Elmore County Living

Elmore County

LivingM A G A Z I N E

SPRING 2012 | COMPLIMENTARY

Elmore County Living • Spring 2012 1

editor’snote

In spring, the county bloomswith beauty and history

find it a little hard to believe, but we’re al-ready more than a month into a new year andspring is already at hand. With the seasoncomes a new issue of Elmore County Living,

and the stories that members of our staff have tooffer.

For many people, blooms and buds are the mostnotable element of spring – and there is no betterplace to enjoy flowering plants than Jasmine HillGardens and Outdoor Museum. Inside you canread about the nearly 85-year-old gardens and seesome of what lies in store for visitors.

You can also catch a glimpse into the life ofcounty resident Morgan Smith, the man whotrained astronauts in survival skills. You’ll alsomeet Geneva Sherrer of Tallassee, for whomBotox was a miracle treatment that alleviated a

crippling speech problem.There is also a story about the county’s 1932

courthouse – along with photos taken during itsconstruction.

And there are more stories waiting for you, butthat’s not all. In these pages, readers will also findphotographs from many of the events in thecounty during the past three months. A compre-hensive calendar of upcoming events will helpreaders plan ahead.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue of El-more County Living and the people and places itbrings to you.

Peggy Blackburn is managing editor of PricePublications, Inc. Her email address isPeggy.Blackburn@ TheWetumpkaHerald.com.

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Inside

Elmore County Living magazine is published by Price Publications, Inc. in conjunction with The Wetumpka Herald, The Eclectic Observer and The Tallassee Tribune. Copyright 2012 by Price Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.

Peggy Blackburn - Managing Editor Kevin Taylor - Copy Editor TallasseeDavid Goodwin - Political Editor Griffin Pritchard - Sports Editor Ashley Vice - Managing Editor Jay Goodwin - Operations Manager Christy Cooper - Ad Sales Willie Moseley - News EditorShannon Elliott - Ad Manager Porsche Ferrell - Classified/Legal Ad Sales Lauren Newman - Staff Writer

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

On the cover - Spring flowers bloom at Jasmine Hill Gardens in Wetumpka. Photo by Peggy Blackburn.

Star Instructor14Area man’s careerincluded teaching

skills to astronauts.

Eighty Years18Going Strong18

Courthouse markseight decades in

downtown Wetumpka.

Getting Folksy 12Man plans exhibit

of extensive folkart collection.

Penciling 16History 16

Sketches capturelife in Tallassee as it once was.

20 Talking MiraclesModern medicine smoothswoman’s broken voice.

22 Secret GardenJasmine Hill is in brilliantbloom for spring.

26 Feature HomeWallsboro house offersrelaxation in the country.

30 Out and AboutImages of Elmore Countyresidents and visitors capturedat events around the area.

38 CalendarA guide to upcoming local events scheduled from mid February through May.

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Volume 4 Number 3

4 Elmore County Living • Spring 2012

ByWillie G. Moseley

Teacherto thestars

By training astronauts to survive in the jungle, Morgan Smith became a

he first man to walk on theMoon counted Morgan Smith asa valued instructor, after the cur-rent Elmore County residenttaught him what to do should his

space capsule crash down in the jungle. But the 1963 jungle survival training,

which Smith led for Neil Armstrong andother space program luminaries like JohnGlenn and Alan Shephard, is just one of alifelong list of accomplishments and expe-rience for Smith, who is now enjoying aquiet retirement in Elmore County.

He had decades of experience teachingthe same course to thousands of peoplefrom numerous countries, and he worked inlocales across the planet.

Born in Orlando, Smith, 86, served inthe Coast Guard in the north Pacific duringWorld War II, and his primary duty on aCoast Guard cutter was to search forenemy submarines that were lurking off thecoast of the U.S.

“They were all around,” he said of thesubmarines. “We had depth charges to dropon them.”

After the war, Smith got his anthropol-ogy degree from Florida State, concentrat-ing on botany and biology. Perhaps

T

Morgan Smith is shown in his living room with his pet German Shepherd, Maya. Photo by Willie G. Moseley


surprisingly, he wasn’t anavid hunter, and he didn’tplan to make military servicea career.

“I could take it or leaveit,” Smith said of hunting. “Iwas in natural history inschool, and everybody in myfamily—my father, motherand brother—were botanists.That was what got me inter-ested about animals andplants. I’d enjoyed my timein the military, and I workedhard at it.”

In his senior year at FSU,Smith directed an archaeo-logical and botanical expedi-tion by that school toPanama, and eventually washeadquartered in centralAmerica as a civilian em-ployee of the Southern AirCommand of the U.S. AirForce. He began developingjungle survival techniques byestablishing cross-culturalrelations with the indigenousChoco Indians. Each year hewould instruct some 2,400people from numerous na-tions in the application ofsurvival techniques in a jun-gle, including diets consistingof such unique foods asheart-of-palm and boa con-strictor meat.

His most famous classconsisted of the first 16 astro-nauts of the United Statesmanned space program. Inaddition to the original sevenMercury astronauts, the sec-ond group of astronauts se-lected, a.k.a. “The NextNine,” underwent Smith’sregimen in the Panama CanalZone in early 1963. Likeclasses before and after them,were compelled to survive inthe jungle for several days.

He later received a letterof appreciation signed by all16 astronauts. The document,as well as a photo of Smithlecturing the space pioneers,is framed and displayed in hisliving room.

Over the decades,Smith establishedtraining programs inother nations inLatin America, andhe also consultedwith Americanforces engaged inthe Vietnam War.He was a technicaladvisor on fourfilms created for theAir Force about sur-vival techniques,and he also workedwith other branchesof the military toupgrade survivaltechniques, impart-ing his knowledge atbases in the U.S.and across theglobe.

Smith was evenfeatured on thegame show “To Tell theTruth” in 1964.

The survival specialisteventually taught at the AirUniversity at Maxwell Air

Force Base in Montgomery,and retired from his job in1981.

Smith continued to be involved with Amazon rain-forest ecology and cultural

research followinghis retirement, andhe was also an activeconsultant workingwith the MontgomeryZoo.

Now a widower,Smith lives high on ahilltop in rural Elmore County,where his compan-ions are a GermanShepherd namedMaya, and a catnamed Barney.

The view of thewoods from his backporch is spectacular.It’s not the steamingjungles of CentralAmerica, the AmazonBasin or southeastAsia, but Smith takespride in the fact thathe has had more

memorable outdoor adven-tures than most people canimagine.

“I’ve been everywhere,”he said with a smile.

