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Dec 19, 2015 Alex City Outlook

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OPINION: ART CAN BE FOUND IN MANY FORMS, PAGE 4.

Weekend The Outlook

GROW OUR LOCAL ECONOMY

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

December 19-20, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 253 • www.alexcityoutlook.com

Wildcat Wrestling Benjamin Russell defeats Auburn in wrestling. See Sports, pg.12.

County’s jobless rate falls to 5.4 percent STAFF REPORT Outlook Staff

Tallapoosa County has seen another drop in its unemployment number, posting a rate of just 5.4 percent in November. The sixth consecutive monthly decrease gives Tallapoosa County its lowest jobless rate in more than seven years. The November 5.4 percent is down from the 5.8 rate that the area saw in October and drastically down from

the 7.7 percent that the county posted in November 2104. The local rate is even lower than the November state average. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 6.0 percent. “We are coming closer and closer to hitting that golden wage and salary employment number of two million jobs,” Gov. Robert Bentley said in a released statement. “We are less than 25,000 jobs shy of attaining pre-reces-

sion employment levels in Alabama. We haven’t seen wage and salary employment at two million since June 2008, prior to the recession’s effects in our state. Our economy is strong, and my goal is that every Alabamian who wants a job can obtain one.” According to numbers released by the Alabama Department of Labor and Bentley’s office, Tallapoosa County now has the state’s 47th lowest county unemployment rate, compared to ranking 32nd in 2014.

Holiday travel safety on the minds of law enforcement

Services for beloved Animal Control Officer today at 1 p.m.

Weather

54 32

Lake Levels

480.66 Reported on 12/18/15 @ 5 p.m.

Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

ALEA Senior Trooper Lloyd Smith prepares to patrol area roads Friday. Troopers, along with local law enforcement, say they will work to make it a safe holiday travel period.

Family, friends and the entire community will say goodbye to a beloved public servant with a big heart. Memorial services for Alexander City Animal Control Officer Kelly Annette Cotney, 35, will be held today at 1 p.m. at the chapel of Radney Funeral Cotney Home. According to investigators, Cotney and a her passenger 7-year-old Gracie Deason were seriously injured when Cotney’s car hydroplaned on rain-soaked streets and was struck See COTNEY • Page 3

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Low

Lake Martin

6

By MITCH SNEED Editor

City council to consider sale of property to developer

Today’s

High

See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page 3

Community to say goodbye to Cotney

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Local law enforcement authorities will join the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) in stepping up their patrols of the state’s roadways during the holiday season, which runs from midnight tomorrow night through midnight Jan. 2. With the seasonal hustle and bustle during that period, law enforcement expects the state’s roadways to be much busier than usual and is increasing its patrols to help protect lives and promote highway safety. “Highway safety is key to ensuring motorists safely arrive at their destinations and enjoy this special time of year,” said Spencer Collier, the state’s See TRAVEL • Page 3

“The very slight uptick in November’s unemployment rate is due to the fact that more people entered the workforce, perhaps looking for seasonal employment,” Alabama Labor Department Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington said in a released statement. “Additionally, more people are employed both over the month and over the year, so this small increase is not necessarily bad news.” The Civilian Labor Force (CLF)

8

A developer has approached Alexander City about the possibility of purchasing 16 acres at the intersection of Comer and Dadeville roads with the intent to build 56 apartment units geared to senior adults. The item is on the agenda for Monday’s regular meeting of the council, which is set for 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom at the Public Safety Building. The city purchased about 96.55 acres of potential industrial property off Comer Road late last year. The property is across from former Avondale Mills property and adjacent to Byers Fields. The city purchased the land from Enitachopco Falls LLC. In

September 2014 for $537,500. The land has frontage on Comer and Dadeville roads and already has access to all city utilities. The price was a good one for the city, as the cost amounted to $4,795 per acre. The developer, the Bennett Group, LLC,, has offered $400,000 for the 16-acre parcel, a cost of $25,000 per acre. The city has already done some substantial clearing on the back side of the property, making way for a potential industrial site and had considered the portion of the land for a future home to auto parts manufacturer Korens. The only other item on the Mitch Sneed / The Outlook agenda is a request from Josh A developer hopes to buy a 16 -acre parcel at the corner of Comer and Tucker of the soccer committee Dadeville roads to build apartments. to address the council.

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www.alexcityoutlook.com

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Parents insist best friends must wait to date at sixteen

Sunday

58 45 High

Low

Sunny

Monday

64 56 High

Low

60 percent chance of showers

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@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 Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Postal

Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

The Outlook

David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

4425 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

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DEAR ABBY: I’m a 14-year-old girl and I have a boy best friend who is also 14. I liked him the moment I met him, which was exactly a year ago. He says it’s the same for him. We established that we both liked each other months ago, but we’re still only friends. The reason is his parents have a rule that he can’t have a girlfriend or go on dates until he’s 16. He’s the only one I want, but we have to wait until he can ask me out. For now we are best friends, but it’s hard not to want to hold his hand and kiss him and stuff like that. He doesn’t like his parents’ rule just as much as I don’t, and he totally doesn’t want to wait, but he will. It’s also very hard to not tell him how much my feelings have grown, because I’m afraid he will react strangely if I tell him I think I might love him. What should I do? -- TEEN IN CALIFORNIA DEAR TEEN: If your intu-

DEAR ABBY Advice

ition is telling you not to be the first to say, “I love you,” then listen to it and you may be pleasantly surprised one day to hear him say it to you first. As to the fact that his parents are strict, you really don’t have much choice other than to respect their rules. That said, younger teens aren’t usually restricted from having any social contact at all. Before they start dating one-on-one, they usually get together in groups for movies, sporting events, school dances, etc. This should give the two of you opportunities to see each other outside of school. While this may not be the answer you’re looking for, for the time being, it may be an acceptable compromise. DEAR ABBY: I work in the

the third Tuesday Public meetings meeting of each month at 7 p.m. in  Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.  Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.  Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.  Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.  Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.  Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.  Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled

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the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.  Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in city hall.  Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.  Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.  Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held upstairs in the courthouse at 6:30 p.m.  Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.  Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.  New Site City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.

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WHATLEY MONUMENT Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner

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retail industry at a high-end furniture store. We specialize in custom furniture from top manufacturers. We have been in business for many years and have many repeat customers. My question is about customer service. Our hours of operation are normal, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. But we often have customers who arrive at 5:45 p.m. or later to see sales associates and order their furniture. Because our furniture is custom, the process can take up to an hour. Some associates have stayed as late as 8 p.m. to work with a customer who walks in without an appointment. When is it appropriate to let the customer know we are closing and they should come back at another time for their consultation? We try to work with everyone, but in my opinion, it’s rude to assume we are obligated to stay and cater to them when it is our time to go home to our families. -- WAITING TILL THE

LAST MINUTE DEAR WAITING: You’re not wrong. I agree it’s rude to assume that people will stay hours after closing time, but if there are no hard and fast rules in your store, sales personnel may be stuck. It’s one thing if the sale is being finished, but to start the process just before closing time is an imposition. Some stores stop processing orders before the official closing time, which nips the problem in the bud. As to whether you are “obligated” to accommodate high-end customers, this is something you should discuss with your employer. Some businesses are willing to cater to buyers of high-end merchandise, and yours may be one of them. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Obituaries Betty Lester Betty Wallis Lester, 78 of Jackson’s Gap, Alabama passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Life Care Center of Collegedale, TN. She was born June 21, 1937 in Troy, Alabama to Paul and Lillian Wallis. She received an undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University and a Masters from Georgia State University. She taught as a public school teacher for many years before retiring to raise her two sons. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church. She has been a member of the Beacon Class of First United Methodist Church and Alexander City Kiwanis serving in the roles of treasurer and Lester secretary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Lee Lester and her parents. She is survived by sons, Chris (Audrey) Lester and Michael Lester; grandchildren, Beth (Daniel) Fuller and Ryan Lester; great-grandchildren, Caleb Fuller and Abigail Fuller; brother-in-law, Robert Charles Lester; two nieces and one nephew. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19, at First United Methodist Church of Alexander City with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First United Methodist Church of Alexander City, 310 Green Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Christle F. Kelley Mr. Christle F. Kelley, 78 of Alexander City, AL died on Thursday, December 17, 2016 at Russell Medical Center, Alexander City, AL Arrangements by Armour’s Memorial Services

Troy L. Russell Mr. Troy L. Russell, 73, of Serlenna Road, Alexander City, AL died on Thursday, December 17, 2016 at Russell Medical Center, Alexander City, AL Arrangements by Armour’s Memorial Services

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

.


Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

Unemployment

continued from page 1

increased in November to 2,146,294 from 2,141,221 in October and from 2,130,131 in November 2014 (seasonally adjusted). CLF employment also increased to 2,018,189 from 2,014,056 in October and from 1,999,222 in November 2014. Wage and salary employment increased in November by 12,800 to 1,975,700. Monthly gains were seen in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+9,100), the education and health services sector (+2,800), and the government sector (+1,800), among others. Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 24,900, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+6,400), the education and health services sector (+5,900), the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+4,800), and the construction sector (+4,700), among others. “The fact that the construction sector continues to show improvement over the year is another good sign for Alabama’s economy,” Washington added. “Construction employment hasn’t been this healthy since 2010. If construction is occurring, then confidence in the economy is generally optimistic.” Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 4.0 percent, Lee County at 4.7 percent and Elmore, Cullman, and St. Clair Counties at 4.8 percent.

Travel

continued from page 1

secretary of law enforcement. “Alabama State Troopers will work with their law enforcement partners across the state to promote safety (during the state’s holiday travel period). Creating a highly visible enforcement presence, troopers and their county and municipal counterparts will work to prevent crimes and violations on Alabama roadways and waterways that lead to deaths and injuries,” said Col. John E. Richardson, director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety. “We always participate with the state troopers in increasing our patrols,” said Willie G. Robinson, Alexander City’s chief of police. “We’ll have extra patrols and we’ll have officers out on foot in our shopping areas. We’ll be out there keeping the speeds down, keeping the crime down and doing our best to ensure everyone has a happy and safe holiday.” “Certainly we’ll assist the state troopers in any way we can and they will assist us,” said Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett. “We always try to step up our patrols during the holidays. We don’t really look for anything special, we just perform our general routines. But we do encourage people not to drink and drive, to wear their seat belts and especially not to text and drive.” One of the easiest ways for motorists to ensure roadways and waterways are safe is to avoid driving while under the influence. In fact, alcohol was a factor in at least three of the 19 trooper-investigated fatalities during the 2014 holiday travel period. It also is important to buckle up every time – no matter how short the trip. Of the individuals killed in traffic crashes during the 2014 holiday travel period, there were two pedestrians. Sixteen of those killed were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but nine of were not using them. In addition, an infant who died was unrestrained. Collier said, “Using these two driving tips, avoiding alcohol or drugs and buckling up, could save a life – your life.” Troopers will work additional shifts during this heavily traveled period thanks to funding provided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. During these shifts, troopers will be looking for drunk drivers, enforcing speed limits and ensuring everyone is using seat belts or child restraints. They also will be available to assist motorists and can be reached by dialing *HP (*47) on cell phones.

Cotney broadside by an approaching truck just before 8 a.m. Monday. The crash site was near the intersection of Hillabee Road and Highway 22 not far from Buck’s Restaurant. Both Cotney and Deason were transported to Birmingham for treatment of what officials described as “very serious injuries.” Cotney was taken to the University of AlabamaBirmingham Trauma Center, while the child was taken to Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Cotney succumbed to those injuries late Monday evening, while Deason remains in ICU at Children’s. Cotney’s death has rocked a community where she was known for her dedication to her job and her family. The family held visitation Friday and hundreds of those who Cotney touched were on hand to pay their respects. That follows an incredible outpouring of support on several social media outlets. One of the most touching tributes came from her partner in Animal Control, Ken Vernon. “I was side by side with her eight or more hours a day five days a week,” Vernon wrote on Cotney’s Facebook page. “We laughed, we cried, we fussed and sometimes we even cussed. We saw things that nobody should ever see. But yet we kept going. “Then she was taken away from me in a moment’s notice. We are never promised another day, another hour, another minute or even a second. I am so

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The Outlook

continued from page 1

heartbroken to have lost someone who I considered my little sister. I miss you and I love you, Kelly Cotney. The Lord above must have had a case he needed investigated. Your work on earth is done, I will take it from here.” At today’s service, Randy Anderson and Rev. Wayne Cowhick will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. Cotney leaves behind two sons, Benjamin James Wagoner and Samuel Layne Wagoner of Alexander City; mother, Beckie Dodgen Cotney Hidbrader (Larry) of Newburgh, Indiana; father, Thomas Alvin Cotney (Nira) of Alexander City; sisters, Renea Cotney Rose (Jason) of Vestavia and Blake Cotney of Evansville, Indiana; fiance, Cheldon Deason of Buttston ; stepsister, Jennifer Harris of Alexander City; stepbrothers, Robin Harris of Birmingham, Rob Hidbrader (Lauren) of Valdosta, Georgia, Asa Hidbrader (Shelley) of Houston, Texas; grandmother, Carolyn Cotney of Ashland; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Ben Dodgen; grandmother, Bea Dodgen; grandfather, Luke Cotney. The family will accept flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the Alabama Animal Control Association c/o Gina Ramer Jones, 300 North Hoyle Ave., Bay Minette, Alabama 36507.

