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Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Vol. 12, No. 23
“By local people, for local people.”
Opelika, Alabama
$3 Items
9 a.m. to 7 p.m 1220 Fox Run Pkwy. Opelika, AL
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EAMC addresses COVID-19 concerns By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter
At a press conference held Thursday morning at East Alabama Medical Center, officials gathered to provide information for the Auburn-Opelika community in regards to COVID-19, also known as the “Coronavirus.” COVID-19 is described as a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus is known as a “novel” virus that was first identified last November during an investigation of an outbreak in Wuhan, China. According to information provided by the hospital, “there are no confirmed cases (at this time) of COVID-19 in the state of Alabama. With Auburn University’s di-
Photo by Natalie Anderson/Opelika Observer
verse population and local industries with ties to some of the affected countries, EAMC officials are taking the necessary steps to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 presenting itself in our region.” “Our role as the main
provider of healthcare in the area is to ensure we stand ready and prepared in situations that will affect the health and wellness of our community,” said EAMC President and CEO Laura Grill. Ricardo Maldonado,
EAMC’s M.D. of Infectious Disease, encourages individuals to frequently wash their hands with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer with alcohol. “There’s no need to panic right now,” MaldoSee Virus, page A3
Wright’s Market launches online SNAP program By Morgan Bryce Editor Last Wednesday, Opelika’s Wright’s Market became the first
independent grocer in the country to launch a pilot version of the “SNAP Online PurSee Wright’s, page A5
Koko’s Boutique coming to Auburn graduate, Cotton Valley USA Town Center mid-April resident Wade Bennett Trader now open
self-publishes book
Photo special to the Opelika Observer By Sara Wilson Opelika Observer Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter Originally from West
Africa, Séfako Kpomblekou Tidwell of Opelika opened her online busiSee Boutique, page A3
By Will Fairless Opelika Observer Wade Bennett has lived in Auburn most
of his life. He graduated from Auburn in 2000 with a degree in horticulture, and he See Fearless, page A5
Cotton Valley Trader, an outlet for local craftsmen and artists, opened for business on Feb. 1 in Opelika.
Connecting to the community is an important aspect of running a business like Cotton Valley Trader. The store will offer a variety of products that See Cotton, page A3
Index
OPINION.....................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A13 CALENDAR..................................A14
COMICS....................................A16 SPORTS..................................B1 PUBLIC NOTICES............................B5 POLITICS...................................B7
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A2 March 11, 2020
Opelika firefighter Doris Cooper looks to run 42 miles back on life, career for charity By Will Fairless Opelika Observer
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer By Sara Wilson Opelika Observer James Hornady, a firefighter at the Opelika Fire Department and a paramedic for East Alabama Medical Center, plans to run 42 miles on May 30 to benefit Smile-a-Mile. Smile-a-Mile is a nonprofit organization in Alabama that provides year-round programs at little-tono cost for children who have or have had cancer, according to the organization’s website. During the last few years, Hornady has had the opportunity to
participate in several events in the community that benefit Smile-a-Mile. When asked what inspired him to get involved with Smilea-Mile, Hornady said, “getting to know the kids and what they go through and why these kids lose their childhood.” Hornady will begin his run in downtown Opelika at 5 a.m. He will then run to Camp Smile-a-Mile, which is located at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. While he will be the only one participating in the Smile-aMile ultra marathon
this year, he said his hope is that more people will join in the coming years. This marathon is helping raise money to send children to summer camp at Camp Smile-a-Mile. The cost for a child to attend this camp is $500. While any amount of money will help, Hornady said his goal is to raise $20,000. He has set up a GoFundMe account where people can donate what they feel led to give. The website can be found at www.charity.gofundme.com//en/campaign/smile-a-mileultra-marathon.
Doris Cooper, 71, who now works part time at the East Alabama Medical Center, was the first black female employee at the soda fountain at Haynie's Drug Store in Opelika in the late 1970s. She graduated from Wacoochee High School in 1969. She was the manager there for eight years, then went on to work for 24 years in the Opelika Sheriff’s Department, from which position she retired in 2012. Of her job at the soda fountain, she remembers fondly the egg-salad sandwiches and homemade soup, but not any hoopla, or even pride on her part, about her being the establishment’s first black employee. “It really wasn’t any big thing, I had to work to support my daughter,” Cooper said. She was finally convinced that it was at least something to be proud of by Chad Rollins, a friend of hers who brought this story to
Cooper the Observer. In addition to serving the community in her positions at the soda fountain and sheriff’s department, she now does the same at East Alabama Medical Center. “People tell me, ‘Oh, you have such a nice smile,’ I don’t know about any of that,” Cooper said. She laughed as she said it, and it’s clear that she brightens the days of those who ap-
proach the information desk at EAMC. *Editor's Note: Ms. Cooper's profile was slated to run in a February edition of the Observer for Black History Month, but had to be pushed back because of spatial issues. We are grateful to have the opportunity to spotlight someone like her who has been and is still making a lasting impact in our city.
Highlight Permanent Makeup Great Eyebrows Don't Happen by Chance They Happen by Appointment www.highlightspa.com • 334 - 744 - 1625 Subscribe to the Opelika Observer Today!
pelika Observer
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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A3 March 11, 2020
Handwashing reduces spread of diseases Lee County Humane Special to the Opelika Observer Prepare for battle. Handwashing is the first line of defense in avoiding illnesses. With the coronavirus (COVID-19), the respiratory disease first identified in China, making its way into national headlines, handwashing is now even more important. Janet Johnson, an Alabama Extension food safety and quality regional agent, said handwashing is an easy step to help reduce people’s exposure to harmful germs and to avoid getting sick. “Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs and prevent spreading germs to others,” Johnson said. “It’s quick and simple.” Effective Tech-
niques Because viral illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu can be spread through touch, proper hand washing can reduce their spread. Johnson emphasized to be most effective, handwashing must include some important steps. “A quick pass with some soap and a little water is not effective and just doesn’t get the job done,” she said. “Research shows that washing hands for at least 20 seconds removes more germs than washing for briefer amounts of time.” Johnson said effective handwashing includes five steps. - Wet hands with clean, running warm water and apply soap - Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather
the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails - Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice for an easy way to time - Rinse hands well under clean, running warm water - Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them. (Note: Air drying means using a warm or room temperature blow dryer.) When to Wash “People should wash their hands frequently,” Johnson said. “If you wonder should I wash my hands now, the answer is always yes.” - Before, during and after preparing food - Before eating food - Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound - After using the toilet - After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet - After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing - After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste - After handling pet food or pet treats and - After touching garbage More Information More information about handwashing and corresponding photos of proper techniques is in the Alabama Extension publication “Illness Prevention: It’s in Your Hands.” For more information, visit www.aces. edu or contact your county Extension office.
New specialty car tag will help fund the Pediatric Epilepsy Program
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
Special to the Opelika Observer A new specialty license plate is now available to residents of Alabama who want to show their support of children with pediatric epilepsy. In a collaboration between the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s of Alabama and Epilepsy Foundation Alabama, the “Help End Epilepsy” tag will provide valuable funding for patient care, education, research and specialized physician training for the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s of Alabama. “We are extremely excited to begin our specialty car tag program,” said Monisha Goyal, M.D., director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s of Alabama. “The funding we will receive
Virus, from A1 nado said. For those who may experience mild symptoms, Maldonado added those “should be able to just treat it at home like any
from supporters purchasing tags will help us continue providing the best care possible to our patients, establish educational programs and continue advocating for children with epilepsy in our state.” For the state of Alabama to produce the specialty tag, a minimum requirement of 1,000 commitments must be met. Thanks to a contribution from a generous donor to Children’s, the first 1,000 supporters to request the Help End Epilepsy specialty tag will receive the tag free of additional charge for the first year. Supporters will still be responsible for their regular motor vehicle registration taxes and fees. After the first 1,000 commitments are met, supporters may purchase the Help End Epilepsy tag for $50 at
any Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles office. Of that amount, $41.25 will go to the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Children’s. The program currently provides care for more than 5,000 children in Alabama, using the latest technologies and state of the art facilities to diagnose and treat seizures. “We are excited that Children’s of Alabama joined our fight to end epilepsy by supporting our nationwide platform to create awareness about epilepsy and seizures through these specialty car tags,” said Sara Franklin, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation Alabama. “The phrase ‘END EPILEPSY’ is a trademark of our organization, and our goal is to use this effort to ensure children with epilepsy get the spe-
cialty care they need to ultimately end this disorder.” Epilepsy, the most common serious brain disorder worldwide, is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 54,000 people in Alabama are living with epilepsy and seizures, including more than 7,500 children. Over a lifetime, one in 10 people will have a seizure, and one in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. To commit to purchasing a Help End Epilepsy specialty car tag, visit childrensal. org/epilepsy or contact helpendepilepsy@childrensal.org for more information.
other influenza or cold.” Citizens are encouraged to avoid panicking or planning to have to wear face masks, said Fred Kam, M.D. of the Auburn University Medical Clinic. “There is a reason to go into preparedness mode just as Auburn University
and EAMC (have) been doing,” Kam said. “We feel pretty comfortable that when this happens, we will be able to manage this situation if everyone cooperates and coordinates.” Just like the seasonal flu, it is the elderly, the very young and those who are
immunocompromised who are most at risk. EAMC encourages those who believe they may have come in contact with COVID-19 to call their hotline at 334-528SICK. For more information, visit cdc.gov/COVID19.
Society hosts inaugural ‘Shrimpin’ for the Shelter’ Special to the Opelika Observer Lee County Humane Society (LCHS) is actively trying to create solutions to battle pet overpopulation in Auburn and Opelika, but its efforts will not reach maximum effectiveness until it is able to open a new adoption center. On March 19, Lee County Humane Society will host “Shrimpin’ for the Shelter,” a low country boil fundraising event at Auburn Oaks Farm with the goal of raising $50,000. Along with a low country boil prepared by Yum Yum’s and live entertainment provided by Blane Rudd, Shrimpin’ for the Shelter will also feature a silent auction. As Blane
Boutique, from A1 ness “Koko’s Boutique” nearly two years ago. Upon the success of her online business, Tidwell decided to expand and bring her authentic African clothing featuring an American mix to a storefront location in USA Town Center with expectations to open the second week of April. The boutique offers clothing sizes ranging from S to 3X, as well as including children’s clothing and men’s apparel. Along with clothing, purses, shoes and jewelry will also be featured and available for purchase.
Cotton, from A1 range from home decor and food items to hunting goods. By offering these services, it gives an opportunity for local artists to showcase their merchandise to the public. “Everything that we stock in here is made locally. By locally, we mean anything within a 50-mile radius,” said Craig McCullough, owner of Cotton Valley Trader. According to Cotton Valley Trader’s Facebook page, part of the dream is to appreciate the talent of local artists. “Cotton Valley Trader was born from a need that we continued to find in our local area of Opelika, AL. There is so much talent here! People who are constantly creating beautiful merchandise by hand and imagination alone,” read a post on the Cotton Valley Trader
Rudd’s Facebook page states, “Blane constantly packs any venue small to large with his powerful live shows and has thousands upon thousands of followers in the social media universe.” The page continues to say, “Needless to say, Blane has made a huge footprint in the realm of authentic country music.” Mayor Ron Anders will also address the event attendees with a brief message. Lee County Humane Society is proud to announce the following local event sponsors: ● Adams Beverages ● Auburn Oaks ● Prestige Properties ● The Woltosz Family and ● Yum Yum’s See LCHS, page A6 Tidwell is proud of her business that focuses on “West African culture meeting American culture where customers can expect diversity in the boutique with something for everyone.” When deciding on a location, a deciding huge factor for Tidwell was how “friendly Opelika is to small, local businesses.” Customers may shop online and pay in full or through online payment plans. Online shopping will continue to be available once the boutique opens in USA Town Center. The projected store hours will be Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit kokosboutique22. com. Facebook page. The store has a local, crafty vibe which is why McCullough is hoping to attract local homeowners who are looking to outfit their homes in that certain style. The name of the store has special meaning to McCullough and his family. “Between Union Springs and Tuskegee is a small area called Cotton Valley, Alabama. That’s where we were born and raised … We decided that is a great name to go with,” McCullough said. The grand opening is scheduled for March 7 with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the store staying open until 5 p.m. Throughout the day will be giveaways and contests for prizes. Appetizers will also be available. For more information, like and follow their Facebook page or call 334-5002878. The store is located at 808 Columbus Parkway.
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A4 March 11, 2020
The Little Town that Could
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hen you pull into town proper you ride past churches, clapboard houses and people sitting on front porches—even though it’s cold outside. There are painted murals on the wide brick walls of storefront buildings. There’s a freight train cutting through town, darting past Brewton Iron Works, the T.R. Miller timber mill and rushing into the woods. The locomotive whistle blows and you can feel this city’s little heart beating. Brewton is the kind of place where you can dial a wrong number and the person who answers the phone will give you the correct one. Last night, I went to a local prayer meeting. At least that’s what the attendees call it. Though I don’t know why. The meeting was held at a bar inside a Mexican restaurant, nobody was praying, and everyone was cradling Coronas. The evening’s only prayer was shouted by Miss Connie. It was six words. “Hey, God, thanks for the food!” Then everyone ordered another round. I asked why they called it prayer meeting. “Because,” said Connie. “Let’s say your mom or your husband asks why you were out late on Wednesday night. You can just tell them you were at prayer meeting and the spirits were flowing.” That’s Brewton. You might think it’s irrever-
By Sean Dietrich ent, but that’s probably because you’re not from here. This is my wife’s hometown. I fell in love with it from day one. There was a time when I never thought I’d fit in anywhere, but somehow I managed to fit in here. I don’t know why, but people didn’t seem to mind having me around. I don’t come from a town like this. I am of the Florida Panhandle, a place that was once rural, but has since been overthrown by real estate developers. The first thing the developers did when they moved in was cut down a million acres of pine and establish an Olive Garden. Does the world really need another Olive Garden? Maybe this is why I have a soft spot for Brewton. They don’t have Olive Gardens here. They have David’s Catfish House. Certainly, Brewton has its critics. It’s a sleepy village and there isn’t much to do here. The complaints are all the same: There are hardly any restaurants. The only form of cardiovascular exercise is gossip. And a big source of local entertainment is when someone gets ticked off and airs their dirty laun-
dry online. But if you happen to love imperfect things, like I do, Brewton is your town. From its old vine-covered Universalist church, to the antique Antebellum porches that are still visited by senators, statesman, oil magnates, stray dogs, kids on roller skates and the occasional Jehovah’s Witness. Today, I went to a funeral that was in the backyard of a Brewton home. The sky threatened rain, and it was colder than a brass brassiere. People in attendance were from all rungs of the social ladder. In the congregation were fancy trench coats, camouflage jackets and Carhartts. When service ended, the people mingled and ate hors d’oeuvres. The back lawn was filled with trickling conversations of the small-town variety. “How’s your dad’s hip after his fall?” “Oh, he’s fine. Mama’s waiting on him hand and foot, spoiling him.” “He’s rotten.” “To the core. How’s your wife?” “She’s good. She just married her divorce attorney. They’re honeymooning in Belgium.” “Congratulations.” I once went to a funeral in metro Atlanta where the people were so stiff and formal it was like attending… Well. A funeral. Hardly anybody spoke to each other. And for some See Dietrich, page A6
The ‘Eyes Have It’ group celebrates a year of service By Beth Pinyerd Opelika Observer Lee County’s Low Vision Group “The Eyes have It” is celebrating a year of service for those who experience problems with low vision. The overall purpose of the group is to provide each member with a greater sense of empowerment as we come together to understand our vision loss and the impact it has on our lives. We are enlightened by different coping skills which we share in the group as well as learning different community resources whom we can turn to for help and enrichment. We are grateful for community resources sharing and supporting us in coping with our different vision losses. We would like to thank the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for sharing information on “The Yellow Dot” and the “Are You Ok” programs. Both of these
resources are so valuable for individuals with low vision. Leisa Askew, Alabama Cares Coordinator and a member of the Lee-Russell Council of Governments, have helped us with valuable resources in senior services. Another resource who has worked closely with us is East Alabama Medical Center’s Nutrition Department which has helped members follow guidelines for better eye health. We’re also grateful to the EAMC Educational Resource Center for providing us a place to meet each month. Taina Garcia, certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, taught us coping skills of moving safely inside our homes. We deeply appreciate Village Friends, which utilizes volunteers to assist seniors in need of a support system to maintain their independent lifestyle in the Auburn-Opelika area. We appreciate Village Friends bringing group members to the meetings. We deeply appreciate The Opelika Observer advertising our meeting dates for each month. Our next meeting is on March 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Ivy Room at the EAMC Education Center. We welcome Jenny Filush-Glaze of Serenity Community Counseling, LLC addresses grief in the loss of vision. For more information, contact Shiquita Fulton, a vision rehabilitation therapist with the Alabama Rehabilitation Services, at 334-705-2024.
