Opelika Observer 12-16-2020 E-edition

Vol. 13, No. 11

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

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Opelika, Alabama

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Medal of Honor recipient Bennie G. Adkins to be laid to rest in Arlington

EAMC Chief of Staff talks COVID at Business Over Breakfast By Will Fairless Associate Editor The Opelika Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Business Over Breakfast meeting last Tuesday morning at Saugahatchee Country Club. The meeting’s presenting sponsor was Glenn Smith Chevrolet Buick-GMC.

Contributed by Troy Turner Medal of Honor recipient Bennie G. Adkins, who died in April from

complications associated with COVID-19, received a hero's sendoff and final salute as his body was escorted Monday morning from Opelika to the Atlanta airport in prepa-

Glowing candles will soon line the streets of Collinwood once again as a part of the annual Collinwood Luminaries event on Friday, Dec. 18. Collinwood neighborhood residents will transform their roadways into a Christmas journey commemorating the path of Christ’s birth. The luminary lighting ushers in the holiday season and illuminates the neighborhood with the glow of over 1,500 candle-filled bags. “The neighborhood has always seen the

luminaries as its gift to the community,” Ruth Tolbert, the 2020 Collinwood luminary coordinator, said. Entering from Collinwood Street at the corner of Tenth Street and Oak Bowery Road, motorists are guided down a oneway lit road to a live nativity scene on Mclure Avenue featuring volunteer shepherds, angels, wise men and live animals – an annual gift from the First United Methodist Church of Opelika. From the safety of their vehicles, organizers said participants can enjoy the scenes and drive through as

See BREAKFAST, page A6

Photo by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

ration for burial services Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery. The public was invited to share in the recognition by pausing in silence

“Gift To The Community” Contributed by Abby Driggers

Chamber President Ali Rauch introduced the meeting’s guest speaker, EAMC Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Roberts. “With COVID still in our midst, we thought it would be helpful to get an update,” Rauch said. “We are, of course, very grateful and blessed to have EAMC here in our

many times as they wish. The event is free to the public and will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors are asked to turn off their vehicles’ headlights as they slowly progress through the Collinwood subdivisions. Tolbert said she hopes this year’s event will be as special as possible. “In our 53rd year of the Christmas tradition, we continue to invite the community to come and enjoy the Luminaries,” Tolbert said. The first Collinwood See GIFT, page A5

outside Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika or along the route, which proceeded to Interstate 85 See MEDAL, page A3

Photo by Will Fairless / Associate Editor

"Smiths Station Holiday Express" planned for Dec. 19 Contributed by the city of Smiths Station Smiths Station City Hall and Parks and Recreation staff will be spreading some Christmas cheer via the “Smiths Station Holiday Express” event on Dec. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves, along with friends from Smiths Station Fire & Rescue, will ride through several city neighborhoods, waving to children and distributing miniature candy

canes. “Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to find a way to bring some Christmas joy to children in our city and thought that doing

something similar to the Panther Prowl we did this summer was a great idea,” said Mayor F. L. “Bubba” Copeland. Follow the city’s Facebook page for more details and information.

Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4

SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.A7 POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B7 RELIGION. . . . . . . . . . . . . A13

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . B11

COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A16

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . B12

To nd out more and to stay up to date with developments sign up for the mailing list at protectbeulahstopthequarry@gmail.com

A2 December 16, 2020

Lee County Association of Realtors makes donation to Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity Contributed by Lee County Association of Realtors The Lee County Association of Realtors (LCAR) donated

$5,000 to the Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity on Nov. 12. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those in the organization felt

they could not safety hold their annual “Habitat Around the Heart” fundraiser; instead this year they are asking sponsors to give directly to support

building Habitat homes. These donations go directly to support the mission of building homes, community and hope in Auburn and Opelika.

Habitat for Humanity has recently completed four homes in Opelika and is now planning and building three more homes in Auburn.

You may contact Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity at www.auburnopelikahabitat.org Follow them on social at facebook. com/leecorealtors.

COVID kits distributed at senior center

Photos by Will Fairless / Associate Editor On Wednesday, Dec. 9, representatives of the Lee-Russell Council of Governments distributed 150 COVID kits at the Boykin Senior Center in Auburn. In addition to what has become typical PPE (masks and a variety of hand sanitizers), the kits included deterrents to pandemic-induced boredom such as crossword puzzles and coloring books.

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Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com

Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editors: Will Fairless and Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writers: Wil Crews, Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell

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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 December 16, 2020

Christmas in a Backpack begins with packing parties

Forming The Eagles Foundation and serving Habitat for Humanity By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver. com

Contributed by Oslyn Rodriguez, Backpack International Christmas in a Backpack will look a little different this year. Due to COVID-19, Backpack International had to suspend its community-wide event. Last year, volunteers from all over Lee County gathered and helped pack 600 backpacks for kids in East Alabama, Guyana and Belize. Although the community can’t gather in a large group this year, there are still safe alternatives to give back to others. This year, Backpack International is hosting private packing parties for groups. This is a wonderful opportunity for a small/youth group, staff, family or any group to participate in a service project. The organization is now booking

MEDAL >>

FROM A1

and onward to Atlanta. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office supervised the escort, working in conjunction with other Alabama and Georgia law enforcement and first-responder agencies that also participated as an honor guard in tribute to Adkins

parties for groups with a maximum of 10 people. Although this is a volunteer opportunity, Backpack International is asking for a minimum donation of $5 per person. The organization will provide homemade baked goods and hot cocoa/tea/cider/coffee. It is also asking people to donate supplies such as bath towels, deodorant, toothpaste and toys or stuffed animals. Last week, Backpack International hosted its first party with a small group from Connect Church in Opelika. In two hours, this group managed to pack 75 backpacks for children in East Alabama, Guyana and beyond. It will be interesting to see how many backpacks the community can pack this season. If you are interested in booking a party, visit www.backpackinternational.org.

and his heroic service. Adkins, who died April 17 at the age of 86, received the Medal of Honor in 2014. The fascinating story of his fight against the enemy and then survival after a horrific battle during the Vietnam War is told in his book, “A Tiger Among Us,” which was co-written by Katie Lamar Jackson, also of Opelika.

BE MORE. GO BUILD. Learn more at GoBuildAl.com

Katie Basden works every day to ensure that members of the special-needs community have the resources they need to attend college and have the opportunities of other Auburn University students. Basden is Auburn through-and-through. She grew up in the city, attended Auburn University and was one of the Auburn cheerleaders. Although she moved to Birmingham after graduation, she and her husband soon after moved back to her home city to raise their own family. She has two children

with special needs, both of whom also had the opportunity to attend Auburn University. “Three years ago when our son had the opportunity be accepted into the EAGLES program at Auburn University our world was changed forever,” Basden said. The EAGLES program is Auburn University’s program for students with special needs, which allows them to earn a college degree and prepare for life beyond education. “‘War Eagle!’ is a greeting shared across the Auburn campus and throughout the Auburn Family. The iconic eagle represents the Auburn spirit and the strength that is within

all of us. It is therefore fitting that Auburn University’s comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual disabilities be known as EAGLES or Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success,” the EAGLES website said. Basden’s son, Bradley, graduated from the two-year EAGLES program and is continuing on with the four-year program. “When we were able to witness the growth and the opportunities that he received through this, we never dreamed he would have the opportunity to go to college, and now he has joined my other two children as

being fourth-generation Auburn graduates,” Basden said. Although the EAGLES program provides the opportunity for students with special needs to attend school, the cost associated with higher education is still more than some families can afford. “Once we saw how our family was affected by that opportunity, I wanted other families to have that same opportunity,” she said. “But the kicker is that in order to provide the support necessary for a program like the EAGLES program, it is very expensive.” So, Basden, along with other community members, created a

See EAGLES, page A3

Left Photos: Karen Turner, who serves as the board president for Habitat For Humanity, attended a ceremony for a home build this past weekend. Right Photo: Katie Basden's three children are all now Auburn alumni, including her son Bradley, a student in the EAGLES Program.

Adkins and a small group of American troops were heavily outnumbered and outgunned in the battle, and Adkins is credited with saving the lives of fellow soldiers by helping to lead survivors to escape, despite his own injuries incurred during the fight. His burial originally was scheduled for earlier

this year but was delayed because of concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Adkins will be laid to rest Wednesday with full military honors at Arlington, where he will join his wife Mary, who passed away Feb. 12, 2019, and was buried there. “He has received many

1 OUT OF 10

ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

Abused, Neglected or Exploited If you suspect this is happening to someone you know, please report it to Adult Protective Services by contacting your local DHR office or calling the

ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214

HELP STOP THE ABUSE

IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT

Thereʼs no excuse for

ELDER ABUSE

“This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.” The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.”

accolades and every one is so well deserved,” Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said of Adkins. “Men of his caliber only come along once in a while. The kind of man that you know can be depended upon in tough times. “Command Sgt. Major Adkins always insisted that the men with whom he served were the real

heroes and not himself. The noblest quality of a true leader — placing others before self. That is who Bennie Adkins was. “I will forever be grateful to have met him. Our nation needs men like him.” Wednesday’s service will be streamed live at the following link: my.anc. media/3n6k0Ao

A4 December 16, 2020

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Waiting for the snow e don’t get much snow down in deep

Dixie. That is why when we get it, we remember it. And take pictures. A while back my cousin Mary died. She was one of those wonderful small-town eccentrics who had grown old inspiring local gossip and embarrassing her “family” – mostly my Mama. Cousin Mary kept two dozen cats in a “kitty motel” behind her ramshackle house, right in the middle of town for all to see. Some were named after Confederate

H

By Hardy Jackson the local Methodist Church — its reward, I think, for leaving her alone to do what she wanted to do. She was also a photographer — and a pretty good one.

After the funeral, I was assigned to go through the contents of her house, and there I found pictures of our little town, taken from the top story of the tallest house, photographs that captured the village early in the 20th century. Wonderful pictures of buildings long gone and streets now paved and prettified. And why did she take these photographs? Because it had snowed. (You wondered when I was going to get back to snow, didn’t you?) The point is, and yes there is a point, snow

is important to folks like us simply because we don’t get much of it. And because it is important, we take pictures of things we normally would ignore. When was the last time you took a picture of your house, or your street? But let it snow and out you go with the camera. Moreover, snow focuses us on a time and place, and fixes in our minds experiences and stories that are passed down (or should be) for generations. The first snow I remember was 1948. We were living in Selma. I

can close my eyes and see my Daddy trying to build a snowman. Mama made snow ice cream. Good memories. Then there was the snow of 1964. I had driven to Meridian, Mississippi, to pick up my brother, who was coming in on the bus from Jackson. I drove Daddy’s pickup because it had mud-grip tires and there was talk of the roads getting bad. As we got on the highway heading home, the snow started coming down in flakes as big as silver dollars. See JACKSON, page A5

“Do you believe in Love?”

ave you seen the movie Love Actually? It is one of my Holiday favorites, and if you haven’t seen it, I highly encourage you to watch it soon. (fyi: it has a few scenes not meant for children ... I’d hate to disturb your entire family or fruit awkward conversations over Christmas...) The movie was produced in 2003 with Hugh Grant cast as the lead role. The beginning of the movie takes place in an airport somewhere in England. The film shows many different people hugging in the airport soon before Christmas. Families and friends smiling and laughing, glad to be together once again. And Hugh Grant speaks up

I

generals; some weren’t. She had more money than a Rockefeller, lived like a bag lady and worshiped Bear Bryant. Once, with my Auburn-fan Daddy’s encouragement, I gave her a bright crimson Alabama sweatshirt for her to wear on her morning dumpster-dives for aluminum cans — might as well embarrass Alabama fans as well as kinfolk. She bagged up the cans and put them on her front porch. Never sold them. Didn’t need to. When she died, she left over $1 million in cash, stock and property to

n Bethlehem last night only 50 people attended the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Thanks to new COVID restrictions, West Bank’s Manger Square looked empty with its small crowd. It was a humbling sight. Christmas in the Biblical city hasn’t been this poorly attended since King Herod was in office. The tree-lighting event was virtual this year. “Virtual” is the most popular buzzword of 2020. Everything is virtual now. It’s only a matter of time before we have virtual dating, virtual weddings and Zoom delivery rooms with virtual OB/GYNs. Don’t get me wrong, virtual things are great, but there’s nothing like “real” stuff. Bethlehem’s scant crowd was mostly journalists, religious leaders and various important people with names I can’t pronounce. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh attended. So did Bethlehem Mayor Anton

as commentator saying this (in his very British voice) ... “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals at Heathrow Airport. General opinion is starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. Seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or news worthy, but it’s always there. Fathers and sons. Mothers and daughters. Husbands and wives. Boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the plains hit the twin towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from people on board were messages of hate or revenge. They were all messages of love. If

you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is, all around...” The movie goes on and on with this theme, weaving in and out of stories about people and families maneuvering and working through their own state of love during Christmas. The entire movie is hilarious and has some incredible truths, shining some good British light and love on all of us. That one big truth is just that, LOVE really is everywhere. We just have to put on our holy goggles to be sure we don’t miss it. We have been through a lot this year dear readers. We have seen great loss, we have felt loneli-

By Bradley Robertson ness, experienced isolation and watched death and hatred splashed on our TV’s and among families. Some of us are still living in hard and sad times, while others are seeing the light creep back in. But I believe, the light never left us. It’s been

there all along. The comfort and affection of the human spirit has been here the whole time, in the presence of Love. Love is like oxygen. It never leaves us. It’s a constant glimmer of hope in a world that knows suffering. Love is everywhere. It’s spilling over actually and pouring out of our laps. If the news was focused on love, they could never fill up every minute of every day with all the love seen around the world. It’s our perspective that gets skewed. Or perhaps it is our attitude. Are we open to life with a wink and a smile? Open to love? Or are we waiting

with arms crossed, on guard for something we can’t even put our finger on? Do you believe in Love? If so, then I promise it is there. It’s present and waiting on us to receive it. It’s like magic, love creates something grand out of nothing except what we believe to be true in our hearts. I believe love is everywhere and so love is what I will see. Sadness, hurt, loss, it too will always be present, but it is the pure image of love that carries us in life. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