Smith, far right, lectures America’s early astronauts during jungle survival training in early 1963. His pupils included famedastronauts like Neil Armstrong, Gus Grissom and Alan Shepard. Photo and letter courtesy of Morgan Smith


Elmore County Living • 7

In the depths of the Great Depression,Elmore County leaders took a step offaith in 1931 and approved construc-

tion of the magnificent county court-house in downtownWetumpka.

In a number of reports,grand juries had com-plained of the conditionand cramped quarters at the previouscourthouse, according to newspaper arti-cles and statements by the Commission-ers’ Court, predecessor to the CountyCommission.

Built in a Greek Renaissance style, itfeatures eight giant fluted columns ofMissouri marble. The interior features a

marble-walled entrance lobby, marblestairs between two Tuscan piers cased insalmon marble, fine balustrades andelaborate plasterwork on the ceilings ofthe second floor. Ornate mahogany gar-nishes every angle of the courtroom,where justice was meted out in ElmoreCounty for almost 70 years.

Construction of the courthouse costjust $275,000, according to countyrecords. Adjusting for inflation, thecourthouse would cost more than $3.5million in 2010 dollars. That doesn’tcount the cost of the marble and othermaterials that may have appreciatedabove the rate of inflation.

“You couldn’t build it for $10 million

now,” Andy Dunn, the courthouse’smaintenance man and unofficial histo-rian, said.

The courthouse was built in justabout a year, using simple block-and-tackles and human muscle to hoist thegiant limestone blocks that make up itsexterior. Limestone for the facade wasordered from Indiana, and the marble forthe interior came from Missouri. Asidefrom decorative mahogany in the court-room and on the stairway, there is nowood in the building, he said. Marbleand terrazo floors are laid with brassspacers that, even today, are “perfect,”Dunn said.

“They’re perfect in every square, no


‘As handsome a structure as any in

County marks 80th anniversary of courthouse’s completion

ByDavid Goodwin

Eighty years ago, the Elmore County Courthouse opened in downtown Wetumpka in March 1932. PHOTO BY DAVID GOODWIN


matter how you look at it,” he said,still marveling at the work after 16years. “Master craftsmen.”

Work began on March 17, 1931,the cornerstone was laid in July, andthe conduct of county business beganthe next year.

An item in the April 7, 1932 edi-tion of The Wetumpka Herald relayedthe evaluation of two visitors fromBirmingham, who “described thebuilding as being far superior, bothfrom points of beauty and utility, toanything they had imagined.”

“We believe it to be as handsomeand beautiful a structure as any in thesouth,” the writer added.

Years ago, Dunn began a searchfor an original set of blueprints to usein a renovation around 2002. Theoriginal architecture firm — countyrecords list the architect as JohnEayres Davis of the firm Warren,Knight & Davis — were no longer inbusiness, he said. So after 12 years of

effort, Dunn finally tracked down thecompany that installed the building’selevator in the mid-1970s.

The only known copy of the blue-prints, which are kept in the countyadministrator’s office on the secondfloor, carefully prescribe each detailof the ornate structure. The friezeabove the massive brass doors prom-ises “Equal Justice for All,” and issketched precisely in the blueprints.The hand-painted pattern on thecourtroom ceiling was first sketchedin one corner of the original blue-print.

In 16 years working maintenanceat the courthouse, Dunn has made ithis mission to preserve and restorethe building’s historic beauty. Duringthe renovation, he realized one hand-painted tile was missing from theceiling. He worked with a draftsmanto reproduce the pattern on trans-parency film with a computer, thenprojected it onto pegboard, the

The ornate design and scrollwork on the courtroomceiling, and the design of the metal bannisters, areboth precisely drawn in blueprints that date back tothe courthouse’s construction in 1931.

PHOTOS BY DAVID GOODWIN

A 1932 edition of the Wetumpka Herald proclaims the courthouse’s completion.

Maintenanceman AndyDunn helpedrenovate al-most everyinch of the80-year-oldcounty court-house, andstill marvelsat the level ofcraftsman-ship that went into itsconstruction.

n the South’


closest replica he could findto the existing plasterwork.

After getting M.L.Harden’s Hardware to matchthe color, he rubbed coffeegrounds on the finish to ageit.

Only a few changes havebeen made through the years,Dunn said. The Americanswith Disabilities Act madesome upgrades, like the in-stallation of the elevator, nec-essary. The only interior wallsthat aren’t eight inches thickand adorned with metalscrollwork, he said, aresheetrock built to carve outnew offices.

With a little love, Dunnsaid, the courthouse willstand at least another 80years. Emergency Manage-ment Director Eric Jones,

whose Emergency OperationsCenter is in the basement,said there’s no comparisonwith the construction of cur-rent buildings.

“It’s holding up a lot betterthan most of these newer-built buildings,” he said.

With brick encased in mar-ble, the courthouse is easilythe safest structure in town.

When severe weatherthreatens the area, dozensoften line up to take refuge inthe basement, which was cer-tified as a nuclear falloutshelter during the Cold War.

Dunn said there’s no com-paring the 80-year-old edificewith newer buildings today.

“This is an amazing build-ing,” he said. “It will be herelong after these others arelong gone.”

Above, an unknown worker lays brick that was encased in marble toform the now 80-year-old Elmore County Courthouse. Below, the oldcourthouse stands stripped for materials with the current courthouse inthe background. PHOTO COURTESY ELMORE COUNTY RECORDS ROOM


eople get pleasure from manydifferent things.

Some like to travel, someplay games and others collect

art. Wetumpka’s Ron Drinkard falls intothe latter category.

Drinkard was introduced to folk artpieces by his friend, Dr. Doug Hawkins,in Troy about 20 years ago. Since then,Drinkard has built an extensive collec-tion.

“Folk art makes me smile,” Drinkardsaid. “What I appreciate so much aboutfolk art are the people. Their art is fromthe heart. They do it because it’s whatthey want to do and not for the money.”

Drinkard, a native of the communityof Henderson in Pike County, will even-tually house most of his folk art collec-

tion in downtown Wetumpka.Drinkard recently purchased the for-

mer Citizen’s Bank building in thedowntown area. He said he will have anoffice there and will hang much of hiscollection at that location.

“There is a lot of wall space there,”he said.

A majority of the folk art pieceswhich will hang in Drinkard’s officewill be from fellow Pike County nativeBetty Sue Matthews.

Matthews’ work, which is a part ofDrinkard’s collection, recently was onview at the Rosa Parks Museum until

late January. Matthews’ work will be ondisplay in Tuscaloosa and Birminghamlater this year.

The “Re-used, Recycled, Renewed:The Art of Betty Sue Matthews” exhibitat the Rosa Parks Museum included 94pieces of Matthews’ artwork.

Matthews has painted and cut recy-cled pieces of metal, cardboard, boxesand wood to form figures of people andanimals.