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Opinion Outlook

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X 213

The

Our

Opinion

Council should use leverage to speed up Russell cleanup

T

here was more outstanding economic news for Tallapoosa County today. The county’s unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in November. That’s down from 5.8 percent in October and drastically down from the 7.7 percent the county posted a year ago. In fact, the November rate – which was lower than the state average – puts Tallapoosa at a respectable 47th among all Alabama counties in unemployment. “We are less than 25,000 jobs shy of attaining pre-recession employment levels in Alabama,” said Gov. Robert Bentley in a prepared statement. “We haven’t seen wage and salary employment at 2 million since June 2008, prior to the recession’s effects in our state. Our economy is strong.” Surely, Tallapoosa County’s economy is growing stronger. (We got news just yesterday that Lake Martin will soon have a longer recreational season, thanks to a new permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.) Yet there are still things that could be done to bolster that strength. Atop the Outlook list is to step up the pace and finish the cleanup of the Old Russell Complex. Sited along a route that marks one of the main entrances to our city, this site is currently an eyesore. However, properly cleaned up, it will no doubt prove a desirable site to a business or industry ready to bring more jobs to Alex City. It is clear that Saucier Enterprises LLC and its contractor, Regeneration LLC, aren’t in any hurry to finish the cleanup of the site. In order to speed the process up, City Hall and the City Council must bring to bear whatever leverage they can muster against the principals of both companies. The economy of our city is growing. We have seen recently a new entertainment district that is bearing fruit, lower unemployment and the issuance of the new and improved FERC permit. The city should strike while the economic iron is hot and apply that heat to Saucier and Regeneration to move with more urgency in the cleanup of the Russell complex.

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

www.alexcityoutlook.com

You can witness art in many unexpected forms

W

ednesday morning I watched an artist working in the air. Sixty-five feet up in the air. Over the years, David Easterwood has trimmed or taken down a lot of dead trees for me, but lately he has been doing it in spectacular style. Last year lightning struck a huge 80-foot loblolly pine out near where I’m about to build a boathouse at my farm on Russell Pond. The tree was dead. It was going to fall, and very likely would have pancaked a beautiful white oak before it hit what will soon be a new boathouse. So I needed David’s help. Wednesday morning when I arrived at the farm he was already most of the way up the tree, walking up the trunk with spiked boots and a lineman’s belt. He was carrying the most unlikely of artist’s tools: a chainsaw and a rope. Easterwood quickly sawed off a few branches that fell out of the way. White oak branches had grown on either side of the dead tree. When Easterwood got to the pine limbs that would certainly fall into the white oak canopy, he didn’t just saw them off – he sawed them so the limb “hinged” where it connected to the pine trunk. When the limb fell, it swing down on its hinge, slapping the pine trunk Easterwood was strapped to, which made it break off and fall straight down so it wouldn’t hit the center of the white oak,

KENNETH BOONE Publisher

slamming into the earth with a loud crash-thump, which served to remind me just how dangerous this business is. It was kind of like watching the presidential debate Tuesday night: I couldn’t force myself to look away because the FOMO – fear of missing out – was so great. You didn’t know for sure what was going to happen next, but you knew it was going to be something worth watching. On the limbs that he didn’t want to fall immediately, Easterwood used his rope like a seasoned cowboy – throwing the end of the rope weighted with a big monkey’s fist knot over a branch, then making the rope wave so that it fed the weighted end over a limb back down to his level. Then Easterwood, who was eye-level with the monkey’s fist but a long way from it, made a loop in the standing end of the rope and lassoed the monkey’s fist so he could tie off the branch. All this rope magic was done 65 feet up in a blue sky, with a chainsaw hanging off his waist on a rope, his feet pinned into the dead pine. This time when he cut through the limb, it was hinged by a rope, so when it fell it

slammed into the tree trunk just below where Easterwood was roped off and then stayed up there with him, making the 65-foot trunk wave wildly. Remember, this is a dead tree, which, as he said from on high, “is harder than I thought in places, and softer than I thought in other places.” Then he lowered the massive branch down by improvised pulley until it touched the white oak branches and when he saw it wasn’t going to break any, he let it drop. Barnum and Bailey’s trapeze show wouldn’t have been more enthralling. Easterwood kept methodically, professionally sawing off piece after piece of the tree, backing down the trunk as it grew shorter and shorter, sometimes talking to his helpers down below in a normal street voice, saying things like, “Get off to the side with the rope and just put a little pressure on this one when I cut it, it looks like it might roll over a little bit and I don’t want it to get into that tree.” It was all very matter-of-fact; not a squeak of “I’m climbing 65 feet up a rotten tree and risking my life this morning” in his voice. Easterwood’s normal work day is nothing like most of ours. Then again, few of us are artists. And precious few artists work with chainsaws, ropes and wood. Boone is publisher of The Outlook.

Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256-3299671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee. Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee. Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee. Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256-329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee. James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-329-9758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee. Thomas Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-749-3355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Bobby Tapley

Sherry Ellison Simpson

Bob Howard

Billy Ray Wall

James Spann

Thomas Goss

Today’s

Scripture “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:43-45

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Forum

Log on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com to join in the fun with The Alexander City Outlook’s forum. Create your own topics, post polls and post replies to comments.

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Thursday’s question: By the end of this weekend, will you have all of your Christmas shopping done?

Yes - 1 No - 6

Weekend question: Is enough being done to clean up the former Russell property?

Our

Mission 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.

Officials

Charles Shaw

Quote

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty. ” – C.S. Lewis

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.

