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City set to begin mosquito spraying By MITCH SNEED Editor
With an abundance of rain recently in the Lake Martin area, officials are aware that it can leave behind standing water – a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. That’s why Alexander City is gearing up to start its mosquito abatement program and plan to have the sprayer truck rolling next week. “We have been getting ready and we have all the chemicals in and ready to go,” Alexander City Public Works Director and City Engineer Gerard Brewer said. “Traditionally we start it the week after Memorial Day, so plans are to start hitting the neighborhoods Monday evening.”
Last summer after money for spraying was cut due to budget constraints, public outcry prompted the council that was in office at the time to restore $26,061 to get the program active. Since the city is still operating under that budget, the program is ready to begin. That is good news for area residents. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, mosquitoes are vectors for diseases, which means they can transmit diseases from one human or animal to another. The mosquito population is hard to control, and they often develop resistance to insecticides,
TIMELY TRADITION
MainStreet thanks Wells Fargo for clock restoration By MITCH SNEED Editor
Earlier this spring work to make an Alexander City landmark operational again was completed and the massive 6-foot clock that adorns the front façade of the Wells Fargo Bank downtown is again keeping perfect time. On Thursday, the leaders of MainStreet Alexander City said thank you to a man who bird-dogged the project and made sure that it got done. MainStreet’s Larkin Radney, Stephanie Smith, Richard Wagoner, Breanna Smith and Larry Whatley presented Wells Fargo Area President Tommy Solomon and the staff at Wells Fargo a framed picture of the clock as a token of their appreciation. “We were glad to get it done,” Solomon said. “It took a little longer than expected but we’re a big company and with everything you do there is process it has to go through. “Alexander City is my hometown, so this was important to me.” The clock had been out of commission for almost three years. Rather than a simple process of repairing a gear or a spring or two, the entire mechanism See CLOCK • Page 3
File / The Outlook
Tommy ‘Bull’ Hardman checks on the sprayer last year as he got ready to See MOSQUITO • Page 3 begin last summer’s Alexander City mosiquito spraying program.
United Way is launching summer reading program By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
To help keep elementary-aged students active both mentally and physically during the month of June, the United Way is launching their annual summer reading initiative on Wednesday, June 7. The weekly program will be held at Stephens Elementary School every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, and will be open to children from kindergarten to fifth grade. The theme for this year’s program is ‘Story Laboratory,’ with each week’s presentation focusing on various scientific aspects, according to Lake Martin Area United Way Executive Director Sharon Fuller. Special guests will include magician David See READING • Page 3
Miss Tallapoosa County pageant planned to raise funds for arts, scholarships By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Main Street’s Breanna Smith, Richard Wagoner, Larry Tuggle and Larkin Radney talk with Wells Fargo Area President Tommy Solomon outside the downtown bank where a historic clock was refurbished earlier this spring. MainStreet officials officially thanked Wells Fargo for bringing the downtown landmark back to life Thursday morning.
The first annual Miss Tallapoosa County beauty pageant will be held on July 27 at the Dadeville High School auditorium. This event will be the initial fundraiser for a planned non-profit organization that is looking to provide scholarships to students interested in the fine arts. Growing up in the strong arts community of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, there was a program that assisted students in attending a summer arts camp or receiving private tutoring which she felt was highly beneficial, said Dadeville High School teacher Ashley Gresko, who has also been spearheading the planning for the pageant. See PAGEANT • Page 3
Forgotten Alabama photos an intriguing sight at Dadeville Kiwanis Meeting By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Author and photographer Glenn Wills presented some of his work, Forgotten Alabama, during Thursday’s weekly meeting of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club. A handful of photos from locations all across the state that have been abandoned to the passage of time were displayed on screen as he told the story of many of these locations. The initial idea for this project began in 2007 as he was driving down Highway 280 between Childersburg
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locations going. In order to effectively map out interesting locations to photograph, he sat down in the summer of 2013, divided the state into 13 sections and examined each section on Google Maps, marking places he thought would be good to document. He pulled up the map he had made, showing the state covered in markers, with between 2,500 and 3,000 locations noted. In his two books, Forgotten Alabama and More Forgotten Alabama, Wills chronicled such diverse locations as a
garage with tri-fold doors in Dothan, the last remaining structure of the Camp Opelika prisoner of war camp from World War II, the childhood home of Rosa Parks, the Boaz Outlet Center, the railroad depot in Wadley and Tucker’s Pharmacy in Camp Hill. Several attendees purchased copies of his books he had brought with him, while others asked questions, wondering if Wills had heard of Donald Campbell / The Outlook or visited certain locations around the state. He was also Author and photographer Glenn Wills talks about his Forgottten Alabama project at Thursday’s See FORGOTTEN • Page 3 Dadeville Kiwanis Club meeting.
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and Sylacauga. “I looked, and there was this rusted 1957 Chevy Bel Air on top of the hill,” he said. “I pulled over to take a look and there was about 30-40 acres of all these old, rusted cars.” Some of these cars dated back to the early 1920s, and none were newer than the late 1960s, according to Wills. However, it was not until he discovered an old Shell gas station in Chelsea that was demolished before he could photograph it that really got his desire to photograph these
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Directory 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
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
Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Advertising Sales, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com
Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
How to Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by Submit e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more Obituaries or information, call (256) 234-4281.
