POWERGRAMS

Maybe, one day, there will be a whole wing of the museum dedicated to Walter Jones, the Aliceville High School football standout who went through Florida State University on his way to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, then a nine-time Pro Bowl performer for the Seattle Seahawks, who made his number 71 the second ever retired by the West Coast sports franchise. And that was before Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, becoming only the fifth Alabama native to gain his sport's highest honor. For now, Jones gets a nice table. Jones may be the biggest man on Aliceville's town campus, but he wasn't the first to make a name for himself: • Five miles outside town is the grave of James McCrory, George Washington's bodyguard at Valley Forge. • Simmie Knox's portrait of President Bill Clinton hangs in the White House. Knox lived in Aliceville until he was "about 6 or 7" but moved with his dad to Leroy. • Annie Dee was named Alabama's Farmer of the Year in 2013. • Jeff Reznicek was named by the Progressive Farmer as one of five America's Best Young Farmers last year. "Our people are our biggest resource," said Susan Jones, who moved to Aliceville three decades ago and works at City Hall. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katherine Lavender is a newcomer but she backs Jones' assessment of their friendly, united community that is intent on progress. She cites the Fall Street Fair, which has gone from having no vendors three years ago to about 50 this past year on a Broad Street filled for that special day with vintage vehicles, musicians and decorated storefronts. "I've never experienced it anywhere else," Lavender said of Aliceville's emotive essence. "It's a very welcoming community." Gillum said the museum wouldn't exist without local donations of artifacts, money and volunteers. Every item inside the four large sections – and the statues fashioned by prisoners in the courtyard – was given for display. Artisans build the exhibit cases without charge. Museum memberships at various financial levels keep the doors open. Twenty-one years ago, people in Aliceville celebrated their grassroots effort that created the museum. Nineteen years later, when Stone Turnipseed wasn't expected to survive, Aliceville ramped up its resolve and became #stonestrong. "We all come together when there is a need," said Jones. Aliceville has many beautiful old homes. Sue Stabler Park includes last remaining chimney from Camp Aliceville. Many people wore bracelets to support sick child. PHOTO COURTESY TURNIPSEED FAMILY 19

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