So much to do in Coosa County
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
We are seeing some changes signifying autumn is arriving. I realize the first day of fall occurred with the equinox on September 22, when the daytime started getting shorter compared to the nighttime.
However, nature doesn’t always seem to follow the calendar very closely. The temperatures, thus far, have been up and down; one day feels like summer, another feels like fall. Got to love Alabama weather! This week we saw the nighttime temperatures really make significant drops. We also noticed the colors really starting to change in areas. And with fall comes a whole new set of opportunities for us to get out and do things.
I often hear people commenting, “there is nothing to do in Coosa County.” I must respectfully disagree. Things are always happening in Coosa County. For example, this past weekend there was a pancake breakfast held at the Kellyton Civic Complex. As a side note, this facility is a fantastic venue and speaks volumes for what Kellyton Mayor Johnny Sharpe and the Kellyton Town Council have accomplished. Anyone needing a venue for a function should consider renting these facilities.
Then, the Goodwater Volunteer Fire Department had an open house and building dedication for its new building. Fire Chief Elmore Unbehant, assisted by his crew of volunteers, did an excellent job with the dedication. They named the building in honor of Alan Wingfield, a man who truly represents the spirit of volunteerism. Alan Wingfield has dedicated his life to working for Coosa County, and the honor is well deserved.
Goodwater also had its annual Octoberfest on main street. There were many vendors up and down the street. Regretfully Mayor Caldwell had to be absent because of a death in the family. However, Mayor Caldwell had Chief Corey Shaw and his police department out and about representing the Town of Goodwater, and they did an outstanding job as usual.
Then, Saturday evening beginning at 4 p.m., Delanfort and Katie Judkins hosted the first Blue Emerald Octoberfest in Cottage Grove. There was a jazz band, deejay and vendors until approximately 7:30 p.m. The evening was beautiful, the band was great, and the food was excellent. I ate too much fried catfish, barbecue and homemade desserts. The attendance was a little low; however, considering this was the first Octoberfest held in Cottage Grove on County Road 93, I am hoping the word will spread and next year’s event will be an enormous success.
Rockford didn’t have any events last weekend, but this past Monday the Infinity Coffee Shop opened at the corner of highways 22 east and 231 south. Scott White and gang have done an outstanding job with the building, and most importantly the food is delicious. Rockford is blessed to have Triple R Café, Twenty-Two and Crew, the Rockford Deli, and now a coffee shop. Speaking of food, Goodwater has Ed’s Deli and Unique BBQ, both excellent places to eat.
There are many events scheduled in Coosa County over the next few months. On Saturday, October 22, there will be an auction in Kellyton across from the Highway Department on U.S. Highway 280 and a breakfast at the West Coosa Senior Center (old Stewartville school). Coosa County fall festivals, Halloween events, Veterans Day celebrations, and Christmas events are scheduled or are in the works.
Weogufka will hold its annual Veterans Day event on November 6 at 2 p.m. There will be Christmas parades in Goodwater (tentatively scheduled for December 9) and Rockford (December 10). Also, Kellyton will have its Christmas Celebration on December 3 beginning at 5 p.m. Flagg Mountain always has the first Friday potlucks on the mountain. This time of year, you can’t beat the view from on top of the mountain.
Make sure to keep an eye on the “Community Events” section of “The Coosa County News” to see listings/details of the upcoming events. You can also go to the Coosa Chamber of Commerce website (CoosaChamber.com) to view their calendar of events, as well.
In addition to all the things I listed, and I only listed a few as examples, many of our communities have monthly or quarterly Neighborhood Watch (NHW) meetings. The sheriff and many other elected local officials regularly attend these meetings. These NHW meetings are excellent opportunities to hear about law enforcement actions, community concerns and other issues impacting our communities and our county. Another huge benefit of NHW meetings is you also get to meet/visit some of your neighbors.
People can’t be everywhere for everything, Lord don’t I know. However, if we want to see things happen in Coosa County, we need to support local businesses and events when possible.
I cannot close without mentioning the elections. November 8, 2022, will be the General Election. Christa, Lydia and “The Coosa County News” (and many of their columnists) have done an outstanding job printing announcements and keeping the public informed about the candidates and amendments appearing on the November 8 Coosa County ballots.
Last week “The Coosa County News” published the sample ballots listing all the offices and candidates, the proposed/recompiled/reorganized Constitution of Alabama 2022, and the 10 amendments on which Coosa County’s citizens will have an opportunity to vote.
There are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and independent candidates appearing on the Coosa County ballots for the upcoming election. Voters will not be issued a party ballot as was done in the primaries. Voters will be issued a ballot with the names of all the candidates for office, regardless of the candidate’s affiliation, for which the voter is eligible to vote.
I encourage you to do your research on the candidates running for office. Find out if their values align with your values. Try to determine why they are running for office. Do they just want a position or are they willing to work to make Coosa County a better place for you, for us, and for our families? Can they convince you that after the election, they will be involved or will they just sort of disappear? Will they attend the business meetings and be in the offices for which they are elected? Will they work to improve things in Coosa County as a whole or be a stumbling block to progress?
On the evening of November 8, 2022, the Coosa County Courtroom will be available for ALL candidates, family members, friends, and the public to come watch the Coosa County and Alabama election returns.
We will display the local election results and news on the large screen televisions in the courtroom. One screen will display the local offices and candidate returns as the results arrive at the courthouse, while the other will have network news for statewide offices. Citizens are encouraged to come support our candidates and watch the returns. The local parties, candidates and citizens may bring food and drinks to enjoy while they watch the returns if they wish.
Until next month, support Coosa County, GO VOTE, stay safe, and enjoy this fall weather.