pelika Observer O
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020
Vol. 12, No. 20
Opelika, Alabama
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 ST
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Opelika Ward 2 Councilwoman Patsy Jones reaches 25 years of service on city council, looks back on accomplishments and discusses future By Sara Wilson Opelika Observer In 1995, Patsy Jones was elected to the Opelika City Council with the hopes of making Opelika better through her passion for education, economic development and public safety. Twenty-five years later, and she has done just that. “We are a city that has been progressing for 25 years. I am proud to be a part of having even led or followed being a part of what has made Opelika better,” Jones said. During her years on the council, Jones has held many titles. She
was the first African American female councilwoman, as well as the first African American female President Pro-Tempore. She has been the longest-serving member on the Opelika City Council with the Mayor-Council form of government. Serving the community has always been important to Jones. One of her first encounters with public service occurred when she became a deputized register, or someone who helps register people to vote. It was then that she realized how paramount voting was. Growing up, Jones’s teachers had
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
such an influence on her, that she decided to pursue that same
career field. Jones, an Opelika native, attended Alabama
Celebrating 100th birthday Margaret Linch Melson born in Salem, the daughter of the late Jesse and Lois Linch
State University in Montgomery where she earned a bachelor of science in English and a master of education to pursue a career within the school system. “Beyond family, education was always important. I went to school and loved my teachers, and because of their influence, this is one of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher,” Jones said. For 24 years, she worked in the Tallapoosa County school system as an English teacher. In 1998, Jones left the classroom and began serving as a UniServ Director for District 19, which
serves Chambers, Lee and Tallapoosa counties, where she stayed for 13 years. Jones has now retired from the education system. Considering her background in education, Jones’s platform heavily relied on strengthening the school system. In addition, her platform consisted of supporting economic development and public safety. “From 1995 to now, that has been what has driven my working on this council,” Jones said. When Jones, who serves Ward 1, first started working on the council, she helped establish See Jones, page A3
Smiths Station Mayor F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland receives ‘Individual of the Year Award’
By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter The daughter of a former Lee County sheriff, Margaret Linch Melson was raised in Opelika and attended Southside Elementary, Cliff High and Auburn University, where she majored in home economics. Margaret met John Melson from Huntsville, and they married on March 1, 1939, after eloping to Tuskegee. The two celebrated 70 years of marriage on the same day that John celebrated his 90th birthday in 2009. Margaret and John have three children, five grandchildren, eight
Copeland By Morgan Bryce Editor
See Melson, page A2
Photo by Natalie Anderson/Opelika Observer
Index
OPINION.....................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A13 CALENDAR..................................A14
COMICS.....................................A16 SPORTS..................................B1 POLITICS...................................B7 PUBLIC NOTICES..........................B13
Following a year that saw him serve as the face of a city
and community in the aftermath of the March 3 tornadoes, Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland See Copeland, page A3
pelika O Observer.com
Visit www.opelikaobserver.com for a sample letter to ADEM to voice your concerns about the proposed quarry
pelika O Observer
A2 Feb. 19, 2020
District 38 Rep. Debbie Wood helps lead legislation to prevent people with disabilities in need of organ transplants from being discriminated against By Will Fairless Opelika Observer State Rep. Debbie Wood has successfully pushed a bill to the state legislature that would keep people with disabilities from being excluded from organ transplant lists as a result of discrimination. House Bill 58,
which was passed yesterday, has also been called “Exton’s law” after the person who inspired it. The wheels were set in motion for the bill when the mother of a young man with special needs realized her son, Exton, might be left off organ transplant lists because of his disabil-
ity. “She decided that she didn’t want to wait until that happened to her child if her child needed an organ,” Wood said of Exton’s mother, “She wanted to fight it now.” The bill prevents doctors from continuing the practice of denying organ trans-
“We definitely are not trying to say that a disabled person has more rights or should have. All we’re saying is that it should be equal,” Wood said. Wood hopes Exton’s Law will fill a hole in the legislation that was not filled by the fed-
bills similar to Exton’s Law. “Historically, lives and people have been discriminated against because of disabilities, and we don’t want that in Alabama,” Wood said. The bill does not give people with disabilities preference over healthier people, Wood is sure to point out.
plants to people with disabilities. This has been going on for a while, usually because of concerns about how long the transplanted organ would serve its purpose with a disabled person as opposed to with a relatively healthy person. As a result, many states have already passed
See Exton, page A3
Kroger Pharmacies and Little Clinics team up with the American Heart Association for National Heart Month Special to the Opelika Observer February is National Heart Month, and through Feb. 23, Kroger Pharmacies and Little Clinics will be selling paper hearts for $1 in support of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Melson, from A1 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. The Melson family has lived in their home within Opelika’s Historic District for three generations, and Margaret currently re-
“Kroger is about offering fresh options for everyone and through our national partnership with the American Heart Association, we are working to give Americans more options to live healthier, longer lives,” said Felix Turner, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, which includes Georgia, East Alabama
and South Carolina. “AHA has the tools, resources and support staff to reach a large audience which will help us accomplish our mission, to Feed the Human Spirit.” Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke combined) kills nearly 2,300 Americans a day. According to the AHA: -Heart disease kills
more people than all forms of cancer combined. -83% believe that heart attacks can be prevented but aren’t motivated to do anything. -72% of Americans don’t consider themselves at risk for heart disease. -58% put no effort into improving their heart health.
“Kroger and AHA are fighting for common goals and we are proud to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our customers through this meaningful campaign,” Turner said. About Kroger At The Kroger Co., they are dedicated to a common purpose: “To Feed the Human Spirit.” The company
has 28,000 associates who serve customers daily by delivering a seamless shopping experience throughout Kroger’s Atlanta Division, which includes Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina. Kroger is committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. For more information, visit www.kroger.com.
sides at Camellia Place. According to Margaret’s family, she is an “excellent cook, seamstress, flower arranger and homemaker.” Margaret was a school dietitian and later worked at Lee County Hospital. She served as church hostess for the First Baptist Church of Opelika for several
years and volunteered there teaching conversational English. The family celebrated Margaret’s birthday with an intimate lunch and momentous celebration in their home in Opelika on Feb. 9. Pictured in the photo from left to right are: Margaret (center), daughter Sally Phillips
and husband Joel, Lele Melson and husband Robert, granddaughter Margaret Moore and husband Lee with his son Raymond Moore, Kathryn Tortorici and
husband Sam, granddaughter Beth Phillips Rogers, great granddaughter Katy Beaton and son Ty, along with cousin Kelly Linch and wife Carol.
Opelika city officials and Mayor Gary Fuller recognized Margaret’s birthday by proclamation, which named Feb. 17 as “Margaret Linch Melson Day” in the city.
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Publisher: Michelle Key Editor: Morgan Bryce Marketing: Doug Horn and Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Sports Writers: Rick Lanier and Michelle@opelikaobserver.com D. Mark Mitchell
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w w w. o p e l i k a o b s e r v e r . c o m 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. Opelika Observer is published weekly by Opelika Observer, 216 S 8th St. Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801
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pelika O Observer City of Opelika announces launch of beta business portal site Special to the Opelika Observer The city of Opelika’s Information Technology Department is excited to announce the launch of a beta business portal site. This site will allow contractors and citizens to check the status of a project registered with the city, whether that be permits, inspections or plans. In addition, invoices for these services
Jones, from A1 “ward meetings.” These helped educate the community on what was happening in the local government. “I wanted to see our neighborhoods bettered. For years, there were abandoned homes and buildings along with weeds that had over-
Copeland, from A1 was recognized by the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce with their “Individual of the
can be paid through the business portal. “Our GIS team has been working diligently to get this site ready for the public. It is our ultimate goal to provide all in-person services online. We want to be sure that citizens can have access to all city services in whatever method they choose to use,” said Chief Technology Officer Stephen Dawe. These digital services
will be rolled out one at a time to ensure the city maintains the appropriate regulatory control and to ensure their customers receive quality service from their public servants. The online application for these services will be coming soon. The IT Department is working in conjunction with city departments to push out this soft launch. To register, visit https://
tinyurl.com/OpelikaBusinessPortal. The accompanying graphic on the lefthand, bottom portion of this page has information on how to log on and register with the Opelika Business Portal. Those that use this service are requested to send any feedback or suggestions to OBP@opelikaal.gov. For technical questions, contact James Bush, IT Department, at 334-705-2144.
grown,” Jones said. Looking for a way to solve this problem, Jones found her answer at a roundtable discussion with Alabama League of Municipalities. She discovered there was already an ordinance to address this issue. All it needed was to be passed. During Jones’s first citycouncil meeting as a councilwoman, the ordinance passed. Jones had an ap-
parent passion for economic development within the city. One of her proudest accomplishments was the passing of this ordinance to see the neighborhoods within her district improved. Opelika mayor Gary Fuller began serving with Jones as a member on the council in 2000 until he was elected mayor in 2004. “I’ve always admired her hard work
and dedication. She will be missed on our city council. Patsy has been a great ambassador for our community,” Fuller said. As her 25 years of service is coming to an end, Jones said she is looking forward to getting her “me-time.” While she will no longer be sitting on the city council, she still plans to be involved with the city of Opelika.
Year Award” during their annual dinner last Tuesday. The honor came as a surprise for Copeland, who said the recognition was the culmination of the hard work of the city council and administration.
“I’m really humbled and honored to win this award, but it wouldn’t have been possible without that group of people behind me and my Lord and Savior,” Copeland said. Copeland, previously a District 5
member of the Lee County Board of Education, has served as Smiths Station’s mayor since 2016. He replaced Lafaye Dellinger, who was the city’s first and only mayor since its incorporation in 2001.
Exton, from A2
BUSINESS PORTAL
public records to view the current status of a permit, inspection or plan case.
using the email associated with your business license to track all permits, plans, inspections and payments.
Just want to pay an existing invoice? Click "Pay Invoice."
on "Helpful Links" on the home page to learn more about the business portal.
for participating in our Beta launch. Email feedback to OBP@opelika-al.gov!
ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS COMING SOON.
eral Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. “We’re making sure . . . that people that already have extra medical bills, extra concerns, ex-
tra responsibilities, that this [issue of being denied organ transplants] isn’t another extra for them,” Wood said, “They’re fighting to live.” With the successful House vote, the bill moves on to the Senate for their approval.
A3 Feb. 19, 2020
Girl Scouts gives back to ‘Hometown Heroes’
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
Special to the Opelika Observer Giving back is in the Girl Scout DNA, and during the cookie program that means giving back through “Hometown Heroes.” We all know Girl Scout Cookies are yummy and mouth-watering, and who better to share them with than the men and women who proudly serve. Through the Cookie Program, the girls are taught five basic skills that are essential to leadership, to success, and life: goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics. In addition to the five skills, through Hometown Heroes, girls learn how to give back to those who give so much – our local first responders and Armed Forces. To show our appreciation, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) has declared this weekend, Feb. 14 to 16, Hometown Heroes Weekend. Hometown Heroes is a program through which customers make donations to Girl Scout Troops to purchase Girl
Scout Cookies for our brave military troops. When the Girl Scout Cookie Program ends, GSSA will deliver cookies to first responders and designated military organizations, such as the USO and local military branches. “Hometown Heroes provides a wonderful way for individuals in our community to support Girl Scouts and the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day,” said Karlyn Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer for the GSSA. “It’s a small way of making the world a better place while showing appreciation to those who protect and serve.” GSSA needs the community’s help to send more than 7,000 packages to the men and women who keep us safe. Girl Scout Troops can be found at local retail locations every weekend until the program ends. For more information on how to donate to Hometown Heroes, or to locate a troop, please email customercare@girlscoutssa. org.
Goodwill to host large job-hiring event Feb. 29 in Auburn Special to the Opelika Observer Goodwill, in conjunction with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Auburn Training Connection, Opelika Workforce Development, Southern Union State Community College, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and Still Serving Veterans, will be hosting a massive community-wide hiring event on Feb. 29 at Auburn Junior High School. In keeping with its mission of helping people through the power of work, Goodwill and community partners across the region have decided to showcase the growing job market in hopes of helping people find new or better em-
ployment and matching their skillset with available job opportunities. While the Lee County unemployment rate is at only 2.2%, there is a big need in the area for qualified workers as 2019 brought expansion and the creation of many new jobs to the community. The hiring event is set to feature nearly 30 employers from the area, including Marriot, the East Alabama Medical Center, West Fraser and Wells Fargo, with more than 300 jobs available from entry-level to management. Current employment opportunities in the region range from a variety of job sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail and other service-related industries. Coined as the “Leap Into Your Future Hiring
Event”, the job fair will be held on Leap Day, Feb. 29. The Leap Day event will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Auburn Junior High School on 405 S. Dean Road. The event is free and open to the public. Individuals who are interested in attending should bring multiple copies of their resume and be ready to interview on the spot. For those who may need to
refresh their resume or are interested in Goodwill’s free career readiness workshops, please visit the Goodwill Career Center at 3740 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika to prepare before this event. For more information, call the Goodwill Career Center in Opelika at 334-275-4815 or keep up-to-date with this event and others by following GoodwillSR on Facebook.
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A4 Feb. 19, 2020
Death of a Scrabble player
H
elp me. I am going to die. I’m not sure how exactly I got locked in this bathroom, it all happened so fast. I can’t remember much. All I know is that we are staying in a rental house for the weekend. It’s an old home that was built back before the Babylonians discovered WiFi. My wife went into town to go shopping and I chose to stay home because I would rather be stabbed in the thigh with a BIC pen than go shopping. Anyway, I was in the bathroom and when I tried to turn the doorknob to open the door, the knob snapped off. Thus, I am trapped without food or technology. I’m shouting for help, but my wife is long gone and the cleaning lady isn’t due for another several hours. The gravity of this nightmare finally hits me all at once. I am stuck in this tiny hellhole without access to the outside world. I will never see the sunshine again. They will find my body covered in cobwebs. The coroner will shake his head and say, “Looks like he got so hungry he ate a bar of soap and choked.” Also, my cellphone is
L
By Sean Dietrich in the other room. This means no texts, no calls, and—here is the worst part—no Scrabble. I am officially dead. Scrabble has always been my game of choice. It was my grandmother’s favorite game, my mother’s favorite game, and it is the only game I voluntarily play. Unless of course I am in Biloxi, in which case I voluntarily visit the roulette table and play Let’s Set Fire To All Sean’s Twenties. If someone were to ever put a competitive Scrabble table in the Beau Rivage Casino, I would have to reverse mortgage my house. I play Scrabble every day on my smartphone. I keep 10 or 12 games going at a time. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I’m a decent player. This doesn’t mean I’ve got a big vocabulary. Far from it. It just means that I’ve played enough games over the years to know all 107 of the legally recognized two-letter words
according to the Official Scrabble Rules. “AY,” for example, is a great word. The letter “Y” is four points. You spell this baby on a triple-word score and you have yourself 15 points. As it happens, “AY” is a Spanish word that means, literally, “¡AY!” As in: “¡AY! I win again, banditos!” And any veteran Scrabble player will tell you that the game is not won with long words, but with small, strategically located two-letter words, often strategically shoved into the nasal cavities of your opponent if he happens to be winning. These are words that casual players never knew existed like: “AA,” “AB,” “AE,” etc. The greatest of these is “ZA.” The letter “Z” is a ten-point letter. ‘Za is permitted by the official rulebook and always gets a big reaction from novices. Most times, rookie players will challenge this word. Especially if you stress over and over that you’re not sure whether ‘za is a real word. When they challenge your word and find out that ‘za is in fact a word, the rules state that they lose a turn and (¡AY!) I win again, banditos! So ‘za is a great word. See Dietrich, page A5
Love Does...
ove is patient, love is kind. - 1 Cor. 13:4 Last week, we celebrated the holiday of love, Valentine’s Day! As per the times and culture, I spent much of my week as a busybody, prepping my kids for extra events at school and deciding on what in the world to do for them for this highly antici- By Bradley Robertson pated day. You see, love is best With all the to-do, I kept represented in a true state wondering, shouldn’t we of thought followed by celebrate love every day? action. God thought highly And why all the stuff? of his people and so he sent Why must we add all the fluff to something as simple his son to teach us. God thought we also needed a as saying “I Love You.” savior; he sent his son for I’m old-school, and told my farmer husband I didn’t that too. Jesus thought, “I need to show these people care for anything at all, but real love.” And so he if he felt compelled to do showed us by the way he something, I preferred a served others. These two handwritten note. For I do together highly thought of not need extra, I need the the needs of people, and so real thing. they acted in accordance I also took time to write to teach and lead and love each of my kids a note. them all. I wrote about what I’m There’s no better examcurrently proud of them for ple that can be given. We and included a Bible verse to back up my words. They too are to ponder the state of our fellow man and act need affirmation just like I do, and having a tween and in a way as to love them. It appears to me that the teen in the house causes most common word I hear communication to often be from people when asked, skewed. “How are you?” is “busy.” The sitting still and writI wonder if God was ing of notes led my heart busy when he decided to into a new space. I began send his son to Earth? And to think of families in my I wonder how busy he was community that could use when his son was crying a little extra TLC. What in agony on a cross? When about these guys on ValGod was creating all that entine’s Day? What about affirming them in love with he does in a 24-hour period, he took the time action and deed? to send us his personal With great joy my heart sign of love, Jesus. Do did a little flutter. “This is we need a better example how love is done!” I told myself. Maybe once a year than that? We’re not busy, we in candy hearts and pink just don’t make time to cupcakes, but love is done love our neighbor. When every day in action. And maybe actions speak louder we get to heaven, do we want to talk about the than words.
busy things we did? I don’t. I want to tell all the stories of how I loved God’s people. I want joy leaping from my chest telling God of all the wonderful things we did together. It starts here. Love in action. Every day. Small things and big things. Love does balloons to a shut-in family. Love does a phone call just to check on someone. Love does a smile to a stranger and says, “Hello! How are you?” Love is a father taking his daughter to a dance party. Love is a mother showing up for her child’s school event. Love is sending a surprise gift to someone for no reason at all. Love is thinking of the needs of others and then showing up for them. Love is setting aside daily time to feel real human connection. Doing love is the best stuff life is made of. In a world where power and pride seem to run the gamut, the need for love to intervene is tremendous. For if we don’t show others what love looks like, who will? Love does Life. Love shows up in a way unexpected to meet the needs of people around us. Be available. Be aware of your time. Be open to possibility and prepared to show up. May we be patient with the time in our hands, and may simple acts of kindness touch the people around us. Love does miraculous things. (I strongly encourage one of my favorite books, “Love Does” by Bob Goff. You will Love it!)