Know Your Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256234-7395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Today’s

I

Laughing at yourself counteracts stupidity

f we are being honest, we have all done some pretty stupid things. Fortunately, most of our “what-was-Ithinking-moments” occur when no one else is around, so the humiliation and embarrassment is internal rather than witnessed by the masses. In the spirit of the holiday, I have a gift for our readers. I hope to give you the gift of laughter as I share some of my “Sneed, you are so stupid moments.” • Friday morning we had a pretty heavy frost and my windshield had a thick coat of ice. A few years ago, I was introduced to the magic of windshield and lock deicer and the finger-freezing task of scraping a windshield was a thing of the past. Friday, I grabbed the bright blue can of deicer and was all set to give that ice a blast. As I pressed the button atop the can, I realized I had made a critical mistake. Note to self: Make sure the little dot where the spray comes out is pointed towards the window, not at your face. Let’s just say, propylene glycol doesn’t make a good aftershave. But I guess I don’t have to worry about Jack Frost nipping at my nose. • I was once getting ready for a big job interview on a windy March day. I wanted to make sure that my hair didn’t blow all over the place as I drove to the downtown offices of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. You see, my 1990 Nissan didn’t have air conditioning. I figured a little extra

MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor

hairspray was in order, so I grabbed the can and started to create a fog that would have made a beehive hairdo proud. Have you ever noticed how similar a can of hairspray looks like a can of ant and roach spray. Seems that we had a few ants in the bathroom and the remedy had been left on the counter. On the bright side, there were no insects in my hair which I’m sure impressed the folks who interviewed me. • I love fried okra, but I had never cooked it myself until a few weeks after I was married. So in an effort to impress the first Mrs. Sneed, I was bound and determined to give a good, home-cooked meal complete with all sorts of fresh veggies. When it came to fried okra, I enlisted the help of my mother who told me to use a milk bath, then shake the okra in a mixture of equal parts of flour and cornmeal. From there it was as simple as dropping the okra in hot oil and cooking until golden brown. I did it and had it all on the table. I was so proud of myself. The first bite of okra revealed that I had made a mistake. There was just took much crunchy grit to be right. It seems I mistook the bag that contained grits for the White Lily Cornmeal mix. From that point on I switched

to grits in the box. I have a long list. Here are a few quick hitters: • I wore a pair of boxers backwards all day and couldn’t understand why it felt like I was sitting on something all day. It was little breezy, too, come to think of it. • While hunting I got so excited after shooting at a sixpoint buck that I missed the first step on the stand ladder and fell 25 feet or more. I don’t know how I wasn’t killed. • Having to get dressed early, in the dark, before driving to an out-of-state funeral, I wore one black shoe and one brown shoe to the service. The bad thing is that I didn’t realize it until I finished delivering the eulogy. • As an 16-year-old boy I dropped my car keys in a storm grate outside a liquor store with my girlfriend in the car. I had to call my Dad to bring me a key. That wasn’t easy to explain. • Church-goers didn’t think that “HOLY SMOKE” in 200point type was a good headline over a picture and story about a church that burned to the ground. • I once did an entire interview with a rookie pro basketball player that I called Michael as we talked. It seems that Wes Matthews was sitting in front of Michael Jordan’s locker that night after the 1984 Chicago Bulls had beaten the Atlanta Hawks. See when I mess up, I don’t go halfway. I’m the king on embarrassing moments. Sneed is the editor of The Outlook.

How to

Subscribe 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 50 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. Call David at (256) 234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david. kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com to subscribe.

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!

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www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

Page 5

Shop Local • Eat Local • Spend Local • WIN Local By shopping & doing business locally, you are supporting the businesses who support your schools, community & home! 120 Tallapoosa Street • Alexander City, AL 35010 • 256.234.3461 www.alexandercitychamber.com

Movie Time

• Propane

Entertainment

• Diesel & Non-Ethanol Fuel • Breakfast 5 AM M-F • Live Bait & Tackle

Free Rental with New Membership 5,000 Titles to Choose From!

256-825-8030

264 N. Broadnax St. • Dadeville, AL 36853

Buck’s

A Hometown Tradition Since 1961

Dairy Quick

Hours: M-F 5am - 7pm Sat 6am - 7pm • Sun 8am - 5pm

256-234-3298 2802 Dadeville Road, Alex City, AL 35010

256.392.3565 1171 Tallapoosa Street, Alex City

Merry Christmas Tallapoosa County!

Come see what’s new on Alabama Street! 149 Alabama Street, Alexander City, AL (256) 392-5555 Closed Mondays • T-F 10-6 • Sat 10-5 “Your Of¿cial Lake Martin Chevrolet Dealer”

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc is excited to announce we’re bringing back

Santa’s Grand Cash Giveaway* Over the next four weeks we’ll be giving away up to $1,400 cash to

FOUR LUCKY READERS!

Week #1: $200 Eddie Zeigler • Week #2: $300 Merita Leonard Week #3: $400 • Week #4: $500 To enter, drop off one entry form per person, per participating business each week. That means you can have up to14 entries every week to increase your odds. Entry forms must be original newsprint and you can only submit one form at each business. (Entries must match the form corresponding to each week’s drawing and will be noted accordingly.) 256.329.9611 2 5

TANNING! MOVIES & GAMES

2006 Cherokee Road, Alexander City www.rack.myvideostore.com

Winners will be notified weekly. Best of luck to our readers, and while you’re out submitting entries each week, shop around your hometown businesses. Christmas is right around the corner and what better way to shop for family than with your neighbors. Approximately 45% of money spent at home stays at home to support local schools, community improvements and economic growth. Local dollars make local sense! The Fine Print: *only one winner per household *TPI employees and immediate family are not eligible to win. *must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States *no reproduced or copied entries will be accepted. Only original newsprint entries eligible. *all taxes are sole responsibility of winner *TPI reserves the right to disqualify any person from participation who compromises or gives the appearance of compromising the contest. *winners must claim prize at the Tallapoosa Publishers office on Cherokee Road by 4:00 pm within two days of being notified. *winners must present photo ID to claim prize

Santa’s Grand Cash Giveaway Entry Form - Week 3 Please print clearly.

Name: Address: Phone: your We’re not just re. sto average drug

We have gifts too!

I have read and understand the conditions of entry.

Jackson Drugs (256) 234-2538

Signature: Drop this entry form off at any of the participating businesses on this page

1974 Cherokee Road, Alexander City

Keeping you safe on the road this holiday season! •ALEXANDER CITY, AL• 857 CHEROKEE ROAD (256) 215-8822

•DADEVILLE, AL• 224 E. SOUTH STREET (256) 825-8195


www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 6

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

“Since 1962”

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

256-329-1018

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238

O Pray without ceasing.