Drinkard became an avid collector ofMatthews’ work.

“The first time I saw Betty Sue shewas walking along the railroad track thatran parallel to her home. I had gone toBrundidge looking for her and no one Iasked knew who she was,” Drinkardsaid. “At the railroad crossing there in


Recycled beauty

ByKevinTaylor

Area art collector Ron Drinkard saw 94 pieces from his collection of folk art hang at the Rosa Parks Museum. He hasplans to permanently house the collection at the former Citizen’s Bank building in downtown Wetumpka.

PHOTO BY BARRY CHRIETZBURG

Area collector plans folk art exhibitP

town, saw a lady walking along thetracks. I asked her if she knew Betty SueMatthews and she said, ‘I’se BettySue.’”

Since then, Drinkard and Matthewshave grown close, and he enjoys all ofher works.

But Drinkard warns that folk art isnot for everyone.

“It is one particular art where you ei-ther like it or not,” he said.

Drinkard is a collector of all artpieces, but he said folk art is more of his“passion.”

“There is a story behind every pieceof folk art,” he said. “And sometimesthe story really makes the art and givesit character.”

Drinkard’s first folk art piece came

from Jimmy Lee Sudduth of Fayette.“He painted with mud, sugar and

water and would put it on wood andthen paint some of the wood. It wasamazing to me,” Drinkard.

Sudduth’s first public art exhibitionwas held in 1968 at Stillman College inTuscaloosa. A 1971 exhibition in hishome town of Fayette earned regionalattention and, beginning that year, he be-came a featured artist at the annual Ken-tuck Festival of the Arts in Northport.

In 1976, Sudduth was invited to playharmonica and exhibit some of hispainting at the Smithsonian Institution’sBicentennial Festival of American FolkLife.

He also was honored with the Ala-bama Arts Award in 1995 and served as

an artist-in-residence at the New OrleansMuseum of Art.

His work is featured in many collec-tions, including the Smithsonian Institu-tion, the High Museum of Art, theCorcoran Gallery, the Birmingham Mu-seum of Art and the House of Blues.

Sudduth and Matthews are not theonly Alabama artists Drinkard has in hiscollection. He also has works from BillTraylor of Montgomery and worldrenowned folk artist Mose T, also ofMontgomery.

Traylor became among the mosthighly regarded and sought-after of self-taught artists. His work has been held inmany public collections, including thatof the Metropolitan Museum of Art andthe Museum of Modern Art in New YorkCity.

The Montgomery Museum of FineArts and the High Museum of Art in At-lanta hold some of the largest public col-lections of Traylor drawings.

Mose T’s work has been exhibited inthe Smithsonian American Art Museum,the Philadelphia College of Art, Mont-gomery Museum of Fine Arts and theCorcoran Gallery of Art.

In 1993, a retrospective of his workwas held at the Museum of AmericanFolk Art in New York City.

“I don’t think people realize how richthis state is in folk artists,” Drinkardadded.

And with help from Drinkard, the Al-abama folk art scene will be kept alivein downtown Wetumpka.


Art collector RonDrinkard, at left, at-

tended an exhibit of hiscollection, which fea-tures folk art by Betty

Sue Matthews, center,at the Rosa Parks Mu-seum in Montgomery.

Wetumpka councilmanLewis E. Washington

Sr., right, also attendedthe exhibit’s opening.

PHOTO BY BARRYCHRIETZBERG

“(Folk) art is fromthe heart. They do itbecause it’s what theywant to do and notfor the money.”

-- Ron Drinkard


Sketches of yesteryearTallassee native’s art

preserves small-town scenes

On Barnett Boulevardin Tallassee is theCountry Store, and for

many of the city’s residentsthat’s what it’s always been.But many more rememberthat building as Moncrief’sclothing store.

Before that it was the Mt.Vernon Mills Company Storeand after that a “Scotty” store,the first health and beauty dis-count store in this area. But

the memory of Moncrief’s ispreserved in a drawing of thestorefront by Shelby LynnHornsby (1943-2010).

Pictured in pencil arememories that cross genera-tions of Tallassee residents—memories shared by acommunity and put on paperby a man who just loved his

hometown. “I remember getting in the

truck with my brothers andsister, riding all over Tallasseetaking pictures, and he wouldhave his sketch pad and juststart drawing standing there,”said Lucretia Hornsby,Shelby’s daughter. “I askedhim why he started doingthese sketches, my answerwould be because he lovedTallassee so much and he

loved the memories he had ofgrowing up and this was hisway to keep the memoriesgoing and to give Tallassee aview of how things were inthe ‘good ol’ days.’”

Those memories are cap-tured with care and detail inhis drawings, but also in thecaptions he wrote to go withthem.

One picture shows twoboys preparing to race down

ByAshley Vice

“thrill hill,” which was located at the inter-section of the south end of 3rd Avenue andJordan Avenue. A third boy raises the start-ing flag and in the distance a fourth pusheshis bicycle up the far end of the hill.

Hornsby wrote;“During the days of homemade wag-

ons, there were races going on all the time.[…] Bicycles were also raced against wag-ons. Some kids even tried it on rollerskates. I’m sure some of you still havescars from spills on this hill. […] Remem-ber using a clothespin to hold a piece ofcardboard against the spokes of your bicy-cle to make it sound like a motor? I havefound, since I started doing these articlesthat certain things and places mean a lot topeople. This is one of the places that hasbeen mentioned to me quite often. Today,it is just a road, but back then it was a placefor fun and a part of growing up.”

According to Hornsby’s daughter, Lucre-tia, people were one of her father’s favoriteparts of preserving Tallassee’s history.

“He never met a stranger, and he lovedeveryone no matter who you were or whatyou did in your life, he loved you,” shesaid.

For years Hornsby hosted a publichaunted house for the public at Halloween.Lucretia also remembers Hornsby buyingminiature bottles of alcohol at Christmastime.

He would take them, she said, to peoplehe knew were homeless or lived in homeswith no heat, just to tell them “MerryChristmas” and that he loved them.Hornsby, who attended Opelika Tech fordrafting, drew storefronts and buildings,but also scenes of life around town—likeWilbur Williams, who delivered papers for


Shelby Lynn Hornsby, who passed away in 2010, sketched scenes of times gone by in the cityof Tallassee. Memories he preserved in pencil include the old Roxy Theatre, above, the “ThrillHill” on Third Avenue, below, and the drive-in movie theater, inset.


the Birmingham News, rollingthem and tossing them out thecar window while steeringwith his knees; or A.B. Les-ley, the popsicle man, whopushed his homemade icecream cart up to 15 miles perday, six days a week.

He drew and wrote aboutthe Roxy and Mt. VernonTheatres and the TallasseeDrive-In.

