VOL. 13, NO. 18
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
pelika Observer O
Opelika, Alabama
Six more weeks of winter! Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (but not the live crowd he's used to) yesterday; overnight temps below freezing in Lee County might augur the fulfillment of the marmot's
“An award-winning publication for local people, by local people.”
meteorological prediction.
EAMC vaccination distribution expanding Contributed by EAMC East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) expanded vaccine appointment requests to people 65 and older on Monday, Feb. 1 with a new web link that allows for self-scheduling (eastalcovidvaccine.com/login). While the new link allows for self-scheduling, it is limited to five days out because of the uncertainty of vaccine availability. In other words, if the time slots for the next five days are all filled,
Photos by Josh Fisher / Opelika Observer
Celebrating 92 years Family and friends celebrated Kathleen Long's 92nd birthday with a drive-thru party on Saturday. Long, who is a life-long resident of
See EAMC, page A5
Columbus State professor with local ties receives prestigious recognition Dr. Monica Frazier, a biology professor at Columbus State University, was named to the 2020 list of “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists” by the Community of Scholars. Beginning January 2021, she is also the interim chair of the Biology Department at Columbus State. “I’m happy to be an ambassador for other children who maybe never thought See FRAZIER, page A3
Auburn Chamber announces Anna Hovey as president Contributed by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce The Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced Anna Hovey as the new chamber president. Hovey has been part of the Auburn Chamber staff for five years and currently serves as the vice president of business development. Before, she served as the chamber’s director of special events and business development. Beginning Monday, Feb. 15, Hovey will start her role as Auburn Chamber president. “The search committee was excited to hear Anna’s interest in the chamber’s opening for
By Kayla Evans For the Opelika Observer
FRAZIER
Opelika, was surprised by the event planned by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For more photos, turn to A15.
HOVEY president,” said Elliot MacIsaac, board chair. “After our interview with her, it was confirmed her vision and goals lined up with what we were looking for in the next president.” During her time on staff, Hovey has
planned, executed and enhanced chamber programming, strengthened relationships within the business community, led the Auburn Chamber Diplomats and spearheaded the Auburn Young Professionals program. Before joining the chamber staff in 2015, Hovey served as an Auburn Chamber Diplomat and a board member. “Anna’s chamber experience and proven accomplishments as a staff member will allow her to be successful in this role,” MacIsaac said. “We know she will lead the Auburn business community with profesSee HOVEY, page A2
Contents OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY . . . . . A7
POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B9
RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13
PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . .B10
COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A14
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11
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A2 February 3, 2021
Auburn family opens doggy daycare Contributed by Bradley Robertson There’s a new dog kennel in our area, and it’s not your average doggy daycare. It’s the farm-life dream, and it’s just for the lucky canines living in the Auburn-Opelika area. Amanda Kimball, along with her husband and three small kids, wanted to get out of busy Atlanta and settle somewhere more slow-paced. Amanda knew Auburn would hit the spot, and the growing area also inspired the couple to think of opening a small business. The family began to seek out a plan that would be practical for their family, but also a service to the community. And so began the journey of Willowwood Dogs. Willowwood Farms is located off Wire Road on County Road 188, a few miles past the Auburn University Vet
HOVEY >>
FROM A1
sionalism, leadership and enthusiasm.” In 2019, Hovey graduated from the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
School. The family was fortunate to find the property, which already contained a large, sturdy barn with horse stalls and water, plenty of grass space for running and playing and a pond for cooling off. Kimball always loved creatures in general and along with being outdoors, she saw this business as the perfect fit for her family. “My husband Andrew and I have always had a passion for the outdoors and nature,” she said. “We wanted to find a place where someone could send their dog, so they can enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment.” Willowwood Dogs is a boarding facility as well as doggy daycare. The business opened for the first dogs on Jan. 5 and serves dog owners Monday through Friday for daycare and through the weekends for dog boarding. Kimball and staff pick up the dogs from their homes first thing in the
morning, bring them to the farm to play and carry them back home for the owner after 2 p.m. Dogs enjoy lots of playtime
outside, plus treats, plenty of water and all the fun a dog can dream up. “Dogs get to get their energy out here,” Kimball
said. “They play fetch, get lots of snuggles and we have treat time. We take them home in the afternoon and you have a
worn-out pup and a happy pup!” Kimball, being a mom herself and animal lover, naturally plays the mom role for the smiling dogs at Willowwood Farms, who follow her around like ducks, happy for sunshine and lush fields. Dr. Dan Caldwell, local vet of MAC Animal Clinic, is partnering with the Kimballs when necessary and hopes to host vaccine clinics. Kimball also has a vision of an Open House this spring where dogs, owners and children can visit the space and get a little farm fix. Auburn-Opelika is thriving, and it’s a pleasure to see new business pop up that can serve this community well. For more information on Willowwood Dogs, call Kimball at 980-254-5892 or visit their website at www. willowwooddogs.com. You may also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
foundation, receiving the recognition of IOM. “I am thrilled to accept the position as president for an organization that represents successful businesses and impactful organizations that make this community the special place that it is,” Hovey said.
As president, Hovey looks forward to the opportunity to further relationships with the 1,000-plus chamber membership and forming new relationships with businesses the chamber has not yet met. Hovey will begin finalizing the chamber’s strategic goals for 2021
and work on getting them accomplished. “I’m so thankful for the many people who influenced me and guided me on my journey here,” Hovey said. “Lolly’s shoes are big to fill, and I am grateful for her leadership in bringing the Auburn Chamber where it is
today.” A graduate of Auburn High School and Auburn University, Hovey looks forward to contributing and making an impact in the city she loves and calls home. Currently, Hovey is a loaned executive for United Way of Lee County, Inc. Addi-
tionally, she is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Lee County and has served on the boards of Leadership Lee County, East Alabama Mental Health, the Women’s Philanthropy Board and as chair of the Auburn Preservation League Christmas Tour of Homes.
pelika Observer
O
Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com
Photo contributed by Bradley Robertson
Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editors: Will Fairless and Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Associate Sports Editors: Wil Crews, Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell
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A3 February 3, 2021
COVID-19 vaccination eligibility expanded in Alabama Contributed by the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced Friday that starting Feb. 8, ADPH will extend eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to include people 65 or older, and additional groups of frontline workers. The Vaccine Allocation Plan is available at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/ covid19vaccine/assets/ adph-covid19-vaccination-allocation-plan. pdf. • Frontline critical workers listed in the plan are as follows: • First responders • Corrections officers
• Food and agriculture workers • U.S. Postal Service workers • Manufacturing workers • Grocery store workers • Public transit workers • People who work in the education sector (teachers, support staff, community college and higher education) • Childcare workers • Judiciary (including but not limited to) circuit judges, district judges and district attorneys The additional priority groups will add over one million people that are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama. While just under two million people
will qualify to receive the vaccine, the state continues to only receive around 100,000 doses each week. As of today, 148,549 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 175,326 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been given out to first responders, residents and staff of Alabama’s nursing homes and individuals 75 and older. A total of 772,275 vaccines have been delivered to Alabama, meaning that 42% of what has already been delivered to the state have been administered. “We have all been frustrated that the supply of vaccine coming from the federal government hasn’t kept up with the demand,” Ivey said. “To be blunt, we simply
haven’t gotten the vaccine that we’ve been promised, and this has created a major backlog of aggravation. Today’s announcement will ensure that as more vaccine is released, we will have a plan in place to get the vaccine in people’s arms more quickly.” Covered in this expanded group are people at high risk for work-related exposure and persons in identified age groups at risk for COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality. These include people working or living in congregate settings including but not limited to homeless shelters and group homes. “Alabama is expanding its guidance despite the limited
vaccine in order to accelerate the vaccine uptake in our state,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “I want to reiterate that any remaining vaccines that have not been administered are either someone’s first dose and they are waiting on their appointment or they are waiting on their second dose. Any vaccine currently in the state has someone’s name on it.” As a courtesy to others, healthier people age 65 and older and workers who fall in these groups are encouraged to consider delaying their vaccination so that more vulnerable people can access the vaccine ahead of them. To schedule an ap-
pointment for the free COVID-19 vaccination at a county health department, individuals may call the ADPH COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Hotline at 1-855-566-5333. For general information about COVID-19, the COVID-19 Information Hotline number is 1-800-270-7268. The vaccine providers can be found within the Alabama COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard at arcg.is/ OrCey. ADPH anticipates the release of a new online tool next week which will provide information about opportunities for vaccination, including drivethrough clinics being scheduled throughout the state.
Valentine’s Day Cards for retirement communities
By Hannah Lester
hlester@opelikaobserver.com
Retirement communities, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities around Auburn and Opelika regularly accept Valentine’s Day cards for their residents. Monarch Estates is one facility that encourages people to send in cards, said Abby Ensinger, director of sales at Monarch. Although many residents in facilities like Monarch Estates have family and friends close by, others do not have anyone to visit them or write letters.
FRAZIER >>
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of themselves as a scientist or who never realized that such a thing was even possible,” Frazier said. Originally from Opelika, Frazier went to Alabama State University to pursue a
When they receive a valentine’s day card in the mail, they feel remembered, Ensinger said. “Just to get that little happy in the mail or hand-tohand, it just means somebody’s thinking about you,” she said. “Somebody does care about you.” The last year, 2020, was especially hard on residents, Ensinger said. In facilities across the United States, many residents could not even leave their rooms. Prior to the pandemic, Monarch Estates was an active
community, she said. “We know that socialization is the key to longevity of life,” Ensinger said. “So, whether that’s through a card, that hey, somebody’s just thinking about you or walking down the hallway and just saying ‘good morning Ms. Jones.’” To write a card for a resident, address them generically and the facility will make sure they are delivered to residents. At Monarch Estates, the facility places the notes in each resident’s mailbox. “Like they received
a little happy in the mail,” said Abby Ensinger, director of sales at Monarch Estates. “Going to the post office, our little postboxes out here, is kind of an event every day.” There are other places around town that also encourage notes for their residents, such as The Harbor at Opelika. The Harbor at Opelika accepts cards by mail or in-person. Well-wishers cannot deliver cards directly to residents this year because of COVID-19, but they can still drop cards off
at the desk. Stacey Wallace sends Valentine’s Day cards to her mother’s assisted-living facility in Dadeville, but said she would like to find some local facilities too. “I want the residents to know that my husband and I care about them and are praying for them,” she said. “According to the owner of the facility [in Dadeville], the families at this facility are good to the residents; however, in some places, the poor old folks are dumped in there by
their rotten children and are forgotten. As my grandmother, who lived to be 104 said, ‘Antiques are very valuable; I'm older, so I'm an antique, and I'm valuable.’” Monarch Estates is located at 1550 E University Dr, Auburn for those who want to drop cards off or mail them. The Harbor at Opelika is located at 1001 Fox Run Parkway, Opelika. To send cards to other residencies, call first to see if they are still accepting cards due to COVID-19.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She was a lab technician at Auburn University before graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Ph.D. in virology. She then completed her postdoctoral work at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.
Working at Columbus State University since 2006 as an associate professor, she is now a biology professor. Frazier is also the Director of the Southwest Georgia Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP). The organization’s goal is to increase the
number of qualified minorities to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM. “We have five institutions across the state of Georgia that are a part of the alliance,” Frazier said. “I’m the director of the alliance, so I oversee those par-
ticular programs at those institutions. It’s Valdosta State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Columbus State University, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Columbus Technical College.” Her research originally began with the studies of dibenzoyl-
methane (DBM) and prostate cancer, and now she focuses on identifying chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. “The fact that I could actually help encourage other students like me to get into this field is amazing,” Frazier said. “It is nice to be recognized for it.”
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“This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.” The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.”
A4 February 3, 2021
W
ho among us does not want to see something good? I believe that if I asked 100 people, they would all agree that they want to see good things take place. Now how we respond to good is another challenge, but we share the desire to know that good exists. I see good in the Chick-fil-A line, in church worship and
Carrying Balloons in the words and smiles of friends. Quite honestly, good is everywhere. Do we take good for what it is, or are we quick to dismiss it? Are we too distracted to notice? Too caught up in “next” instead of “now?” The good is there, it’s everywhere, because it’s You! You are the good. Your smile when you wake up and say,
By Bradley Robertson
“Good Morning!” Your efforts to feed for your family. Your simple phone call just top say “Hello!” to a friend. Biting your tongue when a car cut you off in traffic. Slipping into another’s shoes for a new point of view. A sweet gesture of coffee or lunch to bring a little cheer to another. Words of kindness when you don’t feel
like saying them. A hug in silence, because words aren’t needed at all. Showing up unexpected. Carrying a load for another. Looking up to someone, instead of down. Waving, at anyone. Smiling, at everyone. Listening to better understand. Giving instead of taking. In an uncertain world
we see today, the good exists when we give it away. When you wake up each day, pretend like you’re carrying 25 colorful balloons, and give them away, one by one. A bit of good here, and a bit more there, and before we know it, the good of this world is everywhere. Carry your balloons, friends! You are the good the world needs to see.
Two opposites: quiet baseball hero and brash former ‘America’s Mayor’
V
ice President Cheney told attendees at a media association’s dinner in 2007 that he asked his wife Lynne if the label Darth Vader, would fit him. According to Cheney, she said it “Yes, Dick, because it humanizes you.” Baseball home-run king Hank Aaron died last week. Soft-spoken, courteous and honest; he needed no “humanizing.” Yet politician Rudy Giuliani, the much-ballyhooed hero of 9/11, has always been brash and in-your face. Now we learn he is dishonest, as well. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, quickly after learning of Aaron’s death on Jan. 22, directed flags to be flown at half-staff immediately to honor the Hall of Famer, who died at age 86. In an official statement, Ivey praised the Mobile native. “Hammerin’ Hank set numerous home run records throughout his baseball career, which ranged from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues,” the order said. “From his
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he was slight. Elderly. She had an old kitchen that was lit up with smells and colors. There is no place better than the humble kitchen of an American woman. If there is, I wouldn’t care to know about it. The linoleum floor. The enamel table with chipped edges. The stove with the stubborn oven door. Brillo pads in the sink. And Lord, the smells. I could live and die in a good kitchen. She was dusting her counters with flour on the day I interviewed her. She covered those countertops in snow, the way our ancestors have been doing ever since they de-boarded the ark. She wore one of those aprons that looks more like a cobbler’s apron. Two pockets. Floral print. She kneaded dough with frail hands.
legendary career to his civil rights activism, he inspired many young boys and girls to pursue their dreams. Alabama is incredibly proud of our native son, and his legacy will forever be etched in history.” The indomitable Aaron was 39 years old in 1973 when he hit 40 home runs in under 400 at-bats, a gallant try to break Babe Ruth’s record. But he finished that season at lifetime home run 713, one shy of his coveted goal. On Sept. 29, the last day of the season, I recall watching the game, at age 17. My friends joined me in rooting for him, on TV in the living room. So Aaron did not get his 714th home run that year. A lot of things physically can go awry in one year, especially for a 40-year-old. Getting the magical 715th home run might seem not a big worry, but health risks do exist for 40-year-old players weakened by decades in the sport. Aaron knew he could play at least another year.
By Greg Markley Knowing the racial climate, though, Aaron said his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. As an African American, he drew many death threats and fortunately was granted 24-hour Atlanta Police guards until the next season. He received bundles of hate mail during the 1973-1974 post-season. These were not just “poor sports” many were white nationalists who did not want a black man to beat Babe Ruth’s 47-year-old home run record. Rudy Giuliani did not have an unblemished public record as Hank Aaron did. As
mayor of New York City (1993-2001), he made many enemies among African Americans and constitutionalists for his “Stop and Frisk” profiling. His pugnaciousness hurt his governing; he needed better results from the city council than he might get with a more pleasing personality. Then came the terrorist attacks on New York and DC on Sept. 11, 2001, just 3 ½ months before he had to leave office. Giuliani coordinated and executed his many tasks superbly, most historians say. Before 9/11, he helped the economy buzz and made the city work well again. But even better as a crisis manager, Giuliani boosted confidence with a buoyant, “we can do it” attitude that earned him the nickname “America’s Mayor.” Although Rudy Giuliani had a sterling record as a U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, something happened that turned him from a hero to a heel.
