MORE HOLIDAY PICTURES INSIDE! PAGE 11.
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THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
INSIDE, PAGE 6
July 5, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 132 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Rider critically injured after being thrown from horse
City to present 2014 audit report By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City has been dealing with financial issues for the better part of four years, but since the current administration took office they have said they were working to unravel the maze.
Rain causes problems with county roads
Thursday at 11 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, the finding of a 2014 audit will be presented to the council in a work session. The last time the city received an audit report was on Oct. 26, 2015 for the city’s 2013 budget year. Wally Farr of Opelika-based accountants Brantley, Boucher & Farr presented the findings
of the audit to the city council, which was the first time irregularities in funds from the city’s LakeWinds Golf Course were mentioned. Missing golf course funds are now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Alabama Attorney General’s office. Officials have not received any updates on that investigation, as
the AG’s office does not comment of ongoing investigations. At a recent meeting, Alexander City Finance Director Sandy Stanbrough indicated that the city was almost ready to send information of the 2015 and 2016 budget years to Birmingham-
CELEBRATING FREEDOM
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
See AUDIT • Page 3
Landfill debates covered in 1991 Outlook edition By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Within the past week, Tallapoosa County has seen approximately 10 inches of rainfall from the series of storms that have come through the area. Coupled with another three inches during the rest of June and several inches that fell in May, Tallapoosa County has seen 20.5 inches of rain in the last two months. While the rain has been highly beneficial, breaking the last of the drought conditions the state has been under for the previous year, it has also created a handful of issues. See ROADS • Page 3
Debates over landfills in Alexander City are nothing new. In March of 1991, The Outlook reported the City of Alexander City planned to go ahead and develop a landfill at a site that had not been recommended by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). Just last month, the current city council voted to begin testing on property of which they currently only have an option to purchase to expand the current inert landfill off of North Central Avenue. One of the problems noted in the 1991 story was there was not adequate cover for the landfill, something Alexander City Public Works Director Gerard Brewer noted for the current inert landfill and one of the reasons for needed purchase of adjacent property. In 1991, then Alexander City Mayor Charles Bailey
125 ALEXANDER CITY OUTLOOK
YEARS OF SERVICE
June 2017 A special supplement to The Alexander City Outlook and the Dadeville Record
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
All across the Lake Martin community people gathered to celebrate Independence Day in their own way. From dozens of boats decorated in patriotic regalia and spending time on the water in the Russell Marina July 4th Boat Parade Tuesday, to thousands who gathered for the music and fireworks at Marshall Street Church of God’s Alexander City Celebrates Freedom Monday night at Benjamin Russell High School, people enjoyed themselves. The long holiday weekend wrapped up Tuesday night with fireworks over Lake Martin.
Submitted / The Outlook
Valley Grove Road was closed over the weekend due to standing water on the roadway.
See LANDFILL • Page 6
Reeltown successfully concludes summer arts program By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Approximately 30 excited Reeltown students took the stage Thursday for the culmination of the summer arts enrichment program offered by the Tallapoosa County school system, demonstrating their artistic prowess to a large audience of parents and other community members. “During our first meeting, we were all tossing out a few ideas, and we decided that The Wizard of Oz would be the best for us,” camp administrator Lisa Hornsby said. “We thought it would be the easiest to put a spin on.”
Similar to Dadeville’s performance of The Wizard of Oz, the Reeltown program put their own spin on the story, turning it into The Reel Wizard of Oz. Some of the twists included mentions of the nearby kiwi farm, changing the Emerald City to the Sapphire City to reflect Reeltown’s school colors and using the school mascot’s head as the Wizard. Each day would begin with all of the students in one large group, before breaking down into smaller groups Submitted / The Outlook rotating between three separate stations, according to Hornsby. The Tin Man, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy and the “One group went to the arts and Scarecrow attempt to fight the effects of the poppy field on See ARTS • Page 6 their way to the Sapphire City.
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Widow reconsiders romantic overture from an old friend
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Postal
Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110)
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press.
The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, © 2011 Tallapoosa Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box Publishers, Inc. 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. Reproduction of any POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The Outlook
part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
Obituaries can be submitted to The How to Submit Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail obits@alexcityoutlook.com For more Obituaries atinformation, call (256) 234-4281.
