Dear John: I am not a meteorologist, I just weather the storm .
ECHS coach enters 30th year
Columnist Steve Flowers continues breakdown of candidates
Page 8
Eclectic Observer Page 4
The
Page 4
THURSDAY • DECEMBER 10, 2015
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 26, No. 48
Library receives grant funds Money will make new windows possible at local facility By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Library director Betty Coker, applied for a grant from the Elmore County Community Foundation in August and recently found out that the grant was approved. “Every year they give grants in the
Montgomery and Elmore County area,” community. “We needed $879 to put our windows in she said. “They have a committee that oversees these and they try to help and that’s exactly how we got it,” she said. different organizations in our area. We “This will enable us to replace all of our had to go to the First United Methodist windows with energy efficient windows.” Coker said the process was easy and Church in Cloverdale to receive it. There were 159 applicants and we were was done online. very fortunate.” See GRANT • Page 2 She said the grant is to improve the
Carmen Rodgers /The Observer
(left to right) Susie Anderson, Burton Ward and Betty Coker at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery where Coker received $879 to replace the old windows in the library with new energy efficient windows. The Elmore County Community Foundation awarded the grant.
CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR Christmas on the Coosa set for Saturday
Christmas parade, tree lighting set Friday
By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The Eclectic Christmas parade, tree lighting and other festivities are planned to begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 11. Elcectic Mayor Gary Davenport said the parade was moved to the evening as not to conflict with other events in the community. “It worked out that it was better for us to do a later afternoon, early evening,one so we’re starting at 5 (p.m.) this year,” he said. “It will work out well with the Christmas lighting and the cantata.” This year the library will be the hub of the parade events. Floats will stop in front of the library and the warehouse and be introduced. Once that’s done they will proceed through town and down past Town Hall. Following the parade, Town Hall will be open to everyone. Santa will be there, the tree will be lit and singers will perform. See PARADE • Page 2
Eclectic Christmas featured presentations through a walking tour dramatization of the Christmas story and featured numerous Jonalan Wright / The Observer structures, actors, and live animals, which will include donkeys, goats, and sheep and a live camel.
‘ An Eclectic Christmas’ breaks attendance record By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Staff Writer
While the annual presentation of “An Eclectic Christmas” closed Tuesday after eight evenings, the outdoor living history display had broken its attendance record by the sixth night. “It was right at 4,000 before tonight’s performance,” said Rita Falk, spokesperson. The previous record had been 3,600, Falk said, adding she was also grateful for the relatively mild temperatures. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” she said. “People don’t want to come if it’s too
hot or if it’s too cold. It was just cool enough for a jacket. We had a tiny bit of rain on the first night, but other than that, it’s been perfect. Besides, we had 15 campfires along the way — each scene has a fire.” Falk said foreign attendees this year had included citizens of Canada and England, among other nations. “Auburn University has a multi-cultural class … and Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn has been bringing students for the last couple of years,” she said. See CHRISTMAS • Page 2
More than 100 parade entries have registered to be a part of just a portion of an all-day holiday celebration in downtown Wetumpka this Saturday. Wetumpka’s annual Christmas on the Coosa activities begin as early as 7:30 a.m. with the Character Breakfast in which children can have breakfast with some of their favorite story characters from Cinderella to Spider-Man in the Wetumpka Civic Center. “The kids love the characters and get to interact with the characters they like to watch on TV,” said Tiffany Robinson, special events/tourism manager for the City of Wetumpka. Because of its popularity, there will be two pancake breakfast sessions. The first will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the second is scheduled for 9 a.m. “This is always a special time of year in Wetumpka,” said its Mayor Jerry Willis. “Wetumpka’s Christmas on the Coosa showcases the unified spirit and charm of this community.” See COOSA • Page 2
Eclectic Public Library seeks help of an electrician By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The ceiling in the expansion area of the library. Mmuch of the electrical work has been done but a little more is needed to be finished. Lowe’s in Wetumpka has agreed to carpet the entire expansion area at no cost as part of the Lowe’s Hero Project. The work must be complete before Lowe’s can install the carpeting. Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
In order to finish the expansion of the library and remain the Lowe’s Hero Project, the Eclectic Public Library needs a certified electrician to offer his or her services for a few hours. “About three hours worth of work is all we need,” said Betty Coker, director of the Eclectic Public Library. “To move and install new light fixtures in the ceiling. The lights have already been donated.“ Lowe’s in Wetumpka has
agreed to take the Library as their nonprofit organization, any work Hero Project this year and agreed will be eligible to claim as a write to install the carpeting through- off for the 2015 tax year. “The mayor writes a letter out the expansion area. However, they cannot do this for the library and sends it to them for the until the electrical work is fin- work that has been done,” Coker said. “It would be a contribuished. “They wanted to come several tion that they are making and months ago but our heating and we would acknowledge that. It’s cooling man said ‘I know them, a tax deduction for work that I’ll call and let them know that they are giving. We would give we don’t want them to come yet the acknowledgement from the because we don’t want to make a 501c.” There has already been quite a mess on the new carpet,’” Coker said. “I’m hoping that they will bit of electrical work done in the expansion area, she said, but it still give it to us.” Because the library is a 501c See ELECTRICIAN • Page 2
C &S DEER PROCESSING –Whaley Family–
88199 Tallassee Hwy.
Today’s
Weather
70 52 High
Low
(1 Mile from the old Johnny G’s) •Vacuum-seal
Available •Basic Cut . . . Starting at $55
( 334) 283-2876 ( 334) 558-7319
FRIDAY: HIGH 73 LOW 56