Elmore County Living Spring 2011

Elmore County Living • Spring 2011 1

publisher’smessage

Does February thunderlead to a snowy April?

y grandmother Sumners would be considered acountry girl today. She grew up in a time when ifyou didn’t live downtown, you were from the coun-try. I’m better off because of her upbringing — just

because of the things she told me that helped me become wiserto the world around me.

One of her favorite sayings in winter was “If it thunders inFebruary, it will snow in April.” A lot of times it meant ice orsnow, but it was always amazing to me how accurate the state-ment was.

My brother used that expression with me recently when wewere talking about how great the warm temperatures have beenthe last several weeks. “Don’t forget though, “ he chided, “it

thundered in February ...” I knew what he meant without himexplaining further.

Then, the other day I had lunch with an old friend, SteveForehand, who is the legal counsel for Russell Lands, and whois a devout conservationist. He used the same expression withme. If I hear it again I’ll take back out my winter clothes.

With Easter being so late this year — April 24 — it reallymakes you think about that ole saying, because we have a longtime before April showers bring May flowers. Those Aprilshowers could bring with them some frozen precipitation —and you know what I mean. Let’s just hope it’s not one of thoseSpring snowstorms that drops16 inches of snow.

Kim N. Price is the president of Price Publications, Inc.

M

t looks like spring is finally here. Iknow everyone is ready to packaway their heavy clothing, go out-side and enjoy the phenomenon of

the grass quickly changing from drabbrown to bright green. And, of course,there are more blossoms appearing everyday for all of us to enjoy.

We also hope you enjoy this issue ofElmore County Living and the peopleand places it brings to you.

Several of this quarter’s stories involvecreative area residents. In these pagesyou can meet an aspiring young singer, apotter who produces remarkable piecesdespite her visual limitations and a well-known local artist who has inspiredmany to follow in his footsteps.

You can also take a look at the ambi-

tious plans being put in motion to revi-talize and renew Tallassee’s riverfrontarea. In contrast, you can step back intothe past with a photograph of Tallassee’s70-year-old Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridgewhile it was under construction -- andread a bit about its history.

In addition, let us introduce you to the“Deadutaunts,” a local roller derby team.You can also check out the LeadershipElmore County program -- how itstarted, what it is, who is involved andhow you can participate if it interestsyou.

So dive right in -- we hope you enjoywhat you find!

Peggy Blackburn is managing editorof Price Publications, Inc.

2 Elmore County Living • Spring 2011

editor’snote

I

Spring isin the air


InsideSinging for 4her dream 4

Holtville graduate works to take her love of music

to the next level

Forging county’s 12next leaders 10

Program begins its second decade training

the leaders of tomorrow

Molding beauty, 12sight unseen 16

Lake Jordan woman sears vivid colors despite

her failing sight

Girl 12power 20Working women

take their lumps in roller derby league

30 Passing on24 the gift of artArt teacher’s love of painting shines on in his students

30 A landmark 26 risingPhoto shows Tallassee’sbridge rising above river

30 Lakeside28 lookoutRussell Lands commissions top architect to tailor homefor Lake Martin’s beauty

30 Rehabing a33 hub of historyTallassee plans facelift of historic riverside

Elmore County Living magazine is published by Price Publications, Inc. in conjunction with The Wetumpka Herald, The Eclectic Observer and The Tallassee Tribune. Copyright 2011 by Price Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.

Kim N. Price - President/Publisher David Goodwin - News Editor Christy Cooper - Ad Sales TallasseePeggy Blackburn - Managing Editor Kevin Taylor - Copy Editor Ashley Vice - Multimedia Manager Jane Parker - Assoc. Publisher Jay Goodwin - Operations Manager Griffin Pritchard - Sports Editor Willie Moseley - News EditorShannon Elliott - Ad Manager Lauren Newman - Staff Writer

P.O. Box 99 • 300 Green Street • Wetumpka, AL 36092 • 334-567-7811 Stephanie Weldon - Ad Sales

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Jess Meuse wasn’t yourtypical kid at HoltvilleHigh School.

She wasn’t part of the incrowd.

When most kids went outto party and have a goodtime, Meuse went straighthome to her room where shewould stay for hours.

She wasn’t on the tele-phone talking endlessly tofriends. Her best friend was alittle blue guitar her motherbought her in 2005.

Jess had never played theguitar, but she taught herself.She spent many hours in herroom playing that guitar untilher mother told her to go tobed.

Music was always a part ofJess’ life, but it soon becameher life.

“I’ve always known thatmusic is what I’ve wanted todo,” said Meuse, who gradu-ated from Holtville High in2008. “I was always reallyfocused on it.

“I was an outcast in highschool. I would go home andplay music. I never went outand partied. I was in myroom playing my little guitar.I don’t know, I guess I’m aweirdo.”

Now a student at UAB,Meuse continues to keep herfocus on her music.

As soon as she gets out ofclass a quick jam session is

apt to break out.“I would be jamming out-

side and would be asked if Iwanted to play here orthere,” she said.

But performing didn’tcome naturally for her.

The first time Meuse per-formed in front of an audi-ence was at 12 years oldduring a talent show at a pri-vate Florida Catholic school.

“I cried and covered my

face,” she recalled. “I was soscared and then I laughed atmyself afterward.”

Since then, performing infront of small or largecrowds has become almostsecond nature.

“I’m getting to the point


ByKevin Taylor

Holtvillesinger turnsher passioninto a career

Singing for her dream


when I want to get up on stage andmake people happy,” she said.“Now, I’m just going for it.”

In between an impromptu jamsession at a coffee house or on thelawns of UAB, Meuse has per-formed at the Alabama NationalFair, local Mardi Gras parades andWetumpka Brown Bag lunches.

“I’ve made a lot of friendseverywhere I’ve gone, and it’s re-ally fun,” she said.

So where does her calling formusic come from?

Meuse said she doesn’t know.“It’s always been a part of my

life,” the 20-year-old said. “It’s theone thing that’s very consistent inmy life. It’s how I cope with reallife situations and it makes peoplehappy and inspires people.”

Who is her biggest fan?Her mother, Sheila, of course.“She’s the strongest person I

know,” she said. “She’d told me somany times not to say if. I knowshe believes in me.”

What kind of music inspiresMeuse?

Jess Meuse performs music

from her new CD.

PHOTO BYKEVIN TAYLOR

“I listen to all kinds of music,” shesaid. “I like listening to groups fromColdplay to performers like Sara Evans.

“I listen to heavy metal when I’mcranky, hip hop when I feel like dancingor country when I’m feeling low.”

And who does she pattern her musicafter?

Meuse said she doesn’t have one par-ticular person or group she tried to emu-late.

“When I sing I’m just singing,” shesaid. “I’ve been told I sound like StevieNix. I don’t try to sound like her, butthat’s a good person to sound like.”

Her musical ability has a wide range,too. She can perform Lady Gaga to “thesaddest country song.”

Meuse continues to play in various lo-cations around Elmore County andthroughout the state.

And she’s even tried out for AmericanIdol in Atlanta in 2009.

It didn’t go so well.“They told me to my face that I don’t

have what it takes,” she said.Meuse recently sent in an audition

tape to America’s Got Talent and has notheard a peep.

“I even auditioned for the talent showat UAB, and they declined me,” shesaid.

But it has not stopped her from per-forming.

“It just pushes me and makes methink, ‘OK, I’ll make it my own way,’”she added.

Since then, Meuse has started to comeinto her own.

In October 2010 she performed in aStars of Alabama Showcase where shemet local music producer Tony Buenger.

“We just started talking music, andthen we started working together,” shesaid. “It’s amazing how much I’ve im-proved since the showcase.”

In February, Meuse and Buengerbegan working in the studio to put to-gether her first album, which is expectedto be released in mid-March.

“I can’t wait to have it done,” shesaid. “I’m excited to hear what otherpeople think about my music.”

Buenger, who owns and operatesGuest House Studios in Eclectic, said hewas surprised on how much Meuse im-proved just in the few weeks he workedwith her in the studio while recording

her songs.“Over time her vo-

cals have really im-proved, and she’smuch more disci-plined to the pointwhere she knowswhere to fit hervocals in hersongs,” he said.

While Meusedoes sing covermusic, she alsohas written anumber of songs herself.

“As a songwriter she’s really well es-tablished,” Buenger added. “Her lyricsare so powerful because you know theycome from her heart and soul.”

Through the bumps along the way and

the many hours on the road, Meuse hastaken life as a musicianin stride.

She’s also learned it’snot as simple as it maylook.

“There are so manypeople out there trying toget famous,” she said.“I’ve learned that it takestime and you can’t be dis-tracted. You have to want itand go do it.”

Through strong supportfrom her mother and friends,there’s no question Meuse

wants it.“I can’t wait till that day when I put

on those shows,” she said. “I’m gonnado the best I can to make people happy.”


Jess Meuse lays down vocal tracks for her new CD at Guest House Studios in Eclectic.CONTRIBUTED PHOTO


Leadership Elmore County will soongraduate its 10th class, with its mem-bers joining the more than 150 alumni

of previous years’ classes. The program edu-cates participants about the Elmore Countycommunity and local issues, promotes net-working, encourages vol-unteerism, identifiesopportunities for com-munity involvement andmuch more.

Organizers and partici-pants are enthusiastic about the benefits ofthe endeavor.

“I think LEC is one of the most importantcooperative programs for our county,” saidMarilee Tankersley, executive director ofLeadership Elmore County.

“One benefit of LEC is that most of theclasses have representation from all of thecommunities in Elmore County and as theyget to know each other, they get to know thecommunities that everyone is from,” saidKimberly Adams, a 2007 graduate. “LEChighlights the entire county — good and bad— but what you find is that the class devel-ops a bond so they take pride in the good anddevelop a sense of dedication to fix what isbad, no matter where it is.”

And Adams has first-hand experience ofseveral local communities. She grew up inMillbrook, lived in Wallsboro (just north ofWetumpka) for four years and has lived inTallassee since 2005.

ByPeggyBlackburn

LearningTO

LEADProgram enters 10thyear forgingfuture leaders

Kim Adams, a 2007 Leadership Elmore County graduate, leads a session during the 2011class curriculum. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


“The class becomes in-spired to improve theircounty, not just their com-munity,” said Adams.

Charles Rowe of Titus isa member of the LECclass of 2008.

“I have the highest re-gard for LEC and expectto make contributions to itas long as God will permitme to do so,” said Rowe.“My respect and apprecia-tion of the program couldallow me to go on and onin praise of it.”

Leadership ElmoreCounty is a combined ven-ture of the Millbook, Tal-lassee and Wetumpkachambers of commerceand the Elmore County Co-operative Extension System.Each year’s course consistsof nine sessions -- one eachmonth from Septemberthrough May. Every class de-cides on a group project aspart of their Leadership ex-

perience.“The steering committee

met in 2000 to start a pro-gram in September 2001,”said Tankersley. “The firstclass was filled with 20members and started our tra-dition of working together.

“The first class came up

with the idea for the ElmoreCounty Economic Develop-ment Authority,” she said.“They convinced the sevenmunicipalities, the countycommission, school boardand chambers to work to-gether to try to bring indus-try, retail, jobs and tourism to

Elmore County.“Many have tried to

claim credit for putting theidea together, but I can as-sure you it was a joint ef-fort of the class members,”Tankersley said. “Four orfive members wrote theplan, others helped sell itand others helped pro-mote. Later, a handful ofLEC members worked onfunding.”

The Elmore CountyFood Pantry, support forthe Humane Society of El-more County, implementa-tion of the Dolly PartonImagination Library andseveral other projects havebeen introduced as LEC

class projects. The initiative developed by

the current class is a “Teach-ers’ Closet” intended to pro-vide supplies to facultymembers at the county’s pub-lic schools.

Adams said she decided to

2011 Leadership Elmore County members Joel Hunt, Daniel Thompson and BrianSims listen as a Neptune employee explains a portion of the plant’s manufacturingprocess. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


enroll in Leadership Elmore Countyafter hearing about the program fromfriends who were alumni and enthusias-tic about it.

“Also, it sounded like a great way tomeet community leaders from differentbackgrounds while learning more aboutthe county I grew up in,” she said.

Rowe said he heard about the pro-gram through a notice in The WetumpkaHerald.

“I immediately recognized this as anopportunity to improve my exposure toElmore County and also as a way ofgiving back,” he said. “Life and my sur-roundings have given to me more than Iever expect to give back. Thus I amheavy into civic affairs in order to eventhe score as much as possible.”

“I decided to participate in LEC be-cause I wanted to learn more about El-more County and see how I could helpto improve it,” said Laurie Rygiel of Tal-lassee, a member of the current class.

Angela Allen of Millbrook, anothermember of the 2011 class, said she de-cided to apply because of a friend’s pos-itive comments.

“Cecelia Ball had participated in LEC

and had only good things to say aboutthe experience, so I decided to partici-pate this year,” said Allen.

Tankersley said the original steeringcommittee decided the program wouldassist in informing participants about is-sues and needs in the area.

“It has helped individuals grow in thisawareness and helped build alliances

between agencies,” she said. “It hashelped prevent duplication of effortsand identified people who could help.”

Graduates said they benefited fromthe program in various ways.