Social Secu ity Ŷ Social Security Disability & SSI Ŷ Personal Injury & Accidents Ŷ Probate Civil Ŷ Uncontested Divorce
FAYEAttorney EDMONDSON at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
256.825.9559
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
DEAR ABBY: This is something I can’t talk about in my grief support group. I’m a 70-year-old widow. I lost my dear husband of 35 years 17 months ago. I always was more sexual than he was. Since the funeral, I have had a one-night stand with a nice younger man, but it was a failure for me physically. Since then, I am leery. Last night, a dear friend visited. He knew both of us for years. I had flirted with him last year, but nothing happened. Last night he came on to me. I was upset about my failure to perform with the nice young man, so I turned him down. Now I don’t know what to do. If I sleep with him, will it destroy our friendship? Will I be able to keep him from becoming a major presence in my home? -- WONDERING WIDOW DEAR WIDOW: Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband. That your first experience after your husband’s death wasn’t all that you fantasized it would be isn’t unusual. Good sex is all about
DEAR ABBY Advice
communication. It takes time for couples to adjust to each other and feel comfortable enough to talk frankly about their individual needs. If you sleep with this old friend, I can’t see why it would destroy your friendship. You are both adults and, I assume, available. Sex with him may -- or may not -- bring you closer for a variety of reasons. However, if you would not welcome someone becoming “a major presence in your home,” allow me to point out that it might be better not to go to bed with him. Once a door is opened, it’s not unusual for a guest to become comfortable and crave more “hospitality.” DEAR ABBY: I am a mother of two, and I’m afraid the baby’s dad is with me only for
them. He pays no attention to me unless he has something to complain about. When he does, he says hurtful things that make me cry and then he tells the kids to call me a crybaby. It’s almost as if he is trying to turn them against me. I want a relationship with him. I want love and attention, but I don’t know how to get it. Please help! -- NOT WANTED IN THE EAST DEAR NOT WANTED: What your partner is doing is unhealthy not only for you, but also for your children. He is emotionally abusing you, while at the same time encouraging those children to disrespect you and minimize your feelings. For your sake -- and theirs -you must not allow this to continue. If you do, they will think the abuse is normal behavior and perpetuate it in their own relationships when they are older. Offer your partner the option of couples counseling to repair your relationship. If he refuses, go without him. If you do, I promise you will find it enlight-
ening. Please do not procrastinate, because his verbal abuse could escalate. DEAR ABBY: Is there a way to respond to individuals who use swear words often and loudly in a public place such as a restaurant? Hearing the F-word used by people at the next table ruins my enjoyment of my meal. -- OFFENDED IN THE WEST DEAR OFFENDED: I don’t advise you to approach the “offenders.” If you have a complaint, direct it to the manager of the restaurant, who can then inform the “F-worders” they are disturbing other patrons and to please keep it down. And if they don’t, ask to change tables and sit in a quieter section of the restaurant. 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 Mr. Bennie Joe Jackson 1940 - 2017
Mr. Gerald Dean Foshee 1941 - 2017
Funeral Service for Mr. Bennie Joe Jackson, 76, of Rockford, Alabama, will be Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Bro. Jim Martin and Bro. Joseph Briggs Macon will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hackneyville Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Jackson passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at his residence. He was born on September 10, 1940 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to Kermit Roosevelt Jackson and Effie Louise Moncrief Jackson Blaser. Mr. Jackson loved spending time with his family. He traveled all around the world as part of his job as a government contractor with Northrop Grumman. He served his country in the Navy for three years. He is survived by his sisters, Peggy Walls of Auburn, Mary M. Williams of Prattville, Ellen B. Smith (Robert) of Rockford, and Lisa B. Mullin of Eclectic; nephews, Bill Walls, Barry Popwell, Keith Popwell, Joshua Smith, and Don Mullin; nieces, Melissa K. Walls, Jamie Chappell, Vicky Owens and Jody SmithShedd. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, George Sinclair Blaser and brother, Steve Jackson. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P O Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Service for Mr. Gerald Dean Foshee, 76, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, will be Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Alabama. Randy Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem-New Salem in New Site, Alabama. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Foshee passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at his residence. He was born on January 26, 1941 in New Site, Alabama to Jeanie R. Foshee and Bernie Hutcherson Foshee. He was a member of New Site United Methodist Church. He drove a truck all of his working life, owned and operated Foshee Enterprises, and retired from Nelson Brothers Inc. Mr. Foshee loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He is survived by his children, Russell Foshee (Becky) of Killen, Sherri Hester (Danny) of Tuscumbia, Rob Foshee (Margaret) of Sheffield, and Jeremy Foshee; grandchildren, Chris Cottles (Chelsea), Cody Hester (Katie), Caleb Hester, Rusty Foshee (Candace Ivey), Austin Foshee, Cayla Clark (Dominick), Jacob Foshee, Jason Foshee, Mitchell Sparks, Alex Foshee, and Cori Sparks; great-grandchildren, MaKenlee Clark, Mia Cottles, Luke Foshee, Kenley Cottles, Sophia Clark, and Clara Hester; sisters, Barbara Blankenship (Gene) of Auburn, and Belinda Daugherty (Wayne) of Jacksons Gap; brother, Eugene Foshee (Teresa) of New Site; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bernard Foshee. The grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family extends special thanks to Hospice of the Shoals for their excellent care. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Public Meetings 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 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 meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in 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 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:30 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. Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center 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.
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Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Page 3
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
Audit
continued from page 1
the mayor shall require any officer of the city or town to make a report at such times as the mayor or the council directs. This authority is intended to facilitate supervision of the various municipal departments and officials and to assist the mayor in making reports to the council.” “Section 11-43-85, Code of Alabama 1975,
“Section 11-43-84, Code of Alabama 1975, requires the mayor, as chief executive officer, to present a written statement to the council at least once every six months showing the financial condition of the municipality and the steps the mayor proposes to take for the protection of the city or town. This section also states that
based accounting firm Carr, Riggs and Ingram for those two audits. Carr, Riggs and Ingram prepared the 2014 audit as well. Presentation of municipal audits and regular financial reporting are required by Alabama law. According to the Alabama League of Municipalities:
requires the mayor to appoint an expert accountant to make a detailed examination of all books and accounts of the city and to make a full report in writing, under oath, to be submitted to the council at its first meeting after completion of the report. This report must be placed in the minutes of the council. Section
The city also announced that the Planning Commission will hold a called public hearing Monday, July 10 at 4 p.m. in the City of Alexander City, Alabama, City Hall Conference Room to consider a rezoning application for about 3.5 acres at 1621 Heatherwood Drive. The applicant is Heatherwood Apartments.
11-43-85 also authorizes the mayor to request the Examiners of Public Accounts to audit the municipality. AGO 1992322.” Thursday’s work session is open to the public. The City Hall Conference Room is located on the second floor of Alexander City City Hall at 4 Court Square.
