with members ready to go out and be of great service to their community, no matter who they may be. “You don’t have to be the perfect student to be in Key Club,” she said.

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Lunches

made to how the lunch system would work, according to Blythe. Key among these changes was that the school board would take back control over setting the menu, while Southwest takes a step back, starts again from the beginning and changes their approach to foodservice for the local school system. Headquartered in Arizona, Southwest Foodservice Excellence has expressed interest in

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growing their company’s footprint in the Southeast, which could be considered one of the main reasons why they would so readily want to work with the Alexander City Schools in correcting these problems. “In their words, they wanted us to be their flagship,” Blythe said. “We’re giving them the opportunity to make it up.” Despite the complaints and concerns that popped up during the first week

and a half of the new school year, Blythe wanted the public to know the central office was working hard to address these issues and give the students in Alexander City Schools a quality meal each day. “We like to receive input from the students, the faculty and parents. If that input is negative, we want to work to fix it,” she said. “We strive to provide a quality child nutrition program.”

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

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UAB football game to be broadcast on WBRC FOX6 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Friday, August 18, 2017

THE HEAT IS ON

Football teams get adjusted to hot days

The UAB Department of Athletics and Raycom Sports have announced that the Blazers’ football game vs. Coastal Carolina on Sept. 16 at Legion Field will be a regionally syndicated broadcast with kickoff set for 12 p.m. The game will be produced by Tupelo Raycom and televised locally in Birmingham on Raycom Media owned WBRC FOX6 News and in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on WMBF News. “We appreciate Raycom Sports and WBRC FOX6 News for the opportunity to broadcast what will be a very competitive game,” UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram said. “Providing our fans and the city of Birmingham the ability to watch the Blazers as we make our return to the football field has been a goal of ours, and we are thankful to Raycom and WBRC FOX6 for assisting us in our efforts to reach our fan base locally and to promote our brand.” The Blazers are 9-9 all-time against teams currently in the Sun Belt, and the game on Sept. 16 marks the first time UAB and Coastal Carolina will meet on the gridiron. Coastal Carolina is making the jump to FBS this season and will participate as members of the Sun Belt Conference. The Chanticleers were 10-2 overall last year with their only two losses coming to Jacksonville State (27-26) and Charleston Southern (5958). BRHS football tickets on sale Monday Season tickets for the Benjamin Russell Wildcats football team go on sale Monday for 2016 season-ticket holders. Tickets will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the BRHS gym Monday through Thursday. The cost for season tickets is $63. Fans may also purchase their season tickets online at https://gofan.co/ BenjaminRussellWildcats. If you chose to purchase online, you may use a credit or debit card and your tickets will be mailed to you or you may pick them up at BRHS. Remaining season tickets will go on sale to the public on Aug. 28. This season, fans will be given a reusable pass rather than individual game tickets. For more information or if you do not plan to purchase your season tickets this year, contact Pam Robinson at 256-234-8611 or via email at coachrob@acsk12.net.

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

After a mild summer, comparatively speaking, the heat is finally bearing down on area football teams. The last two days, the feels-like temperature has been hovering at 100 and above, and some teams are learning it’s going to take some adjustment. “We got a little of that heat (Wednesday), and we saw at this point right now we’re just not really tough,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “That’s a concern for us right now. The guys have to learn to grind, and when adversity strikes, you gotta overcome. There’s two avenues to approach that, and today wasn’t a very good day as far as handling the heat and adversity.” Central Coosa coach Shane Rary said, “Heat is a great equalizer. No matter how good you think somebody is or how strong a player thinks they are, once the heat comes into play, everybody kinda figures out where they are.” Because of AHSAA rules, teams must adhere to certain standards in order to ensure the safety of their players. At this point in the preseason, teams aren’t allowed to have full contact two days in a row, so there have been some adjustments made at area practices. “(Thursday), we did actually just go helmets,” Rary said. “We’ve had a full week in full pads, so today felt like a good day for that to kinda get their legs back

Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook

Above: Benjamin Russell’s football team had an official intersquad scrimmage despite the heat during Thursday’s practice. Below: A Benjamin Russell player cools off with a drink of water during Thursday’s intersquad scrimmage.

under them. We also have plenty of water breaks; we had a lot more of those in than usual, so we’re making sure we’re being smart in the heat.” Other teams may even push their players harder now that the heat has struck. “With the heat out, we’re going to push them,” Johnson said. “We gotta keep pushing to that point to where they’ve gotta make a decision to overcome or just let it whoop them, and today, we had some step up, but we’re going to have to have a lot more step up with mental toughness.” Benjamin Russell coach Danny Horn said, “The last two days were pretty warm, but this is August

and it’s like this every year — usually a lot worse than this. You just gotta take some more water breaks and ride through it.” One thing’s for certain, though. Coaches around the area would rather have these hot days during

practice than face them for the first time on game day. “It’s good to get it in now because I’m sure some of those first games are gonna be warm,” Horseshoe Bend coach Josh Averett said. “It’s good to get acclimated to it now.”