What was this disaster to his career and self-respect? He signed up to be the personal lawyer to a politician who likes to dispense with established laws and customs. This old New York crony asked Rudy to perform legal contortions that even the famous Chicago lawyer Clarence Darrow couldn’t or wouldn’t do. Giuliani, along with former federal prosecutor Sidney Powell, tried to win election fraud cases on behalf of President Trump. Nearly 50 such cases had failed in court and even the U.S. Supreme Court chucked out one case almost as soon as the mail clerk brought it into the building. Giuliani’s team violated a main aspect of lawyering: Have at least some evidence on your side! He argued that the U.S. presidential election was stolen by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. This was despite Mr. Chavez having died in 2013. Chavez had succumbed to cancer — it was in all the papers,
counsellor. So what happened to the two opposites, Hank Aaron and Rudy Giuliani? Aaron completed his mission, and was the all-time home run champion for 33 years. In death, his on-the-field record is dwarfed by tales of his unassuming approach in a life of probity inside or outside the stadium. Rudolph Giuliani? He is still with us, but is unrecognizable. The hero of 9/11 has shrunken to a loser. He faces a $1.3-billion defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems. He has tarnished the image of America to provide honest elections. Even Rudy understands the evidence that he has reached a new low. Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has master's degrees in education and history. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 8 years. gm.markley@charter. net
Cornflakes and Potatoes If you are ever lucky enough to see an elderly woman take out her aggression on a lump of lifeless dough, you are lucky enough. When I visited her little kitchen, it was long ago. I was on a long drive from Atlanta to Birmingham. Her son asked me to visit. I only had thirty minutes to spare. The reason she told me to come that day was because she wanted to make one of my favorite casseroles, one she remembered that I mentioned in my books a few times. I don’t even know what the casserole is called. I’m not sure it even has a proper name. It has little diced potatoes, mountains of cheese, and — this is the crucial part — Kellogg’s Corn Flakes on top. When I was a kid,
By Sean Dietrich there was a lady in our church named Miss Patty who made this casserole for every get-together. As an adult, I have yet to find it again. I guess it’s an outdated church casserole now. It’s probably not stylish for modern
women to put cornflakes on top of piles of cheese anymore. She made more than just casseroles. She cooked for local funerals, baby showers, anniversaries. And if you needed a wedding cake for your big day, but
didn’t have much cash, she had you covered. You bought the ingredients; she made the cake for free. These were real wedding cakes too, not the amateur variety. They were simple, pretty and I understand they tasted
incredible. She had a photo album of the wedding cakes she made over the years. Polaroids, blackand-whites and glossy photographs. Some photos dated back to the ‘50s. The best part was that the cakes in the photos all looked the same. Everything else in the pictures changed as the years progressed — furniture, fashion, eyeglasses — but her cakes didn’t age. She had a squadron of recipes. Batter frying was another specialty. She fried anything from yardbirds to watermelon rinds. Her butter beans were made the traditional way — nine beans, fifty sticks of unsalted butter. “I cook by feel,” she told me in the interview. I ended up staying See DIETRICH, page A5
A5 February 3, 2021
Tax season kicks off Contributed by Justin Smith, CPA The 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) is still in effect for 2020 returns, but a flurry of legislation will make your tax returns a little more complicated. The Internal Revenue Service will not begin processing tax returns until at least Feb. 12 because of system updates that will need to be made to handle a number of pieces of key legislation, including the most recent round of Economic Impact Payments. While most taxpayers should expect refunds to be direct deposited within three to four weeks of filing, the IRS is not expected to begin depositing refunds until late February or early March this year. Stimulus Payments First, taxpayers will need to verify stimulus payments they received. These payments are treated as an advanced tax credit, and while you do not have to re-
pay any excess stimulus received, you may be eligible for additional stimulus money. For example, the birth of a child or a significant change in income may impact your stimulus payment for the year. Both payments (if received) must be reported on your tax return this year. Charitable Contribution Deduction Second, taxpayers who do not normally itemize (and take the standard deduction) can take up to a $300 charitable contribution as an adjustment to income (doubled for married filers). This means you can get a tax deduction for charitable contributions even if you normally don’t itemize. Tax Extenders A number of key tax extenders are in place for your 2020 returns: • Mortgage Insurance Premiums may be deducted in addition to mortgage interest. • The tuition and fees deduction remains
in place for 2020 • The residential (nonbusiness) energy credit for items like solar panels and high efficiency improvements remains in place. • The medical expense deduction remains at 7.5% of adjusted gross income instead of 10% as previously required under the Affordable Care Act. Required Minimum Distributions Retired taxpayers normally take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement plans by age 70 ½, but the current tax law allows retired taxpayers to defer those distributions until age 72. That provides a little extra time for taxpayers to grow their tax-deferred retirement plans. Many key tax credits remain in full effect this year, so don’t forget to obtain this information for your tax preparer.
Child Tax Credit One of the most family-friendly tax benefits is the Child Tax Credit. Current tax law provides for a credit of up to $2,000 per child under age 17 at year-end. Up to $1,400 of the credit is refundable (meaning you can receive the credit even if your tax liability is zero). The credit phases out for married taxpayers with more than $400,000 of income and heads of household with income exceeding $200,000. The $500 credit for dependents other than children remains in place this year and is available for families whose children are over 17, away at college, or have other relatives living in your home such as extended family members. Earned Income Tax Credit The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has increased to a maximum amount of $6,660 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying chil-
dren. The credit varies on your income and the number of children in your household and was designed to help lower-income taxpayers. Child and Dependent Care Credit This popular credit is worth up to $600 per child (maximum of $1,200 for two or more children) as a subsidy for childcare costs for working parents. Married filers and heads of household may claim the credit for their children under 13 years old. There is no income limit, but there is a sliding scale of the credit as a percentage of costs incurred. College Tax Credits The American Opportunity Credit provides up to $2,500 in tax credits for the first $4,000 spent on qualifying expenses annually for the first four years of undergraduate college education. The Lifetime Learning Credit is an alternative benefit that pays you back 20% of the first
$10,000 of college tuition and expenses and has no limit on the number of years it is available. Savers Tax Credit An often-overlooked credit is the Savers Tax Credit that has a maximum value of $2,000 off your income tax. Married taxpayers with income up to $48,000 ($32,000 for single filers) may claim a tax credit up to 50% of their retirement contributions to plans such as 401k, 403b or IRAs. Keep in mind that most tax credits have income limitations of some type. Other credits are also in the tax law, so be sure to do your research and ask your tax preparer if you qualify for them. Justin Smith is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Opelika, specializing in individual and small business tax and accounting. He can be contacted at 334-400-9234 or Justin@JSmithCPA.net. His Web site is www. jsmithcpa.net
Shady Grove Quarry update
Creekwood pens letters to Judge English, Protect Beulah responds By Will Fairless Associate Editor Creekwood Resources, LLC sent a letter on Jan. 22 to Judge Bill English, the chairman of the Lee County Commission. The letter was signed by Jeffrey D. Major, a managing member at Creekwood Resources. The letter addressed some issues that have been brought forth in opposition to the proposed Shady Grove Quarry. In its introduction,
EAMC >>
FROM A1
you will not be able to register until a time slot within five days is open. Clinic Location Reminder The new vaccine clinic site opened on Monday in the old “Tuesday Morning” store building located in the Market Square Shopping
DIETRICH >>
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for several hours in her kitchen while she cooked. At first, I was taking notes on my legal pad for a story about her. Then I got swallowed up with the smells. When the cornflake casserole was done, she covered it in foil and handed me the glass dish. She said, “Promise me you won’t eat it until you get to your hotel and you’re off the
the letter reads, “In light of various recent representations, made in a public setting to the Lee County Commission regarding the proposed quarry at Shady Grove, Creekwood Resources, LLC would like to correct some of the inaccurate and misleading information that has been put forth and perhaps ease some of the concerns of the community near the site.” The following are the topics addressed in
the letter and some of Creekwood’s claims regarding each. • Location: “There are very few locations within Lee or the surrounding counties that have suitable granite for mining/ construction aggregate. The possibilities in the area are indeed very limited.” The Shady Grove site is an optimal location for a granite quarry. • Governmental regulation: Mining activities are highly
regulated; they are controlled and monitored by agencies such as the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), The Department of Labor, The Corp of Engineers, The State Fire Marshall and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). Creekwood submitted a request, which has since been accepted, for ADEM to hold a public hearing to
Center. The address is 1716 Opelika Road in Auburn, and it is next door to Big Lots. The new clinic is a collaborative effort between EAMC and the cities of Auburn and Opelika, the Lee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Auburn United Methodist Church. Vaccinations are by appointment
only. Walk-ins are not permitted. The clinic replaced the one that has been operating at the EAMC Education Center. Patients who have already received their first dose should come to the new location in Auburn on the day and time of their scheduled second dose.
highway.” A mother through and through. We said goodbye, I drove away. The casserole sat in my front seat. When I hit Douglasville, I peeled back the tin foil, just to look. By Villa Rica, I dug in with a plastic spoon and drove with my knees. By Tallapoosa, half the casserole was gone and the other half was on my shirt. I wrote a column about her. Then I sent it to her. She read it and told me liked it, but it
review the community’s concerns about a quarry. • Surface water: “Halawakee Creek and Lake Harding (located downstream approximately 10.4 river miles) will be unaffected by the presence of the quarry.” This is because the quarry is 1,000 feet from the creek at the closest point. There will be an undisturbed vegetative buffer between the quarry and the creek.
All water used on the site and rainwater will be collected in manmade ponds before being recycled. The engineered ponds could also be used by the Beulah Fire Department to relieve some pressure on the city’s water system. • Dust control: Water will be used to control dust generated by mining activities. No dust emissions will leave the permitted quarry site.
Other Details: • Vaccinations are by
appointment only. Walk-ins are not permitted. Also, there are no “leftover” doses at the end of the day—all doses are accounted for and no doses are wasted. • Patients should remain in their car until 10 minutes prior to their appointment. • Space is limited and only the person receiving a vaccine
is permitted inside unless the recipient needs direct assistance from a caregiver. • Masks are required at all times. • A valid driver’s license or other form of picture ID is required. Vaccine Manufacturer Fact Sheets Note: EAMC is currently administering only the Pfizer vaccine. • Pfizer - labeling.pfiz-
er.com/ShowLabeling. aspx?id=14472 • Moderna - www. modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/ EAMC wishes to express its appreciation to the nursing schools at Auburn University, Southern Union and Tuskegee University for allowing their students to participate in this vaccination clinic.
embarrassed her. So she asked me not to publish it. Here’s how our phone conversation went: HER: Sean, it was a sweet story, but I’m afraid that if you publish it, well … All my friends will think I’m stuck up … And I just don’t want anyone thinking I’m proud. ME: Yes, ma’am. I understand. HER: I’m sorry, I know you worked real hard on it. ME: It’s alright. HER: Did you like
that casserole? ME: I absolutely adored it. HER: Did you wait until you got to the hotel to eat it? ME: I absolutely adored it. I told her I wouldn’t run the story, but we kept in touch by email. Mostly, she sent me chain letters or forwarded corny jokes from her friends. Here’s an actual joke she sent: “Two old women were out shopping, spending big bucks,
having a great time, buying shoes and clothes when a funeral procession drove by. “One old woman paused to bow her head and close her eyes as the procession passed. The old woman’s friend said, ‘Oh, that was a very respectful thing to do.’ The woman answered, ‘Well I was married to him for thirty-seven years.’” She probably sent that email while one of her cakes was rising. I got another email one morning not so long
ago. It was an email sent by her son to her whole family. Attached was an unpublished story that had been written a few years ago by some nameless writer who visited her kitchen. There was an accompanying note which read: “She was the best woman I ever knew, we will miss her.” I would tell you more about her, but she wouldn’t want anyone to think she was proud. I hope God likes cornflakes.
See SHADY , page A6
A6 February 3, 2021
Alabama State Parks provided safe haven for Alabamians during 2020
tains to the beautiful sugar-white beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, each of the 21 parks offers something unique. “I remain intensely grateful to Gov. Kay Ivey for making the courageous decision to keep our parks open,” he continued. “People needed an outlet for recreation, and the amazing staff at our parks made sure people could visit safely.” Camping and golf remained two of the largest attractions for Alabama State Parks in 2020. Visitors played 61,235 rounds of golf, an increase of 39%, at the six golf courses in the state parks system during the
fiscal year that ended in September. Campsite occupancy also grew 9.5% yearover-year, an impressive figure considering the Joe Wheeler campground was damaged by a tornado in December 2020 and remained closed for much of the year. The renovated 23-site RV campground and new off-road vehicle trail at Buck’s Pocket State Park were also unveiled in June. Hurricane season also disrupted camping throughout the fall at Gulf and Meaher state parks in Baldwin County. To reserve your campground spot, cabin or lodge room at one of
the parks, please visit alapark.com/reservations. “We all recognize the challenges all Americans faced in 2020, and the parks system faced the added stress surrounding hurricane damage and recovery,” said Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein. “But everyone pulled together and made sure the parks thrived despite every obstacle. That’s a testament to all of our employees who made sure that our visitors enjoy a wonderful experience. “I also want to thank everyone who visited our parks. You are the reason we do what we do, and we hope you’ll
be back soon.” Growing the number of visitors remains crucial to the parks system’s vitality. Approximately 80% to 90% of annual funding comes from customer fees, not taxes, and that makes Alabama State Parks among the nation’s most efficient state parks systems. Alabama State Parks offers some of the nation’s best bass fishing from Lake Guntersville and Joe Wheeler state parks. It offers spectacular cave features at Rickwood and Cathedral Caverns state parks. There’s zip-lining available at three locations — the Screaming Eagle Aerial Zipline at Lake Guntersville State Park, the Zipline Canopy Tour at Wind Creek State Park and the Aerial Zipline at DeSoto State Park. Don’t forget: Hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, backpacking, geocaching and birding activities are available, too, and a state park is within a short driving distance of virtually every Alabamian. “We know our parks offer some of the most beautiful natural scenery
ers. • Noise: “Topographic barriers or vegetated areas will be used to shield or absorb noise. The impacts of noise will be mitigated through various engineering techniques. Landscaping, and vegetated berms will be constructed to form sound barriers.” • Additional industry and jobs: “It is not uncommon to co-locate an asphalt plant and/or ready-mix concrete plant near a quarry. Should facilities such as these be located at the proposed Shady Grove Quarry, they will most likely be owned by companies other than CreekWood, however, their activities will be monitored by CreekWood to assure their compliance with environmental standards as well as ensuring that their activities are in keeping with acceptable community standards.” On Jan. 28, Protect Beulah Stop the Quarry posted on Facebook in response to the Jan. 22 letter. The following are the topics addressed in the post and some of the claims made regarding each. • Location: Alabama has a huge granite vein that runs through it. “There are plenty of other locations this quarry could be placed. We feel that the location was chosen for several reasons that does not apply to availability for granite.” The reasons listed are that the property and surrounding
properties are owned by people and businesses that will be cooperative with the quarry, proximity to Interstate 85, the fact that the proposed site is outside the city limits of Opelika and, “CreekWood thinks the population of our area does not have the financial resources to stand up to Corporate America.” The post goes on to claim that Creekwood has not taken into account that the quarry will be a major disruption to the livelihood and well-being of the community in which it will be located. • Governmental regulation: ADEM will regulate operations based on water and air quality only. “They do not regulate noise, safety, traffic, blasting, vibrations from blasting, time of operation, road conditions, health of the surrounding community, etc.” • Surface water: Creekwood cannot 100% state that failure to its water containment structures will not happen. “Even though the quarry may not change the status of the drinking water, dust will still settle within the creek and eventually be consumed by residents of Lee County (We all know extra filaments are allowed in the water report and water still be considered “Safe” to drink).” • Dust control: Water spray trucks will help some, but they will not prevent all dust
from rising. “’No dust emissions will leave the quarry site.’. . . This statement was made to only appease those that might not know the difference.” ADEM does have standards regarding dust emissions but will not be on site seven days a week to monitor the quarry’s dust emissions. • Traffic: Creekwood does not account for the fact that trucks have to make trips to and from the quarry, so a count of 6-8 loads means there will be 12-16 combined exits from and returns to the quarry. The potential addition of other industries around the quarry would greatly increase traffic. • Blasting: Creekwood has stated that the Shady Grove quarry will likely operate only five to six days a week and during regular business hours, but the permit Creekwood applied for allows for 24/7 operation. That fact, along with the fact of the questionable calculations Creekwood did regarding traffic, the company’s statement that there will be blasting only twice a month is not the most trustworthy. There may be negative effects on well water, aquifers and septic systems. Creekwood’s letter explained that “modern” buildings should not be negatively affected by blasting, but it says nothing of older structures. “Thank you CreekWood for offering the
pre-Quarry structural evaluations of the surrounding homes. We hope home owners will take you up on that offer.” There has not yet been a definitive statement on which business and home owners will be offered those evaluations, nor has there been any statement that Creekwood will pay for potential damages to those evaluated structures. • Noise: The community around the proposed quarry site currently only has to deal with occasional loud noises (e.g., from gunshots and Tannerite explosions), which will be dwarfed by those from quarry operations but which also demonstrate that a vegetative buffer is not sufficient to sufficiently dampen noises of that level. • Additional industry and jobs: Additional industries are incorporated in the permit applications submitted to Creekwood, which industries are eyesores and nuisances. • Other notes: Creekwood needs to be held responsible for any decreases in home or property value that result from the quarry. This will be the first quarry that Creekwood, a oneyear-old company, will be developing from the ground up. Creekwood Resources sent another letter to the Lee County Commission on Feb. 1 that specifically addressed traffic. According to
Contributed by Josh Bean Alabama State Parks found a new purpose during an eventful 2020. State officials kept the parks open as a safe recreational option during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the parks’ wide-open spaces and variety of activities made it possible to practice social distancing while enjoying family-friendly trips into Alabama The Beautiful. The total number of visitors to the 21 parks soared to 6.27 million, an increase of more than 1.5 million visitors, or about 32%, during the fiscal year that ended in September 2020. Visitors continued to arrive in large numbers throughout the fall. “Alabama State Parks has always been one of the state’s true treasures, and it’s gratifying to know so many people recognized that fact and visited the parks last year,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “From the foothills of the Appalachian Moun-
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• Traffic: The quarry expects to have six to eight loads of rock leave the quarry per hour, 80% of which are expected to go toward Interstate 85. • Operating schedule: The quarry will operate at normal business hours, five to six days a week. There are currently no plans to operate at night. • Blasting: “Blasting will occur on, average, twice per month during normal business hours. Most blasts last less than a second. Blasting is one of the most controlled and scientific of the activities undertaken in mining. It is also one of the most misunderstood.” Dynamite is not used in blasting, and no blasting materials will be kept on the site. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has conducted research into the effect of blasting, concluding that responsibly controlled blasting from quarrying creates vibrations at a peak particle velocity (PPV) of less than 0.5 inches per second (in./s.). Most modern structures are not negatively affected by vibrations with PPVs of 2 in./s. Alabama’s limit on PPV is 1.4 in./s. Creekwood is prepared to offer pre-blast inspections, conducted by a third party and at no cost to home or business owners, to interested nearby property own-
anywhere in the world,” Lein said. “We’re also proud that our parks offer activities and attractions that promote safe recreation while social distancing. That’s a unique blend that explains why so many people visited the parks in 2020, and we hope it continues in 2021 and beyond.”
the letter, Creekwood contacted Skippers Consulting (which has, according to the letter, performed traffic studies for the cities of Auburn and Opelika, Auburn University, and the Alabama Department of Transportation) to conduct a traffic study with the Shady Grove quarry’s effect as its subject. The letter states that the study concluded that the average vehicle count on Highway 29 (currently 6,085) will increase to 6,250 (a 2.7% increase) after the quarry opens. English made the following statement. “We have indeed engaged legal counsel to advise us about how best to proceed. We won’t know whether there will be a lawsuit until they present us with more information. Any updates will likely be in executive session because of the potential for litigation. The letter from CreekWood will not really have any effect.” The Jan. 22, Feb. 1 letters from Creekwood are available in their entirety at opelikaobserver.com/ creekwood-resources-sends-letters-to-county-commission-regarding- shadygrove-quarry/. The Protect Beulah Stop the Quarry post referenced in this article is available in its entirety at the Facebook page by the same name as the organization and at opelikaobserver.com/ protect-beulah-stopthe-quarry-respondsto-creekwood-letter-infacebook-post/.
About Alabama State Parks The Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at www.alapark.com
Opelika E vents, Society & Food
UPCOMING EVENTS Opelika Theatre Company presents: Arsenic and Old Lace Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets on sale now
Serve New Orleans style dishes during Mardi Gras season ANN CIPPERLY
Southern
Hospitality
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ooking out the window in front of my computer this morning, it seems like being in Baton Rouge, was much longer than just a year ago. We generally stop overnight in Baton Rouge or New Orleans on our way to Houston, Texas. Last year I didn’t want to make the trip, but looking back now, it was a good thing since we have been homebound for months. These stopovers are generally the highlight of the trip since we can savor Creole and Cajun dishes. When we returned last year, I wrote about our favorite restaurants in these two cities. While we have made many
trips to New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Don began going much earlier when he was growing up. He remembers going to Antoine’s when he was in grammar school. There was something about the meal that didn’t appeal to his parents (no surprise). To appease them, the waiter went to the cellar to get an aged, fine brandy to cap their meal. Although the parades have been cancelled this year due to COVID-19, there will be house floats, and the cuisine of New Orleans can still be celebrated and enjoyed. Some of the following recipes, such as the Slow Cooker Jambalaya, New Orle-
ans Red Beans and Rice or Grillades and Grits are tasty dishes to serve while watching the Super Bowl this Sunday. The tradition of Mardi Gras goes back to medieval France and began in America as a French Catholic tradition. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” which is the last night of dining on rich foods before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent begins 47 days before Easter. This year, Mardi Gras will be held Feb. 16. Mobile is credited with holding America’s first Mardi Gras celebration in 1703. By the 1730s, the event was annually celebrated with
Opelika folk duo to release album Contributed by Webster’s Wheel Webster’s Wheel, Opelika acoustic indie folk duo, has announced the launch of their sophomore album Made in Sunshine, set to be released Feb. 12. The album has been written as a spiritual guidebook to help listeners find See FOLK DUO, page A7
Photo by Ann Cipperly Ansley Joy Rezek, who is 10 years old, enjoyed learning to cook as part of her math class. Shrimp with Easy Remoulade Sauce makes an enticing appetizer to serve for a New Orleans style dinner. During the Mardi Gras season, serve a meal with recipes inspired by the cuisine of New Orleans. Some of the dishes, such as the Slow Cooker Jambalaya, New Orleans Red Beans and Rice or Grillades and Grits would be delectable fare to serve while watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.
parties and festivals in New Orleans. Mardi Gras season begins on Twelfth Night of Christmas, Jan. 6, also known as Epiphany. This is believed to be when the three wisemen visited the Christ Child.
Tradition says the Mardi Gras colors were selected from the jewels in the crowns of the wise men. These colors of purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power abound during Mardi Gras season in decorat-
ed trees, wreaths and other décor for a festive, celebratory look. These colors are also used on a king cake. The tradition of the king cake was brought See CIPPERLY, page A11
Valentine's Day Events By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com
Feb. 14 draws near and will serve as the first Valentine’s Day under the COVID-19 pandemic. Although couples normally spend their evenings in crowded restaurants, plans may need to be adjusted this year. There are still activities and deals offered in the Auburn and Opelika area for 2021, however. Couples Paint Night At The Art Studio:
The Art Studio is hosting a paint night on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. for $80. The cost includes the supplies necessary for both participants to paint. Each couple will be painting a scene in Paris, and the evening is for those 18+. If the participants are 21 or older, they may bring wine or beer, the Art Studio said. The Art Studio is located at 118 N. Ross St. Valentine’s Wine And Charcuterie Pair-
ing Event: The Collegiate Hotel is hosting a charcuterie and wine pairing event on Feb. 13 for couples. Couples can check into the hotel for the night and enjoy the tasting for $230 or register for tickets for the tasting only. Guests will pair wine and food under the guidance of Josh Nagel, a local sommelier. There is the option to register for tasting See EVENTS, page A11
A8 February 3, 2021
Jan Dempsey Arts Center hosting exhibition Contributed by the city of Auburn The Winter Invitational 2021 is being held Jan. 18 through Feb. 26 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The current exhibition in the Art Gallery at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center features 26 photographs on metal by Frank Uhlig and 14 ink drawings by the late Hugh Williams. Frank Uhlig is a professor emeritus of applied mathematics. Since retiring from research, writing and teaching in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Auburn University, he has continued his creative interest in photography. The majority of the im-
& Flea Mall
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ages in this exhibition were taken in Hale and Perry Counties in West Alabama between 2017 and 2019. Many of them have been shown previously at Pebble Hill, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and elsewhere. A number of works depict Auburn University’s Rural Studio building projects and sites. His book “Alabama Views and Words” also includes Black Belt photographs. Hugh Williams was an alumni professor of art at Auburn University for many years. While teaching in the Department of Art, Williams received an opportunity through the Fulbright Program to spend time in Africa. His travels and experiences in West Africa
served to greatly influence his art. In 2005, a major exhibition of his new work was held at Columbus Museum of Art. It included large multimedia paintings, sculptures, ceramics and drawings. The 14 drawings in this current show were among a group of drawings first shown in Columbus. They present traditional African head dress and market scenes in Kmasi, Ghana. Both the photographs and drawings in the exhibition may be available for purchase. The Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon. Masks and social distancing are required. For information about the exhibition, contact 334-501-2963.
A9 February 3, 2021
Opelika City Schools First class Pre-K Alabama’s Voluntary Pre-K Program • Pre-registration
ALABAMA’S NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FIRST CLASS PRE-K IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SCHOOL YEAR! • Opelika City Schools is accepting online pre-registration applications for 2021-2022 school year (https://alprek.asapconnected.com). Choose Opelika City Schools/Opelika High School. If you need assistance with accessing the online application, contact OCS Pre-K at 334-741-5623. • Enrollment is open to all children four years of age on or before 9/2/2021* (children who are eligible for kindergarten are ineligible). • Enrollees must provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate (the certificate may be uploaded into the online pre-registration site or submitted directly to OCS Pre-K). • Enrollees must provide two current proofs of residence (copies of power, water, or gas bill may be uploaded into the online pre-registration site or submitted directly to OCS Pre-K). • Opelika City Schools Pre-K students must reside within Opelika city limits. • No Registration Fee is required for this program. • Upon enrollment, child’s immunization record must be provided. • No child will be denied participation on basis of income, sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.
PRE-REGISTRATION DATES January 15 - March 9, 2021 For OCS Pre-K: select Opelika High School/ Opelika City Schools
REGISTRATION/FORMS Go online to https://alprek.asapconnected.com. Complete the Pre-Registration Form and submit birth certificate and two proofs of residence.
MORE INFORMATION Visit www.children.alabama.gov and see Pre-Registration Info under First Class Pre-K.
ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM Acceptance is strictly through a random drawing to be held on March 10 at 10 a.m. at Opelika High School. Parent/Guardian does not have to be present at drawing. Notices will be emailed beginning April 16. OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS FIRST CLASS PRE-K Alabama’s Voluntary Pre-K Program
PRE-REGISTRATION
Alabama’s nationally recognized First Class Pre-K
*An opinion of the Attorney General states in effect that under the common law one’s age is preparing for another exciting school year! is computed by including the day of birth so that a given age is attained the day before the birthday anniversary. ~ Ala. Code §16-28-4(1975) Interpretation based on Report of Attorney • Opelika City Schools is accepting online pre-registration applications for 2021-2022 school year. General of Alabama October-December 1963, Volume 113, page 20.
For assistance with accessing the online application, contact OCS Pre-K at 334-741-5623. • Enrollment is open to all children four years of age on or before 9/2/2021* who are residents of the state of Alabama (children who are eligible for kindergarten are ineligible). • Enrollees must provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate (the certificate may be uploaded into the online pre-registration site or submitted directly to OCS Pre-K).
A10 February 3, 2021
Community members take the plunge for Special Olympics
Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer Lee County community members plunged into the cold waters of Samford Pool in Auburn and raised over $13,000 for Lee County Special Olympics on Saturday.
A11 February 3, 2021
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from France to New Orleans. It can be similar to a coffee cake or pastry topped with icing or sugar and decorated with the Mardi Gras colors. Some cakes are filled with cream cheese or laced with cinnamon. Most king cakes have a plastic or porcelain baby, which symbolizes Jesus, inserted in the cake. Whoever is served a slice of cake with the baby is king for the day. They are also responsible for hosting a party or providing a king cake the following year. Instead of a baby in the cake, some insert a coin. Either one of these should be inserted in the cake after it is baked. Be sure to let guests know to check their slice to avoid choking. A few years ago, a friend hosted a Mardi
Gras themed tea. She made a lovely king cake with a plastic baby baked in the batter. When the cake was served, the baby was not found. It must have melted, and I think everyone was wondering who ate the baby. King cakes are available at local grocery stores, or you can make your own. Kathy Hughes makes a delectable king cake using packaged crescent rolls and a cream cheese filling. Kathy inserts a plastic baby after the cake is baked before she adds the icing and colored sprinkles. Instead of a king cake for dessert with your New Orleans style dishes, bread pudding would also be yummy. If you make Clay Humphries’ recipe from Commander’s Palace, you can adapt the sauce. Instead of adding bourbon, you can add a couple teaspoons vanilla, or you can serve the bread
pudding with a caramel sauce. Shrimp Remoulade is almost always a hit. It can be made using boiled or oven-roasted shrimp. While shrimp is easy to cook, you can have the shrimp cooked at the seafood shop in the grocery store or pur-
chase cooked shrimp. If your family doesn’t like foods too spicy, just adjust the seasonings in the recipes to suit their taste. Try adding a small amount to taste, then add more if needed. I can’t write about New Orleans without mentioning my friend,
Nancy Parker, who was a well-known and beloved news anchor in the city. The daughter of Patsy and Bill Parker of Opelika, Nancy died tragically in a plane crash. She continues to be honored for her work and helping others. I will have more
information on this soon. Look over the following recipes and assemble a menu for treating your family with a taste of New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season. Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.
Love Magazine discusses the album in their latest review, “Webster’s Wheel are hitting 2021 as hard as they can with the beautifully simple Made in Sunshine … To say that the last year was a dark time for a lot of Americans wouldn’t be doing it justice, but Webster’s Wheel seem to be on a mission to right the ship with the most unsophisticated of heavenly harmonies … This is a good time to be a folk fan, and records like this are the reason why.” Receive two free songs from Webster’s Wheel’s upcoming album by subscribing to their newsletter at www.websterswheel. com and stay updated on new videos, pre-orders, merch and more. To reserve tickets to Webster’s Wheel’s performance in The Jailhouse at Rock ‘N Roll Pinball (limited seating), visit www. websterswheel.com/ shows. For more information on Webster’s Wheel, visit www.websterswheel.com, and
find Webster’s Wheel on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
bors.”
The post encouraged participants to come dressed in red, pink or white. Due to COVID-19, the groups are limited to 15 participants. Register at the Harris Center by Feb. 12.
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healing during difficult times and has been described as “incredible” by Miami’s Too Much Love Magazine, “groundbreaking” by MobAngeles Press and “unmissable” by Hollywood Digest. To celebrate the release, the duo will be performing in The Jailhouse at Rock ‘N Roll Pinball in Opelika on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. Webster’s Wheel is composed of Opelika singer/songwriters Marie Robertson and Daniel Lee Webster, who began writing acoustic folk music together in 2019. They released their debut album Rest My Weary I’s in July 2020 and it was nominated for IndieShark Music Magazine’s 2020 Album of the Year. To quote one reviewer at IndieShark Music, “It’s hard to avoid getting lost in the sonic gaze generated by these two when they’re clicking like nobody’s business.”
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tickets, without booking a room, for $60. See The Collegiate’s website for more information: https://staycoho.com. Kreher Preserve And Nature Center: Check out the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center for two Valentine’s Day-themed events. On Feb. 13, Heather Jackson will host an art workshop that teaches participants to create nature-themed Valentine’s Day cards. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the preserve (2222
The duo is now gearing up for the release of their second full-length album Made in Sunshine this February. Bluegrass harmonies and country bass lines are written all over this upbeat sophomore LP. The upcoming album was written to accompany
the present state of the human spirit, but instead of simply reflecting on the current mood of the world, Webster’s Wheel are offering a spiritual guidebook for navigating the deep waters. “There’s a lot of heartache and disagree-
ment going on right now and we want to help people find peace and healing through spiritual reflection,” says Webster. “We embrace everyone with compassion and hope that after they hear our music, they leave with a smile in their hearts.” Miami’s Too Much
N. College St.) On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, the preserve is hosting a self-led hike that you can take at any point during the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “This self-led hike takes you through our trails with several 'lovely' stops along the way. Celebrate Valentine's with your one true love this year: nature,” the description of the hike said.
for $94. To book a reservation, go to www. opentable.com/r/ southern-oak-opelika?fbclid=IwAR17AF3uujXU5sA2Y8ie8-y5pil1PWlaqpwyGtYNYTlP0dNFgtmX1MVKyVU.
- Niffers at the Tracks - Ware Jewelers - Heritage Gifts and Gourmet - Panera Bread - Resting Pulse Brewing Co. - State Farm — Kathy Powell - Taylor Made Designs - John Emerald Distilling Co. - Twice Baked “February just got a little sweeter,” said the Opelika Chamber website. “From February 8th to February 15th, stop by these participating businesses for a delicious chocolaty treat during Valentine’s week. Indulge in this sweet confection while you shop and support your friends and neigh-
Dinner At Southern Oak: Take your date out for a four-course meal at Southern Oak on either Saturday, Feb. 13, or Sunday, Feb. 14. The meal will include an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert for $59 a person or with wine
The Chocolate Crawl: Valentine’s Day is arguably the holiday most devoted to chocolate. Opelika is hosting a chocolate crawl the week before Valentine’s Day from Feb. 8 through Feb. 15. To participate, visit any of these businesses during the week: - Butcher Paper BBQ - Gigi’s Cupcakes - La Cantina
Zumba: Before eating a lot of chocolate, spend some time dancing with the Zumbathon 2021-Valentine’s Day Party at the Boykin Community Center. Zumba will take place on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Each session is 90 minutes, so attend from 8 to 9 a.m. or 9 to 10:30 a.m. “Awesome instructors who can get you dancing and will take turns leading in various styles and levels of Zumba moves — check,” the Zumba Facebook post said. “A Valentine’s Day-themed costume contest — check.”
ABOUT WEBSTER’S WHEEL Webster’s Wheel are a rising acoustic indie-folk duo from the southern hills of Opelika, Alabama. Composed of singer/ songwriters Marie Robertson and Daniel Lee Webster, their captivating harmonies, poetic lyricism and southern charm are a surefire heart revival. The duo released their debut album Rest My Weary I’s in July 2020 and it was nominated for IndieShark Music Magazine’s 2020 Album of the Year. The duo is now gearing up for the release of their second fulllength album Made in Sunshine, which has been described as “incredible” by Miami’s TooMuchLove Magazine, “groundbreaking” by MobAngeles Press and “unmissable” by Hollywood Digest. For more information, please see www.websterswheel.com.
Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National: The Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National is offering a Valentine Package this February. On Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, book a room and receive chocolate-covered strawberries, champaign, dinner and breakfast with the package. To book, visit: marriotgrandnational.com
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RECIPES
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SHRIMP WITH EASY REMOULADE SAUCE Can use boiled shrimp. Oven Roasted Shrimp Large shrimp Kosher salt and pepper Olive oil Lemon or lime juice Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel and devein shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Place shrimp on a foil-lined sheet pan. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Brush or drizzle equal parts olive oil and lemon or lime juice over shrimp. Roast in oven for six minutes. Can chill and serve later. Easy Remoulade Sauce 1 cup mayonnaise 3 green onions, sliced 2 Tbsp. Creole mustard 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or 2 tsp. dried Combine ingredients and stir until well blended.
sired, with serving Sauté green onions and garlic in butter on low heat for 10 minutes. Add 3 cups water. Add crawfish or shrimp. Add salt and pepper and Tony Charchere’s Seasonings. Cook 20 minutes on low heat. Thicken with cornstarch and water mixture. Add parsley and cook 5 minutes more. Serve over steamed rice. Serve with Tabasco sauce, if desired.
SHRIMP WITH CLASSIC REMOULADE SAUCE Char Warren Serve with boiled shrimp. ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup tarragon vinegar ¼ cup prepared mustard ¼ cup horseradish 2 tsp. salt Dash of pepper Tabasco, if desired 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. paprika Dash of cayenne 2 Tbsp. ketchup 1 cup olive oil ½ cup green onion, chopped Mix all ingredients, but olive oil, celery and green onion; add oil gradually. Beat with whisk. Add celery and onion. Makes two cups.