Roads
continued from page 1
my district alone. It’s a challenge, but we are doing the best we can with what we have to work with.” Moran also wanted to remind the public whenever they saw standing water on a roadway or going across the road, play it safe and
throughout the area. “The rain has taken a toll,” he said. “We had the one road washed out. We have potholes develop. Sinkholes on shoulders and grass growing on the roads. It’s just hard to keep up in this kind of weather. We have almost 400 miles of roads in
“Valley Grove Road was closed Friday night and Saturday,” Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran said. This was the only road in the county that was known to have been closed over the weekend due to standing water on the roadway. At the same time, however, the National Weather Service had issued an areal flood warning for the county. According to Moran, this type of flood warning comes from when the rain is steady and heavy enough to cause ponding across a relatively wide area. “One, we want to prevent hydroplaning, and two, if you can’t see the road, turn around,” he said. Even though Valley Grove Road was the only road to be closed to traffic, Moran said drivers would also need to be careful on the area of Highway 63 that had recently washed out and been repaired, as the section in question still required some work before it was completely fixed. Tallapoosa County District 4 Commissioner John McKelvey also commented on the situation with roads
turn around. “Never drive through standing water or around a barricade,” he said. “Any time there is water going across the roadway, we don’t want people driving through it. You don’t know what damage may be under the water.” During stretches of
sheriff’s office and report the issue, which can help the road department and other county agencies better monitor the overall situation.
major rainfall when water starts to form and puddle on roads, Moran said he would love for the public to get in touch with either the police department or
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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 4
Letter to the Editor
Outlook The
Wednesday,July 5, 2017
USA will prosper with love for one another, country
Why worry about Science in our world? I Dear Editor,
Lately I have heard about people not believing in science and let’s go back to the good old days of no regulations and no rules. 1. The Clean Water Act of 1972 made industries clean up their act. Afterwards our water didn’t smell as bad nor catch on fire as the Cuyahoga River did in 1969. Volunteers here in Alabama test waters monthly for contamination and Alabama Power Company has clean up days for trash. Why would anyone trash water anyway? 2. The Clean Water Act of 1963 made industries place scrubbers on smokestacks so people (especially children) could breathe better. Don’t you want to breathe clean air? 3. Sulfur gas from burning coal is dirty…why not build solar and wind projects with the workers that lost their jobs at the coal mines? And mining for coal is not safe either. Money from the industry talking? 4. Climate change and global warming has been proven to be true by scientists. Yes, there is warming that is natural but most of it is manmade. In fact, cows make quite a bit of methane gas but we need our meat. 5. Cars do cause global warming when they burn gas and that has been proven with data. Is money from the gas industry making politicians decide otherwise? And, who are the rich that are going to benefit from the Trump health care act…money talks doesn’t it? 6. Vaccines against many diseases have prevented numerous diseases. I knew someone with polio; have you known anyone that had something that could be prevented now? 7. Medicines have helped against cancer and with stem cell research they may be able to cure it one day. I believe that is on the horizon. 8. Diabetes may one day be cured as well as AIDS and other diseases. 9. We went into space and are learning about how stars are formed, what minerals are on asteroids and so many interesting things about space Need I go on? No, I am sure most of you realize Science is needed in our society. Scientists around the world are working together to solve issues….couldn’t politicians work together to solve problems or is that too much to ask. I am not going to say that scientists are always right…remember the world used to be flat but they keep learning more and more to find the answers to our questions. What, where, when, and why do things work the way they do? Science is such an interesting topic and I wish more kids could have good teachers as I had.
hope that everyone had a Happy Fourth. And did a little celebrating. This is a time in our country for celebration. It’s a time for reveling in our nation’s greatness. The greatness of our past, our present and our future, no matter what may be insinuated on political bumper stickers. The Unites States of America is great. Would you want to live anywhere else? The USA is great because of its people and, sometimes, in spite of its politics. We’ve certainly had our times of political embarrassment (by members of both parties, I might add), but we’ve also had the ability, as a people, to pull together and move beyond those embarrassments. The documents that set out the basic tenets by which this, the longest existing democracy in the history of Earth, is governed – the tenets of our basic freedoms, our inalienable rights and our equality regardless of race, creed, color or lifestyle – are stunning in their forward-thinking nature. And the government set up by our founders has succeeded in finding answers that fit under those tenets where there were no answers specifically contained. We owe a debt to our founders. We owe a debt to our statesmen who have protected our founders’ provisions through legislative and legal
DAVID GRANGER Columnist
means. We certainly owe a debt to those men and women who have fought and died over this country’s 241 years for what is the greatest way of life on the globe. And we owe them more them gratitude. We owe them a willingness to find ways to heal when we become sick from our disagreements. We owe them open minds and loving hearts that consider the points of view of our fellow Americans and take no pause in protecting and caring for those among us who have the least. We are a loving people. We love our country. We love its symbols – the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, The Star-Spangled Banner, the soaring and majestic bald eagle. It is because we are a loving people that the institution of slavery is no more, but there are still those of us enslaved by poverty, medical problems and addiction. We must continue to strive to end those types of slavery, too. We must continue to love – one another and our country. Spewing hateful words on Twitter or otherwise will only serve to erode our greatness
and our reputation in the world. As long as we love one another and our country America will not only remain great, but constantly grow greater, stronger and burn brighter as a beacon of democracy and freedom to those whose freedom remains shackled by the bonds of heartless dictators and authoritarians. As long as we love one another and our country we will find solutions to problems that sometimes seem unsolvable to us and our leaders, like health care and immigration. As long as we love one another and our country we will do what is right – what they have earned for their sacrifice – for our veterans and their families. It is not enough to celebrate with hot dogs, watermelon and fireworks. We should be filled with the pride that being an American must fill us with if we are to appreciate the entirety of our American experiences. We are not a perfect country, but we are as close to perfect as any nation on Earth. Others hate us – or claim to – not because we’ve wronged them, but because they envy us and our freedoms. They envy us our love for our country and each other. God bless America! Today and every day. David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers’ Elmore County newspapers.
Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number Steve Robinson is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City. John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. His phone number is 256-794-4405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.
John McKelvey
Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. She is currently the chair of the board. She can be reached at 8254207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Emma Jean Thweatt Circle, Dadeville.
George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road Road, Dadeville.
George Carleton Jr.
Today’s
Scripture
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast (or perseveres) under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:2-4, 12
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Judy Palfrey Dadeville
T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion T.C. Coley of Spring Hill community. His phone number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton.
Today’s
Celebrating God’s gift of growth
G
od’s gift of growth is truly a blessing. Each day, I walk into the backyard to check out my garden. Each day, I find some something new. Having a garden the last couple of years has been very rewarding. I don’t know how I ever got along without one. It’s been an amazing gift. I love the process. I love planting the seeds. I love the dedication. I love the work. I love seeing things grow—well, most things. I don’t like seeing the tomato hornworm grow. In fact, I don’t like seeing them at all, and oftentimes, I don’t see them at all until they’ve wiped out half a tomato or sometimes half a plant. I’ve learned, grown, and have gotten better this year, so they haven’t been as much as a nuisance as they were last year. I tortured one of them and let it go. Maybe he went and told all his friends. The tomatoes are looking good. The pear tomatoes and chocolate-sprinkled tomatoes are producing in droves. Both are smaller cherry-sized tomatoes and are delicious to eat right off the plant. My Roma tomatoes are coming along well, too. I have several of them ripening in my window now. If you stop by the house, they’re one of the first things you’ll notice—well, them and the growing weeds. The Big Boy tomatoes have a ways to go, but
and Ringo are no more. They got thumped. They are a lot easier to spot than the worms. That’s for sure. It must be their mop tops. I think I have eight varieties JODY of peppers growing, too. Some FULLER of them are incredibly hot. Columnist Initially, they grew like wildfire. I’m excited about their progress. For some reason, they’ve slowed down, but I’m trying Unfortunately, the two biggest boys were wiped out last week to coach them into picking the pace back up. We love our hot by a big boy hornworm. Then, peppers around here. there are the mystery tomatoes My favorite crop to watch that popped up in the compost. grow is eggplant. I didn’t have They’re growing; I just don’t it last year, so it’s new to me. know what’s growing. They are just so purple, pretty, I also love growing “okry.” and pickable, but I know I need There’s nothing quite like it. to let them grow a little more. It grows so darn fast, though. While eggplant is my They’ll grow three inches favorite crop to watch grow, my overnight, so I have to stay on favorite thing to watch grow is top of it. I like to douse them in Lucy’s belly. According to the olive oil and then skewer them “What to Expect” app, our little with a wooden chopstick before placing them on the grill for a few miracle is the size of a turnip this week. Each week, it gives minutes. They are mighty tasty. us her size in relation to a fruit My beans are growing like or vegetable. Last week, it was kudzu. I have approximately 60 plants strategically placed in an avocado. I’m not sure what my backyard. Picking them has she’ll be next week. Pretty soon, she’ll be the size of an become a daily chore around eggplant. One day, she’ll be a here but no doubt a fun chore. They grow faster than okra, and watermelon. Ouch! Thank God I’m a guy. That’s a blessing. they like to hide. They may be able to hide for a day or two, Jody Fuller is a comic, but they eventually wind up in a speaker, writer and soldier with pan on my stove. three tours of duty in Iraq. He is Paul McCartney had a few also a lifetime stutterer. He can shows in Tokyo in April, and I be reached at jody@jodyfuller. had four Japanese Beetles on a com. For more information, green bean leaf the other day. please visit www.jodyfuller.com Japanese John, Paul, George,
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
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Wednesday, July 5, 2017
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CommunityCalendar SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Today is July 5, 2017 Today’s Events
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 5 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the
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The Outlook
outdoor classroom across from the beach. MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday July 5 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.
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Participate in your Outlook by 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/.
Today’s Birthdays
Carlton Smith, Steve Clark, Cody Morris, LaKiesha Smith and David Williams are celebrating their birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Deryck and Wendy Hodge are celebrating their anniversaries today.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org
haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
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GIFTS & MORE Monogramming onogramming Boutique outique Clothing Clothing Jewelry ewelry Bathing athing SSuits uits & More More 10147 County Road 34 Dadeville, AL
256.234.3481
256-496-4017
KarenChannell.com
Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
•Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy Submitted / The Outlook
2334 Washington Street Miss Kit from Miss Kit’s Bubble School wowed the children with her original bubble creations last Tuesday at Mamie’s Place Alexander City • 256-329-9061 Children’s Library. While promoting the fun and importance of reading the audience was captivated with her clever bubble www.crownemanagement.com magic. This was another of the “Build a Better World” events planned by the library staff to help keep kids actively reading dur-
Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
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...with the right kind of advertising.
•Alexander City Outlook •Dadeville Record •Wetumpka Herald •Eclectic Observer •Tallassee Tribune
256.234.4281
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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
256-234-6071
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
H
OLMAN
ing the summer.