Special opportunity areas add to Alabama public hunting With the availability of large tracts of land diminishing at a rapid rate, the Alabama DCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division and the Forever Wild Land Trust have teamed up to step outside the proverbial box to provide additional hunting opportunities in the state. The new concept in this combined effort is to purchase smaller tracts using PittmanRobertson and Forever Wild funding and develop those properties as special opportunity areas (SOAs), which are managed differently than the traditional wildlife management areas (WMAs). “Honestly, the new SOA program is based on running a hunting lodge, giving people the opportunity for a quality hunt at an affordable price,” WFF Director Chuck Sykes said. “That’s the premise of it, and that’s my background. It’s sort of on the lines of going out west. If you apply for an elk tag, you have to pick which unit you want to hunt and what dates you want to go. It’s a selective process, and they only put so many people in any area so the resource is protected and people have a quality hunt. We’re just offering a different type of quality hunting. “Being able to put together 15,000 to 20,000 acres these days is not going to happen, so we had to change our model for public hunting. We’re looking at under-served areas of the state like Dallas, Wilcox, Marengo, Choctaw and Russell counties.” The new SOAs that will be available for the upcoming hunting seasons are the 6,500acre Cedar Creek SOA in Dallas County, the 4,500-acre

DAVID RAINER Columnist

Uchee Creek SOA in Russell County and the 400-acre Crow Creek SOA in Jackson County. The Fred T. Stimpson SOA, a 5,400-acre tract in Clarke County that had been open for youth hunts and limited adult archery deer hunts, have transitioned to this hunting mode to assist in reducing deer densities on the area. Those SOAs will be divided into hunt units, and the successful applicants will be assigned to those specific units for specific dates. “Most of our WMAs are 20,000 to 90,000 acres,” Sykes said. “You pick up a map and try to figure out where to hunt. I consider myself a pretty good hunter, but that can be a little overwhelming for me, so just think what it’s like for an inexperienced hunter. Where do I go? What do I do? Is there going to be somebody in the same area? “By breaking these hunt units into manageable sizes of about 300-500 acres, when you walk onto that property, you know it’s only going to be you and your friend who will be there. You’ve got your own personal hunting club to hunt instead of 50,000 acres.” Sykes also thinks those who don’t necessarily hunt public land will probably become interested in the SOA concept. “I think it’s going to appeal to people who have been intimidated by public-land hunting,” he said. “I think it’s

going to open some doors for those people.” Cedar Creek SOA has about 3 miles of Alabama River frontage and about 3 miles of frontage on Cedar Creek. The habitat includes hills and hollows with mixed hardwoods and pines, hardwood bottoms with sloughs and large cedar glades. While other states using the SOA concept are charging fees to use the areas, Alabama’s program is provided free of cost, except for the proper hunting license and WMA license. “We’re going to be able to provide some incredible hunting opportunities for people, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” Sykes said. “It’s open to out-of-state hunters as well. People who buy non-resident licenses pay into the system just like residents.” Sykes also said the SOAs will be managed to minimize the pressure on the wildlife during hunting seasons. Cedar Creek, which will have 16 hunts scheduled during deer season, will also be the site for a pilot project WFF will start this coming season for a handful of fortunate individuals. Mentored hunts will be available for young adults who are new or inexperienced hunters. “Most hunting programs are designed to take kids hunting for one afternoon,” Sykes said. “This is going to be a weekend hunt, and the ones we’re looking for to participate are college age and up.” Patti Powell, Director of the DCNR’s State Lands Division, which administers the Forever Wild program, said the SOA

Submitted / WFF

Cedar Creek is one of the new Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) available for the upcoming hunting seasons.

hunts should bolster the local economies. “In addition to providing a unique public hunting experience, the Forever Wild program’s Board of Trustees is excited about the positive economic impact this type of public recreation will bring to the local communities,” Powell said. “The structure of the 2-day and 4-day hunts means that these hunters will need lodging for multiple nights, and that the usual food

and fuel-type expenditures associated with day-use public recreation opportunities will be extended over a longer period. Increasing public recreation and promoting economic growth are two important goals for Forever Wild acquisitions.” David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He writes a weekly column titled Outdoor Alabama Weekly.