NEW ORLEANS RED BEANS AND RICE Annette Andrus 1 ham bone 8 cups water 2 tsp. garlic Salt to taste 1/4 tsp. Tabasco 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 lb. dried red beans, washed 3/4 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped onions 1 and 1/2 cloves garlic, minced 3 Tbsp. oil 1/2 lb. ham, cubed 1/4 lb. hot sausage, sliced 1/2 lb. smoked sausage, sliced Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup chopped parsley 2 cups cooked rice In a large pot or Dutch oven, place ham bone, water, garlic, salt, Tabasco, Worcestershire and beans. Cook uncovered, over low flame. Sauté celery, onions and garlic in oil until transparent. In another pan sauté ham and sausage; drain. Add cooked meats and seasonings to beans. Add salt and pepper and continue to cook over low flame until beans are soft and creamy for 3 hours. Add parsley before serving. Serve over hot, fluffy rice.
CRAWFISH OR SHRIMP ETOUFFEE Terry Andrus 3 lb. peeled crawfish or shrimp 3 sticks butter 3 bunches thin green onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 3 cups water 1/3 cup cornstarch added to 1/2 cup cold water Salt and pepper Tony Charchere‘s Seasonings 1 cup chopped fresh parsley Steamed rice Tabasco sauce, if de-
SLOW COOKER JAMBALAYA Carole Perryman Smith 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, baked and cut into small, bite-size pieces 1 lb. Conecuh sausage, sliced into small discs, cooked 1 (28 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes with juice 1 large onion, chopped 1 large green bell pepper, chopped 1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chicken broth 2 tsp. dried oregano 2 tsp. dried parsley 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning 1 tsp. cayenne pepper ½ tsp. dried thyme In a slow cooker, mix the cooked chicken, cooked sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion, green bell pepper, celery and broth. Season with oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper and thyme. Cover and cook 7 to 8 hours on low, or 3 to 4 hours on high. Serve over white rice. Serves 12. GRILLADES AND GRITS Caro Law Duncan 1¼ lbs. boneless pork loin chops 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp. Tony’s Creole Seasoning 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 cups sliced Crimini mushrooms 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1½ tsp. chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 3/4 tsp. chopped fresh or 1/4 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper, optional 1/4 tsp. salt Trim fat from pork chops, and cut pork crosswise into thin strips. Combine flour and Tony’s Creole Seasoning; dredge pork in flour mixture. Cook half of pork in 2 Tbsp. hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with 1 Tbsp. oil and remaining pork. Remove pork from skillet. Sauté celery and bell peppers in remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in skillet 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and sauté 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and next 5 ingredients; cook over medium heat 5 minutes. Add pork; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over cooked grits. KATHY’S KING
CAKE Kathy Hughes 2 tubes crescent rolls 1 ½ blocks (8 oz. size) cream cheese, softened ¼ cup powdered sugar 2 Tbsp. vanilla Purple, green and gold sprinkles Tiny plastic baby (optional) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I use a greased round baking stone. Carefully unfold crescent rolls and place in a circle, points toward the middle. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until very smooth. Spoon mixture onto the crescent rolls, trying to get it mostly in the middle. Take tops and bottoms of crescent rolls and fold over mixture. Please note that the entire mixture may not be covered. Bake for about 20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Icing 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp. milk Combine sugar and milk. Carefully add more milk to get the desired consistency of the icing. You do not want it too thin. Insert plastic baby after baking. After the cake cools completely, insert the baby, and make sure it is hidden well. Then drizzle icing over cake. Finish by putting sprinkles on top. COMMANDER’S PALACE’S BREAD PUDDING Clay Humphries Instead of being cake-like, this recipe is more like a soufflé. I make sure it is the consistency of thick oatmeal, not cake. It seems like it is not done but it is. 1 cup sugar 1 stick butter 5 eggs, beaten 1 pint heavy cream Dash cinnamon 1 Tbsp. vanilla ¼ cup white raisons 12 slices white bread, torn into pieces Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients except bread; mix well. Add broken bread and mix. Pour into 2-quart casserole. Cover with foil. Place casserole in pan of hot water. (Be
sure to have the pan of hot water in the oven before placing in casserole dish.) Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, remove cover last 10 minutes. We prefer the bread pudding to have the texture of thick oatmeal, not cake. Whiskey Sauce 1 cup sugar 1 cup heavy cream Dash of cinnamon 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter ½ tsp. cornstarch ¼ cup water 1 Tbsp. bourbon In saucepan, combine sugar, cream, cinnamon and butter; bring to boil. Mix cornstarch and water; add to mix and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and add bourbon. Note: If you wish to omit bourbon, add 2 or more teaspoons vanilla. BARBECUE SHRIMP AND CREAM CHEESE GRITS Ralph's on the Park, New Orleans Serves 2. Easy to double. We enjoyed a superb meal here on a trip to New Orleans. Located across from the entrance to City Park, Ralph Brennan's Ralph's on the Park serves fresh ingredients from local fishermen, farmers and artisan food producers. 12 raw colossal shrimp, unpeeled, with heads and tails left on (If colossal shrimp are not available, use the largest you can find.) 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1½ Tbsp. coarsely ground black pepper (or to taste) 2 tsp. Creole seasoning 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic Half lemon, seeded 1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes Warm, crusty French bread, for serving Place shrimp, Worcestershire, pepper, Creole seasoning, garlic and 1 Tbsp. water in a heavy 10-inch, stainless-steel sauté pan. Squeeze juice from the lemon half over shrimp and add the rind and pulp to the pan. Over high heat, cook shrimp while gently stirring and occasionally turning the shrimp.
After about two minutes of cooking, the shrimp should start turning pink on both sides, indicating they are nearly half cooked. If the shrimp are the colossal size, add 2 Tbsp. water to the pan. Otherwise, don’t add water. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue cooking as you gradually add cold pieces of butter to the pan. While turning the shrimp occasionally, swirl the butter pieces until they are incorporated into the pan juices. The sauce turns light brown and creamy as it simmers, and the shrimp are just cooked through. This will take about two minutes total if the shrimp are extra-large, and about three minutes total if they’re colossal. Do not overcook the shrimp. Cream Cheese Grits ¾ cup grits, stone ground 2 cups chicken stock ¾ cup heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste 6 ½ Tbsp. cream cheese 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese Combine the grits, chicken stock, heavy cream, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper in a pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to a slow simmer. Stir the grits frequently to prevent sticking and burning. Continue to cook on a slow simmer making sure to constantly stir the grits if they get to thick before they are tender. Add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. BANANAS FOSTER SAUCE FOR WAFFLES OR ICE CREAM Ashton’s Bed and Breakfast New Orleans, La. The bed and breakfast serves this sauce over waffles at breakfast. ¼ cup unsalted butter 1 cup brown sugar ¼ cup banana liqueur 2 bananas, quartered ½ tsp. cinnamon ¼ cup rum Belgian waffles Heat and stir butter, sugar and liqueur in a pan until melted. Add banana quarters and sprinkle cinnamon over top; cook until bananas are softened. Turn off heat: carefully add rum. Ignite rum to flame (optional). Serve over hot Belgian waffles or ice cream.
A13 February 3, 2021
I
have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) These words were spoken by a man being pursued by authorities who wanted to put Him to death (John 11:53-54). More to the point, He knew they would be successful in their wicked endeavor (13:1). Try to imagine what your response might be under such circumstances. Jesus’s response was not only to speak of peace, but to offer it to His followers. He wasn’t whistling in the dark either. He goes to the garden where He prays that not His will be done,
Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. • St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org. • Union Grove Baptist Church In-person gathering with social distancing. Masks are available. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m. Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch • First Baptist Church Opelika The following are held in-person and online on Sundays. 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship and Message at The Worship Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour 11 a.m. Contemporary Service at The 3:16 Center 6 p.m. Evening Worship and Message at The Worship Center 6:30 p.m. Church on Chadwick at Chadwick Lane in Auburn To watch services online, go to fbcopelika.com/media
Set Peace Out but His Father’s. He’s marched through the sham of a trial and maintains His poise and confidence in God. On the cross, He asks that those who have taken part in His impending death be forgiven. At By Bruce Green death He commits Him- Teaching Minister at 10th self into His Father’s Street Church of Christ hands. What kind of in Opelika person acts this way? One who knows though everything isn’t peace. alright. After all, Jesus And He wants us to possessed it despite the have this peace. But make no mistake about many troubling things that happened to Him. it—we won’t find it And troubling things anywhere else—it’s will be part of our lives His peace. He told His as well. He told His disciples, “In Me you may have peace” (v. 33). disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.” In 14:27 He said, “My Being a disciple doesn’t peace I give you.” It’s His peace it’s only avail- give us immunity from pain, hardship or able through knowing disappointment—but it Him. does mean we can have But if we are in peace in the midst of relationship with Him, these things. we can have peace even
And if we can have peace when everything isn’t alright, then we can have peace about anything. Paul found peace about his past. Before he became a follower of Jesus, he was involved in persecuting followers of Jesus “to their death” (Acts 22:4). After he became a disciple, we can only imagine the pain he must have felt because of what he had done. He would have met the families of people he had helped be put to death and known that they were without their spouse, father, mother, sister, or brother because of his actions. He knew the depth of his sin—but he also knew the grace of God meant anyone could be forgiven of anything and this brought him peace (1 Timothy 1:12ff).
ABOUT BRUCE GREEN Paul also had peace when he faced uncertainty about the present and future. He wrote to the Philippians while imprisoned and unsure about what would happen next (1:20, 27). In the fourth chapter, he tells the Christians there not to be anxious about “anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7). In the end, peace isn’t based on the chance that everything always works out okay (good luck with that). It about making the choice to follow the One who has “overcome the world” and offers His peace to us (Acts 22:16).
You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.
Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." — Proverbs 19:21 APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506
ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143
Church Directory
Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at
First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD
Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist
Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-7418675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421
Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-7495386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-7411006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770
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A14 February 3, 2021
OBITUARIES Faye Carolyn Corr Starr Beal Faye Carolyn Corr Starr Beal passed away Jan. 27 at her home at Covenant Woods in Columbus, GA. Mrs. Beal was born in Opelika on Oct. 8, 1928 to Mr. and Mrs. William Raleigh Corr.
Mrs. Beal is preceded in death by her husbands Jim L. Starr and Dr. James A Beal, III; her parents; siblings: Cecil Corr, Raleigh Corr, Jessie Corr Friel, Camellia Corr Dickinson, Virginia Corr Starr, and Jeanne Corr. She is survived by her children: Dick (Beverly) Starr, Jimmy (Cathy) Starr, Nancy Starr (Charles) Abernathy, Leigh Starr (Bill) Chambers; grandchildren: Christopher (Donna) Starr, Melissa Starr, Tiffanie (Dereck) Starr-Boudreau, Carolyn Abernathy (Damian) Champion, Rachel Abernathy (Aj) Warburton, James Meadows, Elizabeth Meadows; and several great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Covenant Woods staff, Tywanna Rutledge, Barbara Riley, Lucy Green, and the healthcare staff ladies for the excellent care Mrs. Beal received while in their care. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Beal’s memory may be sent to: Columbus Hospice 7020 Moon Road Columbus, GA 1909.
Osie “Polly” Long Osie “Polly” Long, 79, of Opelika passed away Jan. 26, at EAMC Lanier. Mrs. Long was born Sept. 12, 1941 to Hermie and Willie Cannon in Tallassee, Alabama. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 29 at Garden Hills Cemetery, with Reverend Earl Ballard officiating. Mrs. Long is preceded in death by her husband Fredrick Lamar Long; and grandson: Brandon Lamar Ross. Survivors include, children: Shei-
la (Woody) Ross, Pam (Bryan) Persall, Teresa Felsinger; grandchildren: Daniel Ross, Heather (Cody) Scrimpshire, Jonathon Sweatman, Samatha Sweatman, Kimmy Thompson, Brooke Thompson, Jessie Felsinger, Hope Felsinger; great grandchildren: Peyton Smith, Nolan Smith, Colin Scrimpshire, Aria Scrimpshire, Ollie Van Wettering, Cal DeAngelis, Allie Sandborn, Marshall Sandborn; and a host of cousins and extended family members. She loved God, Jesus and her family very much. Her favorite saying was “I love you more”. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
James Houston Spain Jr. James Houston Spain Jr, a machinist and lifelong resident of Opelika, passed away Jan. 26, 2021 at his home. James was preceded in death by his parents James Houston Spain, Sr. and Marjorie Delbridge Spain of Opelika. He is survived by his wife Sherie Spain; his sister Mary Louise Spain Sanders (David) of Gardendale, his brothers John “Mark” Spain (Margaret) of Montgomery and Benjamin D. Spain (Cindy) of Opelika; sons, Jim Spain (Amy) of Opelika, Timothy Spain (Jennifer) of Covington GA, Jacob Spain (Grace) of Beulah; stepson Mason Beard (Kari) of Atlanta, GA; and grandchildren, Katie Spain, Felicity Spain, Hudson Spain, Ezra Spain, Charlotte Spain, Abby Beard, Brooke Beard, and Will Beard. James was a devout husband that loved his family unconditionally. One of his proudest accomplishments was working at Rexnord (Falk Corporation) for more than 40 years. He was a man of many talents who built world class stereo systems in his spare time. His personal turn table is one of a kind as he delicately designed and machined it to sound as
though you are on the stage at Carnegie Hall. James also loved pipe organs and has two in his home that he spent many weeks installing with his sons. James loved art, music, literature, and the culinary arts. His greatest achievement as a father was passing down that love to his three sons. In demonstrating his love for his community, James and his wife, Sherie, have been instrumental in working with the Potters of Rocky Brook in the Empty Bowls Fundraiser. This event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the East Alabama Community Food Bank over the past several years. His presence will be missed. In lieu of flowers please donate to: Empty Bowls Fundraiser 1102 Denson Drive Opelika AL 36801.
Kathryn Weeks McCrory Kathryn Weeks McCrory, 96, passed away at Oak Park Rehabilitation Center in Auburn, Alabama on Jan. 27, 2021. She was born on Feb. 13, 1924, grew up most of her life in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Ensley High School. During the Great Depression, her family relocated to a farm in Yukon, Tennessee for a period of time. Although things were difficult those years, being the positive person that she was, she fondly recalled much about her experiences growing up. While accompanying her sister-in-law to visit her brother, in pilot training during WW II, Kathryn met James Howard “Alabama” McCrory, also a pilot-trainee, and a few months later, during a return trip, Kat and Bama were married in Chickasha, Oklahoma on Christmas Day, 1943. Bama was deployed to fly a C-47 in the India, Burma, China theater of WWII, where he was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for meritorious service during the war.
Kathryn returned to Birmingham and lived with her parents until the end of the war. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Opelika where she was active in Sunday School and Women's Missionary Union. She enjoyed traveling with her children, reading western novels, doing word puzzles and bird watching. She was preceded in death by her hard-working husband of almost 60 years, James Howard McCrory, her loving parents, Robert W. and Mary Wortham Weeks, two brothers, Cecil Amuel Weeks (Rose) and Ralph Lamar Weeks (Ann). She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Robert “Eddie” McCrory, a Montgomery police officer. Kathryn is survived by five children: Thomas E. McCrory (Doris), Johns Creek, Georgia; James L. McCrory, Sr. (Carol), Opelika; Virginia M. Walton (Charles), Beauregard; Robert H. McCrory (Katrinka), Montgomery; and William A. McCrory (Linda), Tallassee. Also surviving Kathryn are 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family is very grateful for the wonderful care and concern that has been shown by so many friends and members of the clergy and the medical community of the Auburn-Opelika area. Interment will be next to the grave of her husband and near many McCrory family ancestors also buried in Pine Flat Cemetery, Forest Home, Butler County, Alabama.
Andrew C. Story, Jr. Andrew C. Story, Jr. died peacefully at his home on Jan. 29, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. Andy was born Oct. 11, 1946 in Opelika to the late Andrew Story, Sr. and Susan Ingram Story. Andy graduated
Opelika High School with the class of 1965 and was still close to and grateful for the close friends he still had from his youth. Andy spent the majority of his life working in and later managing the family business his father started, Story’s Sporting Goods. There are not many outdoorsman in East Alabama that haven’t gone to see “Mr. Andy” for a gun or just to sit in folding chairs to drink coffee while solving the worlds problems around the gun case. Since selling the business in order to retire, Andy has spent his time with his grandsons and in the last two years, faithfully caring for the love of his life during her fight against cancer. Andy was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Ruth Story. Andy is survived by his three daughters; Rowena Story of Montgomery, Michelle Henry of Birmingham, and Jodi (Marc) Wells of Opelika. He is also survived by the two lights of his life, his grandsons, Andrew Wells and Lucas Wells. Graveside service were held at 10 a.m. Feb. 2, 2021 at Garden Hills Cemetery with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Friends were received in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, Feb. 2, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. until Noon. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Providence Baptist Church Building Fund.
Miriam Ann Faulk Dorsey Miriam Ann Faulk Dorsey of Opelika, Alabama passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2021 at Bethany House in Auburn surrounded by loved ones. A farm girl from Ozark, Alabama, Miriam was attending API when she met the love of her life, the late David Whitt Dorsey, Sr. of Opelika, and their marriage in 1951 began a loving journey
of 66 years. Upon graduation from API, Miriam was a schoolteacher in the Lee County School system for 33 years. And, years after her retirement no family outing was complete without someone approaching her with “Aren’t you Mrs. Dorsey?” to which she would proceed to amaze those present with the names and events. After her retirement, “Bam” as she was affectionately known by family and friends, enjoyed lovingly keeping her home, her family and her sweet “Papa” in line. She took great pride in serving up delicious Sunday dinners and looked forward to her Garden Club meetings and her “mandatory” Thursday trips to the beauty parlor. In her later years, Bam loved watching her “Andy Griffith Show” as long as was in black and white! She was preceded in death by her husband, David Whitt Dorsey, Sr. of Opelika; parents, Henry Lee Faulk and Annie Clark Faulk of Ozark, Alabama; sisters, Martha Faulk Loftin and Mary Faulk Kaye. Miriam is survived by her sons, David Whitt Dorsey, Jr. (Leann), and Dallas Clark Dorsey; grandchildren, Dallas Clark Dorsey, Jr. (Anna), Whitney Starr Dorsey (Danna), David Whitt Dorsey, III, Anna Laura Dorsey (Rebecca), Joy Kate Dorsey; great grandchildren, Dallas Clark Dorsey, III, Isaac Terrell Dorsey, and Elijah Pete Dorsey. A family graveside service will be held at Rosemere Cemetery on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Dr. Robin Wilson officiating. The family would like to thank Bam’s extended family at Bethany House for their love, care and support. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First United Methodist Church of Opelika or Bethany House of Auburn.