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DEAR ABBY: I am 21 and about to graduate from college. I have lived at home these last four years partly because my dad didn’t want me to go away. He never said it, but he made up reasons to make me stay at home. I was 17 and being manipulated and controlled. I tried to explain to him that I wanted to go away to learn independence, but he said I wasn’t mature enough. Now that I am about to graduate, I have been offered a job with a company in California. I am afraid to tell my parents about the news. I know that it’s my life, but my father is a master of psychological manipulation. I want to finally get away from my parents’ strict controlling and financial strings and start a stress-free life of my own. How do I explain this without them manipulating me all over again? -- SOON TO BE A COLLEGE GRADUATE DEAR GRADUATE: First,
DEAR ABBY Advice
make up your mind that you ARE leaving. When you tell them, be sure to say how grateful you are for the love and support they have given you, but that you have been offered a job in the field for which you have studied and are now wellprepared enough to fly on your own. Set a date to leave and do not allow yourself to be dissuaded, whether because of a guilt trip or any other manipulation. I’m not saying it will be emotionally easy, but for your own sake, you must do it. DEAR ABBY: I have a single daughter in her early 30s. She’s
active in her church, goes out with friends and spends time with family. She’s very attractive and has a wonderful personality. Her siblings, cousins and friends are all married and most of them have children. She wants her own family and has tried the usual dating sites, but never gets any results. I try to keep her spirits up. Her happiness is most important to me, not her marital status. How can I help her? I don’t want to keep telling her the right one will come along when she wants a boyfriend now. -- SINGLE GIRL’S MOM IN GEORGIA DEAR MOM: Your daughter should start by asking her siblings, cousins and friends why they think she’s still single when she wants so much to be married. Could the solution be something as simple as tweaking her profile? It may be that she needs to expand her interests and activities so she’ll
Mr. Robert Lamar Wilder 1959 - 2017 Visitation for Mr. Robert Lamar Wilder, 58, of Goodwater, Alabama, will be Friday, June 2, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Wilder passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at his residence. He was born on May 15, 1959 in Macon County Georgia, to B.W. Wilder and Mary B. Leveritt. Mr. Wilder was a Master Electrician for over 25 years. He loved his family and spending time with them. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda Sue Wilder of Goodwater; daughter, Tiffany Michelle Wilder;
Mr. Michael Coggins Funeral Service for Mr. Michael Coggins, 57 will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at Jacksons Gap Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Horton and Rev. Miles Crockett, officiating. The family will receive friends at Wright’s Funeral Home, Friday, June 2 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Michael passed May 31, 2017 at the Bethany House in Auburn, surrounded by family. He was born on September 14, 1959 to Gerald Coggins and Marie Lazenby. He had a GREAT love for old cars. Michael is survived by his wife Rachel Coggins; two
son, Robert Lucas Wilder (Zoey); step-son, Cody Jones; step-grandchild, Trace Jones; sister, Brenda Foster; brothers, Richard Wilder and Kenneth Wilder; nephews, Anthony Wilder and Michael Garavallia; and niece, Ashley Caldwell. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family will accept potted plants only. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
daughters Christy Coggins and April Young; two sons Christopher Coggins and Austin Alvis; two step children JJ Cobb and Brittney Chestnut; five sisters Dianne Harrelson, Kathy Coggins, Robin Kleinfelter, Ginger McGinty, and Janice Foster; one brother James Day and his mother Marie Day; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Momma/Grandmother; Flossie Coggins, Father Gerald Coggins, Grandfather Virgil Coggins and one brother Tommy Day. Professional Service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.
Segrest chosen to lead Rebel Pride in upcoming season By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Reeltown High School’s Emily Segrest has been chosen as the 2017-18 drum major. Segrest will lead the Rebel Pride marching band as they prepare for the upcoming season. “I’m very excited,” Segrest said. “I have wanted to be a drum major since I was in the fifth grade. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity.” Segrest was born and raised in Reeltown and she has attended Reeltown schools since kindergarten. Segrest says past drum majors, such as Emily Pearson, were a great inspiration to her and she is grateful to fill those shoes. “I watched my drum major during her senior year,” she said. “She helped me a lot and she taught me a lot. She really encouraged me to be the drum major this year.” During her time off she enjoys spending time with her family. “I help my mother sometimes or I will help my brother if he needs it,” Segrest said. “I just help out when I can.” When she isn’t helping family, Segrest enjoys outdoor activities.
Submitted / The Outlook
Emily Segrest of Reeltown High School is the 2017-18 drum major.
“I like going to lake, riding four-wheelers, fishing and just hanging out with my friends and family,” she said. Segrest will be working under the leadership of band director Tyler Strickland. Strickland is entering his fifth year at RHS. “Mr. Strickland is an awesome band director,” she said. “I love him very
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be out in the community more than she is. If her friends and co-workers aren’t already aware, she should ask if they know someone nice who’s unattached. Who knows? One of them might have a cousin. Professional organizations having to do with her field of employment can also be fertile ground for prospecting. People who are visible and passionate about the activities they’re involved in attract positive attention, which increases the likelihood of meeting someone eligible, or meeting someone who knows someone. When all is said and done, finding Mr. Right is usually a matter of luck and timing.
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said. According to Segrest, this summer will be very busy for her. She will spend most of her free time preparing for the upcoming season. “I have to go to drum major camp in two weeks,” she said. “After that I am going to work on my music to prepare for band camp.”
Friday, June 2, 2017
Clock had to be replaced with wiring run to a power source. The work was handled by Birmingham’s American Lighting and while Solomon didn’t get into the price, he said it was worth it. “I love the things that are happening in the downtown Alexander City area,” Solomon said. “While banks in downtown areas are becoming more rare, we love this building and being here. It’s a great building with tons of space and the clock is a landmark. It was important for us to get it done.” Radney praised the bank and Solomon for working with Main Street to make sure that the clock was preserved. “I’ve lived here my
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whole life and that clock has been here the whole time,” Radney said. “It’s great to have partners like Tommy and Wells Fargo who share that appreciation of history and what it means to Alexander City.” Despite having two walking historians like Wagoner and Tuggle there, neither knew exactly how long the clock had been on the outside of the building. Pictures from the 1940’s of the building when it was Alexander City Bank show the clock, but older historic images show that there was once a window there. “I don’t know of anyone who knows for sure when it was put in,” Wagner said. “That tells you right there that it has Mitch Sneed / The Outlook outlived most of the folks MainStreet officials officially thanked Wells Fargo for bringing the downtown landmark back to life Thursday morning. in town.”