O Little Town of Bethlehem Salman, who said: “We resorted to modern technology and to the virtual world to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree, wishing hope and optimism would flutter upon Palestine and the world.” Normally at Christmastime, Bethlehem is overrun with non-virtual people. But those days are gone for now. The devastating thing is, the Christmas season is usually Bethlehem’s money-making season. The December holidays are to Bethlehem what spring break is to Panama City Beach. The profits locals make in the tourist season hold them over for 11 months. I know this because (a) I live 20 minutes from Panama City Beach, and (b) I once knew a man from Bethlehem. The latter happened purely by chance. I was introduced to my Bethlehem friend in one of those serendipitous moments you never see coming. He owned a sandwich

By Sean Dietrich shop near a hardware store. He was a rotund man, with a white walrus mustache, and skin like bronze. I was at the hardware store on a construction job site errand, picking up wax O-rings for toilets — I wasn’t a plumber, I was a tile guy. But somehow we lowly tile trolls got stuck with commode detail that day. When I exited the hardware store I noticed this guy in front of his shop trying to drum up business. He said I was his first and only customer. He also said business was terrible, although he

didn’t look depressed about it. This guy was so jolly he made Santa look clinically depressed. He gave me the tour of his store, which was filled with touristy junk. He’d been desperately trying creative ways to turn a buck. So, in addition to food, he also sold souvenirs from Palestine, like olive-wood carvings, chess sets, spices and (why not?) a full line of knockoff Converse All-Star sneakers. Because I have the curse of gab, I lost track of time and wasted hours with him. One conversational

tidbit led to another. Then things got interesting when he called his wife and daughters from the kitchen and they started serving piles of delicious food without even asking. I was to be this man’s word-of-mouth promotional experiment. He kept bellowing in a cheerful voice: “You try theez a’foods, then you tell other Americans about me, no? You want more lamb, yes?” I ate until I was sickened. The ladies kept bringing ethnic dishes, and I kept consuming until I lacked the muscular strength to chew. Midway through the meal the man began telling me about his childhood in Bethlehem. “Wait,” I said between mouthfuls of what tasted like hush puppies on anabolic steroids. “You’re from the REAL Bethlehem?” I’d never met anyone this cultured before. The most exotic person I’d ever known was a guy named Ray

Ray from Texarkana. Before he could answer, his daughters served something called “baklava.” It changed my life. Thus, while I ate flaky dessert pastry, this man spoke of his homeland with a homesick timbre to his voice. He described his little town in painstaking detail so that it was like being there. When he talked of the Church of the Nativity, which sits above the supposed birthplace of a famous carpenter, it sounded otherworldly. He described Solomon’s pools, and I suddenly longed to see them. The Milk Grotto Church. Manger Square. Saint George’s Monastery. And a 5,000-year-old olive tree, growing in a local village. I could swear the little man had glass tears in his eyes when he spoke of how the town looked each Christmas season. He said the See DIETRICH, page A5

A5 December 16, 2020

Lee County Humane Society partners with Express Feedback for Good Contributed by Lee County Humane Society Lee County Humane Society is proud to announce a campaign with a great partner, Express Feedback for Good. The goal is for the community to come together and generate over $15,000 for Lee County Humane Society without spending a cent. Now through Jan. 14, each time you share a quality brand opinion via Express

EAGLES >>

FROM A3

solution: scholarships for EAGLES-program students. “Most families with special-needs students haven’t saved and planned for those children to go to college because college hasn’t always been an option,” she said. The Eagles Foundation was formed a year and a half ago. This private non-profit raises funds for those scholarships. EAGLES Students were able to receive scholarships for the first time in fall 2020, Basden said. “We plan to continue to be poised to give scholarships every semester from this point forward and just do anything we can to support the program,” she said. The foundation has not only provided scholarships, but funds for

Feedback for Good, $2 goes towards saving the lives of homeless pets in the community. You can personally create up to $150 (75 opinions). Anyone in the United States 18 years old or older can participate to raise money for LCHS. Each brand opinion takes less than two minutes to submit. To get started visit feedback.hundredxinc. com/?key=c813810eb682-4244-88932811d5f739a0&utm_

medium=social or text PAWS to 31996. During these challenging times, LCHS’s shelter’s opportunity for adoption or fundraising events is extremely limited. It is so important for the community to come together and support this easy fundraising platform. All funds raised via Express Feedback for Good will go towards the LCHS annual No More Wasted Lives Campaign. All funds raised help Lee Coun-

other areas of need for the EAGLES Program, such as a technology lab, Basden said. So far, the foundation has raised its funds through three separate events, two of which were golf tournaments. The third was a kick-off party to inform community members about how funds would be used. “Our ultimate goal is to be able to provide scholarships for every student that ever comes into the program, forever,” Basden said. Those interested in supporting The Eagles Foundation can donate on the website (www. theeaglesfoundation. org) or by mailing a check to The EAGLES Foundation, 648 Monticello Court, Auburn, AL 36830. Basden is one of six lamplighter award winners that Auburn Mayor Ron Anders named during the state of the

city address in November. Serving Habitat for Humanity Karen Turner is adding President of the Board of the Auburn/ Opelika Habitat for Humanity to her long list of credentials. Turner has served on the city of Auburn’s Board of Zoning and Adjustments, chair of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as a chairperson for the Auburn Beautification Council. For years, Turner worked as a real estate agent and she said it has stayed in the family. Not only did her mother work in real estate, but so do her daughter and granddaughter. It just makes sense that Turner would combine her heart for service and community involvement with real estate as president of the Board of the Auburn/ Opelika Habitat for

Then, after years in Georgia, I returned to FROM A4 Alabama, and in 1993, a few weeks after my A few miles out of newborn son came town the road disaphome from the hospital, peared — or would the blizzard arrived. have if someone had You remember it. Evnot traveled it shortly eryone who was here rebefore us and left ruts members it. I measured down the middle for me snow 12 inches deep on to follow. By the time the patio and there were we got to Alabama the drifts twice that. Yet, windshield wipers had somehow, while y’all frozen. Stopping for were suffering without gas we learned that the heat, electricity and Tombigbee bridge we water, we had all three. planned to cross was We even had cable. closed, so we detoured And of course, we to an open one. Finally, have pictures and stosix hours later, we got ries. back. Now, every winter, The following day I watch the weather I awoke to a winter report and wait for wonderland and took snow. When the prepictures. diction comes, the kids Next year, there was get excited. Parents get another winter event, out their cameras/cell and for the first time phones. I saw the temperature Usually both are dip below zero. No one disappointed. should ever be that cold. Most of Alabama just Over the years, from gets a “light dusting.” time to time, snow has No pictures, no stoarrived to remind me ries, no memories. why I chose to live That’s what you get down South rather than when there is no snow. some place like MichHarvey H. (“Hardy”) igan. (My Confederate Jackson is Eminent ancestors should have Scholar in History known better than to at Jacksonville State take on an army made University. He can be up of men who could reached at hhjacklive happily in that son43@gmail.com. climate.)

JACKSON >>

DIETRICH >>

FROM A4

tourists swarmed the city each year, eating colorful foods, buying hand carved trinkets, T-shirts, fake designer handbags and of course faux Converse tennis shoes. Meantime, his wife and daughter kept shoving more baklava down my gullet in the forcefully hospitable way that strong women do. In fact, these

ty Humane Society care and find homes for the 3,000 pets it takes in every year. Lee County Humane Society is a 501(c) (3) organization, and all membership fees and donations are tax-deductible. Our mission is to advance humane treatment and responsible ownership of companion animals through community education, animal sheltering and adoption, and alleviation of animal suffering. Our vision is to be the Humanity. “My husband and I moved here, he retired in 1991 from Birmingham, when we moved to Auburn,” Turner said. “And on our way to Auburn, following the moving truck, he said, ‘We’re going to Auburn. We don’t know the first person and it’s up to you to make friends and get us involved in the community.’ And with that, we never stopped.” Turner and her husband first got involved with Tidy Tigers and the Chamber of Commerce. “My heart is a servant’s heart,” she said. “Anywhere that I can go and be of assistance to people and serve and to be with people that love the community.” She first became involved with Habitat for Humanity when her husband joined the board. “It gave me an opportunity to meet people ladies were so hospitable I’m surprised I didn’t leave the place betrothed to someone’s sister. When I finished eating, it was late. So late, in fact, that my boss threatened to fire me when I returned to work. My supervisor was livid when I told him how I’d found this great sandwich shop filled with foreign foods and baklava. He didn’t move a facial muscle during my glimmering retelling

leading advocate for companion animals in our community. We envision a future in which animals are valued, pet overpopulation is eliminated, and every adoptable companion animal has a loving and responsible home. Follow Lee County Humane Society on Facebook (facebook. com/LeeCountyHumaneSociety), Twitter (@leecountyhumane) and Instagram (@leecountyhumanesociety).

GIFT >>

FROM A5

luminary was conducted in 1967 when local garden club members asked residents Aileen Samford and Lucy Salter to start a luminary procession, according to Auburn Opelika Tourism’s website. The Collinwood tour is supported by the Opelika Mayor and City Council, Public Works Department of Opelika, Opelika Power Service, Opelika Police Department and Boy Scout Troop 858. To learn more about the Collinwood Luminaries, please visit the Collinwood Luminaries Facebook page for more information.

and to make a difference,” Turner said. “And I hope that through my service that I have made a difference in people’s lives. Just like with Habitat, it’s not a handout, it’s a hand up to help people.” Although she did not serve her time with Habitat continuously, after her husband’s death she rejoined the board. “I was looking one day at Habitat, and I said, ‘You know, that was something we both enjoyed, that is something that is related to my profession and I can serve helping people,’” Turner said. The organization recently celebrated the dedication of its 69th home in the area. To give to Habitat for Humanity Auburn/Opelika, visit the website (www.auburnopelikahabitat.org) or to apply for a home, visit here: www.auburnopelikahabitat.org/become-a-home-

owner/ “Some people have never owned their own home,” Turner said. “They’ve been in a rental situation even when they were children and so to see a family receive the keys to their own home and see their children excited about having their own bedroom and painting it the color they want. Anybody that that would not warm their heart, just doesn’t have a servant’s heart.” Turner is one of six lamplighter award winners whom Auburn Mayor Ron Anders named during the state of the city address in November. This is the second in a series of four that will highlight the work these lamplighter award winners have done for the city of Auburn.

of my afternoon. But then, he wasn’t exactly known to be a man of taste. I didn’t care what anyone thought, I was in a good mood for the rest of the day. Later, on the jobsite, before we installed two toilets, my boss noticed my feet and laughed in mock amazement. He pointed and said, “What in the [cuss] are you wearing on your feet?” I glanced at my brand new shoes. The

Converse All-Star toeguards were pristine white, straight from the factory. “When did you buy those?” a coworker asked. “Bought them today,” I said. “At a sandwich shop. They’re an early Christmas gift to myself.” Because if there is one thing I know about Bethlehem, it will always be famous for its non-virtual Christmas gifts.

A6 December 16, 2020

Samford Community Christmas Party held last Saturday Contributed by Carolyn Morton The eighth annual Opelika Community Christmas party celebration was held in the Samford Com-

munity last weekend. Organizer Carolyn Morton said it was a blessing and joyful time with the children and everyone. Opelika’s police and fire departments, the

AL-Auburn/Opelika Moms Demand Action and Christian Care Ministries were in attendance. The guest speaker, Minister Cathy Newkirk, offered

words of encouragement on love, joy and peace. Music, fun, snacks and gifts were provided by the Samford Community Outreach Group and Morton.

Lee County’s Ann Whatley reelected to Leadership Committee Contributed by Alabama Farmers Federation Ann Whatley of Lee County was reelected secretary of the Alabama Farmers Federation State

Women’s Leadership Committee during the organization’s 99th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 6. She was also reelected to serve as the group’s at-large representative.

Beulah quarry applies for air permit from ADEM By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

BREAKFAST

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community, and we are honored to have with us today EAMC Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Roberts.” Roberts showed a graph of EAMC hospitalizations from COVID-19 and ventilator usage for patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The graph showed that EAMC’s first hospitalization for COVID-19 was on March 16. Roberts said that the hospital started planning far in advance. “Two months before our first patient, we were meeting about COVID-19,” he said. “We were starting to hear what was going on in China and it was starting to spread to the rest of the world… We started working on our reserves of personal protective equipment, we started working on our clinical plans. When we first saw the [first] patient, we weren’t unprepared.” He then cited a Mike Tyson quote (“Everybody has a plan until you get punched in the mouth”) in explaining that although EAMC was prepared, it was not prepared for the number of hospitalizations it has seen since March, three times peaking at over 50 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. “As we were

planning before it happened, we were saying, ‘What if we get one patient? What if we get two patients? Ok, well what if we have five patients,’” Roberts said. “And it just blew up way faster than you can increase staff or shift services without there being a little bit of chaos. It was extremely challenging for us to manage these patients.” Roberts thanked the community for how it responded to the pandemic. He noted that people were praying on the top deck of the parking garage, donating money to pay for meals in the hospital and most importantly, he said, practicing strategies to limit transmission. “From our perspective, this is a great way to support us, and it has been all along,” he said. He said that the biggest challenges for the hospital were COIVD patients demanding high levels of attention, unproven therapeutics being the best or only options for treatment, a high threat of illness to the staff and resultant staffing shortages. “There are some more therapeutic options coming,” Roberts said. “We have access to a monoclonal antibody now; we have begun those infusions — and this is outpatient. The benefit of the mono-

clonal antibodies is to keep people out of the hospital.” He added that there are a lot of treatments and studies coming out, and that in six months the medical community should know a lot better what works and what doesn’t. Roberts said that EAMC found some things that didn’t work and that the hospital doesn’t use those therapies anymore. On the vaccine, which EAMC has since received some quantity of, Roberts said, “We’re trying to work on the strategy for how to roll the vaccines out initially; they’re going to be for healthcare workers and nursing home residents…. From the information that we have so far, it appears to be safe. But there is always an unknown. I think that this is our way out.” Roberts also gave a brief history of EAMC and some good news from EAMC. EAMC began as Lee County Hospital in 1952, which was constructed in 18 months for $900,000. The original hospital had 81 beds, 71 employees and 13 physicians. In 1959, the hospital’s operational cost was $1,237. After four expansions and a name change, EAMC has 3,500 employees, 183 physicians and costs $1 million a day to

operate. There have been 21 new physicians hired at EAMC in 2020, and the hospital is expanding its stroke care and valve programs. It is also making renovations to its newborn intensive care unit. The Level III NICU is expected to open in the summer of 2021. The new unit would allow the hospital to keep sicker babies at EAMC with their families. The Spencer Cancer Center opened in 2019 and now employs three medical oncologists and two radiation oncologists. Roberts said that Pinnacle Cardiovascular Associates brought much of EAMC’s cardiovascular services together under one roof. There are plans for an “Auburn Medical Pavilion” that will include an emergency department, ambulatory surgery center and radiology services. Construction is scheduled to be complete by March 2021. The small business of the quarter Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (2119 Interstate Dr.). For more information about the Opelika Chamber of Commerce and for updates on the Business Over Breakfast meetings, visit the chamber’s website (www.opelikachamber.com).

Creekwood Resources, LLC, has applied for an air permit from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Agency for a potential quarry in Beulah. The quarry would be located on the northeast side of Lee County on Lee Road 177 and Highway 29 at 5304 U.S. Highway 29 N, according to ADEM’s website. Creekwood also tried to install a quarry in Opelika, but due to the large amount of backlash, the company withdrew its permit in February. Now, citizens fighting the Beulah quarry hope to receive the same amount of support. Tara Brumfield and Danielle Ritch, along with others have created a group called “Protect Beulah, Stop The Quarry.” “[We are] encouraging folks in the community to continue writing letters to ADEM, contacting the Lee County Commissioners and be ready to go before, to speak at the hearing to have their voices heard,” Brumfield said. They have asked for support from Auburn and Opelika City Councils, The Lee County Commission and Alabama representatives. Ritch expressed concern to the Opelika Council in September about the air and water quality degradation that could come from the quarry. Additionally, the community is concerned about the traffic, she said. The permit that was submitted Tuesday is not available to view on ADEM’s website yet. It is shown as filed, but not available to view. Check in to ADEM’s website here: www.adem. alabama.gov/County/County.cnt?county=Lee. “The main route to the Beulah community, the

Beulah schools is Highway 29, that’s how all the emergency service vehicles [travel],” Ritch said at that September meeting. “ … We’ve been told that there may be 60 plus dump trucks pulling out on Highway 29 so that’s a concern for our area.” Brumfield and Ritch held a meeting on Sept. 10 to talk to the citizens of Beulah, give them an update and encourage them to keep fighting. Two Lee County Commissioners, Robert Ham and Richard LaGrand, were in attendance. The commission has already formally opposed the quarry. The best thing that citizens can do to the fight the quarry is to continue writing letters, Brumfield stressed during this meeting. A written petition received 500 signatures while an online petition received over 2,000, Brumfield said. However, commissioners, representatives, etc., do not know that the people care because they aren’t hearing from residents, she said. “We’re not going to be able to stop this, guys, unless we get this community involved,” Brumfield said. A pre-written letter was provided that residents can use, but Commissioners LaGrand and Ham encouraged residents to write their own. For more information, visit the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ protectbeulah) or send an email (protectbeulahstopthequarry@gmail.com). Brumfield said that support has grown since the permit was officially filed. “We have tremendous support from the community,” she said. “We’re just doing everything that we can to fight for the folks here. Right now, the way things look, no one else is.”

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 18 Collinwood Luminaries Dec. 18-19 Kreher Preserve Walk in the Woods Dec. 19 Gingerbread House Building at Auburn/Opelika Marriott Dec. 23 Movie Marathon at Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library

Let children help with tradition of baking Christmas goodies Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

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nce the tree is decorated with glittering ornaments, fill the house with the enticing aromas of baking cookies. Drizzled with chocolate, embellished with nuts or sparkling with red and green sugar, cookies are a Christmas tradition. This year, let your children help bake cookies and other confections. It will create wonderful memories for the children being in the kitchen baking with their mom or grandmother. Let the children decide what kind of cookies they want to bake to give for gifts to family members. As the children are helping to mix the cookie dough, play Christmas music and serve hot chocolate. As the cookies bake, share

the reason we are celebrating Christmas and why we give gifts. Once the cookies are baked, assemble them in tins or plastic bags tied with festive ribbon. This is not only a fun project and a wonderful tradition for children, but it also teaches them the importance of giving at Christmas. Along with giving cookies to family members, leave a tin at the home of a homebound senior. During Christmas, certain cookies have been a tradition at our home. Since I enjoy baking, I would volunteer to bake for our children’s Christmas parties at school. When my youngest son was in first grade, I baked enough 10-inch gingerbread men for the class. I baked several batch-

es of gingerbread dough from scratch. I rolled out the dough and cut the cookies with a 10inch gingerbread man cookie cutter. After they baked, I decorated their faces and gave them buttons. I went to the class party and passed out the tall gingerbread men with cookies other mothers had baked. I thought the children would be excited to have their own gingerbread man and might want to take the cookie home. However, when it came time to clean up, I found most of the gingerbread men with their heads bitten off to throw in the trash. The following year, I baked a much easier peanut butter cookie. Peg Weiss is an ex-

Movies all day long By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

Sing “won’t you guide my sleigh tonight,” pick out a Christmas tree with Charlie and Lionel, see the ghosts of past, present and future (in Muppet form), build a Christmas village with Buddy the elf and finally, prepare your home against intruders,

all in one afternoon. The Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a Christmas movie marathon on Dec. 23. Children, and adults, can watch all their favorites in one day. “Hosting events for educational and entertainment purposes is part of the library’s core mission. This will be our fourth year

hosting a Christmas Movie Marathon,” said Rosanna McGinnis, the library director. The marathon will begin at 10 a.m. with “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer,” which is a 30-minute film. There will be a 30-minute break, and then “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will start at See MOVIES, page A10

Does the election have you concerned? We can help you prepare for any scenario that could occur this November. • Do you have a written market downturn plan? Blake Henry

• Have your investments been run through and passed a stress test? Laurel Callaway

William Cole Operations Manager

Photo by Ann Cipperly Let children help make Vienna Crescent Cookies. They can add the sugar and flour to the mixture and shape the dough into crescents to bake. They can then roll the cookies in confectioners’ sugar. The cookies can be packaged and given to family members or a home bound senior from the children.

pert when it comes to making gingerbread and Christmas sugar cookies. Her gingerbread houses are legendary for being expertly created entirely with edible materials. She created and baked a Victorian gingerbread house for the cover of a December issue of Parents magazine, as well as numerous other confections featured in several articles. Growing up in Iowa, the talented baker learned cake decorating from her mother, who was an artist. When Peg

was around six years old, her mother took a cake decorating class and began decorating cakes and Christmas cookies. Peg was fascinated and picked up the skill quickly. By the time she was in college she was a master at decorating cookies for Christmas gifts. When Peg and her husband, Peter, lived in Arizona, the mother of one of her students brought her a gingerbread house for a Christmas gift. Peg was intrigued. She took the

cake apart and drew a pattern. She experimented with gingerbread recipes to be sure it tasted good and maintained its shape. Later when they lived in Ithaca, New York, Peg and a friend started a business called The Gingerbread House. During the Christmas season, they created hundreds of gingerbread houses and decorated cookies. They were asked to bake a hundred gingerbread houses for a charSee CIPPERLY, page A10

OTC to host Holiday Mini Camp By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

The Opelika Theatre Company is hosting a holiday musical theatre mini-camp on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30. The camp will be held at the Southside Center for the Arts (1103 Glenn St.) and is open to children from kindergarten through 10 years old and ages 11 and up, though the classes

will be held at different times, according to an OTC press release. The camp will teach students how to audition for a part, participate in improv, method act and learn the combinations for dance moves. Students in K through 10 years will attend from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the 29th and 30th. Those 11 and up will attend from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the same

days. The class will cost $60 for one child to attend and $100 for two to attend, the release said. To register a child to attend, call 334-663-4480 or 334-663-2593. According to an OTC press release, the camp will help students prepare to audition for the Disney Descendants: The Musical, auditions See CAMP, page A10

A8 December 16, 2020

Merry Christmas

Opelika Kiwanis Club rings the bell for Salvation Army

Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

A9 December 16, 2020

27th annual Front Porch Tour

Photos contributed by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

A10 December 16, 2020

Auburn middle schooler runner up in Miss United States Pre-Teen By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

Michaela Sanford is in sixth grade and is already making a name for herself. The Drake Middle School student recently placed First Runner Up at the Miss United States Pageant for the preteen division. Sanford has been performing in pageants since she was in the first grade. She traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Miss United States competition in October, and she placed First Runner Up. In order to compete in the Miss United States pageant pre-teen division, Sanford first had to win the Miss Alabama Pre-Teen United States pageant. Since Sanford made it into the top five candidates for the Miss United States pageant, she had to deliver a platform speech. Both of Sanford’s grandmothers were diagnosed with cancer and she based her platform, Supporting All Cancer Survivors (SACS) around their diagnoses. “It’s pretty much how I had to deal with it,” she said. “How I actually have the SACS

bags that I deliver to my local cancer center and how I want to deliver to not just my local cancer center but nation-wide cancer centers.” Although she has been competing for years now, Sanford said she still gets nervous. Before the competition, meeting the other girls helped to center and ready her for the performance, she said. “I was happy, but I was also a little sad,” Sanford said, about the outcome of the Miss United States Competition. “I mean you don’t have to [win] but you get so close … I was really proud of myself, but I knew I did my best.” Next up? Sanford said she’s going to keep competing. “I want to try different systems, but I really did like the Miss United States system,” Sanford said. One day she’d like to compete in the Miss University pageant. Of course, for now, she’s still a middle school student in Auburn. When she got back from Florida, Sanford was able to share the experience with her classmates. “It’s not just about

being in a gown and a dress but you actually get to have the opportunity to speak to five

something that you’re passionate about.” Too, she can potentially win scholarships and

with just doing pageants,” she said. Sanford said she can also use the pageants as

judges that don’t even know you and they’re just wanting to know about you,” she said. “You do get to be in a gown and a dress, not just to look pretty, but you also get to talk about

funds through pageantry. Not only could this be applied to her college fund, she said, but she could use the money for her SACS platform. “I can do a lot of things when I get older

a way to serve her community of Auburn. “The way I serve my community is [through] Ronald McDonald,” she said. The pre-teen works through Ronald Mc-

Donald to serve women and children in the area, she said. Sanford said she enjoys being able to serve as a role model. Sanford has accomplished a lot, but to add onto her pageantry wins, she was also in a recently released documentary, “There She Is.” “It’s about what girls really go through about pageants and what pageants there are,” Sanford said. The pageant star turned movie star said that the documentary addresses misconceptions about pageantry. “It’s more than just what you think it is,” she said. Mallory Hagan, former Miss America and Opelika High School student, helped Sanford land the gig. Hagan knew the documentary was looking for younger pageant girls and recommended Sanford. The documentary crew filmed her entire pageantry experience in Florida, Sanford said, because they were impressed she was competing on a national level. “There She Is” is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.

for 750. The huge cake featured reproductions of landmark buildings from the 1850s. Peter passed away last year. Peg sold the Indi-

an Pines Country Day School, a private kindergarten and preschool, and has retired. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. Peg taught her grandson Russell how to bake gingerbread houses and her Grandma’s Rolled Sugar Cookies to carry on the Christmas tradition. Since her granddaughter is too young to decorate cookies with the icing, Peg mixes food coloring with milk, and her granddaughter “paints” the unbaked cookies with the milk mixture using small brushes. This year, start your own Christmas traditions with your family’s favorite cookies. Following is a variety of yummy cookie recipes, including Peg’s famous sugar cookie recipe and a few candies to try. No doubt many of these delicious Christmas goodies will become a tradition at your home.

CIPPERLY >>

FROM A7

ity in New York. While attending the event, they learned Parents magazine was looking for someone to bake a gingerbread house for the cover of the December issue. They were chosen. The president of Parents magazine was so impressed with the creation that he asked them to make an identical one for the editor of the publication’s German counterpart. Peg and her business partner designed Christmas display windows for gourmet shops in New York and Philadelphia. The windows were filled with gingerbread houses and decorated cookies. Both shops sold thousands of their Christmas cookies. For the business, Peg’s grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe was used with cream of tar-

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FROM A7

for which will be held in January. The auditions will be held on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16. That Friday, auditions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. OTC is seeking cast members of all ages and is in need of male characters in particular, the

tar that “rolls out like velvet.” It is the same recipe her mother used for making Christmas cookies. “Not only is the dough easy to work

release said. To audition, cast members will need to prepare a song selection of 60 seconds or less and will be expected to learn a dance combination at the audition. Auditions require a time slot, the release said, which can be reserved online at opelikatheatrecompany.com or by calling 334-6634480 or 334-663-2593.

with,” says Peg, “the cookies taste good.” With the kind of frosting she uses, Peg lets the cookies sit overnight to dry, then stacks them.

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FROM A7

11 a.m. This feature will last 47 minutes. Soon after, at 12 p.m., “A Muppet Christmas Carol” will play and will last 1 hour and 29 minutes. “Elf” will play at 2 p.m. and will last 1 hour and 37 minutes. Finally, the library will show “Home Alone”

The Weisses moved to Auburn in the 1980s. For the City of Auburn’s sesquicentennial celebration, Peg was asked to bake a cake

at 4 p.m., which movie will last 1 hour and 43 minutes. “We believe it is still important to provide a space for people who may not have family in the area,” McGinnis said. “At Cooper Library, we love books, but we love people more. Helping people stay connected even while we keep our distance is very important to us.

Thanks to COVID-19, the library will limit seating for the event. Social distancing guidelines will be observed, and guests will be required to wear masks. “Typically, because many people are already traveling for Christmas or have established plans, the movie marathon has lower attendance,” McGinnis said. “This

year, lower attendance will be a benefit as we adhere to strict social distancing guidelines… To follow these guidelines, space is extremely limited.” The library is located at 200 South 6th St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reach the library or for more information, call (334705-5380) or email (library@opelika-al.gov).

A11 December 16, 2020

RECIPES VIENNESE CRESCENTS These are a popular cookie at our home every year. Children can help shape the dough into crescents. 1½ cups ground nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds) 1 cup butter, softened 1 tsp. vanilla ¾ cup sugar 2½ cups all-purpose flour Confectioners’ sugar for rolling cookies Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter; beat in vanilla and ground nuts; mixing well. Add sugar and beat again. On low speed, gradually add flour, beating until thoroughly mixed. Shape a rounded teaspoon of dough into small crescents. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, curing ends to form a crescent shape. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 to 18 minutes or only until the tips are lightly brown. Carefully roll cookies while still warm into confectioners’ sugar. BUTTERNUTS When my children were growing up, we made these cookies every Christmas. ¾ cup (1 and ½ sticks) butter, room temperature ½ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar ¼ tsp. salt 1 ¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour 6 oz. pkg. (1 cup) butterscotch flavored chips 1 cup chopped pecans Extra confectioners’ sugar for rolling cookies Cream butter and ½ cup confectioners’ sugar; blend in salt and flour until smooth. Stir in butterscotch chips and pecans. Shape dough, a scant teaspoon at a time, into a balls. Place dough balls 1-inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes (depends on size of cookie balls) until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheets to wire racks. When cool, roll in confectioners’ sugar.

MOM’S CHOCOLATE COVERED COCONUT BALLS A Christmas favorite every year! 1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk 1 box confectioners’ sugar 14 oz. pkg. coconut 2 cups chopped pecans Box of semi-sweet chocolate squares or 12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ Tbsp. shortening Put milk, sugar, coconut and pecans in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and chill at least 3 hours. Roll in balls, using about 1 teaspoon of mixture for each. Place on cookie sheets, cover and chill 8 hours or longer. Line a pan with waxed or parchment paper. Melt chocolate and shortening in top of a double boiler. Remove from heat. Using two forks, drop coconut balls into chocolate and completely cover. Place on wax paper. Chill in refrigerator until chocolate is set. Can be frozen. Makes 5 to 6 dozen.

GRANDMA’S ROLLED SUGAR COOKIES Peg Weiss Peg has had her expert gingerbread houses featured on the cover of a national magazine as well as her decorated cookies in other publications. She has made thousands of these cookies for special events, including for clients in New York. 1 cup butter, softened 1½ cups sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. soda 12 tsp. salt Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture. Chill dough at least 2 hours. Roll out on wellfloured surface to 1/8 to ¼ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 8 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges. Cool thoroughly before decorating with Decorator’s Icing. Allow cookies to dry overnight before stacking. Decorator’s Icing 1/3 cup Crisco 1/3 cup milk ½ tsp. vanilla ¼ tsp. almond extract Pinch of salt 1 lb. powdered sugar Combine all ingredients and beat on medium speed for two minutes. Add more sugar if needed to make icing desired consistency for decorating tubes. Add paste or gel food coloring to icing to create desired colors. FOR SMALL CHILDREN- Mix food color with milk, let

children “paint” the unbaked cookies with small brushes.

OATMEAL BRICKLE COOKIES Payton Tatum 1 cup shortening 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. milk 1½ tsp. vanilla 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 4 cups quick oats 1⅓ cups (8 oz.) Bit ‘O Brickle or English Toffee Bits *May add 1 cup chocolate chips for a yummy variation. Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, blend shortening with sugars, adding sugar gradually. Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, salt and baking soda; beat well. Stir in oats and brickle. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Place cookies on a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes about 42 cookies. CHOCOLATY CHOCOLATE CHIP PEPPERMINT KISS COOKIES Holly Muncie 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup cocoa (I use ¼ dark, ½ regular) 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 2/3 cup sugar 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 2 eggs ½ bag mini chocolate chips 1 cup sugar 1 bag candy cane kisses, unwrapped and frozen Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, sugar and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy for 5 to 10 minutes. Beat in eggs and extracts. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Use small cookie scoop to scoop dough, roll into balls, then roll in sugar. Put on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set, but still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Press kisses in after 2 minutes and carefully move to wire racks to cool completely.

RASPBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH ALMOND GLAZE Susan Housel Recipe is from my niece Leigh McIntosh. 2/3 cup sugar 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 tsp. almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (or seedless jam of your choice) Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract 2 to 3 tsp. water Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix sugar, butter and extract. Beat until creamy. Reduce speed and add flour, beating until well mixed. Shape into one-inch balls. Place on parchment paper on cookie sheet. Use thumb to make indentation in center of each, then fill indentations with jam. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until the edges are light brown. Let cool briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Mix glaze. Drizzle over cooled cookies. BUTTER-PECAN SHORTBREAD AND MAPLE WALNUT SHORTBREAD Mindy McCain Smith 1¼ cups flour 3 Tbsp. sugar ½ cup butter In a medium bowl combine first two ingredients. Using a pastry blender cut butter into dry mixture until the texture becomes crumbly and starts to cling. Form the dough into a ball and knead until smooth.

On an ungreased cookie sheet pat dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut the circle into 8 wedges. Bake in preheated 325 degree for 25 to 30 minutes (until the center is set and the bottom begins to brown). Re-cut wedges while shortbread is warm. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer wire rack to complete cooling. Butter-Pecan Shortbread Prepare as above, except substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar. After cutting in butter, stir in 2 Tbsp. finely chopped pecans. Sprinkle with ½ tsp. vanilla extract before kneading. Maple-Walnut Shortbread Prepare recipe as above, except add 2 Tbsp. finely chopped walnuts instead of pecans and replace vanilla with maple flavoring.

LEE CANNON’S PEANUT BUTTER DIPPED COCOA BON BONS 2 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 Tbsp. milk 4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/3 cup cocoa 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup finely chopped nuts 2 cups (12 oz.) peanut butter flavored chips 2 Tbsp. shortening Beat cream cheese and milk until fluffy. Blend in sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Stir in nuts. Chill until firm to handle easily. Shape into ½-inch balls. Place on waxed paper. Chill 3 to 4 hours. In double boiler, stir peanut butter chips and shortening until melted. Dip balls in the peanut

butter mixture. Place on waxed paper. Chill. Store in cool place. Makes 3 ½ dozen.

WHITE CHOCOLATE COVERED OREO BALLS Susan Housel Recipe is from my niece Kelly McIntosh Powell. One package Oreos 8 oz. container whipped cream cheese One pkg. white chocolate bark Use food processor to make Oreo crumbs. Use mixer to combine Oreo crumbs and whipped cream cheese. Mix until ingredients form a large fudge ball. Chill in freezer. Roll chilled dough into one-inch balls. Chill again to make the next step easier. Dip balls into melted white chocolate. Place on cookie sheet, then let set in refrigerator or briefly in freezer. Store in refrigerator until serving. GINGER CRINKLE COOKIES Cathy Dozier This is a children’s helper recipe. ¾ cup cooking oil 1 cup sugar 1 egg 4 Tbsp. molasses 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 tsp. soda ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger ¼ cup sugar for dipping Mix oil and sugar thoroughly; add egg and beat well. Stir in molasses. Sift dry ingredients and add to the mixture. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter into sugar and form into small ball coated with sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 3 inches apart. Bake at 350 for about 13 to 15 minutes See RECIPES, page A12

A12 December 16, 2020

Girl STEPS Inc. Program host etiquette events Contributed to the Opelika Observer The Girl STEPS Inc. program studied etiquette during November and December. “It’s important that our girls know how to conduct themselves in various settings,” said program organizer Tiffany Gibson-Pitts. “I am so pleased that Leif [Espelund] and Dani [Nel-

RECIPES

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FROM A11

or until cooked. The cookies will flatten and crinkle. Remove to wire racks to cool.

IDA MAE ARMISTEAD’S BROWNIES Terri LeCroy When I was working at the hospital in my early 20s, Mrs. Ida Mae would bring these every Thursday morning. They are the best brownies I have ever tasted. 1 cup butter 2/3 cup cocoa 2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour 3 eggs, beaten

son] opened up their venue to Girl STEPS, Inc. to hold this event.” The event was held at the Heritage House in downtown Opelika. It was an added bonus that the date coincided with the carriage rides through the Victorian Front Porch Tour. VFPT Coordinator Rosanna McGinnis set up carriage rides for

2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups pecans, chopped (optional) Icing: 1/2 cup butter 2 cups sugar 5 oz. evaporated milk 1 cup frozen chocolate chips Combine butter and cocoa in a saucepan. Cook over low heat; stir until butter melts. Remove from heat. Mix in sugar, flour and eggs. Add vanilla and pecans; mix well. Spoon into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. To make icing, combine butter, sugar and evaporated

the girls. In addition to the afternoon tea party, the program also conducted a dinner etiquette training session for middle and high school girls at the AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center on Saturday. More information about Girls STEPS, Inc. can be found on their website, www.gstepsinc.org.

milk in a saucepan; boil for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread over hot brownies. Chill for 2 hours before slicing.

ALMOND CREAM CHEESE COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE 1 cup butter or margarine, room temperature 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese,. Room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 2 Tbsp. grated orange rind 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. salt 1 ¼ cups blanched

almonds, finely chopped, divided Extra sugar for dipping Chocolate Glaze, recipe follows Cream butter with cream cheese. Beat in sugar, vanilla and orange rind until light and fluffy. Mix in flour, salt and 1 cup almonds. Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten cookies with bottom of a glass dipped into graduated sugar. Bake at 325 degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to wire racks. When cool, spoon about ½

tsp. Chocolate Glaze onto the center of each cook, spreading with the back of the spoon. Sprinkle remaining almonds on top. Chocolate Glaze 4 oz. squares semi-sweet chocolate ¼ cup butter Place butter and chocolate in saucepan on low heat and stir until melted or carefully melt in microwave.

REFRIGERATOR BROWN SUGAR COOKIES Joanne Woodall Mix together: 1 cup soft shorten-

ing (Crisco) ½ cup white sugar ½ cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ tsp. vanilla Mix in mixer for five minutes. Sift together: 2 ¾ cup plain flour ½ tsp. soda 1 tsp. salt 2/3 tsp. cinnamon ½ cup chopped pecans, optional Add all ingredients together; mix well. Mold stiff batter into a long roll. Chill 2 to 3 hours. Slice and bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown. To freeze: Roll dough into rolls. Wrap in wax paper and freeze. Will keep 6 months. Slice and bake when needed.

A13 December 9, 2020

T

Taking off our Sandals im Friede has been bitten by poisonous

snakes over 200 times in 17 years. It hasn’t killed him because his body has somehow developed an immunity to snake venom. He demonstrated this recently while being interviewed when he allowed a Black Mamba to bite him several times. Normally, a Mamba’s bite can be fatal in as little as fifteen minutes, but Mr.

though, if the same

your vulnerability—

make sure we recog-

kind of thing could

you couldn’t fight, run

nize we are standing

happen to people who

or do much of anything

on holy ground and act

are followers of Jesus?

without them. Taking

accordingly.

Is it possible we could

off our shoes before

develop an immunity

God is an act of sur-

to Him? After all, we read about Him, talk about Him, hear about Him, sing about Him and invoke His name in our prayers over and over and over . . . could it ever become something where we’re just going through the motions and it has no deeper meaning? The answer is an ab-

Friede was unaffected.

solute “yes”—we can

Kids—do not try this at

develop an immunity

home!

to Jesus. But the good

It made me wonder

Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. • St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org. • Union Grove Baptist Church In-person gathering with social distancing. Masks are available. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m. Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch • First Baptist Church Opelika The following are held in-per­son and online on Sundays. 8:30 a.m. Tra­ditional Worship and Message at The Worship Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour 11 a.m. Contemporary Service at The 3:16 Center 6 p.m. Evening Worship and Message at The Worship Center 6:30 p.m. Church on Chadwick at Chadwick Lane in Auburn To watch services online, go to fb­copelika.­com/­media

news is that it doesn’t

By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

render. By doing so we

have to happen.

and we certainly aren’t

We can make a conscious effort to stay sensitive to the Lord. And how do we do that? We do what you’re supposed to do when you’re standing on holy ground—we take off our sandals! In ancient times, taking off your shoes exposed

acknowledge we’re not going anywhere, we aren’t doing anything, in charge. Taking off the sandals of pride, distraction and dullness will keep our faith fresh and keep us from becoming immune to Jesus. So whenever Jesus is involved,

When the Lord saw he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.

Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706

And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:4-5) You can find more of

whether it’s singing or

Bruce’s writings at his

praying or opening up

website: atasteofgrace-

the word of God, let’s

withbrucegreen.com.

"Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm." — Proverbs 12:7

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143

Church Directory

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at

First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD

Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist

Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-7418675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421

Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-7495386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-7411006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

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Catch ‘On the Mark’ with D. Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m.

603 Pleasant Pleasant Drive 603 Drive Opelika, Opelika, ALAL 36801 749-1333 749-1333 Mon-Sat - 8pm Mon- Sat7am 7am-8pm Sun12pm 12pm-6pm Sun - 6pm

Email: editor@opelika observer.com Call: 334-749-8003

A14 December 16, 2020

Cemetery restrictions temporarily lifted Contributed by the City of Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller has conferred with Public Works Director Mike Hilyer and has issued an order to “suspend” the rules at city

of Opelika cemeteries from Dec. 8 through Jan. 3, 2021, governing the placement of floral arrangements, wreaths and trinkets on graves, allowing loved ones to place extra holiday wreaths, flower

arrangements (in a separate container) and trinkets on the graves. The city rules require that there can only be one flower arrangement per grave lot, unless the monument provides its own flower receptacle.

Flower receptacles of any kind (glass, wood, plastic, tin, cement) are prohibited and no flowerpots are (normally) allowed to remain on the lawn area beside gravesites. The only exception to this rule is

the flowers placed on gravesites from funerals that have occurred within the past week. Also, two trinkets or whatnots per lot are permitted if placed on the base of the monument. The rules will go

back into effect – and be enforced once again – on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Any wreaths or separate floral arrangements or extra trinkets left out at that time will be removed from the gravesites on Jan. 4.

was very proud of her service in the Marine Corps, and always enjoyed telling others about her time in the service.

was infectious and lit up any room. His passion for Auburn football, and his cars/ motorcycles always gave him so much joy and fulfillment. Mr. Culligan is preceded in death by his father Patrick Culligan of Ashland; sister, Deborah Baker of Ashland; brother, Shane Holder of Beauregard. Mr. Culligan is survived by his wife Tammy Ragsdale Culligan; children: Marcy Chote of West Minster, S.C, Janice Bryant (Mike) of Opelika, Shannon Culligan of Auburn, Richard Culligan (Destiny) of West Virginia, Jennifer Walker (David) of West Virginia, and Trevor Culligan of Auburn; along with 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; mother Jo Ann Holder (Jimmy) of Opelika; sister Elaine Triplett (Terry) of Linville, Alabama; uncle David Jones of Owosso, Michigan; along with numerous nieces and nephews; brother-inlaw, Darren Ragsdale (Lorrie); sister-in-law, Sharie Holder; also lifelong friend Tim Brown (Stacy). In lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital P.O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 38001-9929 StJude.org Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.

OBITUARIES Billie “Bill” Tensely Heath

Billie “Bill” Tensely Heath was born in Opelika, March 29, 1929. He passed away at Bill Nichols Veterans Retirement Center on Dec. 4, 2020. Mr. Heath was a Veteran who served in the Korean War, and was stationed in Adak, Alaska. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Opelika. Mr. Heath was an avid hunter, fisherman, and Auburn fan. Mr. Heath is preceded in death by his brother Charlie; sisters: Rubilee, and Sarah; granddaughter, Tenley Heath. Mr. Heath is survived by his wife of 60 years Phoebe Weekly Heath; sons: Jim, Wil, and Robert Heath (Elaine); grandchildren: Kryston, Amelia, Wyatt, and Ford Heath; twin sister, Bettie Campbell, along with several nieces, and nephews, and a special thanks to Joe Higgins. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m on.Dec. 8, 2020 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Visitation was held one hour before the service from 1 until 2 p.m.,.and burial followed the service in Rosemere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital P.O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 380019929 St.Jude.org

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

Jack Heath McConnell Jack Heath McConnell was born to the late John Richard McConnell and Mary Heath McConnell on Feb. 7, 1937 in Lee County, Alabama. He was surrounded by his family on Dec . 10, 2020 as he passed peacefully from this earth to his eternal home in Heaven. Jack graduated from Beauregard High School in 1956. He later completed training for a machinist at Columbus Area Vocational School in Columbus, Georgia. He worked for a number of years at Ampex Corporation before going to work at Uniroyal where he retired in 1992. Jack was a former board member of the Lee County Cattlemens Association and a former board member of the ALFA Farmers Federation of Lee County. He served on the Lee County Board of Education from 1976 to 1982. Jack was a Mason for 56 years and had served as Treasurer and Worshipful Master of Lee Lodge Number 454. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Montgomery. Jack grew up of modest means and lived his life with a deeply rooted work

ethic. He lived most of his life in the Beauregard Community where he fulfilled his dream of becoming a cattle farmer. He owned and operated McConnell Excavation Co. until his health declined. He was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church that he grew up in. Jack loved The Lord, his family, his church, and his church family. Jack served as Chairman of the Church Trustees for many years and was responsible for many improvements to the church facility. Jack worked to help establish the Hopewell Cemetery Association and served on its founding board. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Richard Warren McConnell, John Frank McConnell, Artie McConnell Boosey, and Sarah McConnell Prescott. Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Carolyn Barker McConnell; sons, Jason (Kim) McConnell of Columbus, Georgia, Rob Rudd of Valley, Alabama, Norman Rudd of Valley, Alabama; daughters, Judi McConnell (Nigel Dadswell) of Toulouse France, Jennifer Sanavitis (Mike), of Hendersonville, TN., Angie Rudd Verner (Dave) of Opelika, AL.; grandchildren, C.J. McConnell, Jackson McConnell, Brody McConnell, Max Famin,

Graham Sanavitis, Ella Sanavitis, Blane Rudd (Alex), Collin Rudd, Kyle Smith (Maggie), Carla Smith Essini (Mohamed) and Kacee Smith; great grandchildren, Collier Bell, Conlee Rudd, Ripley Smith and Ivan Smith along with several nieces and nephews. He was especially fond of former daughter-inlaw, Stacy Rudd and friend and neighbor, Todd Rivers. A special thank you to Donna Hill, Compassus Hospice Nurses, and aides who helped with his care. Visitation was held at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Dec. 12, 2020 and a graveside service was held at Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery on Dec. 13, 2020 at 2 p.m. with Reverend Drue Tubbs officiating. Donations may be made to: Hopewell Cemetery Association (P.O. Box 4157 Opelika, AL. 36803-4157)

Norma O. Coxwell Norma O. Coxwell of Opelika was born to the late Wilber Edward and Ada Ruth Orem in Maryland on May 23, 1940 and passed away on Dec. 8, 2020. She was 80 years old. She was a proud member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama. She

She is survived by her husband, Willie Coxwell; daughters, sons, grandchildren, and sister. Visitation was held on Dec. 11, at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home. The funeral service was held in the chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Dec. 11, 2020. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Kenneth Dale Culligan

Kenneth Dale Culligan, 65 of Notasulga, passed away at his home on Dec. 12, 2020. Mr. Culligan was born Aug. 22, 1966 in Ashland, Alabama. A memorial service was held at noon on Dec. 15, 2020 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Reverend Mark Messer and Reverend Shannon Culligan will be officiating. Mr. Culligan was a very well-known part of this community. He put every ounce of drive, and passion into his career and his family. His career was decorated with a multitude of awards and accolades within his 20 years employed at King Honda. Mr. Culligan had a smile that

A15 December 16, 2020

Families enjoy Christmas in a Railroad Town

Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

A16 December 16, 2020

COMICS

“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

S

S

Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

The Gus Bus is out of gas Auburn win not enough to save Malzahn

By Wil Crews Sportscrews@opelikaobserver. com

On the Mark By D. Mark Mitchell

OHS Wrestling has big week

T

he Opelika High Wrestling team hosted Pike Road and Russell County in the Mainstreet Gym inside OHS last week before traveling to Auburn for the Suede Umbach Invitational. The Bulldogs beat Pike Road 42-30 in the first match. The Opelika grapplers started the night with Zayne Lackey earning a 6-0 win in the 220-lb. weight class. Heavyweight Jaylin Thomas won his match 6-0, and Derrick Hoyett pinned his opponent in the 106-lb. weight class. Freshman Pedro Cabrera lost a close match in the 113-lb. class, while Brayden Wilson (126lb. class) won his match 6-3. Trace Gaither (132 lbs.) and Adam Phillips (138 lbs.) both pinned their opponents. Sophomore Keon Brazier won 9-4, increasing the lead to 33-24. Jack Pritchard, at 195 lbs., finished his match to seal the win for OHS. In the second match of the night, Opelika beat the Warriors 41-30. The following grapplers won matches to secure the victory. Derrick Hoyett (106 lbs.), Brayden Wilson (120 lbs.), Trace Gaither (132 lbs.), Jacob Williams (138 lbs.), Calvin Fenn (195 lbs.)

and Keon Brazier, who won by forfeit. The Bulldogs participated in the Suede Umbach Invitational at AHS Friday and Saturday. Opelika’s grapplers finished 5-1 as a team in the highly competitive meet. The Dogs beat Spanish Fort 39-36, Wetumpka 61-12, Spain Park 66-15, Smiths Station 65-12 and Benjamin Russell 42-39. The following are individual winners in each match. Against Spanish Fort: Derick Hoyett (106 lbs.), Pedro Cabrera (113 lbs.), Brayden Wilson (120 lbs.), Keon Frazier (160 lbs.), T’harra Brunson (182 lbs.), Jack Pritchard (195 lbs.) and Jaylin Thomas (220 lbs.). Against Wetumpka: Trace Gaither (132 lbs.) and Teotl Heredia (182 lbs.) Against Spain Park: Pedro Cabrera, Brayden Wilson, Granger Scarborough (126 lbs.) and Robert Adam Phillips (138 lbs.). Against Smiths Station: Pedro Cabrea and Brayden Wilson. Against Benjamin Russell: Robert Adam Phillips, T’harra Brunson, Landon Willis (182 See SPORTS , page B6

One day after Auburn beat Mississippi State 24-10, Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn was fired, ending his eight-year tenure on the Plains with a 6835 record. The win moved Auburn to 6-4 and concluded what has been a rather tumultuous season for the Tigers. The decision to relieve Malzahn concluded what has been an unceremonious decline for the head coach and the program over the past few seasons. Malzahn’s seat had long been hot and the move to part ways with him comes with mixed emotions — but little surprise

Gus Malzahn celebrates with his team for the last time after a 24-10 win over Mississippi State. Photo courtesy of Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

— for anyone who knows the standards of Auburn’s program. Malzahn will be paid a $21 million buyout as part of the seven-year, $49 million contract he signed two seasons ago. "After evaluating the state of the Auburn football program, we've decided that it was time to make a change in leadership,"

said Auburn Athletic Director Allen Greene in a statement. "We appreciate everything that Gus did for the program over the last eight seasons. We will begin a search immediately for a coach that can help the Auburn program consistently compete at the highest level." Saturday’s game was likely not the final factor

in firing Malzahn. But the lackluster performance looked to be the culmination of the flat tire, transmission block and blown gasket that have, officially, run the Gus Bus off the road. Yes, Auburn won the game, but the process by which it did so was painstakingly rigid and uninspired. We’ve seen Malzahn win an end-of-season game in big fashion before, but this game drained the remaining hope out of fans and boosters alike. However, if we talk strictly about the football on Saturday, there were some positives. The typically run-susceptible Tigers defense had the perfect matchup, facing a Bulldog team that averaged just 23.8 rushing yards per game coming into the contest. See AUBURN, page B3

Winless no more

Trinity beats The Campus for first win By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

Brandon Riddle had 31 points and made six three pointers to help the Trinity Eagles Varsity Boys basketball team win its first game of the season 60-41 over The Campus, a private school from Columbus, Georgia. Head Coach Paul Stith said it’s “easy to coach when somebody is that hot.” Trinity led The Campus 27-23 coming out of the half. The third quarter is when

Stith said his team began to pull away. “We stopped turning the ball over,” he said. The offense began to click and Trinity outscored The Campus 17-6 in the period. While the offense was in a groove, the Eagles stifled their opponents with versatile defense. “Switching defenses seemed to frustrate their game plan a bit,” Stith said. Trinity took a 15-point into the fourth but didn’t slow the tempo. The Eagles outscored The

Campus by four in the final quarter and sealed their first win of the season. Trinity was led by Riddle, who was “hitting everything in warmups,” Stith said. The Eagles actually drew up a play for him on the first possession, but that was unsuccessful. Still, “guys kept finding him and feeding him,” Stith said, and Riddle kept making shots. Lewis Reeves was dominant in the paint and finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points

on 7-for-9 shooting. Daniel Adams, Connor Hammett and Brady Streetman round out the Eagles’ scoring with 7, 6 and 2 points, respectively. And although he didn’t score, Jackson Washburn had a team-high five rebounds. According to Trinity’s online schedule, the Eagles will have a long time to relish in their first win. Trinity next plays in the new year, at Conecuh Springs at 6 p.m. on January 5th.

B2 December 16, 2020

Auburn trio named to Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Contributed by AU Athletics

Auburn greats Willie Anderson, Hal Baird and Cliff Ellis were announced as members of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Wednesday. Anderson, Baird and Ellis are three of the eight newly inducted honorees announced by the Board of Directors of the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The complete list can be found at: www. ashof.org/2020/12/02/ alabama-sports-hallof-fame-announcesclass-of-2021/. Anderson played offensive tackle at Auburn from 1993-95, where he was named All-America and twice named All-SEC. He was selected No. 10 overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and went on to be a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro selection. Anderson played his first 12 seasons with the Bengals before playing his final season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. During his NFL career, he played in 195 games, starting 184. Anderson only surrendered 16 sacks in his 13-year career and did not give up a sack between 1999-2001. “After being inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, I

found out more about the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame at that time,” Anderson said. “I always wondered what the requirements were and really wanted to be involved in that. I’ve seen former Auburn players from Georgia — Takeo Spikes and Ronnie Brown — make it recently. “For guys from Alabama, it really means a lot to us. You see names like DeMarcus Ware and Ben Wallace, guys who I saw play professionally, and Coach Baird and Coach Ellis. It’s definitely a big honor for me to be honored by my state, with me being from Alabama. Along with the rest of the people being honored, it’s a big deal for us.” In 16 years at the helm of the Auburn baseball program from 1985-2000, Baird posted a 634328 career record, retiring as the winningest coach in program history and the fourth winningest coach in the history of the SEC. He guided the Tigers to a pair of College World Series appearances (1994, ‘97), three NCAA regional championships (1994, ‘97, ‘99), two SEC Tournament titles (1989, ‘98) and two SEC West crowns (1987, ‘95). Baird mentored 13 All-Americans during his career in the orange and blue, and 51 of his players went on

to hear their names called in the MLB Draft, including Bo Jackson, Tim Hudson and Frank Thomas. “It’s the first time for me to have a chance to enter a hall of fame in which three of my former players are in there,” Baird said. “Bo Jackson, Tim Hudson and Frank Thomas, all three are enshrined in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. That’s an over-the-top for me. That really does make it particularly satisfying.” Baird pitched at Eastern Carolina, where he recorded 105 strikeouts in the 1970-71 seasons. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and also played for the Kansas City Royals. In 1977, he returned to ECU as an assistant coach and was named head coach in 1980. He accumulated a 145-66-1 record, three NCAA Tournament appearances and two ECAC-South Championships. He is also set to be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January. “It’s really overwhelming,” Baird said. “The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is widely considered to be the best in the country. Everyone who’s ever had any experience with it, as an inductee or going to the banquet, says there’s nothing in the world done any better. To think

about this state and the number of unbelievable people who have come out in every sport, Major League Baseball hall of famers, NFL hall of famers, it’s very humbling. I couldn’t hardly believe it when I got the call.” From 1994-2004, Ellis was the head basketball coach at Auburn, where he won 186 games, second only to Joel Eaves, and was named the SEC Coach of the Year twice. Ellis led the 1998-99 Tigers to the SEC Championship and the Sweet 16 with a 29-4 record and was named the National Coach of the Year. The Tigers also reached the Sweet 16 during the 2002-03 season. “The 10 years I spent at Auburn were precious times that I’ll never forget,” Ellis said. “I have a lot of great memories. Without those

Photos contributed by AU Athletics 10 years, this would not be happening. I’m thankful for all the people who have been a part of it. I’m truly blessed by it.” After starting his college coaching career at Cumberland University, Ellis was hired as the head coach at South Alabama in 1975. Four years later, he had the Jaguars in the NCAA Tournament and six seasons later they were ranked in the top 10. From 1975-84, he led the Jaguars to three Sun Belt titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances and two NIT appearances. After the 1984 season, he was named the head coach at Clemson, where he led the Tigers to eight postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, in 10 seasons. During the 198990 season, Ellis led Clemson to its only ACC title in school history and made it to the Sweet 16. He was a two-time ACC Coach of the Year (1987 and 1990) and is currently the winningest coach in program history. Since 2007, Ellis has

coached at Coastal Carolina, where he is second all-time in wins. Going into the 2020-21 season, Ellis’ 780 NCAA Division I wins rank him 15th all-time and third among active coaches. “I’m honored and humbled by it,” Ellis said. “When you look at the roster and the people who are in there, it’s very touching. I think the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame probably sets the tone for all the states because when you look at the people involved with it, it’s really amazing. I’m really touched by it. For me, my first thoughts go to the players who played for me at Auburn and South Alabama. All the players who played for me, all the coaches who were part of this.” The 53rd Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony will be held in the Birmingham Ballroom, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, on May 8, 2021. For more information or two purchase tickets, contact the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum at 205-323-6665.

B3 December 16, 2020

Wrapping gifts from the heart

he winter solstice slips in quietly next Monday, Dec. 21. This marks the onset of winter and also it marks Dec. 21 as the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere. Young children are noticing that there is a nip of cold in the air as they bundle up in coats, hats and mittens. Too, they are noticing frost on the ground as well as on their windows early in the mornings. Jack Frost provides a quiet, peaceful environment this week for children to wrap gifts, no matter what age. Their excitement of

wrapping gifts is truly a contagious joy that touches all. I love in the classroom when young students have put finishing touches on their handmade gifts for their parents and are so proud to wrap up their gift from the heart. Many times, children will help each other in wrapping their gifts. As a teacher I look upon this as a wonderful, cooperative learning lesson and as children sharing their talents and hearts in helping their fellow classmates. The Wise Men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and

myrrh. Giving and exchanging gifts has been around for a long time. To actually wrap our gifts is a recent tradition established in Germany in the seventeenth century. Children love to listen to the story of how gifts were wrapped and called “Christ Bundles.” How appropriate this name is because of Luke 12:2: “This will be assigned to you. You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.” The wrapping paper was whatever paper they had at home. It was usually brown, and the children would decorate with nature, drawings, beautiful ribbons, bows or other items. The Christ bundles contained fruit, nuts or simple educational items such as pencils, books or tablets to reinforce learning the alphabet, numbers, etc. Too, with Christ Bundles were Christ Rods ribboned onto the package gently to remind folks to act good all year long. During this challenging year for the whole world, HOPE is a present that our children need to wrap up in their hearts. Hope is trusting

AUBURN>>

against the Bulldogs’ aerial bombardment; the 51 passes attempted by State inconsequentially hit them like water on rock. The offense acted as a calvary — albeit a passive one — as they wrapped things up with a fourth quarter touchdown to restore Auburn’s two-score lead. Sure, State was effective at times. Bulldog quarterback Will Rogers completed 30 of his 51 passes. But the two Auburn interceptions — one by Roger McCreary in the second quarter and the other by Smoke Monday in the third — were the momentum-swinging plays that ultimately kept the State offense at bay. Monday finished tied for second in tackles (8) with linebacker Zakoby McClain, and Owen Pappoe led the way

with nine tackles and a sack. Redshirt freshman Colby Wooden added to his team-leading sack numbers, recording his fourth of the season. And sophomore Derick Hall got to the QB twice as the Auburn defense sacked Rogers a total of six times. The offensive highlights on Saturday were few and far between. Seth Williams caught his first touchdown in 49 days, Tank Bigsby was electric as he rushed for 192 yards on 26 carries, Anders Carlson connected on all three of his field goals and Bo Nix didn’t turn the ball over. That’s about all the good that can be said. The play calling was listless; Chad Morris’ “inventive” use of tight ends continued to be a fabled mystery; and besides Bigsby, the entire

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

T

FROM B1 After Alabama and Texas A&M ran for a combined 456 rush yards in Auburn’s previous two games, the Tiger defense responded by holding the Bulldogs to just 19 rush yards on 16 carries. Admittedly, State Head Coach Mike Leach played right into Auburn’s hands with his air-raid offense, but the Tiger secondary stepped up with two interceptions that helped subdue the Bulldog offense for the better part of four quarters. The game had a similar feel to last week’s against Texas A&M. Only this time, Auburn was sloppily in control for most of the contest. The Tigers defense acted as an unbreakable medieval fortress

and desiring that something good is going to happen. We can teach our children to have hope by teaching them to pray. I love to join young children in prayer as I teach them about who God is. God is not too busy to lean down and to hear a child pray. What I have told children is that His telephone line is never too busy for a child. God wants us to talk to Him just like we would talk to our family or friends. During circle time in preschool when we meet in prayer time, many little hands go up on prayer requests. I absolutely love the faith young children have in asking God for needs. There is nothing too big or small for children to offer prayer requests for. We pray about our families, grandparents, friends, pets, et al. I know one time as a teacher I had absentmindedly misplaced field trip permission slips and money and we were scheduled to leave for the field trip in five minutes. The young students said let’s pray. The prayer was answered in that I had put the slips and money under a vase on my desk; one of my

students quickly saw it and said, “Prayer answered!” God provided a perfect visual faith-building lesson in answered prayers from young hearts. Love is a gift that needs to be in a gift wrap of sharing. I have been blessed to serve in the early child classroom and be an activity assistant for our elderly for many years. Christmas time has always been a wonderful time for intergenerational activities of singing, crafts and other activities with the young and old. This year, due to COVID-19, the young and elderly cannot gather for the traditional community Christmas in our retirement villages. Sending pictures and cards to our elderly friends is a way your child can use “share wrap” in expressing love. Young children love to share love in good hugs. Even in masks, I love the way young children have come up to give me a good old hug around the waist. Sit down and talk to your child about people they love and about people who show them unconditional love. Love is wrapped up in words and actions just

like the Christmas Star that shone upon the manger where true love in Jesus Christ was born. Young children quickly pick up and love to sing the song “Away in a Manger.” Even the youngest of children love to sing this over and over. The gift of peace is wrapped up in the actions of getting along with other people. Christmas time is a season that offers all of us a way of giving one’s self to others. During this year of challenges, truly helping others is a wrap that ties up peace. We know to wrap the gift of peace we have in prayer, lack of worry, the Bible and a relationship with God. This year in wrapping up gifts we must remember it is not about the material gifts. This Christmas, the gifts of relationships with people, family, friends are all that matter. Our relationship to God through His son Jesus Christ is a gift wrapped up in believing, forgiving, love and grace as we celebrate the gift of eternal life. From the Heart of Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

offense looked no better than State’s. You can’t blame the players when they win. So, despite the victory, Auburn looked poor enough to justify scapegoating Malzahn. It was a frustrating end to the regular season and a disappointing end to the Malzahn era at Auburn that began with such promise in 2013. In his truest form, Malzahn was an Auburn man, and his players loved him. Give him credit for that. This team played through adversity, unprecedented circumstances and a 10-game, all-SEC schedule that they finished — something that can’t be said for everyone. Give them credit for that. Malzahn finishes with a national coach of the year award, two SEC championship

appearances (2013, 2017), one national championship runner-up finish (2013), an 8-17 record against rivals Alabama, Georgia and LSU and as Auburn’s fifth-winningest coach of all time by win percentage. Some may question the timing of the decision with early national signing day fast approaching on Wednesday. But if the administration had no plans for Malzahn in the future, it’s best to be transparent about the transition with recruits. We know Nix will return for his third year as the presumed starting quarterback. Bigsby will be a Heisman contending running back. What were considered youthful offensive and defensive lines this year will return to be experienced and formidable

units next season. Hopefully interim Head Coach Kevin Steele is retained to lead defense, but staff questions will only be answered when a new coach is hired. Malzahn said recently the team is not thinking about bowl games — and that’s the last thing on anyone’s mind now. Auburn may have lost a coach, but Malzahn will always be an important part of the Auburn Family. “Coach Malzahn led the Auburn football program with honor and integrity,” said Auburn School President Jay Gouge. “We appreciate his service to Auburn Athletics, Auburn University and, in particular, our student-athletes.” Gouge spoke for us all when he said, “We wish [Malzahn] and Kristi all the best.”

B4 December 16, 2020

Lee Meadows Named Interim Executive Director Alabama STEM Council Contributed to the Opelika Observer

Ed Castile, deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce and director of AIDT, announced that Lee Meadows, Ph.D., has been named interim executive director of the newly established Alabama STEM Council as the state moves to advance STEM education and continue the work of Alabama’s Roadmap to STEM Success. In this new role, Meadows will work with the distinguished leadership of the Alabama STEM Council to help identify and solve barriers to STEM education and discover creative solutions to meet the future demand of STEMrelated occupations in Alabama. With over 30 years of experience in science and education,

Meadows’ career path has taken him from teaching chemistry and physics in high school to training and developing future STEM teachers. Helping educators integrate science and technology into their teaching quickly became a passion for Meadows, and developing future STEM teachers turned into his personal mission. Most recently, Meadows served as a professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Education and prior to that was the co-director of UABTeach, where he helped nurture and train a new teaching force of highly qualified instructors in STEM subjects: science, engineering, technology and math. Alabama is projected to need more

than 850,000 STEMrelated occupations by 2026, according to Alabama’s Roadmap to STEM Success. Educator shortages and a disparity of STEM education available to all students regardless of location, economic status, gender or race provide obstacles to meeting the future demand for STEM-related careers. Meadows pointed out that “if we don’t grow our own STEM work force we won’t have one,” and noted that not only is it his vision, but also a passion to ensure all Alabama students see the value of STEM and have access to these educational resources. “We are at a critical stage with STEM education in our state, and the Alabama STEM Council will be the leading authority to ensure we are poised for growth and success

for many years to come,” Castile said. “Having someone like Dr. Meadows who is passionate and dedicated to the growth and preparedness of future STEM leaders will set Alabama up for a successful future.” The Alabama STEM Council was formed in September 2020 by Gov. Kay Ivey’s Executive Order No. 721. The Council members represent leaders from Alabama businesses, education and state government. The council’s work will build on and extend Alabama’s Roadmap to STEM Success (available here). Meadows and the leadership of the Alabama Stem Council will begin with a priority of communicating to students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders the value

of a STEM education and the doors it can open in the workforce. Recognizing that there isn’t sufficient data in Alabama on what works and where the gaps in STEM education are, the Alabama Stem Council will also undertake a data tracking initiative to provide quantitative analysis to guide decisions and priorities. Identifying programs in Alabama

that are already doing a great job with STEM education that can be modeled and scaled up for the entire state will also be a top priority for the organization. The first meeting of the Alabama STEM Council was held on Dec. 2, 2020, and was open to the public via Zoom. More information can be found at stemcouncil.alabama.gov/ .

Lee County teachers to get supplement; Smiths Station HS blended learning for now By Will Fairless Associate Editor

The Lee County School Board, during its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 8, approved Superintendent Dr. Mac McCoy’s recommendation to give every Lee County teacher and faculty member, except the superintendent and board members, a one-time supplement of $700. The supplement was recommended and approved because the board anticipates that the delivery of quality instruction in the

spring 2021 semester will be more difficult as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. McCoy said, “I think this is a wonderful gesture on the board’s part to show the appreciation for what the employees of Lee County are doing and going to have to continue to do in this time of a pandemic and just certainly appreciate everyone’s effort.” After the board’s approval of the recommendation, McCoy added, “I think they’ve earned it; they’re going to earn it. So thank y’all.”

Also at the meeting on the 8th, the superintendent noted that there was a COVID-19 “hotspot” in Smiths Station. Since then, the decision has been made to move Smiths Station High School to blended learning. McCoy released the following statement on Monday, Dec. 14: “Due to the continued increase in positive COVID cases associated with Smiths Station High School and compounded by the significant number of close contacts being

Carlson earns Star of the Week honor Contributed by Palm Beach County Sports Commission

College football’s top kicking award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes three of the top kickers each week from FBS division teams as the “Stars of the Week.” This week’s stars were selected from among the 20 semifinalists. Junior Auburn kicker Anders Carlson was one of the recipients this week.

Carlson kicked three field goals to lead Auburn to a 24-10 victory over Mississippi State in their SEC regular season finale in Starkville, Mississippi, on Saturday. The Colorado Springs, Colorado, native connected from 27, 37 and 45 yards to bring his season totals to 18-for20 on field goals. He is now fourth all-time at Auburn with 51 career field goals. On Saturday he provided all of the Tigers’ scoring through the first three quarters. He made both PAT attempts for an 11-point

quarantined, the decision has been made to transition to a blended/hybrid model of learning for the next four days. The transition to blended learning will also include a 10-day suspension of all extra and co-curricular activities. Beginning Friday afternoon, Smiths Station High School, along with all Lee County Schools, will be closed until Jan. 6, for our scheduled winter break.” He added that there was a hot spot in Beulah several weeks ago that has

game. His 77 points lead all Auburn players in scoring and moves his career total to 268, good for sixth place in the school record book.

heard the first reading of the new school calendar, which calendar (one of three) received 71% of votes from Lee County Schools faculty heard and approved the monthly financial report and cash reconciliation for the month of October from Ken Roberts The Lee County School Board meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at its central office at 2410 Society Hill Road. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Powell named SEC Freshman of the Week Courtesy of Cody Voga/AU Athletics

Junior Auburn kicker Anders Carlson

since resolved itself. The same was true for Loachapoka, and Beauregard had (as of the meeting) one teacher out because of close contact with the virus. In other business, the board: approved roofing bids for South and East Smiths Station Elementary Schools, the bids for roofing to be awarded to Standard Roofing Company for South Smiths Station Elementary School and awarded to Old South Roofing Company for East Smiths Station Elementary School

Auburn guard Justin Powell has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Monday. He is the first Tiger to garner recognition from the conference this season. Powell had his second consecutive 26-point performance, which matched a career

high, in Auburn’s 74-71 win vs. Memphis Saturday. He went 9 of 13 from the f loor, including 4 of 6 from deep, in the victory. The Prospect, Kentucky, native scored the Tigers’ first 11 points of the game and then had 15 of Auburn’s 37 second-half points to lead a come-from-behind win in which the Tigers trailed by as many as eight. Powell became one of two

freshman guards in the country to have an outing of 26 points and eight rebounds this season, joining Jaron Pierre of Southern Miss. He is the only freshman in America to average 16 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. Powell and the Tigers hosted Texas Southern on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT inside Auburn Arena. Results were not available at press.