Happy Birthday Irene
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easuring time … it’s something we humans do in a thousand different ways. Days, weeks, and months on calendars, clocks that alarm and beep and remind of us what’s coming up every hour of the day, alarms that chime and ring from our phones and our laptops, and watches that send us our emails and texts and allow us to video chat with each other but still somehow manage to actually tell the time of day. Gods and angels have no need of marking time, for they exist on an “eternal today.” But we humans cling to these measurements, not just as a way to organize our lives, but as a way to remember and celebrate people we know and love. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries as a way to relive the past and to remind ourselves of the bonds we have with each other. And sometimes we honor people we’ve never met by marking a special day. This week is Irene’s birthday. She would have been 53 this year, had she not fought a nine-year battle with cancer that took her away. I never met Irene, but since her passing I have met (and come to love) her family. She was married to
I
By Wendy Hodge
my best friend for many years and together they had three daughters. Their home is full of photos of Irene… some of her alone, some of her with her girls…. and in all of these her trademark smile shines as bright as a light. Her oldest daughter has that same smile. Her middle daughter has her mother’s eyes. And the youngest has the same energy and spirit. When you talk to them one-on-one, they are their own individual person and look very different from each other. But, standing side by side, they are remarkably alike, and glow just as brightly as their mom did. I have been honored to spend time with them all, and through them I have gained some insight into who their mom was. She liked bright colors and “painted everything in the house that stood still.” She loved the movie ‘The Man From Snowy River’ but preferred talking to someone over watching TV. She was an optimist who saw the good in everyone and never met
a stranger. Her circle of friends was enormous, and it remains so to this day. Her girls have made her proud by handling their grief with grace and by loving their dad in such a visible and fierce way. And their dad, my best friend, he has honored her every day she’s been gone by keeping his girls his first priority. He worries, overthinks and stresses, but he smiles, laughs and plays as well. And they know they are loved beyond measure. It’s not easy for them. In fact, it’s the hardest thing they’ll ever face. But they are facing it together. And I am aware of the delicate position I am in. I am aware of the privilege it is to witness their days and years. I am aware of the magnitude of the gift of time that I have been given. And I am grateful to Irene who gave her girls buckets of love to carry them through. Happy birthday, Irene. Wendy Hodge is an Opelika native, an empty nester and lover of all things Opelika. She previously had a column titled A Word or Ten, which was featured in the Tennessee Star Journal and is currently awaiting release of her first novel with Harper Collins Publishing Company.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
write this on a damp and dreary morning, Irish spring weather, fewer than two hours away from the start of Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade – according to the countdown clock on the parade’s official website. St. Patrick’s Day always brings Savannah to mind, for in the pantheon of parties put on to celebrate the man who supposedly drove the snakes out of Ireland, few rival the excesses enjoyed by that loveliest of Georgia cities. It was not that way at the outset. The Georgia colony was fewer than two years old when a ship containing around 40 Irish convicts was forced into Savannah by bad weather and exhausted provisions. James Oglethorpe, who was setting up the colony, needed labor, so he purchased their indentures (sorta an early form of convict leasing), gave some to widows, and sold others to those who could
By Hardy Jackson
afford them. It was not a happy arrangement. According to later accounts the transported Irish “committed murder, stole, ran away, and caused untold trouble,” so much so that “most Georgians wished they had never arrived.” But they were there to stay. Eventually the Irish assimilated, sorta, and in 1812, a group of them formed the Hibernian Society of Savannah to help needy Irish immigrants. Many needed that help. Although most Irish immigrants entered the United States through northern ports, where they did not have to compete with slave labor, some came South, where they usually found work in occupations that owners felt were too
dangerous for their chattel. As an antebellum planter explained to a northern visitor who asked why bondsmen worked at the top of a cotton slide and Irishmen worked at the bottom. “If a bale broke free we might lose a slave. This way we’ll only lose a Paddy.” Even when successful, the Irish had a lot to overcome. Consider Gerald O’Hara, Scarlett’s father, an Irish immigrant who married respectability and brought his Charleston-FrenchCatholic-bride to the Georgia upcountry where, despite his wealth and authority, he would never have been mistaken for an aristocrat. Yet somehow, in both the book and the movie, that big, florid, blustering man comes off downright admirable. But back to Savannah where, a few years after getting organized the Hibernians began celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and it wasn’t See Jackson, page A6
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Auburn Police Division announces new assistant police chiefs Special to the Opelika Observer On March 3, the Auburn Police Division announced the promotions of Scott Mingus and Clarence Stewart to the positions of assistant chiefs of police. Together, the two bring more than 50 years of experience to the Auburn Police Department’s administration. Mingus is a veteran law enforcement officer with more than 27 years of experience. He has held a number of positions within the Auburn Police Division including K-9 officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, commander of the Lee County SWAT Team and captain. Mingus is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in criminal justice. He also completed the FBI National Academy. Stewart has more than 25 years of law
Stewart
enforcement experience, serving 10 of those years with the U.S. Military Police. He has held the rank of patrol officer, detective, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Stewart is a graduate of Troy University with a master’s degree in public administration. He is working toward a doctorate in adult education at Auburn University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. “Mingus and Stewart
are invaluable assets to the Auburn Police Division and have proven their leadership and dedication throughout their careers,” said Auburn City Manager Jim Buston. “We are fortunate to have such experienced professionals on our police force. I congratulate them both and have no doubt they will continue to serve and protect our community well.” For more information, visit www.auburnalabama.org.
Borbet Alabama expands in Auburn Special to the Opelika Observer Borbet Alabama is expanding its Auburn operation, investing $23.9 million and creating 25 new jobs during the next two years. The Germany-based company was founded in 1881 as a family-run business and has become a leading European manufacturer of light metal alloy wheels for the automotive industry. The company has more than $1 billion in annual sales with nine global operations. Borbet is recognized throughout the world as a specialist in design excellence and high-quality production. “Borbet is thankful for the support of City leadership and the commitment of those who make up the Borbet Alabama team that has allowed the Auburn operation to maintain continued growth and high company standards,” said Borbet Alabama CEO Juergen Keller.
Wright’s, from A1 chasing Program,” which will enable customers to pay with EBT/SNAP for their online orders. In May 2017, Wright’s was one of 10 companies selected nationwide to participate in a USDA initiative to help make SNAP online payments possible, a list of bigname retailers including the likes of Amazon and Walmart. As the only independent grocer on the list, Wright said the opportunity to try out this program at his store is a benchmark in its history and the culmination of a
The 2020 Statewide “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup will be held the entire month of April. The cleanup is held annually and coordinated by Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State), which also coordinates and implements the Alabama Coastal Cleanup (partnership with ADCNR), the Alabama Clean Campus Program, the Alabama Adopt A Mile and Adopt A Stream programs (partnership with ALDOT) statewide. Each of these efforts are made possible through partnerships with business and industry, state associations, and state agencies that are committed to making Alabama a leader in environmental volunteerism and awareness. The “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup is offered to all 67 Alabama counties and statewide volunteer groups. PALS is once again proud to continue and
Fearless, from A1
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Borbet located in Auburn in 2008 and is one of the largest industrial employers in the community. Its location in the Auburn Technology Park North has a vertically integrated production process that includes melting, casting, flow forming, x-raying, heat treating, machining and painting processes. Borbet Alabama continues to make investments in technology, like their new radial runout testing machines, to ensure its operation is on the cutting edge of the industry and provides high-tech, impact-
ful jobs. “Borbet is a valuable asset to Auburn and has been a remarkable corporate citizen since they made Auburn home in 2008,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “We’re grateful to them for the high-tech jobs and positive company culture they provide their employees and look forward to their continued growth.” For more information on Borbet Alabama, visit borbet.de/en or contact the City of Auburn Economic Development Office at 334-501-7270.
development nearly three years in the making. “The first launch of the program took place in New York (with Amazon, ShopRite and Walmart), which obviously features a very high population density. I think there was a desire on the USDA’s part to test it in a smaller environment and (our store) being a proponent of access to food in general,” Wright said. Amazon and Walmart stores in Oregon join Wright’s in being the most recent to try out the program. While the initial launch is focused on EBT/SNAP program participants in Auburn-
Opelika, Wright said their goal is to eventually expand and serve Lee County and surrounding areas. “For those anywhere that need it in our area, we will eventually have a pretty good focus on our rural areas, which ties in with our emphasis as a business on community involvement,” Wright said. Citing Hurtsboro and Loachapoka as examples, Wright said part of the program’s future development will include the creation of central delivery centers within a small community or town. Through the assistance of trained workers and volunteers
March 11, 2020
Alabama PALS Kicks Off the 2020 “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup Special to the Opelika Observer
Mingus
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works in logistics for Wickle’s Pickles. He has just recently accomplished a yearslong goal of his, which was to write a book. The book, called “Fearless and True,” not only checks off that box for him, but satisfied his desire to tell a story he’s been thinking about for a while now. Fearless and True is a work of historical fiction set in 1892, and it is centered around the first Auburn football game against Georgia. One of the two main characters is a fictional Civil War veteran who teaches at Auburn. The other is George Petrie. The book is more about the relationship between these two men than it is about football. Bennett said he was at the center, EBT/SNAP customers will be able to place and pick up their orders. “For those (delivery) centers in (places) further away, we’d be looking at a church or senior-care facility where we could deliver multiple orders. There would be access to technology in those areas for those who may not have computers or smart phones and be able to shop and place their orders,” Wright said. The EBT/SNAP feature is another addition to the company’s e-commerce business, which has offered online shopping to its customers since fall 2016. For those wanting
expand it’s partnership with Coca-Cola as the Title Sponsor for the 2020 cleanup effort. This partnership has enabled PALS to further incorporate the recycling of plastic bottles and aluminum cans into the annual cleanup effort. “The Coca-Cola System is proud of our role as the Title Sponsor of the statewide 2020 Don’t Drop It on Alabama Spring Cleanup,” said Andy Britton, Director of Public Affairs and Communications for CocaCola. “We are especially pleased with our annual partnership with Alabama PALS as we all move forward towards our goal of a world without waste.” The 2020 “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup is also made possible through PALS Sustaining Partners, ALDOT, ALFA, CocaCola, Alabama Farmer’s Cooperative, Vulcan Materials Company, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, and The Poarch Band of
Creek Indians. Alabama PALS is also proud to announce the partnership with the Alabama Community College Systems campuses for the 2020 statewide cleanup effort in April. Spencer Ryan, Executive Vice President of Alabama PALS stated “We are extremely proud of the commitment from the Alabama Community College System, and appreciate the dedication form the ACCS, as well as the enthusiasm displayed from each ACCS campus.” PALS distributed approximately 185,000 bags statewide for the 2019 cleanup, as well as all materials and supplies to all participating cities, counties and volunteer groups. Volunteers interested in participating are encouraged to contact the local coordinator to join an existing cleanup, or to establish their own local cleanup within their respective community. For more information, visit www.alpals.org.
inspired to create the Civil War veteran character, Col. William Paul, by his discovery of a section of Pine Hill Cemetery in Auburn dedicated to nearly 100 unknown soldiers of the Civil War. “It just kind of struck a nerve, and I started working on, not a rough draft of the story, but on a poem,” Bennett said. He posted the poem on Facebook, and when he got tremendous support from friends and family about his writing, the poem evolved into this book, Fearless and True. “It’s just a way to honor those guys and a way to honor my past and my love for Auburn,” Bennett added. He includes elements in the book that will be familiar to any Auburn graduate, student or fan, which is a way to attract readers. The
Auburn football hook is a means to deliver the story he wanted to tell, about the relationship between a Civil War veteran and a younger man at Auburn, to a wider readership. Bennett self-published his book with help from a couple of local contacts he made in the industry. “I was very fortunate to meet Tina Tatum. She’s an editor and a publisher, and she really has a knack for helping people like me self-publish,” Bennett said. “She did all of my editing, she helped me rewrite certain segments of the book, and she got me set up with my distributor.” Fearless and True is available for purchase on Amazon.com and at several bookstores in Auburn, including J&M Books, which is located at 115 S. College St.
to create an account, Wright said the process is simple: 1) Go to wrightsmarkets.com 2) Click “Online Shopping” 3) Open an account and 4) Start shopping. Delivery orders must be placed by noon, with delivery services available Monday through Friday. The first three deliveries are free and fees for orders of $100 or more are waived. After three deliveries, the delivery fee is $9.95. Curbside pick-up is available seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 1 to 6 p.m. on
Sunday. No fees are applied to curbside orders. As the only independent grocer facilitating this program, Wright said he hopes his business can serve as a blueprint for other stores in their fight to provide access to fresh food and curb the effects of hunger insecurity nationwide. “Our hope is that we develop a program here that can be replicated in other parts of the country that are facing some of the same challenges we are,” Wright said. For more information, call 334-749-1333 or visit their website. The store is located at 603 Pleasant Drive.
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A6 March 11, 2020
Small business tax deadline is March 15 ‘The Choir of Man’ visiting
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any taxpayers own and operate small businesses as a full-time job or as a side job to make extra money. April 15 is well known as Tax Day, but many other dates are relevant as well. The due date for filing taxes (but not paying them) can be extended to Oct. 15, but the Partnership and S Corporation deadline is March 15 (and can be extended to Oct. 15). If you file as a Sole Proprietor for your small business or side gig, the normal April 15 deadline still applies. However, it’s easy to miss the March 15 deadline and be subjected to late filing penalties from the IRS. Also, if you have incorporated a business or organized a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Alabama, March 15 is the only deadline to pay the minimum $100 ($110 for S Corporations) Alabama Business Privilege Tax. The tax return can be filed later, but missing the payment date by even a day is going to cost a minimum $50 in penalties. LLCs Do Not Automatically Obtain Tax Preference Taxpayers may often organize LLCs with their state to obtain limited liability, separate business and personal activities, and often to establish a brand for their business. The mere act of organizing the LLC does not create a tax benefit. LLCs are primarily designed to protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit against your business.