“Remember movies like‘Thunder Road,’ when trafficwould back up all the waydown the highway. Every-body in town wanted to gosee the famous ‘Lash Larue,’”Hornsby wrote.

“He would stand on top ofthe concession stand and getsomeone from the crowd tohold a cigarette in their mouthand cut it in half with his bull

whip.”Part of the fun, according

to Hornsby was watchingpeople try to sneak others intothe theatre, without paying, inthe trunks of their cars.

“Seems like every timeyou pulled in on the back rowand tried to get someone outof the trunk, Mack’s famousflashlight would be shiningright in our face,” he wrote.

Though his drawings don’toften include people, he al-ways listed the names of busi-ness owners and theiremployees in his articles.

Because of his passion forthe people and the history ofTallassee, those memories ofplaces like Anderson’s HotDog Stand, Rush Davidson’sDry Goods Store and Gauntt’sLake, will live on.




Finding her voiceor years, Geneva Sher-rer lived without avoice of her own, onlyable to speak a few

broken syllables at a time.As much as she tried, most

people could not understandanything she said.

Sherrer, 74, suffers withspasmodic dysphonia, a voicedisorder characterized by in-voluntary spasms in the mus-cles of the larynx duringspeech.

“It’s hard to get my wordsout,” Sherrer said. “My throatcloses up around strangers.Part of my words, like thefirst syllable, don’t comeout.”

Sherrer said her problembecame evident in the mid-1970s.

“My sister was the onewho noticed it first,” Sherrersaid.

The cause of spasmodicdysphonia is unknown, butdoctors link it to a problem inthe nervous system, and a di-agnosis is often delayed dueto lack of recognition of thesymptoms.

There are three differentversions of spasmodic dys-phonia: adductor, abductorand mixed. Adductor causesthe muscles to stiffen, onlyletting a few syllables tocome out at a time. Abductordoes not allow the vocalcords to vibrate, which re-sults in the person soundingweak or whispery. Mixed is acombination of both adductorand abductor.

Having normal conversa-

tions with people, particu-larly strangers, was difficultfor Sherrer. She said shecould tell when people wereonly pretending to knowwhat she was saying.

“People would nod likethey knew what I said, but Iknew they didn’t understandme,” Sherrer said. “Some in-cidents are funny, but someare embarrassing.”

Sherrer recalls her job in-terview at Neptune Technol-ogy and it brings a smile toher face.

“My voice was getting re-ally bad,” Sherrer said. “But Itold the lady interviewing methat she didn’t have to worryabout me talking. And I gotthe job.”

Sherrer sought treatmentfor the disorder through sev-eral outlets. She attendedspeech therapy sessions, hadacupuncture treatments andeven went to see a psycholo-gist. Nothing worked.

“(The psychologist) said Italk like this to get attention,”

Sherrer said.By the late 1990s, she

looked into getting Botox, apowerful neurotoxin, injec-tions into her vocal cords.

“It hurt, but it didn’t doany good,” Sherrer said. “Iwas scared to death.”

After two unsuccessfulBotox treatments, Sherrerwas losing hope. To date, shehad received a series ofacupuncture, visited one psy-chologist, visited two speechtherapists, had two unsuc-cessful Botox injections andhad one CT-Contrast scan ofher brain, which turned outnormally. Test after test,treatment after treatment,Sherrer kept finding herselfback at square one.

Sherrer’s local physician,Dr. John Rand at Tallassee’sCommunity Hospital, encour-aged Sherrer to see a special-ist in Birmingham. Sherrer,already accepting the fact shewould probably never speakplainly again, did not want togo.

“I had completely givenup,” Sherrer said. “I didn’twant to go and be disap-pointed again but I hadenough faith in Dr. Rand togo.”

The specialist in Birming-ham, Dr. Paul Castellanos,saw Sherrer in September2011. He injected Botox di-rectly into her vocal cord.This time, it had different re-sults.

“I could talk right away,”Sherrer said, smiling. “It wassuch a blessing. I was sohappy I could talk, I askedGod to use my voice for Hisglory.”

The injection lasted fiveweeks before it wore off, andSherrer received another in-jection in November 2011from Castellanos.

Sherrer will now receiveregular Botox injectionsevery three months in Birm-ingham.

Since her successful treat-ments, Sherrer said she haspeople coming up to her tohear her speak.

“People will walk up tome in church and say,‘Geneva, say something!’”Sherrer said. “And it used tobe my husband would answerthe phone at home. He hadbeen making all my phonecalls for me. Now when I an-swer the phone, people hangup because they don’t recog-nize my voice.

“I want people to knowGod still works miracles,even through doctors,” Sher-rer continued. “I give Godthe glory for the knowledgehe gives doctors and I givethanks to Dr. Rand for send-ing me to Dr. Castellanos.”

ByLaurenNewman

Tallassee woman creditsdoctor’s ‘miracle’ for curing speech problem

“I give God the glory forthe knowledge He givesdoctors.”

-- Geneva Sherrer

F

Tucked among the hills near We-tumpka is a unique site thatcombines paths, pools, statuary

and a riot of blooming flowers andtrees. Just south of the city’s heart, Jas-mine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Mu-seum sprawls across 20 acres of rollingridgeline formed by a meteor impactabout 85 million years ago.

Opened to the public in 1928, thegardens were created by Ben and MaryFitzpatrick. The pair purchased theproperty, which included a cottage, inthe early 1920s after a picnic on whatwas then called Sugar Hill. The abun-dance of flowering jasmine promptedMary to rename their new home Jas-mine Hill.

The Fitzpatricks traveled exten-

sively; and Greece was a favored desti-nation. While there, they bought manypieces of Greek statuary that were sub-sequently shipped to Elmore County.

When the couplereturned home aftereach trip, the accumu-lated crates were thenunpacked. Mary di-

rected placement of the items on thegrounds, then designed flagstone walksto lead to them or pass beside them.

Over the years, the hillside wastransformed into intertwined paths, se-cluded nooks, shaded arbors and foun-tain-centered patios. Annuals andsequentially blooming perennials ac-cent the statuary and serve as bound-aries for many of the pathways and

outdoor “rooms.” New vistas openaround every curve.

The gardens are home to an abun-dance of azaleas, Japanese cherries andother blooming trees and shrubs; aswell as a profusion of flowering bulbsand plants.

The world’s only scale reproductionof the ruins of Olympia’s Temple ofHera claim a central spot in the gar-dens. The ruins were constructed dur-ing the 1940s.