“Any and all exposure and benefitsI’ve gained will benefit anyone I amblessed to have contact with in the pres-ent and future,” said Rowe. “Leadership

Joey Scarborough of Milstead Farms explains to 2011 LEC class members how a cotton gin operates. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


makes available to each class memberthe equipping and opportunity to be animproved and more effective citizen.Progress demands new and fresh leader-ship be given by volunteers -- which isthe base and backbone of America -- ona daily basis.”

“It was an eye-opening experience forme to find out that you don’t know asmuch about your county as you thinkyou did,” Adams said. “Additionally,when your entire leadership experiencehas been within your company and youare able to interact with communityleaders from other diverse backgroundsyou learn more about your own leader-ship style.

“It reaffirms your positive attributesand it allows you to share your experi-ences with others, but it also challengesyou to define your own weaknesses andhelps you to work on improvement inthose areas,” she added. “That’s thebeauty of working on the class project -- seeing different leadership stylesemerge and learning to work witheveryone’s style while creating a projectthat will benefit your county.”

Rygiel said she has already reaped re-wards from the course, although she isonly two-thirds of the way through.

“I have met people and seen places Ifeel I would not have -- for example theAlabama Nature Center in Millbrook,”she said. “And as a business owner Ihave had the opportunity to get its nameout there more in other parts of ElmoreCounty.”

Allen said she has also benefited.“I am learning a great deal about all

aspects of Elmore County,” she said. “Ithas been very informative and I have

enjoyed getting to know others in theclass.”

Many graduates of the LEC programcontinue to be involved with it longafter they complete their class.

“I served on the LEC board from2007-2010 and I still chair one of thenine sessions,” said Adams. “It’s part ofmy commitment to make sure that LECcontinues to be a valuable resource forpeople who want to learn more aboutElmore County and use LEC as a vehi-cle to serve their community.”

Rowe said he also continues his par-ticipation.

“The motivations to continue to beactive with LEC are many-fold,” hesaid. “The reward of seeing each classmember each year as they learn moreabout themselves as well as others theymeet and activities in Elmore County isa joy and reward on its own.”

Allen said she thinks LEC is positivefor participants and the communities inElmore County.

“LEC increases our awareness of thebenefits of living in Elmore County,”she said. “It also makes us aware of theneeds of our communities and how wemight get more involved in them.”

Rygiel encouraged others to participate

“Every communityneeds informed leaders who can getthings done.”

-- Marilee Tankersley

2011 class members Nicole Johnson,Pam Johnson and Susan Gill, left, listenduring a recent visit to a cotton gin. Agri-culture and Industries CommissionerJohn McMillan spoke to the current classin February.

PHOTOS BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


if they have the chance.“I have told other people

about LEC and how theyshould take this opportunityif it arises for them,” said Ry-giel. “I am a firm believer ifeach of us puts forth some-thing in our county it will bea better place.”

Applications to participatein Leadership Elmore Countyare typically due in late Juneor early July, and a limitednumber of participants arechosen each year. Applicantsmust be at least 21 years oldand either live or work in El-more County.

Selection is based on diver-sity of vocation, gender,neighborhood, race and age.Tuition is charged for theprogram, which includes anovernight retreat in Septem-ber. Application can be madefor a partial scholarship. Theapplication form and moregeneral information is avail-able at www.leadershipel-

morecounty.com.Monthly sessions include:

orientation, team building,personality assessment andleadership skills; municipaland county government; his-tory and culture; state gov-ernment; industry, economicdevelopment and agribusi-ness; education; judicial andcriminal justice; military; andhealth and human services.

County leadership pro-grams throughout the stateand country are utilized tohelp citizens understand whatis needed to assist with eco-nomic and community devel-opment. The focus is onteamwork and creating a pos-itive environment for growth.

“Every community needsinformed leaders who can getthings done,” said Tankers-ley. “We have built a networkof people who care and wantto help. I have been honoredto be involved from the be-ginning.”


A beautiful feeling

Potterspins

artworkshe canbarely

see

Robin Rogers’ potterywheel sits by a win-dow in a corner of her

basement studio, overlookinga rustic slough on Lake Jor-dan.

Her deck, and often herplaying grandchildren, is inthe foreground. Beyond thatare her flowers, and the oaksand sweetgums. Beyond that,the water.

“Sometimes I sit here anddon’t know what to do withthis hunk of clay,” she said.“But it’ll go round and roundand round, and I’ll look out at

the lake andthe flowers.Something al-ways comes tome.”

Rogers islegally blind. One eye regis-ters heavily blurred images;the other is only light-sensi-tive.

“I can’t completely seewhat’s out there,” she said,while sitting at her potterywheel overlooking Lake Jor-dan. “But I know it’s thereand that it’s beautiful.”

She started making pottery

as her eyesight faded becauseof a degenerative disordercalled Stargardt’s.

“I had to have something todo with my hands and mybrain,” she said.

She chose pottery because“it’s a lot about feel.”

But, she said, the “qualitycontrol is not always sogood.”

“The main problem is thatif I have crack in a piece, Imay not know about it until acustomer points it out,” shesaid.

But Rogers said she loves

Pottery artist Robin Rogers spins a pot in her studio overlooking Lake Jordan. Legally blind, Rogers uses herfingers to coax beauty from the clay, then adds brilliant colors in the glazing process. PHOTOS BY DAVID GOODWIN

ByDavidGoodwin


everything she’s created, “especiallythe cracked pieces, because those arethe only ones I get to keep.”

Tables and shelves around thehouse are lined with her brilliantlycolored clay artwork. A vase sparklesfrom a shelf above a stairway; shelifts it to show there’s no bottom. Alamp appears to be a molded box.

“But the box wouldn’t open when Iwas done with it, so it got to be alamp, instead.”

Rogers’ love of pottery began witha colorful vase given as a weddingpresent when she married her husbandSteve in 1970. She always loved it,and in the late 80s, decided to try herhand at recreating the colors she soadored.

Rogers still has her first effort, asquat tan-colored little pot she shapedand fired in 1989.

She’s sold an extensive line of an-gels, with simple shapes and irrides-cent shimmery lustres. EachChristmas has its own angel. Someare tall, others are chubby and short.Their heads may be adorned with atraditional halo, or flow with slenderstrands of hair. Each has a name likePraise or Victory.

Victory, she said, was the angel shecrafted while battling breast cancer,though she said “that was no big dealat all.”

Using the Japanese rakutechnique to create intricatecolors in the tiles and basin,Robin Rogers, at left, createdthe backsplash and lavatoryfor the master bathroom inher Lake Jordan home. Because most of her piecesare for sale, Rogers’ collec-tion at home consists mostlyof cracked or otherwise im-perfect pieces, “becausethose are the only ones I getto keep,” she said.

PHOTOS BY DAVID GOODWIN


But, she said, “I’m tryingnot to focus as much on theangels right now.”

A friend recommended hermost recent sales phenome-non. After seeinga simple yetevocative littleNativity scene,she calledRogers and toldher about it.

“And they soldlike crazy,” shesaid.

“Raku” potteryis Rogers’ cur-rent passion. Theraku process fo-cuses on creatingbrilliant colors inthe multi-step firing process.

Pieces are removed from thekiln when they are still red-hot, and placed in a “reductionchamber” -- actually an alu-minum garbage can -- withcombustible materials likecardboard or newspaper. Asthe smoke fills the chamber

around each piece, it createsalways-changing glaze effectsthat sear into the piece.

One technique she’s workedwith uses horse hair. She takes

a piece out usingspecial tongs atthe “bisque”stage, around1,100 degrees,and lays trim-mings from ahorse’s tail acrossit. It createsswirling darkbrown patterns asthe hair burnsaway on the blis-tering hot vase.

“It squiggles upand makes it look

like marble,” she said. Different people have been

saving horse hair for her.Rogers prefers hair from thetail, she said, because “it’smore corse and works better.

“How anybody thought ofdoing that, I can’t imagine,”she said.

Robin Rogers’s simple Nativity scene, above, was a big hit during theholidays. In the reduction phase of her “raku” pottery process, horsehair is seared into a red-hot piece to create a marble effect, inset.

PHOTO BY DAVID GOODWIN

They come from differ-ent walks of life. Somehave established ca-

reers, some are mothers andsome just have a mean streak.

“A lot of us do this as exam-ples — to our daughters, toour family and to other peo-ple — that women are capa-ble of beingathletes,” saidJohnna Scott,president ofthe River Re-gion Roller-girls, also an artist and amother of three. “Women ofall shapes and sizes can doamazing things.”

Roller Derby has returned.But this isn’t the rock’em,sock’em, clock’em sport ofthe 1970s and early ‘80s.

This version of roller derbyis more tame.

“There’s almost a finesse toit,” said Charles Boyer (whogoes by the rink name Five-Oh!). “There is definitely alot more strategy involved inthe way you score points thanin the older derbies.”

Teams line up with two rac-ers in front (pivots), that con-trol the speed of the laps,blockers in the middle andtwo jammers in the back.

Points are scored after thefirst lap as jammers weavetheir way through the pack.Each opposing player passedby a jammer is worth one

point. Bouts last 60 minutes (two

30-minute halves).“This isn’t like what you

used to see on (cable), wheregirls are forearming eachother or punching each

other’s teeth out,” said Boyer.“It’s very regulated withrules. There’s an extensiverulebook. There are legal andillegal hits. There are legaland illegal formations.”

Kimberly Holman, who

competes under the nameMoonPi, added that skatershave to take and pass a skillstest before they are allowedto compete.

“It’s very extensive,” saidHolman.

Skills vary from the obvious— skating around a rink — tothe subtle — falling front-ward, backward and side-ways, and being able to walkon the skates.

“The girls have to take awritten test as part of theircertification,” said Boyer.“Once they do that, then theycan officially start practic-ing.”

According to Scott, whocompetes under the nameLeMasta Shake, the RiverRegion Rollergirls came to beafter an earlier league failedto come together.

“There was a previousleague (Bells and Bomb-shells) and it split, the RiverRegion Rollergirls formed asa result of it.”

News of the new teamspread primarily throughword-of-mouth.

“You can sit and watch it orknow without a shadow of adoubt that you want to get outthere and do it,” said Scott. “Iknew I belonged on the rink.”

It also spread via open re-cruitment.

“I came to an open-recruit-ment night with bands and


Rollerrush

Alicia Bohannon (Studabake) collides with Lyra Stephens (Fiend Club)during River Region Rollergirls practice. PHOTO BY GRIFFIN PRITCHARD

Local ladiesenjoy actionof rollerderby league

ByGriffinPritchard


fell in love and have beenhere ever since,” said MadamGuillotine, who asked to keepher identity private. “I’vebeen here since they started. Ilove it. I love to skate. Andthese girls are so great.”

Before competing, thewomen are ranked in one ofthree skill levels.

“First you have maggot;you pass a test and you be-come fresh meat, and youpass another test and you area rollergirl,” said KaelinWebb, who skates under thename Delirium.

The squad held its fist com-petition Feb. 27 — an Ala-bama/Auburn fan showdownat Looney’s Skating Rink onMontgomery’s south side.

“We’ve got Burn City(Auburn) and Tragic City(Birmingham) coming in toscrimmage with us,” saidHeather Wilson, who skatesunder the name Zelda Fist-gerald.

“We are going to divide theteams into Alabama fans andAuburn fans and competeagainst each other.”

For the two establishedsquads, it’s a simple workout.For the up-and-comers fromthe River Region, it’s a tasteof things to come.

The River Region Roller-girls will actually start com-peting in April with a roadtrip to South Carolina.

The squad will return homein May to face a squad fromRome, Ga.

In June, the Rollergirls willtravel to Auburn to face Burn

City.“We are still going through

the process of making ourschedule set,” said Boyer.“Typically teams bout everymonth. This is an amatuerleague. Nobody has sponsorsand if they don’t they don’tpay that much. Teams don’ttravel far. Most of our bigbouts are going to be within150 miles. So we can keep afan base that travels.”

So the question remains —why derby?

“It was something I didwhen I was in college atBirmingham,” said Holman.“I went to a couple of derbybouts. When I started work-ing in Montgomery I was in-vited to a couple of practicesand fell in love.”

With competition as thefocus, the group also servesas a way to bring differentpeople together.

“You have all walks of lifeout here,” said Webb.

The River RegionRollergirls get readyfor practice atLooney’s.

PHOTO BY GRIFFINPRITCHARD


“This is a chance to meetnew people,” said SheilaKnight, who competes underthe name Bloody Merry.

Passion and experience aretwo different things.

The roster is filled with girlspassionate about the up-and-coming sport. However, ex-perience is limited.

“I was with another teamand (team captain) Lyra(Stephens) told me about theteam in Montgomery,” saidWilliams. “I came to practiceand have been competingever since.”

Along with having a meanstreak, one of the require-ments to being a rollergirl ishaving a good derby name.

Boyer chose Five-Oh! be-cause he used to be an offi-cial.

Williams chose Zelda Fist-gerald because she’s a musicfan.

“I chose ‘LeMasta Shake’because my maiden name is

LeMasta and one of my fa-vorite cartoon characters isGrandMaster Shake fromAquateen Hunger Force,”said Scott with a laugh.

Holman chose MoonPi be-cause she’s a self-describedmath nerd.

“I needed cute things to go

with Pi (her jersey sports themathematical sign Pi as hernumber),” said Holman.

For Guillotine, she chose ahistorical reference for hername.

“Madam Deficit was MarieAntoinette’s name becauseshe was running up a huge

deficit in France,” said Guil-lotine. “Guillotine soundsmore intimidating thandeficit.”

But the team is also filledwith names like Studebake,who partners with Scott to beShake-n-Bake.

“She’s the founder of this,”

“It’s a lot ofworkingwomen, mostlymothers. It’s a lifestyleand a sisterhood,”said teammember AliciaBohannon.

PHOTO BY GRIFFIN PRITCHARD


said Alicia Bohannon (Studebake).“This is a lot of fun. It’s a lot of workingwomen, mostly mothers. It’s a lifestyleand a sisterhood. We are all different,and I don’t think we’d ever be the soror-ity girl-type. We have a little edge tous.”

Webb chose the name Delirium afterreading a graphic novel. Her jerseynumber is a question mark.

“I got involved in this when it firststarted,” said Webb, who is a graphic de-signer by trade. “I was with Bells andBombshells and wanted to continuecompeting. I love it. I can’t think of any-thing better to do.”

Knight has been in the Air Force for 14years.

“I just thought the name was cool,”said Knight.

Like any sport, competing in a rollerderby brings with it a potential for in-jury.

“I’ve had several hip injuries,” saidScott. “You can get rinkrash (from slid-ing on the floor) and bruised shins. Butat least I have all of my teeth. But I’mstill pretty new, too.”

Webb is coming off a knee injury.

“I tore my PCL and my ACL and wasout for two months,” said Webb. “I did itin June and had to sit and watch myteam derby without me.”

Knight added that her only injury todate was shin splints.

“But I play through them.”

Bohannon added that to competeyou’ve got to have guts.

“You’ve got to have determination andendurance to compete,” said Bohannon.“There’s a lot of commitment involved.You have to maintain your conditioningall the way through.”

With the first official match set forApril, the focus right now is practice.

“Scrimmage, scrimmage, scrimmage,”said Scott. “We are going to be block-ing, taking hits, falling correctly. We aregoing to do as much as we can to learnto play the sport as safely as possible.We have to learn all the different handsignals and learn to communicate as ateam. The thing that is so cool aboutderby is that it challenges your body andyour mind. It’s really exciting.”

That excitment has filtered down toScott’s children.

“My 3-year-old wants to impress me,”said Scott. “He comes up to me and goes‘Roller Derby — want to go.’ My oldestdaughter thinks I’m Superwoman. Shethinks this is awesome and wants to doit. The younger sister has already boughtskates and gear. This is something thathijacks my entire life.”

The “Dead-utants” take a breather during prac-tice at Looney’s Skating Rink in Montgomery.

PHOTO BY GRIFFIN PRITCHARD


Making masterpieces

Bobby Carr is the king. His throneis a worn, wooden stool next to awide window that lets the light in

just right on his canvas. An artist formore than 50 years, Carr’s work is asrecognizable in Alabama as the namesof his many successful students: SteveGarst, Butch Gantt and Lissa Ledbetter.

“He’s the king,” said Garst, whose ac-colades include signature status in the

International Society ofAcrylic Painters and ac-ceptance into the 2011 Ala-bama Wildlife FederationFlora and Fauna Show.

As an educator and men-tor to many Elmore County artists Carrhas touched lives and encouraged ca-reers in a wide range of the arts. But itisn’t just his vast knowledge, years ofexperience and expert instruction that

colleaguesappreciate,it’s his bodyof work.

Carrworks in oil,pastel andwatercolor,and oftenpaints fromhis own pho-tographs. Hesaid captur-ing a stillmoment isoften impor-

tant in portraits and landscapes.“The light and the weather change so

quickly,” he said, adding that the photo-

graphs are paired with work he does atthe scene and his own memory of theimage. “The hardest thing is not gettingwhat you aim for.”

His inspiration, Carr said, comes fromimpressionist painters like Renoir.“When I was in school I did a lot of ab-stract painting, but I’ve tended more to-ward the impressionist painting.”

Despite the increased pressure whenpainting portraits, Carr said they trulybring him joy. “It’s just interesting topaint people, and it’s more fun to do itcausally than commissioned work,” hesaid.

The trick, he said, is to get the personto relax and forget that they’re having aportrait done.

Carr has won numerous awards in El-more County and Prattville art shows;His work can be viewed in public andprivate collections throughout the stateincluding locally, like at the WetumpkaLibrary, Elmore County Art Guild,Adams Drug Store, the WetumpkaDepot Theatre and Beautiful Day Arts indowntown Wetumpka.

When asked why he got into art, Carrhesitated.

“I wonder that myself,” he said. “It’ssomething that you just have to do.”

He enjoyed drawing as a child, andhad cousins who produced artwork thatinspired him, but Carr’s true commit-ment to art came only after years prac-ticing another vocation.

Carr refined hisgift by sharingit with others

Artist Bobby Carr shared his love of painting with Wetumpka High students for 11 years. The experience, Ca

ByAshleyVice

In 1966 he graduated fromAuburn University with a bache-lor’s degree in art education. Carrtook the position of art instructorat Wetumpka High School shortlyafter. For 11 years, Carr taught artat WHS. “I didn’t realize the effectI had on students until later years,”he said. “I would have kept teach-ing longer if I’d known about thepositive effect I had.”

His decade of contribution to thearts in education was enough tospur numerous artists onto awardsand professional careers.Throughout his teaching careerCarr remained a student himself,earning a bachelor’s degree from

New York’s Malden Bridge Schoolof Art under portrait artist BettyWarren. He also studied water-color and pottery at Laguna BeachSchool of Art in California.

Carr even learned from teaching.“You learn a lot from teaching—from your own students,” he said.“It was amazing the things thatstudents could get done by doingjust a little every day.”

So, his first piece of advice toaspiring artists is to paint fre-quently. “I try to paint a little,spend an hour or two in the studioevery day,” he said.

Carr said he’s never encouragedanyone to go into art to make a liv-ing.

“It’s so hard,” he said. “I wouldencourage anyone to do what theylove, but with art you really haveto love it and make sacrifices forit.”

Without his own teachers, fromhigh school through college andbeyond, Carr said he would neverhave been this successful.

“Find a good teacher,” he ad-vised. “Study work that’s like whatyou want to paint.”

In addition to a lifetime of study,Carr said the support of others, es-pecially his wife, Jerri, hasbrought him this far. “She’s en-couraged me, but she’s also acritic,” he said. They have been

married for more than 50 years. Even with experience, education

and support, Carr says the workcan still be frustrating.

“You get more enjoyment from afinished piece than from oneyou’re working on,” he said. “Alot of times you struggle with whatyou’re trying to do or say.”

Despite the struggles and frus-tration; Carr’s body of workspeaks clearly from piece to pieceof the joy he finds in his subjects,whether portrait or landscape andthe process of recording them oncanvas.


e, Carr said, made him a better artist.PHOTO BY ASHLEY VICE


Tallassee’s Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge in June

1940, during its construction. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO


For more than 70 years,Tallassee’s signatureBenjamin Fitzpatrick

Bridge, has spanned the Tal-lapoosa River and connectedthe eastern and western sec-tions of the city. The bridgeopened Dec. 10, 1940, with aribbon-cutting ceremony andparade.

“I grew up on Redden Av-enue (in east Tallassee), so Ihad a great view and watchedthe construction every day,”said local historian Bill Goss,who was 10 years old at thetime.

On the day of the dedica-tion, Goss said there was ahuge parade with numerousfloats depicting Tallassee’shistory, marching bands fromaround the area and visitingdignitaries. He said many ofthe floats depicted the historyof the Creek Indians.

“There were beautifulfloats that people my agewould still remember,” hesaid. “All of the businesses inTallassee, like the mill andAlabama Power, had madethem, and they must havespent many hours decoratingthem.

“Everyone was to meet onthe east side, and there wasno traffic,” said Goss. “Dur-ing the ceremony, some 6,000people walked across it, fromeast to west.”

According to a 1940 issueof The Tallassee Tribune,

construction of the bridge in-cluded about 4 millionpounds of steel forged inBirmingham, 27,000 sacks ofAlabama cement, 10,000 tonsof Alabama sand and graveland an estimated 500,000 feetof Alabama timber used inbuilding temporary fixturesand scaffolding.

Prior to the construction ofthe Fitzpatrick Bridge, theroute between the two sec-tions of Tallassee took mo-torists and pedestrians acrossthe privately-owned TallasseeMills railroad bridge, also lo-cated just below ThurlowDam.

The Fitzpatrick Bridge’sconstruction is a steel archtruss style, and is one of threeof that type in Alabama. It isa rare curved version (at 2 1/2degrees), and is 1,738 feetlong. The floor of its roadspan is 140 feet above waterlevel.

It also has a declining gradefrom west to east. The eastend is 30 feet lower than thewest end.

The bridge is named forformer Alabama Gov. Ben-jamin Fitzpatrick, and wasdedicated by his great-grand-daughter, Mrs. C.H. Chich-ester, at the 1940 ceremony.

ByWillie G. Moseley

A landmark in the making

LOOKING BACK TO


When officials withRussell Lands onLake Martin were

looking to have the ultimatelake home designed for TheRidge on Lake Martin, theydidn’t have to look long.

Steve Arnberg, vice presi-dent of sales for RussellLands onLake Martin,said there wasno questionBill Ingramwas the man for the job.

“He’s one of the best archi-tects in the country,” Arnbergsaid. “Bill is known in Birm-ingham for designing some ofthe finer homes there. His de-signs can be found in TheRidge, Willow Point and Tril-lium.”

Ingram took on the task,and The Brim house in El-more County is his creation.

The four-bedroom and four-

ByKevinTaylor

The perfectlake house

Top architect createsa home tailor-made for Lake Martin living

The Brim house was designed by noted architect Bill Ingram, who designed the house specifically for residentsto enjoy the stunning vistas of Lake Martin. RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN


Each room of the Brim house was engineered to take full advantage of the 170 feet of shoreline the $1.25 million home overlooks.RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN


bath lake home sits on just over a halfacre of land and is just less than 3,000square feet in size. The home also hasmore than 170 feet of water frontagecomplete with sea wall and pier.

“This is the quintessential lakehouse,” Arnberg said. “You wouldn’t seethis kind of home in the country or themountains. It is perfectly designed justfor Lake Martin.”

What makes this home, which is of-fered by Russell Lands on Lake Martinat the asking price of $1.25 million, sounique to other homes within The Ridgeis the way it is designed strictly for thepure enjoyment of the lake.

The entrance to the home is found onthe side of the home facing the water,according to Arnberg.

“You go in through a large screened-inporch before you enter the Dutch doorsof the home,” he said.

The inside of the house feels like acabin with the wood walls, wood floorsand exposed wooden joists in the ceil-ing, but has a refined elegance through-out with its cabinetry, countertops andstate of the art appliances.

And unlike most lake homes, guests

are ensured of their privacy whenneeded. All four bedrooms have theirown private bath.

The kitchen, dining room and livingroom are all open to allow guests towalk freely from one room to another.

The large living room is also accentu-ated by a large stone fireplace.

But the attraction of the home remains

the ultimate in lake living.The home has plenty of outdoor living

for everyone to enjoy a fabulous sunriseover Lake Martin.

For more information on this homeand Russell Lands on Lake Martin prop-erties, log on to www.russelllandson-lakemartin.com.

An open floor planlets guests flowfrom kitchen to

living room.RUSSELL LANDS ON

LAKE MARTIN


The home’s interior was designed to feel like a traditional lakeside cabin, but with refined elegance. RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN


The living room features a stone fireplace and a wall of windows featuring stunning views of Lake Martin. RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN


Tallassee to revitalize a hub of historyTallassee was once known as a

bustling mill town. In fact, muchof the town’s early success is

credited to business at the mill.But since it closed in 2005, the mill

has slowly decayed. Roofs caved in,wooden stairs rotted,windows were brokenand the pedestrian bridgewas closed and becameovergrown.

Enter Tom Bolton.Bolton, a developer and president of

Cooper Brothers Construction, came toTallassee with a vision that could revi-talize and revolutionize life in Tallassee.

His proposed riverfront developmentproject, Bolton said, is the kind of un-dertaking he has trained for his entirelife.

And it’s the project Tallassee has beenwanting to come its way for years.

To understand Tallassee’s pride in themill, go back to its heyday.

Developer Tom Bolton discusses plans to revitalize Tallassee’s riverfront with city leaders andcommunity members. PHOTO BY LAUREN NEWMAN

ByLaurenNewman


Local historian Bill Goss worked atthe mill during the summers of 1949 and1950, while he was on break fromclasses at Troy University.

“The supervisors were good and com-petent and cared about their workers,”Goss said. “Everybody worked hard inthose days.”

Goss worked third shift, from 10 p.m.to 6 a.m., sweeping in the card room andbaling yarn in the shipping department.

“Back during that time, there was noair conditioning, no fans,” Goss said.“Workers had to keep the windowsopen. It was very hard work and uncom-fortable compared to today.”

But the mill was responsible for muchof the town’s early development.

“The mill built schools, a library, ashopping center, a theatre and a hospi-tal,” Goss said.

The mill also sponsored a huge Fourthof July celebration. Employees weregiven bonuses and the mill would beclosed for a week.

“Tallassee has always given its citi-zens a foundation for life,” Goss said.“The mill gave citizens a quality of life.I am proud of my mill heritage becauseof the responsibility it taught us.”

After Goss graduated from Troy, heleft Tallassee and returned in 1995.

Even then, 10 years before the millclosed, Goss said Tallassee did not feellike a mill town anymore, with new in-dustries moving into town.

When the mill closed for good in late2005, Goss said, it was already down toaround 300 employees and many peoplehad moved on.

Fast forward to present day. The millis still standing, but it’s in need of a bigdose of TLC.

Goss said Bolton’s riverfront projectis exactly what Tallassee needs.

“It’s the only proposal I think will ma-terialize, and I’m excited about that,”Goss said. “Tom Bolton has put a lot oftime and money in this project whichconvinces me he is serious. I would loveto see the renovation of the mill com-plex.”

Bolton’s proposal for the west side ofthe river includes:

•A hotel and conference center•A riverwalk•Botanical gardens•A restaurant and pub

•Walking and hikingtrails

•An amphitheater •An aviary and bald

eagle overlook •A museum annex of

textile operations•Plenty of parking and

a history walk“This could be the

kind of place to encour-age investment on the(east) side of the river,”Bolton said. “This will

The historic “duck mill” on the Tallapoosa River in Tallassee has slowly deteriorated over thedecades. ABOVE PHOTO BY LAUREN NEWMAN

work.”Funding for the west

side will need to be pro-vided by the city, andBolton estimates be-tween $25-45 million forthe west side.

“Funding will be chal-lenging,” Bolton ac-knowledged, adding therewill be grants and possi-bly sponsorship-typenaming opportunities tolook into. “You’ve got tothink outside the box.”

The east side, Boltonsaid, will be completelyfunded by private in-vestors. However, nothingwill happen on the east sideuntil the west side develops.Bolton’s estimated costs forthe east side are around $65million. The plans for the eastside include:

• Loft apartment housing• restaurants and a pub• Additional shopping and a

boardwalkGoss said Bolton plans to

preserve the mill’s historywith the textile museum. Gosssaid he has been searchinghigh and low for Tallassee ar-tifacts to display in the mu-seum.

“I’m constantly trying to get

people to donate items for themuseum,” Goss said.

He has also found manytreasures by searching Googleand e-Bay, he said.

Goss said hopefully the mu-seum will showcase Tal-lassee’s Creek Indian heritage,textiles from the mill site and

pay homage to the city’srole in the Civil War. Healso is searching for rareprints from a local artist,Dovard Taunton, who isnow deceased.

Bolton said this is thetime for Tallassee toshow everyone the poten-tial it has to be somethinggreat, a place that notonly attracts tourists andpassersby, but also fami-lies who want to settledown and build a life.

“This is restoration,”Bolton said. “This is notdemolition. There’s nomagic here. It’s hard

work. We’re going to savethis town. We’re going tobuild this town’s future.

“The time for Tallassee isnow or never. Not only canyou talk and think and dream,but you can act. If we do halfof what we’re planning, thiscity won’t look the same.”


The pedestrian bridge that spans the Tallapoosa was closed years ago and has beenovertaken by vegetation. PHOTO BY LAUREN NEWMAN


Out andabout at ...

Pearl Harbor remembrance

NewYear’sEve


Grace Bishop memorial celebration

Murder on the Menu


MartinLutherKing Jr.march

HOSA chapter’swomanless

beauty pageant


Wetumpka Impact Crater


Christmas on the Coosa


Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce banquet


Wetumpka DepotPlayers


Tallassee Chamberof Commerce

Driver’s license officeribbon cutting

Jasmine Hill openFridays-Sundays, March 11-June 26; Friday-Saturday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 5p.m.Jasmine Hill Gardens and Out-door Museum, WetumpkaThe 20-acregardens arefilled with col-orful flowers,stone paths,statuary, foun-tains and Greektemple repro-ductions. Ad-missioncharged. Forinformation,call 334-567-6463.

Crappie Mas-ters AlabamaState Champi-onshipMarch 18-19MillbrookParticipantswill fish the Alabama River forthe tournament, AlabamaChampionship and two-dayqualifier for the NationalChampionship. Activities willalso include a VIP fish-off,banquet, seminar and youthfishing tournament. Weigh-insdaily at the Alabama WildlifeFederation, Lanark Pavilion.Fee for participants only. Forinformation, call 334-285-0085.

ANC Fishing DayMarch 20Alabama Nature Center, Mill-brookEnjoy catch and release fishingfor catfish and bream in theupper pond, or bass and breamin the bullfrog pond. A limitednumber of fishing poleswill be available for $2 a dayas well as a limited amount ofbait for a small fee. Admissioncharged. For information, call

Holly Beverley at 334-285-4550.

Town Hall Meeting with Gov. Robert BentleyMarch 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m.Wetumpka Civic Center

Everyone is in-vited to meetGov. Bentleyand hear himtalk about thestate of affairsin Alabama.After his talkthere will bean opportunityto ask ques-tions. Thisevent is hostedby the We-tumpka TEAParty and allcitizens are en-couraged to at-tend. For moreinformation,visit www.WetumpkaTea-

Party.com.

Wetumpka Chamber Quarterly LuncheonMarch 23, 11:30 a.m.Wetumpka Civic CenterFor information and reserva-tions, call the Wetumpka AreaChamber of Commerce at 334-567-4811.

Steak Dinner, $10,000 giveaway and AuctionMarch 27Eclectic Middle SchoolSponsored by the EclecticMiddle School PTSO. Ticketsare $100 for two steak dinnersand a chance to win the grandprize. For information, call theschool at 334-541-2131.

American Legion Post 133Golf Tournament FundraiserMarch 26, 8 a.m. shotgunstartThe Pines, Millbrook

$60 per player includes cart,hot dogs on the turn and posttournament meal. Mulligansand string will be available forpurchase. For information, callNorm Ginther 334-285-9621.

MWB Business Trade Showand Shopping ExtravaganzaMarch 27, 1 to 4 p.m.Wetumpka Civic CenterHosted by the Minority andWomen Owned and ManagedTask Force of the WetumpkaArea Chamber of Commerce.For information, call the cham-ber at 334-567-4811.

Millbrook Community Play-ers: “Anne of Green Gables”March 31, April 1, 2, 7, 8 and9, 7:30 p.m.; April 3 and 9, 2

p.m.Millbrook Community TheatreThis new dramatization cap-tures the charm and excitementof the enduring classic aboutan orphan girl, Anne Shirley,from her first encounter withher austere guardian to herthrilling graduation fromQueen's Academy. For ticketsor more information call 334-782-7317 or visit www.mill-brooktheatre.com.

Brown Bag ConcertsApril 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6,13, 20,and 27, 12 p.m.Gold Star Park, WetumpkaAnnual concert series spon-sored by the Wetumpka AreaChamber of Commerce. Dif-ferent musicians will perform


Mark Your Calendar

Gov. Robert Benley will speak at atown hall meeting in WetumpkaMarch 21.

PHOTO BY DAVID GOODWIN

Brown Bag Concerts at Gold Star Park resume April 1. FILE PHOTO


each Friday. Bring lunch and alawn chair. No admission fee.

Bluegrass JamApril 2 and May 7, 9 a.m. to12 p.m.Alabama River Region ArtsCenter, WetumpkaAll acoustic instruments arewelcome - beginner, intermedi-ate, advanced and listeners.

Santuck Flea MarketApril 2 and May 7; dawn until2 p.m.Area surrounding SantuckBaptist ChurchAn outdoor flea market withmore than 450 booths featuringarts, crafts, antiques, novelties,imports, food and more. Freeadmission to the public withfree parking available. For in-formation on booth rental, call334-567-7400.

Open HouseApril 9Alabama River Region ArtsCenterOpen House with art demon-

strations by regional artists.Try a new art or craft. Watercolor, clay, quilting, crochet,sewing, blacksmithing, woodcarving and more. Free. For in-formation, call 334-578-9485.

RiverfestApril 16, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Downtown Wetumpka

Festival includes arts, crafts,music, food and specialactivities for all ages. Free. Forinformation, call the We-tumpka Area Chamber ofCommerce at 334-567-4811.

French and Indian War En-campmentApril 16-17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park,WetumpkaHistorically correct reenactorswill depict actions during theFrench and Indian War be-tween France and Britain. Thelifeways of French ColonialMarines, British soldiers andCreek Indians are centeredaround the reconstructed

A number of organizations will hold fundraising fishing tournaments as the weather warms.PHOTO BY GRIFFIN PRITCHARD


French Fort Toulouse. For in-formation, visit www.ft-toulousejackson.org

Alabama Nature CenterGeneral Public Weekends April 16-17, May 14-15; Sat-urday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun-day, 1 to 5 p.m.Alabama Nature Center, Mill-brookEnjoy five miles of scenicANC trails while learningabout the natural history ofcentral Alabama. Admissioncharged. For information, call334-285-4550 or visit www.al-abamawildlife.org.

Wetumpka Earth DayApril 23, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.Wetumpka Recycling CenterActivities will include and oldfashioned plant swap, plantcare advice, children’s artshow, free T-shirts to the first50 attendees and a chance todrop off recyclable items.Sponsored by WetumpkaPride. For information, call334-567-5147.

Annual Russell Marine In-Water Boat ShowApril 23-24 and Apr 30-May1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ridge Marina on Lake MartinSee the year’s hottest modelsin boats and personal water-craft at the Southeast’s largestinland, in-water boat show.Free. For information, call256-212-1479 or visitwww.russellmarine.net.

AWF Tri-County Wild GameCook-OffApril 28, 5:30 p.m. untilCapitol Hill Robert TrentJones Golf Trail, PrattvilleThe cook-off provides an op-portunity for AWF members tointeract and for nonmembers tolearn more. It also shows thatresponsible sportsmen properlyutilize the game they harvestand raises funds for AWF pro-grams and projects. Admissioncharged. For information, call800-822-9453 or visit www.al-abamawildlife.org.

Elmore County Historical Society Tour ofHistoric WetumpkaApril 30, 10 a.m.Wetumpka homes and historicsitesAdmission charged. For infor-mation, call 334-567-4811.

Wetumpka Relay for LifeApril 30, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.Hohenberg FieldTeams will set up camp sitesand walk during the 12-hourevent. Also included will be asurvivor walk, luminaries, en-tertainment and more.

Wetumpka Depot Players:“The Sugar Bean Sisters”May 5-7, 12-15, 19-21, 7:30p.m.; May 15, 2 p.m.Wetumpka Depot TheatreAudiences will experience thewonderfully strange world ofThe Sugar Bean Sisters. Thiscomedy of mistaken identity,murder, alien landings, buriedfortunes and spontaneoushuman combustion takes placein a shack in a sugarcane field

just outside of Disney WorldFor information and tickets,call 334-868-1440.

Annual Slapout parade and BarbecueMay 7Downtown SlapoutThe yearly parade begins atHoltville High and travelsthrough downtown. TheHoltville/Slapout VolunteerFire Department will sell bar-becue plates and camp stew.

Charity 3D Shoot for Multiple SclerosisMay 7, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Bennett’s Archery, WetumpkaA family event full of activitieswith celebrity outdoor person-alities on hand. There will be a25-target 3D range. Fee is $15.For information, call 334-730-2846

Derby Day at the StablesMay 7Russell Crossroads on LakeMartinWear Derby Day attire and


watch the Run for the Roses -have fun and participate in abenefit for Children’s Harbor.For information, call 256-212-1479 or visit www.russellland-sonlakemartin.com.

Millbrook Community Players: “Child’s Play”May 12-14, 19-21, 7:30 p.m.;May 15 and 21, 2 p.m.Millbrook Community TheatreThe comedy features MargaretMiller, a self-styled “bar-racuda” literary agent whosenew client, Shane Velasco, starof action films, is expected fordinner and contract negotia-tions. Her routine businessmeeting becomes a comedyplayground. For tickets or in-formation, visit www.mill-brooktheatre.com or call334-782-7317.

Attack on Swayback Mountain Bike Race May 23, race day registrationopens at 7 a.m.Swayback Bridge Trail, We-tumpka

For all ages and abilities. Feefor participants only. Race 8a.m. to 2 p.m. For complete de-tails and registration, visitwww.attackonswayback.com

Memorial Day weekend Con-certMay 29, gates open 5 p.m.;show 7 to 11 p.m.Lake Martin AmphitheaterJoin Russell Lands and friendsfor a lakefront, holiday concert.Admission charged. Ticketsavailable through Ticketmaster,The Adventure Center at Rus-sell Crossroads and at the gate.For information, call 256-329-0835 or visit www.lmat.org.

Compiled by Peggy Blackburn

To submit a calendar item(June through August 2011) forthe Summer 2011 edition of El-more County Living, e-mail in-formation [email protected] no later than April 30. Theedition will be published in lateMay.

Youth baseball starts in communities across Elmore County in April.PHOTO BY DAVID GOODWIN


A LAST LOOK

A yellowjacket gathers pollen from one of the first flowers of spring. PHOTO BY DAVID GOODWIN

Documents

Elmore County Living Spring 2011