Dietrich, from A4 reason people kept giving me their business card. But people here are chatty. And nobody gives business cards. After all, if you need a phone number, you just text your uncle. If you need a septic tank installed, call your grandmother, she’ll
Jackson, from A4 long after that that the parading began. Taking breaks for wars and for rescheduling around Holy Week – interesting reasons dictate the doings down there – the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been held ever since. Though not without some controversy. Back in 1961 the celebration spilled over (no pun intended) when a fleet of locals attempted to turn the Savannah River green. But the dye diluted quickly and though a portion of the river turned “greenish,” the Savannah Morning
Justin Smith Partnerships and S Corporations Businesses that are not sole proprietorships (e.g., multiple owners) are classified as Partnerships. S Corporations are another business structure that provide certain tax benefits to taxpayers. One of the complications of Partnerships and S Corporations is that they require entirely separate tax returns in addition to your personal tax return. Partnerships require taxpayers to file Form 1065, and S Corporation returns must be filed on Form 1120S. Because both of these types of corporate entities stand alone from individual taxpayers, they provide a report (Schedule K-1) that must be reported on the individual taxpayer’s return. While there are advantages to this, the level of complexity (and cost) rises dramatically when you operate a small business using one of these entity structures. Beware of SelfEmployment Taxes One of the advantages to being self-employed is the opportunity to deduct business expenses that employees of companies cannot take. For example, self-
employed business owners can deduct business expenses such as business mileage, technology expenses, cell phone service, Internet service, marketing and advertising expenses and office supplies. However, some expenses such as cell phone services are only deductible to the extent they are directly related to the business. In many cases, small business owners use their personal cell phone for business, so it cannot be fully deducted as a business expense. Many first-time selfemployed taxpayers get a terrible sticker shock when they file their tax return. Self-employment taxes (15.3% of your profits) cover Social Security and Medicare. Company employees only pay half of this tax from their paychecks; their employers pay the other half. On the other hand, one of the nice aspects of being a sole proprietor is the relative ease of tax reporting. You simply prepare Schedule C, which attaches to Form 1040, and your business tax return is handled. Bottom line for business owners - make sure to file your return or extension soon and pay your privilege tax! Justin Smith is a licensed certified public accountant in Opelika, specializing in individual and small business tax and accounting. He can be contacted at 334-4009234 or Justin@JSmithCPA.net. His website is www.jsmithcpa.net.
Opelika on April 2
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Special to the Opelika Observer As a part of The Arts Association of East Alabama’s ongoing concert series, “The Choir of Man” will perform at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts on April 2. From England, The Choir of Man is the “runaway hit of the international music and theater scene from the creative
LCHS, from A3 Lee County Humane Society has a limited number of event sponsorships still available. Tickets and tables for Shrimpin’ for the Shelter are available for
minds of Andrew Kay – Soweto Gospel Choir, Noise Boys, Gobsmacked and the award-winning North by Northwest, and Nic Doodson – The Magnets, Gobsmacked, and Noise Boys.” Each show is nearly 80 minutes in length, containing “unadulterated entertainment that combines high energy dance, live music and foot stomping choreography with
the incredible talent of nine ordinary guys who perform everything from sing-along classics to classic rock.” Tickets range in price from $20 to $130, and can be purchased via www. eastalabamaarts.org. For more information, call 334-7498105. The venue is located within Opelika High School at 1700 Lafayette Parkway.
purchase. Shrimpin’ for the Shelter’s Silent Auction will feature signed sports memorabilia, spa and exercise packages, art, restaurant certificates, festival tickets, and more - there is something for everyone! If you or your busi-
ness would like to contribute to the silent auction, visit www. leecountyhumane.org/ silent-auction or email outreachanddevelop@ leecountyhumane.org. For all event inquiries, email Sidney Hancock at outreachanddevelop@ leecountyhumane.org.
know someone. And if she can’t help, you can always borrow your cousin’s backhoe and install it yourself. After the funeral, my wife and I went to a restaurant with her cousin. The whole place was filled with locals. In eateries like this everybody talks to everybody and you’re lucky if you even have time to eat. People stopped by our table to ask how we were doing. Another
few asked how our dogs were. And I can’t help but wonder if the smalltown spirit is going to become a dying art form. The statistics are a little sad. Across the U.S., more young people are moving away from their native hamlets. They’re raising families in bigger cities that offer better jobs, faster internet service, and multiple Olive Gardens. But here in Brewton,
things are still the same as they’ve always been. You drive past the high school and you can still see young athletes running drills. You pass the beauty salon and there’s still a poster in the window reading: “GO TIGERS!” You pop into the supermarket to buy a bottle of ketchup and it still takes you three hours to leave the store because you see 60 people you know.
And even though you’re an outsider, like me, you’re almost hesitant to leave this wonderful timber-mill town that adopted you nearly 20 years ago. No, it’s not your home, you know this. You will never actually belong here. But every now and then, sometimes late at night when you hear a distant train whistle, it certainly is fun to pretend that you do.
Especially after a wild and crazy prayer meeting. Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, the Tallahassee Democrat, Southern Magazine, Yellowhammer News, the Bitter Southerner, the Mobile Press Register and he has authored seven books.
News reported “the ultimate effect was not as startling as had been hoped for.” Determined to keep the celebration from getting out of hand, which celebrations of this sort tend to do, Savannah’s more stable elements suggested that invited dignitaries might add dignity to the occasion. That plan was quashed in 1974 when then Lt. Gov. Lester Maddox showed up and rode his bicycle in the parade - backwards. However, it was not the parade, but the onlookers who gave the day its reputation for alcohol soaked levity. Each year, attendees seemed to get a little more rowdy as T-
shirts embossed with “Kiss me, I’m Irish” and “I don’t have a drinking problem, I drink, I fall down, no problem” became emblematic of what was going on. Then, in 1983, the word went out - “Erin Go Bare” - and young women with no Tshirt at-all braved the March chill to expose themselves and their goosebumps to the admiring crowd. This was too much for authorities, and the crackdown began. Since then, the forces of order have tried all sorts of ways to keep things under control. Streets in the entertainment districts were blocked off and anyone wanting to buy beer in the 32-ounce “go-
cups” had to pay a fee and get a wristband to prove themselves worthy and of age. The next year the size of the “go-cups” was reduced to 16 ounces, which accomplished little more than making two-handed drinking a social skill. And so it followed that for every new rule, every new precaution, revelers found ways to get around the regulations and the party went on. Then the next day, rowdies leave, the city cleans up, and the other Savannah, the elegant, Episcocratic, seersuckered and frocked Savannah, welcomes spring with garden parties
where no one drinks from a “go-cup.” Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of
History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hjackson@cableone. net.
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Opelika E vents, Society, & Food
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: March 16 - Sean Dietrich book-signing event at Books-A-Million Tiger Town March 20 - Comedy Night with Killer Beaz March 21 and 22 - Opelika Rotary Club’s Bobbie Harris Classic 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
Fitness director Alden Mezick shares tips, recipes for healthy lifestyle Ann Cipperly’s
Southern
Hospitality
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s the fitness director at Opelika Sportsplex, Alden Mezick enjoys helping others getting started on enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle. Along with getting fit, he offers suggestions for making lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits. Alden is sharing healthy recipes that he and his wife Melanie prepare at home. The recipes have the stamp of approval of the Sportsplex dietitian, Heather Coggins. Alden, who was born and raised in Mobile, came to Auburn University since his father’s family is from his area.
His father, Gene Mezick, was born in Opelika. “Coming here to go to school,” Alden says, “was like coming home for me. I have found cousins here I didn’t know I had.” After graduating from Auburn, his first job was as a personal trainer at the Sportsplex before becoming the fitness director. “I love this place and the people I get to work with,” he says. “I have been fortunate to meet a lot of great people here.” Alden decided to go into fitness as a career since he enjoys helping and working with people. “I played sports my entire
life. I started at Auburn to get a doctoral in physical therapy, but I just didn’t enjoy the clinical side as much as I liked the hands on attention of personal training. “It was very much the hands on nature that I have in personal training,” he adds, “and having the freedom I have of creating a program for somebody that isn’t necessarily injury related. It is about lifestyle change, healthy eating habits and developing positive relationships that are more in depth, and I liked that a lot more.” Anyone who is interested in getting started
Auburn Parks and Recreation Department hosting bike-ride event on April 4
Photo by Ann Cipperly Alden Mezick is the fitness director at the Opelika Sportsplex. He is sharing healthy recipes that he and his wife Melanie enjoy cooking with their busy schedules. Alden is also sharing tips for changing diet and getting started on an active, healthy lifestyle. on a healthy lifestyle can become a member at Sportsplex, or they can work with a personal trainer without being a member. “Since Sportsplex is a city organization, we try to cut costs as much as possible for ourcommunity,” he says. “We want to make this very accessible. Cost of personal training is well
below the national average and one of the lower rates anyone can find.” One of the first things Alden achieved as the fitness director was getting a registered dietitian on site to consult with clients for healthy eating. At the end of 2019, Heather Coggins became the dietitian at Sportsplex. She helps clients with planning healthy
Special to the Opelika Observer The first Ride and Seek: A Bicycle Safety Adventure will take place on April 4 at the City of Auburn’s Parks and Recreation Complex located at 425 Perry St. Registration opened on Jan. 13 and will run until the day of the ride, but event T-shirts are only guaranteed to those who register before or on March 20. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with stations on-site covering various bike safety topics such as helmet fitting, bike fitting, lights and reflectors as well as proper hand signaling. Three-mile rides will depart intermittently with opportunities to win prizes along the route. Tickets are $5 with-
out a t-shirt or $10 with a t-shirt. Visit www. auburnalabama.org/rideandseek to register in advance. The event will include live music as well as breakfast and lunch for purchase from Drive-by
Tacos. The door-prize drawing will take place at 11:30 a.m. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Gabby Filgo at gfilgo@auburnalabama. org.
HAPPY HOUR Monday through Friday 3pm to 6pm Select
$2 Domestics $5 Appetizers
See Cipperly, page A11
Backpack International holding ‘5K, 1-Mile Fun Run’ event on April 4
Special to the Opelika Observer
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
meals. Heather had been a dietitian for 15 to 20 years in LaGrange, Ga. She was working at Sportplex as an instructor in the fitness program. Heather received her license for the state of Alabama to become the dietitian at the center. “Now we offer a complete program from
Local nonprofit Backpack International will be holding a “5K and 1-Mile Fun Run” on April 4 at Town Creek Park in Auburn.
Participants may run or walk any of the races and are asked to bring a hygiene product, toy or school supply item for the organization’s annual summer mission trip to Guyana in South America. This is a rain-or-shine event. For more information, donate or volunteer, send email to info@ backpackinternational.org. The park is located at 1150 S. Gay St. Both races will start at 8 a.m. About Backpack International: Backpack International, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to share the love of Christ Jesus with children in need around the world, by ministering to their spiritual, physical, social and academic needs.
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A8 March 11, 2020
Enjoy St. Patrick's Day Opelika Lions Club held pancake activities in downtown breakfast fundraiser last weekend Opelika this weekend By Morgan Bryce Editor Irish Bred Pub and Red Clay Brewing Company will be the go-to destinations for St. Patrick's Day activities in downtown Opelika on March 14. Starting at noon, Irish Bred Pub will
kick off a full day of activities. There will be a "Back-Lot Bazaar" for children, which will include balloonmaking demonstrations from Dr. Majik, local art market, moonwalk and photo booth. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. upstairs,
Celtic Traditions Irish Dance Performance Company will perform. Live music from Dallas Dorsey, Tony Brook and Mac Cone will last from 4 to 11 p.m., followed by a drag show to conclude the day's activities. See St. Patrick’s, page A9
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Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Members of the Opelika Lions Club held their annual “Pancake Jamboree” at Opelika Middle School’s cafeteria last Saturday. This yearly event helps raise vital funding for the organization in their mission to provide aid for people with visual disabilities.
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A9 March 11, 2020
Kim Richey to make Sundilla debut on April 2 Special to the Opelika Observer Ohio singer/songwriter Kim Richey will make her Sundilla debut on April 2. The show is set to begin at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets, which can be purchased via www.sundillamusic. com, are $18, while day-of tickets will be $22. Richey's passion for music was sparked early on in her great
Richey
aunt's record shop where she’d scour the bins and soak it all in. She took up the guitar in high school and while studying environmental education and sociology at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, she played in a band with Bill Lloyd. Years later in Nashville, Richey cooked at the famed Bluebird Café and gigged around town at writers’ nights. At a show one night at 12th & Porter, Mercury Records' Luke Lewis
approached her. In classic Richey fashion, she didn't know who he was. Still, she went to a meeting with him and Keith Stegall, played one song, talked a lot, and got a record deal at the musical home of Billy Ray Cyrus and Shania Twain. In her musical career, Richey has released 10 albums (including a collection of her greatest hits) and garnered a Grammy Award nomination. Richey’s latest release, “The Long Way
Back … The Songs of Glimmer” is a reimagining of her 1999 release “Glimmer” Through it all, she has worn her heart on her lyrical sleeve, revealing herself time and again. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is invited to bring their own favorite food or beverage. For more information, call 334-7417169. The venue is located at 450 E. Thach Ave.
Art Haus hosting juried art show on March 28 Special to the Opelika Observer The Art Haus, an initiative of the Opelika-based Henry J. Stern Family Foundation, is hosting its first juried art show on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A litany of well-known local and regional artists will participate in the show, including Annie Bartol, Katherine Renee Barns, Jeffery Bern, Sean Burnley, Annie B. Campbell, Tammy Chase, Aubrey Joy O’Brien, Sarah Kathryn Hix, Carlos Serran Mayfield and Catie Radney and new studio artists Carole Brandy Carson and
St. Patrick’s, from A8 Families or individuals looking to adopt a "fur"ever friend and support the work of Big Valley Animal Rescue if Chambers
Lauren Alyssa Howard. Butcher Paper BBQ will be serving food for this event. For more information or updates, like and follow Art Haus’s social media pages or visit www. opelikaarthaus.com. The venue is located at 500 N. Railroad Ave. About the Art Haus: The Art Haus is a nonprofit organization located in Opelika that operates by partnering with local and regional artists to build art as a foundation for community. Their vision is to create working studio space, gallery exhibits and educational opportunities for those who love and appreciate the arts.
County can drop in to Red Clay Brewing Company from 1 to 5 p.m. A wide variety of pets will be available for adoptions. There will be photo sessions with the animals for $10 each along with shelter merchandise that can be purchased
to help support the organization. More information is available on both business's Facebook
Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer pages. The restaurant is located at 833 S. Railroad Ave. and the brewery is at 704 N. Railroad Ave.
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pelika Observer O Cipperly, from A7 exercise to how to eat healthy,” Alden says. “We are not just taking care of the fitness aspect; we are taking care of people’s relationships around food. We are a one shop stop for all health and fitness. I am fortunate to have an easy job because we have good people working here.” Alden and his wife, Melanie, a pre-school special ed teacher for Auburn Early Education Center, are both busy and don’t have a great deal of time
Recipes Sheet Pan Fajitas 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground pepper 1 – 1 ½ lbs. chicken tenders 4 cups sliced bell peppers (any color) 1 onion (sliced) ½ lime, squeezed Salsa and guacamole for serving Combine olive oil, chili powder, oregano, garlic, onion, salt and pepper in large bowl. Add chicken tenders, bells peppers and onion. Mix. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Spread chicken mixture onto the pan. Roast in the oven until the chicken is no longer pink and the bell peppers soften, 15-20 minutes. Squeeze ½ lime over the chicken mixture. Serve with salsa and guacamole. Baked Salmon 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp. dried basil 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. ground black pepper 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley (chopped) 2 (6 oz.) salmon fillets In a medium bowl, prepare marinade by mixing garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Place salmon filets in a medium glass baking dish, and cover with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade and seal. Place sealed salmon in the glass dish and bake 35 to 45 minutes until salon easily flakes. Slow Cooker Applesauce 6 lbs. peeled, cored and cut, Gala or Honey crisp apples 2 inch piece of peeled and shredded ginger root 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp. vanilla extract Place all ingredients into slow cooker crock and cook on low 7-8 hours or until the apples break down when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Yield: 8 cups 64 kcal per serving Spicy Vegetable Soup 1 lb. ground beef/turkey or stew beef 26 oz. jar traditional spaghetti sauce 1 can Rotel tomatoes
A11 March 11, 2020
to cook, but they prepare healthy meals. Melanie does most of the cooking, while Alden is the breakfast and grill cook. Melanie adapts recipes to be healthy. One their favorites is the Oven Bake Fajitas recipe that is easy and delicious. “Healthy eating doesn’t mean you have to break the bank or spend two hours making it,” Alden says. “It can be quick, inexpensive and taste incredibly good. “It can be simple by taking some of your regular recipes and tweaking them. Instead of vegetable or canola oil, use olive oil. Make healthy substitutions
and use organic fresh vegetables. Taking your normal recipes and making a couple of moderations can give you a healthy meal.” Alden and Melanie make a point to walk for 15 to 20 minutes a day, and feel it is great for their health and relationship to have time to share their day. “We talk about nutrition health and how much we should be exercising,” adds Alden. “but the relationships in your life can have just as much an impact on your health. Make it a point to foster good relationships. “We have four big pillars in our house. We
take care of our physical health, we take care of our nutrition, we work on good relationships and we sleep. Exercise helps to sleep better, as well as trying not to be on the computer or your phone near bedtime.” While they don’t have children yet, Melanie said she wanted them to get a pet. Alden was thinking maybe a cat or dog, but she wanted a horse. Melanie has had a love for horseback riding most of her life, which is good exercise too. Having a healthy lifestyle can seem like taking on a lot at first, but it is taking steps, such as
a 15 minute walk every day or making a point to go to the Sportsplex to work out one or two days a week. “Just one day a week is 52 workouts a year that is incredible for your strength and balance, for your joints and mobility,” states Alden. “It is taking simple steps toward a healthy and active lifestyle. If people have trouble getting started with that, I am here to help. This is what we do here every day and hold people’s hands through this process to get them started. We want people to develop a good relationship with
exercise. “If anybody wants to talk about getting started on an active lifestyle they can call or stop by Sportsplex,” Alden adds. “We have tremendous resources here and would like for everyone in the community to take advantage.” Sportsplex recently received a readers’ choice award for “the best health and fitness club” in Opelika and Auburn. For further information call Sportsplex at 334705-5560 or Alden at 334-748-3000. Cipperly can be reached by email at recipes@cipperly.com.
1 can beef broth 1 cup water 1 medium onion, diced 12 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables Brown beef/turkey and drain. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Shrimp Creole 1 ½ cups chopped onion 2 green bell peppers, chopped 2 cloves minced garlic ¼ cup olive oil 15 oz. can tomato sauce 1 cup water 2 tsp. parsley 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 bay leaves 1 lb. frozen shrimp, thawed 3 cups cooked rice Cook onion, bell pepper and garlic in olive oil until tender. Stir in tomato sauce, water and herbs and spices. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in shrimp. Bring to a boil. Reduce, cover and simmer over medium 10-20 minutes or until shrimp are pink and tender. Discard bay leaves and serve over a bed of rice. Yield: 6 servings 300 kcals per serving
let cool slightly. Using a blender blend until smooth and creamy. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top to serve. Yield: 6 servings 114 kcals per serving
melted 1 Tbsp. jalapeno diced Preheat oven 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Bake 45-50 minutes. Yield: 4 servings
½ cup chopped bell pepper ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper ½ cup chopped fresh parsley 10 oz. cooked fettuccine Drain clams and reserve 1 cup of juice. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic, carrots and onion, and sauté 3 minutes. Add clam juice, tomatoes, bell pepper, salt and peppers. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in clams and parsley. Serve sauce over a bed of fettucine.
Lentil and Orzo Salad ¼ cup vinaigrette dressing 2 Tbsp. lemon juice ½ tsp. cumin ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper 2 cups cooked lentils 1 cup cooked orzo pasta ½ red bell pepper, chopped ½ red onion, chopped Whisk together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add lentils and remaining ingredients. Toss gently to coat. Cover and chill 2 hours before serving.
Creamy Cauliflower and Roasted Garlic Soup 1 medium bulb of garlic 2 ½ tsp. olive oil 2 medium leeks, washed and sliced 1 lb. coarsely chopped cauliflower 3 cups chicken broth 1 can evaporated skim milk 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. dried thyme ¼ tsp. white pepper 4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut ½ inch slice from top of garlic bulb. Place on a foil lined baking sheet. Drizzle the top with ½ tsp. olive oil and roast 45-55 minutes. Let cool and then squeeze garlic into a small bowl and mash. Set aside. In a large pan, heat 2 tsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks, thyme, salt and white pepper. Cook stirring 6-8 minutes. Stir in mashed roasted garlic. Cook 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth and evaporated milk then bring to a gentle boil over med-hi heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Remove from heat and
Green Goddess Goodness 1 bag spinach plus power greens 1 bunch green onions, sliced 1 large onion, chopped 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 zucchini squash, sliced 8 oz. pre-sliced mushrooms 1 clove minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and mushrooms; sauté 2 minutes. Add zucchini and onions and continue to sauté 10 minutes. Set aside in a plate. Using the oil in the pan add the spinach plus greens and wilt. Add other vegetables back to pan and toss together until warm through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans 16 oz. package dried great northern beans 2 smoked ham hocks 2 cups water 1 medium onion, chopped 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. onion powder 1 cup barbecue sauce ¾ cup brown sugar (Splenda will work) ½ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. cloves 2 tsp. hot sauce Rinse and sort beans; soak overnight. Drain and rinse. In slow cooker, combine beans, ham hocks, water, onion, garlic and onion powders. Cover and cook low 8 hours or until beans are tender. Remove ham hocks, remove bones and cut meat from hock into small cubes. Stir in remaining ingredients with ham and cook through for 30 minutes. Chicken and Rice Casserole 2 cups cooked brown rice 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 ½ cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded 1 ½ cup skim milk ½ cup finely chopped, red onion 2 large eggs, beaten ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 Tbsp. butter,
Energy Bars 1 cup oatmeal ½ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup wheat germ ¼ cup whole wheat flour ½ cup dried apricots 1/3 cup maple syrup ½ cup raw almonds ½ cup raisins ½ cup pitted dates ½ cup non-fat dry milk ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 2 large eggs Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Place all ingredients except syrup and eggs into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add syrup and eggs. Pulse until combined. Transfer to dish and spread evenly. Bake 20 minutes. Taco Soup 1 tsp. olive oil ½ yellow onion or one small yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 lbs. lean ground turkey or lean ground beef 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained 1 (11-15 oz.) can corn, drained 1 (4.5 oz.) can green chilis (optional) 2 (14.5 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes 2 cups low sodium chicken broth 1 packet store bought taco seasoning Topping options: fresh cilantro, corn/quinoa chips, avocado, lime juice, shredded cheese Heat about 1 tsp olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add ground turkey/ beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it is browned. Add remaining soup ingredients and turn heat down to a simmer. Simmer for 10-30 minutes. Adjust thickness with water, if desired. Serve with or without toppings. Pasta with Clam Sauce 2 (6.5 oz.) cans chopped clams 1 Tbsp. olive oil ½ cup minced onion ½ cup minced carrot 6 cloves minced garlic 2 cups chopped tomatoes
Mexican Quinoa 2 ¼ cups water 1 ½ cups quinoa 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained 1 can (15 oz.) corn, drained 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice ½ tsp. chili powder ¼ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. garlic powder ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper Topping options: salsa, fresh cilantro, guacamole, cheese Add quinoa, water, and diced tomatoes to a medium skillet or saucepan. Bring liquid to a boil and reduce heat to simmer on mediumlow for 12-18 minutes or until quinoa is done and liquid is absorbed. Add an additional splash of water while cooking, if needed. Stir in black beans, corn, lime juice, and spices to taste. Serve warm in bowls. Add desired toppings.
Lentil Soup 1 cup dried lentils 6 Tbsp. olive oil ¼ cup prosciutto ham, diced 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 stalks celery, finely chopped 3 carrots, finely chopped 9 cups chicken stock 1/8 tsp. dried sage ¼ tsp. dried thyme 1 cup quinoa, rinsed Salt and pepper to taste Soak lentils 2-3 hours. Rinse and drain well. In a large saucepan, heat olive and sauté ham for ~2-3 minutes. Add onion and cook until tender. Stir in celery and carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the lentils and stir to coat with the fats in the pan. Pour in the stock and the herbs. Bring to a boil. Cook over moderate heat for 1 hour or until the lentils are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in quinoa and cook an additional 15 minutes. Allow soup to rest a few minutes before serving.
Food Ratings Bow & Arrow 1977 E. Samford Ave. Auburn Score: 100
Newk’s Eatery 339 S. College St. Auburn Score: 98
Drive By Tacos 2352 Bent Creek Road Auburn Score: 100
Waffle House 907 Fox Run Parkway Opelika Score: 98
Acre 210 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn Score: 100
The Breezeway 213 S. 8th St. Opelika Score: 97
Burgerfi 339 S. College St. Auburn Score: 99
Niffer’s Place 1151 Opelika Road Auburn Score: 95
Outback Steakhouse 2115 Pepperell Parkway Opelika Score: 99
Cheeburger Cheeburger 160 N. College St. Auburn Score: 94
pelika Observer O
A12 March 11, 2020
Feed the Children, Nature Made joined forces to help 400 Lanett families Special to the Opelika Observer Feed the Children, Nature Made and Happy Valley Baptist Church continued their efforts to feed and assist across Alabama, and made a stop in Lanett last weekend. Families gathered at Happy Valley Baptist Church, located at 1623 49th Ave., from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The families were preidentified based on need by Happy Valley Baptist Church. Each participating family received a two-year supply of Nature Made children’s multivitamins for each child; a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food such as canned vegetables; peanut butter and mac ‘n
cheese; a 15-pound box of essentials including items such as shampoo, body wash and additional personal care items and Disney books. The provided food and essentials will help families in need of basic supplies most people take for granted. During the distribution event, families enjoyed a community partner fair where they can receive additional information about health, nutrition, education and employment resources and support in their area. Through these collaborative efforts, the organizations are looking to provide a holistic health and wellness experience by providing long-term support to some of the country’s most vulnerable
citizens. In the Lanett area alone, more than 22 percent of the population live below the poverty line. Often, these children and families are unsure of where they will find their next meal. “Nature Made is proud to continue its partnership with Feed the Children to provide access to children’s vitamins that help support good nutrition from a young age,” said Alan McNamara, divisional vice president of communications for Nature Made. “Nature Made has deep roots in Alabama and is committed to helping children and families in need in this strong, close-knit community.” “We recognize hunger
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer can’t be fought alone, but by working together, we can provide food and essentials to millions of children and families who live in poverty,” said Tra-
vis Arnold, president and chief executive officer of Feed the Children. “Hope for a better future is made possible thanks to our partners at Nature Made.”
The event is part of a three-year partnership between Nature Made, a leading national vitamin See Children, page A14
OBITUARIES Shirley Cline Flora On March 5, Shirley Cline Flora, 87, faded from this world with a gentle smile on her face. She was surrounded by family and friends. Shirley was a cherished mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and was beloved by her many friends. She began her life’s journey on October 13, 1932; born to Reva Mays and Harry Cline in Martinsville, Virginia. It was there
Paul Philipp McCracken Paul Philipp McCracken was born in Breese, Illinois on April 1, 1933. His life started with “a typo” as the doctor swapped his first and middle names, which seems appropriate for an “April Fool’s baby,” who always enjoyed good fun & friendly laughter. Thus becoming a man with three first names, his family called him Phil, legally he was Paul and his military nickname was Mac. He died peacefully of Alzheimer’s on March 6, 2020 at 86-years-old while at home in Opelika, AL, under the loving care of his wife, Barbara. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day. Phil was the middle
the high school cheerleader and homecoming queen met and married her true love, Curtis “Bud” Flora. These “soul mates” remained together for 58 years. After retiring from Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, Shirley and Bud moved to Opelika in 1991. Shirley immediately immersed herself in community activities. She loved supporting her church’s youth, serving as substitute teacher, attending Opelika Arts Association and Auburn University theatrical productions,
cheering on her Auburn Tigers, volunteering for various civic projects, and avidly competing at Bridge Club. Shirley was perhaps best known as the first Executive Director of Keep Opelika Beautiful. Through her weekly newspaper column, and with her energetic volunteers, she endeavored to create an appreciation of our environment and in the process, helped Opelika grow even more “beautiful”. She was delighted when school children nicknamed her “Mrs. Flowers” and
“The Garbage Lady”. Shirley was very proud of the achievements and progress the community partnerships accomplished during her tenure. Deep appreciation and gratitude are extended to: her church family, for sustaining her through visits, flowers, and prayers; her neighbors and dear friends, who watched over her; Home Instead caregivers, who provided companionship and transportation; the loving and loyal staff at Arbor Springs, who kept her manicures
fresh and spoiled her with unlimited Dr. Peppers and Hershey Kisses; and finally, Compassus Hospice, for their attentive devotion in her final weeks. Shirley is survived by her sister, Linda Holden (Doug), Moss Point, MS; her sisterin-law, Linda Flora Smith, Blacksburg, VA; her son, Michael Flora (Carla), Mt. Airy, MD; her daughter, Cindy Mirarchi (Ralph), Waverly, AL; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her hus-
child in his family’s birth order and was blessed to have two sisters, Norma Jean & Jo Ann (another name swapping victim). His loving parents were Halcey McCracken & Margaret Harrell. Unfortunately, Halcey died early when Phil was only eight-years old. His mother was resilient and dedicated to her children, raising them while working several different manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania, Illinois and California. He enjoyed spending summer vacations with several aunts and uncles at their homes and on a farm where there was always things to do for a young boy. During high school, he was on the cheer team and participated in a work-study program to help his family. After high school,
Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the young age of 19 in Jan 1953 during the Korean Conflict. Mac’s military service spanned 33 years, beginning as an air crew radar operator, becoming an electronic technician supporting F-111 jets during two Vietnam tours. He rose to Chief Master Sergeant in the 31st CRS Tactical Air Command, where he was part of the leadership team managing avionics repair for F-15 fighter jet squadrons. Mac developed a passion of cars, tried his hand at stock car racing and thrilled his mom with a memorable dash in his convertible jaguar. He joined the Masonic Lodge in Oklahoma at age 30, was active in their charity work and became a 33rd
degree Mason in the Las Vegas lodge. Phil (23yrs) met Barbara (18yrs) at the Miami County 4-H Fair in Peru, IN. He was an Elk’s volunteer “Bingo Hawker” that caught Barbara’s attention with his “Hey, hey, hey let’s play bingo!” catch phrase. They soon began dating, married on Feb 14, 1960 only after she turned 21. They were blessed with 4 children (Bill, Jeff, Steve & Cheryl). Paul was an active father, balancing work with family activities: fishing, playing catch, coaching baseball, giving crew cuts, backyard foot races, harvesting Christmas trees, as well as teaching automechanics, carpentry & gardening 101. He always loved his family, supported them and encouraged their dreams. His smile,
laughter and wit will be missed, for now. Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, older sister, multiple aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren, three great- grandchildren and his younger sister. Visitation was held in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. A funeral service was held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Douglas Pitt officiating. Interment followed at Fort Mitchell. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a Masonic Children’s Home or Hospital.
band, Bud Flora; grandson, Bryson Flora; and nephew, Charlie Sweet. Visitation will be at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Thursday, March 19th, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Interment will take place at Roselawn Cemetery, Martinsville, Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Shirley’s name to Keep Opelika Beautiful, Lee County Food Bank, Alabama Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, or other charities.
Edna Mae Traffansted Edna Mae Traffanstedt of Opelika, Alabama was born on May 13, 1939 and passed away in Columbus, Georgia on March 5, 2020. She was 80 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Jimmy Lane Traffanstedt. She is survived by her sons, Tim Traffanstedt and Rodney Traffanstedt; grandchildren, Katie Traffanstedt, Cody (Caitlyn) Traffanstedt, Kelsey Traffanstedt, Lauryn Rushton (Collin), and Saylor Traffanstedt. Visitation was held in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home on March 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. A funeral service was held March 8, at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Joey Wilson officiating. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.
To have your loved one’s obituary published in the Opelika Observer, email us at: editor@opelikaobserver.com or call 334-749-8003
Opelika
A13
Family & Religion
S
March 11, 2020
I Wonder How That Happened?
ubmission is a prominent theme in 1 Peter. He speaks of the younger being submissive to the older (5:5), wives to their husbands (3:1,5), slaves to their masters (2:18) and disciples to civil authorities (2:13). Additionally, there are other places where he uses the word humble to urge submissive conduct (3:8,5:56). The central section where he develops much of this is in 2:13-3:18. The most challenging part of this for us is probably the instructions for slaves to submit to their masters. Slavery in New Testament times was not the slavery of the new world where people were kidnapped, put in chains and sold. Neither was it the servitude of the Mosaic law, which had a rehabilitative function and took people
Church Calendar 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. • March 20 - Areawide singing at the Church of Christ at Cunningham Drive in Opelika. Starts at 7 p.m. The building is located at 2660 Cunningham Drive. • 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. • March 22 - The James Brown Trio will perform at Lakeview Baptist Church on March 22, beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, call 334-8877094. • 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 334745-5715.
who were on the margins of society due to financial problems or criminal offenses of a minor nature and moved them back toward the center. There was no need for bankruptcy courts or prisons in Israel because people in these situations were absorbed into functional households where they worked for up to six years and then were released and set up for success (Deuteronomy 15:12-15). The slavery we come across in the New Testament was somewhere between these two extremes. People most often became salves through birth (if your parents were slaves then so were you). Large numbers became slaves after they were taken prisoner in war. But it also wasn’t uncommon for people to voluntarily enter into slavery for
By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
the security and/or upward mobility it could provide. The number of people who were slaves was staggering—depending on who you read it was anywhere between one-third to twothirds of the population. Texts like these can be treated in such a way that the end result is we spend all our time either putting God on trial or defending Him. While there’s certainly a time and place for questions along these lines, we need to understand that
they miss the point of the text. God knew the conditions these disciples were living under better than we ever will, told them to submit to their masters and to their everlasting credit and His glory—that’s just what they did! We get lost in questioning the command, they got lost in obeying it. Which group sounds like they were living out their freedom (1 Peter 2:16) and proclaiming Jesus (v. 9)? Which group was living out the story of Jesus before the watching world? We tend to have a bias toward “changing the system.” Being an election year, I suppose that’s true now more than ever. So many of us are convinced we are just one candidate away from changing the world (and we know who that candidate is!). Lots of time and energy is spent
advocating, berating and debating. Yet even when our person gets in, it’s not what we hoped for. In this we are no different that the people who wanted to make Jesus a political king (see John 6:14-15). I suppose politics will always be a hot topic, but it’s not the way to change the world. Tolstoy said it best, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, no one thinks of changing himself.” Peter agreed with that, the early disciples lived submitted lives and today Rome is no longer an empire but a tourist destination while the kingdom of Jesus is all over the world. I wonder how that happened? You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.
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Verse of the Week Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11
Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Green Chapel Missionary ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact
Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608
Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Desitny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700
CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of
METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755
709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene
1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832
NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889
Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd 334-745-2247 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. 334-745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy 334-707-3922 Family Life Christian Center 601 S. 7th St. 334-741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. 334-749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770
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pelika Observer O
A14 March 11, 2020
Community Calendar: Events around town
• 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
Opelika Main Street brings knowledge to the table By Ken Ward Special to the Opelika Observer Last week, Opelika Main Street was pleased to launch our first Lunch and Learn event. For those not familiar with the Main Street program it is based on four principles: Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Vitality. Part of our economic vitality mission, this new quarterly
Children, from A12 and supplement brand, and Feed the Children. The organizations are joining forces to fight hunger and make a significant difference in the lives of American families. About Nature Made “Nature Made is the number one vitamin and supplement brand in
training connects downtown businesses with resources that help their establishments thrive. Opelika Main Street is about helping grow and SUSTAIN success in our downtown and this program is a small way in which we can accomplish that goal. Ward is the Executive Director of Opelika Main Street, a non profit aimed at growing and enhancing downtown Opelika. traditional retail scanning outlets. Manufactured by Pharmavite, Nature Made was the first line of dietary supplements to earn the United States Pharmacopeia’s (USP) Verified Dietary Supplement mark – independent verification that products meet stringent quality criteria for purity and potency.” Visit NatureMade.com for the latest news and offerings. About Feed the
Children “At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local
community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in 10 countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships.” For more information, visit feedthechildren.org.
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 • Ongoing - GRIEFSHARE, a 13-week course, is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. The sessions began on March 1 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church but individuals may start attending group meetings at any point during the course. GriefShare uses the Bible, an easy-to- follow workbook, video of trained Christian pastors and counselors and support from fellow members. Contact Melinda Jackson at 334-745-2632. • March 16 - Sean Dietrich will be in Opelika March 16 for a book tour event at Books-A-Million promoting his new book, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: A Memoir of Learning to Believe You’re Gonna Be Okay” • March 17 - The March meeting of NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will be at 7 p.m. on March 17 at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce which is located at 714 East
Glenn Avenue in Auburn. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. • March 17 - The Lee County Low Vision Support Group will have their March meeting on March 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the East Alabama Medical Educational Center across from the hospital on Pepperell Parkway. Local counselor Jenny Filush-Glaze will be the featured speaker. This group meets monthly and gains valuable resources on how the cope physically and emotionally with low vision. • 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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CREEKWOOD POSTPONES QUARRY HEARING Special to the Opelika Observer “The ADEM public hearing for the CreekWood quarry has been postponed. Although the hearing has been postponed, the City of Opelika will continue working in opposition of the quarry and the proposed location. We appreciate the extra time. This will give our experts more time to study the Saugahatchee watershed. Contact CreekWood for more information,” Opelika city officials wrote in a statement. During a brief phone call with Jeff Majors,
managing member of CreekWood Resources LLC, Majors said the reason for the postponement was because of ongoing negotiations. No makeup date has been scheduled as of press time. Word of the proposed project first began to circulate in January after CreekWood applied for air and water permits to construct a granite quarry just north of the Opelika city limits off Lee Road 168. In the weeks since, Opelika and other municipalities across the county have joined together in opposing the quarry.
Following is the public notice the Observer received on March 10 regarding ADEM’s postponement of a public hearing on the Creekwood Quarry project that was supposed to be held March 31. This postponement was requested by Creekwood representatives. “PUBLIC NOTICE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES) PERMIT AND AIR PERMIT AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS LEE COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has postponed the public hearing that was previously scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., at the Opelika Performing Arts Center at Opelika High School located at 1700 Bulldog Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801. The public hearing was scheduled to give the public the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed
issuance of air and water permits to CreekWood Resources, LLC for a proposed granite quarry to be located 0.6 miles from the intersection of Lee County Road 168 and US Highway 431, south of Lee County Road 168, Opelika, AL 36801. The postponement was requested by the applicant. ADEM will reschedule a public hearing by giving at least 30 days’ notice of the location, date, and time, if the applicant seeks to continue the permitting process. The public comment period will remain
open until 5:00 PM April 1, 2020, as previously announced. If the permitting process is resumed, opportunity for public comment past April 1 will be provided. This notice is hereby given on March 10, 2020, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Lance R. LeFleur Director Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.”
IT HAS ARRIVED! PICK UP YOUR COPY IN OUR OFFICE TODAY
Remembering Beauregard and Smiths Station
“Lee County Strong: Remembering Beauregard and Smiths Station” is a special publication by the Observer. This 140-page magazine is our way of honoring those who we lost and letting those who survived know that we have not forgotten them. Proceeds from this magazine will be used to assist with the recovery efforts that are still ongoing. The magazine costs $5.99 plus tax and can be purchased at various locations around town including Bubba’s Medicine Shoppe and at the Observer office. Pick up your copy today and help us support our community. People can also order online and by completing and mailing in the order form on page B3 of the newspaper. Our office is in the back of the Collaboration Station, which is located at 216 S. 8th St. in downtown Opelika.
A16 March 11, 2020
pelika Observer O
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 • March 26 - Opelika City School Board Meeting - 300 Simmons St. • April 14 - Lee County School Board Meeting - 2410 Society Hill Road
New program coming to Lee County School System
On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell
Spring sports trying to get back on schedule
L
ike most sports this time of year, Opelika High School’s softball team postponed or cancelled several games because of rain. The Lady Bulldogs, under first year head coach Randy Belyue, were able to play three games last weekend. OHS lost games to Stanhope Elmore, Brewbaker Tech and Rehobeth in the “Wetumpka Invitational” in Wetumpka. OHS v. Stanhope Stanhope defeated Opelika 9-4 in extra innings. Offensively, Dreamer Denmark led at the plate with three hits, including a single, double and triple. McKay Yountz and Kayla Fourtanbary had singles and one RBI apiece. Leah Barnes and Maddox Wynham stole two bases in the loss. Yountz pitched seven innings, recorded 10 K’s, allowed three walks and one earned run in the circle. OHS v. Rehobeth Opelika lost 5-0 to Rehobeth in three innings, because the 75-minute time limit expired. Rehobeth’s coach called numerous timeouts, slowing down the pace of the game. Nylen Thomas recorded the lone hit and added a stolen base for Opelika. Daysia Jones pitched 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, five earned runs, two strikeouts and walking two
batters. Erin Estes pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing two walks. OHS v. Brewbaker Tech The Lady Bulldogs were shutout by Brewbaker Tech 9-0. Yountz recorded Opelika’s only hit. Pitchers, Sanai Stringer pitched 1 and 1/3 inning, allowing six earned runs. Ava Parker pitched 1 and 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs. Coach Belyue is pleased with the way his team is improving, especially with the lack of games played. BASEBALL The OHS baseball team improved to 8-5 after beating Oak Grove and Northridge at Tuscaloosa County High last Saturday. OHS v. Oak Grove The Bulldogs separated from Oak Grove after erupting for seven runs in the fifth inning on their way to an 11-2 win. Jackson Harris earned the win, pitching 5 and 2/3 innings and allowing two runs and three hits. Hunter Weston pitched one and 2/3 innings in relief. Offensively, Latrelle Gullate and Andrew Parr led with two hits apiece. Brooks Bryan, Brayden Thomas, Julian Duke and Paul Goodman added hits. Goodman and Duke See Sports, page B3
By Sara Wilson Opelika Observer Through the vision of the Lee County School System, a new program is being developed for students in the 1st through 6th grades who struggle in a traditional school setting. Called the “New Perspective Program,” the ultimate goal for the program is to promote a passion for student learning. According to information provided by pro-
gram developer Angela Arnett, the program is for “students who struggle with appropriate social interactions between peers and/or adults, experienced or are experiencing trauma, have anxiety due to the number of people in the school, stay ‘in trouble’ at school or feel like they do not fit in.” Students are chosen through a school’s referral. The referral will be based on data collected throughout the school
year. A committee that will consist of the assistant superintendent of elementary, the director of special education, the school administrator, general education teacher, Lee County Schools social worker and the Central Office special education staff will then make a decision on who will participate in the program. New Perspective varies from a traditional school in that it provides a smaller class setting to
give small group instruction by both a general education and special education teacher. This program will be a place for students to gain the skills they need to transition back into a traditional school setting. “Transition will be based on the needs of the student. Some will need more time than others, and we want to transition the students back when they are ready,” Arnett See Program, page B4
Jean Dean RIF to discontinue services
Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer By Morgan Bryce Editor For the last three decades, Jean Dean RIF has been providing “topquality, age-appropriate” books to at-risk children in every count across the state to prepare them for both school and life. Those efforts will come to an end this fall because of a vote last February by the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation to discontinue the program at the end of its 30th year on Sept. 30. A luncheon was held
at the Alabama Activity Center in Montgomery last Saturday to commemorate and highlight the organization’s accomplishments. The post-lunch portion of the program included several prominent speakers, including the national RIF organization’s President and CEO Alicia Levi and Opelika’s Cathy Gafford, Jean Dean RIF’s executive director. Gafford noted that when the organization was founded in 1991, there were more than 225,000 functionally il-
literate adults in Alabama, costing the state thousands of dollars each year. “Since then, working together, we have served almost three times that many (people), putting books in their homes most for the first time - giving them the gift of caring, making family literacy possible and adding concrete benefits for them and their families based on more than ($500,000) in in-kind donations to Alabama (Head Start) programs each year,” Gafford said at Saturday’s
event. She credited her organization’s success during the last 30 years to its solid core of volunteers and her faith. “Over the years, I have been asked many times, ‘what do you attribute the continued success of the program to?’ My answer is always the same: the continuity of our method (and) the ownership of our program by our caring volunteers,” Gafford said. “Unquestionably overriding all of that is the fact See RIF, page B6
B2 March 11, 2020
pelika Observer O
AMF Lanes hosts ‘Lee County Area Bowling Tournament’ for people with special needs
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer The Lee County Special Olympics Group hosted their annual “Lee County Area Bowling Tournament” on March 3 and 4 at the AMF Auburn Lanes. Athletes from Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties participated, and those who earned first-place ribbons earned eligibility to be selected to attend the Special Olympics Alabama Summer Games in May 2020. For more information, like and follow the Lee County Special Olympics Facebook page or visit www.auburnalabama.org/special-olympics/.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
See the Value in All People #DDawareness2020
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B3 March 11, 2020
Encourage, engage and enter your child into spring wonders
harles Dickens coins these present March days so well! “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” We are experiencing that right now as we welcome “spring bursting out all over!” Lee County offers so many nature opportunities for children to engage in, from beautiful blooming flowers, nature trails, lakes, parks, animals and insects all around! A family spending time outside in nature is such a gift to children! There is such a freedom of learning, interest and enthusiasm as young children begin to observe and explore to fulfill their curiosity. With spring break
taking place for Auburn this week and Opelika next week, nature vacation and lessons are right at your front door! I’d like to share a few activities with you that have been favorites with my early childhood students. Let’s go explore! You and your child will have the excitement of learning together. Children love to point out butterflies flitting about! In our county, we have so many different species to observe. One simple experiment you can set up that is so simple is to place little pots or even a window box with different Spring flowers such as zinnias, pansies, marigolds, etc. By the flowers, place a saucer or shallow bowl with stones and fresh water for the butterflies to light on. I have done this observa-
tion experiment right outside my classroom window for young students to observe the comings and goings of brilliantly colored butterflies. You can do this from a child’s favorite window at home. This can be an intergenerational project by placing flowers in pots or window boxes for residents in a nursing or assisted home facility to observe butterflies flitting about during the day. Another inexpensive project that my early childhood classes have enjoyed doing is ordering a butterfly kit where the children can observe the complete metamorphosis of a butterfly’s life from egg to larva, pupa and finally, butterfly. A butterfly release party is a wonderful learning lesson and memory maker! These kits can be found online for you to choose and order. March is known for its winds! Beautifully colored pinwheels can be found in dollar stores as well as making simple pinwheels with squares of paper, pins, and straws. Simply attaching beautiful colored crepe paper streamers to toilet tissue rolls is another way to make a wind catcher. Going out and holding up a pinwheel when
Sports, from B1
in the last four years. The new classification will be, 1A-4A, 5A-6A and 7A by themselves. Bowling will now have 1A-5A and 6A7A for boys and girls. This will allow smaller schools a better opportunity to compete. Basketball will continue to operate by the same classification system. The AHSAA will realign spring sports after the completion of the 20192020 school year. DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL 13-15 REGISTRATION The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department Baseball registration runs from March 15 through April 13 for 13 to 15-yearolds at the Opelika SportsPlex. Registration is $45 per player for Opelika residents and $50 per player for non-Opelika residents. Individual Registration fee includes a team jersey
and hat. All players will be placed on a team. Pre-made teams consisting of 13 to 15-year-olds may register for $750 per team. All teams will get one to two games per week and one to two practice sessions. The season will run eight weeks during May and June. Registration must be made in person at the Opelika Sportsplex Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Melissa Martin at 334- 705-5560 or send email to Mmartin@ opelika-al.gov or Mitchell at 334-787-1514 or send email to foxonthemark@ yahoo.com. D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
Beth Pinyerd
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collected two RBI’s apiece. Nine players scored runs for the Dawgs. OHS v. Northridge The Bulldogs scored four runs in the last two innings to slip by Northridge 7-6. Six Opelika batters recorded hits, Gullate, Harris, Thomas, Kory Mccoy, Goodman and Weston. Duke scored two runs. Thomas earned the win in relief, throwing three scoreless and hitless innings. Parr started the game, pitching four innings, striking out four with one walk. Opelika is scheduled to play Daphne (5 p.m.) and Saraland (8 p.m.) on Friday night at Bulldog Park. The Bulldogs play Theodore and Faith Academy on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION The AHSAA Central Board of Control approved changes to winter sports for the upcoming 2020-21 and 202122 classification year. Bowling expanded from one to two divisions and wrestling created a balance based on number of schools. Basketball and indoor track did not change. The changes to bowling and wrestling were established because of an increase in schools participating. Wrestling saw the most growth among schools
the wind is blowing as well as your homemade wind catcher provides hours of joyful delight as the wind blows the pinwheel around and around and the wind catcher shows the direction the wind is blowing from. Again, this is can be used as an intergenerational project where the old and young can come together and experience the sensory enrichment of winds blowing on their faces, arms, pinwheels, wind catchers, etc. Wind chimes too make for a musical wind song that we all love to listen to! I love the poem by Christina Rosette, “Who Has Seen The Wind?” From this poem, young children learn that we can see the wind passing by when we look at the leaves and the trees. By simply wetting their pointing finger and sticking it up in the air to feel the wind, they can tell you which direction the wind is blowing from! Watching cloud formations grow and seeing how the wind blows the clouds is another wonderful observation project for young children. Let’s not forget the free-flowing creeks we
water flows. Be sure to pick up these items after your child is done to teach them valuable lessons on recycling and keeping God’s world beautiful.
find near our homes or in parks while maintaining a high level of safety. Placing little toy boats, plastic bottles or even leaves into a creek is a good way for your child to learn about how
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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. Copeis are now available at our office which is located at 216 S. 8th Street in downtown Opelika or you may complete and return this order form by mailing it to: 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Online ordering is also available on the Observerʼs website, www.opelikaobserver.com Proceeds from this publication will be used to help the recovery efforts in Beauregard and Smiths Station.
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Auburn Public Library hosting ‘Big Book Sale’ on March 28 Special to the Opelika Observer Friends of the Auburn Public Library is holding a “Big Book Sale” on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This sale is free and open for the public to attend. Hundreds of gently used books will be available for purchase including bestsellers, classics, fiction, nonfiction and children’s
books. All proceeds benefit the programs and services at the Auburn Public Library. For more information or to volunteer with the Friends of the Auburn Public Library, call 334-332-1874 or contact Marcia Boosinger, the Auburn Public Library’s associate dean. The library is located at 749 E. Thach Ave.
pelika Observer O ‘Women in Ag Workshop’ to be held March 14 and 15 at AU By Katie Nichols Submitted to the Opelika Observer
The women in agriculture hold a proud title throughout Alabama and the country. In fact, of Alabama’s nearly 65,000 farmers, more than 22,000 of them are women. Those proud individuals looking to expand their knowledge on the beef cattle industry should make plans to attend the Alabama
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Cooperative Extension System’s 2020 Women in Ag workshop. The two-day event is March 14 and 15 at the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit. Kelly Palmer, an Alabama Extension animal science regional agent and fellow woman in ag, said along with the rise in the number of women in the industry, the roles of women on the farm are shifting. Many women, along with taking
Program, from B1 said. Located at the campus of the central office in Opelika, the New Perspective program has a brand-new space. It consists of three classrooms, two individual restrooms, an office and
more active roles within farming operations, are sole proprietors. “With this shift, it is pivotal that we provide educational opportunities that fit the specific needs women have in their agricultural fields,” Palmer said. Topics This workshop will cover a variety of topics pertaining to beef cattle. These topics include: - cattle handling - BQA certification
- tractor driving/ implement hookup and maintenance - injections, implants and tagging “Women will learn, through hands-on stations, skills to help them be more comfortable on their farms,” Palmer said. Registration The cost to attend the workshop is $125 and can be paid online at the Alabama Extension store. This workshop has limit of 25 participants, so sign up soon to ensure your spot. Read more information about the Women in Ag workshop on the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu.
storage room. There will be a pilot program beginning at the end of the school year. Based on parent’s suggestions, revisions will be made for the upcoming school year. “Dr. (Mac) McCoy and the Lee County Board of Education have graciously supported the development of the program. We will take
data, observations, and feedback and use it to revise the program as needed,” Arnett said. Arnett said that the program is looking for grants and sponsors. For more information on the program or to provide financial support, contact Arnett by phone at 334705-6000 or by email at arnett.angela@lee.k12. al.us.
Opelika Chamber employee received statewide scholarship this week Special to the Opelika Observer The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, announced that Mackenzie Kayler of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce is one of five individuals across Alabama to receive a State Partnership Scholarship in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The scholarship is awarded to first-year Institute attendees who
were chosen based on qualifications set by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program. Since its commencement in 1921, the institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Each of the scholarship recipients will attend one of the
institute’s four sites in 2020. Graduates will receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. For more information about the scholarship, visit www.uschamberfoundation.org. To learn more about the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, visit www.opelikachamber.com.
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 • CyberZone • Interim HomeCare • Opelika Theatre Company • Three Keys Properties, LLC To have your company’s logo placed on a box email us at editor@opelikaobserver.com
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CORRECTION Last week in an editorial titled “Spotlight on HB103/SB56: How Montgomery views medical privacy” submitted to the Opelika Observer, a quote at the end of the article was incorrectly attributed to State Rep. April Weaver. The quote ““Informed consent is the building block of good medicine and fair democracy. Without it, our officials are just dictators,” should have been attributed to Helen Underwood, Director of Alabama Outreach Collaborative. We apologize for this error and regret inconvenience or turmoil that it may have caused Rep. Weaver or Mrs Underwood.
PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF BARBARA W. SMITH COURT OF PROBATE Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 19th day of February, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Witness my hand, and dated this the 19th day of February, 2020. LAWRENCE WADE SMITH Legal Run 02/26/20, 03/04/20 & 03/11/2020
STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-076 LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF LISA HARRY NATHAN, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR Letters of Administration of the Estate of Lisa Harry Nathan, deceased having been granted to Alexander Adlai Dashner Nathan this 21st day of February, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred. Alexander Adlai Dashner Nathan, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hilyer 334-745-2564 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, AL 36803-0030 Legal Run 02/26/20, 03/04/20 & 03/11/20
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-071 ALABAMA POWER COMPANY, a corporation, Plaintiff, v. DEBORAH TUCKER, an individual; GLORIA PATTERSON, an individual; GRANT WIGGINS, an individual; JERI BROWN, an individual; WENDELL WIGGINS, an individual; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF KATIE MAE TUCKER, if any; ALPHONSO ELLIOTT, an individual; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MARY ECHOLS; SHIRLEY STRICKLAND, an individual; MICHAEL STRICKLAND, an individual; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF GEORGE STRICKLAND; and OLINE PRICE, as Revenue Commissioner, Defendants. LEGAL NOTICE TO DEFENDANTS BY PUBLICATION TO: (1) Defendant Unknown Heirs of Katie Mae Tucker (2) Defendant Unknown Heirs of Mary Echols (3) Defendant Unknown Heirs of George Strickland You are hereby notified that Alabama Power Company, a corporation, has filed its written complaint in this Court seeking to condemn and to acquire the lands, rights, and interests therein described for ways and rights-of-way upon which to erect towers, poles, wire lines, and other appliances necessary and convenient in connection therewith for the manufacture, supply, and sale to the public of electric power on, across, under, over, and adjacent to strips of land according to the final location survey of the said ways and rights-of-way heretofore made by the plaintiff, and also right of ingress and egress, said strips of land and the lands of which the same are a part being situated in Lee County, Alabama, and being described as follows: Parcel 19 A strip of land, varying in width, lying within the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW ¼ of the NW ¼) of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, Lee County, Alabama, such strip being more particularly described as follows: To reach the point of beginning of said strip, commence at the Northwest corner of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, marked by a found 8”x 8”
concrete monument; thence run S43°33’20”E, a distance of 2017.83 feet to a set 5/8” rebar with yellow APCO cap; thence runs S64°26’30”W, a distance of 305.43 feet to a set 5/8”reber with yellow APCo cap; thence runs S66°06’21”W, a distance of 845.29 feet to a set 5/8”rebar with yellow APCo cap; thence runs S67°22’22”W, a distance of 4.82 feet to a point (the Southeast corner of Defendants’ property lies 1.2 feet left (southeast) from such point), such point being the Point of Beginning of a survey line used to describe said strip of right-of-way herein described; therefrom said strip is varying in width and lies 15 feet right (northwest) of said survey line and which lies up to, and coincident with the northwesterly right-of-way edge of Martin Luther King Drive, Alabama State Highway No. 14 to the left (southeast) of said survey line, and the continuations thereof, which begins at such point of beginning and continues running S67°22’22”W, a distance of 110.13 feet to a point (the Southwest corner of Defendants’ property lies 4.6 feet left (southeast) from such point), such point being the point of ending of the strip of right-of-way herein described. All bearings based on Alabama State Plane East Zone Grid North. The Parcel 19 Defendants have, may have, or claim to have an interest in, the above-described land. APC Property ID # 72242529 Parcel 23 A strip of land, varying in width, lying within the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW ¼ of the NW ¼) of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, Lee County, Alabama, such strip being more particularly described as follows: To reach the point of beginning of said strip, commence at the Northwest corner of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, marked by a found 8”x 8” concrete monument; thence run S43°33’20”E, a distance of 2017.83 feet to a set 5/8” rebar with yellow APCO cap; thence runs S64°26’30”W, a distance of 305.43 feet to a set 5/8”reber with yellow APCo cap; thence runs S66°06’21”W, a distance of distance of 588.03 feet to a point (the Southeast corner of Defendants’ property lies 0.4 feet right (northwest) from such point), such point being the Point of Beginning of a survey line used to describe said strip of right-of-way herein described; therefrom said strip is varying in width and lies 15 feet right (northwest) of said survey line (Less and Except any portion of said strip which lies southeast of the northwesterly right-of-way edge of Martin Luther King Drive, Alabama State Highway No. 14), and the continuations thereof, which begins at such point of beginning and continues running S66°06’21”W, a distance of 64.06 feet to a point on the northwesterly edge of said Martin Luther King Drive; therefrom, said strip is varying in width and lies 15 feet right (northwest) of said survey line and which lies up to, and coincident with the northwesterly right-of-way edge of said Martin Luther King Drive to the left (southeast) of said survey line, and the continuations thereof; thence continue S66°06’21”W, a distance of 50.21 feet to a point (the Southwest corner of Defendants’ property lies 0.3 feet left (southeast) from such point), such point being the point of ending of the strip of right-of-way herein described. All bearings based on Alabama State Plane East Zone Grid North. The Parcel 23 Defendants have, may have, or claim to have an interest in, the above-described land. APC Property ID # 72242532 Parcel 25 A strip of land, varying in width, lying within the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW ¼ of the NW ¼) of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, Lee County, Alabama, such strip being more particularly described as follows: To reach the point of beginning of said strip, commence at the Northwest corner of Section 25, Township 19 North, Range 25 East, marked by a found 8”x 8” concrete monument; thence run S43°33’20”E, a distance of 2017.83 feet to a set 5/8” rebar with yellow APCO cap; thence runs S64°26’30”W, a distance of 305.43 feet to a set 5/8” rebar with yellow APCO cap; thence runs S66°06’21”W, a distance of
434.95 feet to a point on the centerline of Jordan Street, such point being the Point of Beginning of a survey line used to describe said strip of right-of-way herein described; therefrom said strip is varying in width and lies 15 feet right (northwest) of said survey line (Less and Except any portion of said strip which lies northeast of the southwesterly right-ofway edge of said Jordan Street or which lies southeast of the northwesterly right-of-way edge of Martin Luther King Drive, Alabama State Highway No. 14), and the continuations thereof, which begins at such point of beginning and continues running S66°06’21”W, a distance of 18.64 feet to a point (the Southeast corner of Defendant’s property lies 1.4 feet right (northwest) from such point); thence continue running S66°06’21”W, a distance of 59 feet, more or less, to a point (the Southwest corner of Defendants’ property lies 1 foot, more or less, right (northwest) from such point), such point being the point of ending of the strip of right-of-way herein described. All bearings based on Alabama State Plane East Zone Grid North. The Parcel 25 Defendants have, may have, or claim to have an interest in, the above-described land. APC Property ID # 72242534 The hearing on said complaint has been set by this Court for the 1st day of April 2020 at 11:00 o’clock A.M. You may respond by answer but you are not required to do so unless you challenge the right to condemn or question or dispute the area to be acquired or to remain. Notice of said complaint and of the day so appointed for the hearing thereof is hereby given you. Witness my hand this 20th day of February 2020 . Bill English Judge of the Lee County Probate Court Legal Run 03/04/2020, 03/11/2020, 03/18/2020 & 03/25/2020
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF CHRISTINE LOCKHART, DECEASED PROBATE COURT 2016-1-248 LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been grated to Theresa L. Milner on the 18th day of September, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Theresa L. Milner Legal Run 03/04/20, 03/11/2020 & 03/18/2020
CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session begins at 2:40 PM. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: 1. A public hearing on a request by James L. McCrory, authorized representative for Dora H. James, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the James Second Revision subdivision, 3 lots accessed from 4200 Sedgefield Lane. 2. A public hearing on a request by David Scott, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Tiger Town Corporate Park Redivision of Lot 2 subdivision, 2 lots at 2901 Interstate Drive. 3. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for 280 Land Company, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Hidden Lake Phase 1 subdivision, 56 lots accessed from Sportsplex Drive & West Point
Parkway. (Tabled at February 25 th Planning Commission meeting.) 4. A public hearing on a request by Barrett-Simpson, Inc (Blake Rice), authorized representative for Stone Martin Builders LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of The Estates Phase 2 Redivision of Lots 51 & 52 subdivision, 2 lots at 1069 Hampstead Lane. 5. A public hearing on a request by James D. Miller, authorized representative for Dunlop Family Development, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Harwell Hills Sixth Addition subdivision, 6 lots accessed from Rustic Street. 6. A public hearing on a request by Race Cannon, authorized representative for Cannon Gate Homeowners Association, Inc., property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Cannon Gate Redivision of Parcel A-3 subdivision, 3 lots accessed from Oak Bowery Road and Blackhawk Drive. 7. A public hearing on a request by David Fichtner, authorized representative for Gwen Cooper Simon, property owner, 6 lots, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Willie Bryant subdivision accessed from 3800 block Hamilton Road. 8. A public hearing on request by Vic Patel/Arthur Nettles, authorized representative of AU Hospitality, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Opelika Marketplace subdivision consisting of 4 lots accessed from Parker Way. 9. A public hearing on a request by Foresite Group, Inc., authorized representative for Century Park Apartments, LLC, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Century Park Townhomes subdivision, 53 lots accessed at 1901 Century Boulevard. 10. A request by Robin Weyant, authorized representative for Jan H. Weyant and Gregory C. Weyant, Co-Trustees, property owners, to ratify the Weyant subdivision, 2 lots, accessed at 2833 Sundance Road. 11. A public hearing on a request by Vic Patel and/or Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for AU Hospitality, property owners, for conditional use approval for an extended stay hotel (99 units) accessed from Parker Way. 12. A public hearing on a request by Okey Chidume, authorized representative for Temple Anderson, property owners, for conditional use approval for an auto sales lot and auto maintenance shop at 303 South Railroad Avenue. 13. An agenda item to consider a recommendation to the City Council on the request by David Fichtner, authorized representative for Gwen Cooper Simon, property owner, an annexation of 12 acres into the City limits located at the 3800 block Hamilton Road, Zoning request R-1 (rural). 14. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by BarrettSimpson, Inc. (Blake Rice), authorized representative for Keith Newell, W. S. Newell & Sons, property owners, for major revisions to the Towne Lake PUD (Planning Unit Development) Master Plan accessed from North Uniroyal Road and Towne Lake Parkway. The revisions concern changing proposed commercial/ office property to single family homes (45 acres) and commercial (14.5 acres). 15. (a) A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Clayton Howard, property owner, to rezone 1.9 acres at 1813 & 1801 Old Columbus Road, from a M-1 zoning district to a R-4 zoning district. (b) An agenda item related to the rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for the 1.9 acres at 1813 & 1801 Old Columbus Road from a manufacturing to medium density residential. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the property and Council approves rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved. 16. (a) A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Jeremy Clark, authorized representative for Chuck Beams, property owner, to rezone 2.87 acres accessed at 1402 Fitzpatrick Avenue from a R-2 zoning district to a C-2 zoning district.