After Ben Fitzpatrick died, Marycontinued to open her gates and gar-dens to those who wished to visit. In1971, Jim and Elmore Inscoe assumedresponsibility for continuing the site’straditions and preserving it for the fu-ture. The family established the Jas-

ByPeggyBlackburn

A hidden garden on the ridge

Founded by Ben and Mary Fitzpatrick in 1928, Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum is a sprawling 20 acres of Greek statuary, winding paths, secludednooks and an abundance of brilliant flowers and foliage. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN

mine Hill Foundation to help achievethat goal.

The temple ruins were updated inthe 1990s to mirror archaeologicalwork completed at the original siteduring that time. That work uncon-vered portions of the temple’scolumns that had fallen into the seaduring the earthquake that devastatedit.

In 1995, the first major expansionwas launched with the addition ofnew statuary and construction of theOlympian Centre. The centre – whichhouses a visitors center, gift shop, in-terpretive center, conference roomsand large auditorium – is a full-scalereplica of the Temple of Hera as itprobably ap-peared dur-ing the firstOlympicgames in776 B.C.

In 1996,JasmineHill’s Tem-ple of Herawas one ofthe stops forthe Olympicflame on itsway to theCentennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

The historic gardens were closedto daily traffic in October 2002, thenreopened for spring tours in Marchand April 2003. A schedule of limitedhours has continued since that time.

This year, the garden will be openfor the height of the spring bloomingseason from March 16 through June30. During that period, hours will beFriday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. From July 7to Oct. 27, the gardens will be openon Saturdays only, from 9 a.m. to 5p.m.

Admission is charged to visit thegardens. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 forchildren 6-12 and free for childrenyounger than 6 if accompanied by anadult.

Tours for schools and other groupsare also available by reservation. Fur-ther information is available by call-ing 334-263-5713.

Jasmine Hill Gardens and OutdoorMuseum is located off U.S. Highway231 on Jasmine Hill Road.

What’s bloomingat Jasmine Hill?

January: Camellias and WinterBlooming Azaleas, Pansies and otherAnnuals, Forsythia, Quince.February: Camellias and WinterBlooming Azaleas, Japanese Magno-lias, Bulbs, Forsythia, Quince, Jon-quils, Star Magnolia, Pearl Bush, RedBud, Spirea, Pansies.March: Japanese Cherry Trees, Azal-eas, Flowering Crab Apple, Iris, Jon-quils, Snowballs, Narcissus, CarolinaJasmine, Annuals.April: Azaleas, Double JapaneseCherry Trees, Hydrangea, Deutsia,Mountain Laurel, Horse Chestnut,Dogwood, Wisteria, Foxglove, Del-phinium, Roses, Spirea, Kerria, An-nuals.May: Southern Magnolias, Caladi-ums, Impatiens, Yarrow, Sedum,Gumpo Azaleas, Oakleaf Hydrangea,Daylilies, Salvia, Marigolds, Poppies.June: Crape Myrtle Trees, Daylilies,Waterlilies, Oleander, Marigolds, Hy-drangea, Impatiens, Salvia, Other An-nuals and Perennials.July: Crape Myrtle Trees, Wa-terlilies, Japanese Lotus, Impatiens, aVariety of Annuals, Caladiums, Lan-tana, Butterfly Bush.August: Crape Myrtle Trees, Wa-terlilies, Lantana, Caladiums, ManyAnnuals, Ginger Lilies, JapaneseLotus, Turk's Turban.September: Spiderlilies, Lantana,Marigolds, Caladiums, Waterlilies,Ginger Lilies, Impatiens, Salvia.October: Chrysanthemums, Sasan-quas, Colorful Berries, Salvia, Flow-ering Kale, Lantana.November: Fall foliage includingGingko, Chrysanthemums, Sasan-quas, Colorful Berries, Cassias.December: Camellias, WinterBlooming Azaleas, Sasanquas.


This exquisite custom homelocated in Wallsboro is sit-uated perfectly on 3 acres

and is certainly family friendly. The home features three bed-

rooms, two and one-half baths,large kitchen with island, formaldining room, foyer, giganticlaundry room and huge greatroom with gas log fireplace witha new list price of $255,900.

There are gorgeous hardwoodfloors throughout except forkitchen, laundry room and bath-rooms, which are all hard tile.

The master bath includes tray ceiling,double vanities, garden tub, separateshower and an enormous walk-in closet.

The large custom kitchen offers awork island, beautiful cabinetry, match-ing appliances with refrigerator and alarge breakfast area with French doors

exiting to the covered patio. In addition to being a great family

home, it is perfectly set up for entertain-ing or just to relax.

There are many areas to unwind out-side which include a covered patio, anuncovered patio and a brick paver patio.

The spacious formal dining room fea-

tures an arched doorway andheavy crown molding.

The great room also features aheavy trim package as well as acorner gas log fireplace sur-rounded by natural stone tile andcustom detailed mantle.

The two guest bedrooms areboth large in size and have ajack-and-jill bathroom.

The front guest bedroom of-fers a walk-in closet, and therear bedroom has dual closets.

The home features attractivefixtures throughout and is taste-

fully decorated all over. There is an oversized two-car garage

with dual doors and an entry door aswell.

For more information, contact listingagent Clay Boshell at 334-657-6167 oremail [email protected]

A perfect place to relax with the family

This custom home on Grier Road features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, hardwood floors and plenty of space to relax with the family.PHOTO CONTRIBUTED


The home features plenty of comfortable space to enjoy, including a living room that features a gas log fire-place, above; and a large kitchen that includes a quaint breakfast nook. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED




Out and about at ...Christmas on

the Coosa


PearlHarbor Day

Wetumpka’s MLK DayCommemoration

Studio B dance performance




Tallassee’s Fabulous Follies

Wetumpka Chamber Banquet


New Year’s Meteor Drop

Governor’s visit

An Eclectic Christmas

Tallassee MLK Day


Missoula Children’sTheater

Syrup-making at theStubbs’ place


Look for

Elmore County

LivingMagazine

online at TheWetumpaHerald.com


10th Annual IBO RumblingWaters ChallengeFeb. 17-19Bennett’s Archery, WetumpkaHundreds of archery enthusi-asts, vendors and other par-ticipants will attend the firstleg of the InternationalBowhunting Organization’sSouthern Triple Crown ofBowhunting Championships.For information, call 334-514-1286.

ANC Critter Crawl 5K and 1-Mile RunFeb. 18, 9 a.m.Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook5K begins at 9 a.m.; 1-MileRun at 10 a.m. Various racecategories. Proceeds willbenefit ANC education pro-grams. For information,email [email protected].

LVFD Steak DinnerFeb. 18, 5 to 7 p.m.New Hope Baptist Church,DeatsvilleThe annual fundraiser offerssteak dinners for dine in orcarry out. Each plate includesa grilled rib eye steak, bakedpotato, salad, roll and cake.Cost is $12 per plate. Pro-ceeds benefit the LightwoodVolunteer Fire Department.For tickets, call DaphneSmith at 334-569-2264.