A15 February 3, 2021
O
n Saturday, Jan. 30, our beloved grandmother, the matriarch of this particular Dorsey family, was called home by our Heavenly Father. Bam, as we affectionately call her, took a piece of each of our hearts with her and she is sorely missed. We loved and cherished her dearly, and quite frankly she was the best “Bam”ever. We are happy that she is truly home, but our world just doesn’t feel quite the same without her in it. She was a true Southern belle, a farm girl originally from Ozark, Al turned teacher by the tutelage of Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Fortunately for this writer, she landed in Opelika on the arm of the late David Dorsey Sr (affectionately known to us as Papa).
Miriam Dorsey Anecdotes, jokes, and general tom-foolery have been known to flow rather abundantly around the Dorsey dinner table, and on one of her first dates with Papa to meet family for Sunday dinner, Bam quipped “y’all are going to have to hire a listener”. Papa was smitten, as was the rest of the family, and she would become the matron of one of the sweetest love stories we ever witnessed. We’d meet her in later years, the “granchillen” as Papa would call us. We initially called her “Gram” in our failed attempts to say “grandma”, and I am not sure when or how the metamorphosis occurred to “Bam”. At any rate, no ordinary moniker was fitting for such an exceptional
grandmother and she was crowned “Bam”.
Bam loved us like no other earthly be-
ing, and the love she gave us was Christlike. We were completely undeserving and could offer little in return, but her love was unfaltering. She was always there for us, and was our best cheerleader. You could taste that love in the chicken salad, ambrosia, brunswick stew, corn bread, cornbread dressing, salmon croquettes, hoe cakes, and cucumber salad she made, and we often felt her love in the form of her service, devotion, and commitment to our family. Like her namesake in Exodus, Miriam, our “Bam” was steadfast, observant, and active in nurturing and caring for all of her “chillen and granchillen”. She took us shopping for school clothes, supplies, registered us for classes, rooted us on from the
stands at our sporting events, and took us to Sunday school most Sundays. She indulged us with an occasional Oreo cookie, or ten. I peek around the corner of the old family house on 8th street, and still think I may find her polishing her silver, or watching Andy Griffith or Lawrence Welk from her favorite chair. I am filled with the cherished memories of a love lost, but not gone forever, and I am reminded of God’s faithfulness. Ultimately, his righteousness will prevail and we will see our sweet Bam again. Death has lost its sting, as the saying goes, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t ache a little bit. We Love you, Bam, and we are okay. Please rest easy. Love Always, Dallas Jr, Starr, Whitt, Anna Laura, Kate
CELEBRATING 92 YEARS>>
FROM A1
Photos by Josh Fisher / For the Opelika Observer
A16 February 3, 2021
COMICS
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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Inside • Opelika schools • Lee County schools • community sports
Slow starts and turnovers burn Southern Christian By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell
OHS Holds Signing Day Ceremony
O
pelika High School held a signing ceremony for football and basketball student-athletes on Wednesday morning inside the football building. The following OHS students signed football scholarships: Anthony Martin, TreVon Moore, Tori Roberts, Ty Robinson, Eric Thomas, Ja’Kai Stephens and Eric Watts. Two Opelika seniors signed basketball scholarships: Kaitlyn Bryant and LaDajah Hughley. Congratulations to all student-athletes signing scholarships! (Look forward to pictures of all the signees in next week’s issue of the Observer.) OHS INDOOR “LAST CHANCE MEET” Opelika’s Indoor Track Team participated in the “Last Chance Meet” at Birmingham’s Crossplex last Saturday. This is the last meet prior to the AHSAA State Meet on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Crossplex in Birmingham. OHS placed several runners in the top 5 in their respective events. The following is the top 5 finishers with the events listed. Watts, 1st in long
jump, 2nd in the 60-meter hurdles. Kaden Cooper, 1st in triple jump. Jarrell Stinson, 2nd in the 60-meter dash. Dalen Tolbert, 2nd in the 400 meters, 4th in 60-meter dash. Caleb Phillips, 2nd in high jump. Lajaden Tolbert, 2nd in shot put. Justin Shorter, 3rd in the 60-meter dash. Dontarius Alvis, 3rd in pole vault. Chesser Brewer, 4th in the 3,200 meters. Tykell Thomas, 4th in the 60-meter hurdles. Davian Jones, 4th in high jump. Benjamin Royal, 4th in pole vault. BASKETETBALL UPDATE The OHS girls and boys basketball teams played two area games last week. Opelika’s Lady Bulldogs (10-8) split games, beating Valley and losing to Eufaula. Head Girls Coach Devin Booth was hoping her team would sweep the two area games and tie Eufaula for the area regular season championship. Instead, Eufaula slipped by OHS, 55-51, to capture the area title. Opelika’s Kaitlyn See SPORTS , page B5
School Board meetings Opelika: Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at 300 Simmons St. Lee County: Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. at 2410 Society Hill Road
Southern Christian Academy returned to the court last week after a brief COVID19-related hiatus and the rust showed, with slow starts and turnovers marring the Patriot’s difficult week. “We are going to have to learn how to play together as a team,” said Southern Christian Head Coach Jason Scott. “We have a lot of individual effort and guys really getting after it, but until we decide to play as a team,
we will continue to struggle.” On Jan. 28 the Patriots traveled to Union Springs to face the Eagles of Conecuh Springs Christian School. The JV Boys team were led to victory by Josiah Frick, scoring 11 points in the matchup. Harris Adams added 8 points while Jagger Scott had another double-digit night with 11 rebounds. The performance of every Patriot was crucial as Southern Christian narrowly edged the Eagles 28-25. In the Varsity Boys
game, point guard Luke Humes led the Patriots in scoring with 8 points. Overall, the Patriots struggled to get their offense going and found themselves down 10 at the half. “At half time I was sure we were going to be able to keep up with them,” Scott said. In the third quarter, the Eagles caught fire. Outscoring the Patriots 41-6 in the second half of regulation, Conecuh Springs cruised to the victory. With 26 turnovers, the Patriots hand-fed the Eagles a
64-19 win. The high point for the Patriots was another great performance under the basket by Jagger Scott, pulling down 10 boards. On Friday, SCA traveled to Trussville for what was always going to be a tough game against the East Central Patriots who have an undefeated JV and Varsity Girls team. East Central, the likely No. 1 seed in the ACSC State Playoffs. The SCA JV Boys played first, falling 52-35. Jedd Scott See SOUTHERN , page B5
King Kat Tournament Trail travels to Opelika
Anglers will fish Lake Harding Contributed to the Opelika Observer
Catfish anglers from across the states will travel to Lake Harding at Opelika, for a King Kat Tournament Trail event presented by Bass Pro Shops/ Cabela’s. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes and an opportunity to compete in the regional championships and the 2021 King Kat Classic. Anglers fishing the March 20, 2021, event will be testing their cat-fishing skills against other anglers and whatever Mother Nature has in store. This event is a Region 1 qualifier in the new King Kat regional competition. Lake Harding is a
5,850-acre reservoir on the Chattahoochee River (AKA Bartlett’s Ferry Lake). Bartlett’s Ferry Dam is actually in Georgia but the surface water is shared with Alabama where the tournament will be staged. The lake is characterized by many pockets and small creeks on the lake for anglers to prospect. Regional Competition The 2021 Regional Competition is based on four regions with four qualifying events in each region. Each region will have its own championship and points will be tabulated both regionally and nationally. Visit the King Kat website for complete scheduling. How to Enter Teams may consist
of one to three anglers but limits are based on a two-person team. Early registration can be accomplished on the King Kat website at www.kingkatusa. com/Tournament_ Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 3845924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Late entries are subject to a $25 late fee. Participating anglers must be a member of the King Kat Association (KKA). Membership is $30 for adults and $15 for spouse and youth memberships. Other membership levels are outlined on the King Kat website. Each membership will
include a subscription to the King Kat Sportsman. It is the official publication of the King Kat Association and one of the top cat-fishing fishing publications in the nation. Coronavirus Response Anglers will sign up at registration, be given a copy of guidelines for social distancing, be given a copy of the rules and be given their weigh-in voucher. At that point, they will leave the registration site. At the weigh-in, social distancing will be maintained in the weigh-in line and only allow a few teams at a time will be allowed to be in the line. Other anglers can wait in See FISHING, page B5
B2 February 3, 2021
Trellis, the aide to online learning By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com
The switch to remote learning following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic came with difficulties that most parents and students had never dealt with before. Parents have been faced with the choice of sending their students to school and potentially exposing them to the virus or participating in remote learning and the challenges that are associated with Zoom, emails and learning without face-to-face instruction. There is another option, however. Trellis Learning was born from the pandemic. Trellis is a “facilitator” for students participating in online learning. Students come to the academy to receive help with homework, coordinating their schedules and questions about material they are learning. They are also given the opportunity to socialize in distanced and safe ways. Mary Jo Thompson has a Master’s Degree in Education and assists students, along with tutors and other volunteers for Trellis. She created Trellis as
an alternative back in August when schools started back in-person. Students attend in the morning or afternoon, Thompson said, and can come full-time or as little as once a week. “The first day they come, I make a schedule for them,” she said. “I sit down and I look at all their assignments for the whole week and I plan it out on a calendar, Monday through Friday, and they get a copy and I get a copy.” Amy Grilliot and her husband are both educators too and said it was difficult with their schedules to help their son, Dun, with online learning. “They do the kind of things that are difficult for us as parents to find time to do,” she said. “For instance, we can sit down at the computer with him and watch him do a math assignment, but they sit down at the beginning of the week and take an entire week’s assignments and break them up into really nice, rational chunks and basically schedule his entire week, what makes sense to get done each day, to keep him on the right track.” This is what Dun, who is in fourth grade, said he likes about Trellis.
“I really like it,” he said. “It’s really fun because they help you with your work and they get it done so you don’t have to go home and have more trouble with it.” Dun said he enjoys Trellis because he gets to see his friends again. Some of these friends he knew before Trellis, and others he met through the program. “[It’s rewarding] seeing these students who have been essentially quarantined since February and March, because they come from high-risk families and families that are trying to be safe through all of this, that haven’t seen another kid that’s not their sibling for months and months, and seeing those friendships, seeing those connections made and seeing those friendships grow,” Thompson said. If students do interact or play without masks, it’s done outside. “It has just been fantastic,” Amy said. “I mean they, Mary Jo and the staff, are just so great with the kids and so careful with social distancing and masking while still making the kids able to have some social interaction along with their schoolwork.”
Opelika Teachers of the Year honored by school board
Learning is for all age groups too, Thompson said. Currently she has a student as young as first grade and one as old as a junior in high school. This means that students have different levels of help that they need. “Some of them need a little more support,” she said. “Some of them need to just be reminded to slow down and look over things again before turning them in and some students need for someone to double check and make sure that they’ve turned things in. And I’ve heard from my parents that they just really appreciate that kind of support.” Students not only get one-on-one instruction with an adult, or teacher, but with other students. Thompson said sometimes students will be in the same grade, or same school system, and have similar assignments. If so, she gives the students an opportunity to learn together, to discuss and bounce ideas off each other. Trellis gives students an opportunity to experience some form of in-person learning again, but Thompson said they keep the space clean.
Photo contributed by OCS
understand something, we sit down with the white board or the black board and we walk them through the process again, we review the videos.” Brian Perdomo’s children, Sophia (fifth grade) and Sebastian (first grade), both attend Trellis. Brian said that as soon as he heard about Trellis, he was interested. Trying to work from home, while also helping his children with online learning was difficult, he said. “If they were here with me, they would literally be getting the bare minimum,” Brian said. At Trellis, however, they have opportunities to participate in music and art, Thompson said. Sebastian enjoys being able to see other children close to his age and play outside, Perdomo said. “They’re very conscious of distancing and mask wearing while they’re inside and all that kind of stuff and giving them breaks to step outside and get a little fresh air when weather permits and all that,” he said. “All that’s been great.” For more information on Trellis, visit trellislearningatthestudio.com
School systems awarded grants toward students’ mental health Contributed by Auburn City Schools
Pictured: Breeana Boyd-OCS Elementary Teacher of the Year and Morris Avenue Intermediate Teacher of the Year, Denise Glenn-Northside Intermediate Teacher of the Year, Hannah Holladay-OCS Secondary Teacher of the Year and OHS Teacher of the Year, Mary Torrance-Jeter Primary Teacher of the Year, Katie Allain-Carver Primary Teacher of the Year, Robin Cobb-West Forest Intermediate Teacher of the Year, and Amanda Massey-OMS Teacher of the Year. Not pictured: Tori Gooden-Southview Primary Teacher of the Year.
“It’s a big space, there’s lots of windows, so I knew it would just be perfect for spacing the kids out,” she said. “We take a lot of precautions, we check temps, we wear masks inside all the time, we sterilize in between sessions, we sterilize during sessions, we have the kids washing their hands constantly and using the sanitizer constantly. So I feel like we have succeeded this [last] semester in creating a really safe environment.” Dun said he believes it’s better to social distance so that no one gets sick. Trellis started hosting students the week after public schools started in August, Thompson said. “We say all the time that we’re building this plane as we fly it, because needs change, needs are constantly changing,” she said. Part of that difficulty is that the students at Trellis are in different grades, are in different schools and are studying different things, Thompson said. “But that hasn’t stopped me from being able to support them,” she said. “We just kind of hit the ground running every day. And if a student doesn’t
On Wednesday, the Alabama State Department of Education hosted a press conference to announce that 102 school systems were recently awarded grants to hire mental health service coordinators to support and expand the coordination of services in Alabama school systems. Auburn City Schools’ Mental Health Service Coordinator, Joy
Stanley, represented ACS alongside State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey at this event (third from the left). The Alabama Legislature appropriated $4.5 million to support and expand mental health services throughout Alabama school systems by establishing the Mental Health Service Coordinator position at local education agencies. SchoolBased Mental Health Supports, funded by the Alabama
Legislature, ensure students in Alabama public schools have access to high-quality mental health prevention, early intervention and treatment services. The Mental Health Service Coordinators will develop, sustain, facilitate and map resources to implement a multi-tiered system of support for students for early identification of academic and behavior barriers and interventions to support a student’s needs.
B3 February 3, 2021
February Is International Friendship Month
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.
W
hat a wonderful month, February, for us to celebrate our friends! Feb. 7 is “Send a Card to a Friend Day,” and Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day. In Classroom Observer this week, I would like to address guiding young children to make friends and sending notes to your young children that truly spell love for them.