Thursday, July 6
BINGO NIGHT: Jake’s Restaurant is hosting a bingo night July 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Jake’s will also host bingo every Thursday in July to benefit the Boys and Girls Club.
Friday, July 7
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Darrell Brooks, Owner Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 7. God’s Not Dead will start Cutting •Edging at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold. Weed Eating •Mulch Saturday, July 8 Weed Control NIGHT HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a night hike July 8 at 7:30 p.m. under the light of the full moon to learn about nocturnal animals and how they survive in the dark weather permitting. YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP: Bridge Builders will be hosting a youth football camp for grades first 256.267.0518 through eighth July 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sportplex. For more information contact Many a small thing Hinton at 256-750-1140 or has been made Hudson Tommie Kelly at 256-786-0542.
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Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
Sunday, July 9
WELLNESS DAY: The Beacon of Joy Seventh Day Adventist Church is hosting a community health and wellness day at Strand Park July 9 from 3 -6 p.m. There will be live performances, family fun and healthy snacks. For more information, call 256-749-5943. FAMILY REUNION: The Willoughlby Reunion will be Sunday, July 9 at the Daviston Community Center. All family and friends are welcome.
July 10-11
THROW AWAY DAY: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership is partnering with the Tallapoosa County Commission to provide dumpsters for public use at the following locations on Monday, July 10 through Tuesday, July 11. The dumpsters will be at the Alexander City Annex– 395 Lee St., Double Bridges– Highway 63, Eagle Creek Fire Department– 90 Old Shepard Rd., Camp Hill Town Hall– 309 Holley Ave. and StillWaters Entrance– Highway 49 Items that can not be placed in the dumpsters include: liquids, appliances with compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, TVs, computers, propane tanks, hazardous or medical waste.
July 10-12
CHURCH REVIVAL: Liberty United Methodist Church in Hackneyville is hosting revival July 10-12 at 7 p.m. Rev. Mike Densmore, Rev. Josh Sammons and Rev. James Long will be delivering messages. Everyone is
welcome.
July 10-14
ART CAMP: The Kitty Dark Kids Art Camp will be July 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Radney School for children in grades 1 through 6. The cost is $125 and includes all supplies, lunch, snack and t-shirt. For more information contact Jamie Dark at 256-794-0688.
Tuesday, July 11
USHER MEETING: There will be an Early Rose District Usher meeting July 11 at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.
School Alumni Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on July 15 from 7:00 until 2:00. Refreshments are also available. BOOK SALE: Friends of the Dadeville Public Library is having its summer book sale July 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can fill up a bag of books and get it for $5. Hardback books are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents.
ANNUAL SESSION: Early Rose District Congress of Christian Education is holding its 58th Annual Session July 11-14 at 9 a.m. daily at the Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
Thursday, July 13
July 16- 19
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY: The next meeting of the Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will be July 13 at 1 p.m. All are invited to see how they can be involved in our community library.
July 13-15
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Family Worship Center on Sewell Street is hosting Vacation Bible School July 13-14 from 6-8:30 p.m. and July 15 from 9 a.m. to noon with a parents program July 15 at 11 a.m.
July 13-16
KIDS AND YOUTH CAMP: The Tallapoosa Baptist Association camps will be held July 13-16 at Camp Alamisco on Lake Martin. Youth Camp is for those who have completed grades 7-12. Kids Camp is for those who have completed grades 3-6. The theme is “Following Jesus.” Jeremy Simpson of FBC, Alex City will be the camp pastor. Campers will enjoy playing crazy games, kayaking, swimming, “the blob,” crafts, skits and much more. The cost until June 23 is $85 per camper. After that, the cost is $95 per camper. The final deadline to register is June 30. Registration forms can be downloaded at www. tallapoosabaptist.org under the Resource tab. For more information, please call 256-825-4441.
Friday, July 14
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 14. God’s Not Dead II will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
Saturday, July 15
TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High
LOOR
C
OMPANY
“WE’RE THE PROFESSIONALS”
Small Space Advertising Works.
Sunday, July 16
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Tallapoosee Historical Meeting on Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. features talks about the restoration of Smith Mountain Fire Tower and the proposed Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association education center at the Tower. The meeting will take place at the Society’s museum on the town square in Dadeville. Refreshments will be served. Public is invited.
July 11-14
F
CHURCH REVIVAL: God’s House Church on Highway 63 is holding revival July 16 at 6 p.m. and July 17-19 at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Bro. Ton Harris. The pastor of God’s House Church is Bro. Roger Green.
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at Low Rates...
call the Advertising Department
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July 19
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 19 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach.
Friday, July 21
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night July 21. The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
tent For Consising Advertis at call the Advertising Dept.
256.234.4281 + +
+
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Saturday, July 22
STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky July 22 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park.
Sunday, July 23
CHURCH HOMECOMING: Rock Springs Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap is hosting homecoming July 23 at 10 a.m. Pastor Jamey Williams will bring the message and The Dyes will provide the music. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited.
Wednesday, July 26
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike July 26 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach.
Small Space Advertising Works.
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at Low Rates ...
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256.234.4281
Page 6
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Landfill
continued from page 1
told the council that the dirt was not available on that site. That 1991 site was near Wind Creek State Park and was already a solid waste dump. The site was also cited by ADEM for sludge that ran into Lake Martin. Discussion in the early 1990s was not limited to a solid waste landfill. Just a year after problems were noted with the solid waste landfill near Lake Martin, talks started on a new inert landfill
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The Outlook
Rider critically injured after being thrown from horse
on North Central Avenue that included an incinerator. The incinerator was in plans drawn up by Larry E. Speaks and Associates of Montgomery where it was described to stretch the life of the landfill from 3-4 years to 8-10 years. The landfill was projected to be in operation Feb. 1, 1992 but delays in permitting held up its opening and then City Clerk Harold Gordon said the city had no definite date for the opening.
Lacee Key / Special to The Outlook
A woman was critically injured Monday afternoon when she was thrown from a horse and the horse rolled over her on hilly trails in Wind Creek State Park. The victim, whose name and age were not released, was breathing, but unresponsive when Alexander City Fire Department EMT’s arrived at the location. The woman was flown by LIfeFlight to the trauma center at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Her condition was unknown.
A REFUGE FOR THE HOMELESS
SHADE & WATER
NO CARS
Protect your pets from the sun’s rays and keep them hydrated.
Never leave a pet in the car, not even with the window cracked.
NO ASPHALT
LIMIT EXERCISE
If it’s too hot for bare feet, it’s too hot for bare paws.
Don’t let playful pets over exert themselves in the heat.
Save your Purina weight circles and drop them off or mail them to Rescue K911 P.O. Box 862 Auburn, AL 36831. They all help & add up fast. Thank you for helping the dogs & cats without a home of their own. This ad is sponsored by Wayside Animal Hospital, Dr. Susan Martin, 256-329-9900. Spay/neuter assistance is available from RESCUE K9-1-1, Wayside Animal Hospital 256-329-9900 or Lake Martin Humane Society 256-234-5533.
Like us on facebook This ad is sponsored by Wayside Animal Hospital, Dr. Susan Martin, 256-329-9900.
Rescue K9-1-1, Inc.
P.O. Box 862 • Auburn, AL 36831 • www.rescueK911.com
Arts crafts room, where they would work on props and costumes, or they might make some art that was Wizard of Oz related, which we hung throughout the auditorium. Another group went to the music room, where they did a variety of musical numbers, including solos and ensembles, and the third group would go to the drama room to practice their lines. At the end of the day, all the groups came back together and put
SOAK UP THE SAVINGS
continued from page 1
everything they did that day together,” she said. Just like at Dadeville and Horseshoe Bend, the program at Reeltown was comprised of students ranging from Pre-K to sixth grade. “One of our youngest students was Toto, while the sixth-graders took parts like Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion,” Hornsby said. “The students in between had varied roles, like the Munchkins and the Flying Monkeys, and also did a lot backstage.”
Following the performance, Hornsby said that the kids were all smiles and proud of what they had been able to accomplish, while the parents and other members of the audience had nothing but great things to say. “I had one parent tell me she had tears in her eyes because of how great it was,” she said. “Another parent said it was even bigger and better than last year.” In the future, Hornsby said she wanted to see
this program continue to grow, both in overall popularity and the number of students participating. She believed that the students who took part this year would be able to spread the word around school, which might convince others to join in next year. “It’s a good outlet for the kids. It’s strictly music, drama and art,” she said. “There’s a genuine excitement about it.”
Presents
SALES EVENT
Food, Fun, Giveaways & In-Store Savings You Don’t Want To Miss!
JULY 21 , 2017 ST
10AM-1PM Russell Do it Center in Alexander City 1750 AL-22 • 256.234.2567 Corey Worden from Beneath the Bark Chainsaw Carvings will be carving on-site! See how he transforms wood into works of art.
For more event information follow us on Facebook!
The ELNEC Core curriculum contains eight modules addressing key features of end-oflife care. Mission: Promoting excellence in pain management & end-of-life care through education and patient/family consults.
August 18 & 19, 2017 First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge Street • Wetumpka, AL (Fellowship Hall • Meals Will Be Provided)
Contact Hours. Nurses: 13 contact hours *3 pharm. hrs. available for APNs (ABNP1560 exp. 2/15/2020)
Social Workers: 10.75 contact hours (ABSWE #0551 exp. 2/28/2018)
Space is limited to 75 participants! Register Early!
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, August 1 Door prizes will be awarded! For more information please contact Linda Segrest, RN CHPN 334-514-0682 or lsegrest@lakemartinhospital.com
www.russelldoitcenter.com
Registration form available at www.ivycreekhealth.com
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The Outlook
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Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
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Resignation and redistricting: A mid-year look at state politics A
s we take a mid-year look at Alabama politics, it has been an eventful first half of the
year. It is not every year that a governor resigns mid-term. Governor Robert Bentley’s resignation from office on April 10 will more than likely be the most newsworthy story of the year. Bentley’s saga had begun 18 months ago. His troubles stemmed from his relationship with his primary and probably only advisor, who was married to a quiet man whom Bentley placed in a vague $90,000 position with the state. It was a titillating story that led to an investigation and later finding by the State Ethics Commission that there was reasonable evidence that Bentley may have violated the law. Facing probable impeachment by the Legislature, Bentley resigned in disgrace. The most noteworthy event was the appointment of our Junior U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions to the powerful post of U.S. Attorney General. Sessions was one of President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet appointments. Sessions departure from the Senate seat left open his coveted post. In his waning days as governor, Bentley interviewed about 20 qualified candidates for the interim
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
appointment. Bentley eventually appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, a worthy choice. However, the appointment of Strange caused tremendous furor among Alabamians. A few months earlier, Strange stated he was investigating the Governor. The appointment of the Attorney General to the seat had the appearance of a brazen act of collusion between the Governor and Strange. Bentley resigned a month later and Strange went to Washington. Upon the resignation of Bentley, Lt. Governor, Kay Ivey, became the second female governor in state history. Ironically, Kay was a stalwart supporter and worked for our only other female governor, Lurleen Wallace, when she was in college over 50 years ago. Governor Kay Ivey has shown calm, deliberative and wise leadership in her first three months as governor. She has done a good job and steadily stuck to her knitting
governing, rather than cutting ribbons. She inherited the ship of state in the middle of a legislative session. She stayed in close contact with the Senate leadership and brought the session to a successful landing. The legislative session could indeed be considered a success. Mac McCutcheon, a Republican Representative from Madison County, led his first regular session as Speaker. McCutchen is level headed and a natural facilitator. He is a retired police officer from Huntsville, who worked as a hostage negotiator. He seems fair and runs a more open and egalitarian House than former Speaker Mike Hubbard. Any legislative session could be considered successful when both budgets are passed. The $1.8 billion General Fund budget passed early due to a one-time influx of $105 million from the BP oil spill settlement. The beleaguered General Fund will be much harder to balance next year, which will be an election year. For the eighth straight year, state workers got no increase in pay. Even though the Education Trust Fund budget grew by $90 million, teachers also get no pay increase. The $6.4 billion Education budget did include a 20 percent increase in pre-kindergarten funding.
The Legislature abolished judicial override in death penalty cases, voted to require insurers to extend coverage to autism therapies, and ended the ban on midwifery in Alabama. They chose not to address the prison overcrowding issue. However, this may be a prudent call. It may be wiser to wait until the federal courts decree what they want from the state. This could be a paramount issue that requires a Special Session. The Republican majority ramrodded a reapportionment plan through the Senate and House over adamant disapproval of black Democrats. The final authority on whether it will stand rests with the federal courts. Until this is decided, there is a cloud over the upcoming legislative races. Republican legislators may have overplayed their hand this time. A federal judge may send Alabama’s demographics to a computer in New York to draw the lines and several of them may find themselves in the same districts several counties away. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 10
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Pritchard snags swordfish for record books By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
ANDY GRAHAM Columnist
Appreciating freedom on the Fourth
I
certainly hope everyone had a wonderful and safe extended weekend celebrating the birthday of our incredible country. The old girl may be 241 years old, but her amber waves of grain are still as beautiful to me as ever. I had every intention of continuing on with my preview of Auburn’s football schedule this week, but somehow it doesn’t seem right not to acknowledge the importance and gravity of the Fourth of July. I don’t know of a single person that doesn’t look forward to this particular holiday. Who doesn’t like getting a day off work? Who doesn’t like firing up the barbecue grill? Independence Day has become synonymous with good food, good fellowship and good fireworks. Those are some terrific things we all should enjoy and savor when we have the opportunity. However, this holiday goes far beyond hot dogs and bottle rockets. The Fourth of July is the celebration and exemplification of freedom. It also happens to be my brother’s birthday, but that’s beside the point. The United States of America is the most blessed nation on the face of the earth and it’s not even close. I know everyone understands that, but I’m not sure everyone understands why that’s the case. I’m also not sure any of us truly appreciate the freedoms we enjoy nearly enough on a daily basis. George Washington gave the first inaugural address on April 30, 1789. He touched on a lot of topics, but I find one particular quote extremely profound. President Washington talked about the principles and virtues on which this country was founded and then said, “Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” It hasn’t just been a good run of luck for nearly two and a half centuries. America has been abundantly blessed by the, as Washington put it, “propitious smiles of heaven.” The Framers of our Constitution were seeking a better life, but they understood without reservation that life had to be based on a foundation of adhering to the “rules of order and right.” These rules Washington and others felt so passionate about didn’t come from their own understanding. They came from Heaven. Of course, our first president also made a sobering prediction when he said no country should expect to be blessed if they abandon these principles. The “sacred fire of liberty” has been “entrusted to the hands of the American people.” Freedom is one of the most powerful and beautiful words in the English language. I’ve never fought one single battle or exerted one ounce of effort to gain the freedom I enjoy. It was freely given to me by others who paid the ultimate price. The absolute least I could do is appreciate it. We all have the privilege in this nation to carry the fire of liberty every day. If only we would all treat it with the respect and honor it deserves. Andy Graham is a regular columnist for The Outlook.
Deep sea fishing isn’t for the faint of heart. “When that fish gives you an opportunity to gain line, you’ve got to reel and just get past the point where your arms are about to fall off and your legs are killing you,” said Alexander City native Brett Pritchard. He should know, too. On Friday, Pritchard earned his second spot in the record books when he caught the second-largest swordfish in Louisiana state history. His broadbill swordfish, weighing in at 294 pounds, was just 17 pounds shy of the overall record. It’s also the second time Pritchard has earned a spot in the top 10 – last year, he caught what is now the No. 7 swordfish of all time. There’s so much more that goes into deep sea fishing than meets the eye, though. As Pritchard put it, “there’s a lot more things that can go wrong to lose a fish than can go right to catch a fish, especially one that size.” Armed with a bonito belly tied up to an artificial bait squid, Pritchard, along with his crew and captain Peace Marvel, hit the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Venice, Louisiana. When hoping for a swordfish, Pritchard said the crew looked for deep ledges, as most swordfish swim close to the bottom 1,500 to 2,000 feet under water. Because the line is so deep, it can be nearly impossible to spot a bite as the movement of the rod, which is already rocking in the gulf water, is so subtle. Once Pritchard hooked his swordfish, it became an instant fight. The water where he caught the fish was about 37 degrees, whereas the surface of the water was nearing 82 degrees. “Its body temperature is rising, and it doesn’t like it,” Pritchard said. “That’s why he fights because they want to get back to the bottom. They might not know they’re hooked but they know something’s going on that’s abnormal. They’re trying to figure out why they keep coming up when they need to go back down.” Another frustrating part
Submitted / The Outlook
Alexander City’s Brett Pritchard, back left, caught this 294-pound swordfish this weekend. It is the second-largest swordfish in the Louisiana record books. Pictured with him are Brayden Pritchard, Owen Wilson, Bradley Bolan, Barry Bolan, Bryan Wilson, Peace Marvel and Andy Cook.
of the fight can be just how long it takes. After about 40 minutes of fight, Pritchard said his swordfish finally surfaced and jumped out of the water. “When we got to see it, the boys (Pritchard’s son and friends) got real excited,” Pritchard said. “They were jumping up and down and they were just beyond excited.” But it didn’t end there. Pritchard’s fish jumped out of the water twice more, including one time where it literally attacked the boat. “It was trying to kill
something,” Pritchard said. Finally, after a two-hourand-45-minute fight, Pritchard had the swordfish next to the boat, and it said it took five grown men to pull it onto the boat. “You just try to get that fish in the boat as fast as you can,” Pritchard said. “It has fought itself to a point where it’s probably not going to live. They’re going to be really stunned and shocked, and as much as it’s come up and down the water column, it’s kinda thrown them all out of whack.” On Pritchard’s crew was
his son, Brayden, and family friends, Owen Wilson, Bryan Wilson, Bradley Bolan and Barry Bolan, as well as two captains, Marvel and Andy Cook. But because Pritchard actually reeled in the swordfish, it’s his name that will go in the record book. “It’s a total group effort, though, and a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time,” Pritchard said. “(The captain) has to know where to go – it’s his coordinates, his research and everything that he puts in – and then it’s up to the angler to catch the fish once you get it hooked.”
Submitted / The Outlook
Alexander City’s 8U All-Star team placed second at the state tournament on Sunday. Team members included, front row, from left, Jesse Worthy, Cade Coleman, Charlie Lumpkin, Will Calhoun, Dayton Lankert, Jamichael Greer, CJ Young, Cash Sassano, Pat Neese, Carter Neese, Eli Long; back row, coaches Mark Worthy, Chad Calhoun, Wesley Coleman and Scott Meachem.
Alex City 8U takes 2nd at state By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After a flawless day in pool play at the state tournament, Alexander City’s 8U All-Star team had a fine performance in the elimination bracket, taking second overall. The 8U team was invited to the Southwest Regional, which features teams from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and more. Beginning July 12, the regional tournament will be held in Spanish Fort. “It’s a reward for the work the players and kids have done this past year,” Alex City coach Wesley Coleman said. “It’s
pretty incredible with how far we’ve come in the last year and I give all the credit to the players and the families. (Going to regionals) is going to be a good experience.” Alex City entered the elimination tournament as the No. 1 seed out of its pool, and used a strong team effort to get there. Coleman said Carter Neece and CJ Young both had strong hitting days, but “it was pretty much someone different every game.” Starting Sunday’s action with a 19-5 defeat of Brewton, Alex City went toeto-toe with Semmes in the semifinal. After a back-and-forth game, Alex City was down two runs going into the bottom
of the sixth. They loaded up the bases with no outs before Neese came through with a bases-clearing walk-off hit to send Alex City to the championship. Things didn’t end so well for Alex City, which was defeated by Daphne, 20-4 in the title game. But Coleman said the final score was not indicative of the game at all. In the third inning, Alex City actually led 3-2, but Daphne scooped up a 6-3 lead heading into the sixth inning before things snowballed on Alex City. “I hated that it ended the way it did for us,” Coleman said. “We ran out of gas, and it just kinda fell apart on us, but that was not the tale of the game.”
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
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Cory Ozment / mintphtography.net
COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER Crowds gathered by the thousands to celebrate the July 4 holiday all across the Lake Martin area
Mitch Sneed and Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Fans, including Kaydence Bryan, left with her Kona Ice, turned out for fireworks and music at Alexander City Celebrates Freedom, while th Russell Marine July 4th Boat Parade was also a bit hit.
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Down Home, Down The Street PRICES GOOD JULY 5 THRU JULY 11 , 2 0 17 We Now Offer... ALEXANDER CITY • 61 JEFFERSON STREET OFFICE (256) 234-3454
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USDA SELECT BEEF BONELESS
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USDA INSPECTED SPIRAL SLICED SMOKED HAM PORTIONS LB.
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USDA INSPECTED FRESH CENTER CUT PORK CHOPS VALUE PACK
$ 49
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JUMBO VALUE PACK
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SANDWICH MEATS..............1-LB. PKG. ASSORTED VARIETIES HILLSHIRE FARMS
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¢
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LIBBY’S SLICED, CHUNK OR CRUSHED
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APPLES.......................... ..........................LB. LB. FRESH EXPRESS VEGGIE LOVERS (11 OZ. ) OR HEARTS OF ROMAINE (9 OZ. )
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POTATOES................. .................8-LB. 8-LB. BAG
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5 PEACHES, PLUMS
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COKE & UCTS COKE PRODUCTS
2
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FUN KITS WITH DRINK.................10.9-12 OZ.
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122
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SANDERSON FARMS FRESH CHICKEN WINGS
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MINUTE MAID SPARKLING
88¢ 12-OZ. BTLS. POWERADE................................ 1/2-LTR. BTLS.
ASSORTED YOPLAIT
ASSORTED CLOROX
..................................................55-64 OZ. BTLS.
ASSORTED FANTA, BARQS, MINUTE MAID &
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