M
I’ll be waiting
y son is missing. Not in the physical sense. He still lives in the same town, as far as I know, though I haven’t laid eyes on him in months. But my By Wendy Hodge son – my real son – is not the man who wears his chin. The first time I held his clothes and uses him, skin to skin, he inhis name. That man is stantly became still and someone else entirely. his gaze locked onto Addiction kidnapped mine. I had already my real son, as surely as a terrorist with a gun fallen for him from the moment I knew he would do. existed, but in that moAnd the loss of him ment I fell into a love has damaged us all. that only a mother can To understand the know. depth of our loss, you In the first months of would have to have his life, I did what new known my son before. moms do. I watched He was born smiling. The nurses admired the him sleep to make sure he didn’t stop length of his dark eyelashes and the dimple in breathing. I changed
his diapers and bathed his sweet baby skin. I worried when he didn’t seem to eat enough, and I worried when he seemed to eat too much. I checked my “What To Expect In the First Year” book many times a day to reassure myself that my boy was healthy and well. And I took pictures of everything. Every little thing. Because every little thing was momentous and priceless. And then when he developed colic, I worried some more. And wondered if I would ever actually sleep again. The days and nights ran together with the soundtrack of his Hodge, page A6
‘Buzzwords’ can express, but rarely impress
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y Uncle Frank was a retired police officer. Often, in telling us which wrapped Christmas gift was for which nephew, he said, “That one on the right is for Larry, the one at the left is for Tom, and the other is yorn, Greg.” We thought he meant “yorn” to represent “your own” but we could not find that word in dictionaries or in our 1970s era Funk & Wagnall’s encyclopedia. Uncle Frank probably picked up the word “yorn” through his travels and wide exposure to people as a policeman. A top dictionary says “Yorn” is a surname; a last name in several countries. For example, Peter Yorn is an innovative 45-year old American singer and musician.
By Greg Markley Perhaps we will never precisely know what “yorn” means, but we will learn about some common buzzwords below. A buzzword is a word or phrase that suddenly gets widely used and very popular. Buzzwords usually evolve from technical or scientific terms but in the process the original meaning is curtailed. A widely used phrase that sounds good is “Think outside the box.” But, as Khelan Kirwan
noted in a 2015 article in The Irish Examiner, this phrase is losing its effectiveness. “So when you’re pitching new ideas to your business team here are things to avoid: Think Outside the Box and other annoying phrases,” Kirwan wrote. “Oh my word how this phrase finds itself everywhere, so much so that it has lost its glow.” Another buzzword that is nerve-wracking is “optics.” The word should be used for the propagation of light and other scientific aspects. Now it is often used by TV “talking heads,” apparently to show their intellect. But it’s not bright to skip the words “the way it appears” or something just as simple, with “optics.” See Markley, page A6
It ain’t as bad as it seems, or is it?
T
he other night I caught a TV evangelist explaining to a church full of frightened folks that Biblical prophecy is being played out in the Middle East and we better get ready for THE END. Switched the channel and found a news “Analyst” predicting World War III. Then I turned to the Weather Channel which filled me in on all the natural catastrophes facing us and how most of them were the result of something humans have done or are doing. Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes and floods. Whoa. Time for a little historical reflection – which is ‘bout the only kind I am qualified to do, certifiably and all that.
By Hardy Jackson
So here goes. Back about half a century ago the Kingston Trio (remember them) sang this little ditty: They’re rioting in Africa, They’re starving in Spain. There’re hurricanes in Florida, And Texas needs rain. If that wasn’t enough, the Trio continued: The whole world is festering With unhappy souls. The French hate the Germans, The Germans hate the Poles. Italians hate Yugoslavs,
South Africans hate the Dutch. And I don’t like anybody very much. Tweak it a bit and it could be today. And we could sing: There’s genocide in Africa Lebanon is being bombed. They’re sneaking in from Mexico The President’s alarmed. Sound familiar? My point is this. History teaches us that as bad as things may seem, we have been there before. And we have dealt with it. What we have got to keep in mind is that we, our generation, is not unique. Just like those who came before us, some of our problems are too great to be solved or too insignificant to trouble us. See Jackson, page A6
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A5 Feb. 19, 2020
Relay For Life Lee County: Community Strong Special to the Opelika Observer Lee County residents can take pride in a lot of things about our community, especially coming through the devastation over the past year. The same can be said about cancer—its devastation is hard hitting but so is the army of volunteers who raise money and help support those affected. “The Lee County community has been hit in the mouth a number of times in a year, but what I hope everyone has learned in that hardship is that we as a community have banded together to support each other and rise above the hard times,” said Randy Causey, co-chair of Lee County’s Relay For Life group. “Cancer is no different, and it takes a community to fight it. It’s why I’m proud
Dietrich, from A4 Apparently, in some American regions ‘za is slang for “pizza.” These regions must be way up north somewhere. Because if you told someone in the South you were looking for ‘za, they’d think you were with the Watch Tower Society. I think I’m losing my
to lead a team of volunteers to show what we can do when we team up.” The next team captain and interest meeting for Relay For Life of Lee County will be Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the EAMC Education Center, located at 2027 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika. Monthly meetings allow people to learn about Relay For Life, and gather with team captains to share ideas about how to raise community support efforts. Information about the event itself is also provided and there is a time to reflect and honor those battling cancer. “Our monthly meetings are important because it helps us focus on our goal and gather together to support each other,” said Debra Causey. She is co-chair of this year’s event and a twotime cancer survivor.
The Relay event is set for April 17, from 6 to 10 p.m. around the courthouse square in downtown Opelika. This year’s theme is “Carnival for a Cure.” It’s a time to honor those who fight cancer daily, remember those who have lost their battle with the disease, and thank the caregivers, donors and others who help in the fight to find a cure. There are a number ways to support relay: start a team, make a donation and businesses can join in as well. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities for the business community to show their support of those fighting cancer. For more than 20 years, Lee County residents have raised more than $90,000 each year to fight cancer, and money supports local cancer survivors by providing free rides to treatment
and a place to stay during treatment as well as helps fund groundbreaking research at the national level. “Fighting cancer is personal, and it’s something almost everyone shares because we all know someone who has been affected by cancer,” said fellow co-chair Debra Causey. “Joining with those who are fighting the
disease, whether they have been diagnosed or because a loved one or friend has, brings us together as one group for a cause we can all get behind. “It’s a great time of fellowship and team spirit, and we invite the public to attend,” she added. Find out more online at www.relayforlife.org/leeal, visiting the group’s Face-
book page or by contacting the event’s co-chairs: - Randy Causey - 334703-6621 - Debra Causey -334703-5188 or - ACS Community Development Manager Kalyn Frederick (334-538-9508). Businesses interested in supporting the event can send email Ann Nahikian at acnahikian@gmail.com.
mind in this bathroom. It’s been an hour and I am sitting in the corner beside the toilet thinking deeply about slang words for pizza. There is a little strip of daylight beneath the door. I am hoping to see a moving shadow to indicate someone is nearby. But nothing. If you can believe it my wife has beaten me at Scrabble exactly once in her life. The game lasted two days. Her winning word was—this
is no joke—“axe.” She plopped that thing down on a triple-word score and the game was over. That was fourteen years ago. After that she vowed never to play against me again because she didn’t want to tarnish her victory. I tried to get her to play Scrabble on my birthday once, but she refused. Instead, she wanted to play UNO. She beat the Shinola out of me. After that, she was
always wanting to play UNO. She’d come home from a long day at work and say, “Hey, I have an idea, let’s skip dinner tonight and play UNO!” It was her new obsession, horsewhipping me. She couldn’t get enough UNO. I hate UNO, but right now I’d give anything to play that godforsaken game rather than be stuck in this little room where God knows how many people have pooped.
I hear the back door open. Footsteps. Female voices. I’m saved. “HELP!” I’m yelling. “I’M IN THE BATHROOM! HELLLLP!” More footsteps. “IN HERE! HELLLP!” The bathroom door swings open. Standing before me is my wife and a small Hispanic woman holding a bucket of cleaning supplies.
“¡AY DE MI!” the small woman says. And I start crying. Not because I’m free, not because I’m grateful to be alive, and not because life is precious. But because this woman’s sentence is composed entirely of Scrabble-legal two-letter words. I could really go for some ‘za right now. Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life on the American South.
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pelika O Opinion
A6 Feb. 19, 2020
Tax credits boost your refund
T
ax credits are different, and often more valuable, than tax deductions because they are actual reductions in your income tax due. For example, a taxpayer in a 12% marginal tax bracket only reduces his tax bill by $120 with a $1,000 deduction. A taxpayer with a $1,000 tax credit reduces his tax bill by the full $1,000. 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 $6,557 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children. The credit varies on your income and the number of children in your household, and was designed to help lower-income taxpay-
Markley, from A4 Using this decidedly technical term for the way the Iowa presidential caucus was run, for example, is a phony use of a once good word. The word was used in sports reporting last November. Stewart Mandel of The Athletic, a sports website, said “there could be an optics problem if the (Oregon) Ducks keep winning.” What does he mean? If the Ducks keep winning, they will need new glasses? Another buzzword that is used too much is “synergy.” I must admit I have used the term in two or three academic talk proposals. They were all accepted and, I believe, as “synergy” is a term that excites evaluators, that it didn’t hurt to have it in my 200-word talk proposal. Synergy is defined as “The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” “Manichaean dualism is the single worst idea
ers. 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. Federal Adoption Tax Credit For adoptions finalized in 2019, a credit of up to $14,080 per child is available and is based on adoption costs and expenses, and whether the child was classified as special needs. The credit is nonrefundable, but it can be carried over into future years. Taxpayers should seek professional advice for this credit as it has many requirements. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit This credit has briefly returned, currently good through 2021, and provides a small credit for residential energy efficiency improvements such as solar panels, windows, air conditioners, insulation, roofing, etc. The credit is relatively small, but is worth taking if you need to make these kinds of improvements. 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 251-209-2579 or Justin@JSmithCPA.net. His web site is www. jsmithcpa.net.
people ever came up with — this notion that you can divide humankind into the children of light and the children of darkness.” So said James K. Morrow, a current American novelist known for endowing his writing with philosophical and theological questions. I have seen several professors (not from Auburn University or the University of Alabama, by the way) and several graduate students use “Manichaean” so much in talks that it is not funny. But the definition is not about just any “duality” or “dichotomy.” It basically refers to religious dualism, not just any division of ideas. The word’s origins are from Persia in the Third Century. It is so popular in political science circles that I call it the giant of buzz word. “Resilience” became widely known in the mid to late 1970s. There are many subsets of resilience programs. A main one is Psychological Resilience. This is “the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to
pre-crisis status quickly,” according to leaders in resilience studies. Resilience involves showing people how to remain calm even in crises and a chaotic environment. The military has regular programs and meetings on this subject, as they certainly have challenging work and lives. For anyone facing these issues, “Dancer in the Dark” (2000), “Three Colors Blue” (1993) and “Ikiru” (1952) are cited as excellent films dealing with resilience by tasteofcinema.com. Some of my comments here are somewhat “tongue-in-cheek” (pretending to be serious while dealt with in fun.) A buzzword’s value is up to the speaker or writer himself or herself. I have my favorites and those I dislike. In the end, as with my Uncle Frank, the final lexicon you use will be your own, or maybe even “yorn.” Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for 18 of the last 23 years. An award-winning journalist, he has Master’s degrees in education and history. He has taught as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.
Justin Smith
Hodge, from A4 frequent crying echoing in our house. My baby was hurting, and I tried everything I knew to make it stop. I held him and bounced him and rocked endless miles in the rocking chair my parents had given us. We drove around the block ten thousand times. I played soothing music. I even strapped his car seat to the dryer hoping the vibration and the hum would lull him to sleep. In the end, the best comfort we found was curled around each other in our gray recliner. So he and I spent the majority of those weeks in that recliner…. eating and burping and napping and starting all over again. The OJ Simpson trial was on the television, and that was how I knew there was still a world outside those four walls. And then one day, I woke up with my cheek pressed against the gray fabric and with the sun streaming in the window and was startled by the sound I heard. It was silence. The baby in my arms was sound asleep with a smile on his face, and he had been that way for several hours. It took a moment for me to realize we had turned a corner and we could once again sleep at night and emerge out into the daylight. Like humans. Never once, during all those days and nights that bled together, did I regret being my son’s mom. In fact I felt a sense of purpose I’d never felt before. I alone was this child’s mother, and what an amazing joy he was. He became the child who taught himself to
Jackson, from A4 Unfortunately, we are in the middle of one of those “ain’t we special” periods where we think our problems are the worst problems ever. The whole world’s divided, Whose side is God on? The Moslems say that He’s on theirs The Christians say they’re wrong. Let’s not stop there. Conservatives hate liberals The liberals hate ‘em back Neither one will cut the other any slack. ‘Course we thought we were special back when the Trio first sang the song. All those other people fussing and fighting. Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. Communists and capitalists in Germany. Fascists and socialists in Spain. But we can be tranquil
read so he could play video games. He was also the child whose favorite food changed every few months. We lived through a winter of instant mashed potatoes, a summer of macaroni and cheese, and a spring and fall of hot dogs (without the bun). He had a laugh that filled the house and a love for Buzz Lightyear that we thought would never die. Everywhere we went, whether I was the driver or a passenger, he absolutely had to hold my hand. He would reach forward from the back seat and wrap his chubby fingers around mine. My shoulder became double-jointed, I swear, from the repetitive backward reach. But I loved every second of it. All was right in my little boy’s world as long as he was holding my hand. But he was also the child who seemed to feel other people’s sorrow more acutely than any child should. There was a day when he was five years old that he came to me in tears because he’d seen a commercial about starving children. He asked me why we couldn’t go to the grocery store and buy enough for their dinner too….and his little boy heart broke under the weight of the realization that not everyone is well-fed or safe or even loved at all. After a night spent crying because he’d seen a spot on the news about over-crowded animal shelters and how many pets never have a place to call home, there was a “no news channels” rule in our house. Only Power Rangers and Mario Brothers for my big-hearted boy! We “camped out” in the living room inside the dome of his Buzz
Lightyear tent, and we watched Toy Story until I could recite every line. We played games and read books and always we laughed. Of course he grew, as we all want our children to do. He became a tall, lanky boy who was quiet and sweet. He was fiercely loyal to his friends. He was the big brother my daughter adored. And he was protective of me, always watching to see that my heart was okay. And then he became someone else. Not overnight. It was a slow process, this moving away from himself and from all of us who loved him so much. It was a painful road, full of tears and arguments and regrets. An ocean of regrets. Did I do too much? Did I do too little? Was anything I did the right thing after all? I will ask myself those questions forever, I suppose. I remember the last time we sat together and ate a meal and were truly ourselves and happy. I remember the last time he lived under my roof and I was not afraid of what the world was doing to him and of what he was doing to himself. I’m glad I was oblivious to what was coming. Because now those memories of that joy are all I have left of my little boy. Memories and the hope that someday he will come back to me. And to himself. And when that day comes, I will be proud to be his mom. Just like I have been since that first moment I saw his face and said out loud “There you are. I’ve been waiting for you.” Hodge is an Opelika native, an empty nester and lover of all things Opelika.
And thankful and proud. For man’s been endowed with A mushroom shaped cloud. And we know for certain That some lucky day Someone will set the spark off And we will all be blown away. Back when the Kingston Trio sang that verse, nuclear disaster looked like a real possibility. It still does. Syria is a time bomb That’s got a short fuse, The Shiites hate the Sunnis, Hezbollah hates the Jews Invaders keep invading Peacekeepers pulling out And no one seems to know What it’s about. So I went to the TV today, looking for comfort and discovered: They’re rioting in Tehran Our troops are in Iraq.
Others went to Afghanistan, Don’t know when they’re coming back. Sound familiar. Listen on. The Ice Cap is melting Australia’s on fire. California with mudslides Is sinking in the mire. Pay attention now. Word comes out from Tel Aviv, Iran has The Bomb Now everyone will want one, Quick sound the alarm. Yessir And we know for certain That some lucky day, Someone will set the spark off, And we will all be blown away. Wait, that last verse was from 1959. Hmmmmmm. Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hjackson@cableone. net.
Opelika E vents, Society, & Food
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: March 16 - Sean Dietrich booksigning event at Books-A-Million Tiger Town March 26 - Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at the Gogue Performing Arts Center March 27 to 29 - 2nd Annual Opelika Songwriter’s Festival
Serve Louisiana inspired dishes for celebrating Mardi Gras Ann Cipperly’s
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ith Mardi Gras coming up Feb. 25, enliven your meals this coming week with Creole and Cajun inspired dishes. Without the frenzy of parades and a carnival atmosphere, celebrate the decorations, music and flavors of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras with a festive dinner at home. While you are celebrating, don’t forget beloved Opelikan Nancy Parker Boyd, who was a Fox News anchor in New Orleans for 23 years and tragically died in a plane crash last year. For Mardi Gras this year, Nancy was going to reign as Grand
Marshal of the Krewe of Nyx parade. She will be honored as the grand marshal with her family representing her, including her parents Patsy and Bill Parker of Opelika. “Nancy was the epitome of everything we believe in — strength, love, caring, sisterhood, compassion, giving back, and so much more,” said the Krewe captain Julia Lea. Patsy and Bill were in New Orleans recently for the dedication of a beautiful park to Nancy. They will be going to the University of Alabama in a few weeks when Nancy will be listed in their Hall
of Fame. They will be returning to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to honor Nancy. 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. Known for its party spirit and epicurean specialties like no place else in the country, New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Le
Acre’s Chef de Cuisine Jeffrey Compton to compete on six-episode Food Network series ‘Vegas Chef Prizefight,’ which will air March 5 Special to the Opelika Observer Jeffrey Compton, Acre’s chef de cuisine, will be one of 10 chefs competing for culinary glory on the new Food Network series “Vegas Chef Prizefight,” which will air on March 5. Hosted by fellow chef and television personality Anne Burrell, the competition will place these chefs “on the toughest job interview of their lives” to be chosen as the head chef “at the brand-new, $10 million restaurant at the Flamingo Las Vegas, right on the strip.” Each week, Burrell will place chefs in a different restaurant within the Caesars Entertainment empire where they must take over a busy dinner service to prove they have the talent, leadership and determination to run a high-profile restaurant in Las Vegas, one of the biggest food cities in the country. With clashing egos, extraordinary dishes and unexpected twists and turns, the sixepisode series mirrors real-life entry into the storied world of first-class restaurant kitchens. Restaurant experts Scott Conant and Regional President of Caesars Entertain-
Photo by Ann Cipperly Lenda Jo Connell’s recipe for Bon Ton Café’s New Orleans Style Bread Pudding makes a delectable dessert for celebrating Mardi Gras. Select from other Creole and Cajun inspired dishes for creating a Mardi Gras celebration.
Moyne de Bienville. The city developed around the Vieux Carré, a central square, which evolved into the French Quarter. Mobile held America’s first Mardi Gras celebration in 1703. By the 1730s, the event was annually celebrated with parties and festivals in New Orleans. Mardi Gras season kicks off on Twelfth Night. We recently enjoyed seeing Mardi Gras
decorations and savored Louisiana cuisine in Baton Rouge, which also celebrates Mardi Gras with parades and events. When we make trips to Houston, Texas, we stop overnight in Baton Rouge going and coming back home. We have found two outstanding restaurants, Mansurs on the Boulevard, where we have dined several times, and Parrain’s, which was sug-
gested this time by a friend who used to live in Baton Rouge. If you attend an Auburn football or basketball games against LSU in Baton Rouge, you will want to remember these two restaurants. Along with serving excellent “contemporary Creole dishes,” Mansurs offers elegant ambience with arched doorways
Rebecca Loebe returning to Sundilla on March 6 Special to the Opelika Observer Americana singer-songwriter Rebecca Loebe will make her return to Sundilla on March 6, with showtime set for 7:30 p.m. Loebe is not just another talent. She’s a talent — a sophisticated, mature writer with a relevant point of view and an assured, nuanced voice that’s both
Loebe
See Loebe, page A10
Compton ment Eileen Moore, along with other special guests, join Burrell in every drama-filled episode to determine who moves closer to getting a job offer that
will alter the course of their career. “The stakes are incredibly high in Vegas Chef Prizefight – winSee Compton, page A10
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pelika O Observer
A8 Feb. 19, 2020
Auburn Community Orchestra United States Navy Band to perform hosting free concert on Feb. 25 free concert in Auburn on March 13 Special to the Opelika Observer
The Auburn Community Orchestra will be holding their “Second Seasonal Concert” at Auburn United Methodist Church on Feb. 25 at
6 p.m. The orchestra will be conducted by Richard Prior. The program will include Mozart’s Overture to “The Marriage of Figaro, Clarinet Concerto (I)” and “Flute and Harp Concerto (II),” Handel’s “Wa-
ter Music Suite No. II” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. I.” This concert is free and open to the public. Visit their Facebook page for more information. The church is located at 137 S. Gay St.
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The United States Navy Band will sail into Auburn for a free concert at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on March 13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Featuring the Concert Band, Sea Chanters chorus and Cruisers popular music group, the Navy Band is the flagship musical organization of the United States Navy. Based at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., the Navy Band consists of full-time professional musicians who are enlisted Navy sailors. Almost all of the sailors in the Navy Band have undergradu-
ate or graduate degrees in music. The Concert Band— the Navy Band’s original ensemble—has been performing public concerts and participating in high-profile events for more than 95 years. Joined by the Sea Chanters—the official chorus of the Navy—and the Cruisers popular music group, the versatility of the ensemble expands to include music ranging from traditional wind band repertoire to Broadway showstoppers, rhythm and blues, pop and patriotic favorites. These elite ensembles combine their world-class talents to create a dynamic musical production
perfect for audiences of all ages. Auburn is one of 20 cities in six states where the Navy Band will perform during its 2020 tour, a journey that will see the ensemble cover nearly 3,300 miles nationally over the course of its tour. “For many years, Navy bands have been where it matters, when it matters, just like the rest of our Navy,” said Capt. Kenneth Collins, United States Navy Band commanding officer. “Today, we have sailors performing around the world, improving relations with our allies abroad as well as telling the Navy story here at home.” See USN Band, page A10
pelika O Opinion
A9 Feb. 19, 2020
Community Garden at Auburn University to hold kickoff event Feb. 29 Special to the Opelika Observer The Community Garden at Auburn University welcomes everyone to rent space this coming farming season to grow veggies, herbs and flowers or just to come by and get their hands in the dirt as a volunteer. To celebrate, Community Garden organizers are holding a Community Day event that is open to the public. During the event, guests will be able to tour the garden, meet their neighbors and enjoy some free coffee and bagels. Plot rentals are available for the 2020 season as well. For more information, visit aub.ie/communitygarden or send email to garden manager Marley Halter at community. garden@auburn.edu.
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pelika Observer O
A10 Feb. 19, 2020
AACT announces open auditions for coming production of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ closer to audition dates. Monologues and scenes will be available for several characters to read together. Be familiar with the song “Here Comes the Sun.” Call backs, by invitation only, will be held March 5. Rehearsals will begin on March 9. Additionally, available are off-stage production/technical staff positions. Individuals may show up to auditions if they are interested in one of those roles or by contacting AACT Artistic Director Andrea Holliday by e-mail at AuburnAreaComTheatre@gmail.com.
Special to the Opelika Observer AACT staff are looking to fill the roles of two men and four women for their coming spring production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Auditions will be held March 2 and 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, located at 222 E. Drake Ave. in Auburn. Anyone wanting to audition should plan to attend one of these sessions for the entire allotted time. This will consist of cold readings from script or sides available
Loebe, from A7 tling team). After graduating at 16, she became the second youngest member of her class at Berklee College of Music and one of a handful of women studying audio engineering. But when a mentor encouraged her to stay creative, Loebe realized she wanted to sing the songs she’d secretly written for years. It didn’t take her long to cast her spell over Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition judges, who made her a winner in 2009, and talent
This Tony Awardwinning comedy revolves around the relationship between three single middleaged siblings. Vanya and adopted Sonia share a home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Unexpectedly, their movie-star sister Masha, owner of the house, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene is a sassy maid named Cassandra, who
scouts for The Voice, who asked her to audition for the show’s debut season. Two years later, Alternate Root magazine ranked her ninth on its list of America’s top female vocalists. Advance tickets are $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at www.sundillamusic. com; admission at the door will be $20. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and attendees are welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage. The show will be held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which is located at 450 E. Thach Ave.
believes that she can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina. Nina’s prettiness worries the imperious Masha. At a fancy dress party, everyone’s lives begin to change. Performances will be held May 8 to 10 and 14 to 17. For more information, visit www. auburnact.org. About the AACT: The Auburn Area Community Theatre is a nonprofit organization that exists to serve the Auburn-Opelika area. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity
Compton, from A7 ning this show will literally change someone’s life, so there are real consequences for each dish,” said Courtney White, President, Food Network and Cooking Channel. “Anne’s experience in exclusive restaurant kitchens makes her the perfect chef to lead this search – she knows the skill, creativity and temperament needed to thrive in this world.” Other competing chefs are: Brittney Brown (Detroit); Julia
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for education and participation in the world of theatre and present a quality, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre experience. AACT is actively soliciting new members who have an interest
Helton (Chicago); Jeff Kraus (Tempe, Arizona); Janey Lyu (New York); Lamar Moore (Chicago); Roshara Sanders (Bridgeport, Connecticut) and Juan Zepeda (Denver). In the premiere episode, Burrell and the chefs arrive at Caesars Test Kitchen and must show their culinary point of view using an ingredient beloved by high rollers and vacationers alike. They then proceed to an evening takeover of BLT Steak at Bally’s Las Vegas where Burrell, Scott, Eileen and guest Cliff Crooks determine which chef becomes the first to
USN Band, from A8 One of the Navy Band’s primary responsibilities involves touring the country. All of the band’s primary performing units embark each year on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country, allowing the band to reach out to audiences in areas of the country that do not have opportunities to see the Navy’s premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The concerts are family- friendly events, meant to be
go bust. Upcoming episodes include a Mexican-inspired dinner at Guy Fieri’s restaurant El Burro Borracho at Rio AllSuite Hotel & Casino featuring Hunter Fieri; a theater-worthy food spectacle with guests Penn Jillette, Maximillian Chow and Chef Dicky Fung at MR. CHOW at Caesars Palace; brunch battle at restaurant GIADA at The Cromwell Las Vegas with Giada De Laurentiis’s head of culinary operations Lish Steiling and a fine dining excursion at Michelin starstarred Restaurant Guy Savoy, the crown
entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy. The Navy Band’s March 13 concert at the Gogue Center is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for admission; limit four
in helping the growth of community theatre. AACT members and the community-atlarge are encouraged to participate. For more information, visit www.auburnact. org. jewel of Caesars Palace. In the super-sized 90-minute finale on April 9 at 10 p.m., the last chefs standing go head-to-head and only one will be offered the head chef position at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Fans can head to FoodNetwork.com/ VegasChefPrizefight for exclusive videos with Burrell, food challenges with the judges plus Q-&-A’s. Track the dishes you won’t want to miss! Track the competition each week using #VegasChefPrizefight. The premiere episode will air at 10 p.m. Eastern time on the network. tickets per order. To reserve seats, visit goguecentertickets.auburn. edu, or contact the patron services team directly at 334.844.TIXS (8497). For more information on the United States Navy Band, visit www.navyband.navy.mil.
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pelika O Observer Cipperly, from A7 framed in bricks and dark wood coffered ceilings. Tables are covered with white cloths and amber colored overlays, and set with sparkling crystal glasses. Piano music enhances the setting in the main dining room. Soon after being seated, freshly baked French bread is served in a paper bag to keep it warm. Over the years, we have tried several appetizers, including seafood stuffed mushrooms and gumbo. On this trip, we ordered the tasty creamy brie and crabmeat soup, and crab cakes with remoulade sauce topped with tomato and corn relish for an attractive presentation. Except for one time when Don tried the duck, we have ordered the signature red fish roasted on a cedar plank. The fish is superb served with a Creole lemon caper sauce and a side of risotto. While there are other tempting dishes, I don’t think we are going to pass on this any time we visit. While we are generally too full for dessert, once
Recipes Galatoire’s Shrimp Remoulade This is Galatoire’s most popular dish and most requested recipe. The sauce is better made a day in advance and refrigerated. Toss in the shrimp and serve. ¾ cup chopped celery ¾ cup chopped scallions (white and green parts) ½ cup chopped curly parsley 1 cup chopped yellow onion ½ cup ketchup ½ cup tomato purée ½ cup Creole mustard or any coarse, grainy brown mustard 2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish, or to taste ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. Spanish hot paprika, or to taste 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ cup salad oil 4 dozen jumbo (15 count) shrimp, peeled, boiled, and chilled 1 small head of iceberg lettuce, washed, dried and cut into thin ribbons Mince the celery, scallions, parsley and onions in a food processor. Add the ketchup, tomato puree, Creole mustard, horseradish, red wine vinegar, paprika and Worcestershire. Begin processing again and add the oil in a slow drizzle to emulsify. Stop when the dressing is smooth. Chill for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Correct the seasoning with additional horseradish, if desired, after the ingredients have had the opportunity to marry. In a large mixing bowl, add the sauce to the shrimp and toss gently to coat. Divide the lettuce among 6 chilled salad plates. Divide the shrimp evenly atop the lettuce and serve. Serves 6 Jambalaya Lenda Jo Connell Lenda Jo grew up in Oak Grove, Louisianna near
we ordered a yummy bread pudding laced with blueberries and topped with a caramel sauce. Mansurs has been open since 1989 and moved to its current location in 2001. Jamie Flick, the choir director at Trinity United Methodist, recommended Parrain’s to us, and it was an excellent choice. The setting is causal and lively. The restaurant opened in 2001 and serves “nouveau Cajun cuisine.” The menu offers so many good choices. Don tried the gumbo and thought it was delectable with chunks of seafood in a flavorful sauce. For the entrée, he ordered the combination platter of half crawfish etouffee and half fried tails that he savored every bite. I finally settled on “The Pontchartrain,” which featured seasoned fresh fish fillet sautéed and topped with crabmeat and caper hollandaise sauce. Among the sides, I selected coleslaw, which was tangy with peanuts. I thought it was outstanding and wished I had the recipe. While in Baton Rouge during the Mardi Gras season, we have picked up a King’s Cake at Ambrosia Bakery that offers assorted
King Cakes in different sizes with assorted fillings. King Cakes are also available at our local grocery stores. I have friends who bake King Cakes, and I thought about baking one. However, when I looked at purchasing purple, green and yellow colored sugars, I decided it would be a better value just to purchase a readymade cake. Over the years, we have enjoyed many Creole and Cajun dishes at famous restaurants in New Orleans as well. Commander’s Palace and Brennan’s were always favorites. A couple of years ago, we were invited to be a part of a media group in New Orleans and sampled amazing meals at several restaurants. While dining at Arnaud’s restaurant, one of the oldest, we were invited to throw beads from the balcony. Since it was not Mardi Gras season, I was surprised to see that once we started tossing beads a crowded soon gathered, waving their arms and yelling. I quickly discovered that this was not my thing. I decided to gently toss beads to children and seniors instead of people gathering a large number around their necks.