(b) An agenda item related to the rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for the 2.87acres at 1402 Fitzpatrick Avenue from a low density residential to light commercial. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the property and Council approves rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved. 17. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by David Slocum, authorized representative for Rob Dibenedetto, property owner, to rezone 26.6 acres accessed at the Northeast corner of Waverly Parkway and Veterans Parkway from a R-1, R-3, & C-2 zoning district to a PUD (Planning Unit Development) zoning district consisting of townhomes and commercial. (b) An agenda item related to the rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for the 26.6 acres at the Northeast corner of Waverly Parkway and Veterans Parkway from a low density residential to mixed use/planned unit development. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council and Council approves the rezoning, then the Future Land Use map will be approved. 18. (a) A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Brain Lee, authorized representative for Brandon Davis, property owner, to rezone 6.6 acres accessed at 3417 Dale Avenue from a R-5M zoning district to a C-3 zoning district. (b) An agenda item related to the rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for the 6.6 acres at 3417 Dale Avenue from a high density residential to general commercial. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council and Council approves the rezoning, then the Future Land Use map will be approved. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/ public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334705-5132 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability. PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 03/11/2020
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY EDWARD MCCONNELL, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA TO: DANITA CARROLL HARRELLSON & HEATHER NICHOL MCCONNELL NOTICE: On the 20th day of February, 2020, came CYNTHIA P. MCCONNELL, Administrator of the Estate of Gary Edward McConnell, deceased, and filed with the Court that certain Administrator’s Petition for Consent Settlement (the “Petition”). Pursuant to that certain Order Setting Day for Hearing filed in my office and signed by me on February 27, 2020, a hearing on said Petition was set for the 9th day of April, 2020, at 10:00 o’clock a.m. CST, at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see proper. Given under my hand, the 5th day of March, 2020. Bill English JUDGE OF PROBATE N. Riley Murphy, Attorney Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 03/11/20, 03/18/20, 03/25/20
Opelika Utilities is accepting bids for the vehicle specifications listed below on March 31, 2020
V8 FFV Engine 6-Speed Automatic Transmission 3.73 Electronic Axle Pickup Box Delete-Requires 164” Wheelbase (does not include spare tire) Heavy Service Pkg (HD Service Frt Springs, Rear Stabilizer Bar & Rear Auxiliary Springs) Power Group – Power Windows, Door Locks & Mirrors Spare Tire & Wheel (for Box Delete option only) Upfitter Switches ( 6 Toggle Switches ) 200 Amp. Alternator Cab Steps – Black Molded 110V/400W outlet Cruise Control, AM/FM/MP3/ Clock Radio, Bluetooth capable Electric trailer break package Rear view camera package Exterior Color: White Interior: 40/20/40 Vinyl SeatsMedium Earth Gray Please Remit Bids to: Opelika Utilities 4055 Water Street Opelika, Alabama 36801 Attn: Andrew Alsobrook Legal Run 03/11/2020, 03/18/2020 & 03/25/2020
CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, AL FAMILY COURT DIVISION: JUVENILE IN THE MATTER OF: L.LP. A minor child JU-2019-266.02 NOTICE TO: Any unknown father of L.L.P. born 7/25/2019 to Luciana Celeste Parker at EAMC in Opelika, AL. Custody of the minor child L.L.P. was vested with Lee County DHR on 7/26/2019. Any unknown father must answer the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights filed in the Family Court of Lee County, AL by Lee County DHR, within fourteen (14) days from the last date of publication of this notice, or a final judgment may be rendered in Juvenile Case Number JU-2019 -266.02 in the Family Court of Lee County, AL terminating all parental rights to the minor child. Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Lee County Justice Center 2311 Gateway Dr. Opelika, AL 36801 Hon. Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR P.O. Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal 03/11, 03/18, 03/25 & 04/01/2020
NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. 2020-063 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of VIRGINIA WARD, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Robert Michael Ward, Jr., on March 4, 2020 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 03/11/2020
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE TO: John Randall Tigner, Ella Peral Harper Barker, Mary Harper, Patricia Harper, Michael Harper, Donna Harper, Gloria Harper Reid, Belinda Lee Harper, Elvira Harper, Margaret Harris Lord, Cynthia Harris, Robert Edwards, whose wehreabouts are unknown, and any known or unknown heirs of The Estate of Odessa Harper Taylor, Deceased. You will please take notice that on the 27th day of February, 2020, a certain paper in writing, purported to be the Last Will and Testament of Odessa Harper Taylor was filed in my office for Probate by Charles Edward Harper and that the 27th day of May, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m., CDT, was appointed the day and time for the hearing thereof, at which time you can appear and contest the same, if you see propert. Given under my hand, this the 3rd day of March, 2020. BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate Legal Run 03/11/2020, 03/18/2020 & 03/25/2020.
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Springtime activities will be focus Opelika SportsPlex hosted of ‘Second Saturday’ event pickleball tournament last week Special to the Opelika Observer
Photos and report provided by Robert Noles The Opelika-Auburn Pickleball Club hosted the first pickleball tournament last week with three days of play, at the Opelika SportsPlex, drawing 280 players from six states. The Auburn Opelika Pickleball The club was formed six years ago and was playing on the courts at Indian Pines, and they now have more than 300 members. For more information, visit to https://auburnpickleball.com for information.
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Character Word of the Month
Discipline • n. training to act in accordance with rules.
over an open fire. The Trade Center Museum and other museums are open on Second Saturdays, and the Whistle Stop Pickers gather to practice their dulcimers at 1 p.m. What a great opportunity for visitors to explore the museums and enjoy a period meal from the Cook House at noon. If you have ideas for Second Saturday events or would like to participate should contact Crowder. Events like Second Saturdays at Pioneer Park are hosted by the Lee County Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, presentation and education about local history. More information can be found by visiting www. leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/.
Dr. Robert Hastings to present program on Alabama snakes March 21 in Opelika Special to the Opelika Observer
RIF, from B1 that God has obviously smiled on the RIF program.” Following are some of Jean Dean RIF’s statistical accomplishments from the last 30 years: - average of 350 to 400 sites a year served, 500 in some cases - based on overall, it has been the largest RIF initiative in the country for most of its history and - more than 60,000 volunteers have logged in approximately 360,000 hours of book distributions, and a minimum of 9,000 volunteers have spent more than 18,000 hours working in distribution warehouse since the organization’s founding. For more information on the Jean Dean RIF program, visit www.jeandeanrif.org/.
Spring flowers are bursting all over Pioneer Park and the gardens and other historic buildings will be open and free to the public on March 14. Grandma’s garden of pass-along plants is particularly lovely this time of year. Dr. Charles Mitchell will conduct a garden “walk ‘n talk” at 9 a.m. and members of the Auburn-Opelika Men’s Camellia Club will be planting a new camellia garden at Pioneer Park. They will be available to share their knowledge of camellias and how to plant them. Jonquils and daffodils are blooming everywhere. On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers and re-enactors
gather at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka to demonstrate their arts and crafts. Andrea Crowder (amchomemaker@yahoo.com, 706-518-3609) will assist children and adults in creating oldfashion clothespin dolls inside the Trade Center Museum. At 9 a.m., The “Basket Cases,” a group of folks who enjoy making baskets the old-fashioned way, will continue their classes in making pine needle baskets under the leadership of Mike Thurman (emailbigscout@email. com). Blacksmiths are usually working at the forge, spinners and weavers are upstairs in the Trade Center and someone is always cooking up a period meal in the Cook House or outdoors
Many people missed Dr. Bob’s Traveling Snake Show the last time it came to Opelika but now they will have a second chance to see it. On March 21, Dr. Robert W. Hastings will present “The Snakes of Alabama” at the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve & Siddique Nature Park. Showing slides of the snakes of the southeast, and exhibiting live specimens of common species, Hastings describes identification methods and biological characteristics, corrects myths and answers questions. He uses science and a little humor to help people overcome their learned (and unnecessary) fear of all snakes. His primary mission is to convince people that snakes are not bad animals. Come learn the differences between
Pinyerd, from B3 Involving your child in outdoor gardening is such a wonderful learning experience. Include your little ones in helping dig holes to plant seeds or bulbs. This can be done outside in the yard or in pots. Explain to your child that the seeds will take time to grow and that they are to observe their gardens and look for when they see green leaves and flowers pop up! I love to plant rye grass seed in either milk cartons or styrofoam cups with children. Make sure you safely punch holes in the bottom of the cartons or cups so the water can properly drain. Rye
a Water Snake and a Cottonmouth, between a Timber Rattle Snake and a Gray Rat Snake and other tips on identifying our snakes. Having studied reptiles for more than 60 years, Hastings has a special interest in their biology and conservation. This has led him to spend his retirement educating people, especially children, about the role of reptiles in the ecosystem. He is a retired college professor, zoologist, marine scientist and naturalist. With degrees in zoology and marine biology from the University of Florida and Florida State University, he has served as a professor at Rutgers University (12 years) and at Southeastern Louisiana University (16 years), where he was director of Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station on Lake Pontchartrain. Hastings is also the author of “The Lakes
of Pontchartrain: Their History and Environments,” a historical and biological study of Lake Pontchartrain. He moved to Alabama in 2002 to become Director of the Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Hastings has been a Sierra Club member for more than 35 years and has served in many leadership positions, including chair of the Alabama Chapter and chair of the Montgomery Group. He is currently vice-chair of the Montgomery Group. The program starts at 10 a.m., allowing visitors to do some birding along the trails to two viewing blinds. Most of the trails are fairly level with only a short section having a moderate change in elevation. OWDHP and SNP is Site #10 on the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail map. The pavilion and parking area is located at 3601 Waverly Parkway in Opelika.
grass grows quickly and it makes a good little garden for Easter crafts and projects. Setting up seed germination projects with large dry lima beans placed on a lightly wet paper towel in a sandwich bag then taping the bag to a window where the sun can shine on the bag enables a young child to see how plants grow from the seed. You and your child can record what you see each day. Closely observing birds can be done by hanging up an inexpensive bird feeder close to a window where you and your child can see your feathery friends come and go to enjoy the seed, small pieces of bread or crackers that you have placed in the feeder. This is a
good lesson on observing different colors of birds. Pointing out that a nest is their home is something you can carefully observe on a walking field trip around your home, apartment or neighborhood. Our local libraries are outstanding in providing quality, ageappropriate books for young children to look at pictures of spring life. As a teacher, I love to go to the library to check out books for my preschoolers to look at. On those rainy spring days, this is an excellent avenue to engage in nature. I hope these few teacher-tried tips will nurture families with children to enjoy nature and to explore the beautiful place we live!
Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Inside the Statehouse
Doug Cannon discusses last March 3rd Primary Analysis Tuesday’s nomination victory
A
llow me to share some thoughts and analysis on the March 3rd Primary results. The primary is referred to as the “Presidential Preference Primary.” Voters choose which party primary they want to vote in and which presidential candidate they prefer to be their party’s nominee. The turnout was amazingly high, despite rain and inclement weather over the State. 1,168,000 Alabamians voted. 755,000 voted in the Republican Primary and 450,000 voted in the Democratic Primary. That equates to 62%
By Steve Flowers Republican and 38% Democratic voters. It is my assessment that the same percentage is exactly what the outcome of the presidential race will look like in November. President Donald Trump carried Alabama with 63% in 2016 and that is about what the numbers will look like in the fall
General Election. Trump will match his 2016 victory in the state. It is my opinion that Trump’s popularity among Republican voters is what accounted for the large voter turnout last Tuesday. Conservative Alabama voters came out in droves to display their approval and loyalty to the president. This 62% to 38% GOP advantage seems to be the benchmark for a Republican versus Democratic contest in the state. This does not bode well for our liberal anomaly Democratic
See Flowers, page B9
County Engineer addresses roads effected by above average rainfall By Michelle Key Publisher Lee County Engineer Justin Hardee delivered a presentation pertaining to the effects of the recent heavy rains on the county roadways during Monday night’s commission meeting. According to Hardee, the county has received nearly 34 inches of rain since Dec. 1 of last year. That is more than 13 inches over the average rainfall during the same time period. Furthermore, since Dec. 1, there have only been 19 days where the weather permitted blading of dirt roads within the county. Hardee stated that 65 miles out
of the 177 miles of dirt roads maintained by the county have been addressed. Due to how the rains have been spread out every few days, even on nonrainy days, the roads have still been too wet for work to be done on them. The rain is also having a negative effect on the paved roads throughout the county according to Hardee. Hardee stated that they had added an additional person operating a motorgrader to the normal crew in an effort to “catch up” giving the shortness of days that they’ve had to work this winter. They are forming a
joint program with neighboring counties that have different pieces of equipment, so that combined they can put together a group of equipment that can better help all involved deal with these issues. In other business the commission, • voted to ratify and approve claims and procurement card transactions from February • approved a request to reschedule the public hearing for the rightof-way vacation on Lee Road 179 until April 27 • heard comments from Peter Byrd regarding the subdivision See LCC, page B10
By Morgan Bryce Editor Garnering 53.81% of the votes during last Tuesday’s primary elections, Doug Cannon is the Republican nominee for the Lee County Commission’s District 1 seat. Cannon said he found out that this race was officially over when his opponent Butch Brock posted a congratulatory status on his Facebook page at 11:16 p.m. last Tuesday. “I called (Brock), leaving
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer a voicemail thanking him for running a clean race and wished him the best.
He sent a kind text mesSee Cannon, page B10
The City of Opelika’s IT Department implements GIS mapping tool Special to the Opelika Observer The City of Opelika’s Information Technology Department recently implemented its own hosted ESRI GIS portal. This hosted portal gives GIS the tools and ability to publish GIS data online and produce web applications targeted to specific mapping needs. These resources can be a valuable tool for the city and for the public. The goal of information technology is to support end users (city employees and the public) in the best way possible. GIS has been working to produce departmental mapping applications citywide as well as a robust interactive data map for the public. Projects completed
NOW OPEN
include field data collection applications for the Opelika Fire Department (OFD) and Public Works/ ESG, online web applications for OFD fire training, field maps for the ESG Wastewater Division, voting wards, use zones, Adopt-A-Mile Mapping applications for Keep Opelika Beautiful and Ope-
lika Environmental Services trash routes. “We’re excited to introduce this mapping tool on our website. James Bush and Tony Aycock of GIS worked tirelessly with various city departments gathering feedback on what the public requests most often - preparing data layers, creating geoSee Opelika, page B9
Indoor shooting range is open to the public
2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA
pelika Observer O Volunteers help clean the Creekline Trails of Opelika B8
March 11, 2020
Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer On March 7, more than 50 volunteers helped Creekline Trails of Opelika remove over 100 bags of litter and 77 tires from the Pepperell Branch in participation with Keep Opelika Beautiful's Citywide Cleanup. Photographed volunteers include Patrick Rickabaugh, Karley Riffe, Carolyn Hunter, John Sweatman, Gene Hunter, Joel Landers and Darcy Gibbs. Learn more about the Creekline Trails Project on Facebook and Instagram.
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B9 March 11, 2020
Alabama Senate approves groundbreaking 5G infrastructure legislation Special to the Opelika Observer On Thursday, the Alabama Senate approved a bill that will provide the small cell infrastructure necessary for Alabama to have 5G technology available for capable devices. Senate Bill 172 which was sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) passed with a vote of 30-0. More than 25 states including Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas have already passed 5G legislation, with other states looking to make the jump into 5G this year. “I thought it was imperative for the continued growth of our economy to
Flowers, from B7 U.S. Sen. Doug Jones who, over his two-year tenure, has voted to impeach Trump and sports a voting record identical to Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. I will be surprised if Jones gets 40%, which is considered the ceiling for a Democrat in a statewide race in Alabama. Joe Biden had a spectacular day in our state in the Democratic presidential contest, with Biden receiving 63% of the vote. His closest challenger was Bernie Sanders, who got 16%. Alabama was an integral part of the
Opelika, from B7 coders, configuring symbology, creating labels, configuring line weights, creating visible scale ranges, drawing order configuration, pop-up window configura-
remain competitive with our neighboring states and not wait any longer to enact 5G legislation,” Senator Orr said. “The economic impact that comes along with this technology is vital as we to increase our commitment and invest in the infrastructure of our state. This bill will pave the way for Alabama to standardize the permitting process for small cell wireless equipment and services,” Senator Orr added. It is estimated that small cell technology could lead to more than $4 billion in investments and over 7,000 jobs per year in Alabama. Senate Bill 172 was approved after a lengthy
discussion in the Senate body which included amendments to address current agreements between cities and wireless providers. “I would like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their support, it is not often that we see agreement across party lines on issues, but I believe this highlights that fact that this is of the upmost importance to Alabama,” Senator Orr said. “I would also like to give a special thanks to Senator Marsh and Senator Givhan who worked between all interested parties and added amendments to ensure that the bill that was voted on was agreed to by everyone involved so that nobody
was left out of this crucial piece of legislation.” “5G” stands for 5th generation wireless and
is the next generation for high speed wireless cellular networks. Senate Bill 172 now
goes to the House of Representatives for their consideration.
building block for Biden’s numerous victories on Super Tuesday. Along with Alabama, the southern states of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina all fell in line to give Biden a pivotal Southern impetus that has propelled him into becoming the Democratic frontrunner. He is the only semimoderate candidate left standing in the Democratic field. It is now Joe Biden v. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic race. The socialist Sanders will probably arrive at the Democratic Convention with the most delegates, but a brokered convention will probably render Biden as the nominee to face Trump. The race for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held
by Doug Jones was the marquee event in the state races. This seat was held by Sen. Jeff Sessions for 20 years. He is probably very sorry he accepted the Attorney General role. He entered the contest late and it is apparent that Trump’s vitriolic tweets over those three years was devastating to Sessions run to recapture his old seat. He received 31% of the primary vote and will face former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who actually bested Sessions with 32%. Tuberville ran as a non-politician outsider and categorized Sessions and thirdplace finisher Bradley Byrne as “Washington establishment insiders.” Byrne, who garnered 27% of the vote, may have made
the runoff if a Super PAC called the “Club for Growth” had not spent more than $600,000 on negative ads against him. Judge Roy Moore got 7%, and this probably ends the 73-yearold’s political career. However, Byrne’s good showing allows him the opportunity to make another race. Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Greg Shaw defeated challenger State Senator Cam Ward by a 59 to 41 margin, in no small part to having the best designed television ad of the campaign season, which ran the last week of the campaign. State Rep. Matt Fridy outdistanced Phillip Bahakel 66% to 34% in an open race for the Court of Criminal Appeals. The two biggest
winners in the GOP Primary were PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Mary Windom. Cavanaugh got 74% against her opponent, and Windom bested her challenger 70% to 30%. The two open congressional races are headed for a March 31 runoff. In the 1st District, Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl led former State Sen. Bill Hightower narrowly 39% to 37%. In the 2nd District, Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman, re-
ceived 39% to former Coffee County State Representative Barry Moore’s 21%. These two contests will be interesting to watch on March 31. However, the big contest will be the runoff between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville for the U.S. Senate race. 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.
tions, attribute table configurations, layer styling, masking, clipping, reshaping and completing various geoprocessing analysis and sharing properties,” said Chief Technology Officer Stephen Dawe. This map includes basic “basemap layers” and other data-
sets that The City of Opelika GIS team maintains. This map also features high resolution aerial photography and topography that is captured every two years for the Lee County Aerial Cooperative (a collective of Auburn, Opelika, Lee County and Auburn University).
For a full listing of what data and widgets are included in the map, visit www. opelika-al.gov News Section. The map can be found at https:// www.opelika-al. gov/370/Maps. For more information about the GIS mapping tool, call James Bush at 334-7052144.
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On-the-Job Training Program trains workers for YOUR business
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JOBLINK.ALABAMA.GOV Funding provided by the USDOL, ETA, Federal WIOA. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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B10 March 11, 2020
Opelika Kiwanis welcomes guest speakers; Mayor Gary Fuller participated in ‘Read Across America’ events last week Photo special to the Opelika Observer Sam Bailey with the Opelika Parks and Recreation spoke to the club about all that's going on with the many different parks across the city. Pictured left is Bob Huskey, Bailey and Rickey Elliott. Photo special to the Opelika Observer
Photo special to the Opelika Observer A few Opelika Rotarians spent part of their morning reading to students at Southview Primary School. Mayor Gary Fuller, Tipi Miller and Dixie Broadwater were excited to be a part of the School’s Read Across America week.
NAACP meeting scheduled for March 16 Special to the Opelika Observer On Feb. 17, State NAACP Rep. Bobby L. Mays (Elmore County) assisted with the meeting in which the requirement of 50 members for reactivation of the Lee County Branch was reached. Officers are: President - Billy U.
Cannon, from B7 sage in reply,” Cannon said. “I’m grateful for his support moving forward.”
Allen 678-458-9688 Secretary - Irene Dowdell and Treasurer - John A. Harris 334-734-3302. Reactivation meetings fall on the third Mondays of each month. The next meeting will be held on March 16 at 6 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church, which is located at 201 S. 4th St.
Cannon, a lifelong Lee County resident, said he believes his work ethic and visibility on Election Day helped deliver him a winning result. “I think people turned out to vote for me because
Antoine Harvis and Churmell Mitchell with Dad's League spoke to the Opelika Kiwanis Club about what their program offers the community. Pictured right are Mitchell, Harvis and Carlton Hunley.
LCC, from B7 regulation amendments • held the first reading of two vacancies on Lee County Cemetery Preservation Commission • approved two educational reimbursements requested by Sheriff Jay Jones • approved a bid for in-car video systems for vehicles and a bid for the equipment and installation for the sheriff’s department • approved the transfer of funds from the general funds they know how hard of a worker I am. I also think I earned a few votes standing out in the rain for all day in the rain on election day ... (it) didn’t stop me (last Tuesday) and it won’t stop me from working hard for
account into the capital projects fund in order to start the renovation of the EMA Operations Center project • approved agreements for the concession stands and restroom facility design at Beulah and Beauregard Parks • approved a request from Hardee to reduce the speed limit on Lee Road 247 from 45 miles per hour to 25. Near the end of the meeting, EMA Director Rita Smith delivered an agency progress report to the commissioners. Smith stated that one of her first priorities since the people of Lee County if elected in November,” Cannon said. Though no Democrat ran during last Tuesday’s primary, Cannon said he will have a challenger in this fall’s elections. Prepara-
being named director two weeks ago, was to establish a Strategic Planning Committee to develop a three-year strategic plan for the agency. The committee is composed of nine people including Smith. She anticipated that a draft of the plan should be available for the commission to review within approximately 90 days. Smith said that during the last two weeks, she has met with numerous elected officials, fire chiefs, police chiefs and heads of various agencies and departments throughout the county in tions for that race, he added, will remain the same as they were for the primary. “I will continue to meet with folks in our community. I’ll stay with my same strategy leading up to the November election: work
order to get an idea of what these individuals would like to see EMA do. According to Smith, 119 applications for individual storm shelters or safe rooms were submitted. All of the eligible applications have now been reviewed by the state’s emergency management agency and have been forwarded to FEMA. Smith also announced that she would be advertising for two emergency management specialist positions start April 1. The next commission meeting will be held on March 30 at 5 p.m. hard and talk to people,” Cannon said. For more information or updates on Cannon’s campaign, like and follow “Doug Cannon for Lee County Commission” on Facebook.
FOR THE LOVE OF OPELIKA,
TAKE YOUR CENSUS.
Around March 12, you should have received a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau asking you participate in the 2020 Census. Reasons why it’s for you to fill out your census and count every person in your home: • Funding for federal programs - health care, education, housing, infrastructure and more • Fair representation in U.S. House of Representatives • Economic Development initiatives Data is private and not shared with any local, state or federal law enforcement agency.
For more information, a list of questionnaire locations and events, visit @OpelikaCounts on Facebook.
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B11 March 11, 2020
Smiths Station sailor graduates from Submarine Officer Advanced Course Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Lt. Steven Seda, center, from Smiths Station, poses with his family during a Submarine Officer Advanced Course (SOAC) Class 19060 graduation ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London on Feb. 28. The SOAC is 20 weeks of instruction in preparation for increased responsibilities as department heads. The course provides extensive instruction in tactics, sonar, weapons, fire control, navigation and operation. Naval Submarine School builds a foundation upon which officers and enlisted personnel are prepared to develop the competence and proficiency in skills necessary to operate and maintain their submarines. (Photo by Alexander Gago)
Letter to the Editor – Take Time to Complete the U.S. Census To the Editor: Starting March 12, the United States will undertake a census to determine how many people live in this country. It happens every ten years, and the results of the census will touch every facet of our life. Quite simply, programs funded by federal dollars are often allocated by population. From 2010 to 2019, Alabama received $13 billion in federal funds. Every Alabamian counted in the 2010 Census
brought $16,000 back to Alabama in the form of federal programs like: school lunches, Pell grants, SNAP-Ed, educational programs and grants, senior programs, head start, and roads and bridges. In addition, census data is also used to determine how many seats Alabama has in the U.S. House of Representatives. If Alabamians participate at the same level as we did in 2010, the state is at serious risk of los-
ing one – maybe two – representatives. It is critical for people living in Alabama to take the census and be counted! Starting March 12, everyone in the U.S. will be able to complete the census. The census is easy and should only take about 10 minutes to complete. You can take the census online, by phone, or by mailing in the form you receive. The U.S. Census Bureau will mail you an initial invitation to complete the census along
with reminders. After a few reminders, U.S. Census Bureau representatives will go door to door to help people take the census. Remember, you will not be asked to provide your social security number, your citizenship status, or any income information on the census form. The information you provide will help the Census Bureau understand the demographics of your community to help federal, state, and local leaders plan and
allocate resources for the future. The information you provide is secure and is required by law to be kept confidential by the U.S. Census Bureau for 72 years. Your county extension office has a computer available to take the census if you would like to complete it online. Alabama Extension will also be promoting the census at various locations in your community as well. If you have any questions about the census, visit census. gov or call your Coun-
ty Extension Office. Federal funding for state during the next 10 years will be shaped in large part by how many of people are counted in this census. Please take the census and be counted. Your participation is critical to ensuring the brightest future possible for our communities, county and state. Respectfully, Tara Barr Lee County Extension Coordinator 600 S. 7th St. Opelika, AL 36801 334-749-3353
B12 March 11, 2020
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B14 March 11, 2020
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Keep Opelika Beautiful’s citywide cleanup held Saturday
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Elliott & Associates Insurance Agency Opelika - (334)745-0888 elliottinsuranceagents.com
This week’s puzzle answers: