LOCAL, PAGE 3
Tribune’s own Willie G. Moseley to ride off into the sunset.
INSIDE
See TES students’ letters to Santa today.
OPINION
MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD SNOW, PG. 4
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
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December 23, 2015
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VOL. 116, NO. 52
School-wide upgrades begin By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Beth Harris and her husband Don Harris proudly showoff their granddaughter, Mollie Branch’s artwork during Art Show and Enrichment Night Tuesday at TES .
Art show gives glance into student learning
The first project in a series of renovation efforts aimed at improving school facilities was announced at the last Tallassee Board of Education meeting. The board members accepted the bid for upgrades to the softball complex and a
new indoor batting range that would cost around $70,000 dollars. Tallassee school superintendent Wade Shipman proposed the project, which he said was agreed upon unanimously. The bid that was accepted Dec. 16 was said to meet a variety of concerns, and is part of an overall plan for facility upgrades that will occur in
stages over the next two to three years, Shipman said. He said demolition had already begun on the indoor steel building that would be like the boys indoor hitting facility. A parking lot is in the constructed phase and the plans, Shipman said, are to build where the covered barbecue pit by the baseball field was.
See ART • Page 2
See UPGRADES • Page 11
‘Distribution week’ for ACTS Charity Members distribute goods to more than 100 needy families
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Tallassee parents got to see just what their children were learning recently during an Art Show and Enrichment Night. “It was an art show and enrichment night that we had for K-4th grade classes,” said Shanikka Beacher, assistant principal at Tallassee Elementary School. “The purpose of the art show and enrichment night was to provide parents an opportunity to get a glance into the life of their child.” The night offered parents, grandparents and anyone who attended the event the opportunity to have a firsthand look at what the students are learning at school. “We also wanted to showcase all the wonderful content the kids were learning art regarding basic color theory and lines, Beacher said.” This year’s Art Show and Enrichment Night was a first time event for Tallassee elementary. However, because the reception was so accepted, it will not be the last. “This is our first time having the art show incorporated into our enrichment night. We had a
Shipman said the argument could be made that the project would address Title 9 concerns for equal opportunities and facilities for both girls and boys teams. However, he said the proposed changes are primarily upgrades to the facilities because of “wear and tear.”
By WILLIE G. MOSELEY News Editor
Last week was “the big week” for Tallassee’s Association of Christians in Tallassee for Service charity organization, as packages of Christmas food and toys were distributed to more than 100 needy families in the greater Tallassee area. ACTS has been an ecumenical effort in the local community for some three decades, said Barry Adair, director, who has been in that position for over four years. Adair’s immediate predecessor, Sonny See CHARITY • Page 11
Willie G. Moseley / The Tribune
This youngster shows off his new bicycle at the Wall Street event.
Wall Street residents bring Santa to town By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Tallassee Tribune
In an effort to “pay it forward,” members of the Wall Street community gathered at the recreation center Dec. 12 for a second annual “Santa’s Coming to Town” celebration. Geared to welcome children and senior citizens, the event included refreshments, crafts, gifts and photos from Santa and a telling of the Christmas story. “This year, over 150 children attended the event,” said spokesperson Lawrence O’Neal. “Twelve bikes, two Big Wheels
and a tablet were given away.” O’Neal said there was value to community-oriented events during the Christmas season. “We started doing this event because we wanted to bring value to our community by investing in our kids and showing our senior citizens that we care about them,” he said. “When most people think of giving back, they think of monetary donations and although that is important, there are many other ways we can give back to our community. Every community has people See WALL STREET • Page 3
Willie G. Moseley / The Tribune
Barry Adair, left, and volunteer Marilyn Sayers, right are shown at ACTS headquarters with some of the packages of food that have been packed for distribution .
Walmart, TPD and TFD join together for the Fill the Truck Toy Drive By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Members of the Tallassee Police Department and Tallassee Fire Department joined forces Dec. 11 at Walmart on Gilmer Avenue to bring Christmas joy to local familes. Pictured, left to right, are David McGaha, Brian Schwab, Troy Vance, Jake Hill, Dave Shirey, Sage Golden and Rian Clayton.
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Members of the Tallassee Police Department and the Tallassee Fire Department joined forces Dec. 11 to bring Christmas joy to local families. TPD and TFD set up outside of Walmart on Gilmer Avenue to collect toys for local families. “This is joint effort with the police department for Toys for Tots,” said Travis Jones, chief of the Tallassee Fire Department. “Hoping that we can make someone’s Christmas special.” This is the first toy drive the fire department and police department have coordinated. Officials said they hope to collect enough
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toys to serve all those in need. “This is actually the first year that we’ve done this,” Travis said. “We announced it on Facebook and other outlets, so we hope to have good turnout.” The families who need these toys have already been designated and will receive these items soon after the toy drive wraps up. “Once they are collected, we have names of families already. Once we collect these items we will donate the toys to those families,’ Brian Clayton said. For those who may have missed this event it is not too late to donate an unopened toy to the toy drive. Toys can be taken to the See TRUCK • Page 6
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