Wildlife PresentationsFeb. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Feb. 25, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Russell Crossroads Naturalist’s CabinSee and touch the fluffy fursthat keep Russell Forest resi-dents warm and dry this timeof year. In addition to animalpelts, a living breathingfurbearer will be on hand tobrag about how warm theyare. Appropriate for all ages.No charge. Everyone wel-come. For information, call256-496-2710 or email [email protected].

Guided Nature TourFeb. 18, 3 p.m.Russell Forest Wilson Road TrailheadJoin Naturalist MarianneHudson for an educationalforay into the winter forest.February’s Groundhog Dayand Valentine’s Day will pro-

vide the focus. Groundhogsare a fairly recent addition toAlabama - discover why theirrange is increasing and whythey’re called whistle-pigs.This month, many specieschoose their mates and ex-hibit breeding behavior. Howdo they choose and courttheir partners? The energetichike will offer both learningand exercise. Appropriate forwarmly dressed participantsages 5-105. Registration re-quired; $10 fee. For informa-tion, call 256-496-2710 oremail [email protected].

Alabama Nature CenterGeneral Public Weekends Feb. 18-19, March 17-18,April 21-22, May 19-20; Sat-urday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun-

day, 1 to 5 p.m.Alabama Nature Center, MillbrookEnjoy five miles of scenicANC trails while learningabout the natural history ofcentral Alabama. Admissioncharged. For information, call334-285-4550 or visitwww.alabamawildlife.org.

Wetumpka Depot Players AuditionsFeb. 19 and 20, 7 p.m.Wetumpka Depot Theatre, 300 S. Main St.Numerous roles for malesand females 16 and older areavailable for “Joseph and theAmazing Technicolor Dream-coat.” Those auditioningshould prepare 32 bars ofmusic and bring sheet musicfor accompanist. No CDs or a

MarkYour Calendar

Archery enthusiasts converge on Wetumpka for the Rumbling Waters Challenge each year.PHOTO BY GRIFFIN PRITCHARD


cappella singing. Those auditioningshould also prepare a joke to tell as partof their audition. Rehearsals in Februaryand March. Show dates April 12-28. Forinformation, email kmeanor@ wetump-kadepot.com.

Candidate NightFeb. 20, 6:30 p.m.Wetumpka Civic CenterHosted by the Wetumpka TEA Party.The public can meet candidates runningfor various seats throughout the RiverRegion.

27th Annual Elmore County Art Guild Winter ShowFeb. 20-24First Community Bank, WetumpkaHosted by the Elmore County Art Guild.Entries will be accepted Feb. 18, 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. at the bank. Works of a varietyof artists will be on display throughoutthe week. A reception honoring showparticipants will be Feb. 26, from 1 to 3p.m. at the bank. For entry details, visitelmorecountyartguild.com.

Fruit Pruning WorkshopFeb. 21, 1 to 3:30 p.m.Barber Berry Farm, located on the Millbrook side of the Alabama RiverParkway toll bridgeFebruary is an important and criticaltime for growing and taking care of fruitcrops. The number one chore is pruning.Pruning fruit crops each year will resultin healthy plants and better productionof quality fruit. The workshop will be ademonstration on pruning muscadines.$5 fee. To register, call the ElmoreCounty Extension Office at 334-567-6301.

17th Annual Elmore County NWTF Hunting Heritage BanquetFeb. 23, 6 to 9 p.m.Wetumpka Civic CenterThe annual fundraising event includes ameal, auctions, raffles and more. Allthose purchasing tickets also receive ayear’s membership to the National WildTurkey Federation and quarterly maga-zines. Tickets are $55 per person, $70for a couple, $275 for a sponsor and$1,000 for a table (eight people). For in-formation, call Chet Matthews at 334-799-8885 or email

Local artists will exhibit their work in February during the Elmore County Art Guild Winter Show.PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN

[email protected].

7th Annual OWU Southern ClassicFeb. 24-26Southern Sportsman Lodge, BentonHosted by Outdoor WomenUnlimited. Events will in-clude archery, shotgun, pis-tols/air rifles, sticks to staff,first aid/compass orienteer-ing,total hunt, selfdefense/hatchet throwing andfishing. Cost is $95 for mem-bers and $140 for nonmem-bers. For information,contact Whitney at 334-782-4507 or email whitneyr-wood@ gmail.com, Becky at334-398-2335 or emailbawhunt@aol. com or visitthe OWU website.

Starting Veggie Seeds WorkshopFeb. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.Elmore County Extension Office, Queen Ann Road, WetumpkaHosted by the Central Ala-bama Master Gardener Asso-ciation and the AlabamaCooperative Extension Sys-tem. Cost is $10 per person.Attendees will plant and takehome various tomato, pepperand eggplant seeds to growand transplant into gardens.To register or for more infor-mation, call the ElmoreCounty Extension Office at 334-567-6301.

3rd Annual Getting Downwith the Dawgs DrawDownFeb. 25, 6 p.m.Bonnie Crest Country Club,MontgomeryWith the purchase of at leastone ticket for $100, donorswill have a one in 300 oppor-tunity to win $10,000 andhelp the Humane Society ofElmore County. In addition,

every 25th ticket drawn willwin other prizes. Each ticketholder and a guest will re-ceive a buffet dinner andbeverages. Tickets are on

sale at the shelter Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.;Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; andSaturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.For information, call Char-

line Pope at 334-202-1381,the shelter at 334-567-3377or [email protected].




3rd Annual WHS Soccer Booster Club Bass TournamentFeb. 25, registration beginsat 4 a.m., tournament fromsafe daylight until 3 p.m.Lake Jordan State Boat Ramp$100 per boat, five fish limit.Payouts top five places. Boatnumbers assigned as entriesreceived. Proceeds benefitthe Wetumpka High Schoolsoccer program. For informa-tion, call 334-318-5840 or334-315-5843 or email amy-willis [email protected].

Wild Game EventMarch 3, 1 to 6 p.m.Shoal Creek Baptist ChurchGuest speaker Chuck McAl-ister, co-host of AdventureBound Outdoors televisionshow. Prizes, wild game tast-ing, archery competition, BBgun shoot, breakout semi-nars, live entertainment. Free.

Bluegrass JamMarch 3, April 7 and May 5,9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Alabama River Region ArtsCenter, Wetumpka

All acoustic instruments arewelcome - beginner, interme-diate, advanced and listeners.

Santuck Flea MarketMarch 3, April 7 and May 5,dawn until 2 p.m.Area surrounding SantuckBaptist ChurchAn outdoor flea market withmore than 450 booths featur-ing arts, crafts, antiques, nov-elties, imports, food andmore. Free admission to thepublic with free parkingavailable. For information onbooth rental, call 334-567-7400.

Rinehart R100March 3-4Bennett’s Archery, WetumpkaA novelty archery shoot, withtargets from anteaters to ze-bras. For information, call334-514-1286.

Sweet Life! Dessert Comedy TheatreMarch 9, 7 p.m.Wetumpka Civic CenterSponsored by First BaptistChurch of Wetumpka. Anevening of clean, family-

friendly, side-splitting com-edy by Scott Davis and lotsof delicious desserts. Tickets$10 individuals, $20 per fam-ily. For tickets or informa-tion, call 334-567-5191.

Boston Butt SaleMarch 10Eclectic Fire Department,First AvenueLast day to preorder is Feb.29. Tickets for butts are $30each. Proceeds benefit theEclectic Fire Department. Forinformation, call the firestation at 334-541-4425.

Fireman’s BashMarch 10, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Main Street, EclecticSponsored by the EclecticFire Department Association.There will be a fireman’schallenge, truck tours, equip-ment demonstrations, car ex-trication, smokehouse, kid’srides, music and vendors. Tosign up a fire departmentteam or reserve a boothspace, call 334-850-4772.

2nd Annual Cow Patty TrotMarch 10, 8 a.m.

Bass fisherman will soon flock to area lakes and rivers to participate in any of the numerous tournaments that are planned.PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


Holtville High SchoolHosted by the HHS FFA. Packet pickupMarch 9, 3 to 6 p.m. at HHS Ag Shop.5K Run March 10, 8 a.m., followed by1-Mile Fun Run. Various race categoriesfor men and women. Awards and doorprizes following Fun Run Preregistra-tion (by Feb. 29) $25 5K, $10 Fun Run.Day of race registration (begins at 7a.m.) $30 5K, $15 Fun Run. Registra-tion includes T-shirt. Additional shirtscan be purchased for $10. For informa-tion, visit holtville.ech.schoolinsites.com.

Wildlife PresentationsMarch 10 and 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Russell CrossroadsNaturalist’s CabinTo symbolize the gentleness of the com-

ing weather, there will be frolicsomelambs on display. These young lambswere orphaned by their natural mothersand hand-raised. Because of their closeassociation with people, these barnyardcreatures are eager to be examined andpetted. Marianne Hudson will talk aboutdomestic breeds of sheep and the fea-tures that make them such amazing ani-mals. Appropriate for all ages. Nocharge. Everyone welcome. For infor-mation, call 256-496-2710 or email [email protected].

Jasmine Hill Gardens OpenFridays-Sundays, March 16-June 30;Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum, WetumpkaThe 20-acre gardens are filled with col-

orful flowers, stone paths, statuary,fountains and Greek temple reproduc-tions. Admission charged. For informa-tion, call 334-567-6463 or visitwww.jasminehill.org

Crappie Masters Alabama State ChampionshipMarch 16-17Alabama River, MillbrookTop fishermen from around the statewill participate. On both days, weigh-inwill be at Mill Creek Baseball Complexin Millbrook. On March 17, the Ala-bama Wildlife Federation will host theKids' Fishing Rodeo at 3050 Lanark Rd.Registration 8 to 9 a.m.; event 9 to 11a.m. Sponsored by Elmore County, Cityof Millbrook and Alabama Wildlife Fed-eration. For information, call City ofMillbrook at 334-285-6428.

Campers and instructors at last year’s Spring Break Camp at YMCA Camp Chandler on Lake Jordan. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


ANC Fishing WeekendMar 17-18; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.;Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.Alabama Nature Center, MillbrookEnjoy catch and release fishing for cat-fish and bream in the upper pond, orbass and bream in the bullfrog pond. Alimited number of fishing poles and alimited amount of bait available for asmall fee. Admission charged. For infor-mation, call Holly Beverley at 334-285-4550, 800-822-9453 or [email protected]

Ask the Experts Series: “Marketing Magic”March 20, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.Jeanette Barrett Civic Room, WharfStreet, WetumpkaHosted by the Minority and WomenOwned Business Development TaskForce (MWB) of the Wetumpka AreaChamber of Commerce. The purpose ofthe workshop series is to help build rela-tionships between chamber small busi-nesses and resources located in thecommunity. Industry professionals willoffer tips, answer questions and develop

working relationships with memberbusinesses that may need their services.This session will discuss marketing on ashoestring with a focus on email market-ing and social media. For information,call the chamber at 334-567-4811.

Millbrook Community Players: “Father Knows Best”March 22-24 and 29-31, 7:30 p.m.;March 25, 2 p.m.Millbrook Community TheatreAudiences will be treated to the humor-ous antics of the Anderson family. Fortickets and information, call 334-782-7317, email [email protected] visit www.millbrooktheatre.com.

Tallassee Rotary Club Fishing TournamentMarch 24Wind Creek State Park, Lake MartinFor information, call 256-234-3461.

Spring Break CampMarch 26-30YMCA Camp ChandlerThe camp offers a wide range of activi-

ties, including fishing, archery, riflery,canoeing, games on the green, pedalboats, putt putt, climbing tower, arts andcrafts, high ropes, a campfire and more.Cost is $270 per child for YMCA mem-bers and $295 per child for nonmem-bers. Fee includes a T-shirt and a visit tothe camp store each day. Deadline to register is March 23. For in-formation, visit campchandler.org.

Spring Break Expedition Lanark Outdoor Day CampMarch 26-30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Alabama Nature Center, MillbrookCampers will explore the natural worldthrough hands-on activities such as fish-ing, canoeing, crafts, games, hiking,wildlife watching, exploring and more.For ages 6-15. Cost $25/day or$100/week. Before and after care avail-able for $5/day or $20/week. For infor-mation or to reserve a spot, emailElizabeth Johnson at ejohnson@al-abama wildlife.org.

Wildlife PresentationsMarch 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; April 6, 5 to

6 p.m.; April 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; April 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Russell Crossroads Naturalist’s Cabin (March31, April 6-7); SpringhouseRestaurant (April 8)Easter means new life – andthe gentle innocence of bun-nies and chicks is a reminderof its significance. Discussionon why these animals pro-claim the Resurrection. Bringcameras and children orgrandchildren for the oppor-tunity to photograph their in-teractions with thesetraditional symbols of Easterand spring. No charge.Everyone welcome. For in-formation, call 256-496-2710or email [email protected].

Brown Bag ConcertsApril 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4,11, 18, 25, 12 p.m.Gold Star Park, Wetumpka

Annual concert series spon-sored by the Wetumpka AreaChamber of Commerce. Dif-ferent musicians will performeach Friday. Bring lunch anda lawn chair. No admissionfee. For information, call334-567-4811.

Wetumpka Depot Players:“Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat”April 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28, 7:30 p.m.Wetumpka Depot Theatre, 300 S. Main St.The Biblical saga of Josephand his coat of many colorscomes to vibrant life in thismusical parable. For ticketsand information, call 334-868-1440, email [email protected] or visitwetumpkadepot.com.

2nd Annual Tallassee Jazz FestApril 14, 10 a.m. until

Southside Middle SchoolThe following bands havebeen confirmed as partici-pants: B.B. Comer HighSchool-Sylacauga Jazz Band,Central High School-Phenix

City Jazz Band, TallasseeHigh School Jazz Band,Southside Middle School-Tallassee Jazz Band, Univer-sity of Alabama JazzEnsemble, University of Ala-



bama Crimson Jazz Faculty Quintet.

Guided Nature ToursApril 14 and 21, 2:30 p.m.Russell Forest Wilson Road TrailheadParticipants will make up-close observa-tions of the forest as it embarks on oneof its most exciting changes of the year:the budding plants and frenzied activityof spring. Expect to see and hear a vari-ety of energetic songbirds and discover a wealth of other animal sign.Also expect to see wildflowers andother developing plants. Appropriate forparticipants ages 5-105. Registration re-quired; $10 fee. For information, call256-496-2710 or email [email protected].

Wildlife PresentationsApril 14 and 21, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and1 to 2 p.m.Russell CrossroadsNaturalist’s CabinNaturalist Marianne Hudson will givean informative presentation about theducks that call Alabama home, includ-ing physical features, differences be-

tween species, habitat requirements,identification tips and more. Programwill feature touchable items left behindby local ducks and include a live repre-sentative from the duck family. Appro-priate for all ages. No charge. Everyonewelcome. For information, call 256-496-2710 or email [email protected].

Wetumpka HandmadeCraft Market April 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Bethel Worship CenterShop local vendors’ handmade items.Breakfast and lunch items available forpurchase. Vendors can participate freewithout sharing a portion of profits. Forinformation, email [email protected]

8th Annual Flora and Fauna Art ShowApril 21, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Alabama Wildlife Federation, MillbrookAn artistic celebration of Alabama’s na-tive flora and fauna, With a focus on thevisual arts, AWF hopes to highlight anumber of Alabama artists and their

original hand-crafted works that depictnature and the outdoors; and also garnerinterest in and appreciation for wildlifeand related natural resources. Open tothe general public. All works will be forsale. There will be art exhibit booths andan original art competition. Deadline isFeb. 18 for artists interested in partici-pating in either exhibit booths or thecompetition. For information, call AnnHarper at 334-285-4550 or [email protected].

French and Indian War EncampmentApril 21-22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park, WetumpkaHistorically correct reenactors will de-pict actions during the French and In-dian War between France and Britain.The lifeways of French ColonialMarines, British soldiers and Creek In-dians are centered around the recon-structed French Fort Toulouse. Forinformation, visit www.fttoulousejack-son.org

Tri-County Wild Game Cook-OffApril 26Tickets $40-$50 per couple/person.Price includes a one-year membership inthe Alabama Wildlife Federation, a sub-scription to Alabama Wildlife magazine,and free samples of all of the wild gameentries.

11th Annual Russell Marine In-Water Boat ShowApr 27-29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ridge Marina on Lake MartinSee the year’s hottest models in boatsand personal watercraft at the South-east’s largest inland, in-water boat show.Free. For information, call 256-212-1479 or visit www.russellmarine.net.

Wetumpka Relay for LifeApril 28, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.Hohenberg FieldTeams will set up camp sites and walkduring the 12-hour event. Also includedwill be a survivor walk, luminaries, en-tertainment and more. Proceeds benefitthe American Cancer Society.

8th Annual Joe Sewell Memorial Award Banquet

Reenactors will portray those involved in the French and Indian War during an event at FortToulouse/Jackson in April. PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


May 1This award honors highschool seniors in ElmoreCounty who excel in academ-ics, athletics, leadership, andchurch, community, and char-acter. Scholarships awarded.Details to be announced atwww.joesewell award.org oron Facebook.

Taste of Elmore CountyMay 3Sponsored by the LeadershipElmore County Class of2012. Details to be an-nounced soon.

Derby DayMay 5The Stables at Russell CrossroadsWear Derby Day attire andwatch the Run for the Roses -have fun and participate in abenefit for Children’s Harbor.For information, call 256-212-1479 or visit www.rus-selllandsonlakemartin.com.

Millbrook CommunityPlayers: “Witness for the Prosecution”May 17-19 and 24-25, 7:30p.m.; May 20, 2 p.m.Millbrook Community TheatreAgatha Christie’s suspensefulthriller about a young mar-ried man who spends manyevenings with a rich oldwoman and is the chief sus-pect when she is murdered.For tickets and information,call 334-782-7317, [email protected] visit www.millbrookthe-atre.com.

Alabama Antique Tractor Show and Barbecue Cook-OffMay 19, 8 a.m.Politic Road, ElmoreAnnual fundraiser for the El-more Volunteer Fire Depart-ment, featuring a barbecuecook-off, antique tractors, atractor pull, petting zoo, an-

tique car show and more. Forinformation, call 334-285-0085 or visit www.alabama-tractorshow.com.

Reptile RendezvousMay 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Alabama Nature Center, MillbrookLearn amazing reptile factsabout snakes, frogs and tur-tles with the staff at the Ala-bama Nature Center.Admission charged. For in-formation, call 334-285-4550, visitwww.alabamawildlife.org.

Attack on Swayback Mountain Bike Race May 20, race day registration opens at 7 a.m.Swayback Bridge Trail, WetumpkaFor all ages and abilities. Feefor participants only. Race 8a.m. to 2 p.m. For completedetails and registration, visitwww.attackonswayback.com

Memorial Day Weekend ConcertMay 27Lake Martin AmphitheaterJoin Russell Lands andfriends for a lakefront, holi-day concert. Artists to be an-nounced. Admissioncharged. Tickets availablethrough Ticketmaster, TheAdventure Center at RussellCrossroads and at the gate.For information, call 256-329-0835 or visitwww.lmat.org.

Compiled by Peggy Blackburn

To submit a calendar item(June through August 2012)for the Summer 2012 editionof Elmore County Living,email information [email protected] no later than April 21.The edition will be publishedin late May.

Drivers line up for a competition during last year’s Antique Tractor Show and Pull in Elmore PHOTO BY PEGGY BLACKBURN


I n M e m o r i a m

Kim N. PriceSept. 12, 1954 - Jan. 16, 2012

Documents

Elmore County Living