– I Thessalonians 5:17

Ivy Creek Medical Equipment 256.825.0677

OUR TOWN GARAGE 61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454

A story of Christmas hope

This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

Church Directory

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

256-234-6366

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

The Personal Touch...Make The Difference.

256-825-7821

24/7 Emergency Room

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

Small Space Ads Work. Call Advertising For Low Rates.

256.234.4281 1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

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

Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. – Proverbs 10:12 • Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week

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

Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston

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

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

Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville

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

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

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

Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community

New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.

Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685

New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390

Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton

New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942

Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd. Alex City

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

New Hope Baptist Lake Martin, off Hwy. 63 256-329-2510

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

Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City

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

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

New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville

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

Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

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

New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846

CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City

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

BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site

Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road

Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716

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

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

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

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

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

Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873

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

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

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

Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865 Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City

Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989

Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224

Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243

Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811

Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater

Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236

Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814

Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327

Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037 New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726

110 Calhoun Street • Suite 200 Alexander City, AL (256) 234-2377

Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County

Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville

Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351 First Baptist Tallassee St., Dadeville, 256-825-6232 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555 Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798 Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville Jackson’s Gap Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4951 Kellyton Baptist Kellyton, 256-329-1512 Kendrick Baptist Church Nixburg Lake Martin Baptist Hwy 34, Dadeville 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist 8352 Hwy. 50W, Dadeville Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541

Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town Sandy Creek Baptist Alex City Sixth Street Baptist Sixth St., Alex City, 256-234-2408 Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564 Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631 CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494 Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City

Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road) CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dadeville Church of the Nazarene Corner Hwy. 280 and 49, 256-825-8191 EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752 HOLINESS Alex City Emmanuel Holiness Hillabee St., Alex City House of Restoration Holiness 519 Slaughter Ave., Camp Hill, 256-749-2373, 256-896-2904 FULL GOSPEL Dadeville Foursquare Gospel Church Old 280 By-pass Fellowship Revival Center Mission 316 6th Ave., Alex City 256-329-1510 weekends Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton

Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708 First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404

AMES

EMPLE

IMOTHY

ORBIN

INCENT AW

1660 Hwy. 22 West • Alexander City

The Mayor, City Council & Employees of the City of Alexander City Flint Hill United Methodist Church Join us for worship Sundays at 10:45 am Tune in to GROUNDED each Sunday at 9:30 AM with Pastor John on 97.5 Kowaliga Country

2858 Flint Hill Road, Alexander City, AL 256-234-5047 • www.flinthillumc.com

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:6

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

AUTO PARTS

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

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” – John 3:5

Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681 Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville Mt. Godfrey New Site New Site U.M. New Site, 256-234-7834 Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820 Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. – Ephesians 4:31

Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455 Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241 METHODIST – INDEPENDENT Daviston Independent Methodist Daviston, 395-4207 PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian 371 Jefferson St., Alex City 256-329-0524 First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081 Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421 Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City GAP Fellowship Ministries P.O. Box 1571, Alex City

Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211

The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City

Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119 New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367 The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007 The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646

“And we know that all things work G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. together for good to those who love God, 926 Cherokee Road YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER to those who are the called Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial Alexander City, AL J P. T , M.D. according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 859 Airport Drive J. C , M.D. T 256-329-1552 Alexander City, AL L , M.D. V 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100

( 256 ) 234-4141

Haven United Methodist 410 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394

Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590

Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467

Closed All Day Wed. & Sun.

Goodwater U.M. Main St., Goodwater, 256-839-6661

Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City

Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater

Open Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Flint Hill U.M., Alex City 256-234-5047

God’s House 9334 Hwy 63N, Alex City Roger Green Sun. Service: 11:00 & 6:00 Wed. Bible Study: 6:30

METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284

256-329-8306 Holley’s Home Furnishings

asked him to create a tune for ne of my all-time favorthe upcoming Christmas celebraite Christmas hymns tion. Redner procrastinated and is “O Little Town of struggled with the creation of a Bethlehem.” It has been around tune to go with the five stanzas since 1868 although it wasn’t that Brooks had written. It wasn’t formally used in churches until until the night before the cel1892. It is a hymn packed with ebration that Redner got inspired emotion, a song about the Christ Child, born to Mary, a song filled Todd Henderson, in the middle of the night and created the song as we know it. with the creative power of God FIrst United The following day a group of 36 intervening in history with the Methodist Church children and six Sunday school gift of a savior. teachers introduced the song creFor me “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” depicts the Christmas story as ated by the two bachelors. That was on Dec. a story of hope, a story where the divine and 27, 1868. It wasn’t published as an official the human come together in an amazing but hymn of the Episcopal Church until 1892. humble way. It is also an invitation for both The following January, Phillips Brooks the non-believer and the believer. For the died, never knowing the magnitude of the non-believer it is an announcement of what hymn that he created. For some reason the fourth stanza has God has done and for the believer it is a been dropped from the original score. challenge to increase one’s faith. What might surprise you is how this “Where children pure and happy Pray to great hymn came to be. It was written by the blessed Child, Where misery cries out to Phillips Brooks, Episcopal priest. Brooks thee, Son of the mother mild; Where charwas serving the Holy Trinity Church in ity stands watching And faith holds wide the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia, the door, The dark night wakes, the glory PA). He had just returned from a trip to The breaks, And Christmas comes once more.” Holy Land which inspired him to write the The stanza includes the line, “And faith words. “When he returned to America he holds wide the door.” This hymn, like the story of the annunstill had Palestine singing in his soul.” (from Stories of Christmas Carols by Ernest K. ciation of Mary in the gospel of Luke, is a Emurian, Baker Book House Co., page 97) story about faith. Merry Christmas and a Brooks was a bachelor. His church blessed New Year to all! Todd Henderson is the minister at First organist and Sunday School superintendent, Lewis Redner, was also a bachelor United Methodist Church in Alexander City. and Brooks gave the words to him and

A.M.E. Saint James A.M.E. Goodwater, 256-839-1007

Ourtown, Alabama

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. – John 3:16


Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Submit calendar items: Participate in your Outlook by

CommunityCalendar This weekend is December 19-20, 2015 SEASONAL ART Now Showing in the Gallery Open on Mondays Through December SERVING LUNCH IN THE CAFÉ Monday - Saturday 11am-1:30pm Wine by the glass available

www.emporiumwine.net (256) 212-9463 Mon-Fri: 10-5 Sat: 10-2

128 Calhoun Street Historic Downtown Alexander City

***

£ ¤ ¦¡ ဖ ¦ ¡

Weekend Events

TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves School will be hosting a trade day Dec. 19 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. VOTER PHOTO ID: The Camp Hill Public Library will host a voter photo id event and pre-Kwanzza celebration De. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You can register to vote, get voter id, apply for an absentee ballot. There will also be poetry reading. It is sponsored by the Alabama New South Coalition

December 20

How to add a calendar item: Participate in your

BEAUTY PAGEANT: Miss Winter Wonderland Beauty Pageant will be December 20, 2015. Registration is now in progress - Early Bird Registration - $30 (Until Nov. 20), Standard Registration - $45 (Nov. 21 - Nov. 30), Late

Registration - $10.00 Additional Fee (After Nov. 30). Cash prizes will be awarded to supreme winners in each category. Each contestant that enters will receive a participant’s trophy. For registration packet, please email to misswinterwonderlandpageant@gmail.com or call 256-749-6204. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Calvary Baptist Church will be presenting the adult cantata “Christ Was Born For This..A Christmas Blessing.” There will be no Sunday School. There will be a fellowship meal following the contata. Dennis Floyd is the minister of music. Rev. Reggie Gable is the pastor. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend to hear this wonderful message in song about the greatest gift of

Page 7

calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

all, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Hillabee Baptist Church will present its Christmas Cantata Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. The free event is under the direction of Mrs. Bea Pate. Rev. Josh Sammons is pastor. Everyone is invited. CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Comer Methodist Church will present it’s Christmas Cantata, Sunday, December 20 at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Great Bethel Baptist Church will host its annual Christmas Program Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. Rev. Emerson Ware, Jr. is pastor. Everyone is invited to attend.

Saturday’s Anniversaries

James and Louise Traywick are celebrating an

anniversary Saturday.

Saturday’s Birthdays

James E. Rainwater, Sarah E. Baker, Sam Champion, Shane Fennell, Travis Thorton, Nick Vernon, Kathy Trapp, Sara Elizabeth Baker , Virginia Parsons, Clint Kelly, Gladys Woodruff Bence, and Melvin Cole are celebrating birthdays on Saturday.

Sunday’s Anniversaries

John and Eddie Mae Turne, and John and Robbie Messer are celebrating an anniversary today.

Sunday’s Birthdays

Tia Solomon, Jean Hayes, Richard Nieves, Gladys Bence, S.D. Taylor, Janelle Menniefee, Jeanette Oliver are celebrating a birthday on Sunday.

HOLLEY’S HOME FURNISHINGS

We Dare You To Compare! 1660 Hwy. 22 West Alexander City, AL

256.234.4141 Visit us online at:

www.holleyshomefurnishings.com We will deliver the Lake Region’s News to your door

Daily, Weekly or Monthly

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Take advantage of our Magazine Subscription Special and get both LAKE Magazine and Lake Martin Living for the low price of . . . $4500

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

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

Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofÚce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL

Need Insurance?

FOOT

Call me.

Dr. Douglas Stewart

Specialties

Alexander City, AL

256-215-5596 American Board of Podiatric Surgery Certi¿ed Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

The following students from Alexander City MIddle School’s MUsic Program were selected to participate in the Southeastern United Stated Honor Band: Sam Morris, Connor Spann, Hailey Wingard, Lauren Tidwell and Christen Rudolph.

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

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

Season Speaks

December 19-20

CHRISTMAS DRAMA: The Family Worship Center at 1676 Swell St. is hosting a Christmas Drama, “A Breath Away,” Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.

December 21

CHRISTMAS AT MAMIE’S: Mamie’s Place Children’s Library is hosting Christmas at Mamie’s Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be Christmas movies and hot chocolate. For more information call 256-2344644.

December 24

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE: Comer Methodist Church will have a Candlelight Communion Service on December 24 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

December 25

CHRISTMAS MEAL: Comer Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to have a hot meal and enjoy fellowship. Tickets can be picked up at the Nutrition Center and the Salvation Army. You do not have to have a ticket to have a meal. Call 256-234-7831 for more info.

December 26

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COMMUNITY FORUM: Churches, schools, organizations, clubs, youth and adults are invited to a community forum on Emergency Preparedness, Get ready, stay ready, what to do when there is a disaster and Serious Advice for Effective Encounters Saturday, Dec. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. They will also be teaching young people how to respond when approached by law enforcement. It is sponsored by the Central Alabama Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Incorpated. AMERICAN LEGION POST 339, COTTAGE GROVE, AL: Under new management! Music, food, and fun! Annual Christmas celebration beginning at 8:30 p.m.. Dress to impress.

December 27

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NOTE BURNING CEREMONY: Peace and Goodwill M.B.C. will have a note burning ceremony for the Community Life Center Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. at 188 County Road 30 in Kellyton. Guest will be Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware, Jr. of Great Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Robert Williams is pastor of Peace and Goodwill.

January 10

HAIR AND FASHION SHOW: Gloria Boleware celebrates 37 years of service with a community hair and fashion show Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. at Passion Church on Highway 63. It will feature Hair 4 Daze, Dea Love’ Reesie Williams, Adrian Young, Team Katlin,Sharmaine Stowes, Nalarence Davis Show Models, GoGetters, Ent Marilyn Owens Lebron Spradley and the Grande Finale Charlene Benton.

January 21

WINE TASTING: Emporium Wine will host a wine tasting event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 128 Calhoun Street, Alexander City. There is no charge for this event. PUBLIC MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Commission/Emergency Management Agency is scheduling a public meeting on Janyary 21 at 10 a.m. to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will take place at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, Dadevile in the Extension Auditorium downstairs. the public, private nonprofits, municipalities, school board, universities/colleges, utility/water/ sewer boards, fire departments, and elected officials are among those invited and encouraged to attend. participation is required in order to apply for federal hazard mitigation grants in the future.

January 22

MARDI GRAS AUCTION: St. James Episcopal Church will host live and silent auctions at this inaugural event to support the Feast of Sharing ministry, which provides free meals twice a week at First United Methodist Church to some 100 people in need. Auction items will include original art, a Russell Marine wakeboarding package, framed photography by Kenneth Boone, handmade pottery items, a vacation at the beach for the whole family, the Rev. Rob Iler’s handyman services for a day and more. There will be beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entertainment. Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling St. James Episcopal Church at 256-234-4752. For information, contact Heidi Ross at 256-794-7010 or Susan Mange at 601-431-8239. FREE SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING: The Auburn University NSSLHA and SAA are having a free speech and hearing screening Friday, January 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.. No appointment is necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please note that very young or handicapped individuals may not be able to respond to the speech hearing screening and may require a more formal evaluation at a later appointment date. Services will be provided by the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic

Room 1199 Haley Center.

Ongoing Events AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ASSISTANCE: VCCA certified volunteers will provide Affordable Care Act Assistance by appointment – Marketplace Open Enrollment (based on income) assistance will be offered November 2 through December 30 (except during the weeks of 11/23 and 12/21) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please call the VCCA office at 256-234-0347 on Mondays or Wednesdays (9 a.m. -2 p.m.) to set up an appointment. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-215-4496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk. CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256-496-4664.

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Page 8

The Outlook

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

Rape Counselors of East Alabama provide services to abused women By DAVID GRANGER Outlook Staff Writer

Two jarring facts are highlighted on the homepage of Rape Counselors of East Alabama’s website. “Every two minutes, someone in the United States is raped or sexually assaulted. That is an average of 207,754 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year.” “Almost two-thirds of rapes were completed by someone known to the victim.” Vickie Dearing has dealt with those reali-

ties since she joined Rape Counselors of East Alabama 20 years ago. She has been the organization’s director for the last 16 years. Located in Auburn, RCEA has been counseling and providing additional services to abused women in Chambers, Lee, Tallapoosa and Macon counties for 40 years. “We see a lot of tragic things, but, fortunately, we’re able to help in many cases,” Dearing said. “It’s fulfilling work and I enjoy it. Of course, I particularly enjoy the success stories.” According to Dearing,

RCEA offers several services to victims or potential victims of rape or sexual abuse, including: • A 24-hour, seven-daysa-week hotline for victims who have been raped or sexually abused. The hotline number is 334-7050510. • Victim advocacy at the hospital while tests are being administered; • Accompaniment of the victim throughout the

legal process in cases that result in criminal charges against a perpetrator; and • Community education and outreach. The community education and outreach of RCEA includes programs on bullying and safe dating. The bullying program is aimed at children in grades K-5 and the program on safe dating at sixth- through 12th-graders. “In the bullying program, called Bully Proof, we teach the kids how to stop a bully and how not to be a bully,” Dearing said. “In the safe-dating program, called Safe Dates,

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we teach about how to be safe in social relationships and on social media. With the growth of social media, we’ve seen a lot more incidents of sexting and cyber-bullying and other inappropriate use. We try to get across to them the potential consequences of those things.” Dearing said RCEA also offers training for parents through civic clubs and other such organizations. As one of 26 Lake Martin United Way agencies, Dearing said most of what they receive from United Way is used as matching funds for grants that pay for RCEA’s programs. Dearing also said volunteers are always needed at RCEA to help with victim

advocacy, education and prevention, fundraising, marketing and publicity, commuication and social media. For more information on RCEA and its programs or to volunteer, call 334741-0707. The Lake Martin Area United Way needs your support to reach its campaign goal and help the 26 agencies it supports, including Rape Counselors of East Alabama. You can send your donation to Lake Martin Area United Way, P.O. Box 876, Alexander City, AL 35011 or give at their office at 17-B Main Street in Alexander City. For more information, contact them at 256-3293600.

FAMILY MATTERS: ‘Over the mountain and through the woods’ birthday; the birth of “Over the mounthe King! As protain and through the woods to grandmother’s claimed in Luke 2:11, “for there is born to you house we go !” From this day in the city of the fourth Thursday David, a Savior, who is in November through Christ the Lord.” An the first weekend in opportunity for January, we Salvation has make endcome into the less trips world, both full away from and free. our homes to New Years celebrate the Day is full of holidays with football games family and Jackie Wilbourn and as much friends. Bethel Baptist as I enjoy the All of these Church games, scripactivities take ture does not place between mention watching my the time set aside to favorite teams play footgive thanks for “stuff and people” and the cel- ball nor is it a day to ebration for a happy and recover from a previous night’s party. Instead, prosperous New Year; Philippians 3:13 tells us with Christmas sandthat “… but one thing wiched in between. I do, forgetting those So the question things which are behind becomes, how and why and reaching forward do we celebrate these to those things which days. It would have been great if the purpose are ahead.” For the born again, baptized of Thanksgiving was believer, there are no to watch the Macy’s words to describe what Day Parade and make lies ahead because “eye gluttons of ourselves hath not seen nor have as we eat turkey and ears heard.” The past dressing but the psalmis behind us and eterist David tells us in nity can be before every Psalm 100 that we believer. are to “enter into His The unsaved person gates with thanksgivhas decided to “party ing and into His courts hardy” and will never with praise, be thankrealize why all the decoful unto Him and Bless His name”. Clearly we rations and lights are for the King of all Kings. are to use this time in The Christian knows the remembrance of all our real reason to celebrate. blessings and take the opportunity to say thank Have a Merry Christmas you to God and to bless and “don’t get run over by a reindeer on your His name. way to grandma’s!” The bright lights of Christmas seem to sigJackie Wilbourn is nal the beginning of our a member of Bethel get-to-gethers and the Baptist Church and exchanging of gifts but scripture does not men- a chaplain with the tion this either. The pur- Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Team. pose of Christmas Day is to celebrate a special

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Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

Page 11

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Dr. George Hardy skates along the parade route at the Alexander City Hometown Christmas Parade on Dec. 7. Hardy was selected as the winner of the business division by judges. The parade is sponsored each year by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.

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¦ £ ¡ ¤ ဘဘ Chamber announces Christmas parade winners By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Dr. George Hardy, Larry Stephens, Regeneration Dance Team and Kellyton Volunteer Fire & Rescue were each awarded first place in their category in the Alexander City Christmas Parade, held Dec. 7 in downtown Alexander City. The winners in each category – business, individual, entertainment and non-profit – were announced Thursday at the Chamber’s Christmas Breakfast. Judged the top three entrants in each category were: • Business: Hardy, first place; Jackson Drug & Gifts, second place; and Russell Medical Center, third place. • Individual: Stephens, first place; Charles Pike, second place; and Danny Pike, third place (All are members of the Lake Martin Street Rod Club). • Entertainment: Regeneration, first place; Barbara’s Studio of Dance, second place; and the Lafayette High School Band, third place. • Non-profit: Kellyton Fire & Rescue, first place; Coosa County Sheriff’s Department, second place; and Hillabee Baptist Church, third place. “The parade was absolutely a success,” said Kim Dunn, director of marketing and special events for the Chamber. “We had a lot of new entries. There were more entries than I can remember in the eight years I’ve been here. I think we had about 70+ entrants. “But all of the feedback was positive. Everyone enjoyed the parade. All the comments we heard were great. Now, we just have to make it bigger and better next year.” The first- through third-place winners in each a category each received a plaque from the Chamber.

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ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 sports@alexcityoutlook.com

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Page 12

COOSA’S GOLDEN GIFT

Weekend Edition, December 19-20, 2015

Cougars given football celebrating schools that produced Super Bowl players By Robert Hudson Outlook Sports Editor

ROCKFORD – Central High School of Coosa County has a new addition to its trophy case. As a part of the National Football League’s “On the Fifty” campaign celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl, the league is presenting Wilson-produced golden footballs to the high school of every player and head coach who has made an appearance in a Super Bowl. On Friday night, former Baltimore Raven and New England Patriot Adalius Thomas presented a golden football to his alma mater and its football Coach Barry Simmons. Thomas is a Central-Coosa graduate who played 10 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens (2000-2006) where he was a member of the Super Bowl XXXV winning team. He was also a linebacker for the New England Patriots (2007-2009) where he competed against another Coosa graduated and two-time Super Bowl Champion Justin Tuck in Super Bowl XLII in 2008. Thomas said that presenting the football to his alma mater is a great honor. “It’s really an honor to come back and see all of the familiar faces and all of the people who were in the stands and crowds when I was playing,” Thomas said. “It’s a small town, so everybody knows everybody, and I’m doing this really to give hope to the kids that are here. It’s not about where you’re from. Look at me and Justin Tuck, we came from the same school ... in a small community like this and it has three Super Bowl rings. “It doesn’t seem like a big thing until you think about all of the players who’ve played all their life and never won one from Warren Moon to Dan Marino.” Thomas said he hopes that the moment gives inspiration to the children of the area to see they can have success not just in athletics, but in life. “It gives a lot of hope to the kids to show that they can come from here and go to school and do something great not just in sports, but in anything they want to do,” Thomas said. “It shows that they can make it big if they put their mind to it.”

Robert Hudson / The Outlook

Coosa’s Ryesha Whetstone goes up for a shot during Friday’s game.

Buzzer beater lifts Cougars over BRHS By Robert Hudson Outlook Sports Editor

Robert Hudson / The Outlook

At top, Coosa graduate, former NFL standout and Super Bowl Champion Adalius Thomas, left, presents a 50th Super Bowl Anniversary football to Coosa football Coach Barry Simmons. At bottom, Thomas speaks to those in attendance during halftime of the Coosa-Benjamin Russell basketball game.

ROCKFORD – A Malia Kelly 3-pointer as time expired lifted the Central-Coosa Lady Cougars over the rival Benjamin Russell Lady Wildcats, 53-51, on Friday night. Trailing 48-44 with less than three minutes left in the fourth, Benjamin Russell inched closer with a layup from Tayla Stowes to make it a 48-46 ballgame. With the Lady Wildcats in the bonus, Benjamin Russell’s Chynna Allen was fouled and sent to the line where she made both free throws to tie the game at 48-48 with 1:35 remaining. Less than 20 seconds later, Benjamin Russell’s Jaaliyah Caldwell was fouled and sent to the line where she went 1-of-2 to give BRHS a 49-48 lead. Coosa responded with a running shot from Shania Tuck with 52 seconds left to give Coosa a 50-49 lead. With 13 seconds left, Benjamin Russell’s Hope Westbrook avoided Coosa’s full-court press and found Allen under the basket for a wideopen shot that gave Benjamin Russell a 51-50 lead. After a timeout with five seconds remaining, Kelly received the inbounds pass and hit the corner three as time expired to give Coosa the win. Caldwelll led Benjamin Russell with 15 points, while Stowes added 14 points. Tuck had 18 points, as Ryesha Whetstone added 17 points and Kelly had 15 points in Friday night’s win.

Benjamin Russell wrestling takes down Auburn on the road By Robert Hudson Outlook Sports Editor

The Benjamin Russell Wildcats wrestling team hit the road to Auburn on Thursday and came back with a victory. The Wildcats defeated the Auburn High School Tigers 42-39 in Thursday’s road match. Benjamin Russell Coach Jeremy Stanford said the Wildcats got some key performances in the win on Thursday. “We had a good match there. Forfeitswise, we kind of balanced out – they forfeited two weight classes, so that kind of helped us on that end,” Stanford said. “Saxon Coker got a pin in the third round and Jytarious Harvey got a pin. Marquel Jackson really came up big in the 195-pound match. By that point, we were down by nine coming into that match, and he got a pin which put us down by three points with Bland coming up, which really helped us out there. That was really his (Jackson’s) first true match. That was good for him to come through like he did and it helped the team secure the victory right there.” Coker’s pinfall victory was five minutes, 21 seconds into the 120-pound match. In the 126-pound match, Auburn’s Will Nist defeated Benjamin Russell’s Scott Johnson by pinfall in two minutes, 51 seconds, while Auburn’s Khaleel Johnson defeated Michael Parker by pinfall at 132-pounds in two minutes, 31 seconds. Auburn also won the 138-pound match with Dylan Pearson pinning Andrew Queen in five minutes, 26 seconds. In the 145-pound match, Harvey won by pinfall in two minutes, 24 seconds against Cole Stewart. The Wildcats’ Trevor Gravette was defeated by Jonathan Foshee by a 10-7 decision at 160 pounds,

but Benjamin Russell’s Thomas Coley won the 170-pound match over Ryan Green by pinfall in 54 seconds. At 182 pounds, Auburn’s Jacarius Gullatte pinned Ryan Green in one minute, 51 seconds. Benjamin Russell’s Jackson won his 195-pound match in one minute, 33 seconds by pinfall against Richard Caldwell. And in the 285-pound match, Daniel Bland defeated Drimitri Anderson by pinfall in one minute, 55 seconds. Stanford said the win provided good experience against a quality program. “I think it was very good for us to get a win against Auburn. Not being around wrestling very much I’m not real sure how good programs are, but other coaches have told me that was a good win, and I was glad to hear that,” Stanford said. “I know they’re an established program. It was good experience for our guys to get a victory against a great program.” Benjamin Russell and Alexander City Middle School will host the middle File / The Outlook school Dwight Buzbee Invitational wres- Benjamin Russell senior Daniel Bland, seen above during a match last season, and the tling tournament on Saturday at 9 a.m. Wildcats defeated Auburn on Thursday.


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