B5 December 16, 2020

Two Auburn High student-athlete alumni graduate Auburn University By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

Two former Auburn High School student-athletes, Ryan Watson and Marrel Parker, earned their degrees from Auburn University on Saturday when they walked across the stage in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Watson, a right-handed pitcher for the Auburn baseball team, graduated Auburn High in 2016 after leading Auburn to a AHSAA Class 7A state championship as a senior. In his final season at Auburn High, Watson posted a 5-1 record with a 1.98 ERA in 60 innings and struck out 62 batters with only 22 walks. He was selected in the 39th round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016

MLB draft, but chose to come to Auburn University instead. Watson made 58 appearances for the Tigers during his time at Auburn. In 2017, he was Auburn’s mostused freshman arm and posted a 1-1 record with a 5.17 ERA. Watson’s most prevalent year for the Tigers came as a junior in 2019. The hard-throwing righty set a career high with 24 appearances and posted a 1-1 record with a 4.87 ERA. He turned in career highs in innings (40.2) and strikeouts (41). Watson played a prominent role in the Tigers’ run to the College World Series that season, pitching 2.2 innings and matching a career high with five strikeouts in the regional opener versus

Coastal Carolina, 2.2 scoreless innings in the middle game of the Chapel Hill Super Regional and 1.2 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts in the College World Series versus Louisville. Unfortunately, Watson’s senior season was cut short this year due to COVID-19. However, he did make five appearances, finishing with a 1.23 ERA. Watson decided to sign a professional free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles in June. Watson finished his Auburn playing career with a 2-2 record and 4.67 ERA while striking out 79 batters and issuing 35 walks in 90.2 innings pitched. “The entire Auburn Family joins in celebrating the career of Ryan Watson and his

opportunity with the Baltimore Orioles,” Head Coach Butch Thompson said in June. “We thank Ryan for staying home to accomplish his goals of playing for Auburn and pursuing his degree before taking this next step into professional baseball.” Parker, a track and field athlete in high school, also helped lead Auburn High to an AHSAA Class 7A state championship before he took an indirect path to Auburn University. According to auburntigers.com, Parker first ran at Meridian Community College, where he was a JUCO All-American and finished seventh at the Indoor Nationals prior to Auburn. His lone season at Auburn was 2019 due to the 2020 season being cancelled

because of COVID-19. Parker sprinted and long jumped in eleven meets for the Tigers that season – six outdoor and five indoor meets. For outdoor, he ran a 10.81 in the 100 meter at the War Eagle Invitational, good enough to finish 14th overall. He also won the War Eagle Invitational long jump with a season-best leap of 7.40 meters. Parker finished 14th at the SEC Outdoors with a long jump of 7.26 meters. For indoor, Parker finished second in the long jump at the UAB Blazer Invitational, and 16th in the 60 meter. He had an indoor season-beast 60 meter and long jump at the Vanderbilt Invitational and finished 24th at the SEC Indoors in the long jump. In total, 24 student

athletes graduated from Auburn University on Saturday. They are the following. Baseball: Ryan Watson; Men’s Basketball: Jamal Johnson, Brendan Knox; Equestrian: Terri-June Granger; Football: Nick Brahms, K.J. Britt, Big Kat Bryant, Anders Carlson, Tanner Dean, Tashawn Manning, Jordyn Peters, Bill Taylor and Austin Troxell; Softball: Tannon Snow; Men’s Swimming & Diving: Santiago Grassi; Women’s Swimming & Diving: Jaden Bellina, Annie Boone, Siera Jett and Jessica Merritt; Men’s Tennis: Michael Durham; Men’s Track & Field: Marrel Parker; Women’s Track & Field: Natosha Jordan and Emily Mills; Volleyball: Lauren Dorrell.

Tigers fight back for 74-66 win over South Alabama Contributed by Wesley Todd, AU Athletics

A shorthanded Auburn women’s basketball team fought its way back from an early double-digit deficit to earn a 74-66 win over South Alabama Sunday afternoon at Auburn Arena. Led by 22 points and 15 rebounds from senior Unique Thompson, four players scored in double figures as the Tigers (41) trailed by as many as 12 and led by as many as 12 in a game that was truly a tale of two halves. “We definitely had to stay composed,” said Auburn Head Coach Terri WilliamsFlournoy. “We had so many people playing different positions. We ended up having to play our walk-ons, who have been practicing extremely hard. When you drop down to only

seven (scholarship) players, everybody’s got to step up and everybody’s got to be ready to play. And everybody’s got to do something, whether it’s making a shot, getting a defensive rebound, getting a stop — you have to be able to do something to help contribute to a win.” A flurry of 3-pointers to open the game gave South Alabama (3-2) an early lead, and a cold streak by the Tigers to open the second period pushed the Jaguars’ lead to as many as 12 points at 24-12 with 6:04 to play in the half. But Auburn knocked down five straight 3-pointers in the final four minutes of the period to cut the halftime deficit to just six at 34-28. “In the first half … we were second-guessing our shots,” Williams-Flournoy said. “So we told them at halftime, ‘Just catch and

shoot the basketball.’ They were not guarding us, and when you second-guess your shots, you’re always going to miss.” With the Jaguars still holding the lead as the teams traded buckets the first six minutes of the second half, Auburn turned USA turnovers into points in a 9-0 run that spanned 82 seconds late in the quarter to take a 49-46 lead, its first since it was 2-0 to start the game. The Tigers would never trail again, pushing their lead to as many as 12 points with just over a minute to play. Thompson’s double-double was her fourth of the season and 46th of her career; she’s totaled 48 points and 37 rebounds over her last two games. Sophomore Sania Wells added a career-high 11 points, knocking down three 3-pointers and a pair of

free throws to go along with a pair of assists. Sophomore Annie Hughes also poured in 11 points with a career-high three 3-pointers, and junior Kira Lowery added 10 points on the night. Freshman Romi Levy also had a strong performance with 8 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Auburn missed its first 11 3-point attempts of the night but made eight of its final 11 to finish at 36%. Overall, Auburn was 23-of-65 (35%) from the field and had a strong night at the free-throw line, going 20-for-26 (77%). The Tigers out-rebounded the Jags 44-37 and turned 21 USA turnovers into 15 points. Meanwhile, the Jags hit their first five 3-point attempts of the night but went just 2-of-14 from long range the rest of the way.

Auburn senior Unique Thompson grabs one of her 15 rebounds in last weekend’s game against South Alabama. Photo courtesy of Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics All 10 players who dressed for the Tigers saw action. Redshirt junior Kiyae’ White made her first appearance of the season, pulling down three rebounds in limited first-half minutes, and freshman walk-on Carsen McFadden logged nine minutes of playing time, scoring three points and sharing the team lead with three assists.

Antoinette Lewis led four USA players in double figures with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Mahogany Vaught and Devyn Lowe added 13 points apiece. Auburn hosts backto-back games versus Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 16) and North Florida (Dec. 17). Both games are 6 p.m. CT starts at Auburn Arena.

Auburn shows moxie in 74-71 win over Memphis Courtesy of Greg Ostendorf, AU Athletics

It was a back-andforth game all night, but Auburn made the plays

down the stretch to take down Memphis and secure a 74-71 victory at Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta. “It’s a good win for

Auburn freshman Justin Powell continued his hot start to the season against Memphis last Saturday.

us,” said Auburn Head Coach Bruce Pearl. “Memphis is an NCAA Tournament team. But we had a couple guys really step up. It was a good team victory. We’ve got a long way to go to become a good basketball team, but this was a good win.” Freshman Justin Powell picked up where he left off against South Alabama the last time out, scoring the first 11 points for Auburn on Saturday before the first media timeout. Powell knocked down a 3 on the opening possession. He then drained a floater, made a tough layup inside plus the foul and

finished the sequence with another 3 to make it 11-8. But the biggest shot of the night from Powell came in the closing minutes when he connected on his fourth triple to put the Tigers up 67-63. He finished with a game-high 26 points, matching his career high set against South Alabama, and led the team with eight rebounds. “Justin, he brings his ‘A’ game every night,” said teammate Allen Flanigan. “He’s an incredible shooter, but he’s also a person that can handle the ball. When he’s at the 1, we just play

through him. He gets downhill, creates for other guys, and we create for him also and get him open shots.” Flanigan was second on the team with 16 points and proved clutch late, scoring 7 of the team’s final 13 points over the last five minutes. The sophomore’s turnaround fadeaway jumper with 3:45 left put the Tigers in front, 64-63. They never trailed again. Flanigan also drew a charge with just over a minute to go to take away a Memphis bucket. It was one of 18 turnovers forced by Auburn on the night.

Though Flanigan and Powell were Auburn’s only two players in double figures, Jaylin Williams was instrumental in the victory as well as he dished out a career-high eight assists to lead the Tigers while turning it over just once. The sophomore forward also scored six points, pulled down three rebounds and blocked two shots. With the win, Auburn improves to 3-2 on the season and 2-0 all-time against Memphis. The Tigers returned home Tuesday to face Texas Southern in Auburn Arena, but results were not available at press.

B6 December 16, 2020

Auburn Tigers College Football National Champions Bobblehead Unveiled Contributed to the Opelika Observer

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed, limited edition bobblehead commemorating the Auburn Tigers’ two College Football National Championships on Wednesday morning. This is the first bobblehead to celebrate Auburn’s football national championships and it joins over a dozen bobbleheads in the series of NCAA College Football National Champions Bobbleheads. The bobbleheads were produced exclusively for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by FOCO, an official licensee and manufacturer of Auburn

Tigers and NCAA merchandise. The bobblehead features Auburn’s mascot, Aubie the Tiger, standing behind two championship rings on the base of the bobblehead. The backing lists the years of Auburn’s titles, which were in 1957 and 2010. The limited edition bobbleheads are individually numbered to only 2,010 to coincide with the school’s last title year. The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $45 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. They are only available through the Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. Since its first season in 1892, Auburn is recognized by the university and NCAA for winning two national championships,

16 conference titles and 10 division crowns. One of the inaugural members of the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, the Tigers have achieved 12 undefeated seasons and 44 bowl appearances in

their history. One of the most successful college programs in the last 25 years, Auburn has won over 70 percent of its games during that span. Auburn’s bobblehead joins Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Texas, Tennessee and USC in the series celebrating teams that have won multiple college football National Championships. The NCAA recognizes College Football National Champions dating back to 1869 when Princeton and Rutgers were both crowned National Champions. “The championship bobbleheads are the ultimate way for fans to show off their school pride,”said National Bobblehead Hall of

Fame and Museum co-foudner and CEO Phil Sklar. “We know how passionate Auburn fans are about their team and bobbleheads, so we expect these to be extremely popular especially since bobbleheads make sure a great holiday gift.” About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum: The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on Feb. 1, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOCO is a leading

manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandise celebrating more than 20 years in the industry. The company’s always-growing product lines includes apparel, accessories, toys, collectibles, novelty items, and more. FOCO is licensed with all major sports leagues including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS and over 150 colleges and universities as well as entertainment properties such as Disney, Warner Bros/DC Comics, Nickelodeon and WWE. Please reach out to Matthew Katz, Licensing Manager, P 848-260-4315 - mkatz@ foco.com for more information. Follow @ FOCOusa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more exciting news and new product releases.

Lee Countians Claim First Place In Statewide Photo Contest Contributed by Alabama Farmers Federation

Hayley Walters of Lee County received first place in the Farm Life category of the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest, sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation. In addition to judging by a

SPORTS>> FROM B1 lbs.), Jack Pritchard, Maleik Simpson (220 lbs.) and Derrick Hoyett. OPELIKA BASKETBALL Opelika’s Basket-

panel of professionals, she won the People’s Choice Award contest on Facebook. Each prize nets Walters and her “Three Generations” photo $150. Per the judges, “Nothing better illustrates farm life than multiple generations working together. Often,

ball teams, girls and boys, have had to miss several games due to COVID-19. The boys, 0-3, stooped playing games for several days due to COVID-related issues. The Lady Bulldogs beat Lafayette 6532 last Tuesday in Lafayette. Kaitlyn Bryant scored a team-high 21

days are spent fixing something that’s broken. Always, days are spent sharing knowledge and training the next generation. This entry’s meaningful details capture the essential dayto-day work of repairing equipment. It may not be as glamorous as harvest, but it’s no less

points. LaDajah Huguley and Haley Sanders each scored 19 points. The win improved their record to 5-2. Stay tuned for basketball details. ALABAMA ALL -STARS BEAT MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS 19-7

important.” The Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest netted nearly 400 entries by over 250 entrants. It captured the diverse story of agriculture and submissions ranged from backyard birds to gardens’ bounty and from cattle and to row crops.

The Alabama High School All-Star Football Team stopped a threegame losing streak, beating rival Mississippi in the 34th annual meeting at Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl. Team Alabama’s head coach, Steve Mask, had four practices to prepare for the game. The offense

Michael Freeman of Lee County received first place in the Crops category of the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest, sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation. For placing in the contest, Freeman receives $150 for his “Cotton Field Sunset” entry. Per the judges,

“Capturing an image like this is about more than luck or timing. The positioning of the cotton boll on the right side creates leading lines from both the ground and horizon. The contrast of bright white cotton against a fiery auburn sunset makes this entry suitable for framing.”

gained 357 yards while the defense yielded only 133 yards. The Alabama All-Stars intercepted five passes, causing Mississippi to doubt their game plan. The MVP, Ga Quincy McKinstry, showed why he is the state’s top player, intercepting two passes and catching three

passes on offense for 74 yards and a touchdown. AHS senior Noah Warren intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards, setting up a 15-yard field goal. The win was important for the Alabama High School Athletic Association, one of the sponsors of the game.

B7 December 16, 2020

OHS wrestlers go to the mats

Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

B8 December 16, 2020

AN OPEN LETTER TO OLD-FASHIONED CABLE Dear Old-Fashioned Cable, Your customers know how you love to sell them bundles with features they don’t need. They know how you love to charge for TV with hundreds of channels they don’t watch and for expensive equipment that is now obsolete. And they know how you love to lock them into long-term contracts. Your customers have given you some of their best years, but they deserve better. Fiber-to-the-home – like the service offered locally by Point Broadband – is replacing old-fashioned cable as the best way to deliver fast and reliable Internet, phone and streaming television. Point Broadband’s mission is to improve lives through fiber technology. With the only fiber-to-the-home network across the city of Opelika, they are saving customers up to $700 each year on their TV bills. How? By providing a fast fiber internet connection that allows customers to stream the same channels, including live sports and local channels, over the internet. No Bundles. No Contracts. No expensive equipment or hidden fees. Goodbye, old-fashioned cable. You had a good ride, but your technology is old, outdated and it’s time for your customers to switch to the best technology on the market – fiber-to-the-home by Point Broadband.

Sincerely,

Faster. Smarter. Fiber.™ P.S. Learn more at www.point-broadband.com/streaming.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

December 16, 2020

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

A

An Election Year to Remember

s we close out this year of COVID and presidential politics, many of you are still in discussions about Donald Trump. Some are still enthralled with the most colorful and controversial character in my presidential memory and are saying the election was stolen from him. Others are saying he is the most egocentric and crooked person to ever sit in the oval office. Allow me to disagree with both sides. In my lifetime, no man could come close to comparing with one Lyndon B. Johnson when it comes to crookedness, crudeness and audacity. He was the epitome of an unbridled, unconscionable thirst for power. No election could be more brazenly stolen than LBJ’s means of assent to power in his first election to the U.S. Senate in 1948. Johnson was a tall, tough, young East Texas Congressman making his play for a Senate seat from the Lone Star State. Most Texans thought it was a Don Quixote kamikaze mission because he was running against the legendary Texas Governor Coke Stevenson. The Governor was a revered figure in the state. He epitomized a Texas legend. He was a successful self-made man who had built a large ranch and cattle empire. He was much like the father figure Ben Cartwright, played by Lorne Green, in the old television series Bonanza. Stevenson was generous, plain spoken and very conservative. He had been a very good governor. Stevenson was from the old school and renowned for his integrity, and he was above reproach. Johnson was just the opposite. He had already earned

Smith Station Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Sexton was named Firefighter of the Year

STEVE FLOWERS the reputation that when it came to winning that was all that counted, and character, integrity and honesty went out the window. As might be expected, Johnson had unlimited campaign money, a lot of which was supplied by the Brown and Root Construction Company that is now Halliburton, which by the way is a major player in Senate races today. Johnson outspent Stevenson 10-to-1 as Stevenson would not ask for contributions. Johnson employed new, modern campaign devices like polling, and he even used a helicopter to land at rural towns throughout the gigantic state. He crisscrossed Texas and not only outspent Stevenson 10-to-1 but outworked him by the same measure. His hand was swollen from handshaking. Coke Stevenson still beat Lyndon Johnson. However, Johnson was not going to take defeat. Duval County on the Mexican Border was known as the most corrupt political county in Texas, if not in the nation. It was legendary for bold, unadulterated vote manipulation. Johnson had corSee FLOWERS, page B10

Commission hears complaints By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com

The Lee County Commissioners heard an update, and complaints, during their meeting Monday night regarding an item they passed two weeks ago: preliminary plat approval for Island Point Es-

tates. The commission approved the preliminary plat approval for the new subdivision at their Nov. 30 meeting. The new subdivision will be located adjacent to Lee Road 334 and Lee Road 338. The first addition, which was approved on Nov. 30

as well, will be adjacent to Lee Road 334, Lee Road 340 and Lee Road 743. County Engineer Justin Hardee said that the plat met the County requirements and that all property owners had been notified. However, Monday night, the comSee COMPLAINTS, page B11

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B10 December 16, 2020

How about paying $50 a month in restitution for 73 years and you still can’t vote?

A

guy goes into a bar and sits down with his Alabama voter registration form. He doesn’t see a description of exactly what crimes may keep him from voting, so he doesn’t put on the form that he has a criminal record. He is okay with all the other requirements and earns his right to vote … but … This man later fi nds out that his theft of lost property, 1st degree, is a crime of moral turpitude. This means a crime, generally, that is “an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community.” Oops! Talk about fraudulent voting. Good news: That nightmare scenario will not happen here. A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of AlabamaNorthern Division said that our state’s current voter-registration application meets the public’s needs and complies with federal law. The Alabama form lists qualifications needed

FLOWERS>> FROM B9 nered the bosses of Duval County, and they held their votes out in case Johnson needed them. Three days after Stevenson’s apparent victory, Duval came in. It had voted more than twice as many times as there were people who lived there. Johnson got over 90% of the Duval votes that were suspiciously cast. When they

to vote right up top— not easily missed. Also, moral turpitude crimes are listed online, on the back of absentee ballot applications, and through information given to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, etc. Moral Turpitude includes murder, assault, treason, aggravated thefts by deception and 56 more. “In 2017, our office worked with the Alabama Legislature to clearly defi ne the crimes of moral turpitude, which upon conviction, prohibit an individual from being eligible to vote,” said Secretary of State John Merrill. “In defi ning the 60 crimes of moral turpitude, we created a consistent standard among all 67 counties, as opposed to leaving the interpretation up to each county’s Board of Registrars.” Here’s my rant: I am increasingly upset about citizens saying the government — local, state or federal — does not adequately inform them. An Army major on his way to Bosnia in 1995 told

me “I heard about this deployment just three days ago.” Did this guy never learn how to ask questions at Command and General Staff College or at basic training? Goodness. People often say they never hear of such-and-such a government meeting in Opelika or Auburn. Yet, staffers at both cities get the word out very well through traditional and social media. Too many Lee Countians forget their due diligence in civic life; they complain too much. Thompson v. Alabama continues, with Treva Thompson of Huntsville among the plaintiffs. A 49-year-old African American woman, she was disappointed in May when a federal court struck down a Florida law that would prevent certain voters from voting. Judges said that even non-violent citizens, who cannot pay their legal bills, cannot vote until debts are paid off. At $50 a month, Thompson will pay off her legal debts

got the Duval votes to Austin, it still was not enough to overtake Coke Stevenson. Not to be outdone, Duval officials swore under oath that a box was still out. They said Box 13 has not reported. They came back five days later with just enough votes for Lyndon to claim victory. The margin of victory in the state of Texas was 83 votes. When Johnson got to Washing-

ton as a freshman senator, the entire Senate, most people in Texas and a good many political observers around the nation knew that Johnson and his allies had stolen the 1948 Texas Senate race. Thus, senators and Washington insiders gave him the dubious nickname of “Landslide Lyndon” because of his 83-vote margin. Many people think that nickname was a reference to his actual landslide

in 73 years. But she may be unable to get to vote then because of health issues! Her conviction for theft is under the category of moral turpitude, under the Felony Voter Disqualification Act of 1975 (Amended in 2017). A Washington, DC, advocacy group called Campaign Legal Center has been assisting the plaintiffs in Thompson v. Alabama. “Citizens with these disqualifying convictions may request to have their rights restored, but only after paying all court ordered fi nes, fees, and restitution,” said Corey Goldstone, a communications manager at CLC. “They’ve

served their time and paid their debt to society, so they should not have their rights denied.” Situations like those for Ms. Thompson are difficult. Some people say the felons should be denied the vote because they forfeited it when they committed a crime. Others believe the judge or jurors did their job, and that not fulfilling the debt punishment destroys the jurisprudence. Still others say the convicted may have done the crime when young and stupid; now they are older and wiser. They also contend that high court costs may suppress the votes of African Americans. After all, in 2017 blacks were 12% of U.S. adults but 33% of the sentenced prison population (Pew Research). Both ideas above — let them fulfill their sentence or let them get a break and vote — have merit. But my middle of the road solution is to set up an individual

plan for the felon, for eventually paying the full debt. Let the non-violent perpetrators vote unless found that they have arrears to the state. If they fall well behind in payments, it’s adios voting rights. But at least they will have voted a bit. A friend of mine from my undergrad days was very far right and not at all inclined to compromise. I, too, was a Ronald Reagan fan, but otherwise a centrist. Once I made the mistake of saying, “A half a loaf is better than none.” He shot back: “Not when it’s a stale loaf!” Still, we must come together somehow, in issues of voting, if nothing else. Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for 21 years, on and off. He has master's degrees in Education and History. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. He was U.S. Army Europe Journalist of the Year (1993) for articles from Croatia, Germany, and Macedonia.

victory over Barry Goldwater in 1964, but it came from his unscrupulous election to the Senate in 1948. A legendary story came out of that election about stealing an election or as some say, counting someone out. Supposedly, as Lyndon’s cronies were harvesting the last batch of needed votes from the infamous Box 13, they were going through an old Mexican-American Cemetery taking

names of long passed folks either from Mexico or Duval County off of tombstones so they (those buried) could vote posthumously and after the fact. Lyndon was actually accompanying the Duval voting officials to make sure they got voted from all the residents in the cemetery. They got to an old marker that was indiscernible. The harvester shouted out to Lyndon that he (the

harvester) could not make out the name. Johnson replied, “Hell, make him up a name, he has as much right to vote as the rest of them in here.” 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.

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B11 December 16, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICES I N RE THE ESTATE OF: GEORGIA MAE MOFFETT, Deceased IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-474 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 20th day of November, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. ANNIE PLUMMER Executrix Legal Run 12/02/20, 12/09/20, 12/16/20 -------------STATE OF ALA BAMA CASE #: 2020-467 LEE COUNTY PRO BATE COURT ESTATE OF ANN PRUITT LISENBY, DECEASED NOTICE OF AP POINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Ann Pruitt Lisenby, deceased, having been granted to William Wayne Lisenby this25th day of November 2020, 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 the law or the same will be barred. William Wayne Lisenby, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hily er

COMPLAINTS>>

FROM B9

missioners were scheduled to hear an update and several citizens attended to express frustration with the roadways near Island Point Estates. “At the last commission meeting, the highway department brought forth Island Point Estates preliminary plat approval to the commission,” Hardee said, during Monday’s meeting. “Since that action, the Highway Department has received a number of phone calls and emails form concerned citizens.” Hardee said that a major concern of nearby residents was that the 45 homes that will be added will unreasonably increase traffic. “The Highway Department did look at those roads, Lee Road 334, 338, 339, 340 and 743 in that area,” he said. “We had discussions with the developer.

334-745-2564 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0030 Legal Run 12/02/2020, 12/09/2020 & 12/16/202 -------------IN RE THE ESTATE OF LYNDA KAY HORNSBY, Deceased. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2020-485 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of November, 2020, by Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate ae hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. RICHARD NOLAN HORNSBY Co-Personal Representative ROGER LAMAR HORNSBY JR. Co-Personal Representative Legal Run 12/02/2020, 12/09/2020 & 12/16/2020 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JO ANN COLEMAN, DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Vivian Jo Womack Cooper, as Executrix of the Estate of Jo Ann Coleman, deceased, on the 23rd day of November, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons

Lee Road 338 is currently 16.5 feet wide, which is not, and does not meet the standards for the width that it would need to meet and we’ve told the developer contingency of his plat approval and final plat approval and before we would bring it to the commission for preliminary plat approval is that he would have to be willing to widen the roadway to 20 feet.” The county has looked into the crash data on each of these roads, Hardee said, over the past five years. “What were the crashes, what were the cause of the crashes, were the crashes caused by any roadway defects, was it driver error?” Hardee said, looking at what the data considers. Lee Road 334 has had 16 crashes in the last five years, he said, nine in one spot. “None of the 16 crashes indicated that there were roadway defects,

having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred. Vivian Jo Womack Cooper, Executrix Of the Estate of Jo Ann Coleman, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 12/02/20, 12/09/20 & 12/16/20 -------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LEROY MCTIER, III, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-491 Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of December, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. ROTH B. MCTIER Administrator Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 368032345 (334) 745-3504 Legal 12/09/20, 12/16/20, 12/23/20 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF JAMES AND DONNA SHORT CASE NO.: 2020-466 PUBLICATION NOTICE

and things that needed to be done that could have prevented the crash from a roadway standpoint,” Hardee said. Janet Davis, who asked to speak regarding the subdivision, said that while she appreciated the efforts the county was taking, she still felt there were safety concerns. “I am concerned, and I did express this to [Hardee], the Lee Road [334] and 340, at the blind spot, he expressed to me the traffic and the accidents and so forth, but I would just tell you that’s probably understated … It is really hazardous driving down that road.” Davis said she is not opposed to the new subdivision but wants to ensure the roads are safe. Melanie Vinyard shared a story about how her mother and another person in a vehicle were on the road near Po-Boy Landing (located near this area) and her mother was forced to jerk her

TO: Kristin Williams, address unknown. Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by James and Donna Short on November 6, 2020, for the adoption of J.M.S. born on June 17, 2010 in Valley, Alabama to Kristen Annette Williams and Dustin Short. A hearing has been set for the 11th day of February, 2021 at 9 o’clock am Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Ben Parr, 830-A Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published, or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition. Dated on this the 30th day of November, 2020. HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 12/16/20, 12/23/20, 12/30/20 & 01/06/21 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF JAMES AND DONNA SHORT CASE NO.: 2020-465 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Torrence Terrell Avery a/k/a Torrance LerreB Avery, address unknown. Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate

car off the road, resulting in a flat tire. “It concerns me, I’m going to be honest, to send my children down to my mother’s because they would travel on 334,” Vinyard said. Other business: The commission labeled the final plat approval for Eddins Creek Subdivision after complains

Court of Lee County, Alabama by James and Donna Short on November 6, 2020, for the adoption of N.AA. born on February 5, 2008 in Valley, Alabama to Jessica Anne Short and Torrance Lerrell Avery, also known as Torrence Terrell Avery. A hearing has been set for the 1 I th day of February, 2021 at 10 o’clock am Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Ben Parr, 830-A Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published, or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition. Dated on this the 30th day of November, 2020. HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 12/16/20, 12/23/20, 12/30/20 & 01/06/21 -------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10:00AM Mark Brumbeloe Unit 256

from citizens. The commission approved a request for maintenance of a paved road off Lee Road 18. The commission voted to approve a high-risk rural road resolution. The commission approved the roadway design for the Beauregard Recreation Park.

194 Winterset Ln Notasulga, AL 36866 Books and boxes Brianne Laureen Atkinson Unit - B25 420 N Dean Rd Apt 106 Auburn, AL 36830 Paintings and small furniture, boxes Corgan Lunsford - Unit 224 1244 East University Drive Auburn, AL 36830 Household items, furniture The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 12/16/2020, 12/23/2020 -------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA MANN BROWN, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-425 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 30th day of November, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. RICKY SCOTT BROWN Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 12/09/20, 12/16/20 & 12/23/20

The commission approved revenue collection agreement renewals. The commission approved a warrant resolution for 2013 refinancing. The commission approved a COVID-19 funding allocation request for the Lee County Youth Development Center.

B12 December 16, 2020

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B13 December 16, 2020

A hero's farewell, a community still mourns

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika's police and fire departments, Auburn Fire Department, Beauregard Fire Department along with members of the community stopped as the car carrying Medal of Honor recipient Command Sargeant Major Bennie Adkins was carried from Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on the way to Atlanta, where his body was flown to Washington D. C. for burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Lee County Sheriff's Office, along with other Alabama and Georgia law enforcement agencies, provided an escort to the airport.

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B14 December 16, 2020

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