The host for our media group also wanted us to experience the famous Friday lunch at Galatoire’s. Locals are known to have lunch on Fridays, and everyone is celebrating a birthday or some occasion. We have dined there before, so I knew the food would be outstanding. With mirrored walls and white tablecloths, Galatoire’s has remained one of the city’s legendary restaurants. Jean Galatoire opened the restaurant in 1905 and created a menu of French-Creole dishes with recipes brought from France. From humble beginnings the fifth generation has continued the tradition. When we arrived at the restaurant for the 11:30 seating, it was as though we were joining a party with tables sporting balloons and everyone dressed in their Sunday best. Nearly every table had a champagne bucket, or customers were sipping French 75’s, a cocktail made with champagne, gin and Cointreau. With every seat taken, there was little space between tables, making it feel like you were part of one big party. For appetizers, our table ordered Galatoire Goute,
the Mississippi River. She has fond memories of celebrating the tradition of Mardi Gras with her family, who rode horses in parades in New Orleans. Lenda Jo enjoys gathering friends at her home for Mardi Gras to dine on Cajun recipes she has served for years. 2 Tbsp. oil or butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup finely chopped green pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup diced chicken, cooked 1 cup diced ham, cooked 1 lb. cocktail smokies (smoked sausage) 28 oz. size can diced tomatoes 1 cup white rice, raw 1½ cups chicken broth ½ tsp. thyme 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley Salt and pepper to taste In oil or butter, sauté onion and green pepper until wilted. Add meat; simmer 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with liquid and stock. Season with thyme, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Pour into large pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
2 chopped garlic cloves 1 tsp. each salt, pepper, sugar ½ tsp. each oregano, thyme, sweet basil 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ cup parsley 1 bay leaf Tabasco, to taste 1½ lb. sliced cooked sausage Place all ingredients except sausage in crock pot. Cook 6 hours. Add sausage last 30 minutes of cooking time. Remove bay leaf. Serve over hot cooked rice. Serves 8-10.
Bourbon Sauce ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar 1 egg ¼ to ½ cup bourbon or to taste In a saucepan, melt butter; add sugar and egg, whisking to blend well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Whisk in bourbon to taste. Remove from heat. Whisk before serving. Don’t overheat or simmer. Sauce should be soft, creamy and smooth. Note: If you wish to remove the alcohol, bring the sauce to a boil, stirring constantly, to avoid sticking. Bread Pudding 1 loaf French bread, at least a day old, (cut into 1 inch squares, about 6-7 cups) 1 qt. milk 3 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups sugar 2 Tbsp. vanilla ¼ to ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 cup raisins (soaked overnight in ¼ cup bourbon) 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Soak bread in milk in large mixing bowl. Press with hands until well mixed and all milk is absorbed. In separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla and spices together. Gently stir into bread mixture. Gently fold in raisins. Pour butter into bottom of 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Coat bottom and sides of the pan well with butter. Pour in bread mixture; bake at 350 degrees for 3045 minutes or until set. Pudding is done when the edges start getting a bit brown and pull away from edge of pan. Serve with bourbon sauce on the side or pour on to taste. Makes 8-10 servings. Caramel Sauce for Bread Pudding If you don’t want to
Crock-Pot Red Beans and Rice Lenda Jo Connell For a Mardi Gras party, Lenda Jo will serve Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya or Tessie’s Gumbo with a salad and her signature dessert, Bon Ton Café’s Bread Pudding and Bourbon Sauce. 1 lb. bag small red beans 6 cups water 2 ham hocks
Crawfish Etouffee Jo Lovell ¼ cup butter 2 large onions, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium bell pepper, chopped Salt to taste Red and black pepper to taste Tabasco sauce to taste 1 to 2 lbs. crawfish tails Fat 2 Tbsp. flour 2 cups water 4 chicken bouillon cubes Green onion tops, chopped Parsley, chopped Melt butter in a large heavy skillet. Sauté vegetables in butter for 30 minutes. Add seasonings to taste, then crawfish tails and fat. Sauté for a minute and stir in flour. Continue sautéing for 3 minutes; add water, chicken bouillon, and green onions and parsley. Simmer about 15 minutes. Serve over rice. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 large chopped onion ¼ cup chopped bell pepper
Bon Ton Café’s New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Lenda Jo Connell
A11 Feb. 19, 2020 which included top-notch crabmeat maison and shrimp remoulade. The shrimp were coated in the spicy remoulade, while the crab was tossed with green onions and capers in a creole mustard aioli. We also sampled souffle potatoes, which are twice fried, crispy puffed potatoes accompanied with béarnaise sauce. As we were waiting for lunch, a gentleman in the back of the room clinked on his glass to get everyone’s attention. He stood up and held out his champagne glass to toast, saying, “It is now 1 p.m. If you have not ordered lunch yet, here’s to you.” Laughter filled the room, and we were thankful our red fish topped with lump crabmeat soon arrived. When we left, the lively chatter and party were still going on. Two restaurants not so well known serving excellent dishes for a reasonable price are Coquette and Willa Jean’s. If you decide to visit New Orleans, I recommend staying at the Windsor Court Hotel (if you can get a room without taking out a second mortgage). Prices vary according to the season. Plan to leave your car at serve bourbon sauce on bread pudding, caramel sauce is also delicious. 1 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice ¼ cup water 2 Tbsp. butter 1 cup heavy cream Combine sugar, lemon juice and water in a saucepan; mix well. Cook without stirring over medium high heat until amber in color. Remove from heat and stir in butter carefully until melted. Stir in cream. Cool to room temperature. Café au Lait The famous breakfast drink in the French Quarter makes a fitting finale for a celebration reflecting the traditions and cuisine of the Big Easy. 5 cups strong black coffee 5 cups milk at the boiling point Pour equal amounts of coffee and milk into cups. Tessie’s Gumbo Lenda Jo Connell 2 lbs. shrimp 2 lbs. fresh okra, cut in small pieces 1 large shallot 2 large onions, chopped 1/2 bell pepper 2-3 cloves garlic Thyme Parsley, chopped 2 bay leaves, crushed Salt and pepper to
the hotel and take an Uber to restaurants. After we came home from Baton Rouge a couple of weeks ago, I selected Louisiana-style recipes that great cooks have shared over the years. Look over these for planning your menu. When setting the table, select Mardi Gras colors of purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. I haven’t decided which dishes I will be preparing, but my celebration will be thanking God for being back home and for His mercy and a miracle that makes me grateful and humble. As you think of Nancy, remember you can honor her by donating to the scholarship fund in her name at the Community Foundation Fund. You can also purchase Nancy’s new book. She wrote her third book “Dinner at Eight, The Talking Plate,” but didn’t have a chance to publish it. Her husband had it printed, and it was recently released. The book is about etiquette for children, and proceeds go to scholarships and other charities. Cipperly can be reached at recipes@cipperly.com.
taste 2 cups crabmeat 2 lbs. smoked sausage 1 ½ lbs. chicken, cooked 3 Tbsp. file Peel shrimp, devein and boil lightly 3-5 minutes; set aside. Stirfry okra, onions, shallots, bell pepper, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic in a small amount of oil until soft in a large pan. Add 3 quarts boiling water. Add crab, sausage and chicken. Cover and cook 30 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and add file. Serves 6-8. Easy Crawfish or Shrimp Soup Jennifer Faircloth 1 onion, diced Minced garlic to taste 1 stick butter Two pkg. (12-14 oz. each) fresh or frozen raw crawfish tails or shrimp, peeled without tails, deveined Two 14 oz. cans cream style corn Two 12 oz. cans evaporated milk 3 cans Campbell’s cream of potato soup Creole seasonings, such as Tony Charchere’s Sauté onion and garlic in butter. Add remaining ingredients. Heat on low to medium for 1 hour. Can place in crock-pot. Makes 6-8 servings.
Food Ratings Resting Pulse Brewing Company 714 1st Ave. Opelika Score: 100
Chappy’s Deli 754 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn Score: 95
Subway 2388 Lee Road 430 Smiths Station Score: 100
Johnny Brusco’s 2408 E. University Drive Auburn Score: 94
J.O.E.S. Deli & Grill 815 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn Score: 95
Pizza D’Action 2368 Lee Road 430 Smiths Station Score: 92
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OBITUARIES Patricia Thomson Brown Patricia Thomson Brown of Opelika was born to William Eugene Thomson and Flossie Miller Thomson in Birmingham, Alabama, Dec. 23, 1938 and passed away peacefully with family in attendance Feb. 14, 2020. She was 81 years old. She moved to Opelika in 1959 upon marriage to her husband of 60 years, Claud Brown, Jr. Together they oper-
Thomas H. Cooksey, Sr. Mr. Thomas H. Cooksey, Sr. passed away Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 at EAMC, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. Mr. Cooksey was born March 23, 1941, in Jackson’s Gap, Alabama. After graduating high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Bettye, on March 6, 1960 and spent 60 wonderful years together. Mr. Cooksey served in the US Army and the Army National Guard. He received a BS in Agriculture and a Master’s Degree in Economics from Auburn University. Mr. Tom, as he was affectionately known,
Dorothy (Dartie) Ann Smith Flynt Dorothy (Dartie) Ann Smith Flynt was nearly a Halloween baby, born Oct. 30, in Fairfax, Ala., to Annie Grace House Smith and W. Albert Smith. She was a cute, green-eyed little charmer to whom soldiers traveling to nearby Fort Benning during WWII gave their spare change, filling her red plastic purse. Her father pastored Baptist churches in Sheffield and Gadsden, and she graduated high school in Gadsden. Following his path, she attended Howard College (now Samford University,) where she majored in speech/theater and English. She retained an interest in college and professional theater and was a longtime season ticket holder at the Alabama Shakespeare Festi-
Virginia H. Ray Mrs. Virginia H. Ray, 81 of Opelika, passed away Feb. 14, 2020 at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. Mrs. Ray was born Jan. 21, 1939 to Clay and Christinee Henderson in Eclectic,
ated Opelika Floral Company serving the community for more than 45 years. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Opelika and the Poe-Cumbie Sunday School class. She faithfully served in the United Methodist Women, was a member of the Twentieth Century Study Club, and volunteered with the Wesley Terrace nurse’s auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Laura Thomson Rickson
Bonham; brother, Virgil Eugene Thomson; and infant daughter. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Claud Brown, Jr. and children Trey (Beth) Brown and Mimi (Neal) McGee. Plus, four beautiful granddaughters, Hayden McGee (Bryce) Russell, MacRae Brown, Anna McGee, and Bailey Brown. She was lovingly cared for by Erica Head, Rockie Washington and Chrystal Brooks.
Visitation was held at First United Methodist Church on Feb. 18, 2020 from noon to 2 p.m. and the service followed with Reverends Robin Wilson and Rick Lane officiating. Graveside service followed at Garden Hills Cemetery. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Ave. A Opelika, AL 36801.
spent his early professional years teaching Economics and began his Real Estate Development career in 1979. He and Bettye formed Apartment Services & Mgt. in 1986 and throughout the years developed and managed apartment communities throughout the State of Alabama. He considered his family, and many friends made throughout the years as his greatest accomplishments. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Mr. John C. and Virginia Cooksey, a brother Terry Cooksey and a sister Janis Canham and an infant sister. He is survived by the love of his life, Bettye, his children, Celeste (Van) Stewart, Con-
nie Cooksey, and Tom (Kelly) Cooksey, all of Auburn, his grandchildren Elisabeth Kirwin, Ft. Worth, Texas, Emmie Cooksey, Starkville, Mississippi, Heath Stewart & family, Waverly, Alabama, Heather Grider & family, Dothan, Alabama, and 7 Great-Grandchildren, Trip, Cooper, Savannah, Jack, Saylor, Will and Shelby, whom “Popie” adored. He is also survived by a brother, Harry (Linda) Cooksey, Decatur, Ga, a sister, Debbie Cooksey, Jackson’s Gap, Al, brother-inlaw, Jimmy McIntosh, Dadeville, Al and sister-in-law Peggy (Bill) McElveen, Auburn, Alabama, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and life-long
friends. A memorial was held Feb. 16, at 3 p.m. with visitation beginning prior to the service at 2:00pm, JeffcoatTrant Chapel, Opelika, Alabama. A private grave-side service will be held prior to the memorial service. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Charles Veale, Dr. John Mitchell, David Pate, Dr. David Crowe, and the entire 8th Floor, ICU, and 4th Floor nursing staff for the love and care shown to him and our family. Memorial Donations may be made to EAMC Foundation, 407 West Thomason Circle, Opelika, Al 36801, the American Heart Association, or your favorite charity.
val. Although she appeared on stage, participated in the Miss Alabama Pageant and modeled for Birmingham’s elite department stores as a way to acquire stylish clothes, her preference throughout life was back-stage, where she won two Masque Awards for makeup design. After graduating college, she served as a summer missionary in California before beginning her career as an English teacher in Gadsden and Tallahassee, Florida. As a middle and high school teacher, she especially related to troubled male teenagers with learning problems. Her empathy, creativity and patience was lifechanging in many of their lives. She taught until the birth of her first son, then elected the life of a full-time mom. As a deacon
and lay leader at Vestavia Hills Baptist and Auburn First Baptist churches, she continued her family tradition of ministry to others, combining puns, witticism, creativity, stylish clothes and hats with mission trips to Alaska and Spain (where she helped build and paint churches,) teaching vacation Bible school and Englishas-a-second-language, coordinating Loaves and Fishes food programs for Auburn’s poor and elderly, chairing the church’s library committee, working in Women’s Missionary Union and as secretary of the Pilgrims Sunday school class, directing and narrating worship programs, and proving for decades that piety need not be boring or drab. An authentic southern “steel magnolia” who bravely bore health
problems for a quarter of her life without complaint, she won converts as much by her courage as by her fiercely-held Christian faith. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Flynt, sons David (Kelly Rogers Flynt) and Sean (Shannon Rogers Flynt), grandchildren James Dallas, Harper Swann, and Ambrose Doss, brothers Everett (Marylee) and Charles (Sandra) Smith, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Gifts in honor of her life may be sent to the Dorothy Flynt Missions and Ministry Endowment at Auburn First Baptist Church, 128 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn, AL, 36830. Auburn First Baptist Church will host a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2020.
Alabama. Mrs. Ray retired from Auburn University. She was also a loving wife to her husband. Mrs. Ray is preceded in death by her parents Clay and Christinee Henderson. She is survived by her husband Gerald
“Grumpy” Ray; son, Eric Kelly; brother, Winston Henderson; step daughter, Jennifer (Jeb) Ainsworth, and grandson Reese Ainsworth. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2020 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral
Home, with burial following in Garden Hills Cemetery. Visitation was held Feb. 17, 2020 beginning at 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.
Howard “Peepaw” Hammock Howard “Peepaw” Hammock passed away peacefully in his home established in the community of Beauregard on Feb. 14, 2020 in Opelika, Alabama at the age of 82. Howard is survived by his wife Ann Hammock of Beauregard, children Bill Hammock (Barbara) and Genny Williams (Jim) of Nashville, Tennessee, Brandi Hammock and Kala Hammock of Beauregard, sister Patricia Fleckman (Ira) of Orlando, Florida, grandchildren Holt Hammock and Holly Hammock of Nashville, Tennessee, Hailey Henry of Hunstville, Alabama, Kayonna Carter, Kylee Carter, Kalise Love, Keynan Murrell, Skylar Carter, Kamryn Murrell, Kalina Love, Andrew Washington and Stetson Witchett of Beauregard, great grandchildren Cadence, Lynlee, Zealyn, William, Beaux, and Haidyn. He is preceded by his mother Bernice Hubbard Lane, father Luther Hammock, Elnora LeBouef Andrus Elnora LeBouef Andrus joined her savior and the saints in glory on Feb. 13, 2020. Elnora was born on Nov. 21, 1917 to John Meus LeBouef and Rose Schambough LeBouef in Iota, Louisiana. Elnora married Vernon Andrus on Aug. 8, 1950. They had 2 children, Francine Andrus Berendson (Gustavo) and Terry Andrus (Annette). She is survived by her two children, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother (Lawrence) and son (Ronald Guidry). Elnora was known for her cooking, vis-
brother Lamar Hammock of Hogansville, Georgia, and eldest son Jim Hammock of Phenix City, Alabama. Howard was born Sept. 15, 1937 in LaGrange, Georgia. He attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute formally known as Auburn University from 1957-1959. He later began working at Bill Heard Chevrolet of Columbus as a car salesman in 1970. Howard was very hard working and dedicated to sales, he then furthered his career in Pensacola as a sales manager where later retired. He was the foundation of true love and strength to his family, he encouraged everyone around him to put their best foot forward in everything they did. He was a great example of how a man was supposed to lead, protect, and provide for his family. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2020 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed. iting the shut-ins and her prayer warrior life. Visitation will be held Feb. 22, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Parlor with memorial worship service to follow at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Sanctuary. Elnora will be buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Eunice, Louisiana. A graveside memorial service will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Feb. 29, 2020. The family request any gifts be given to the First Baptist Church of Opelika. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing.
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ubmission is a word that is offensive to many. It speaks of oppression, abuse and other relational evils. Unfortunately, there’s too much truth to that take. People have abused power and privilege in relationships from the beginning of time. We are all all too familiar with the sad stories we have heard too frequently from too many people. So, it’s understandable how any mention of the word causes some people to cringe, roll their eyes or shake their head. This is a galaxy away though from the treatment of the word in the biblical witness where it is a glorious term. It is anchored in the incarnation of Christ— the supreme example of surrender and submission that Paul celebrates in Philippians 2. It is liber-
Living out the story
ally used across the board by Peter for all manner of relationships—the younger submitting to the older (1 Peter 5:5), disciples to civil authorities (2:13), slaves to their masters (2:18), wives to their husbands (3:1,5) and each of us to the other (“humble/humility” in 3:8, 5:5). It seems that how we ultimately look at the word will depend upon which kingdom we are pursuing. We can view at it as an evil structure of the ancient world that enlightenment has enabled us to work our way past, or we can view it as something of continual relevance in the kingdom of God. It is a word of God or Satan, heaven or hell, good or evil. The choice is ours. Whatever our choice, this much is true. We won’t understand the life of our
By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
Lord in any meaningful, substantive way apart from submission. He submitted to His mother (John 2), His disciples (John 13), to the temple tax (Matthew 17) and to the Jewish and Roman authorities. And of course, it all flowed from His submission to God (Philippians 2:5-8). He chose to submit when it was simple and when it was difficult; when it was easy and when it was costly; when it was popular and when it led to a cross.
Calendar of Church Events
Catch ‘On the Mark’ with D. Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m.
Feb. 19, 2020
Pepperell Baptist Church features traditional worship and song. Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. and there are two worship services, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday’s prayer service begins at 6 p.m. The church is located at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika. • Feb. 21 - Lakeview Baptist Church will be hosting the “Near His Heart” dinner on Feb. 21 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This event is for children with special needs and their families. For more information, call 334887-7094. The church is located at 1600 E. Glenn Ave. • Feb. 21 - Christian comedian Tim Lovelace will be performing at Trinity United Methodist Church, starting at 7 p.m. For more information,
call 334-745-2632. The church is located at 800 2nd Ave. • Feb. 21 - First Presbyterian Church will host its next “Discover FPO Class” on Feb. 23 to help guests learn more about the church and information on how to help them get plugged in. For more information, send email to charlotte@firstpresopelika.org. The church is located at 900 2nd Ave. • Feb. 21-22 - Church of the Highlands will host its annual marriage conference at its Auburn campus on Feb. 21 and 22. Couples interested in attending can sign up via www.churchofthehighlands.com. The church is located at 2001 E. Samford Ave. • March 20 and 21 First Baptist Church of Opelika will be hosting
a “Making Disciples of Oral Learners Workshop” on March 20 and 21 to reach people for Christ who are unable to read through art, drama or music. For more information or to register for the event, call Ben Cohen at 804-380-6979 or send email to benc@ fbcopelika.com. The church is located at 301 S. 8th St. • April 30 - First Baptist Church of Opelika’s Men’s and Women’s Ministries are hosting Dr. David Jeremiah at Auburn Arena on April 30, starting at 7 p.m. Charles Billingsley will serve as the worship leader for this event. Tickets cost $15 each and can be purchased online at www.fbcopelika.com. For more information, call 334-745-5715.
ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D #758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta #742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy #749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. #749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. #745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy #749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B #7064421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. #444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave #742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. #745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd #745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. #745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. #745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. #742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr #749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. #887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika
314 S. 9th St. #745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. #745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E #741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. #703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue #742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. #749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. #363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Liberty Baptist Church 2701 West Point Pkwy #749-9632 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. #745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 #334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy #745-5340 Pepperell Baptist Church 2702 2nd Ave. #745-3108 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd #749-2773 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Rd 166 #745-0807 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. #745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd #741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. #821-7238
CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. #749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy #742-9721 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St. #745-5181 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. #745-6015 Church of Christ 2660 Cunningham Drive CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd #749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place #7496432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court #745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. #749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. #745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 Opelika, Ala. 36804 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. #826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. #742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A #745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 #745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist
And in the middle of his pleas for submission, Peter points us to Jesus. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Christ’s submission (the cross) brought suffering to Him and life for us. This we know! But Peter also interprets His submission and suffering as being done to provide us with an example of how we should live—we live submissively even when it brings suffering to us. This is not as well-known and even less appreciated. James Thompson is spot on when he tells us, “The Christian lifestyle grows out of the Christian story.” The story of Christ is the story of submission! It is to this we have been called! To proclaim Christ and
then lord ourselves over whoever we can is a mixed message. We proclaim Jesus to the world by emulating this other-worldly trait. Some will look at it and mock, belittle and scorn. But not all. Others will look at it and wonder what kind of people would put the interests of others ahead of their own. The answer is: the people of Jesus. Our conduct will point them to Christ (Matthew 5:13). That’s not wishful thinking; for Peter says as much (3:1-2). Let the world frame the narrative any way they want to—we know better. Submission is the call to live out the story before a watching world. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.
Verse of the Week “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 4:7 8685 AL Hwy. 51 #749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. #745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. #745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy #745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 #741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd #745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. #745-3421 Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Rd #745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. #749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. #749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd #749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 #745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. #745-0832 Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd #745-2247 Church at Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy #705-0505 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. #737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. #745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy #707-3922 Family Life Christian Center
601 S. 7th St. #741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. #749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd #749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. #745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. #749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad #749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. #737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd #749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd #741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy #749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy #741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy #737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy #745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy #745-7770
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A14 Feb. 19, 2020
Retailer Five Below coming to Tiger Town this spring By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter Five Below, “a leading high-growth value retailer,” is projected to open this spring in the former home of Kinnuncan’s at 2221 Tiger Town Parkway in the Tiger Town Shopping Center. Kinnuncan’s, which was founded in Auburn, halted social media advertising and closed all storefronts in 2019. Founded in 2002, Five Below is headquartered in
Philadelphia and now has more than 900 operating stores in 36 states. The company is proud to offer a “vast majority of items priced $1-$5, and a handful of extreme value items priced up to just $10.” Each store location is divided into eight unique worlds: style, room, play, create, party, candy, “New and Now” and “Ten Below Tech.” The company is proud to be reaching millions while becoming one of the fastest growing retailers for
kids. Five Below has given back to nonprofit organizations since 2006 through customer sales and fundraising. According to their website, the company has donated more than $19 million to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Toys for Tots and others. For more information on Five Below and updates on their location in Opelika, visit www. fivebelow.com.
Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Community Calendar: Events around town
• March 3 - Municipal Court Ribbon Cutting • March 12 - Railroad Investment Group Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. • April 9 - Thalama Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. • April 24 - Food Bank of East Alabama Ribbon Cutting • May 1 - Opelika Armory Ribbon Cutting Ongoing: • Village Friends/Village Values is a nonprofit organization that supports seniors who prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older. For info or to schedule a presentation to your group, call 334-209-4641. For the website, Google “village friends village values.” • The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee. The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided. Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256307-1449. Mondays: • The Lee County Voters League meets the first Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. at Bethesda Bap-
tist Church located at 201 S. 4th St. Opelika • The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary meets the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at 910 West Point Parkway in Opelika. • The Opelika Community Band practices from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Auburn High School band room. Everyone is welcome, amateurs and professionals alike. • The Touched by Suicide Support Group meets the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the East Alabama Medical Center Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway. For more information, contact Deborah Owen, EAMC’s director of Psychiatric Services at deborahowen@eamc.org. • The fourth Monday of each month, a community grief support group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone is welcome. For more information, call 826-1899 or 5020216. • T.O.P.S (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss support group, meets every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
at the Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave., Opelika. For more info contact Mary Johnson, 749-1584. • The Lee County Commission meets the second and last Mondays of each month at the courthouse beginning at 5 p.m. • The Commercial Horticulture Extension Team organizes webinars to provide quick updates for producers on various topics of interest. Whether you are interested in the proper way to plant fruit trees or have questions in turf management, these webinars cover a wide range of subjects. Webinars are streamed live via Panopto on the last Monday of every month starting in January and ending in November. During the presentation, participants can send questions via email. The webinars also are recorded and stored in the archive on the Beginning Farmer website. Webinar topics include: trap cropping for reducing squash insect pests, cowpea curculio updates, nutsedge control, introduction to potting mixes in ornamental container production, dealing with drought in commercial horticulture
crops and many more. To view the full schedule, please visit www. aces.edu/anr/beginningfarms/webinars.php. Please send questions during the presentations to Ann Chambliss, thameae@auburn.edu. For questions regarding the webinar series or for providing suggestions, please email Dr. Ayanava Majumdar at bugdoctor@auburn.edu. Tuesdays: • Ballroom Dance Classes at the Opelika SportsPlex from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. Instructor is Cody Wayne Foote. For more info, call Diane at 749-6320. • The East Alabama Old Car Club meets every first Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Monarch Estates Clubhouse, located at 1550 East University Drive, Auburn. A program of interest to the old car enthusiast is presented. Car ownership is not required. • The Opelika City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are preceded by non-voting work sessions that typically begin between 6 and 6:45 p.m. • Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard. The event is free and open to the public. Those who play an instrument should bring it and plan to join in. The jam session is held from 6 to 8 p.m. 8685 Alabama Highway 51. • A Grief Support Group meets at Oak Bowery United Methodist Church Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone dealing with the pain of loss and feeling
Anniversaries Galore! By Ken Ward Special to the Opelika Observer When Opelika Main Street was founded in 1987 our downtown looked like a different place than it does today. Empty buildings and a barren nightlife were considered the norm then. Today, after over two decades of strong leadership by a variety of different organizations and individuals,
our downtown shines as an example of how communities can revive their historic business district. A positive byproduct of that growth is the emergence of many vibrant downtown businesses. Over the past couple of months many of our businesses have recently celebrated anniversaries- showcasing the vibrancy and sustainability of commerce downtown. First off is La Cantina, a tex-mex restaurant lo-
cated along North Railroad Avenue. This business recently celebrated their third year open. Another recent anniversary was Griff Goods, a sustainable men’s clothing and arts store located along first avenue. Another first avenue business, speakeasy Sneak and Dawdle, also is celebrating one year! Lastly Red Clay Brewing Company along North Railroad Avenue will be
the need for support on their journey as they attempt to bring order and wholeness back into their life. Attendance and participation is strictly voluntary for any and all sessions. There are no fees or charges involved. The church is located on U.S. Highway 431 – eight miles north from Southern Union State Community College and Opelika High School. For more information, contact Bill Parker at 459-0214 or 706-5189122. • The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization that is Congressionally chartered to be the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and focuses on three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. For more information visit www.auburncap.org or find the organization on Facebook. • East Alabama Gem & Mineral Society meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:45 p.m. Meetings are held at the Covington Rec. Center, located at 213 Carver Ave. in Opelika. Wednesdays: • The second Wednesday of each month, a Community Grief Support Group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary. For more info call 826-1899 or 502-0216. • The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary hosts Bingo every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
• Every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at the Bottling Plant Event Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays: • American Legion Auxiliary Unit 152 meets the first Thursday of every month at 11 a.m. at Niffer’s Place, 917 S. Railroad Ave. in Opelika. • The Teal Magnolias Gynecological Cancer Support Group meets the second Thursday of every third month at 6 p.m. at EAMC Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway. For more information on the Teal Magnolias, email tealmagnoliasAL@yahoo.com or find them on Facebook. • Opelika-Auburn Newcomers’ Club provides a variety of programs for the betterment of the Auburn/ Opelika community to assist women transitioning into the area or to help women adjust to recent lifestyle changes. The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon at various local restaurants. Please call or email Cheri Paradice at 850-212-5364. or cheri. paradice@gmail.com for more information or luncheon location of the month. • T.O.U.C.H. Cancer Support Group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at EAMC’s Health Resource Center. This is a support group for people living with any type of cancer or their families and friends. Call 334528-1076 for more information. Email editor@opelikaobserver.com to place your community events.
Upcoming Events coming up on their fifth year open this April. These businesses and the dozens of others that call our downtown community home help employ hundreds of fellow Opelika residents while contributing millions of tax dollars to our local schools, roads, parks and public safety organizations. Let’s celebrate them and our great community by shopping local!
• March 1 - GRIEFSHARE, a 13-week course, is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. The first session will take place on March 1 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. Individuals may start attending group meetings at any point during the session. GriefShare uses the Bible, an easy-tofollow workbook, video of trained Christian pastors and counselors and support from fel-
low members. Contact Melinda Jackson at 334745-2632. • March 28 - 30 - The Friends of the Auburn Public Library will hold their ‘Big Book Sale’ at the library on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and March 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This sale is open to the public, and hundreds of gently used books will be available for purchase, including bestsellers, classics, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.
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COMICS
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Opelika Schools ports &S Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports
School Board Meeting Schedule • Feb. 25 - Opelika City School Board Meeting - 300 Simmons St. • March 10 - Lee County School Board Meeting - 2410 Society Hill Road
OHS dominates second half against Dothan last Tuesday, punches ticket to ‘Final 56’ Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Opelika relied on its solid core of seniors to help them pull away from Dothan during Tuesday’s Elite 8 matchup in Montgomery. With the win, the Bulldogs move to 27-6 on the season and will play in the ‘Final 56’ matchup in Montgomery. Turn to B5 for more photos.
On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell
Opelika High School’s James Dawson wins state heavyweight title
O
pelika High School senior wrestler James Dawson finished the season 51-0 after winning the state title in the heavyweight division at the Alabama High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships last week. Dawson pinned ClayChalkville’s Izziah Williams in the finals. The 300-pound Dawson was so pumped, that after the win, he jumped in the arms of Coach Jim Davis causing both to fall onto the mat with smiling faces. “I was so happy. Adrenaline kicked in. I didn’t realize I jumped that high and we both went down,” Dawson said after the match. Congratulations James! I know your mother, family and all those that love you are thrilled. (OHS wrestler Ben Daughtry was unable to wrestle in the sectional because of injury or else he would have qualified for the state meet) OHS GIRLS BASKETBALL, FINAL 8 The Opelika Lady
Bulldog Basketball team (26-6) defeated Eufaula (27-5) 61-48 in the regional semifinals last Friday at Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum. With Opelika holding a three-point lead with 2:55 left in the game, the Lady Bulldogs decided it was time to put the finishing touches on the Lady Tigers. Kaitlyn Bryant and Claire Worth hit several key free throws along with teammate Ananda Hughley to pull away. Offensively, Haley Sanders led with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Bryant added 17 points and 8 rebounds while Worth scored 8 points, pulled down 15 rebounds and notched 5 assists. Opelika played Dothan Tuesday in Montgomery, winning 67-51 in their Elite Eight matchup. OHS BOYS BASKETBALL SEASON ENDS IN STATE PLAYOFFS The OHS boys basketball team lost 76-61 at Calera in the subregional of the AHSAA State Playoffs. Despite See Sports, page B5
Downtown Opelika site of annual collegiate bike race last weekend Special to the Opelika Observer
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Top cyclers from both small and large colleges across the Southeast flocked to downtown Opelika for the annual “Auburn University Cycling Weekend” last
weekend. Among the particpating schools were Belmont University, Milligan College, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, and several others. Turn to page B2 for more photos.
This year’s Tiger Giving Day will be held on Feb. 19 By Sara Wilson For the Opelika Observer
Tiger Giving Day serves as a day dedicated to support projects on Auburn University’s campus as well as helping students and faculty continue to impact initiatives they are
involved with. This yearly event lasts for 24 hours. During those 24 hours, people can choose from 40 projects to donate to. Some of these include the Student Alumni Association Annual Scholarship, O Grows, the Provost Leader-
ship Undergraduate Scholarship (PLUS) Program, Auburn’s wheelchair basketball team, the Auburn Whitewater Kayaking Club and the Martial Arts Club. For a complete list, visit rise.auburn. edu/. To give offline, send checks payable
to “Auburn University Foundation” to Auburn Fund, Attn: Gift Processing, 317 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849. Please note the name of the project on the memo line. For more information, email because@auburn. edu or call 334-8441445.
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SM America of Opelika donates Auburn High School’s $3,000 to Opelika Swimming Program Robotics Team won regional tournament last weekend in Montgomery Special to the Opelika Observer
SM America made a $3,000 donation to Opelika Parks and Recreation’s Swimming Program on Wednesday. This donation will be used to purchase a video review system. Under-water and overwater video footage will provide immediate technical feedback to enhance swimmer performance. For more information, visit www.opelika-al.gov/341/ParksRecreation.
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
Photo special to the Opelika Observer
Opelika Parks and Recreation holds Mother-Son, Father-Daughter dances last week for Valentine’s holiday
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
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B3 Feb. 19, 2020
Happiness in the heart of a young child
Beth Pinyerd
W
e preschool and early childhood teachers have a wonderful calling on our lives, and that is to teach, care, love and interact with children on a daily basis. As preschool parents join hand in hand with early childhood teachers, we both realize that we have been blessed with the gifts of lives who are ready to learn, explore the world and how they fit in this world through guidance, instruction and age-appropriate discipline. When children have inner joy and happiness, this is a key for them to be encouraged to achieve and succeed!
Through observations, resources and teaching experiences, I’d like to share a few “happiness tips” that I hope will beat the winter blues! It’s wondrous what a hug truly can do. I know it thrills parents, grandparents and teachers when children run with a smile and outstretched arms to greet us with a big hug! This teacher’s day starts out wonderfully when I hear my name called followed by a big hug from one of my young students! Parenting is truly a demanding season in raising young children! We as parents have to multi-task daily in
running errands, preparing meals, bathing and dressing our children, taking them to preschool, making sure they rest, as well as getting ourselves to work. Taking time to create hug moments provides so many benefits for your child. When your child awakens after a nap or long night’s sleep, a hug can provide such love and security. It gives them confidence that they are accepted. Point out daily happenings all around that a child can be grateful for. Children are little observers of everything! When you ask them to name things they are thankful for, the list goes on and on! They can call out things they are thankful for while riding in the car to keep their little minds busy. In the classroom, the children like to share things they are grateful for by listing on the board. Too, they like to draw what they are thankful for
as well as create objects of gratefulness with Play-doh. Being a grateful observer puts them in a happy mood! An honest laugh from a child is contagious for everybody around. Laughter promotes a positive and happy outlook for a child. Laughter releases physical tension and stress and helps them relate better with other children. Reading a funny book and looking at a funny video are good sources of laughter. Playing inside or outside with your child promotes physical, mental and emotional happiness in exercise and fun. Running, walking, skipping and throwing a ball back and forth is loved by young children! The time and attention you spend with your children spells love. Each has special gifts and talents! Verbally celebrating a child’s uniqueness, strengths and things they are good at builds
esteem and happiness in children. They hang on to each compliment! One incident that taught this teacher a lesson is when I would catch a student being good, I would quickly jot a simple star student note on what I had caught them being good at. I had one little fellow in kindergarten who hung on to his star student note for a long time. This simple note brought this child happiness, and he was not going to let it go! Children are happy when they are engaged in helping others. These can be simple acts of kindness in helping friends and family. Children love to be needed and to help. I love to quietly observe preschoolers and kindergarten students help each other tie or put on their shoes when needed. I hope just these few common sense tips will help your child to develop an attitude of happiness! Pinyerd has taught young children in the
early childhood classroom for 34 years as well as outreaching to the elderly in intergenerational settings. She has taught and outreached in the schools in Opelika and Baldwin County. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education as well as a bachelor’s degree in family and child development both from Auburn University. Her husband is the late Carl Pinyerd and she has one son, Gus Pinyerd who has taught her so much about learning. Classroom Observer is here to serve the community in sharing the wonderful teaching programs in our local public schools, private schools, and homeschools. The column is provided to enrich the education of our children, youth, and families. Classroom Observer welcomes educational news, school news, pictures, and events by e-mailing her at donnapinyerd@charter.net.
— SMALL CHANGE —
BIG
DIFFERENCE Follow these tips to lower your power bill.
Program your thermostat to 68° or lower.
Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter.
Raise your blinds to let the sun help heat your home.
Lee County Strong is a magazine being published by the Opelika Observer. This special publication is dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of the March 3, 2019 tornadoes that claimed 23 lives. We are taking pre-orders now and anticipate a March 1, 2020 release date. To order your copy, complete the order form below and send it to the Observer at 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Online ordering is also available on the Observer’s website, www.opelikaobserver.com. re Proceeds from this publication will be used to help the recovery efforts in Beauregard and Smiths Station.
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B4 Feb. 19, 2020
Scholarship established in memory of Donna Hall Victoria
Thompson wins ‘2019 Outstanding Jr. Lee County Cattleman Award’
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Shondae Brown accepts a donation to the Donna Hall Scholarship from Hall’s husband Jerry and son, Jeff. Special to the Opelika Observer The Southern Union State Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Donna Hall Scholarship. The scholarship is supported by Remax Lakefront of Wedowee and will be awarded annually to a future educator who is acquiring the pedagogy and methodology to teach a rigorous, real-world curriculum, wants to inspire students to be successful, indepen-
dent, critical thinkers and understands the importance of building a positive and respectful teacherstudent relationship. Preference will be given to a Randolph County student. “We are so happy to honor Mrs. Hall’s memory by administering this scholarship,” said Shondae Brown, director of public relations at Southern Union State Community College. “She was a stellar lady who was a valuable member of our community. We are so proud to remember
her in this way.” Anyone interested in helping sustain the scholarship can make a contribution to the SU Foundation Scholarship Fund in Hall’s memory. Donations should be sent to Southern Union Foundation, PO Box 1000, Wadley, AL 36276. Please earmark donations for the Donna Hall Scholarship. The Southern Union Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was established to support and foster the educational and service
programs and activities of SUSCC. The Foundation increases educational access for students through financial support and enables the college to initiate innovative projects to enhance the quality of education. Scholarship applications can be found by visiting the Foundation page on www.suscc.edu. For more information on this scholarship, or giving opportunities, contact Brown at 256-395-2211, ext. 5145 or send email to sbrown@suscc.edu.
Celebrate your #BikeLove
Special to the Opelika Observer The Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee would LOVE t o see
you at the next meeting on Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at James Bros Bikes. Every other month, preparation for the best-ever Johnny Ray Century will be the new business item. This month, they will
finalize our 2019 donation to DavisPhinney Foundation for Parkinson’s and decide what organization or project will be the 2020 beneficiary. The countdown to Oct. 3 starts now!
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Lee County teenager Victoria Thompson was the 2019 Outstanding Jr. Lee County Cattleman Award Winner. Presenting her with the award was Assistant Livestock Judging Coach Autumn Spears.
Dawson wins 6A State Wrestling Championship
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Congratulations to state champ James Dawson who took the match with a fall in 3:48. 6A 285 - 1st Place Match - Michael Dawson (Opelika) 51-0 won by fall over Izziah Williams (Clay-Chalkville) 44-7 (Fall 3:48).
Dr. Alex Colvin to speak on ‘Understanding Creek Life’ at OLLI Brown Bag Lecture Series on Feb. 26 Special to the Opelika Observer Dr. Alex Colvin, public programs curator at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, will present Understanding Creek Life at OLLI’s Alabama Bicentennial Brown Bag Lunch & Lecture Series on Feb. 26. This talk will explain the social organization and changing economic interests of the Creek people at the turn of the 19th century. Colvin will provide a look at the early period of Creek life, focusing on how the Creeks organized their
families and towns. Her talk will also cover the early relationship between the Creek Nation and the United States and the devastating Red Stick War of 1813-14. Colvin has a B.A. from Samford University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Auburn University. Her work has earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award from Auburn University; the Jacquelyn Dowd Hall Prize from the Southern Association for Women Historians and the Hitchcock Graduate Award for Excellence. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) hosts its Alabama Bicentennial Brown Bag Lunch & Lecture Series from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boykin Community Center, located at 400 Boykin St. in Auburn. The bring-your-own-lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., and complementary coffee, tea and water will be provided. The program begins at 12:15 p.m. The series is cosponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities and City of Auburn’s Boykin Community Center. The program is open to the public at no charge.
OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach at Auburn University. OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property, 1031 S. College St. in Auburn. For more information regarding this event or to learn about becoming a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant or sponsor, contact Shawnee McKee, OLLI Administrative Support, at 334-844-3146, olli@ auburn.edu, or by visiting www.olliatauburn.org.
Colvin
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B5 Feb. 19, 2020
Trinity Christian School’s swim team celebrates successful first season Special to the Opelika Observer
It was a great first year for the Trinity Christian School Swim Team as they finished the season competing in the GAPPS State Championship Swim Meet on Feb. 1 in Canton, Georgia. With only seven swimmers, Trinity Swim Team placed 3rd overall out of 41 teams of all sizes. The middle school girls (Ella Katherine House, Alexis Coulter, Leah Glaze and Georgia Vaughn) placed 3rd in the freestyle relay, 5th in the medley relay and 3rd
overall in the middle school female division of the meet. Some of the top individual finishers were House, who placed 4th in the 100-meter freestyle, 5th in the 50-meter freestyle, 6th in the 50-meter breaststroke; Mamie Nicholson placed 5th in the 200-meter freestyle and 5th in the 100-meter backstroke; Tripp Vaughn placed 1st in the 50-meter freestyle, 1st in the 50-meter backstroke and 4th in the 100-meter freestyle and Georgia Vaughn placed 2nd in the 50-meter freestyle, 2nd in the 100-meter freestyle and 2nd in the 50-meter backstroke.
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Front row, left to right: Leah Glaze, Mamie Nicholson, Ella Katherine House, Georgia Vaughn and Alexis Coulter. Pictured back row, left to right: Cole Coulter and Tripp Vaughn.
Sports from B1 having one of the best players transfer to Huntsville, Coach John Wadsworth’s team tied for the area title. OHS lost a coin flip to Russell County to determine the area tournament host. The Bulldogs beat Benjamin Russell before losing in double overtime against Russell County. The loss cost Opelika a home game, forcing them to travel to Calera. SOCCER The boys and girls
soccer teams opened the 2020 season with wins over Eufaula. The Opelika girls team shutout the Tigers 10-0 behind three goals from Abby Noon and Erica Mathews. The following scored single goals: Kaitlyn Goodman, Scarlet Posadas, Amiya Brown and Rebecca Goodman. The following players recorded assists: Morgan Watts, Eleanor Wilson, Kaitlyn Goodman, Ashley Hilyer (2), Amiee Alcantara and Gisselle Roberlero. Opelika’s boys team beat Eufaula 4-2 at the W. James Samford Soccer Complex in
Opelika. Caleb Rujana scored two goals and one assist while Charlie Garcia scored a goal and added an assist. Both teams traveled to LaGrange Tuesday night, but results were not available at press time. The two teams hosted Brookstone on Feb. 20. The girls start at 5 p.m. followed by the boys at 7 p.m. TENNIS The OHS boys tennis team stands at 2-2. The Netters beat BEHS in the opener and finished 1-3 at the “Panther Frost Bite Invitational.” The boys beat Etowah 4-2 and
lost two matches to Spain Park and Hewitt Trussville. The Lady Bulldogs tennis team is 2-3 with wins over Mortimer Jordan and Pelham. The losses were to Bob Jones, Helena and Ben Russell. BASEBALL Opelika opened the 2020 season, splitting two games at Beauregard last Saturday. Game 1- The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning after Andrew Parr scored on a Braden Thomas grounder. Opelika added runs in the sixth and seventh inning to win 3-2.
Parr started on the mound, pitching 5 scoreless innings while allowing one hit. Jase Rhodes and Hunter Weston combined to finish the game in relief. Offensively, Jackson Harris, Andrew Parr, Brayden Thomas, Jase Rhodes and Julian Duke recoded hits. Kory McCoy and Duke recorded RBIs. Game 2 - The Hornets jumped out to a 3-0 after two innings and held on for a 3-2 win over Opelika. The Bulldogs added a run in the fourth and fifth inning to close within a run, but could not score again.
Opelika used three pitchers, Jackson Harris, Kydylian Ligon and Dozier Smith T during the course of the game. Smith T pitched four innings, allowed no runs while striking out four. Andrew Parr recorded two hits while teammates Jake Smith and Latrell Gullatte added singles. The two teams combined for 17 strikeouts, with Opelika recording 9 to Beauregard’s 8. D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
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B6 Feb. 19, 2020
Lee County Schoolboard discusses proposed calendar, recognizes ‘Teachers of the Year’
Photo by Will Fairless/Opelika Observer By Will Fairless For the Opelika Observer In their meeting last Tuesday, members of the Lee County Schoolboard discussed a proposal that will go in front of the Alabama Legislature to
extend school hours. The bill would, among other things, set high school hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. and introduce a second semester schedule that would run straight through from Jan. 4 to May 28. The board generally agreed that, although there
is not much to be done yet as the bill is still in its earliest stages, they are against any legislation that shifts the power to set school calendars from the local boards to the state. Dr. Mac McCoy, the superintendent of the Lee County Schoolboard,
released the following statement to the Observer: “Much could be said about the idea of a state mandated calendar. One might even be able to justify reasons why the school year should start after Labor Day or even rationalize why it should
end before Memorial Day. Unfortunately, using these parameters would produce a calendar that is nearly impossible to justify to our community. The bottom line is nothing should give authority to the state for taking the decision away from the Local Boards of Education. School calendars should remain a decision of the Local Board!” The board also recognized a Teacher of the Year from each of the 14 schools in the district. Principals from those schools introduced the winning teachers with glowing descriptions of the work for which they earned the awards. Following is a list of the winning teachers: Beauregard Elementary Dawn Weatherley Beauregard High - Shane Lake Beulah Elementary - Emily Sheffield Beulah High - Jeffery Lamb East Smiths Station Elementary - Jamie Clay Loachapoka Elementary Marian Carter
Loachapoka High - Hope Felton Sanford Middle - Lynn Bailey Smiths Station Freshman Center - Robert Pickard Smiths Station Junior High - Cathy Wade South Smiths Station Elementary - Tracey Robinson Wacoochee Elementary Julie Anne Eldred West Smiths Station Elementary - Amanda Carter In other business, the board: - approved minutes from the Jan. 14 meeting - approved the proposed 2020-21 school calendar - approved five out-ofstate or overnight field trips and - heard the monthly financial report and cash reconciliation for December. Meetings are held monthly at the Lee County Board of Education's Central Office located at 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika. For more information, visit www.lee.k12.al.us.
Director of Auburn University’s Rural Studio program to receive national honor Special to the Opelika Observer The director of Auburn University’s Rural Studio program, Andrew Freear, will be recognized in April with the Architectur-
al League of New York's highest honor, the 2020 President's Medal. The accolade—being officially bestowed at the discretion of the league’s president and board of directors in New York City
on April 14—recognizes individuals for extraordinary achievements in architecture, urbanism, art, design and the environment. “I’m absolutely delighted and, given the previous recipients, I feel
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very humbled by this honor," Freear said. "The award acknowledges the value of our teaching method and our desire to address challenges of rural living, and validates our belief that good design
should be for everyone." Frear has been with the studio since 2001, which is a residential, offcampus, hands-on design/ build program based in rural Hale County, Alabama, and founded in
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1993. As director, Freear has developed the pedagogical approach of the studio to emphasize design learning through making, the practical discipline of achieving design quality while hewing to stringent budgets, and deep engagement with communities to discern “what should be built, rather than what can be built.” Rural Studio has also developed projects such as the Front Porch Initiative, which “aims to develop a scalable, agile and resilient delivery process for beautiful, welldesigned high-performance homes titled as real property while supporting an industry to home building in under-resourced rural communities.” For more information, visit www. ruralstudio.org.
Indoor shooting range is open to the public
2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA
Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020
Inside the Statehouse City of Opelika moves city meetings to new Legislative session begins – priority will be resolving prison problems
D
uring the course of history, the second congressional district has been referred to and considered a Montgomery congressional district because the Capital City has comprised the bulk of the population. In recent years a good many Montgomerians have migrated to the suburban counties of Autauga and Elmore. Therefore, the district has been refigured to reflect this trend. Today, there are more Republican votes cast in this congressional
By Steve Flowers district in these two counties than from Montgomery. Nevertheless, the bulk of the population is in what is now referred to as the River Region. This
Montgomery region is coupled with Southeast Alabama and the Wiregrass, which makes it a very conservative Congressional district. It is a Republican seat and has been since Bill Dickinson won it in the southern Republican Goldwater landslide of 1964. Bill Dickinson beat longtime sitting Congressman George Grant in 1964 and became the first Republican to be elected since Reconstruction. Congressman Dickinson stayed in See Flowers, page B16
State RAMP group releases statement on medical cannabis legislation recently filed in Alabama Senate Special to the Opelika Observer On behalf of Alabama Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP), we would like to say to the Alabama Legislature and Cannabis commission - thank you! Thank you for hearing us and thank you for redrafting this bill to make it more viable and appropriate for us. Sen. Tim Melson is a champion for the people of Alabama. See RAMP, page B9
municipal court building beginning in March
Special to the Opelika Observer The city of Opelika is officially moving several key monthly meetings permanently to the new Municipal Court Building, located at 300 MLK Blvd., starting in March. The following meetings will move to the new facility: -City Council (March 3) -Zoning Board of Adjustments (March 10) -Municipal Court (March 11)
-Historic Preservation Commission (March 12) and -Planning Commission (March 24). Parking may still be an issue this month. It is suggested that individuals carpool in March. Contractors continue to work to complete the new Opelika Police Department K9 Unit, as well as employee parking. This should be complete by April. “We are excited about the new facility. We were using other build-
ings for only a few meetings throughout the month. Moving these meetings will allow for more seating, consistency in location and use of new technology. It will free up space in other buildings throughout the city for growth and expansion,” said Mayor Gary Fuller. “The people of Opelika are sure to be proud of this new courtroom.” For more information, contact Leigh Krehling at 334-705-5136.
Christopher Tate declines LCEMA’s director position By Morgan Bryce Editor Last Wednesday afternoon, Christopher Tate contacted Opelika Observer staff to inform them of his decision to decline the director’s position with the Lee County Emergency Management Agency. This comes fresh after the Lee County Commission voted 3-2 to approve his hiring. In his email, Tate attached a copy of the letter he sent to the five commissioners explaining his decision to them, which is copied and pasted in its entirety below: “I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support for not
only myself coming back to Lee County, but for my family as well. We have been overwhelmed with calls, texts, and messages congratulating us on this news. It is a wonderful feeling to know you have this type of support and trust of not only the Lee County Commission, but of many of the department heads, public safety officials, and citizens. However, I am sorry to say that over the course of 24 hours, we had additional, but beneficial news come to our family, taking us from the excitement of making plans for a relocation to Lee County, to having to decline the position of director of Lee
County EMA. This decision was not easy for myself and my family to make, however those who know us understands we do everything as a team and with much thought and prayer. We are extremely fortunate that so many of you were looking forward to us coming back, and we are equally fortunate that we have jobs that will do what they can to retain us. With this new information, we were forced to quickly reevaluate the current situation and made the determination that staying in Jefferson County was the best for our family right now. Thank you again for all your support, See Tate, page B10
The 2020 HarlanHurst Event Monday, February 24th Bottling Plant Event Center 614 North Railroad Ave. in Historic Downtown Opelika. The guest speaker will be political columnist Steve Flowers. Many statewide candidates will be in attendance. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with social time and seating for a bar-b-que dinner will begin at 6:30. For more information contact Oline Price at olineprice@gmail.com. There are a limited number of tickets still available.
Hosted by The Lee County GOP Executive Committee
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B8 Feb. 19, 2020
Rogers shares thoughts on President Trump’s State of the Union Address Special to the Opelika Observer On Feb. 4, I was honored to be on the House Floor as President Donald J. Trump delivered one of the most moving
and remarkable State of the Union addresses in American history. In a speech titled, “The Great American Comeback,” President Trump highlighted not only our
booming economy and strengthened military, but what makes America truly shine. From the booming economy to the Space Force to the Tuskegee Airmen to
Rush Limbaugh to a soldier coming home to his family after a long deployment – President Trump presented great reminders of what it means to be an American. As he concluded
his speech, I was extremely disappointed in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s petty and childish behavior as she ripped up the copy of the speech he had given her. Pelosi’s actions
were a complete embarrassment to our country and to the position of Speaker of the House. I supported an effort to reprimand the See Rogers, page B10
s l o o h c S y t i C 0 2 a 0 k i 2 l l a Opel F g n i m o C • K e r P
• Pre-registration will open February 3, 2020 at Opelika High School (Media Center Entrance) • Selected by Lottery System • Must reside in the City of Opelika • Required information: 2 current proofs of residency (water, power, gas) and original birth certificate • No registration or enrollment fees • Students must be four years-old on or before September 2, 2020 • Hours will be Monday-Friday from 8:15 a.m. 2:45 p.m. • Classrooms located at Opelika High School • For more details, visit www.opelikaschools.org or call 334.741-5623
Opelika City Schools
in partnership with the
City of Opelika
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B9 Feb. 19, 2020
Lee County farmers recognized, elected to State Commodity Committees Special to the Opelika Observer Mahlon Richburg was honored during the Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Organization Meeting Feb. 4 in Montgomery. Richburg rotated off the State Beef Committee after nine years serving and representing fellow producers across the state. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Richburg and Federation Beef Division Director Brady Ragland. On Feb.
3, during the same conference, Richburg was elected to a three-year term on the Alabama Farmers Federation’s State Hay & Forage Committee. Daniel Mullenix was elected to a three-year term on the Alabama Farmers Federation’s State Beef Committee during the group’s Commodity Organization Meeting in Montgomery Feb. 4. From left are Federation Beef Division Director Brady Ragland and Mullenix.
Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer
RAMP, from B7 He has worked very hard on this bill and we appreciate him very much. The Compassion Act/ SB165 is set for a public hearing for the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m., Room 325, with Sen. Cam Ward chairing the meeting. Every single patient/citizen who has a qualifying medical condition and physician needs to attend and let their concerns be heard. Change does not come without dedication and work. Please come out and support the bill and support the patients of Ala-
bama that have a right to individualize their health care with their physicians. Let physicians do their job. The bill can be found on the State of Alabama Legislature website under the bills tab. Type in SB165 to read all 83 pages. About Alabama RAMP: Alabama Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition is a national (with state chapters) nonprofit grassroots organization and caucus that are working diligently to help bring the patients and citizens of Alabama safe access to medical cannabis. The organization consists of dedicated patients and nonpatient advocates who have put in years of work to see the sick
and suffering people of Alabama have an alternative to pharmaceuticals. They are not a registered lobbyist, nor do they have a lobbyist that represents them. Amid the nation’s opioid crisis, cannabis has been erroneously grouped into the same category as opioids; this correlation is simply not accurate. There are hundreds of studies that scientifically prove the medicinal properties of cannabis. There are many misconceptions about the effects of medical cannabis, one of the biggest being that cannabis is a gateway to other illicit drugs. For more information, visit www.rampgop.org.
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B10 Feb. 12, 2019
Attorney General Steve Marshall addresses Alabama law enforcement deaths Special to the Opelika Observer Attorney General Steve Marshall, joined by other leaders in state and local law enforcement, addressed the press Wednesday in Montgomery about the killings of seven Alabama law enforcement officers over the last 13 months. “For most in this state, February the fourth, 2020, was just another day. For the men and women who stand behind me and others who protect and serve communities across Alabama, this date has a very different meaning, both historic in our state and tragic for those who carry a badge. For us, the fourth of February marked the seventh
murder of a member of Alabama law enforcement in barely thirteen months, a record loss of life and a disturbing pattern that, today, we stand here to say must end.” “We spend hours and hours in this town talking about overcrowded prisons and very little about victims. The vast majority of our criminaljustice-policy debates center upon reducing punishment and limiting the tools of law enforcement and prosecutors— all driven by a desire to reduce the prison population at all costs. But I submit to you that Alabama does not have an incarceration problem, we have a crime problem. And good policing, proactive policing, stops crime from happening in the first place. We need
our local law enforcement to be engaged in our neighborhoods, stopping the bad guys and fostering a safe environment for the good ones. But that kind of policing must be supported and welcomed by the citizens for whom law enforcement serves. Sadly, good policing has become more and more difficult because of our culture and societal attitudes towards law enforcement. That is obstacle is something that each of us must change.” “Citizens, we need your involvement. Law enforcement needs your partnership. Get to know your police chief and your sheriff. Find ways to serve alongside them. Tell them when you see suspicious behavior or evidence of violence and
Tate, from B7
Rogers, from B8
and we are sorry we can’t join the Lee County EMA team at this time. They have such incredible potential for doing amazing things for the public safety community there, and for the citizens of Lee County. I wish them all the best.” Though nothing has been finalized, the once-again open position will most likely be an item of discussion at the group’s next meeting on Feb. 24. Follow the Observer for updates on this story.
Speaker for her disgraceful actions. It seems that this is a theme for Democrats though. If things aren’t going exactly the way they want, they will go to any lengths from embarrassment to lies to a sham impeachment. When President Trump was elected in
drug dealing. Invite them into your neighborhoods, to intervene early and swiftly before order is lost.” “And now, to those who would consider harming one of Alabama’s law enforcement officers, understand this and let me be clear. An attack on law enforcement in Alabama is an attack on all of her citizens—an attack on all Alabamians. If you attempt to take the life of a law-enforcement officer in this state, we will hold you accountable and see that you spend the rest of your life in a cinderblock prison cell. And if you take the life of a lawenforcement officer in Alabama, you will have likely forfeited your life as well. Understand that the penalty for killing a
2016, the impeachment talks began. Over the past three years, Democrats have been focused like a laser on trying to undo the 2016 presidential election results. Since last November, Democrats have wasted the time of Congress and our country as they dragged out an unfair and completely partisan impeachment trial. On the heels of President Trump’s very impressive address to
law enforcement officer in this state includes death. And I can also be very clear when I say this: that to those who would attempt to do harm to law enforcement in Alabama, that our state, local, and federal partnerships have never been stronger and we will not rest until we are satisfied that justice has been served.” “Lastly, to the brave men and women who wear the badge, my heroes. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Keep fighting the good fight. Your cause is a righteous one. Know that you have our support and our eternal gratitude.” Marshall was flanked by law enforcement officials from agencies who have lost officers over the last 13 months,
the nation, the following afternoon, he was acquitted by the United States Senate. I was thrilled to see this finally happen so that we can hopefully move past this Democrat-driven attempt to divide our nation. I continue to stand in strong support of President Trump and his leadership. Please sign up for my e-Newsletter and the Rogers’ Roundup by visiting my custom
including: -Birmingham Assistant Chief of Police Alan Treadaway -Mobile Chief of Police Lawrence Battiste -Auburn Chief of Police Paul Register -Tuscaloosa Chief of Police Mitt Tubbs -Huntsville Chief of Police Marc McMurray -Lowndes County Sheriff Chris West -Kimberly Chief of Police Ricky Pridmore In addition to Marshall, those speaking at the press conference in the Attorney General’s Office were Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham (representing the Alabama Sheriffs Association) and Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge (representing the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police).
website at: www.mikerogers.house.gov. To stay up to date, follow any or all of my social platforms as well. You can like my Facebook page at facebook.com/CongressmanMikeDRogers, follow me on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page by visiting youtube.com/MikeRogersAL03.
HEY OPELIKA. THERE’S A NEW HERO IN TOWN AND HE’S READY TO SAVE OUR CITY. ONE HOUSE AT A TIME. Meet Captain R2O. He’s strong enough to take on stinky garbage, determined enough to teach you how to recycle, powerful enough to persuade citizens to GO GREEN and handsome enough to win your heart. If you recycle now, then you are already part of our fantastical League of Environmental Champions. If you do not, no worries. You can sign up for Curbside Recycling or fly over to one of our convenient recycling centers. Recycling unleashes the super hero in all of us. Join Captain R2O today in his fight to Recycle Right Opelika. And remember, when in doubt, throw it out. For more information on how you can help save our city, visit www.opelika-al.gov.
700 Fox Trail • Opelika, AL 36801 334.705.5480 • www.opelika-al.gov
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B11 Feb. 19, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICES INVITATION TO BID 20014 Sealed bids for the construction of the RENOVATION TO COVINGTON RECREATION CENTER shall be received at the Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday March 16, 2020, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At such time and place, the bids will be opened and read. Bids that are received via mail and not presented at the bid opening are to be considered non-responsive. It is the responsibility of the bidder to assure that bids are presented at the time of the bid. Contractors must notify the Awarding Authority if a bid is to be received by mail. 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 §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Prior to issuance of plans and specifications, all Contractors must provide evidence that they are properly licensed for the classification of work for this project. Evidence shall be in the form of a copy of current license clearly indicating all classifications, or sub-classifications, bid limits, license number; and expiration date. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to The City of Opelika in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the proposal, but in no event more than $10,000.00, must accompany the bidder’s proposal for each project. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance as required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract. Drawings and specifications for the project may be examined at the Office of Lathan Associates Architects, P.C., 300 Chase Park South, Suite 200, Hoover, AL 35244, and at the Digital Plan Room at Alabama Graphics (http://dpr.algraphics.com). Password is lathan. MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING SHALL BE HELD AT THE PROJECT SITE AT 10:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020 Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave, Opelika, Alabama. ANY POTENTIAL BIDDERS MUST ATTEND THIS MEETING General Contractor Bidders may obtain two (2) sets of hard copy drawings and specifications from the Architect upon receipt of deposit check in the amount of $150.00 per set made payable to Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. General Contractors will then be placed on Official Bidders List. Deposit will be refunded in full on the first two sets issued to each General Contractor Bidder upon the return of documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after receipt of bids. Additional sets of drawings/ specifications and digital copies will be available to General Contractors for purchase directly from the documents printer: Alabama Graphics. Addenda and other proposal information will be issued only to holders of drawings and specifications distributed by the Architect and on the Official Bidders List. Release of contract documents to the bidder does not imply acceptance of the bidder’s qualifications by the Owner or Architect. General Contractors who obtain drawings and wish to withdraw from the Bidders List must do so in writing to the office of the Architect prior to bid date, otherwise deposit will be forfeited. Deposit will be refunded in full on sets issued to each General Contractor Bidder submitting a bonafide bid, upon the return of documents in good, reusable condition within ten (10) days after receipt of proposals. Bids received from General Contractors who are not on the Official Bidders List may not be accepted or opened. Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. makes no guarantee for plans and specifications obtained by Contractors and Vendors from sources other than the printed contract documents provided by their firm. Contractors and Vendors who base their pricing from contract documents obtained from other
electronic sources, either in part or whole, do so at their own risk. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof, issued either with the original contract documents or by addendum. General Contractors shall not use Proposal Forms other than those provided in the contract documents. 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. The Bidder must display current General Contractor’s License Number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered, or it will not be considered by the Architect or Owner. 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. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof, issued either with the original contract documents or by addendum. General Contractors shall not use Proposal Forms other than those provided in the contract documents. 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, 36803-0390. Attn: RENOVATION TO COVINGTON RECREATION CENTER 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 02/19/20, 02/26/20 & 03/04/2020
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: CV-2019-900427 VanDenBerg Custom Carpentry, LLC, Plaintiff, v. A Parcel of Real Property described as: Lot 26, Shelton Woods Subdivision, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat of record in Town Plat Book 6, at Page 118, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, Defendant. NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence. You are hereby notified that on the 22 nd day of July, 2019, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Van Den Berg Custom Carpentry, LLC, as Plaintiff; A parcel of real property, as Defendant, said real property being described as: Lot 26, Shelton Woods Subdivision, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat of record in Town Plat Book 6, at Page 118, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint. Done this the 22nd day of January, 2020. _/s/ Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Attorney for Plaintiff Rice & Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Legal Run 01/29/20, 02/05/20, 02/12/20, & 02/19/2020
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: CV-2019-900619.00 Hardwood, LLC, Plaintiff, v. A Parcel of Real Property, And DOROTHY WILLIAMS EWING and/or the Unknown Heirs of DOROTHY WILLIAMS EWING, Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION
To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence. You are hereby notified that on the 16 th day of October, 2019, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; Dorothy Williams Ewing, as Defendant, whose heirs, executors and/ or administrators are unknown and cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: Commence at the Northwest corner of Section 35, Township 18 North, Range 29 East, and run North 86 degrees 57 minutes East for 655.45 feet; thence South 03 degrees 09 minutes East for 1301.82 feet to the Southern margin of McBride Road; thence 101.42 feet Southwesterly along a curve the radius of which is 1874.49 feet; thence South 03 degrees 37 minutes West for 79.38 feet; thence South 14 degrees 58 minutes East for 123.41 feet; thence South 16 degrees 25 minutes West for 86.86 feet; thence South 03 degrees 24 minutes West for 161.06 feet to the point of beginning; from said point of beginning run North 53 degrees 10 minutes East for 174.24 feet thence South 36 degrees 50 minutes East for 175.0 feet; thence South 53 degrees 10 minutes West for 174.24 feet; thence North 36 degrees 50 minutes East for 175.0 feet; to the point of Beginning. Compromising of 0.70 acres, more or less. All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint. Done this the 22nd day of January, 2020. /s/ Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Attorney for Plaintiff Rice & Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Legal Run 01/29/20, 02/05/20, 02/12/20, & 02/19/2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 03/25/2020, 08:00 am at 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 36801-5441, pursuant to subsection 32-13-3 of the Alabama Statutes. GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids. 2MEFM75W45X616683 2005 Mercury GRAND MARQUIS 4JGAB54E92A296971 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML Legal Run 02/02/20 & 02/12/2020
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Gary L. Jones, an unmarried man, on December 10, 2010, to Frontier Bank now known as Renasant Bank, which mortgage is recorded in Mortgage Book 3774, Page 819, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, the undersigned, as Mortgagee or Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in the said mortgage will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama, on February 26, 2020, during the legal hours of sale the following real estate situated in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: Lot Number One (#1) of a plat of survey, stated August 8, 1984, prepared for Peggy Jones Newsome by Zack D. Sprayberry, III, AL L.S. Reg. No. 12933, which real property maybe more particularly described as follows: From the Southwest corner of the
Northwest quarter of Section 6, Township 19 North, Range 29 East in Lee County, Alabama, run thence North for 1605.1 feet; thence East for 2014.1 feet to appoint on the southerly margin of Lee County Highway No. 79; thence along the southerly margin of said highway, South 64° 08’ East, for 33.5 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, From this beginning point, continue South 64° 08’ East, along the southerly margin of said highway for 38.1 feet to a concrete monument; thence South 64° 03’ East for 335.4 feet to an iron pin; thence leaving said highway , run South 34° 42’ West for 543.2 feet to an iron pin thence North 64° 08’ West for 391.8 feet; thence North 29° 34’ East for 238.4 feet to an iron pin; thence North 35° 52’ East for 240.9 feet to an iron pin; thence North 61° 27’ East for 76.4 feet to the iron pin at the POINT OF BEGINNING. LESS AND EXCEPT: Lot Number One-B (#1-B) of a plat of survey dated November 15, 1996, prepared for Richard W. Waites and Tammy R. Waites by Zack Sprayberry, PLS AL Reg. No. 12933, a copy of said plat having been marked Exhibit “A” and attached to Warranty Deed Record in Deed Book 2113 at Page 323 and made a part hereof by reference, and said real property being more fully described as follows: From the Southwest corner of Section 6, Township 19 North, Range 29 East, Lee County, Alabama; run thence North 3765.0 feet; thence run East 1366.4 feet to an iron pin found being the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said point of beginning, run North 29° 34’ East for a distance of 238.4 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 35° 52’ East for a distance of 240.9 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 61° 27’ East for 76.4 feet to an iron pin found; thence run South 64° 08’ East along the Southerly margin of Lee Road 279 for a distance of 38.1 feet to a concrete monument found; thence run South 64° 03’ East along the Southerly margin of Lee Road 279 for a distance of 71.9 feet to an iron pin set; thence run South 30° 25’ West for a distance of 538.9 feet to an iron pin set; thence run North 64° 08’ West for a distance of 169.0 feet to an iron pin found and being the POINT OF BEGINNING. Together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Said property will be sold on an “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis subject to the right of way easements and restrictions of record in the Probate Office of Lee County, Alabama, and will be subject to existing special assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the subject property. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. This Mortgage Foreclosure sale will be held on February 26, 2020, at the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama. 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. Renasant Bank, f/k/a Frontier Bank Mortgagee or Transferee This Instrument Prepared By: Burt W. Newsome P.O. Box 382753 Birmingham, AL 35238 Attorney for Mortgagee or Transferee Legal Run 2/5, 2/12, 2/19/2020
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Deborah Shotts McMahan, an incapacitated person TO: Any interested party: Whereas, Lee County Sheriff, Jay Jones, Conservator, has filed a Petition in writing, for the Final Settlement/Accounting and to Dissolve the Conservatorship of DEBORAH SHOTTS MCMAHAN. It is ordered that Tuesday the 25th day of February, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. be appointed a day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama at which time all
persons interested can appear and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 31st day of January, 2020. Bill English- Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Conservator Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 2/5, 2/12, 2/19/2020
any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 02/19/20 & 02/26/2020
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FAY McCLENDON NEWELL, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 5th day of February, 2020, by the Hon. 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. HERBERT ESLEY NEWELL, JR. FAY NEWELL NEWTON CHARLES TIMOTHY NEWELL DAWN SHEREE NEWELL AND BLISS QUINTINA NEWELL, Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 02/19/20, 02/26/20 & 03/04/20
In the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama In Re: Estate of Russel Earl Hodges, Deceased Petition to Probate Will NOTICE Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of RUSSEL EARL HODGES, deceased, having been granted to MICHELLE JEAN HODGES, on the 29th day of January 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claim against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. s/Raymond L. Jackson, Jr./ Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. Attorney for MICHELLE JEAN HODGES Executor of the Estate of RUSSEL EARL HODGES Legal notice: 02/05/2020, 02/12/2020, 02/19/2020
IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Marcia S. Smith, Deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration have been granted to Denver Smith, as Administrator of the Estate of Marcia S. Smith deceased, on the 17th day of June, 2019, by the Hon. Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. James E. Hall, Attorney for Administrator Legal Run 01/29/20, 02/05/20 & 02/12/2020
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Probate Court, Lee County Estate of: Debra Jean Obert a/k/a Debra Moi Obert, deceased ) Case No: 2020-018 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTMENTARY of Debra Jean Obert a/k/a Debra Moi Obert deceased having been granted to Abigail Newman Layfield on the 17th day of January, 2020 , by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all person having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Abigail Newman Layfield James M. Ivins Attorney for Abigail Newman Layfield 1408 Broad Street Phenix City, AL 36867 Phone: 334-298-0607 Legal Run 02/12/2020, 02/19/2020 & 02/26/2020
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 1242 North Dean Road. Auburn AL, 36830 on 3/11/2020 1:30 PM John Toney Jr Unit# 47 820 N. Gay Street Auburn, AL,36830 king bed, couch, recline, household items, TV, dresser 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
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 1412 Opelika Road Auburn, AL 36830 on 3/11/2020 2:00pm. Rashaun Hoskey Unit# G98 429 Dale Rd Eufala,AL,36027 Furniture boxes Brianne Laureen Atkinson Unit# B25 420 N Dean Rd Apt 106 Auburn,AL,36830 Paintings and small furniture, boxes Brian D Davis Unit# A3 608 Hoaward P Carter Dr Tuskegee,AL,36083 Charlesa Adams Unit# W381 521 S Antioch Cir Apt B Opelika,AL,36801 queen bed clothes boxes Patricia Felton Unit# S335 932 Pleasant Ave. Auburn,AL,36830 household items Tanekqua Weaver Unit# T352 159 County Rd 79 Apt 205 Roanoke,AL,36274 couch,kitchen table,few boxes Lakeshia Farrow Unit# R319 324 Pleasant Cir Apt F Opelika,AL,36801 Small furniture and boxes Danielle Jolly unit# E78 701 Baker Blvd Tuscumbia,AL,35674 3 bedroom home 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 02/19/20 & 02/26/2020
In the Matter of the Estate of Angela Ingram Barreto, Deceased In the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama Case No. 2019-C-102 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 16th day of January, 2020 by the Honorable Bill English Judge of Probate Court for Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Jeffery L. Ingram Legal Run 02/19/20, 02/26/20 & 03/04/20
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pelika Observer O
B12 Feb. 19, 2020
Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday taking place this weekend Special to the Opelika Observer From Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, Alabama will observe the state’s ninth annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The Alabama Retail Association encourages Alabamians to restock emergency supplies in homes, workplaces and vehicles during this three-day tax holiday. Certain emergency preparedness items will be exempt from the state’s 4% state sales tax, and in some
cities and counties, local taxes are waived on those items as well. The tax holiday means shoppers can save as much as 10% on these items in some areas of the state. From 12:01 a.m. Feb. 21 to midnight Feb. 23, the taxexempt items include the following priced at $60 or less: -Flashlights, lanterns -Battery-powered or hand-crank radio -Batteries -First-aid kits -Cell phone charger
-Two-way radios -Manual can openers -Tarps and plastic sheeting -Duct tape -Fire extinguishers -Tie-down kits, bungee cords or rope Other tax-free items include: coolers, ice packs, plywood, window film and smoke/ fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Portable generators and power cords costing $1,000 or less are also tax free. For a full list of tax-free items, go to the severe weather preparedness sales
tax holiday page at alabamaretail.org. Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday in 2020; the other states with similar holidays are Texas and Virginia. “Severe weather can occur at any time, in any season,” said Alabama Retail President Rick Brown. “The tax holiday helps Alabama consumers remember to stock and prepare emergency kits to be ready when storms strike.” Local hardware
US Senate candidate Bradley Byrne issues statement on how proposed quarry would affect Opelika’s Storybook Farms Special to the Opelika Observer “Storybook Farms contributes so much to Lee County and surrounding areas. To take that away
from the community, would be a grave mistake to all those that benefit from their philanthropy. I stand with the people of Lee County and Storybook Farms. When
decisions like this are made, the input of the local community should always be given serious consideration. In this case, the concerns and the opposition are very
clear,” said Bradley Byrne, a current Alabama representative and candidate for US Senate. For more information on Byrne, visit www.bradleybyrne.com.
stores such as Greenville Hardware are among the Alabama retailers stocked with emergency preparedness items for the tax holiday, Greenville Hardware owner James H. Dunklin IV, great-grandson of the founder, recommends stocking up on emergency supplies while the items are tax free. “The largest month we’ve ever had in the history of the store since I’ve owned it” came after the 100 mph winds of Hurricane Ivan ripped through Greenville
in September 2004, said Dunklin, who has owned the downtown store since 2003. “We are only two hours from the Gulf,” so when a major hurricane comes through, “it’s pretty bad here,” he said. Alabama Retail recommends having enough supplies in emergency kits to last 72 hours following a disaster. For information on what items to include in emergency kits, as well as steps to take before and after disasters, visit ready.gov.
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“This project was supported by Subgrant #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.”
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pelika O Observer Notices, from B11 ORDINANCE NO. 005-20 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) Broad Metro, LLC heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled Capps Landing Entertainment District PUD on approximately 32.45 acres. (b) The proposed development is located in a C-2/ GC-P District (office/ retail, gateway corridor primary overlay district) and is located on the southeastern side of Gateway Drive and I-85. (c) The property described in Section 3 below will be developed as a multi-use commercial planned unit development consisting of restaurants, retail shops, hotels, fueling station and outdoor/indoor recreational and entertainment businesses. The proposed development will have access to the property from Gateway Drive with access points aligning with Capps Landing and Capps Drive. (d) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development, subject to certain requirements, conditions and modifications which are set forth in Section 2 below. (e) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a unified mixed residential and commercial development. Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18N of the Zoning Ordinance of the City, subject to compliance with the
following requirements, conditions and modifications: (a) The truck fueling station will have only six (6) stalls/spaces for truck fueling and ten (10) spaces for truck parking. (b) The proposed freestanding sign will conform to the maximum area and height requirements. (c) The applicant will partner with the City to make infrastructure improvements to Gateway Drive and other infrastructure to mitigate traffic congestion. (d) The applicant will provide 24-hour security monitoring truck parking ensuring trucks are parked in the stall/space for a maximum of one (1) hour. (e) All buildings shall meet the Gateway Corridor Overlay cladding, including the support poles for the passenger fueling canopy, and landscaping requirements. (f) Access easements or future streets shall be required to the Ward property to the northeast either in this phase or future phases if it cannot be accommodated due to topography or the property configuration. Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a C-2/GC-P (Office/Retail, Gateway Corridor Primary District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City. A parcel of land situated in the South half of Section 24 and the North half of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, Lee County, Alabama, being more particularly described as follows: Begin at a found 1" crimp, said point being the intersection of Interstate Highway 85 (right of way varies) and the East line of the Southwest one-quarter of said Section 24; thence leaving said right of way, run South 00 degrees 21 minutes 27 seconds West along the East line of said quarter-section for a distance of 835.97 feet to a found McCrory capped rebar; thence leaving the East line of said Section 24 run South 38 Degrees 54 Minutes 12 Seconds West for a distance of 736.91 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped
CA-560-LS; thence run South 42 Degrees 46 Minutes 46 Seconds East for a distance of 381.76 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped CA-560LS; thence run South 47 Degrees 17 Minutes 05 Seconds West for a distance of 228.57 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped CA-560-LS; said point marking the beginning of a curve turning to the right having radius of 922.93 feet, a central angle of 06 Degrees 45 Minutes 17 Seconds, a chord bearing of South 50 Degrees 39 Minutes 44 Seconds West, a chord length of 108.74 feet, thence along the arc of said curve for a distance of 108.81 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped CA-560-LS; thence run South 59 Degrees 24 Minutes 36 Seconds East for a distance of 322.08 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped CA-560-LS; thence run South 22 Degrees 24 Minutes 50 Seconds West for a distance of 216.39 feet to a set 5/8 inch capped rebar stamped CA-560-LS, said point lying on the North right of way of Gateway Drive, said point also lying on a curve turning to the right having a radius of 1,813.55 feet, a central angle of 22 degrees 30 minutes 27 seconds, a chord bearing of North 56 degrees 19 minutes 56 seconds West and a chord distance of 707.84 feet; thence run along the arc of said curve and along said right of way for 712.42 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run
Feb. 19, 2020 to a found concrete monument; thence run North 59 degrees 14 minutes 24 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 284.44 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run North 31 degrees 42 minutes 44 seconds West along said right of way for a distance of 40.00 feet to a set 5/8” capped rebar stamped GSA; thence run North 58 degrees 17 minutes 16 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 433.71 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNNG. Said parcel contains 1,413,381 square feet or 32.45 acres more or less. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY AS THE FOLLOWING: Lot 1, Broad Metro, LLC Plat No. 1, as recorded on April 15, 2019 at Plat Book 42, Page 41 in the Office of the Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama. Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan, as modified herein, shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection. Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by
law. Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing. Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-2083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 18th day of February, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 19th day of February, 2020. /s/ Russell A Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 19th day of February, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 02/19/2020
We would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring one or more of our newspaper boxes and racks around Lee County • Better Bodies Massage Institute • Interim HomeCare • Opelika Theatre Company
LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS MANUFACTURED HOME FOR SALE: 3-Year old Manufactured home for sale, $60,000 MUST BE MOVED 3 Bedrooms/3 Bathrooms - House has a mudroom, large master bathroom, 3 spacious walk-in closets and laundry room. Wheelchair ramp and screened in front porch included with the property. Contact Maxine Smith at 256-896-2619 - Answering service is available. Please leave a message.
North 42 degrees 10 minutes 54 seconds West along said right of way for a distance of 285.13 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run North 29 degrees 34 minutes 26 seconds West along said right-of-way for a distance of 288.97 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run North 07 degrees 05 minute9 51 seconds West along said right of way for a distance of 195.06 feet to a found concrete monument being at the intersection of said right of way and the Southernmost right of way line of Interstate Highway 85 (right of way varies); thence run North 35 degrees 10 minutes 02 seconds East along .said Southernmost right of way for a distance of 249.80 feet to a set 5/8” capped rebar stamped GSA; thence run North 32 degrees 14 minutes 36 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 201.18 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run North 55 degrees 39 minutes 38 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 173.87 feet to a found concrete monument; thence run North 25 degrees 30 minutes 04 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 185.16 feet to a set 5/8" capped rebar stamped GSA; thence run North 38 degrees 50 minutes 16 seconds East along said right of way for a distance of 233.55 feet
B13
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B14 Feb. 19, 2020
pelika O Observer
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pelika O Observer
B16 Feb. 19, 2020
Flowers, from B7 the seat for 28 years. He rose to be the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. Through his influence, not only were the vital military bases – Maxwell/Gunter in Montgomery and Ft. Rucker in the Wiregrass – enhanced, he was also instrumental in bringing Lockheed and Sikorsky plants to the district. During the last 100 years, Dickinson has had the most profound effect for the district. Businessman Terry Everett won the seat in 1992 upon Dickinson’s retirement. He was the first and only Wiregrass person to hold that seat.
Everett served with distinction for 16 years through 2008. He was a stalwart Republican and very conservative. The current Congressional person is Martha Roby, a Republican from Montgomery. After 10 years in Congress, she said she had enough and chose to not run for reelection this year which leaves the open seat up for grabs. It is a Republican seat, therefore, the winner of the March 3 primary and probable March 31 GOP runoff, will go to Washington for at least two years. The probable winner of that congressional seat will be Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman. He is 53 years old and has not only been successful running his
family’s worldwide moving business, he has been active civically in the Wiregrass. He is at the right time in life to serve in Washington. His profile is the prototypical scenario for being elected to a Republican Congressional or Senate seat. Congressional campaign fundraising limits coupled with the fact that Washington PACs do not get involved in primaries but wait until the general election to place their bets favors a wealthy candidate. Coleman has his own money and dedicated $2 million to the race. He has followed through on his promise to spend that amount. Amazingly, he has raised another $1 million. When all is said and done, he will
probably have spent close to $3 million to win this seat in Congress. Just outspending his challengers by a 10 to 1 amount would be sufficient to win. However, he has not only spent more than all the others combined, he has outworked them. He is affable and confident in an unassuming way. People seem to like him. He will win. If Coleman had not entered the race, former Attorney General Troy King would have been favored to win. Having run several times and being a native of the Wiregrass, King had some inherent name identification. He has been hampered in this race by lack of fundraising. However, if there is a
runoff, King will more than likely be Coleman’s opponent in the March 31 GOP runoff. Former Enterprise State Representative Barry Moore ran a gallant race against Martha Roby a couple of years ago and got a good vote, most of which came out of Coffee County. He may not do as well in the Wiregrass this time. There is a dashing young candidate named Jessica Taylor, who is running a good campaign focused on getting free publicity on Fox News as a youthful female candidate. Whichever candidate wins the seat, there is no question as to which congressional committees they should aspire – Agriculture and Armed Services because
this district is highly dependent on military spending and farming. Sadly, the winner will probably not have a long tenure in Congress. Alabama is probably going to lose a Congressional seat after this year’s census count. The logical seat to be altered and probably merged with the current third and first district is the second district. Folks, the primary election is less than two weeks away. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.
OPELIKA CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY THURSDAYS APRIL 2 - MAY 21, 2020 6 - 8 P.M. EACH EVENING FIRST MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE OPELIKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Opelika citizens are invited. Eight weeks of hands on learning to educate the public on the various aspects of police work within the City of Opelika. The department will be taking up to 20 applicants. If you are interested, contact Lt. Ben Blackburn at OPDjobs@opelika-al.gov and request an application. Please include “CPA” in subject line of email. You will then receive an application to fill out and send back to Lt. Blackburn. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 9. For more information, visit www.opelika.-al.gov or call Lt. Blackburn at 334.705.5258. 2020 OA CPA ad
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