Mosquito
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making the containment and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases difficult. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Alabama Department of Public Health statistics show that already this calendar year the department has investigated
106 complaints with six confirmed cases where mosquito-borne illnesses were confirmed. Three of those cases were the Zika virus, with one case of Malaria, one of Chikunguna and one of Dengue fever. Brewer said that while spraying helps kill some mosquitoes, residents can help too by removing potential breeding areas around homes.
“Mosquitoes need very little water to breed, so anything that could allow water to collect should be removed,” Brewer said. “Old tires are one of the world’s worst for mosquitoes to breed in. Containers in your yard, buckets, wheel barrows and stopped up gutters can all collect enough water for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Eliminating that water will do
wonders to cut down on mosquitoes.” For a complete checklist of ways to help cut down on the threat of mosquitoes visit http://adph.org/mosquito/assets/ MosquitoInspectionChecklistResidents. pdf
Reading Floyd with his Science and Magic show, the Auburn Science in Motion team, Magic Debbie and her Weird and Wacky Science Show and the Bricks 4 Kidz robotic Lego program. “We’ll be having our kickoff on June 7, and it will run every Wednesday for the four Wednesdays in June,” Fuller said. “From 9 to 10:30 a.m., we’ll have the program. Following that, the children will break up into groups and rotate through several stations, including story time with community readers,
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visiting our mobile library and getting outside.” In addition to these activities, lunch will also be provided for participating children. What makes this year’s summer reading program even more exciting for participants is the fact they will not have to worry about returning any books they check out from the mobile library. Though Fuller recommended that each week, a child only select two or three books to take with them, they would be allowed to keep the volumes they select.
“One of the groups from Leadership Lake Martin, as their service project, held a book drive,” Fuller said. “They collected over 22,000 books for us. The children will be able to keep the books they pick out, we have so many.” Ensuring that children select titles that are ageappropriate, the mobile library will be divided into several sections, providing participants with choices that best suit their respective reading levels. Registered participants will be given a reading log that will allow them to
track the books they read, as well as the amount of time they spent reading. At the end of program, the children who read the most will be recognized. Fuller also said that those participants who are also taking part in the summer reading program with the Russell Library will be allowed to count those books towards the United Way program as well. “We just want the kids to be reading,” she said. To fully participate in the United Way summer reading program, parents will need to fill out a reg-
istration form, which can be obtained at the United Way office or Stephens Elementary School prior to June 7. These forms can also be filled out at the kick-off event. For those children attending through a daycare or a group like the Boys & Girls Club, registration forms will go through them. Though a child must be registered in order to fully participate, the events themselves are open, with any child allowed to attend. However, those attending the program, but not with a daycare or
Pageant “This is not a college scholarship,” she said. “It’s designed for students to attend summer programs or take private lessons. It will give them the chance to be successful and grow their talents.” Ideally, students from both the Tallapoosa County and Alexander City school systems would be eligible for these scholarships, detailing how the funds would be used during the application process, according to Gresko. She felt that the impact made by providing these summer scholarships could be great. The initial thoughts about holding this pageant began in November, but it was only within the last two months or so that everything really started to materialize, Gresko said. With this being the first Miss Tallapoosa County pageant, the money raised will be primarily going towards attorney’s fees and other costs related with setting up a nonprofit organization, as well as actually obtaining nonprofit status. Once the non-profit organization gets up and running, and the Miss Tallapoosa County pag-
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other such group must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. “Right now, we have over 300 children registered to participate,” Fuller said. With so many children ready and eager to go, Fuller said that the program needs volunteers to assist each Wednesday. Those interested in volunteering can contact the United Way office, she said.
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eant has established itself, Gresko said that there will be additional fundraisers set up to further support this program. Pageant contestants will be grouped into two divisions, junior (ages 0-9) and senior (ages 10 and up), further broken down into smaller age groups. These categories range from Baby Miss (contestants less than one year old) up to Ms. (women ages 25 and up). The two required events are Formal and Fun Fashion. The formal aspect will be more traditional, with contestants wearing evening gowns and similar attire, while the fun fashion category allows participants to dress up in an outfit they feel best encapsulates their personality, according to Gresko. In addition, contestants may also choose to take part in any of four optional categories: Talent, Photogenic, Sweetheart and People’s Choice. For the talent portion, contestants will have three minutes to perform on stage. Those taking part in the photogenic contest must submit photos when registering, which will be judged and then returned
to the participants. To win the sweetheart competition, a contestant must collect signatures and donations for the organization, and entries to the people’s choice category must provide a voting box, which will be placed in the lobby, where the audience can submit their votes. “I would love to have 100 contestants participating,” Gresko said. “I feel that, as a contestant, it’s not as much fun to compete against a small field. I want everyone to have a good experience.” She also said that this would be an open pageant, with registration open to any female interested in taking part. “Anyone who wants to come and support Tallapoosa County arts is fine by me,” she said. For those wanting to participate in the first ever Miss Tallapoosa County beauty pageant, the entrance fee is $75 per participant, which covers all of the required aspects of the pageant. An additional fee will be added for participants also taking part in the photogenic and talent portions of the pageant. If sisters are entering the pageant together, all
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asked if he was going to continue suggesting that the work begun in documenting these places throughout Forgotten Alabama may never truly be done. Alabama. “It’s an ongoing project,” he replied,
additional entries after the first will cost $60. The deadline to sign up is July 7. A link to the registration form can be found on the Miss Tallapoosa County Pageant Facebook page, while hard copies can be found at Harbor Learning Academy in Alexander City and Little Lambs and Ivy Day School in Dadeville. All band directors in the county have copies, or anyone interested can e-mail misstallapoosacounty@gmail.com for applications. “If any businesses want to carry hard copies, I will
be happy to drop some off for them,” Gresko said. “Anyone who wants to sponsor the pageant can contact me.” On the day of the pageant, admission will be
$10 for adults and $5 for children and students. “If our community can rally behind this, it will mean that much more,” Gresko said.
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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Opinion
Our View
Hot weather is M upon us, so take precautions
T
he calendar may still say that the start of summer is a few weeks away, but even with the showers we’ve had it’s still hot and muggy outside. While temperatures haven’t hit triple digits just yet, the mid-90s with 90 percent humidity is brutal enough. While most of us have air conditioning to help us cope, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind folks that heat can be dangerous. The safety group Kid and Cars says more than 700 U.S. children have died from heat in cars since 1990. That’s too many. One is too many. If you leave your car on a day like yesterday and you’re traveling with a child, take the child with you. Make it a habit. The potential for tragedy simply isn’t worth the gamble. With pets, while you may love your pet, if you’re traveling somewhere where you might need to leave your pet in the car, it’s best to just leave the pet at home. Pets are particularly vulnerable to the deadly temperatures that can occur inside cars in late spring and summer weather. You should also make it a habit to check on elderly friends and family members during extremely hot weather. And take care of yourself. The Mayo Clinic lists a number of precautions everyone should take to guard against heat stroke: • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. • Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself, so wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen outdoors. • Drink plenty of fluids. Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate more. • Take extra precautions with certain medications that may affect your ability to hydrate. • Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a shady spot or indoors. So while the sun’s beating down, we hope you’ll heed this advice from experts. We want you, your children and Fido around for the rest of the summer.
Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Kay Ivey
Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and Luther Strange his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com. Mark Tuggle His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334Tom Whatley 242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
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Trouble teaches us faith
y wife has had some medical issues the past few months and that has thrown me into a new role in our home. I’ve had to assume some of the basic domestic chores, a job for which I’m very ill suited. Being the rugged outdoor he-man type of guy that I am this has really tested my abilities to adapt and overcome. I believe I could wrestle a bear and come out better than taking care of a house. The first obstacle to conquer was the washing machine. This is a diabolic mechanical device designed to eat, discolor and destroy clothes. I quickly learned that colored clothes aren’t washed in hot water. This lesson was demonstrated by all the new color combinations that resulted from this experience. Also, you never add a cup of bleach just to help out. Oh well, some of those clothes were getting a little snug, anyway. While we’re on the subject of snug I ought to mention the washer’s soul mate, the dryer. I learned quickly that everything is not to be dried on high heat for an hour. My granddaughters now have clothes for their doll collection. That sucker will shirk clothes faster that my bank account right after payday. I’m not even going to mention how that monster eats socks. My next challenge was
All of these troubles will soon be over because I think we are going to starve to death - I am not a cook. Between frostbite from the freezer and hot pans from the oven I have DR. GERALD no finger prints left, and those HALLMARK simple instructions about the Columnist microwave are totally bogus. the vacuum cleaner. This is a It’s to the point where I’m no simple looking outfit that kids longer sure if it’s the illness or can operate, or so I thought. No my cooking that has my wife one told me about those brushes down. My favorite meal has on the bottom that throws become “take out”. Every reseverything into the suction tube. taurant in town is now on my So far I’ve eaten the corners speed dial and I know the folks off of three rugs, a whole bath by their first name. mat and the end of my pointer In spite of these calamities finger. Plus I took it a part to God is good and has been with empty its little holder and now us every step of the way. Our can’t get the blasted thing back journey may have hit a bump in together. Note to reader: turn the road, but we are still moving the machine off before you take forward in faith. The illness is it a part that’s when it got my improving, friends and family finger! have loved us and my domestic Oh, least I forget let me skills are getting slightly better. share some critical information Romans 8:28 reminds us that all about the dish washer. These things are working for the good things are cruel and unforgiving of them that love the Lord. So, when it comes to soap. Never, being a positive witness in the I repeat, never put regular dish- midst of troubles is a priority for washing soap in a dishwasher! us because we know God has us It was only after I mopped up in His hands. a hundred gallons of soap suds Final note: there is no way did my sweet wife tell me there you can fold a fitted sheet! was a special detergent under the sink for that beast. Soap Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a bubbles came out of every oriretired minister and a regular fice that thing possessed. I now columnist for the Outlook. His have the cleanest kitchen floor column appears here each in the county. Friday.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Today’s
Quote
“A synonym is a word you use when you can’t spell the word you first thought of.” — Burt Bacharach
Today’s
Scripture “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” —Romans 6:1
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Beware of distracted drivers this summer
A
s you hit the roadways this summer, here’s a safety tip to keep in mind: Beware of distracted drivers. According to, Distraction. gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, this involves “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” Distractions include everything from eating and drinking to using a navigation system to adjusting a stereo - or worse. When I lived in Washington, D.C., I saw people do some nutty things on the Beltway most mornings: applying makeup, working on computers, participating in video-phone conferences in which, I imagine, political types were concocting new strategies to fleece the American taxpayer. The most dangerous distraction, however, continues to be texting because it “requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver.” And, boy, is texting a problem. According to the CTIA Wireless Association, Americans had sent nearly 170 billion text messages as of 2014 - and many did so while behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the percentage of drivers text messaging or visibly manipulating handheld devices increased from 1.7 percent in 2013 to 2.2 percent in 2014. NHTSA also reported that since 2007, young drivers, ages 16 to 24, have been observed manipulating electronic devices
diverts your eyes from the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. The fact is people are not good at multitasking while drivTOM PURCELL ing certainly not good at using Columnist their cellphones while driving. at much higher rates than older You’d think it would be drivers - in part because older simple common sense – that divers don’t know how to work people would know better than their newfangled gadgets. to try to text and drive or take In any event, National cellphone calls while they’re Occupant Protection Use roaring down a highway at a Surveys found out that at any high rate of speed – but that given moment during the isn’t the case. day, approximately 660,000 You’d think there would American drivers are using be no need for new laws and cellphones to talk, text or use penalties to punish and prevent apps while they are driving - a distracted driving, but, unfortunumber that has held steady nately, there is. since 2010. Every day, newspaper headAnd cellphone use is causing lines feature tragedies that 1.6 million crashes each year, involve texting drivers - and the according to the National Safety subsequent manslaughter lawCouncil. The council also suits that many of these texting reported nearly 330,000 injuries drivers are facing. occur each year from accidents And that is why many people caused by texting while driving - people like me who are otherand that 1 out of every 4 car wise wary of our government accidents in the United States is - agree that state and local govcaused by texting and driving. ernments need to crack down Which means we drivers hard on this matter until a thickneed to knock of it off. headed public finally grasps the Look, how many studies do seriousness of cellphone use we have to do to finally realize while driving. how dangerous cellphone use is So be careful when you hit in our cars? the roadways this summer Carnegie Mellon University careful to avoid a still growing found that talking on a cellnumber of distracted American phone reduces activity in the drivers. brain’s parietal lobe by 37 percent – and probably reduces Tom Purcell, author of the parietal lobe in men by 74 “Misadventures of a 1970’s percent, since we men generally Childhood” and “Wicked Is use only half a brain anyway. the Whiskey,” is a Pittsburgh Here’s another troubling Tribune-Review humor columfinding: According to the nist and is nationally syndicated Virginia Tech Transportation exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Institute, texting while driving Inc.
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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Local education briefs Local students make honors lists at Jacksonville State More than 1,600 students made the President’s or Dean’s List at Jacksonville State University in spring 2017, including the following students from our area: • Lindsey B. Chavers of Alexander City: Dean’s List • Bryant Lowell Horn of Alexander City: President’s List • Kemily Anne VanHouten of Alexander City: Dean’s List • Jennifer Nicole Tapley of Alexander City: President’s List • Nekedra Swain of Goodwater: Dean’s List • Corley W. Woods of Kellyton: Dean’s List • LaCresha Ann Griffin of Kellyton: Dean’s List • Brooklyn Bette Floyd of Dadeville: Dean’s List To be named to the President’s List, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 GPA while attending full-time. Full-time students earning a GPA of 3.5-3.99 are named to the Deans’ List of their respective schools. Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, JSU offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Troy awards diploma to local students Troy University is proud to announce students who completed the requirements for graduation during the spring 2017 semester at the Troy Campus. Local residents who graduated include: • Kathryn Gray of Kellyton, Bachelor of Science • Jimmy Haddox of Dadeville, Bachelor of Science • Megan Brown of Equality, Master of Science in Nursing Troy University is a public, historic, international university with more than 145,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while working adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City as well as at locations around the world and online.
Hoppenjan graduates from Georgia College Steven Hoppenjan from Alexander City graduated from Georgia College in May 2017 with a Health & Human Performance degree. Georgia College, the state’s designated public liberal arts university, combines the educational experience expected at esteemed private liberal arts colleges with the affordability of public higher education.
Four area students on Troy’s Spring Chancellor’s List Troy University is pleased to announce students who have been named to the Chancellor’s List for the spring semester and Term 4 of the 2016/2017 academic year. Full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0 qualify for the Chancellor’s List. Local residents who made the list include: • Jimmy Haddox of Dadeville • Shelley Macon of Alexander City • Jalynn Price of Goodwater • Alexandria Russell of Alexander City The spring semester includes students at the Troy, Ala., campus. Term 4 includes students at TROY’s campuses in Dothan, Phenix City and Montgomery, Ala., along with locations outside of Alabama and online.
Three local students graduate from JSU More than 700 students received degrees at Jacksonville State University’s spring 2017 commencement on April 28. Graduates from your coverage area include: • Shannon Benefield of Alexander City, AL - MSE in Instructional Leadership • Tamara D. Russell of Goodwater, AL - BSN in Nursing • Tori B. Taylor of Camp Hill, AL - BA in Communication JSU President John M. Beehler presented graduates their degrees during three ceremonies, accompanied by Provost Rebecca O. Turner and Vice Provost Joe Walsh.
Matt Smith named to Dean’s List at Berry Matt Smith of Goodwater was named to the Spring 2017 Dean’s List at Berry College. The Dean’s List honors students who posted an academic average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale while carrying a class load of at least 12 hours during the semester. Berry College is recognized nationally for the quality and value of its educational experience. College leaders from across the country chose Berry as the nation’s number one “Up-And-Coming” liberal arts college, according to recent U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alabama Sheriff’s Girls Ranch Director Jimmy Harmon speaks to the Alexander City Kiwanis Club about life at the ranch and how they help girls with a troubled past lead productive lives.
Alabama Power ready for 2017 hurricane season STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Start of season also good time for customers to review their storm plans With the 2017 hurricane season fast approaching, Alabama Power employees are prepared to respond, if and when they are needed. Alabama Power customers also should make sure they are ready for the potential of severe storms this summer. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center say there’s the potential for an above-normal hurricane season this year. They predict a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and up to four could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher), NOAA officials said. An average season produces 12 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes and three becoming major hurricanes. Of course, it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for people in the path of that storm, say hurricane researchers at Colorado State University. They say residents in coastal communities should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. Every year, Alabama Power reviews historical data and scientific models as it updates its hurricane plans. Company teams also test their storm plans by conducting drills. Alabama Power employees across the state have reviewed storm plans and have updated the company’s emergency operating procedures. “Our major storm response plans are based on scale,” said Steve Kirkham, Distribution general manager for the company’s Mobile Division. “We can ramp up or ramp down our response to meet the respective threat, while working safely and efficiently to restore service to our customers.” As hurricane season begins, Alabama Power customers should review their storm plans in case of a weather emergency. Here are some safety tips for hurricane season: Before a hurricane strikes: • Build an emergency kit, including flashlights, batteries and a first-aid kit
• Keep cellphones and electronic devices charged • Have a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food on hand • Make a family communications plan • Learn community hurricane evacuation routes. Determine where your family would meet and how you would get there. • Cover your home’s windows and reinforce garage doors. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection. Otherwise, board up windows with 5/8-inch exterior grade or marine plywood. • Make sure trees and shrubs around the home are well-trimmed. • Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc. • Keep a battery-operated weather radio to stay informed • Turn down the thermostat to keep your home cool as long as possible During a hurricane: • Seek shelter inside a sturdy building. In a tornado, the safest place is on the lowest level, in a room with no windows. Make sure pets are safe. • Turn off propane tanks. • Stay tuned to the radio for updates. After the storm: • Drive only if necessary and don’t cross-flooded roads • Avoid damaged trees • Stay away from downed or hanging power lines. If you see a downed line, call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-APCO (2726). • Check your property for gas leaks or structural damage. Take photos for insurance purposes. • Avoid climbing on debris, as it may be unsafe or harbor dangerous wildlife • Be cautious about cutting or removing large limbs. Check that electrical wires are not hidden in the brush. • Check food for spoilage and check tap water for contamination For more tips, visit the National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness Week 2017 website at https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricanepreparedness. Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides affordable, reliable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more at www. alabamapower.com.
Friday, June 2, 2017
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CommunityCalendar SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Today is
June 2, 2017 Today’s Events
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
VBS KICKOFF: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting a vacation Bible school kickoff June 2 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The “Galactic Starveyors VBS Kickoff” will have glow in the dark games, making smores over an open fire pit and checking out constellations.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: River Road Baptist Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School June 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 3 through 11 years old. Children will be studying Galactic Starveyors. MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night June 2. Soul Surfer will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
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Today’s Birthdays
Larry Wilson, Patricia Jones, Charlotte Allen, June Thrower, Ximenia Price, Jean Morway, Mort Thurman, Willie F. Brooks Jr., Danny Searcy, Ann Paul and Tara Jackson are celebrating birthdays today.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
Today’s Anniversaries
Rev. and Mrs. Bobby Ned Duck are celebrating their anniversary today.
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org
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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 IN-HOME CARE SERVICES
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The FFA Club at Benjamin Russell High School qualified several students for state competotion after oitstanding performances at District FFA Competitions. One of those teams was the he Horse Judging team consisting of Jayde Trapp, Trinity Young and Kelly Frazer.
June 2-3
YARD SALE: Marshall Street Church is hosting a yard sale Friday June 2 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday June 3 from 6 a.m. to noon with a bake sale and biscuits on Saturday only. All proceeds will be going to the church building fund.
June 3
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: New Style Baptist Church on Coosa County Road 20 in Equality will be hosting a leadership summit June 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Topics include “The Importance of a Prayer Life,” “Church Etiquette” and “How to be an Effective Leader.” Speakers are Mrs. Pam Jones, Mrs Johnny Walton and Rev. Chris Spivey of Walnut Grove, Mississippi. Lunch will be served. INTRO TO SAILING: The Dixie Sailing Club is hosting its annual Intro to Sailing class June 3 starting at 10 a.m. at the Dixie Sailing Club at 767 New Hope Church Road. There will be a chalk talk on sailing basics, a tour of the boat yard, learn to sail and a sail on a member’s boat along with lunch. Attendance is limited is to 60. Contact Keith Bennett at 334-3249383 or email cat221@msn.com to reserve your spot. PASTOR APPRECIATION: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Rev. Edward Milner and Sister Emily Milner Saturday, June 3 at 5 p.m. at the New Adka Education Building at 21 North Thornton Road, Dadeville. Guest Speaker will be Rev. David L. Benton of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Prattville. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: New Elkahatchee Baptist Church is hosting a one-day Vacation Bible School June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All children are welcome.
June 4
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The New Style Baptist Church in Kellyton will be celebrating its 122nd Anniversary Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m. Dinner will be served. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 132nd Church Anniversary on June 4 at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Anthony Pogue, pastor of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church of Opelika. Rev. Roosevelt Gregory is pastor. Everyone is invited. FASHION SHOW: Adams Chapter OES #685 Annual Fashion Gala “An Evening With The Stars” This event will be held on Sunday, June 4 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Cooper Recreation Center. The host will be fashion designer Mr. Lebron Spradley. Featured also will be several groups including Prince Hall OES Members, Mr. Shannon Darby and Dancing Stars of Sylacauga, Men Of Honor, Camp Hill, AL, Sistahs 4 Lyfe, Hair Artists, Designers and much more. Entertainment will be saxophonist Mr. Deitrick Lawson of Montgomery and others. Admission will be $5 at the door only. Vendors are welcome. Portions of the proceeds will go towards our upcoming Back To School Jamboree. Everyone is invited to come out, enjoy and celebrate a night of fashion and entertainment.
MEN AND WOMENS DAY: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church is holding its annual men’s and women’s day Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m. The pastor is Rev. G.H. Pulliam and the guest minister will be Rev. Albert Lewis Sr. of Murray Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Camp Hill.
June 4-7
REVIVAL SERVICES: Comer Memorial Baptist Church at 341 East Church Street is hosting revival services June 4 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and June 5-7 at 6:30 p.m. with evangelist Rev. Jimmy Allen.
June 4-8
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Wayside Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School, Galactic Starveyors, June 4 to June 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly for 3-yearolds to sixth grade. There will be snacks, crafts, games, Bible study and ralley time. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South is hosting Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School June 4-8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 5-7
VACATION BIBLE STUDY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School will be June 5 through June 7 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at New Adka Missionary Baptist Church. The theme will be “the Faith Run On Course with God!” All ages are welcome.
June 5-30
SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM: The Reeltown High School Cafeteria will be June 5-30 with breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Contact Nina Hollingsworth at 256-825-0746
June 5
READING PROGRAM KICKOFF: The kickoff for the Mamie’s Place Children’s Library Summer Reading Program will be June 5 at the Sportplex at 10 a.m. Cowboy Bruce, The Juggler, Miss Kit’s Bubble School, Starshine Faces, AnimalTales, Dr. Magical Ballons, Storytime, movie day, gamer’s club and a teen program with Russell Wright will be there. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SUMMER PROGRAM: The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area will start its summer program June 5 for children ages 5 to 12 with units in Alexander City and Goodwater. Drop off and pick up times are between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per week for the first child, $40 for the second and each additional child is $30. There is also a teen program for children ages 13 to 16 at the Buck Shaw Teen Center. The cost is $25 for one teen. Parents may drop by the administrative office or visit the website at https://bgcoflakemartinare.wixsite. com/bgclma to register.
June 6-8
CHURCH REVIVAL: New Harmony Baptist Church is hosting revival services June 6-8 at 7 p.m.
nightly. Guest speakers will be, Tuesday, Rev. Darrell Jordan of Macedonia Baptist Church in Lafayette, Wednesday, Rev. Jimmy Thomas of Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville and Thursday, Rev. Robert Cadenhead of Macedonia Baptist Church in Gold Hill.
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June 8
MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday June 7, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation. MINISTERS MEETING: There will be a meeting of ministers in the Early Rose District June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss pertinent community issues, violence in the community, grief counseling and other things. Facilitators are Audrey Colvin, Sean Bland, T.C. Coley, David Wyckoff, Michael Ransaw, Frank Walker, Rev. E.L Hunter and Rev. David Russell.
June 9
NIGHT HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a night hike June 9 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. MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night June 9. Mom’s Night Out will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
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June 9-10
CLASS REUNION: The Benjamin Russell High School Class of 1987 is having 30th Reunion Festivities June 9 and 10 in Alexander City. Contact Ben Farrow at farrocb@ auburn.edu for more information. CLASS REUNION: The BRHS Class of 1977 will be celebrating its 40th Reunion June 9 and 10. Friday, June 9 a tent will be set up at Jazz Fest in downtown Alexander City. Saturday, June 10 Jakes restaurant has been reserved. It is $25 for a single or $50 a couple with a cash bar. You can mail a check to Amy Oliver Duncan, 1415 Clubview Drive Alexander City 35010 or pay at the door.
June 10
GOSPEL SINGING: Chosen Annoited will be singing at the Kellyton Revival Center June 10 at 6 p.m. A love offering will be taken. Come out and enjoy some great gospel music. BIRDING PADDLE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a birding paddle on Elkahatchee Creek June 10 at 7:30 a.m. The paddle will start from the Elkahatchee Bridge and go to Wind Creek State Park watching for birds along the way. This is sponsored by the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and Wind Creek State Park. CLASS MEETING: The Laurel High School Class of 1969 will meet at the Cooper Recreation Center Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m.
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Auburn assistant gets top job at Alabama
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
On Thursday morning, Brad Bohannon was named the head baseball coach at The University of Alabama; he was the 2015 American Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America National Assistant Coach of the Year. Bohannon will be formally introduced at a press conference Monday. “As we began the search and studied our successful rosters from the past regional and College World Series Team,” UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said in a release, “it became apparent that we needed our head coach to be very strong in recruiting in the state Alabama, the Southeast and then completing the roster with national recruits. The vision that Brad shared for Alabama baseball matched that recruiting philosophy and couple it with a great coaching pedigree and a commitment to the student-athlete, both as a baseball player and as a well-rounded student.” Bohannon brings 14 years of SEC coaching experience to Alabama. He served as an assistant at Kentucky from 2004-15 and at Auburn from 2016-17. Regarded as one of the top recruiters in the nation, he was responsible for signing 13 Wildcat student-athletes that went on to play professional baseball. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I cannot wait to get started,” Bohannon said. “My goal is to make The University of Alabama the best baseball experience in the country. We’re going to recruit at the highest level, coach and develop our student-athletes and create a positive team culture that ultimately will help us to be successful.” USA Handball takes on Canada in Alabama State Games The USA Men’s Handball Team will play the Canadian National Team in a three-game series June 9-11 as part of the 2017 Alabama State Games. Matches are scheduled for June 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Auburn University’s Student Activities Center, June 10 at 1 p.m. at Northview High School and June 11 from noon to 3 p.m. back at Auburn. “This is a unique opportunity for people to see high level competition of an Olympic sport by two national teams,” said USA Team Handball men’s coach Javier Garcia Cuesta. “We appreciate Canada making the trip for this special event for Alabama.” The Auburn University School of Kinesiology is home to the USA Team Handball Men’s and Women’s National Teams and is a US Olympic Training Site. All matches are free and open to the public.
REELTOWN TRACK IS BACK Rebels find unexpected success in return season By LIZI ARBOGAST Sport Editor
Just a few months ago, all the Reeltown track and field team had to show for itself was three dusty old javelins the Rebels found in the field house. Fast forward to the end of the season, and now Reeltown has a slew of state medals, including a pair of gold championship rings for Eric Shaw and Makevon Hughley. “I never dreamed in the first year that we would have that success,” Rebels coach Alana Garrard said. Garrard, who served as an assistant track coach at Albertville for three seasons, just joined the Reeltown ranks prior to this school year, and only a few days before school started, she was approached by principal Tom Cochran to see if she wanted to bring track and field back to Reeltown. From then, it’s been one set of creative solutions after another to try to build the team from the ground up. Reeltown had a quasi-track team in 2014 but only a few kids participated. “The principal considered it the first year it was declared an official spring sport,” Garrard said. Starting in November, Garrard, with the help of assistant coach Lawrence O’Neal and the overwhelming support of the community and Athletic Director Matt Johnson, set to work. Not only did she have to build a financial foundation, she also had to literally build a track. Reeltown does not have a traditional rubber track; it doesn’t even have a gravel track like Dadeville. “Coach Johnson let us line off lanes on the track, so we had real lanes – they were just grass,” Garrard said. “(Johnson) was super supportive. For the hurdles, we just measured off how far apart they were. The kids didn’t realize running on grass that when we went to an actual track, they thought it was so far. But the resistance of the grass was good for them.” One of Garrard’s more creative strategies was putting together a high jump. Reeltown had the mats, but Garrard had to borrow two metal fence posts and tie a rubber bungee cord between them to mimic the high jump. In addition to holding an apparel sale and a doughnut sale, Garrard said the best fundraiser was simply asking for donations. She received 15 different sponsorships, was donated sand pits for the jumps and received a slew of hurdles from Jackie O’Neal. But what was more surprising than Garrard’s ability to create a team from nothing was the Rebels’ first-year success. After starting the entire team out on a mile-course already mapped out at Reeltown, Garrard and Lawrence O’Neal started to parse kids into events that would work for them. The only events the Rebels didn’t offer this year were pole vault and discus. “I didn’t know what to expect because I didn’t know their sports background,” Garrard said. “But during basketball season, I got a chance to start looking and getting excited for kids who were coming out for track.” Out of 23 competitors, 20 advanced to the AHSAA Class 2A championships, and Shaw won a pair of gold medals and
Submitted / Alabama Runners
Top: Reeltown’s Eryn Wells, left, and Diyanna Newton compete in the 100 hurdles at the AHSAA Class 2A championships in May. Bottom: Raven Parker competes in the 800 at the Hornets Invitational at Beauregard this season. It was Reeltown’s first track & field season in several years.
Hughley climbed atop the podium once. Reeltown’s boys 4x100 team also brought third-place medals home. Garrard also had an endless number of compliments for all of her first-year competitors. “They all did so well; I could name them all,” she said. “I think everybody thought we’d do well, but I think we surpassed some expectations. We had good athletes and their attitudes were great. Even motivation wasn’t a problem. They never came out in the morning saying, ‘I don’t want to run today.’ I asked them to do something, and they did it. It has been a great experience.” With only two seniors lost to graduation, Reeltown’s track and field team should be hanging around for a while. Garrard, who was a special education teacher at the elementary school this year, is moving to the high school next year, which she said should bode well for recruiting. Also, as most coaches know, success breeds success. “Eric and Makevon both got a gold championship ring and when they had that at school, that set some kids on fire,” Garrard said. “Once so many kids started to see that it was good, they started to want to come out, and I’ll find ’em. If they don’t have a spot on baseball or softball, I’m gonna have a spot for them on track.” The Rebels placed sixth in the state in the boys team standings and eighth in the girls, and according to Garrard, the sky is the limit. “I just finished 24 years of teaching, and I told my freshmen I have 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade left,” Garrard said. “I told them I’m not gonna retire until we win state. We know where we need to add, but I think we can win it all.”
Yates Lake BioBlitz documents 250-plus animal species O n numerous trips outdoors, I’ve often wondered about the extent of the flora and fauna in the surrounding areas, but I don’t have the background to identify all the different species. On a recent trip to the Forever Wild Gothard-AWF Yates Lake Wildlife Management Area near Tallassee, Ala., I was among a group of Alabama residents who found out, thanks to the biologists from the Alabama State Lands Division, Auburn University, Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association and interested volunteers. The trip was part of the Yates Lake BioBlitz, an event that scoured the 5,933-acre complex over two days to determine what species of plants and animals were identifiable on the property in the middle of May. Dr. Wayne Barger, a botanist with the State Lands Heritage Section, said the Yates Lake BioBlitz is the second conducted by the division. “Last year we held the event on the Dothan Trail Park Forever Wild
Dam on the eastern side of the property. We have a wide array of habitats where we were hoping to find a variety of different species. There are many common species that we were able to document, like box turtles and pines and several DAVID RAINER species of beetles, things people Columnist don’t normally get out and look for. We’re hoping to find more of the tract,” Barger said. “The event uncommon species that occur here at Yates Lake was organized so as well.” that it was more centrally located More than 120 plant species and we could involve the general were identified, several of special public as citizen scientists. We’re hoping that by inviting, not just the interest. The team also added 25-plus species of lichens and general public, but the professionals from the many different realms fungi to the list. “As far as plant life, we know of biological sciences, that we can that there are a few uncommon discover some species we didn’t species that occur on the property, know were on the tract.” like bay star-vine and croomia,” After all the species of plants Barger said. “On the lake, an and animals were totaled, more than 250 species were documented uncommon floating plant is yelwith the identification of a few spe- low spatterdock (also known as nuphar).” cies continuing. In terms of animal life, Brian “There is a diverse set of habitats at Yates Lake from upland, Holt, a herpetologist with State Lands, said quite a few species drier habitats to mesic drains,” were observed at Yates Lake, Barger said. “And of course, we also have Yates Lake that is located including six-lined racerunners, between Martin Dam and Thurlow loggerhead musk turtles, box
turtles, black racers, smooth earth snakes, ringneck snakes, copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and gray rat snakes. Although they were not observed, snapping turtles and softshell turtles are likely present in the lake. “We found the southeastern fivelined skink, which is an uncommon species,” Holt said. “We also observed a red eft, the juvenile phase of the eastern newt. As for other reptiles, the Yates Lake property is too far north for eastern diamond-backed rattlesnakes, but you could see a pygmy rattlesnake.” Eric Soehren, who manages the State Lands Division’s Wehle Land Conservation Center in Bullock County, took participants on a hike to observe the bird life at Yates. “We conducted the bird survey, both visually and aurally, which is typical in these forested settings,” said Soehren. “Just walking to the creek and back, we documented 27 species, providing a quick snapshot of the species present. We’re just past migration and well into the breeding season now. Typically, you’ll have your resident species
and neotropical breeders that are here right now. The bird diversity is slightly down because the winter species are gone and the migrants have already passed through.” One highlight of the effort was the discovery of a chuck-will’swidow nest. These birds are a member of the nightjar family, which also includes the eastern whip-poor-will. “This is one of those birds that is only active, at least singing, during the dusk and dawn periods or during nights with bright lunar periods,” Soehren said. “The chuck-will’s-widow sounds a little like a whip-poor-will, but it’s a little bigger in size and a little more abundant in this part of Alabama. Many people mistake it for a whippoor-will, but their calls are different. The female we found was incubating two eggs.” For the weekend, the count was 44 bird species documented on the Yates Lake property. David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.