I love Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind; she was a well-known educator, author and lecturer whom I truly admired as a child and teacher. She encourages all of us with her faith, hope and attitude of never giving up. She stated, which we can put to heart because she truly understood, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the
light.” She understood the value of friendships. I love sharing with children the treasure of making friends by teaching them this song, which I learned in school and Girl Scouts. “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver, and the other is gold.” When young children begin to discover the joy of friendship, their world opens up to new relationships and socialization skills. A lot of this depends on the age of your child. When children are young and are having difficulty making friends with other children, we as parents and teachers can role play with our children. Being patient and letting them do a “pretend meal” for you or even playing dolls or teddy bears with them teaches them how to interact with other children. Listen closely to your child about children they may like to play with at school or preschool. In teaching them social interaction and
An experienced Auburn Baseball team readies for 2021 season By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
With the recent success of the basketball team — and the recent upheaval of the football coaching staff — it may be easy for Auburn fans to forget about another university sport that is a top-25 national program in the making: Auburn baseball. We are five seasons into head coach Butch Thompson’s reign, and just two seasons ago Auburn reached the College World Series for the first time since 1997. Last March, when the remainder of the 2020 baseball season was suddenly canceled due to the pandemic, Auburn was ranked No. 15 in the USA Today
Coaches Poll and possessed the talent necessary to make another run at the tournament in Omaha. Despite the departure of ace Tanner Burns and a couple of other key pieces, the Tigers look like they will field another competitive team in 2021. Like many SEC teams and others around the country, Auburn boasts an unusually deep roster, with many veterans who would have normally moved on or jumped to the professional ranks returning thanks in part to the NCAA’s decision to grant an extra year of eligibility to athletes whose previous seasons were affected by the pandemic. “A lot of these guys
went to Omaha,” said starting third baseman Rankin Woley. “They’re proven winners. That’s going to help us going forward that we can show the younger guys this is what it takes to win.” The experience that Woley is referencing is best exemplified in Auburn’s outfield, which has been the same since its magical 2019 run to Omaha. With Judd Ward in left, Kason Howell in center and Steven Williams in right, the outfield boasts a plethora of experience. Preseason All-Americans, Woley and shortstop Ryan Bliss headline the infield. The duo was among the top perSee AUBURN , page B5
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how to relate to other children, start with one or two children your child might like to play with. Check with these children’s parents and invite them over to play. When inviting children over to play, it is wise to plan activities such as going to the park, playing games outside or inside, viewing a favorite video or enjoying a favorite snack together. Young children are so very happy doing the simple things. The main social-interaction goal is having your young children get along with others. We must keep in mind that play is their work, even in friendships. It is necessary for parents to quietly oversee the play of friends, especially if it is their first time to play. As a parent you don’t want to dominate or control their play, but you mainly want to facilitate their play. Children consider their pets to be their friends. They play for hours with their furry friends such as dogs,
cats or hamsters. Taking care of goldfish by feeding them, as well as cleaning out their bowls, helps to instill a sense of care and responsibility, which is necessary in friendships. A treasured friendship for all of us young or old is like a rainbow promise. As an early-childhood teacher, I look forward to the month of February because of the many creative opportunities it offers for children to express love on Valentine’s Day. Beautiful lace doilies, heart stickers, drawing and cutting out paper hearts to celebrate this day in the classroom, as well as at home, is part of an annual winter holiday we look forward to. Why wait until Valentine’s Day to send love notes? Let’s celebrate every day in sending notes of love to our children. I know we have e-mail, text and Twitter to send quick notes to our children, but one way to send love and encouragement to your child is with
handwritten notes. Yes, it does take time to do this in writing, but the heartfelt gratitude that this brings to a young child’s heart brings lifetime memories and benefits. Time spent doing this spells LOVE. As a teacher, I have seen how it encourages children when they realize they have received a note from mom, dad or a grandparent. I have seen little fellows and gals cling on to a simple yellow Post-it note from mom or dad all day long. It brings joy and security from home to school. Too, young students love to get simple notes from their teachers as well. In sending a love note, let your children know that you unconditionally love them for “who they are” and how God made them with their personalities and gifts. As we all know, praise and compliments go a long way in encouraging young hearts. In fact, we adults are given a boost of confidence and See PINYERD , page B5
Auburn is a good team, but steps remain to become a great one By JD McCarthy for the Opelika Observer
Auburn has made tremendous strides under Bruce Pearl and has turned into one of the top programs in the SEC, something no one saw coming. But Auburn still has room to grow to become one of the top teams in the country. This was never more evident than when Auburn fell to No. 2 Baylor 84-72 over the weekend. The matchup showed just how close Auburn was but revealed where they need to improve to become a true title contender. The Tigers kept it close in the first half, trailing by just five at halftime. However, Baylor pulled away
in the second half and opened up a 21-point lead in the first 10 minutes after the break. Yes, Auburn was able to narrow the gap, but the statement had been made; Baylor was the better team and there was nothing Auburn could do about it. There is nothing wrong with this, as Baylor has a contender for National Player of the Year in Jared Butler and possesses both an elite defense and offense, which powered the run Baylor went on. They made 5 3-pointers and 15-of-24 overall while Auburn went 7-of-21 and made just one 3-pointer in the first 10 minutes of the second half. “We didn’t start the second half with any effort and energy,”
Pearl said. “How much of it was them, how much of it was us? I think I have to hold us a little more accountable.” While the loss stings, it should be remembered that Pearl acknowledged this may be the best team he has ever coached against. “There’s a chance they’re the best team I’ve played against,” Pearl said. “Like, period. I’ve been doing this a long time … I wish any one of my best teams could resemble the way these guys play.” Not only is Baylor talented; they also were more experienced, with the starting lineup having an average age of 22.8 compared to AuSee STEPS , page B5
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B4 February 3, 2021
Smiths Station uses two last-second shots to win in OT By JD McCarthy for the Opelika Observer
Smith Station basketball is continuing their stellar play and is ready for the Area Playoffs next week. The Panthers improved to 16-2 overall and 2-1 in Area 4-7A after going 2-1 against Auburn, Dothan and Russell County in a busy week. “This group only won 12 games last year but fin-
ished the end of the season strong,” head coach Steven Davis said of his team. “Now they are 16-2 and playing very hard during a pandemic that took our summer preparation and games during the Christmas holidays. So, I’m proud of my guys perseverance.” The Boys opened the week with a matchup against Auburn, who had given them their only loss
of the season at that point. Playing at home proved to be helpful as the Panthers won 72-66 to even the series at one win apiece. The Panthers were led by Donovan Pearman, who scored a team-high 16 points, and Zay Madden, who finished with nine rebounds and 12 points. They were not able to celebrate for long, See SMITHS , page B5
Northside Intermediate School moved to remote learning until Feb. 8 Contributed by Opelika City Schools
Due to positive COVID-19 tests, close contact exposures and the lack of available substitute teachers, the decision was made last week to quarantine the
affected individuals and move Northside Intermediate School staff and students to remote learning for several days. Students should not report to school and should do their classwork through Google
Classroom at home on their assigned Chromebooks. Students and teachers are scheduled to return to school on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. Updates will be posted on the school website (northside.opelikaschools.org/).
Lee-Scott Basketball heads into postseason play By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
The AISA Class AAA regional playoffs began this week, with the No. 2 seeded LeeScott varsity girls on a first-round bye and the No. 2 seeded varsity boys facing Valiant Cross in a first-round matchup Tuesday night. The varsity boys entered Tuesday night’s game on a three-game skid that killed off their hopes of finishing as the No. 1 seed in the region. “This shaped out to be our toughest week of the season playing the No. 2 and No. 3 team (twice) in the state,” said LSA varsity
STEPS >> FROM B3 burn’s average of 19.8. Part of the problem with Auburn is the Tigers currently have only one creator in Sharife Cooper and could really use a player who is capable of creating for himself without help from his teammates. Another guard also would have been able to take some of the pressure off Jamal Johnson and Allen Flanigan who both struggled to score. Justin Powell showed he has the ability to create for others and is one
SOUTHERN >> FROM B1 led the SCA with 17 points and five steals. Harris Adams scored 9 while Jagger Scott and Josiah Frick had seven rebounds each. The Southern Christian JV Girls played next and also lost to a veteran-laden and deep East Central Patriot team, 44-4. Aliyah Frick led SCA with seven rebounds and Callie Ridings added four rebounds. Next, the main event of the night was the varsity boys game. Another slow start afflicted the Patriots as they fell behind 16-6 after the first quarter. SCA was never able to catch up. It wasn’t all bad, however. After Humes (SCA’s starting
boys Coach William Johnson. “We played better each time out and gave ourselves opportunities to win but were unable to capitalize.” On Jan. 26, the varsity boys lost an out-ofregion matchup against Chambers Academy, 64-51. The Warriors started well, with the score sitting at 15-15 after the first quarter. However, Chambers Academy finished each half strong, outscoring Lee-Scott 41-24 in the second and fourth quarters to stretch their lead. Ultimately, the difference in the game was Lee-Scott’s poor three-point shooting. The Warriors attempted 33 shots from
behind the arc, while only sinking eight (24.2%). Meanwhile, the Rebels from Chambers Academy pounded the paint – making 23-of-37 two pointers – and made the Warriors pay for their misses, outrebounding Lee-Scott 36-27. Joseph Horne led the way for LSA with 13 points and nine rebounds on 4-of8 shooting. Payne Weissinger chipped in 12 points in just 26 minutes and Carter Blackmon followed with 9 points and a team-high two assists. The varsity girls, who were also in action against Chambers Academy that night,
inched out a nail-biting 37-36 win. Forward Emma Frances Zellner led the way with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and one block. Next, the varsity boys were back in regional action against Glenwood on Jan. 28. Down 36-28 heading into the final quarter, the Warriors valiantly surged forward with their comeback effort, outscoring the Gators 12-8 in the final quarter, but ultimately came up just short in a 44-40 loss. Once again the Warriors shot a low percentage (27.8%) from three-point range, leading to Glenwood’s 33-to-21
overall advantage in rebounds. Meanwhile, the Warriors also shot 9-of-16 from the free throw line, leaving valuable points off the scoreboard. The poor shooting would have allowed for Glenwood to open up an even larger lead, but the Warriors were the better team on defense, forcing 20 turnovers from the Gators. The high point on offense for the Warriors was Hutch Sprayberry, scoring 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field while knocking down 3-of-7 three pointers. Horne once again led the boys in rebounding with six, and Weissinger had a team-high three steals
in his 31 minutes of action. “I was pleased with our effort this past week even though we did not win,” Johnson said. “I told our guys due to covid, quarantines and stoppages in play that this year was not about our record but about where we are as February gets here. I like where we are and how we are getting better at the right time of year to make a playoff run.” The varsity boys played as favorites to win on Tuesday against Valiant Cross but results were not available at press. The varsity girls play their Elite Eight matchup on Feb. 8.
of the best shooters on the team; he also could have helped keep the other guards fresher, something Baylor was able to do with their depth. However, he is still suffering from a concussion, and without him Auburn is thin in the backcourt. These are all characteristics of a good team, which is exactly what Auburn is, but the Tigers have their sights set on becoming great and they are still on track to accomplish that in the coming seasons. With the lack of experience on Auburn’s roster, 2021 was likely
always going to be a building year for 2022 when the young core would have spent a full season gaining experience and coming together. This was only cemented when Cooper was ineligible to start the season and Auburn self-imposed a postseason ban. About those weaknesses of Auburn’s that were exposed against Baylor. The Tigers have several plans to solve those. First, Auburn has two players coming in next year who address these issues in Jabari Smith and Trey Alexander, the
highest and 11th highest signees in program history, respectively. Smith is capable of scoring no matter how good the defense is and has the potential to take Auburn’s offense to the next level. Alexander will provide depth at the guard position and will be able to provide solid defense against other guards as well as pair perfectly alongside the playmaking Cooper as the pure scorer who is capable of pulling up from deep or as one of the lead scorers for a second unit. The duo of Cooper
and Smith will be surrounded by an experienced and deep roster thanks to their time growing this year. Flanigan and Jaylin Williams are likely to be back and should be expected to take another step forward; Devan Cambridge is capable of getting hot enough to carry an entire team. Powell has already shown he deserves to be on the floor. JT Thor has flashed his tremendous upside and is getting more consistent as the season goes on. There’s no guarantee all of these guys will be back, but Auburn will
be scary good if they are. While the loss to Baylor stings, it is an important reminder that Auburn needs to take several steps forward and should help the team next year, when they have the potential to be one of the top teams in the country. “Playing Gonzaga and playing Baylor was, like, really good for us,” Williams said after the loss to Baylor. “For us next year, we don’t have any seniors. Next year, if we play some team like that again, we’re gonna be ready for them.”
point guard) went out of the game in early foul trouble, the emphasis fell on 13-yearold Jedd Scott to get points on the board. He did so in spectacular fashion, putting on a show for the crowd on the way to 27 points. Additionally, Josiah Frick had great night, grabbing 11 boards and adding 9 points. With the loss, the varsity boys fall to 0-6. With four games left, Scott is hopeful the Patriots can pop the goose egg next week with their first home game. “We have to take care of the ball,” Scott said. “We are getting better every day until we get our turnovers down, we will have a really hard time finding a win.”
B5 February 3, 2021
FISHING >> FROM B1 vehicles and boats. All staff will be wearing face masks and we encourage all anglers and spectators to do the same. Registration and Seminar A pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at the Sportsplex & Aquatics Center, 1001 Andrews Road in Opelika, 334705-5560. Only one member of a team may enter at a time to complete registration and receive their voucher. Late sign-in begins at 5 p.m. and runs to 7 p.m. The normal National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing and seminar will not be held due to the
SPORTS >> FROM B1 Bryant scored a game-high 16 points. Teammates LaDajah Hughley and Ashanti Thomas added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Opelika blew out Valley 69-21 on Friday night, claiming second place in the area. Erica Matthew scored 16 points, Hughley added 12 points and Thomas scored 11 points. The OHS Varsity Boys team lost its last area game of the regular season, 76-69, to the Valley Rams. The Bulldogs were led by Grady Bynum’s 19
AUBURN >> FROM B3 formers of Auburn’s shortened 2020 season. Bliss ranked second in the SEC and sixth in the country in hits, while also appearing in the SEC’s top 10 for runs (21) and doubles (seven). “Ryan Bliss can get on anybody’s fastball,” said Thompson. “He’s getting ready to play his third season now, so he’s bigger, faster, stronger than he was as a freshman when you remember him playing a
PINYERD >> FROM B3 happiness when we are praised for our efforts in our work or when we are serving. This same expression of praise goes a long way with young children too. In a love note, specifically noting how they may have helped you by cleaning their
SMITHS >> FROM B4 however, as they fell to Dothan 77-75 on Friday. This time they had an even shorter break, facing off with Russell County on Saturday, where they were able to get back to their winning ways with a 61-59 overtime win that
coronavirus. The Weigh-In Site The tournament weigh-in will be held at Po Boys Landing, Lee Road 334, Salem, Alabama 36874, 334391-2527, beginning at 3 p.m. and anglers must be in the weighin line by 4 p.m. Social distancing rules will be followed. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top five teams will be conducted following the weigh-in with all social-distancing rules applied. Tournament Host and Lodging Site Auburn-Opelika Tourism welcomes all Crappie USA anglers and their guests to the area and hope they take the opportunity to
enjoy the local attractions. For more information on the area visit the website at www. aotourism.com or call 334-501-3281. Host lodging is provided by: Comfort Inn, 811 Fox Run Pkwy., in Opelika, 36801, 334744-9977, and Quality Inn, 1102 Columbus Pkwy., in Opelika, 36801, 334-745-6331. The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early. Free Catfish Kids Rodeo A free Catfish Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament. Sign up is Saturday morning at Po Boys Landing, Lee Road 334, Salem, Alabama, 36874, 334-391-2527.
The event is free of charge and open to all youth 12 years old and younger. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up is from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. with fishing from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of six $1,000 scholarships presented by Outdoor Promotions. The scholarships are awarded annually at the Cabela’s King Kat Classic. Outdoor Promotions and participating anglers have contributed $379,000 to youth scholarships since
1997. They are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Outdoor Promotions Kids Fishing Rodeos. The Classic Championship This year’s King Kat Classic Championship will be held on the Red River at Natchitoches, Louisiana, from Nov. 5-6, 2021. The Classic features a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes. The first-place team at the Classic will receive a Lowe Boats Catfish Model with 150 HP Mercury Motor equipped with Minn Kota Trolling Motor, Humminbird Fish Finder and Drift Master Rod Holders.
The National Points Team will be named at the Classic and receive the same Lowe Boat. National Sponsors Bass Pro Shops/ Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail sponsors include: Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s, Lowe Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Gamma Line, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, EFX Graphics, Catfish Now, Fin n’ Frames, Cat River Anchors, Smooth Move Boat Seats and Lowe Boats. For more information on the championship and other King Kat activities visit the website at www.kingkatusa.com. Anglers can also follow the trail on the King Kat Facebook Page.
points. Brandon Howard followed with 15 points, while Caleb Phillips and Ja Carr scored 10 apiece. Both the Bulldog teams will end the regular season on Friday against Auburn High inside the Mainstream gym. The girls tip off at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow. Fans can listen to the AHS vs. OHS girls and boys basketball games, presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic on FOX Sports the Game 910-am. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. WRESTLING The Opelika High Wrestling team (10-12) hosted Reeltown and Prattville last week in the Mainstreet gym.
The lone Bulldog senior, Adam Phillips, was honored prior to the start of wrestling (flip to B8 to see photos). OHS swept the two matches, beating Prattville 60-12, and Reeltown 69-0. Top performers were 2-0 for the night: Jack Pritchard (195 lbs.), Brayden Wilson (120 lbs.), Keon Brazier (152 lbs.), Derrick Hoyett (106 lbs.), Ari Brogden (183 lbs.) and Logan Sheridan (145 lbs.). Opelika travels to Auburn Thursday to wrestle Homewood, Russell County and Auburn High. AHSAA, CENTRAL HIGH (PC) MOURNS THE DEATH OF
WAYNE TRAWICK Tuesday morning, I received a phone call from coach Ron Nelson (former baseball and football coach at Central High). Coach Nelson informed me coach Wayne Trawick had passed away. Coach Trawick guided the Red Devil football program for 25 years, winning 185 games and the school’s first State Football Championship in 1993. Phenix City named the football field Wayne Trawick Field several years ago. Coach Trawick is one of the “Old School Coaches” and was successful at one school for 25 years. Trawick’s
overall coaching record was 285-139-11. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, at noon EST on Wayne Trawick Field in Garrett Stadium. DR. PAM FOURTENBARY NAMED OCS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Opelika City Schools named Dr. Pam Fourtenbary the new assistant superintendent. Fourtenbary is currently the principal at West Forrest School. The OCS Board of Education will finalize the hire during its board meeting on Feb. 9. Pam and her husband Bobby have two children, Kyle
and Kayla. Both graduated from OHS. Congratulations Dr. Pam! ON THE MARK I have learned we may have some new high school football coaches in East Alabama. Look for these coaches to make his announcement after signing day, Wednesday. The two head coaches are proven winners and will be making moves to better themselves. Stay tuned to ‘ON THE MARK” radio show, 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays, on FOX Sports the Game 9101310; Jeff Sasser and I will keep you updated on this and other local sports.
complete season.” Woley, who gets “called Dad every now and then from some of the younger guys,” hit for a sweet .412 average last year and also ranked top 10 in the league in hits, doubles (eight) and RBIs (22). As far as pitching goes, Auburn will have to replace two-thirds of its weekend rotation, with Burns and Bailey Horn drafted to the Major Leagues in the first and fifth round, respectively. Look for southpaw Jake Owen and right handers Richard Fitts and Cody
Greenhill (closer turned starter) to take up that mantle. Mason Barnett is another name to look out for, as he impressed in his debut Auburn season last year, striking out more than two batters per inning in his six appearances. Despite the talent and experience of the seasoned players being abundantly clear, there is always room for newcomers to make their mark. Freshman infielders Cole Foster and Bryson Ware will have their opportunities to crack the lineup, and sophomore
outfielder Bobby Pierce could see some time too. Overall, Thompson is looking for his 2021 team to be well-rounded and balanced, with plenty of depth available to always ride the hot hand. “I feel like we’re ahead,” Thompson said. “I feel like we’ve been a pretty good defensive team in the last couple years. You know, maybe just throwing the baseball might have kept us from winning a big one at some point. But our power’s up, and we still think we can defend the three
acres out here Plainsman Park pretty good. Our power and speed by a couple guys in the middle of field makes us feel like we, you know, are a little bit further offensively, further along at the start of the season than we’ve been.” The Tigers still have just under three weeks to go until the season opener on Feb. 19. Thompson has a big challenge ahead, but the potential of his team is undeniable. “Our challenge is we’ve been together less than we’ve ever been going
into a season,” Thompson said. “My mind says control what you can control. Get this team as ready as you possibly can because that’s been a strength of our ballclub these last few years for sure. We’ll get opportunities is what I’m going to sell to our guys. You don’t have to have this big chip on your shoulder. You don’t have to feel great. You don’t have to feel like you’re being disrespected. What you do is we’re preparing for an opportunity. We’ll get to do it first weekend against Presbyterian.”
rooms, helping to set the table for a meal, cleaning up after a meal, feeding and taking care of their pets or picking up paper off the floor expresses special feelings to your child that they are so quick to emotionally respond to. Too, it expresses gratitude for what they do. We all want to feel appreciated. Too, notes of
encouragement are so important. If a child is facing weekly tests at school or other challenges, a note to let them know that you are praying and pulling for them to do well goes a long way. Our world is so busy, and raising children can be a challenge. We all make mistakes. A verbal “Will you forgive me?” is good, but this is done
quickly and we go on with our day. A written “Will you forgive me?” note is one that a child will absolutely learn from. Children love to find surprise notes in unexpected places. As a teacher, I love to stick encouragement notes under desktops, chairs, student folders, etc. As a parent, you can slip notes in lunch boxes,
backpacks, Post-it notes on bathroom mirrors, a child’s pillow, by their breakfast plate and even in their clothes or shoes. One of the greatest books of love notes that we receive from our Heavenly Father is the Bible. What a wonderful book of truthful notes that map out how we should live our lives. What a loving
God we have who sends us notes every day in HIS Word as well as HIS world! Psalm 119:105: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Truly these notes encourage our children to know the truth. Sharing a Bible verse note with your child is a wonderful daily gift. Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer
saw two last-minute shots from Tre’Quan Turner and Dre Weathers save the day. “The guys played extremely well, but we just couldn’t get over the hump,” Davis said off the loss. “We needed the learning experience from that loss. We bounced back and won Saturday in a short turnaround.”
With the Tigers trailing in regulation, it came down to Turner to keep the game alive. He did just that, driving right before making a “very acrobatic layup” that tied the game with just a few seconds remaining and forced overtime. This time it was Weathers who was the hero. With the game tied at 59 and the
Panthers with the ball, they missed a game-winning shot. However, Weathers was able to snag the rebound and scored the winning basket with just four seconds on the clock. The layup ensured the Panthers ended the week with some momentum going forward into the final week of the season and the awaiting playoffs after the
close loss to Dothan. The Panthers were neckand-neck with Dothan for most of the game, but the Wolves made two late free throws to seal the win. With just two games remaining, an area game against Central on Tuesday Feb. 2 and the season finale at Beauregard on Thursday Feb. 4, the Panthers are looking to end the season
with some wins and have a chance tie Auburn atop the area ranking. If they beat Central on Tuesday, then Smiths Station and Auburn will both finish 3-1 in area play. If this happens the tie will be decided by a coin flip according to Davis. The AHSAA area tournament will take place on Feb. 9, 11 and 13.
B6 February 3, 2021
Lee County Schools going virtual Feb. 8
By Wil Crews For the Opelika Observer
According to the Lee County Schools
Facebook page, all Lee County Schools will go virtual on Monday Feb. 8. “Due to COVID related issues Lee County
Schools will follow our virtual learning model Monday, Feb. 8. Faculty and staff should report to assigned locations.
Students will remain at home and follow your virtual learning plan. This is for all Lee County Schools and only for Monday,
February 8. Scheduled extra-curricular activities may proceed,” read the Facebook post. The Observer will
continue to monitor the situation and will provide any updates in information when it becomes available.
Educational campaign aims to reduce trafficking of vulnerable population Contributed by Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities
The CDC states that in the United States, people with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victimized than people without them and children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victimized as children without them. January is recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Homeland Security Investigations in Alabama estimates the commercial sex industry generates $110 million each year in the Birmingham metro area, which does not include illegal activity in strip clubs or illicit massage parlors, nor child trafficking, which is more difficult to quantify. To address this issue, the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities has tapped Fowler Davis, LLC to produce an educational campaign for trafficking of persons with intellectual and developmental disabil-
ities. The campaign will include brochures, fact sheets, and videos on different types of exploitation. “Our goal is to provide prevention education and empower this vulnerable population to become educated to know the signs to help prevent them from being exploited” states Barbara Fowler, Co-Owner of Fowler Davis, LLC. Darryle Powell, Executive Director of Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities {ACDD}, says “persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been a target population for traffickers due to their vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is especially gratifying to know that Fowler Davis will empower this population through educational campaigns to help prevent them from becoming victims of exploitation and trafficking.” Barbara Fowler has become a strong advocate in the anti-human trafficking movement in Alabama and across the U.S. Barbara says, “We commend the Alabama Council on De-
velopmental Disabilities on being proactive with this campaign to provide resources and preventive education to this highly- vulnerable population. Alabama will be the leader with this type of educational campaign throughout the United States.” “Human trafficking is a major problem hiding in plain sight in Alabama. It is a modern form of slavery that’s happening in every city and town. Alabama has a high percentage of familial trafficking by a parent, family member, caregiver, or trusted adult. Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities have difficulty understanding risky situations or how to avoid risky persons,” states Jeff Davis, Co-Owner of Fowler Davis, LLC. If you see any suspicious activity related to possible human trafficking, do not attempt to confront, as this could jeopardize their safety and your own. Call 9-11 immediately with any details. If you need help, or to re-
Trinity basketball returns from layoff By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
Before dismissing for a COVIDinduced quarantine last week, the Trinity Christian Eagles split two games in the span of three days, starting with a crushing 61-17 loss to Lafayette Christian School. “Nothing positive to say about that one,” said Trinity Head Coach Paul Stith. The Eagles bounced back
from the disappointing performance nicely with a 59-29 win over Grace Christian. Brandon Riddle continued to f lex the offensive prowess that he has shown all season, scoring a team-high 22 points. Kewis Reeves and Daniel Adams also finished in double figures with 18 and 11 points respectively. Last week, Trinity had a
COVID-19 layoff which led to the cancelation of its game against The Campus. The Eagles returned to play Ezekiel in Montgomery on Tuesday. “[It’s] a challenge for us,” Stith said. “They beat us pretty badly the first time and we have juniors out due to COVID exposure.” The results of the game were not available at the time of press.
port suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement, please call the Dept. of Homeland Security Blue Campaign at 1-866-347-2423. For help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call 1-888-3737-888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). IMPORTANT TRAFFICKING FACTS Human trafficking cases have been reported in every state in the U.S. It is a $150 billion industry and is considered the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world stealing innocence for profit. The CDC states that in the United States, people with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victimized than people without them and children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victimized as children without them. While anyone can be victimized, people with disabilities are at greater risk of exploitation than people without disabilities,
whether it is an intellectual and developmental disability, physical disability, or mental illness. Vulnerabilities to victimization include: Dependence on multiple caregivers meeting their basic needs Socialized to comply – “learned acquiescence” Limited education about sexuality and heathy relationships No understanding of right to bodily autonomy Frequent isolation from conventional social environment Limited social and/or communication skills, including failure of others to recognize behavior as communication Myths and misperceptions society in general have regarding people with disabilities 3x rate of sexual abuse High rate of co-occurrence of gender dysphoria and autism Children in the foster care system Disability, especially communication disorders and intel-
lectual disability are over- represented in the runaway youth population Foster children with I/DD are more likely to have experienced adoption disruption or dissolution and are less like to be reunified with a parent, primary caretaker, or other family member Exploitation and trafficking are rampant on social media platforms and gaming apps. Predators use these apps to recruit at-risk/vulnerable children and teens promising them acceptance and money. They then groom them into a trusting, yet fantasy relationship. Many predators ask for, and receive, compromising photos from their victims, and then use them as blackmail, telling the victims that the photos are everywhere and now they are damaged goods and cannot ever go back to their normal lives. These victims are so psychologically manipulated that they believe them and do everything they ask out of fear, trauma, guilt, and shame.
Georgia Tech fall 2020 graduates announced Contributed to the Opelika Observer
The Georgia Institute of Technology presented degrees to approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students who earned their degrees during the Fall 2020 semester and were recognized during the Institute’s 259th Commencement exercises Dec. 11 and 12, 2020, at Bobby Dodd
Stadium. Local graduates are as follows: Pingzhou Yu of Auburn - Master of Science in Civil Engineering Jinwoo Hwang of Auburn - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Honors About Georgia Institute of Technology One of the nation’s leading research universities, the Georgia Institute of Technology is
in the business of Creating the Next: the next idea, the next technology, and the next legion of agile minds well-equipped to imagine and engineer our future. Nearly 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled, and Georgia Tech is ranked in the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit gatech.edu.
B7
OHS faces Valley
February 3, 2021
Girls dominate, Boys lose thriller
Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer
B8 February 3, 2021
Opelika dominates the mat on senior night
Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer
Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics
B9
February 3, 2021
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
A
Legislative Session Begins
s the 2021 Regular Legislative Session begins, you will see new leadership in the state Senate. Republicans dominate both chambers, overwhelmingly. They have a super majority and dominate all issues and the budgeting process. They acknowledge the handful of Democrats, but really never give them any say in decision making. Therefore, the leadership is determined within the Republican caucus. President Pro Tem Del Marsh decided in late November to step down from the all-powerful position of President Pro Tem of the Senate. Marsh had announced a few months earlier that he would not run for reelection to his Anniston-based Senate Seat in the 2022 Elections. Many Montgomery insiders had foreseen this change in leadership for a while. The succession of state Senator Greg Reed of Jasper to the Pro Tem leadership of the Senate post was expected, as was the ascension of Senator Clay Scofield of Marshall County to the Majority Leader position. Greg Reed’s anointment to the omnipotent President Pro Tem position is a natural transition for the Alabama Senate. He is a real leader and is well respected by his colleagues. This progression has been in the works for a while. Reed is a perfect choice to lead the Alabama State Senate. He is very organized and meticulous with excellent planning and organizational skills. Senator Clay Scofield is one of the most likable people in the Senate. He is very jovial and friendly but deceptively effective. He is a young, prominent farmer from Sand Mountain, and he will be a great Majority Leader. First-term State Senator Donnie Chesteen of Geneva/Houston is doing a yeoman’s job working to expand rural broadband in the state. He served eight years in the House before moving to the Senate in 2018. The Democrats may have a superstar emerging in the Senate with Kirk Hatcher of Montgomery. Hatcher is in his first term in the Alabama House. When Senator David Burkette left the Montgomery Democratic Senate Seat last year, an open race to fill the seat began. Hatcher entered and led a six-person field with an impressive 48%. The second-place finisher, veteran former Representative John Knight, could barely muster 20%. Hatcher finished Knight off in a December runoff. Kirk Hatcher joins his fellow
City Of Opelika names Interim Fire Chief
STEVE FLOWERS Morehouse graduates, Mayor Steven Reed and Probate Judge J.C. Love, as the new, young leadership of Montgomery. This triumvirate cadre of leaders all grew up together in Montgomery. All three went off to Morehouse and came home to lead their city. They are an impressive threesome. Democrats in the House and Senate would like to see early voting and absentee voting made easier in Alabama. However, their efforts to allow early voting or no-excuse absentee voting faces a dismal outlook in the GOP controlled legislature. The state saw an amazing, record-breaking 318,000 absentee ballots cast in the November election. The previous record was 89,000. The rules were loosened by Secretary of State John Merrill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a dozen counties opened courthouses on Saturday for people to cast in-person absentee ballots. State Representative Chris England, who also chairs the Alabama Democratic Party, has opined that the long lines and extensive absentee ballot voting shows that people want opportunities to vote early. England and House Democratic Leader Anthony Daniels of Huntsville will push for permanent change in the state voting laws that give Alabamians the opportunity to vote early. Daniels and England are young superstars to watch. Chris England gets his leadership abilities honestly. His father is legendary Tuscaloosa Circuit Judge and former State Supreme Court Justice and University of Alabama Trustee John England. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Chris is also a
MORGAN Contributed by the city of Opelika
The city of Opelika names James “Junior” Morgan Interim Fire Chief effective Feb. 1, 2021. Morgan will serve as Interim Chief after Byron Prather’s retirement on Jan. 31, 2021. Morgan retired from the Opelika Fire Department seven years ago as assistant
chief. While at the fire department, he worked as a firefighter, driver, paramedic and training officer, among other duties. “The city began a search for a new fire chief a month or so ago,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “We have taken both internal and external applications. Within the next few weeks, we
will start the interview process to select our next fire chief. I have no doubt that Junior Morgan will do an excellent job in the interim. We are grateful to him for stepping into this role.” Morgan has lived in Opelika since 1981. He’s an active member of the Lion’s Club and First Baptist Church of Opelika.
Morgan Bryce assumes role of interim city clerk Contributed by the city of Smiths Station
Following a vote by the Smiths Station City Council at its Jan. 26 meeting, Morgan Bryce was appointed to the role of Interim City Clerk-SecretaryTreasurer. Bryce, who previously worked as the city’s administrative assistant and assistant communications director, will assume all city clerk duties, to include growing the public works
See FLOWERS, page B10
See BRYCE, page B13
Governor Ivey signs lease agreements for the Alabama Prison Program From the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey
Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Monday signed agreements to lease two new men’s correctional facilities to be constructed by CoreCivic’s Developer Team (CoreCivic; Caddell Construction; DLR Group; and R&N Systems Design). The state signed one lease agreement with Government Real Estate Solutions of Central Alabama, LLC, a CoreCivic entity, for
Facility Two (Elmore County Facility), which will be constructed on Rifle Range Road in Tallassee, Alabama, and will specialize in the inmate population’s medical and mental health needs. The state signed a second lease agreement with Government Real Estate Solutions of South Alabama, LLC, a CoreCivic entity, for Facility Three (Escambia County Facility), which will be constructed on Bell Fork Road near Atmore, Alabama. The term of each lease agreement is 30 years. The
agreements are not subject to annual renegotiation; however, options to negotiate occupancy extensions beyond the 30-year lease term are available to the state. The binding agreements are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the respective agreements. Please note that trade secrets and security-related information will not be disclosed. Final lease costs, which are subject to the overall project affordability limit of $88.6 million in fiscal year See ALABAMA, page B10
B10 February 3, 2021
Opinion: I Refuse to Pay for Governor Ivey’s Lies Until I Retire By David Zell
There’s a swamp in Washington, but I smell a rat in Montgomery. After months of keeping Alabama’s taxpayers and leadership in the dark, Governor Ivey has revealed that her $2.6 billion mega-prison plan will actually cost an extra $500 million. That’s right; the night before signing the contracts for the three-prison plan she has refused to answer questions on and attempted to ram through without the consent of the people or the legislature, Kay Ivey tried to sneak in the small fact that her dumpster-fire of a prison plan will cost our cash-strapped state half a billion dollars more than she promised. It’s funny, I was under the impression we lived in a
ALABAMA>> FROM B9 2022 dollars, will become available once financial close is achieved with CoreCivic. “I am pleased that we have reached this important milestone in the Alabama Prison Program, the cornerstone of a multifaceted strategy to address the ADOC’s longstanding challenges and failing prison infrastructure,” Ivey said. “ADOC’s existing dilapidated infrastructure is failing at a rate of one facility every two years, exorbitant deferred maintenance costs are rising by the day, and the courts may act imminently if real progress is not made soon – given all these risks, there is not one minute to spare.” “Leasing and operating new, modern correctional facilities without raising taxes or incurring debt is without question the most fiscally responsible decision for our state, and the driving force behind our Alabama Solution to an Alabama Problem. We are improving public safety, providing better living and working conditions, and accommodating inmate rehabilitation all while protecting the immediate and longterm interests of the taxpayers. This is simply the best path forward,” Ivey added.
FLOWERS >> FROM B9 prominent Tuscaloosa lawyer in his own right. The House leadership will remain intact and continue their
democracy. You know how a dictatorship works? A tyrant sits on the throne, barks orders, and whatever they say goes. Critics are silenced, questions are ignored, and the government moves in the shadows. Governor Ivey seems to have forgotten the distinction that separates our Republic from tyranny. That, or she rolled her eyes as she waltzed over it. Through unprecedented, anti-democratic executive overreach, she will torch more than $3 billion on yet another needless government expansion, whether or not her fellow Republicans stand with her. This is not the behavior of a woman confident in her plan. If Ivey truly believed that spending billions we don’t have was in the best interest of this state, she’d share
the details proudly. She’d answer the tough questions, not tuck tail and run. She’d act like a leader. Instead, she’s acting like a tyrant. You know why? Because this is a bad deal for Alabama. We’re getting swindled, plain and simple. Ivey wants to pay CoreCivic, the same corporation the Governor of Kansas said “hoodwinked” her state, $3.1 billion dollars in rent. You read that right. At the end of this 30 year deal, we’ll be billions in the hole with nothing to show for it. And it’s my generation who will be paying for her lies and negligence. If this stunt makes you as mad as it makes me, if you believe in democracy, not tyranny, and if you believe that you have the right to know why billions
Secretary of State John H. Merrill Releases 2020 Annual Report Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill
Annual Report
Jan.-Dec. 2020
2021
Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill has released the 2020 Annual Report, which highlights the progress made by the Office of the Secretary of State during the last calendar year. The report, which celebrates 100 years of
women’s suffrage, honors Alabama veterans, highlights the 2020 Election Cycle, and more, can be found at the link below: (www.sos.alabama.gov/ sites/default/files/q-areports/SOSAnnual Report2021Official.pdf) To receive a hard copy of last year’s annual report call 334-242-7200.
Contributed by the office of John Merrill
The lease agreements were signed after engaging in confidential negotiations with CoreCivic to ensure the state secures the best possible value. Negotiations with Alabama Prison Transformation Partners (Star America; BL Harbert International; Butler-Cohen; Arrington Watkins Architects; and Johnson Controls, Inc.) for the lease of Facility One, proposed to be built at a site located near AL-139/CR-2 in Bibb County, are progressing, and the state continues its diligent work on this component of the process. “It is no secret that, due to decades of inaction and a lack of resources, our correctional system is at a crossroads. Thanks to Governor Ivey’s vision, tenacity, and leadership, we have reached an important step in our continued work to chart a transformative new course for the Department,” said ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “Leasing, staffing and operating modernized prison infrastructure that is owned and strictly maintained by the private sector minimizes our shortand long-term risk for an initiative of this necessary magnitude. These facilities will provide a safer, more secure environment in which our heroic staff can better
deliver effective, evidence-based rehabilitative programming to our inmate population.” The ADOC anticipates construction of the Elmore County Facility and the Escambia County Facility to begin in 2021. The two facilities will provide approximately 7,000 beds and are expected to be ready for occupancy in fiscal year 2025 once construction is completed. While the ADOC will operate and staff the facilities, CoreCivic will provide ongoing facility and infrastructure maintenance and is responsible for life-cycle replacement costs through the duration of the lease term. Governor Ivey and ADOC leadership have met with legislators and provided public updates throughout the procurement process, beginning with the Expressions of Interest phase in early 2019. The ADOC posted a request for Expression of Interest (EOI) to improve the state’s prison infrastructure on March 27, 2019, and announced the Developer Teams who submitted EOIs on April 18, 2019. The ADOC issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on June 27, 2019. Participation in the RFQ process was mandatory and required interested Developer
Teams to respond and submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) by Aug. 26, 2019, to demonstrate the team’s financial capacity and technical expertise. An Evaluation Committee, comprised of stakeholders from the ADOC and Department of Finance, including the Division of Construction Management, evaluated the SOQs to identify the developer teams qualified to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP). The Evaluation Committee identified qualified Developer Teams based on the experience and qualifications of the team lead, equity partners, design and construction teams, and service providers, as well as their ability to adequately meet the financial needs of the Alabama Prison Program. In November 2019, Governor Ivey and the ADOC announced the four developer teams that qualified to receive the RFP in December 2019. An addendum to the RFP was issued on April 3, 2020, extending the proposal submission deadline due to the impact of COVID-19. The proposals were due to the ADOC on May 14, 2020, and were opened on May 15, 2020. The public opening was held virtually
out of an abundance of caution and in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations on COVID-19 as it relates to large public gatherings in enclosed spaces. The Evaluation Committee conducted a thorough evaluation of the proposals submitted by pre-qualified Developer Teams, and subsequently made award recommendations to ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn. In September 2020, Governor Ivey and the ADOC announced their intent to enter into negotiations with the successful developer teams. The Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission, a multi-disciplinary group comprised of legislators, local government officials and community representatives appointed to conduct a thorough evaluation of the ADOC’s existing infrastructure, will make recommendations as to which ADOC facilities should be retained and renovated as major correctional facilities, which could be renovated and repurposed for another use by the ADOC, and which should be repurposed to serve a different purpose, whether
by another public entity or the private sector. Additional information on the Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission can be view at www.governor.alabama.gov/ newsroom/2020/09/ governor-ivey-announces-creation-of-the-alabama-prison-repurposing-commission/. About Alabama’s Prison Program Alabama is revitalizing its corrections system by replacing prison facilities that pose the greatest risk to public safety, place the largest financial burdens on taxpayers, and inhibit development of programs for inmate rehabilitation. Governor Kay Ivey is leading this change, making good on her promise to improve the state’s infrastructure and reduce public safety risks. The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is working with Alabama-based public works professionals, HPM, which has partnered with national prison and correctional system experts, CGL. These improvements are part of Alabama’s commitment to reduce crowding and facilitate statewide prison reform which will save money, make prisons safer, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety.
well-organized operating procedures. Speaker Mac McCutcheon is mild-mannered, gentlemanly and well liked. He and the popular Republican Majority Leader Nathaniel
Ledbetter from DeKalb County work well together in organizing the super Republican Majority House of Representatives. Veteran Mobile Legislator Victor Gaston is steady as
Pro Tem. The glue that holds the House together and makes it successful are the two Budget Chairmen, Steve Clouse of Ozark and Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa. Clouse and Poole have chaired
the House Ways and Means Committees for almost a decade. They do an excellent job. Both budgets originate in the House. See you next week. Steve Flowers is
Alabama’s leading political columnist. His week-ly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.
B11 February 3, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICES ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed proposals (One Copy) will be received by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Regional Center located at 432 East Jefferson Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104 until 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday February 18, 2021, for A New Regional Center for Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Opelika, Alabama at which time they will be publicly opened and read. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 10:00 am. The conference will be held at the site. The site is located at the intersection of Waverly Parkway and Dunlop Drive in Opelika, Alabama. Contractors bidding this project are encouraged to attend the Pre-Bid Meeting and walk the site and examine all existing conditions prior to submitting their Proposal. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract. The Contract Documents and Plans may be examined at the office of the Architect located at 624 South McDonough Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Electronic images of the documents are available via the architect’s Drop Box. It will be the Contractor’s, Sub-Contractor’s, Vendors, etc. responsibility to check the BDW Dropbox for Addendums, etc. related to the project. Send all RFI’s and request for the Dropbox link to the attention of Frank McKinnon. Email: fmckinnon@bdwarchitects.com. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, and must show evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect; the bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. The project is being bid EXCLUDING SALES TAXES and requires the Contractor to comply with the requirements of Act 2013-205 which was signed into law on May 19, 2013. The Contractor and Owner will be required to apply for Certificates of Exemption with the Alabama Department of Revenue which will handle administration of the Certificates. The Contractor shall account for the tax savings on the Accounting of Sales Tax ABC Form C-3ASales Tax form included in the Specifications behind the Proposal form. Failure of the Contractor to complete this form and include with their Proposal shall render the bid non-responsive. The Contractor shall be responsible for paying the Alabama Building Commission Building Permit Fee as per the included Alabama Department of Finance Real Property Management
Division of Construction Management Permit Fee Re-Inspection Fee Calculation Worksheet. Contract Time: Project must be completed within 300 calendar days from the “Notice to Proceed”. Scope of Work: Work will consist of constructing a new free-standing single-story building consisting of approximately 8,045 square feet of conditioned space. Awarding Authority: Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind P.0. Box 698 Talladega, Alabama 35160 Architect: Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated 624 South McDonough Street Montgomery, Alabama Telephone: (334) 834-2038 Legal Run 01/27/2021, 02/03/2021 & 02/10/2021 -------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA FAMILY COURT: DOMESTIC RELATIONS IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: JOHN MARSHALL, JR, Plaintiff vs. NELLIE MARSHALL, Defendant. Civil Action Number DR2020-900209 NOTICE OF DIVORCE NELLIE KATE MARSHALL, Defendant, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer JOHN MARSHALL, JR'S complaint for divorce and other relief by March 05, 2021 or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him/her in Case No. DR"2020•900209, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama.2021'. Done the 7th Day of January, 2021 Mary B. Roberson, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lee County. Margaret Y. Brown Attorney for Plaintiff 214 North College Street Auburn, Alabama 36830 (334) 821-6944 Legal Run 01/13/21, 01/20/21, 01/27/21 & 02/03/21 -------------IN RE: MARRIAGE OF STEVEN FARROW, PLAINTIFF VS. LAKESHIA FARROW, DEFENDANT IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: DR-2019000030.00 NOTICE OF DIVORCE ACTION LAKESHIA FARROW, Whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer STEVEN FARROW’S Petition for Divorce and other relief by the 12th day of March, 2021, or thereafter judgment by default may be rendered against him in Case No. DR-2019-000030.00, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama. DONE this the 10th day of January, 2021. Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK, LEE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT Legal Run 01/20/21, 01/27/21, 02/03/21 & 02/10/2021. -------------STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE NO. 2021-001 ESTATE OF MELINDA ELIZABETH ROGERS MEALS, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Melinda Elizabeth Rogers Meals, deceased,
having been granted to John Ryan Meals, this 12th day of January 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred. John Ryan Meals, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hilyer Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, Alabama 368030030 334-745-2564 Legal Run 01/20/21, 01/27/21 & 02/03/21 -------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF JEROLD EDWARD LANGLEY, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 23rd day of December, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will barred. Witness our hands, and dated this the 23rd day of December, 2020. ANNETTE SUMMERALL LANGLEY Legal Run 01/20/2021, 01/27/2021 & 02/03/2021 -------------INVITATION TO BID 21007 Sealed bids for the construction of the North Uniroyal and Ballard Avenue Culvert Replacement Project shall be received at the Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on February 9, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §348-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work. Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-7055450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no
charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted. A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 368030390. Attn: North Uniroyal and Ballard Avenue Culvert Replacement Project LILLIE FINLEY- PURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 01/27/2021 & 02/03/2021 -------------NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of that certain promissory note and the terms of that certain mortgage executed by William Brad Schwarz to CAPITAL CITY BANK, dated the 12th day of April, 2019, which mortgage was recorded in Mortgage Book 4466, Page 982, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, the undersigned CAPITAL CITY BANK, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the Courthouse door of the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama, on February 23, 2021, or on such later date as circumstances may require, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: Lot No. 4 of Beulah Heights Subdivision in Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 29 East, Lee County, Alabama, according to and as shown by that map or plat of said subdivision recorded in Town Plat Book 9, Page 118, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. Subject to all easements and rights of way of record. This being the same property which was conveyed to Norman D. Schwarz and wife, Margaret Schwarz, both of whom are now deceased, as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, as shown by deed recorded in Deed Book 1601, Page 288, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. Norman D. Schwarz died in or around 1996 predeceasing Margaret Schwarz, who, by virtue of surviving him, succeeded to fee simple ownership of the above-described property. The said Margaret Schwarz died on August 29, 2007, and her last will and testament was duly admitted to probate in the Probate Court of Lee
County, Alabama.
02/03/2021, & 02/10/2021
This being the same property which was conveyed to William Brad Schwarz by deed recorded at Deed Book 2363, Page 786, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.
--------------
Said property is commonly known as 70 Lee Road 374, Valley, Alabama 36854 (Tax Parcel No. 01-04-19-0000-001.007). The indebtedness secured by said mortgage has been and is hereby declared due because of default under the terms of said promissory note, and any renewal or extension thereof, and mortgage, including but not limited to the nonpayment of the indebtedness as and when due. The indebtedness remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same, all expenses of the sale, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, and all other payments provided for under the terms of the promissory note and mortgage. The mortgagor has been furnished with written notice, mailed by certified mail to the property address at least thirty (30) days prior to the sale date, which notice provides as follows: “Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.” THIS LAW FIRM IS ENGAGED IN THE COLLECTION OF A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. CAPITAL CITY BANK Mortgagee Donald R. Cleveland P. O. Box 527 West Point, Georgia 31833 706.643.9552 Attorney for Mortgagee
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 10:00AM Jordan Taylor - Unit N162 202 1/2 N 2nd St opelika, AL 36801 couch,dresser,boxes,end table Jamelia Owens 1420 Carolyn Ct Auburn, AL 36830 queenbed and boxes Danielle Jolly 701 Baker Blvd Tuscumbia, AL 35674 3 bedroom home The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 01/27/2021 & 02/03/2021
-------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROSIE NELL REESE, DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Jacqueline Jordan on the 15th day of January 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Jacqueline Jordan Legal Run 01/27/2021, 02/03/2021 & 02/10/2021 -------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JANIS LEE MARTIN, Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH THE WILL ANNEXED of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 20th day of January, 2021 by the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Benjamin H. Parr, Administrator LEGAL RUN 01/27/2021,
STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS
-------------STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE To Johnathan Gardiner, Asia Hall, Thamani Hall, Tanier Hall, James Stanley, Jovaughn Stanley, Jeffery Meeks, and Jahdyon Ragsdale, last known addresses in or around Acworth, GA, but whose whereabouts are otherwise unknown, and any known or unknown heirs of the Estate of Elmer L. Potts, deceased. You will please take notice that on the 22nd day of January, 2021 a certain paper in writing, purported to be the Last Will and Testament of Elmer L. Potts was filed in my office for Probate by Sally Lankdord and that the 3rd day of March, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m., CST, was appointed the day and time for the hearing thereof, at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see proper. Given under my hand, this the 22nd day of January, 2021. BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate Legal Run 01/27/2021, 02/03/2021 & 02/10/2021 -------------NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO.: 2019-B-211 2019-B-212 TO: Unknown Father Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Yolanda Evett Jackson on September 12, 2019, for the Adoption of A. J.C. and J. K. C. born July 25th, 2019 born to Brittney Nichole Crump. A hearing has been set for the 27th day of April, 2021 at 10 o’clock a.m. central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption, you must file a written response within thirty (30) days of the date of the last publication herein, with the Clerk of said Probate Court at 215 S 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition. Done this 22nd day of January, 2021. Bill English, Probate Judge Legal Run 01/27/2021, 02/03/2021, 02/10/2021 & 02/17/2021
See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13
B12 February 3, 2021
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B13 February 3, 2021
ALASCAN CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED Systems Analysts (Opelika, AL) needed to develop & maintain corp. sys. and programs. Req. BA/BS in Computer Information System, Management Informa-
tion System or closely related & 1 year related experience. Resume to Hana Factory Automation, 304 Fox Run Ave., Opelika, AL 36801: Job ID 1220-1
BRYCE >> FROM B9 department along with Ed Adams. He will retain the title of assistant communications director.
“I’m excited to grow in my role here at the city of Smiths Station and continue working and striving to make it the best little city to live in Alabama for our
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capacity.” Bryce is a 2016 Auburn University graduate and lives near Smiths Station with his wife Jessi and dog Monte.
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Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred. April M. Olive, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hilyer 334-745-2564 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, Alabama 368030030. Legal Run 02/03/2021, 02/10/2021 & 02/17/2021
Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 02/03/21, 02/10/21 & 02/17/2021
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES>> FROM B11 Notice to Contractors Lee County Project No. LCP 41-SRPM-21 Lee County, Alabama Sealed bids will be received by the Lee County Commission at 215 S. 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or mailed to P.O. Box 666, Opelika, AL 36803-0666 until 10:00 AM on February 17, 2021 and at that time publicly opened at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 S. 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801, for the furnishing and installation of Traffic Stripe and Pavement Markers on various public roads in Lee County, AL. The Entire Project Shall Be Completed In one-hundred and eighty (180) Calendar Days. Plans and Proposals are available online at http://www. leeco.us/business/ commission_office/current_bids.php, or at the Lee County Highway Department (ph. 334-7377011), 100 Orr Avenue, Opelika, AL 36803. A Bidding Proposal may be purchased for $5.00. Plans may be purchased for $2.00 per set. Checks should be made payable to the Lee County Commission. Plans and Proposals will be mailed only upon receipt of remittance. Cashier's check or bid bond for 5% of bid (maximum $10,000.00) made payable to the Lee County Commission must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith. The bracket range is shown only to provide general financial information to contractors and bonding companies concerning the project's complexity
and size. This Bracket should not be used in preparing a bid, nor will this bracket have any bearing on the decision to award this contract. The bracket estimate on this project is from $285,780.00 To $349,286.00. The bidder's proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished him or her by the Lee County Highway Department. Prequalification is not required. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved. Ala. Code § 39-3-5 applies to this project. In accordance with Ala. Code § 39-3-5(a), “…. preference shall be given to resident contractors, and a nonresident bidder domiciled in a state having laws granting preference to local contractors shall be awarded Alabama public contracts only on the same basis as the nonresident bidder's state awards contracts to Alabama contractors bidding under similar circumstances; and resident contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, be they corporate, individuals, or partnerships, are to be granted preference over nonresidents in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.” Legal Run 02/03/2021 & 02/10/2021 -------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF BOBBY ALVERSON Deceased PROBATE COURT OF
LEE COUNTY, CASE NO. 2020-437 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of BOBBY ALVERSON are hereby granted to Tab Adams on the 6th day of January, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. TAB ADAMS Legal Run 02/03/2021, 02/10/2021, 02/17/2021 -------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. MERIT DEWITT CLEMENTS III IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of MERIT DEWITT CLEMENTS III, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Debra Massey Clements on January 27, 2021 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.
BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 02/3/2021 -------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. RODERICK D. MOORE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of RODERICK D. MOORE, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Tenika Ogletree on December 29, 2020 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 02/03/2021 -------------STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021-026 LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF DONNA MILLER SPECHT, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Donna Miller Specht, deceased, having been granted to April M. Olive, this 26th day of January 2021, by the
NOW OPEN
-------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Marquetta Welch, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any family or interested party: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for MARQUETTA WELCH. It is ordered that the 4th day of March, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.. be appointed a day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested can appear and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 28th day of January 2021. Bill English Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809
-------------NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED MOBILE HOME PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that Camellia Heard, landowner, pursuant to Alabama Code Section 35-12A-1 (et. seq.), does hereby give notice that the mobile home located at 9404 Lee Road 72, Auburn, Alabama 36879, is abandoned. That the last known names and addresses of the tenants/owners were Lamorris Heard, 9404 Lee Road 72, Auburn, Alabama 36879. That the mobile home is a white doublewide mobile home, having the serial numbers of GMHGA2020024903A and GMHGA2020024903B, with the approximate dimensions of 32x80 feet. That the mobile home will be sold at public sale on the courthouse steps of the Lee County, Alabama Courthouse at 11:00 a.m. on March 23, 2021. That Camellia Heard is authorized to bid on and purchase the mobile home. The purpose of the sale is to collect past due rent and storage fees, notice and sale fees, and attorney fees and costs owed to landowner. Sealed bids will not be accepted. The contact name and number of the person to call to inspect the mobile home is Camellia Heard, c/o Benjamin H. Parr, (334) 749-6999. //s// Camellia Heard, Landowner Legal Run 02/03/2021 & 02/10/2021
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B14 February 3, 2021
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This week’s puzzle answers: