LIVE Lee - Issue 8 - A LIVE Lee Christmas For All

Lee LIVE ISSUE 8 - NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS FOR ALL

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES

Banking for what’s next.

Our goal has always been to help meet yours.

Today, we’re here for you in more ways than ever.

With more locations, more services, and more expertise to help you wherever life takes you.

This is banking at its best. This is Banking Forward.

701 2nd Avenue • Opelika, AL 2443 Enterprise Drive • Opelika, AL 1605 E University Drive • Auburn, AL 800.277.2175 —2— • SouthStateBank.com Member FDIC

The True Meaning of Christmas...

Artwork created

by TCS students, Carlie Lunsford and Georgia Vaughn.

Our students learn it, and we celebrate it all year.

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

2 CORINTHIANS 9:15

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C L A S S I C A L

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C H R I S T I A N

A C A D E M Y

tcsopelika.org

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BIOS

CONTRIBUTORS Emery Lay Megan Mann Natalie Salvatore Harrison Tarr

DESIGN

Michelle Key, Publisher Originally from Albertville, Alabama, Michelle Key and her family moved to the Opelika-Auburn area in 2011 after her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Navy.

She is a graduate of Troy University, and she joined the Observer in 2014 as an office administrator before assuming ownership of the newspaper in January 2018.

LAYOUT Hannah Lester Michelle Key

MARKETING Woody Ross Rena Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY

Hannah Lester, LIVE Lee Editor Hannah Lester is an Auburn University 2019 journalism graduate who is originally from Birmingham. She started with the Opelika Observer in July and began as the Associate Editor for the LIVE Lee Magazine. She assigns, writes and edits pieces for the magazine, as well as helps to design the pages. She was named editor of LIVE Lee in July 2021.

Hannah Lester Robert Noles Samantha Sweatman

CONTACT US Key Media, LLC

Wil Crews, Opelika Observer Sports Editor Wil Crews is an Auburn University 2020 journalism graduate originally from Prattville, Alabama. He works as the Opelika Observer’s sports editor and assists in developing the weekly paper and LIVE Lee Magazine.

223 S. 8th St., Opelika Phone: 334-749-8003 www.LiveLeeMagazine.com editor@opelikaobserver.com

LIVE Lee is a publication created by Key Media, LLC.

Robert Noles, Photographer Robert Noles is an award-winning photojournalist who has been with the Opelika Observer for more than 10 years. Originally from Tallassee, he is a graduate of Alabama Christian College and Auburn University.

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C

Letter from the Editor

hristmas time is here again!

Hard to believe with all the changes we’ve experienced over the last couple of years that Christmas 2021 is here.

But, what are you most looking forward to? Is it Christmas presents? Decorating the tree? Are you most looking forward to hot chocolate and Christmas movies?

I’d argue that none of this matters. Not really. Not in the big scheme of things. Because, despite all these things (which, there’s nothing wrong with them), Christmas is about one thing. Heck, it’s even in the name.

Christmas is about the birth of Christ. And that is the only thing that matters.

That is the only thing that matters every single day — not just in December or at Christmas.

Glorifying God and honoring Christ is the purpose of each and every day, in my opinion. But, we do take December to remember the birth of Christ.

Whether you celebrate the birth of Christ or not, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. There is more grace and mercy as people

celebrate with one another.

There is kindness as people give to toy drives, help out those in need and serve meals to the hungry.

Find opportunities to give this year, rather than receive. We hope you enjoy our Christmas publication. We highlighted a lot of fun things to do this season, but through it all, don’t forget why we gather.

Don’t forget why we celebrate.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14 “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

— Isaiah 9:6-7

TABLE OF CONTENTS Everything Christmas ............................................8 Christmas Through The Ages ................................14 ‘Tis The Season For Joy .........................................20 Ring The Bells ........................................................24 Discover S.T.E.M. This Christmas ......................30 There Is Music In The Air .....................................37 Very Merry Stroll And More .................................38 Merry Murder .......................................................43 Merry Christmas To ALL ......................................48 Christmas Traditions ............................................51 A Trip To Whoville .................................................56 Excellent Christmas Adventure ............................58 Local Art, Local Community ...............................62 Run Off The Cookies .............................................66 ‘LoveLee’ Parades ..................................................68 Operation Christmas Decor ................................74 Christmas In The Magic City ................................80 Advertiser Index ..................................................82

1910 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika | 334-749-1471 Do you know where to find us?

Beauregard Drugs - sponsored by SouthState Bank Butcher Paper BBQ - sponsored by Wadkins Metal Hardees Exit 60 - sponsored by Trinity Christian School Krispy Kreme - sponsored by Zach Alsobrook Sam’s Club - sponsored by Harvest Thrift Terry’s Grocery - sponsored by Smiths Station Rx Terry’s Marathon - sponsored by Price’s Small Engine Toomers Drug Store - sponsored by Gorees Walmart Neighborhood Store at University - sponsored by Oliver & Company Hair Studio

Get the next issue of LIVE Lee in your mailbox by subscribing to the Observer at opelikaobserver.com/ subscribe-today/.

Winn Dixie - Opelika - sponsored by

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iday

2021 • WWW.OPELIKACHRISTMAS.COM • #MYOPELIKACHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS November 26 - January 3 Please come visit, take photos and tag us. #MyOpelikaChristmas

OPELIKA’S VERY MERRY STROLL December 3 • 6 p.m. Lighting of trail Christmas trail run through December 31 Friends of the Opelika Public Library

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Start Your Christmas Shopping!

November 27 • Normal shopping hours

CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Opelika December 4 • 10 a.m.

Rain Date: December 5 • 3 p.m. opelikachamber.com

SNO*PELIKA Christmas Festival & Tree Lighting November 30 • 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Courthouse Square opelikachamber.com

CHRISTMAS IN A RAILROAD TOWN December 10 • 6 - 9 p.m. opelikamainstreet.org

CHRISTMAS IN CAMELOT Month of December • 4:30 - 10 p.m.

Off of Rocky Brook Road

VICTORIAN FRONT PORCH TOUR Driving Tour • December 10 - 14 • 5 - 10 p.m.

Bike Tour • December 11 • 10 a.m.

DRIVE-THRU NATIVITY STORY Walking Tour • December 11 • 6 - 9 p.m.

Month of December victorianfrontporchtour.com National Village - Spa Loop & Yards Lane Find more info about tickets and Presented by National Village Joint Venture horse drawn carriage rides at opelikalibraryfriends.com.

REINDEER EXPRESS December 10 - 12 • 5 - 8 p.m.

Featuring a Christmas Market Monkey Park $2 train rides OPELIKA THEATRE COMPANY CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE December 12 • 3 p.m.

Sportsplex Amphitheater opelikatheatrecompany.com COLLINWOOD LUMINARIES December 17 • 5 - 9 p.m.

Off of 10th Street Rain date December 18 • 5 - 9 p.m.

OPELIKA THEATRE COMPANY CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & PET PARADE December 18 • Noon - 3 p.m.

Southside Center (1103 Glenn Street) Admission $25 per family Includes all Carnival activities & Santa pictures $10 Pet Parade entry opelikatheatrecompany.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Everything Christmas Now through Dec. 1: Auburn Toy Drive: www.aotourism.com/Event/43041/AuburnToy-Drive/ Nov. 28 from 12 to 6 p.m.: Downtown Auburn Holiday Open House in downtown Auburn: www.aotourism.com/Event/43053/ Downtown-Auburn-Holiday-Open-House/ Nov. 28 at 2 p.m.: AORTA Toy Drive 1 Mile, 5K and 10K at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43065/AORTA-Toy-Drive-1-mile,5K,-and-10K/ Nov. 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Four Pianos Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church Nov. 30 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.: Snopelika Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting at Courthouse Square/Railroad Avenue www. aotourism.com/Event/41753/SnopelikaChristmas-Festival-and-Tree-LightingEvent/ Dec. 1 through Dec. 31: Drive-Thru Nativity Story off Robert Trent Jones Trail: www.aotourism.com/Event/43054/DriveThru-Nativity-Story/ Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 from 4:30 to 10 p.m.: Christmas In Camelot Lighted Tour at Camelot Way: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43039/Christmas-in-Camelot-LightedTour/

Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 50th Annual Christmas Market at Auburn United Methodist Church: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43037/50th-Annual-ChristmasMarket/ Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: UMW Christmas Market at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 4 at 9 a.m.: Polar Express with Auburn Parks and Recreation: www. aotourism.com/Event/26612/Polar-Expresswith-Auburn-Parks-and-Recreation/ Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.: Opelika Christmas Parade in downtown Opelika: www. aotourism.com/Event/41754/OpelikaChristmas-Parade/ Dec. 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. : The Ho Ho Ho Hike at Kreher Preserve & Nature Center: www.aotourism.com/Event/41953/ Ho-Ho-Ho-Hike/

Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.: Hanging of the Greens at First United Methodist Church of Opelika Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.: The Wonder of Christmas — Kids Christmas Musical at First Baptist Church of Opelika Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.: Lighting of Tree, Chrismon (sic.) Celebration at Pepperell Baptist Church Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Mat and Savanna Shaw Christmas Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.: AHS Band Concert at the AHS Auditorium Dec. 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts: www.aotourism. com/Event/41885/Million-Dollar-QuartetChristmas/

Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Santa on the Corner at Toomer’s Corner: www. aotourism.com/Event/43056/Santa-on-theCorner/

Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.: Beulah High School Band Concert at the Jerry L. Southwell Auditorium — Date and Time are subject to

Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Loveliest Village Holiday Fair in downtown Auburn: www.aotourism.com/ Event/41770/The-Loveliest-Village-HolidayFair/

Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m.: Trinity Christian School Band Concert at Lakeview Baptist

change

Dec. 8 from 12:05 to 1:05 p.m.: Jubilate Concert featuring Jubilate Singers at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 1 from 12:05 to 1 p.m.: “Christmas Time is Here” Christ Nemec Organ and Piano Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.: Auburn Junior High School Band Concerts: Concert, Symphonic, Wind and Jazz Bands will perform at the Auburn Performing Arts Center (APAC) at AJHS

Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.: Trinity Christian School Choral Concert at Lakeview Baptist

Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.: Festival of Lessons and Carols at Trinity Presbyterian Church

De. 9 at 6:30 p.m.: East Samford School Band Winter Holiday Concert at the AHS Auditorium

Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.: Christmas Tree Lighting in Smiths Station

Dec. 5 from 2 to 3 p.m.: Downtown Auburn Christmas Parade in downtown Auburn: www.aotourism.com/Event/42002/ Downtown-Auburn-Christmas-Parade/

Dec. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.: Christmas In A Railroad Town in downtown Opelika: www. aotourism.com/Event/41756/Christmas-in-aRailroad-Town/

Dec. 4 from 7 to 9 a.m.: Jingle Jog 5K in downtown Auburn: www.aotourism.com/ Event/41761/Jingle-Jog-5K/

Dec. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m.: Auburn Gingerbread Village Unveiling at The Hotel at Auburn University www.aotourism.com/ Event/41757/Auburn-Gingerbread-VillageUnveiling/

Dec. 10 through Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.: Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express: www.aotourism.com/Event/41820/RockyBrook-Rocket-Reindeer-Express/

Dec. 4 at 8 a.m.: Mayfield Family Art Show at the Art Haus

Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.: Jingle Jam Light Show at Trinity United Methodist Church

Dec. 4: Christmas at Marriott Grand National: www.aotourism.com/Event/41856/ Christmas-at-Marriott-Grand-National/

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Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.: 2021 Musical and Festival at First United Methodist Church of Opelika

Dec. 10 through Dec. 12: East Alabama Community Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at the Telfair B. Peet Theatre: www.

aotourism.com/Event/43063/East-AlabamaCommunity-Ballet-presents-The-Nutcracker/ Dec. 10 through Dec. 14: Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour 2021 in the Opelika Historic District: www.aotourism. com/Event/41755/Victorian-Front-PorchChristmas-Tour-2021/.com/Event/41756/ Christmas-in-a-Railroad-Town/ Dec. 11: Brunch With Santa at Marriott Grand National: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43090/Brunch-with-Santa/ Dec. 11: Christmas at Marriott Grand National: www.aotourism.com/Event/41856/ Christmas-at-Marriott-Grand-National/ Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Sweet Homemade Alabama Art Show at the Opelika Art Haus: www.aotourism.com/ Event/41858/Sweet-Homemade-AlabamaArt-Show/ Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.: Victorian Front Porch Bike Tour in the Opelika Historic District, 8th and 9th Streets: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43062/Victorian-Front-Porch-BikeTour/ Dec. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. : Nature Art Series: Holiday Nature Ornament at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center: www. aotourism.com/Event/41203/Nature-ArtSeries-Holiday-Nature-Ornament/ Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. EST: Smiths Station Junior High Band Christmas Concert at the SSJHS Auditorium

Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Christmas Festival at Southview Assembly on Society Hill Road.

Dec. 12 at 4 and 6 p.m.: A Divine Christmas FBCO Choir and Orchestra at First Baptist Church of Opelika Dec. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Christmas Festival Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.: The Sound Wall Holiday Supper Club Dec. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Opelika Middle School and Opellika High School Christmas Band Concerts at OPAC Dec. 13 through Dec. 18: Empty Bowls Pre-sale Event at the Denson Center in Opelika Dec. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m.: Handbell Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.: “Singing of Carols” at God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church Dec. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Longest Night Service at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.: We Need Christmas — Matthew West Concert at First Baptist Church of Opelika Dec. 22 from 12:05 to 1:05 p.m.: Jacquie and Gary Christmas Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.: Beauregard Middle School and High School Band and Chorus Concerts at the school auditorium

Dec. 24 at 3 p.m.: Christmas Eve — Family and Friendly Service at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 15 from 12:05 to 1:05 p.m.: Christmas Concert with Music Staff and Leaders at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 24 at 3 p.m.: Christmas Eve — Child Centered Service at First United Methodist Church of Opelika

Dec. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Live Nativity at First Baptist Church of Opelika

Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Christmas Eve Communion Services at Trinity United Methodist Church

Dec. 11: Martha’s Trouble — Christmas 2021 at 8 p.m.: www.aotourism. com/Event/43105/Marthas-TroubleChristmas-2021/

Dec. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m.: Collinwood Luminaries: www.aotourism.com/ Event/43055/Collinwood-Luminaries/

Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical at the Woltosz Theatre at the Gogue Performing Arts Center: www.aotourism. com/Event/43032/Rudolph-the-Red-NosedReindeer-The-Musical/

Dec. 19 from 3 to 5 p.m.: Voctave Concert at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.: Christmas Eve Service — Contemporary at the 3:16 Center at First Baptist Church of Opelika

Dec. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Christmas Caroling at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon: Christmas Festival Worship Service of Lessons and Carols at Auburn United Methodist Church

Dec. 19 at 11 a.m.: Candlelight Communion Service at Pepperell Baptist Church

Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.: OMS and OHS Christmas Choral Concerts at OPAC

Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. EST: Smiths Station Freshman and High School Band Christmas Concert at the SSJHS Auditorium

Dec. 12 at 8:30 and 11 a.m.: Christmas Cantata at First United Methodist Church of Opelika

Carols” service at Trinity United Methodist Church

Dec. 17 and Dec. 18: A Holiday Walk in the Woods at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center: www.aotourism.com/ Event/41954/A-Holiday-Walk-in-theWoods/ Dec. 18: Christmas at Marriott Grand National: www.aotourism.com/ Event/41856/Christmas-at-Marriott-GrandNational/ Dec. 18 from noon to 3 p.m.: Opelika Theatre Company’s Christmas Carnival and Pet Parade at Southside Center for the Arts Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m.: “Lessons and

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Dec. 24 at 4 and 6 p.m.: Christmas Eve Service — Traditional at The Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Opelika Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.: Christmas Eve Candle Light Service of Sacred Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.: Christmas Eve — Blended Service at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 24 at 5 and 11 p.m.: Christmas Eve Service at First United Methodist Church of Opelika Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Eve — Traditional Worship at Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 24 at 11 p.m.: Christmas Eve — Candlelight Service at Auburn United Methodist Church

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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AUBURN

M

erry Christmas!

It is with open arms that I welcome the holiday season in Auburn this year. The weather may be getting cold, but my heart is warm as I see Christmas lights and festive decorations around town. We are reaching the end of a year that has brought uncertainty for many in our community, but also a newfound hope that things are looking up. I hope this season brings rest, peace and comfort to each of you.

This time of year is a joyful time for many as we gather with loved ones around the dinner table, observe our own religious traditions and as we see Christmas through the eyes of children.

As I think about the people in our community and the lives we live here, there is much for which I am grateful.

We celebrate many traditions this time of year. We at the city hope you enjoy some of our favorites, like the Holiday Arts Sale,

the Christmas Parade or the Jingle Jog, to name a few. There will be plenty of opportunities for the family to get together and celebrate. You can find more information about holiday events and activities that our parks and recreation department and Auburn Public Library have planned by visiting www. auburnalabama.org/parks or www.auburnalabama.org/library.

As you do your Christmas shopping, please keep small, locally owned businesses in mind. We are blessed with a diverse business community that offers great gifts for everyone on your list, and if you buy local, you’ll be giving the gift of support to our retailers — your neighbors and community members.

On behalf of everyone at the city of Auburn, we wish you a safe, healthy and wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Auburn Mayor Ron Anders

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D

ear Friends — It’s time to have a Very Merry Christmas in Opelika!

Another year has passed. The city elves have been working hard to ready downtown for a magical season. I love watching how Opelika is transformed into the most spirited, beautiful Christmas destination.

With more than 15 events hosted by the city, Opelika Main Street, Opelika Parks & Recreation, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce and others, there is no shortage of activities to keep you and your family busy. The Opelika Public Library is adding a new event this year — Opelika’s Very Merry Stroll. This is a holiday showcase made of locally decorated, live Christmas trees.

The event will be held around the walking path at the new Opelika Public Library. The Tree Lighting Ceremony for the stroll will be on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. Trees will light up each evening until 9 p.m.

through Dec. 31.

When you look around this year, you will notice plenty of photo opportunities around the city. We invite you to take a photo, share your memories and tag us (#MyOpelikaChristmas). There is so much to see and do — we are indeed A Very Merry Christmas Destination!

Please be safe during the holidays. Respect the road. If you drink, don’t drive! Always wear your seat belts and watch the speed limits throughout the community. And if you are downtown, be nice to our reindeer and ornaments. Don’t touch or climb.

Santa’s watching!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May God’s blessings and peace be upon you and may you have a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Warmest regards, Mayor Gary Fuller

OPELIKA

SN PELIKA

Christmas Festival

Opelika

CHAMBER

AND TREE LIGHTING Presented by

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30TH Snowfall from 4:30 PM-6:30 PM S N P E LIK A Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM SNS PELIKA N P E LIK A Opelika Courthouse Square

St. Nick's

ON THE TRACKS

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Saturday, December 4 @ 10 AM SPONSORED BY:

Rain Date: Sunday, December 5 @ 3 PM

Learn More at www.opelikachamber.com.

Christmas Through The Ages

Photos By Robert Noles and The Auburn Downtown Merchant Association —14—

Auburn's Jingle Jog 5K

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Auburn’s Polar Express Event

Opelika Christmas Parade

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Auburn's Jingle Jog 5K

Auburn’s Polar Express Event

Opelika Christmas Parade

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Opelika Christmas Parade

Outdoor Skating Rink in Auburn

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Downtown Auburn

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Come shop with us this holiday season!

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Axe Marks the Spot

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Story By Natalie Salvatore and Hannah Lester Photos By Hannah Lester

‘Tis The Season For Joy “Many school-aged children begin a lifelong love of museums by visiting as a part of a program or tour.”

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L

ocated along a popular route for Auburn students and transits alike, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, or the Jule, brings the entire community together to experience visual arts. Open since 2003, the museum provides a creative perspective that can be influential, especially in a child’s school years.

The Jule is all about innovation and encouraging collaboration among students, faculty and local citizens. Because the university is a public research institution that takes pride in object-based research, the Jule embodies this motto. The museum allows its guests to learn about different artistic modes while developing their cultural sense and relationships with one another.

Charlotte Hendrix is the Jule’s senior communications and marketing specialist. She said that, at its core, the museum showcases diversity, community and accessibility.

“My role is to promote the museum as a welcoming space for everyone to explore, engage with and experience the visual arts,” she said. “I also highlight the ways in which the museum serves East Alabama and beyond as part of Auburn University.”

She works closely with her fellow senior directors on a day-to-day basis.

“We are often working on the next exhibition, as well as public programs that will engage the public,” Hendrix said. “There is also time spent dedicated to the exhibitions on-view and the accompanying engagements.”

There are three exhibitions currently on view through Jan. 2: “Anila Quayyum Agha: The Weight of Black,” “The Joy Fields” and “Outside In.” The “Outside In” exhibit features the Auburn’s Museum of Natural History seasonal specimens along with some of the Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller Audobon Collection selections. The specimens are showcased next to their corresponding artwork representations that quite accurately display the 19th-century components.

Guests are welcome to explore all the exhibitions the museum has to offer. Exhibits provide different artistic experiences, all of which promote learning opportunities.

Exhibition season partnerships are welcomed and encouraged.

These experiences give people the chance to share their interest in art with the surrounding community. The Jule has different sustaining partnerships ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. To learn more about the parameters with each type, visit the website, which is linked at the end of this article.

Hendrix said that many university employees, as well as

community members, feel a sense of pride for the quality of the exhibitions. Those retiring in Auburn feel a welcoming presence when they step through the museum’s doors.

“Many school-aged children begin a lifelong love of museums by visiting as a part of a program or tour,” Hendrix said. “I’ve also observed people enjoying the grounds for recreation and relaxation, as there are several outdoor sculptures on view.”

The Jule provides children and university students with a level of art exposure that goes beyond classroom learning.

This museum was one of the first in Alabama to reopen with limited occupancy in August 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate a safer start, the Jule implemented guidelines from Auburn’s “A Healthier U,” which is the university’s way to combat the virus while keeping the school open. For example, on Aug. 3, Auburn reinstalled the indoor mask policy, regardless of vaccination status.

The Jule followed suit.

Hendrix said that visiting the museum is a suitable activity for many, partly because one can go alone or in a small group. Therefore, museum guests can still visit the museum while keeping in mind social distancing and other health precautions.

The Jule will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2023 with celebrations, including bringing back the juried outdoor sculpture exhibition.

While observing all that the museum has to offer, guests can stop by to browse in the museum shop while there. The shop provides unique gifts that are curated from museum collections and exhibits.

Works are affordable and created by local and regional artists.

Purchases in the shop go toward developing the museum’s program.

Museum guests, as well as Auburn University students, faculty and staff, [can] receive discounts on the regular merchandise also.

The Jule accepts charitable gifts and donations. There is no fee for admission to the museum. However, those who donate can help preserve the museum’s collections, as well as contribute to the engagement opportunities held with school-aged children and college students.

The Jule is located at 901 S. College St. and is available via the Tiger Transit using the Fine Arts line. The museum’s hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an extension until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. It is closed every Monday. The wide-ranging hours give both students and community members flexibility in visiting the museum at their own convenience.

To make a donation, visit the website, www.jcsm.auburn.edu/. To learn more, call 334-844-1484.

Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch, Diane Brennan, Bob Harris, Lee Co Sheriff Jay Jones and Memphis

Ring The Bells Story By Hannah Lester Photos By Robert Noles

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E

very Christmas season, you’ll see the Kiwanis Club of Opelika at a different location around town, Santa hats on and ringing bells to raise money.

This year, the Kiwanis Club will be at the Sam’s Club on Bent Creek Road on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are committed to our local community and to those organizations that have boots on the ground serving the children of the community and their families,” is the motto of the Kiwanis Club of Opelika and the Salvation Army is just one of several organizations that it partners with.

Other organizations include the United Way, Envision

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Opelika, The Food Bank of East Alabama, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County, Alabama Rural Ministry, Youth for Christ and more.

“We’re the club that has supported Salvation Army and the things that it does for kids and people because our service need is kids,” said Anthony Terling, president of the Kiwanis Club. “Our motto is serving the children of the world. It’s literally our motto for Kiwanis. So, we usually just make this an annual service project that we can get our members out in the community.

“It’s one thing to support these nonprofits with funding and donations that we do, which is very important. But we

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

feel that kind of doing both, which is being seen in the community, putting our hands in the pile, per se, is very important.”

The Kiwanis Club of Opelika has been around for over 100 years, Terling said, and the bell ringing has been going on a long time.

He, however, has only been in the role of president for about two months.

“Servant leadership has just been instilled in me since I was young, whether my church, my family or those that you usually call the same thing. And then, it makes it really easy, I work for Auburn-Opelika Tourism and I’m looking at our core values right here and one of them is, ‘practice servant leadership.’

“So for me, it’s just

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something I’ve been taught.

But then, our company instills in us to go out in our community, whether that’s Lee County, Auburn or Opelika to serve those kind of initiatives. And for me, personally, kids have been a big thing in my life.

I have a lot of, whether it’s nieces or nephews, but also, I have an older child who has a disability, so it’s kind of a natural fit for me … This club’s been in existence for over 100 years and I’m just trying to carry on that legacy of serving Opelika and kids of Opelika.”

Terling said that the bell ringing with Salvation Army provides for needs for children, toys, food and social services.

“I think a lot of times when we think of the hungry, we

think of adults, we envision a face and we forget that there are kids that are as vulnerable as anything in our society,” he said.

On Dec. 11, volunteers will take shifts. Those shifts were determined weeks ago by volunteer sign-up sheets.

The bell ringing is also a great way to find new members and share information, Terling said.

“When you live in a community like Opelika and Auburn, you’re going to see somebody that you know that then you end up striking up a conversation with because they either A) didn’t know you were a part [of] Kiwanis or they didn’t know that you were doing ringing of the bell with Salvation Army,” he said.

Last year the club had to contend more heavily with COVID-19, Terling said. This year, the club wants to raise funds, but also promote safety.

Anyone who is interested in joining Kiwanis can find more information or the values behind Kiwanis at www. opelikakiwanis.org.

“We are always looking to grow our members,” Terling said. “So we would love, whether it’s somebody just looking to get involved and give back, or if they want to do it as a part of their company or their business. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you do, we welcome all and want to keep growing so we can keep giving back.”

—27—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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—28—

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Discover S.T.E.M. This Christmas Story By Wil Crews Photos Contributed By AO Discover

—30—

—31—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

A

O Discover!, Auburn-Opelika’s hands-on science center for children, was created to provide educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (S.T.E.M.) and arts to the families and children of East Alabama and beyond.

“The younger [children get exposed to S.T.E.M.] the better,” said Katie Murrah, CEO and executive director at AO Discover!. “Educational research has shown that the times that make the biggest difference are out of school time. Out of school times are considered pre-school — early childhood education is critical to lifelong academic success — but also what you do on the weekends, what you do during holidays, what you do in the evenings.

That’s really making a difference in the families and their children that have access to these opportunities versus the ones that don’t.”

Formally known as Auburn-Opelika Children’s HandsOn Science Center, the class 501c non-profit’s vision is to help people discover S.T.E.M today to foster opportunities for tomorrow.

Its goals are to serve children of East Alabama through partnerships and community support; to ensure that underrepresented groups can access opportunities; to act as a beacon for S.T.E.M education throughout the region

and nation; to promote workforce development in Alabama and to conduct research to continuously improve its programming.

This holiday season, AO Discover! invites the children and families of East Alabama to participate in its second annual “‘Tis the Season to Discover!”, presented by Kali Bryan Chadrick of State Farm.

“Come out and see us first-hand,” Murrah said. “We are lucky that we have a growing awareness of what we are trying to bring, but when families get to come to an actual event, they get a much clearer sense of who we are and what we do.”

‘Tis the Season to Discover! is offering holiday S.T.E.M. fun at the Grand National in Opelika on Dec. 12 and at the AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center on Dec. 18.

“We are so glad that they have donated their space and wanted to partner with us,” Murrah said of the event venues. “I’m glad we are going to be able to be in Opelika and also be in Auburn because I think it gives more families the opportunity to come see us.”

At both locations, AO Discover! will bring its traveling S.T.E.M. exhibits for attendees to get hands-on with their educational fun.

“To have events that go out into the community, it allows families to kind of have these S.T.E.M opportunities in their backyard,” Murrah said.

Some of the exhibits include: redesigning Santa’s sleigh to help it run faster, coding a path for the elves to deliver presents, designing a gingerbread house, making ice necklaces, helping Santa get up the chimney, preventing the Grinch from going down it and more.

“Children can move through and try all the things out,” Murrah said. “… Be creative, be inventive and learn some new things.”

Additionally, Grand National will be providing spa deals, discounts on brunch at one of its restaurants, movies in a converted theater and outside games.

At the Auburn Hotel, all the same AO Discover! exhibits will be available along with the hotel’s annual Gingerbread Village which is displayed in the conference center, a hot chocolate bar, dining at Arricia Cucina Italiana and “incredible” gift baskets (including one with four tickets to go see the MLB Champions, Atlanta Braves, next season) to be raffled away.

One raffle ticket can be purchased for $5 or three for $10.

Make sure to secure your spot now, as event tickets and pictures with Santa are discounted to $10 before Dec. 1. In December, tickets are $15. Furthermore, at both locations, families will have the opportunity to have professional pictures with Santa Claus for just $39 ($29 if bought before Dec. 1).

From babies and toddlers to full-grown adults, this opportunity promises to provide unique educational opportunities for all.

“Everyone can have fun, but it’s probably most fun

—32—

for ages 1 to 13,” Murrah added. “Our focus is really kids all the way around.”

The second annual ‘Tis the Season to Discover! at Grand National takes place from noon to 5 p.m., and will be split into two sessions at the Auburn Hotel, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a two-hour break in between.

“We want to bring [S.T.E.M] right here to East Alabama,” Murrah said.

“So that families can have access right here without having to travel and for the families who maybe can’t travel, this can come to them.”

For tickets or more information, go to www. aodiscover.simpletix.com or www.aodiscover.org AO Discover! is located at 1999 S. Donahue Dr., Suite F in Auburn.

—33—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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Merry Christmas —35—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

—36—

Story By Michelle Key

M

usic is a big part of the holiday season. Everywhere you go during the month of December, it is likely you will hear Christmas carols playing in the background. Christmas is the perfect time for schools to show off their students with band and chorus concerts and there is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy these performances this year.

AUBURN Auburn Junior High School Concert, Symphonic, Wind and Jazz Bands Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.

Auburn Performing Arts Center (APAC) at AJHS Auburn High School Band Holiday Concert Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

Auburn High School Auditorium East Samford School Band Winter Holiday Concert Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Auburn High School Auditorium BEAUREGARD Beauregard Middle School and Beauregard High School Band and chorus concerts Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Beauregard School Auditorium

There Is Music In The Air

BEULAH Beulah High School Band Concert Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. (Date or time may change) Jerry L. Southwell Gymnasium OPELIKA Opelika Middle School and Opelika High School Christmas Band Concert Dec. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Opelika Center for the Performing Arts Opelika Middle School and Opelika High School Christmas Choral Concerts Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Opelika Center for the Performing Arts SMITHS STATION Smiths Station Junior High School Bands Christmas Concert Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time Admission: 1 Toy per person for Toy for Tots Smiths Station Junior High School Auditorium Smiths Station Freshman Center and High School Bands Christmas Concert Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time Admission: 1 toy per person for Toy for Tots Smiths Station Junior High School Auditorium TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Choral Concert Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Lakeview Baptist Band Concert Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Lakeview Baptist

—37—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

M y r e e rry V S

d n M a l o l r o rt

Fa La La Festival, 2018

—38—

re

C

Story By Hannah Lester Photos By Robert Noles

hristmas is an especially fun time for children and the Opelika Pubic Library has events planned for families to spend time together this season.

There are the annual events, like the movie marathon and the Fa La La Festival, and a new event the library is planning — A Very Merry Stroll.

“At our new library, we have a walking path,” said Rosanna McGinnis, library director. “We are going to line that walking path with live Christmas trees. Businesses can sponsor those trees and decorate them which will make a festive atmosphere for people to walk through.”

A tree lighting will occur on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and they will stay up and lit until Dec. 31, McGinnis said.

One local resident, Kristin Mayes, took the idea for the Very Merry Stroll in Huntsville, where the idea is dubbed the ‘Tinsel Trail’.

“She really wanted to see it happen here so she has been spearheading it for us,” McGinnis said.

Visiting Huntsville, which is home for Mayes, involves a visit each holiday season to the Tinsel Trail, she said.

“Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year,” Mayes said.

“So, for me personally, it’s not about the gifts, it’s about the memories being made with family and friends. I wanted to bring this to Opelika because when I moved here seven years ago from a much larger city in North Alabama, I immediately fell in love with city of Opelika and I refer to it as ‘Mayberry’ like from the Andy Griffith show.

“I love how supportive and tight knit this community is. Opelika is so welcoming of ideas, so I took a chance and decided why not and presented the ‘Tinsel Trail’ idea from my hometown of Huntsville.

I thought this idea would bring a lot more people into the beautiful downtown area of Opelika and help promote community.”

Mayes takes her daughter to Huntsville’s Tinsel Trail and she said she believes Opelika’s version will be a fun, free, family event.

“The amount of joy it brings is indescribably, it’s truly magical,” she said. “My favorite memories about the Tinsel Trail are seeing my daughter’s eyes light up, hearing all the families ‘oohs and ahhs’ over the creativity of the decorations on the trees and watching families and friends take photo after photo by their favorite trees. I feel like when I am visiting the Tinsel Trail, I am getting a second chance to be a kid all over again.”

It doesn’t only need to be businesses that participate, however, McGinnis said, families and organizations can also sponsor trees.

Sponsoring a tree depends on the size of the tree. Six-to-sevenfoot trees will cost $250 while 10-foot trees are $400. For more information, visit: opelikalibraryfriends.com/tickets.

“All money raised is going, after the cost of the tree and all the things associated with that are deducted, are going toward, the Library Friends are trying to purchase a musical garden for our out-door space, as well as a dinosaur bone playground structure,” McGinnis said.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

a while.”

But outside of just the Very Merry Stroll, the library will host the All Ages Crafternoon on Dec. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Children and families will watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and make a craft.

The library will host the Fa La La Festival on Dec. 18 with stories, games and crafts for children and families.

The annual Christmas Movie Marathon will be held on Dec. 23 beginning at 9 a.m. with movies continuing through the library’s closing at 4 p.m.

“We’re going to have a lot of decorations that fall in line with the city’s decor,” McGinnis said. “So there will be some new things to look out [for], which is always fun, a lot of beautiful photo opportunities.

“But it’s a great way to spend time together without the expectation of spending money. So, nothing that we’re doing, outside of fundraisers, is charged. So, our movie marathon, we have popcorn at that, that’s available for free. Our Fa La La Festival, all of the crafts and games are for free. We know that it’s an expensive time of year and we don’t want to be one more place that you have to spend money.”

McGinnis said she enjoys watching families come together with multiple generations.

“Grandparents might come in town and the kids are excited to show off their space to their families,” she said. “So maybe parents who are typically at work have more vacation time or grand-parents, or aunts and uncles are in town, and they come to the library and they say, ‘look at my place.’

“Kids really see the library as their space, and we encourage that and it’s just wonderful and very heartwarming for me to see the ownership that our families have over the library.”

The new library opened in October at 1100 Glenn St. “We’re super fortunate in our new building to have green space attached to it,” McGinnis said. “We have a walking trail that we have put in out there and within that walking trail, there are big open areas. Both of the play pieces that we’ve selected are not your traditional playground equipment. It’s more inclusive equipment where, like a musical garden, all ages and abilities can make music and play on.

“So think percussion instruments where you just bang on the drums and there’s a [xylophone] … Then the dinosaur structure is like a T-Rex skeleton that’s sort of in the ground. It’s not as gruesome as it sounds, but it’s just to climb on and jump off of and play around.”

McGinnis said that this is one way to hAelp children be able to have an active place to play at the library and get out their energy.

“Families were coming for story time and then leaving to go play somewhere else,” she said. “So we want to have that as an amenity as well, with our parking and our convenience, it’s nice to have it all in one spot. You can come inside, read a book, come to story time, then go outside, have lunch at the pavilion and play at the park for

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—42—

Merry Murder Story By Emery Lay Photos Contributed By Paradise Tiny Village and Hannah Lester

N

estled in the heart of Notasulga, Alabama, lies a village of unique mini homes, all snuggled together in the woods. This is Paradise Tiny Village, the brainchild of Annie Jones and her daughters, Quaneisha Jones and Gentry Purnell.

This year, Paradise Tiny Village will host a Christmas event on Dec.11. However, this isn’t your typical candy canes and gumdrops event. No, it’s a Murder Mystery event.

Since early 2021, Paradise Tiny Village has been in the works, with some of its first events being held this past summer. Annie’s background in real estate helped the family

secure a spot for their venue right between two Alabama colleges.

Gentry, a physical therapist, wanted to own a business that would allow her to stay at home with her children, including her youngest daughter, Gia, who has special needs, while also allowing her to be able to still be “active and in the community.”

“We wanted to have more family time and we also needed to be able to continue to provide for our families,” Gentry said.

“We started this to just come closer together and just be able to leave generational wealth for our families and to be able to

—43—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

—44—

spend more time with our family.

“It was crazy [starting a business] … The good thing about our business is we can block out days when we don’t want to work, and we can open up when we want to.

So, we do a lot of work but at least we can have time off if we wanted it.”

Annie expressed that while many might be worried to go into business with family, she was not anxious in the slightest.

“I raised my children to the best of my ability,” she said.

“I wasn’t worried about that

at all. I was just concerned about … building up beautiful families together.”

The grand opening for the business in February 2021 opened the grounds for the public to see the work the family had done. However, right as the business was revving up, Annie’s daughter, Quaneisha, passed away in a car accident in March.

“Right after [the opening] she passed, so it was bittersweet,” Gentry said. “We had a lot of people messaging us, emailing us, supporting us and we just had a lot of business instantly. [But] I was just talking to my mom about it — that the date [she died] we still had guests, so … the day of her funeral, we had to go and clean the rooms and get ready for the guests.”

Gentry said that the season of grief in their life was “a hard process to get through.” Nevertheless, both Gentry and Annie feel as though Paradise Tiny Village is balm for their wounds and has helped the family cope with Quaneisha’s passing.

“We feel her presence there,” Gentry said. “The guests have also said the same thing; Everyone that comes out is just like, ‘Wow I just feel a peaceful presence, like a good spirit.’”

Gentry said these are qualities her sister undoubtedly possessed. On May 20, 2021, Paradise Tiny Village paid homage to Quaneisha on her “25th Heavenly Birthday.”

Today, the family-friendly

—45—

space is complete with nine tiny homes, for a total of 16 beds. Each home is decked out with various indoor amenities, including a selection of firm and plush pillows, sleep masks, earplugs, hygiene supplies and a Keurig coffee maker, complete with pods, creamer and sweetener.

Every house has a different theme, each modeled after a theme. The surrounding area is complete with hammocks, a fire pit and outdoor amenities, including several outdoor games. The village is surveilled by security cameras surrounding the premises and is a gated community with keypad access for its guests.

“Our place is just adaptable,” Gentry said. “You can have a lot of fun there, but people have also thrown a lot of spiritual retreats.

It’s just a place where you can come to have fun or just retreat from the city life … connect with nature, as well.”

Recently, the village has hosted a wide variety of groups, from the aforementioned spiritual retreats to Auburn football fans. In October, the motherdaughter duo hosted their first Murder Mystery Dinner Party in the spirit of Halloween, a Friday through Saturday experience.

Guests were invited via advertisements and once they had paid their dues for the event, they were assigned a house and a character. Each participant had to come not only in costume but in full character for the entirety of the weekend. Every meal — dinner, breakfast and lunch — marked a break between rounds, with three rounds total.

The rounds consisted of clues given to the characters, so that they could solve different cases. Games were sprinkled throughout the days to keep the event exciting.

As for the co-owners, Gentry dressed as Beetlejuice, while Annie went as a swamp creature.

Gentry said that Paradise Tiny Village realizes that “adults like to have fun.” She even had several participants emailing her a month prior, asking if they needed to take off work early to be at the event on time.

On Dec. 11, the village will host its first-ever Christmas Murder Mystery Event, much akin to the Halloween version but with a candy cane spin.

For $200, participants can be a part of a Christmas-themed journey, with a t-shirt, drinks, lunch, dinner and overnight accommodations included.

Eggnog, wine and turkey will be just a few of the foods offered throughout the evening.

Currently, Gentry plans to go all-out for her holiday costume, masquerading as Cindy Lou Who, while Annie is keeping her attire a surprise.

“It’s going to be bittersweet for me because it is my first Christmas without my baby,” Annie said.

Annie added that Christmas was Quaneisha’s favorite.

Before her passing, she had visited a children’s home with her fiancé, dressed as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus with books and gifts for the children.

Both Annie and Gentry agreed that Quaneisha always gave the most thoughtful gifts and could remember what someone had said they liked

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

months prior.

“I’ll be there,” Annie said. “And hopefully she’ll be there with us.”

To register for the Christmas event, schedule a future event or for general inquiries, contact paradisetinyvillage@gmail.com.

Annie and Gentry can also be found online at www.paradisetinyvillages.com, or on the Paradise Tiny Village Facebook page.

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Franky Junes is a mobile hotdog stand featuring both traditional, as well as iconic and fusion-style hotdogs served with a toasted bun, a variety of homemade fixings and a mound of hot and crunchy tatertots (that we’ve been known to top with ooey-gooey cheese, ranch dressing, bacon and chives).

Stop by and see us, we’d love to meet you!

Merry Christmas To ALL Story By Hannah Lester Photos Contributed By Luanne Helms

L

uanne Helms, and her son Jake, host annual Christmas events geared toward Opelika’s population with special needs.

Jake, 22, was diagnosed with autism in 2001 and epilepsy in 2012.

“Jake is nonverbal but he is very capable and active in the community,” Luanne said.

Jake spends a lot of time in Opelika, helping others, she said.

“I think it’s important to get him out in the community and see people and to do things to encourage other parents to do the same,” she said. “That is one of my main goals for being as transparent as I am in our journey.”

Ten years ago, Luanne and Jake held the first of their

Christmas Events — Skate with Santa in 2011.

“As a special needs mom myself, there were a lot of years that I sat there and thought, ‘well gosh, there should be something for our families to do,’” she said. “And there wasn’t.

And I said, 'Somebody should do something about that.’ And then I realized I was that somebody.

“It’s important because they need fellowship. They need to be with other like individuals and to love on them. That has been my main goal, is to love on our special needs families, our moms. And to just let them know that we see them and they’re important.”

Skate with Santa continued until 2016 when the skating rink shut down. Following that, Luanne held a few moms’ socials.

—48—

This year will be Trains, Cookies and Santa at the Opelika Municipal Park on Dec. 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Santa will ride the train with guests and there will be gifts for each child with special needs. The event is open to children and adults of all ages, with special needs, Luanne said.

Luanne added that her son Jake not only participates in the events, but helps her with them too.

“Besides getting to enjoy the activities, he’s one of the biggest helpers for the events,” she said. “Helping unload and set up and then, of course, he’s there to help when we clean up.

But you can just tell, leading up to any event, I’ve always had to store stuff, so there would be stuff stored and he would be looking around and it would build excitement for him.”

For all of her events, Luanne makes sure to offer snack choices that are more inclusive to those who have dietary

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“For all the events I have done over the years, I have always tried to offer both options if that wasn’t the only option, just because I know that it is difficult for some families to be able to go places because their kid grabs something they’re not supposed to have,” she said. “Then it kind of ruins the whole purpose of them being able to get out and have some fun.”

The event is being held outdoors to help mitigate COVID-19 worries, Luanne said.

Luanne said watching the community grow is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.

“Ultimately, my main goal is to bring others together and build friendships,” she said.

—49—

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Christmas Traditions

W

e reached out to you, in Auburn, Opelika and Lee County, and asked what your favorite traditions are at Christmas. Of course, there are the normal ones, like decorating the Christmas tree, wearing Christmas pajamas and setting out cookies and milk for Santa.

But, for some of you, you have some pretty weird traditions. And some of you have traditions that give back to others.

Sarah Cambron Dorough:

We have had a tradition in our family for years called the “Chimney”. Every Christmas we have huge boxes wrapped in brick wrapping paper which makes a fake chimney. All family members put presents in the chimney and Christmas night after dinner we all sit together and pass out presents from the chimney.

Sara Gottlieb Bragdon:

We have Christmas Butterflies because my kids are TERRIFIED of the idea of someone coming into their house when they’re asleep.

Amanda Michelle Brogdon:

We do not buy items for stockings until Christmas Eve. We will go to Walgreens, Dollar Tree or Dollar General. We draw names to see who we shop for. We shop and hide from each other in the store. There is a $20 limit. We take turns on Christmas Day opening our stockings and try to guess who bought for us.

—51—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Samantha Mendoza:

We use a D-20 (die from the game Dungeons and Dragons) to determine the order to open presents on Christmas morning. And we have a separate tree for our “nerd” ornaments (Harry Potter, Star Trek, Disney, etc.)

Sharron Sharpe:

Santa never wrapped his gifts, so one year I wrapped a box of chocolate-covered cherries in expensive paper with a big bow for each child. They were excited to receive a wrapped gift. Thank goodness they all like candy so they were happy. It has become a tradition. When my granddaughter invited her boyfriend for Christmas, his eyes lit up at the beautifully wrapped gift. She told him, ‘don’t get too excited, it’s candy.’

Jenny Scott:

I do so much cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, we took an idea from “A Christmas Story” … we always order Chinese food on Christmas Day. No stress!

Jordyn Dawson Mills: Riding around looking at

all the lights! We call it the “tacky Christmas light tour”.

Jeremy Crowder:

We have a Blue Santa! An organization that supports families with Autistic children sends Santa in a Blue Suit before Christmas to bring presents.

John Brooks: When I was a kid, my grandparents

would come over on Christmas Eve and they’d all fix up a big buffet style line on the dining room table with everybody’s favorite finger foods (meatballs, braunschweiger with little pumpernickel slices and Triscuits, pigs in a blanket, etc.) Then we’d all sit around in the living room eating our plates and opening presents.

Christy Nolen:

Grilling steaks on Christmas Eve. Everybody gets tired of ham and dressing.

Andrea Bailey:

We make a plan on Thanksgiving for everyone to bring a themed dish (Mexican, Italian, etc.) and mix it up each year so we don’t eat the same thing as Thanksgiving.

Kasey Gibson Trombley

: We have “Christmas Adam” on Dec. 23. Growing up, it was four girls and one boy in our family and we always got to open a gift on Christmas Eve (pajamas). One year, my brother made the argument that Adam came before Eve and it wasn’t fair that the girls got a holiday and he didn’t. Well, Christmas Adam was born in our family, and is still being celebrated probably 40-plus years later. We always got a small gift to open that day. When my kids were growing up, it was always their favorite. They preferred it over Christmas Eve and Day. I think it was because it was just us and I would search for the silliest gifts for them to open that day. That would be the only gift under the tree that had their names on it (I did specific paper for each person and only I knew who’s was who’s.) They would feel and shake that gift for weeks trying to figure it out. Some of my best memories of my kids growing up are Christmas Adam memories.

Robyn Askew Darby:

We always make traditional Brunswick Stew for Christmas Eve dinner!

Family recipe obviously. When my youngest brother and I were little, we would always open “family gifts” on Christmas Eve ... Oh, and matching onesies for the whole fam. We wear them ALL DAY Christmas Day.

Wendy Michele Patterson:

Our family gets together, we eat, play dirty Santa and then we have our annual Mexican train domino tournament. It gets very competitive but the laughter is what makes it worth it. We laugh until our sides hurt.

Richard Smyer:

Santa leaves underwear or panties on the Christmas tree.

Maggie Lawrence:

We decorate a tree at the end of our drive with giant ornaments.

McKenzie Harris: My family goes to Waffle

House every Christmas Eve!

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N

The LIVE Lee Staff Celebrates Christmas

ow that you’ve read the community’s Christmas Traditions, we also wanted to share ours as well. So, if you keep reading you’ll find the LIVE Lee staff’s family Christmas traditions and fun memories.

Wil Crews’ cookie

Last year’s winning cookie

Wil Crews:

So, myself, my Mom, step-dad, grandad, cousins, siblings, brother-in-law and everyone’s furry friends all gather on Christmas Eve and we decorate Christmas cookies. It begins not long

after people arrive, as the restlessness of beginning our creations is too much to bear. We start with raw sugar cookie dough and craft a shape with stencils, utensils and anything you can find that has a sharp edge, honestly. After baking in the oven for a few minutes, everyone’s cookies are hopefully — and I have to stress, hopefully, because mine rarely come out as intended — look like the shapes we have all crafted. The next step begins the real fun as everyone shares different colors of icing to decorate their cookie. When the smoke clears, the dust settles and the occasional family-friendly sabotage is over, my Mom takes pictures of all the cookies and post them to Facebook to have people pick the winner. Although I have never won (probably haven’t even sniffed the podium), I always cherish this family tradition. And even though my cousin and sister got the artistic genes of the family and typically win, I believe last year was my best cookie yet. So, I’m eagerly awaiting this year’s contest and look forward to a very merry, cookie-filled Christmas.

Michelle Key:

We always open our gifts on Christmas Eve leaving Christmas morning to enjoy gifts from Santa. Stockings are a pretty big deal in our house. I cross-stitched a personalized one for each of us, starting with my husband’s while we were dating. I always enjoyed filling everyone’s stockings with little things that I thought they would enjoy. My husband was responsible for finding things for mine. Stockings were always filled after everyone went to bed, to be explored on Christmas morning. As my kids got older, they started sneaking into the living room to add stuff to each others stocking and sometimes, they even added stuff to mine.

Hannah Lester:

I love so many things about Christmas, but one of the best parts is getting together with my

extended family. My dad grew up with four sisters, so when we all get together it’s, on average, 20 of us for a few days for holidays.

That’s a lot of relatives to buy gifts for, so what we tend to do is stocking stuffers. Half the time, these are well-thought-out gifts that you know the recipient will use or enjoy. The other half of the time, the stocking stuffer is silly, absurd or far-out crazy. We’ve received gadgets that sing, chickens that squeak, mustaches to wear, wigs, candy cigarettes, fake teeth and so much more.

For a family that loves to laugh a lot, these are the perfect gifts.

Plastic baby hands have shown back up year after year. If you can find something that references my dad’s or aunts’ childhood you can pretty much guarantee the gift will be a hit. You’ll find our house full of laughter on Dec. 25.

Robert Noles:

When I was growing up, we would wake up to the presents under the tree, eat a big breakfast, then Dad and I would go somewhere to hunt, walk in the woods or just target shoot. It was all about family being together. Also, the family would go on a road trip up Hwy. 29 the Sunday before Christmas to visit and spend the day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Stovall, Georgia.

As I left home and started a family of my own, we still had many of these traditions. We would always get up, open presents and I would make waffles for the family. We would make a trip to see parents and grandparents. But it was always about family and food.

Now, as the family has changed with parents and grandparent who have passed away, we have continued many of the traditions, including the children coming to the house with their families and visiting, eating and enjoying each other. Of course, now we focus on the grandchildren opening and playing with their presents. Once again, we all enjoy the late morning breakfast of homemade waffles and the family around the kitchen table as the grandkids play with the Christmas presents.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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A Trip To Whoville Story By Megan Mann Photos Contributed By The Mason Jar

T

he Mason Jar in Auburn, Alabama, has become a well-known restaurant in the community.

Husband and wife, Danny and Christie North, are the owners of the establishment that has been up and running for six years.

Four years ago, they began holding different events for the holiday season. They have

these special days throughout the year to not only bring some fun and festivities to the community, but to give back as well.

The big Christmas event is breakfast with Santa and the Grinch. All members of the community are invited to eat food, give back and join in on the holiday fun this year on Dec. 18 from 8 to 11 a.m.

Everyone that attends is

asked to bring an unopened gift that will be donated to a charity. In the past, the couple has raised money and donations for different groups including the Salvation Army and the Auburn Police Division.

If you are familiar with The Mason Jar, then you know about the big wagon that sits in the restaurant. As people come in with their gifts, they can watch as it fills up throughout the day.

“We decorate the whole restaurant to fit whatever theme we have chosen that year,” Danny said. “Our staff all dress up too.”

Along with being able to meet Santa, children will also be able to take pictures with the Grinch and have their own creations made by a balloon artist.

Planning events like this is something that comes naturally to Christie.

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“I used to work for the Walt Disney Company, so I’ve always been into event planning, it feels really good to be a part of something fun like this that is also a way to give back to the community,” she said.

The event is open to the entire community and all the owners ask is that you make a reservation.

“By doing reservations, it allows us to make sure all of the kids will have an opportunity to be with Santa and have time to enjoy the activities,” Danny said. “We were amazed at how much we raised last year, and we hope to keep that up this year.”

To find out more information about The Mason Jar’s upcoming events, visit the website at themasonjarrestaurant.net or give them a call at 334-7340270.

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Story By Emery Lay Photos Contributed

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B

ill Schwenk and Robbie Hughes once were ranger roommates.

Now, the two coown a barbecue business, “Bill and Robbie’s Excellent BBQ Adventure.”

In October 2020, Schwenk was newly out of the military and Hughes was out of work. Hughes randomly called up Schwenk one autumn afternoon and said, “What are we doing tomorrow? I quit my job.”

Before the call, Schwenk had gone to appraise a house in his area. At the house, Schwenk was met with a kind mother, a disabled father and a son on the Autism spectrum.

The mother expressed that she was heartbroken that they could not visit their grandparents up north that holiday season, due to COVID. Perhaps the most heartbroken member, however, was her son.

Each year, his grandparents hung up Christmas lights, which was his favorite thing to look forward to.

Without hesitating, Schwenk offered to hang up the lights for them, accompanied by Hughes.

After the lights had been strung, Hughes hurried to find Schwenk.

The son was outside, marveling with “extreme joy,” as Schwenk put it, at his new lights.

“Did you see that?” Hughes asked, with tears in his eyes. “We can’t charge them for this. That was enough.”

Thus, the “Excellent Christmas Adventure” was born. (Schwenk and Hughes have a second effort during Christmas — Operation Christmas

Decor. Turn to page 74 for more information.). Following its creation, Hughes came up with a name for their barbecue food truck business, as well: “Bill and Robbie’s Excellent BBQ Adventure.” Hughes was proud of the name; Schwenk found it ridiculous. Nevertheless, it stuck.

“Everybody loves it,” Schwenk said.

For Bill and Robbie’s Excellent BBQ Adventure, Schwenk handles the business and Hughes handles the barbecue. Schwenk said that Hughes can make anything taste good. Hughes’ love for cooking — particularly barbecue — comes from the backyard, and his talent comes from his mom.

This year, the business has been serving veterans in the community, as well as providing meals for the East Alabama Food Bank and a local Down Syndrome fundraiser. Through partnerships with local Autism and Down Syndrome foundations, the Excellent Christmas Adventure has been able to gear up for its second year.

“The autism/down syndrome community is so much more vast than I anticipated,” Schwenk said.

Additionally, Schwenk said that he has noticed just how tight-knit of a community the special needs groups are here in Auburn-Opelika.

Though Schwenk himself has few familial connections to those with disabilities, both he and Hughes have had their hearts touched by the need they see in Auburn-Lee County. Schwenk said that in “God’s economy,” everyone is created equal.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

“I don’t think God sees disabilities,” Schwenk said. “The way I see it is that my problems just aren't for everybody to see. I could be labeled with three other things. But I hide them … But because theirs are on display for everybody, we deem them to have disabilities.”

For the month of December, the Excellent Christmas Adventure is dedicated to working with local organizations focused on people with disabilities to identify needs in the community. Schwenk and Hughes will primarily be focused on hanging up lights to bring visual joy to those they are serving.

“The point is to make that person feel loved, even for a moment,” Schwenk said.

While their target audience remains veterans and those on the spectrum, or with Down Syndrome, Schwenk said that he does not want to “pigeon-hole” their ministry or “put God on a shelf.” Schwenk and Hughes are dedicated to serving anyone who needs it.

Excellent Christmas Adventure accepts both volunteers and donations. Volunteers can offer their assistance through messaging the barbecue business’ Facebook page. Seeing as Schwenk and Hughes will be showing up in costume to decorate, they encourage any volunteers to

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do so as well and embrace the Christmas spirit.

Donations can be made through Venmo to @ ExtendedHeartFoundation. Schwenk noted that a generous donor even gave $500 on the first day that the Venmo account opened. Any money will go toward buying lights, as well as helping pay for the power bill of the houses they attend. Anything less than this would be “short-sighted,” Schwenk said.

Currently, the group is working on constructing a permanent foundation to gather funds for the Excellent Christmas Adventure, to meet the needs of the community. The Foundation will be named after Kim Epperson, former children’s minister at Trinity Church in

Auburn. Epperson recently passed away due to COVID and health complications.

Schwenk said naming the foundation after her felt right. The love that Excellent Christmas Adventure strives to show to the community is a reflection of the same affection that Epperson bestowed upon the children she cared for.

Both co-owners hope that the business can one day expand and that the Excellent Christmas Adventure will become a nationwide service project. As he entrusts it into God’s hands, Schwenk said he would love to see cities across America looking to serve their communities in this way.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

LOCAL COMMUNITY

LOCAL ART

Story By Hannah Lester Photos By Hannah Lester and Robert Noles

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A

uburn is adding a brand new Christmas event this year — The Holiday Market. All of Auburn’s Christmas events are taking place on one weekend: Santa On The Corner, the Auburn Christmas Parade (turn to page 68), holiday performances and the new event, The Holiday Market.

And all of these events combined make for one busy weekend — The Loveliest Village Holiday Fair, said Jessica Kohn, downtown coordinator for the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association.

The Holiday Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gay Street Lot. On Sunday, Dec. 5, the market will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature 40 different local vendors, Kohn said.

“This is a curated market where you’ll find fine arts, specialty gifts, vintage and handmade items, antiques, gourmet food and so much more,” she said. “That’s just one more attraction that we hope will draw people to downtown that weekend.”

The market will be taking place at the same time as the parade and Santa On The Corner, so Kohn said residents could come early and check out the market while downtown.

Sweet Homemade Alabama Christmas Show: Kathryn Whetstone created the Sweet Homemade Alabama Christmas Show after experiencing shows herself as an artist. “[Shows] went from art to entertainment and imported goods

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and it’s hard to compete against imported products and it really changes the dynamics of the show,” she said.

The Sweet Homemade Alabama Christmas Show is all handmade and all fine art, Whetstone said. There will be almost 30 artists and she chose each after considering their products.

This is a jump from 2020’s 15 participating artists.

The show will be held on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Art Haus in Opelika.

The show will take place both inside the Art Haus building and outside. Admission is free and there will be food trucks on hand selling food.

“I treat the artists really well because I also felt like we were overlooked and a bit neglected at some shows,” she said.

One of the goals of Whetstone’s shows is to give back. So, each show also benefits a local organization.

“Artists are a very giving, loving breed for the most part,” she said. “And they’re very happy to stroke that check at the end of the day.”

The December show will benefit Women’s Hope Medical Center in Auburn. Some of its services include pregnancy testing, education, ultrasounds, prenatal care, resources and referrals for other needs, parenting classes; a fatherhood program; all these are free.

“They do so much good for this area, beyond just the women, they help the children and the families,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful organization.”

There will be all types of artists in the show — and not too

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

many doing the same work, Whetstone said. There is an artist who works with wood, a blacksmith who makes knives and crosses, a glassworks artist, artists who work with recycled products, a weaver, a knitter, someone who marbles products like Christmas ornaments, artists who make jewelry, a man who works with leather and more.

Whetstone will be participating in the show too — she makes hand-forged and kilned silver.

“I’ve always believed in supporting the community you live

in, I think it only enriches everyone’s life and I also do this show so that people realize all the talent that is around them,” Whetstone said. “Because a lot of time artists are hidden in their studio or hidden in their home and people aren’t aware of what is right at their doorstep.”

Although applications are already closed for vendors for the December show, Whetstone said that any local artists who may want to join her show in June can reach out by email: sophiesmuse1@gmail.com.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Run Off T he Cookies Story By Natalie Salvatore Photos Contributed By Maura Toohey

I

n a few short weeks, the holiday season will be in full swing. To kick off the celebratory spirit in December, Active Auburn will host its annual Jingle Jog 5k on Dec. 4. from 7 to 9 a.m. Participants can enjoy the cooler weather while running through downtown Auburn, right on College Street. This fundraiser is a family-friendly event open to all ages and skill levels.

Maura Toohey, the coordinator for Active Auburn, has been hard at work planning and executing the event’s administrative duties. This is her first year working with this particular fundraiser.

“For Jingle Jog, we actually partner with Auburn-Opelika Running and Track Association (AORTA), and they become the race-day directors,” she said. “AORTA assigns each runner a bib number, executes all timing services, sets up the finishing line and chute and much more.”

She said the race started when Active Auburn was created in 2017. Active Auburn, presented by Auburn Parks and Recreation, is a health and wellness campaign available for residents in the Auburn area. In its first year, the event

consisted solely of the 5K. Now, there is a one-mile Santa Stroll Fun Run/Walk that citizens can also participate in.

Despite the pandemic, the race was still on last winter, mainly because it was an outdoor event. Operating on a shorter schedule allowed the fundraiser to continue its success even under different circumstances.

“However, for timing purposes, we did not have the Santa Stroll Fun Run. Some participants chose to wear masks, but that was about the only noticeable change from past years,” Toohey said.

The 184 runners in 2020 started by Toomer’s Corner as their family and friends gathered for support. One of the race’s traditions is for runners to show their holiday spirit by wearing different accessories, such as ugly Christmas sweaters or Santa hats.

Toohey encouraged participants to gather their holiday accessories in preparation for the event. Registering on race day will be $25 for the fun run and $30 for the 5K. A t-shirt is not definite on this date, however. Runners may receive an accessory or two in their registration packets. The pre-race

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packets will be available for pickup on Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dean Road Recreation Center, located at 307 S. Dean Road.

To register or learn more about this fundraiser, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/AL/Auburn/ ActiveAuburnJingleJog5kandSantaStrollFunRun. Or, visit

www.activeauburn.org for more race information, as well as more on Active Auburn.

Whether you are competing in the timed race or participating in the fun run, this event overall is a great way to get active and stay connected to fellow community members during this festive time of year.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

'LOVELee' PARADES

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Story By Hannah Lester Photos By Robert Noles

T

hings are returning to normal — at least in some ways. Last year, Christmas parades looked a little different thanks to COVID-19.

But this year, Opelika and Auburn are going back to more normal events.

Auburn: Auburn’s parade will take place Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in downtown Auburn.

Expect to see some familiar faces in the parade — the Auburn High School Marching Band, cheerleaders, boy scout and girl scout troops and dance teams. But there should also be some new participants, said Jessica Kohn, downtown coordinator for the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association.

The parade will take about 30 minutes for people to watch, she said, if they want to see each group.

Kohn touted the new parking decks in downtown Auburn as an asset to the parade. Residents will find parking in the new Wright Street Parking Deck and AuburnBank’s new parking deck.

In terms of watching the parade, pick any spot along the route, she said.

“There is not a bad spot on the parade route,” Kohn said. “I try to tell everybody that. I feel like people love to gather around Samford or Toomer’s Corner but you might find that you enjoy the parade more if you’re not squished up next to everybody else and you can spread out and a spot on Gay Street is just as great.”

The Christmas parade is the longest parade the city puts on each year. However, it will only accommodate 60 vehicles or groups, she said.

“It’s something that I think everybody looks forward to every year,” Kohn said. “I know I used to attend it as just a spectator and it’s so fun and especially seeing it through a child’s eyes is even more fun. It just really gets you in the holiday spirit. It’s also just a great way for you to come downtown and you can support your merchants as well.”

For some additional fun, Santa On The Corner will be held the day before the parade, on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Auburn. This provides parents with the opportunity for their child to visit Santa, share their wish lists and snap a photo.

“We will have him back this year,” Kohn said. “As of right now, we’re just going to have Santa on Saturday.”

However, Santa may return on Sunday before the parade, but this has yet to be decided.

“Santa On The Corner benefits United Way,” Kohn said.

“Photos with Santa are free but donations to United Way are accepted and appreciated.”

For more information, visit: www.downtownauburnonline. com.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Opelika: Opelika’s parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m., which means that realistically Lee County residents can attend both cities’ parades.

Opelika chooses a theme for each Christmas parade and for 2021 that theme is St. Nick’s on the Tracks, said Opelika Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ali Rauch.

Floats/vehicles/walking groups are asked to decorate according to the theme, she said.

“We are going back to the traditional parade format,” Rauch said.

“Parade participants will enter their vehicle/float/walking group into the parade and we will conduct the standard route through downtown.

“People who come to watch the parade will be welcome to grab

their favorite spot and enjoy the show. Last year, we made exceptions and adjustments to account for COVID-19 and are excited to go back to pre-pandemic style parade.”

There have been all kinds of guests at the Opelika Christmas Parade in the past, from Santa, to Christmas’ meanest participant — the Grinch.

“Christmas is the most magical time of the year, especially in Opelika,” Rauch said. “Let us bring joy back to you this season and participate in Sno*pelika and the Christmas parade … Christmas in Opelika is unlike anywhere else. We have so many different events for lovers of this season throughout the entire month, and it truly brings joy and fulfillment to those who want to enjoy Christmas to the fullest.”

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With the holiday season quickly approaching The Fatherhood Initiative better

known as Dad’s League looks to continue a long-lasting tradition of giving. Serving Dad’s throughout the region, the initiative has developed a focal point of what giving should be. “Giving is developing and sustaining responsible fathers in the community.” - states Churmell Mitchell (Fatherhood Coordinator).

Mitchell looks to bring a “Warriors” mentality to fathers who are coming into the program. With a goal to encourage a thriving culture of loving fathers who engage their families toward being positive contributors to the community as the vision of the program. Earlier last month the fatherhood initiative brought aboard new hire Jason Flowers. Flowers a hard worker and determined dad himself looks to add even more excitement to the thriving Dad’s League Team. With several years' experience in the Mental Health field Flowers will be called upon early to add to the team's growing knowledge on how to better serve Father’s —71— in the community.

Pictured Left to Right Jason Flowers and Churmell Mitchell both Fatherhood speaking engagement Child Care Resource Center (Dad’s A LIVE LEELeague) CHRISTMAS

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Operation Christmas decor

W

Story By Harrison Tarr Photos By Samantha Sweatman and Contributed

ith the holiday season around the corner, the people of Opelika begin preparations for hosting families, sharing laughter and spreading the joy which comes along with the time of the year. For Bill Schwenk & Robbie Hughes, co-owners of Bill and Robbie’s Excellent BBQ Adventure, the most important part of the holidays is giving.

In the spirit of giving, the pair has launched “Operation Christmas Decor,” an initiative designed to provide Christmas trees to disabled veterans in the Opelika community. (Schwenk and Hughes have a second effort at Christmas — The Excellent Christmas Adventure. Turn to page 58 for more information.)

The idea to provide Christmas trees to those in need came to Schwenk while giving estimates for holiday decor in December

2020.

“Last year we decided when we were doing Christmas trees, I said ‘hey man, let’s get some Christmas trees for disabled vets,’” Schwenk said. “I was transitioning out and was struggling through the transition of being a service member for 23 years and then my whole life changed.”

Schwenk’s personal experience with the transition back to civilian life inspired him to offer a helping hand to the fellow veterans in his community.

“That’s a major struggle for a lot of veterans,” Schwenk said.

“So I wanted to just reach out to veterans and what I didn’t want to see happen was some Vietnam war vet that couldn’t put up a tree — but loves the holidays — not have a tree in his house.”

According to the 23-year veteran, finding members of the

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Bill and Robbie

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military community can be difficult.

“Veterans are a little more closed off,” Schwenk said.

“Veterans are a little harder to find. But I knew that already.”

He has yet to let the challenge of locating these households stop him from delivering holiday cheer.

“We don’t want those families to go without if we can be part of the solution,” Schwenk said. “That was just really in an effort to reach out to the people of the community who are hurting or need help or just need somebody to care about them.”

While the focus for Schwenk and Hughes’ “Operation Christmas Decor” remains emphasized on disabled veterans, the business partners aim to provide for any household in the community who might need reaching out to at this time of year.

“I think — when you look at it — everybody’s going through struggles,” Schwenk said. “Everybody’s going through stuff. What I’ve learned is most people just want to understand and know they’re part of a community and that they’re cared about. So that’s kind of the whole point of what we’re doing is to make them feel like there are people who care about them and that they are loved.”

A self-described people person, Schwenk claims that getting to know the people in his community and offering a helping hand whenever possible has been enjoyable.

“I enjoy getting out and talking to people,” Schwenk said.

“Getting out and feeding people, giving back when we can.”

While giving back is of the utmost priority to Schwenk, the veteran accredits the opportunity to help those in need to the willingness of his partner to hold the same moral compass.

“There’s another thing I can say about my partner,” Schwenk said. “There is never once [when] I’ve come to him and said ‘hey, I want to do this’ and he said no. Never. He’s never done that to me.”

Schwenk is appreciative of Hughes’ willingness to provide for others even when money may have been tight.

“And when you talk about a new business — and sometimes you’re only making $200 a week — that’s huge,” Schwenk said. “… That list can get pretty big. It can add up over time.

Eventually, somebody could look at you and say ‘hey dude, we’ve got to make money, we can’t keep giving stuff away.’

I’ve never had that problem. Never once.”

Having a partner who is on the same page as himself has been important to Schwenk.

“That’s huge to have somebody to support me and be in a partnership with somebody that does support you like that,” Schwenk said. “Because we have been able to do these other things. We’ve done all that and we will continue to do all that.”

While many members of the Opelika community may look at the pair as a model for ‘good’ people, the co-owners believe that they are simply spreading acts of kindness that they feel spiritually compelled to do.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s that we’re good people,” Schwenk said. “I think it’s that we understand that we are not good people. We’re very in tune that we’re not perfect. We are who we are and I think partner would echo the same.”

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

For Schwenk, providing for his community is not a quest for self-righteousness; rather, a task which he feels has been given to him by the Lord.

“We’re imperfect people who know that the Lord has given us everything we have,” Schwenk said. “We have to give back.

I have no idea why the Lord put this on my heart, but He did.

So we’re going to do what we’ve got to do.”

Although the small-business owner prefers to keep much of his community work to himself, he has elected to publicize his holiday operations in hopes that his neighbors will be willing to provide him with contacts for families who might otherwise go unaided.

“Some things I’ve got to keep between me and the Lord,” Schwenk said. “I think the reason that this can’t stay between me and the Lord is that I can’t identify all the people without help. I’m not God; it’s bigger than me … I need other people to come to me and say ‘Hey Bill, I have a family who needs help.’”

Bill and Robbie’s Excellent BBQ Adventure begins Operation Christmas Decor in 2021 with the hope to spread as much joy within the Opelika community as possible. Information on how to contribute to the pair’s drive as well as contact information for the Kim Epperson “Extended Heart” Foundation can be located on the company’s Facebook page.

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Merry Christmas from —79—

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

suscc.edu

Christmas In The Magic City Story By Emery Lay

H

ighway 280 is portal to a plethora of day trips out of Auburn. Taking a left onto the highway and driving a swift two hours down the road lands a traveler in the beautiful city of Birmingham, Alabama. As Christmas nears, take a trip to Birmingham to see the sights and the lights.

Birmingham is renowned for its food, activities and scenery. The foothills of southern mountains line the city, accompanied by rolling roads and twisting turns. Downtown remains rich in history, with up and midtown showcasing the newer, innovative edge of the city.

Eating When looking for a bite to eat, Birmingham is overflowing with options. For a morning brunch, visit Maple Street Biscuit Company or Another Broken Egg for home-style cooking and a cup of orange juice.

Downtown Birmingham is also home to Pizitz Food Hall, which hosts several restaurants from within the Birmingham area. Food options include home style meals from Ashley Mac’s, “peaux boys” from Broad Street, pies from Edolyn’s, Indian street food from Silver Kati and more. The food hall is open MondaySaturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed on Sundays.

The Summit, a popular shopping center, also offers a list of delicious options. Fine dining can be found at Fleming’s Steakhouse and Seasons 52. Travel the world of taste with North Italia, P.F. Chang’s, Chuy’s and Abhi. Finally, Steel City Pops offers delicious frozen treats, complete with ever-changing seasonal flavors.

Brick & Tin, located at 2901 Cahaba Road, offers meals from local vendors made with sustainable ingredients, sold at reasonable prices. For the best barbecue in town, visit one of four Saw’s locations: Saw’s BBQ in Homewood, Saw’s BBQ in Southside, Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline or Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Avondale. Also located in Avondale is Avondale Brewing Company, which offers a broad selection of its latest handcrafted beverages.

Mountain Brook, a small city on the outskirts of Birmingham, holds even more dining options. The city offers limeades from Gilchrist, cocktails from the Grand Bohemian Hotel, pizza from Davenport’s, brews from Church Street Coffee Shop and French cuisine from Chez LuLu. Adjacent to the restaurant is Continental Bakery, which offers breads, sweets and other sundries.

Sight-Seeing The image of Birmingham is nearly inseparable from the image of the Vulcan. Built in 1904 by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti, the Vulcan has overlooked

Birmingham since the 1930s. Despite his shocking appearance, a quick climb up the staircase or ride in the elevator provide some of the most beautiful views in the city. The Vulcan is located at 1701 Valley View Dr. Beneath the Vulcan’s gaze lies several museums: the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (520 16th St. N.), the Birmingham Museum of Art (2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.) and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway).

Additionally, downtown Birmingham offers several other sites to see and events to experience. The McWane Science Center (200 19th St. N.) is a familyfriendly entertainment center complete with activities for children and parents alike. Families are also sure to enjoy a baseball game at Regions Field (1401 1st Ave. S.) or a day at Pepper Place’s Saturday Market (2829 2nd Ave. S.).

Plenty of sites in downtown Birmingham harken back to the history of the city. Sloss Furnace, located at 20 32nd St. N., was once a fully functioning furnace but now stands as a historical marker open for tours and haunted houses in the fall. The Alabama Theatre, sitting at 1817 3rd Ave. N., is still running after nearly 100 years and showing films year-round. This is the perfect Christmas destination as they show Christmas movies this time of year. Check out Elf, White Christmas or maybe catch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Finally, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is located at 1631 4th Ave. N. and documents musical history.

There are also several parks scattered throughout the greater Birmingham area: Railroad Park (1600 1st Ave.), Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve (1214 81st St. S.), Red Mountain Park (2011 Frankfurt Dr.) and Oak Mountain State Park (200 Terrace Dr.). Each park offers a variety of activities — from hiking and biking trails, to skate parks and petting zoos.

If you’re looking to find some animals, take a trip to the Birmingham Zoo, located on 2630 Cahaba Road.

The zoo offers each visitor the opportunity to lay eyes on animals, big and small, from around the world.

Additionally, there are annual events and new activities every season to keep people coming back. General admission is $17.95 for adults and $12.95 for children ages 2 to 12.

Just down the road from the zoo lies the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. In the overarching garden lies several smaller gardens, broken down into plants and flowers from different areas of the world.

The space also offers classes, such as its Yoga in the Gardens series. Both admission and parking are free of charge.

Experience the Christmas season in this busy city just two hours from Lee County.

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Allen Asphalt, 35 Alsobrook Law Group, 84 A-O Tourism, 7 Arbor Springs, 6 AuburnBank, 41 Auburn Opelika Dental, 10 Axe Marks the Spot, 19 Beauregard Drugs, 47 Budget Blinds, 28 Butcher Paper BBQ, 46 Child Care Resource Center, 71 China Garden, 79 Church of Christ at Cunningham Dr., 82 Clear Water Solutions, 29 Day’s Hair Salon, 28 Edward Jones, 42 Franky June’s Weeny Wagon, 47 Glynn Smith Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, 57 Good Karma, 10 Goree’s Furniture Express, 55 Grady’s Tire and Auto, 42 Harvest Thrift, 49 Hilyer & Associates, CPAs, 50 HomeLink Realty: Bourg, Newman, 78 Irish Bred Pub, 50 Jay and Susie Gouge Performing Arts, 54 Jay Jones – Lee County Sheriff, 65 Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home, 73 Kage Fit, 72 Keep Opelika Beautiful, 78 LIVE Lee, 6 Meals Chiropractic, 72 Noles Photography, 4 Old INC., 10 Oline Price, Lee Co. Revenue Commissioner, 36 Oliver & Company Hair Studio, 29 Opelika Chamber of Commerce, 13 Opelika SportsPlex, 83

Opelika Theatre Company, 47 Orthopedic Clinic, 72 Price Small Engine, 34 Salsaritas, 50 Southern Union State Community College, 79 SouthState Bank, 2 Taylor Made Design, 79 The Gallery, 18 Trinity Christian School, 3 Trinity Presbyterian, 57 Wadkin’s Metal, Whitt’s Auto, 29 WoodmenLife, 46

What Is The Best Gift Anyone Can Receive?

Come and Find Out.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE 2660 CUNNINGHAM DR., OPELIKA SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. / 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:30 P.M.

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