LIVE Lee - Special Edition - November 2023

LIVELee SPECIAL ISSUE — MILITARY 2023

HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Walter C. Dorsey World War II U. S. Navy

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Veterans Day NOVEMBER 10, 2023 Opelika Public Library • 1100 GLENN STREET 9 A.M. – BREAKFAST (Free to all veterans and their families)

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CONTRIBUTORS

STAFF BIOS

Kendyl Hollingsworth Tucker Massey Natalie Salvatore

DESIGN / LAYOUT Michelle Key

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.

Hannah Goldfinger

MARKETING Woody Ross Rena Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY Hannah Goldfinger Robert Noles

Hannah Goldfinger, LIVE Lee Editor Hannah Goldfinger is an Auburn University 2019 journalism graduate who started with The Observer in July 2020 as the associate editor for the LIVE Lee Magazine. She was named editor of LIVE Lee in July 2021. She was previously published as Hannah Lester.

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

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Robert Noles, Photographer Robert Noles is an award-winning photojournalist who has been with The Observer for more than 10 years.

Originally from Tallassee, he is a graduate of Alabama Christian College and Auburn University.

is a publication created by Key Media, LLC.

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Letter From The Editor

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his is our first-ever split issue. We are always trying new things at LIVE Lee. So, this month, essentially, you get two for the price of one.

We created a military issue for the first half of this LIVE Lee and a holiday issue for the second half. So when you finish this side, flip it over, and start again!

We are so honored, always, to give credit to our veterans. But we also want to make sure we are honoring our currentlyserving military residents. We also documented a few unique situations: a live historic battle recreation (see page 20) and a visit to Opelika from military personnel in South America (see page 42).

Of course, Veterans Day is still on our minds.

Veterans Day in Auburn this year will take place on Nov. 11 at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument on the corner of Ross Street and Glenn Avenue at 11 a.m. If it rains, it will take place in the City Council Chamber building at 141 N. Ross St. The ceremony is followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. The ceremony is hosted by the city of Auburn and the Auburn Veterans Committee.

Veterans Day festivities will also take place in sister-city Opelika. This ceremony will be held on Nov. 10 at the Opelika Public Library (1100 Glenn St, Opelika) at 9 a.m. A breakfast will be served at that time and the official program will begin at 10 a.m. Celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have given their time, their youth, their love for this country. And honor those who are currently still serving. And, finally, I want to remind us to honor their families. Thank you all for all the past, present and future sacrifies.

r e g n i f d l o Hannah G Table Of Contents Support Back Home ...................................... 8 Heavy Lifting ................................................. 35 Cutting For A Cause .................................... 15

Operation We Remember .......................... 37

A Battle In History ......................................20 “I Think It’s Patriotism”................................ 39 Supporting Family Education ..................... 29 A Warm Lee County Welcome .................... 41 VA Wayfinding Now Available .................... 30

Advertiser’s Index ...................................... 47

We Thank You, We Honor You ...................... 33

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About LIVE Lee Magazine LIVE Lee Magazine was created in 2020 when we decided to create a special graduation issue to celebrate the graduating Class of 2020 — the class that had its senior year completely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

That issue was so much fun, and it was a joy to hear about the hopes and dreams of several seniors. We decided that we needed to do more and share more stories about the great things we experienced living in Lee County.

That is what we are all about, sharing the goodness that is alive and well in Lee County. We LIVE here and we love our community. We enjoy telling you, our readers, about all the fun things, the beautiful things and the great people and businesses that we encounter every day.

Since May 2020, we have published 24 issues of LIVE Lee and we look forward to continuing in this endeavor. We would like to encourage the community to send us ideas, introduce us to your businesses and tell us your stories. We want to hear them.

To have a copy of LIVE Lee delivered to your home or address of choice every time a new issue drops, sign up to be a subscriber to The Observer at opelikaobserver.com/subscribetoday/. Otherwise, pick up a copy at one of our magazine box locations or at our office in downtown Opelika.

Visit our newly renovated website, www.liveleemagazine. com to download and read the digital versions.

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Story By Tucker Massey Photos Contributed By ASVA

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n Nov. 11, student veterans will come to the Hotel at Auburn University dressed to the nines for the Auburn Student Veteran Association’s annual gala.

While there will be food and fun, the night is much more than that for those in attendance.

Drew Lufkin, retired Army veteran and president of ASVA, said that the night is a military-style ball and a reward for the hard work student veterans put in throughout the school year.

During the gala, ASVA recognizes people and groups who, according to Lufkin, “go above and beyond for not only [ASVA], but veterans as well.”

Keynote speakers also speak during the night and “a healthy

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amount of scholarships” are awarded.

“A lot of veterans come here, and they have families and are older, more mature,” Lufkin said. “They have a lot more requirements, [so] they need to better manage their time.”

Lufkin said that these veterans often come in and handle the pressure of balancing school, family and other priorities much better than the average college student and, for that, they deserve the recognition they receive at the gala.

“With young families, [they’re] married, having to pay all the bills, having to do school, across the board, they’re performing better than the average incoming freshman,” Lufkin said. “So, that’s something we want to highlight. We want to reward people

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saying, ‘Hey, you know what? You are making it happen, you are getting it done.’ That is the main purpose of the gala.”

While scholarships are often awarded through the University, ASVA scholarships are not and are paid out directly to the recipient so that they can use the money in ways that benefit them outside of their schooling.

Lufkin provided his own story as an example of the benefit of these scholarships. During his freshman year in 2016, he was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. He and his wife immediately went and bought $500 worth of diapers with the money.

“We’ve got veterans who are outperforming [other students], most of them are living at or below the poverty level, so we’re

trying to do everything we can to try and help them,” Lufkin said. “Plus, they’re deserving of it because it’s not just, ‘Hey, I’m asking for a handout,’ It’s, ‘Hey, I’m working my tail off, and I’m getting results and making this happen, and I just need a bit of help to get to the finish line.’”

Curtis Pippin, National Guard medic and program coordinator for Auburn University’s Veteran Resource Center, said the gala is a special night for all involved and goes beyond awarding scholarships.

“The gala is more than just, ‘Here’s your scholarships. Let’s go out and get a few drinks or whatever.’ It is a night of camaraderie and fellowship and recognition of the unique characteristics that

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the veteran population brings to our community,” Pippin said.

The gala, in Pippin’s words, is a celebration of these student veterans not only by the veteran community but also by community members and leaders who express a deep gratitude for the role veterans play in society.

Boone Bramwell, vice president of ASVA and retired Marine, said that ASVA succeeded in providing the

camaraderie that Pippin spoke of, especially in his experience with the group.

“When I first got out of the military, I was very strayed from where I was,” Bramwell said. “I went from being in uniform to, two weeks later, sitting in a classroom. I might as well have been on Mars. My first year in college was very rough. [Then] I started networking with other veterans. I started laying the

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foundations that would be a pathway for success. The ASVA, to me, is a family that sticks together.”

Bramwell said that upon discovering ASVA, his worries and struggles with transitioning back to civilian life were alleviated because he had found people who understood him and the transition he was dealing with. ASVA provided a sort of fellowship for him, and he believed it did for many others as well.

The camaraderie developed through ASVA is reflected in the annual gala. Bramwell said the gala was a great night of reflection and recognition and that he enjoyed being able to be part of an event that gives back to those who have served and continue to give much of their time to their families and school.

This marks the gala’s sixth year. As it went with many events, the pandemic stifled this gala for a couple of years, but Lufkin said it is back on track.

Lufkin said since the gala’s inception, $42,000 in scholarships have been awarded to hard-working, dedicated and deserving student veterans.

“It’s been able to recognize a lot of people who have really hauled a lot of mail for veterans,” Lufkin said. “And it has showed a lot of veterans that this is a community that will stand behind you and support you.”

ASVA works year-round to help assist student veterans and show them the resources available to them; guide them forward in their college careers; and be a place of comfort and assurance in a sometimes tumultuous time in their lives.

“If you’re a veteran and you don’t know where to go; if you don’t know where your friends are; if you don’t know what resources you need; if you need help with anything, come see us,” Lufkin said. “I don’t even care if you’re a student at Auburn, you come see us, and we can help you.”

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Cutting For A Cause Story By Natalie Salvatore Photos By Hannah Goldfinger and Contributed By Donald Wilson

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fter serving in the military for almost 30 years, one local veteran continues to give back to his community, now through providing lawn services to disabled veterans and senior citizens in the surrounding Auburn-Opelika area. A husband to his high school sweetheart, a father to five and a grandfather to four, Donald Wilson loves to help others, including his customers.

“I am a servant leader who is just doing the Lord’s work,” Wilson said.

Originally from Paducah, Kentucky, Wilson first enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in 1987. This was not the path he had originally planned for himself, he said. Wilson explained how none of his family members had ever served, and he had wanted to play college basketball after high school.

However, things changed when his wife — girlfriend at the time

— became pregnant with the couple’s first child. He said he knew he wanted to provide for his child and to take responsibility as a soon-to-be dad, unlike the examples he had been surrounded by during this time in his life.

“At the time, I was working at Kroger as a bagger, not making much money and living at home with my mom, giving her half of my check to pay bills,” he said. “I had to give my girlfriend money to buy maternity clothes.”

He remembers seeing a uniformed Marine officer walking through where he used to live and recalled how impressed he was by the soldier’s sharp-looking uniform. He asked what branch the man was serving in.

“What really caught my eye was when he pulled out five $100 bills,” Wilson said. “I was sold.”

His upcoming fatherhood, combined with meeting this soldier

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that day, encouraged Wilson to enlist, he said.

“The next day, I was at the Marines recruiting office looking to join, but they were all out for lunch,” he said. “So, I waited and waited, until finally an Army sergeant saw me and took me to lunch, and the rest is history.”

Such a long military career came with both its positive impacts as well as its downsides, Wilson said. Serving made Wilson not only a better soldier as the years went on, but also a better father, he said.

He took the experiences he had during the Army, good and bad, and applied them to how he raised his children. Mentorship and guidance he received from the various leaders in the Army ultimately inspired him to reach new goals, both within the Army and beyond, he said. Not only did earn the rank of command sergeant major, but he also pursued higher education and earned his master’s degree.

However, Wilson’s decision to join the Army introduced him to many different issues, such as suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Being away from home during this time caused Wilson to miss many special occasions with his family. He was not there for the birth of some of his children, anniversaries or even the

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first games for his childrens’ sports teams. Also, Wilson said that he had not truly understood how the Army could take a mental toll on someone until he experienced it himself.

“With veterans who served in my community as youngsters back then, I always wondered how you can go into service perfectly fine but come out with mental issues,” he said. “Now I know. Now I am that guy.”

Wilson said he witnessed things during combat that he would not want his children to see. He said he believes that more needs to be done today for our veterans in this country, as he understands how many soldiers have suffered, or are currently still suffering, from mental and physical conditions. He explained how many of these soldiers do not have family members or friends available to help them, and potential resources such as the Veterans Affairs may not be giving them what they need. So, using his servant personality after his retirement from the military on May 1, 2017, Wilson said he knew that he wanted to give back to future soldiers, using his retirement gift from his children, a riding mower, to do so.

“They can’t afford lawn care, and that is why I take it upon myself to

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drive as far as I can with my old truck, that I call the ‘Green Machine,’ in order to get to our veterans,” Wilson said. “I call veterans ‘Very Important People,’ because they are.”

Wilson’s children bought their dad this mower figuring he could cut their grass, he said, as well as his own. However, after realizing that many of his neighbors received fines from the HOA for overgrown grass, he started cutting the grass of those who were unable to hire lawn care services free of charge. Wilson said he does not have the heart to make a living off people who cannot afford his work otherwise.

“Word got out that I was cutting grass for free, mostly for disabled veterans,” he said. “I remember this sweet, God-fearing lady who called me and asked if I would cut her grass.”

Although this woman was not a disabled veteran, she nevertheless needed Wilson’s help. She was 83 years old and was also unable to afford lawn care services because of her income at the time.

“Right then and there I said, ‘Yes ma’am,’ so now I also cut senior

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citizens’ grass.”

Today, Wilson brings his business to communities beyond just Auburn-Opelika neighborhoods, such as Smiths Station, Columbus and Salem. He explained that as his clientele has increased, he may have to stop taking on new jobs as he works seven days a week all by himself.

Not only does he care for lawns, but this veteran also moves or puts together furniture for his customers. Also, he even stays after his jobs are finished with customers who want his company, although this puts him behind schedule for his next job, he said. He does six yards per day.

“My wife tells me to tell them I have to go, but I cannot,” Wilson said. “I just stay and listen, because one day, I will be in the same boat.”

Wilson has been running his lawn care business for four years and counting. He has made countless impacts not only for his country but also for his local neighbors. He currently lives in Smiths Station. To reach Wilson, please call 254-231- 2141.

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A Battle In History Photos By Robert Noles

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he 25th annual Bill Anthony Memorial “Battles for the Armory” and living history show was held in November 2022 in Tallasee, Alabama. The event will be held again this year on Nov. 11 and 12, 2023, at 19359 Rifle Range Road in Tallasee, Alabama.

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give thanks!

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalms 7:17

A C L A S S I C A L A N D C H R I S T I A N AC A D E M Y

tcsopelika.org

Thank You For Your Service

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Supporting Family Education Contributed By Brandon Miller, ADVA Public Affairs Photo By Robert Noles

ADVA Announces Full-Service Digital Portal for G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) recently announced the official launch of the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Portal. The portal will provide online accessibility for submitting applications and will also allow dependents to manage their profile, including checking their benefit status, viewing remaining semesters, transitioning benefits from one qualifying school to another and more.

“This is a significant development within the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program that will provide exceptional transparency and convenience for enrolled students,” said ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis. “It is also expected to streamline the process of providing benefits to eligible dependents.”

The Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program provides scholarship opportunities for dependents of qualifying disabled veterans. The program provides assistance with tuition, books and instructional fees at qualifying public and private colleges and universities in Alabama. There are more than 15,000 dependents currently enrolled in the program.

Veterans and dependents can learn more about the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program and access the new online portal by visiting www.va.alabama.gov/dependents-scholarship/.

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VA Wayfinding Now Available Story and Photo Contributed By Tramel Garrett CAVHCS Public Affairs

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he Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) has announced the implementation of a cutting-edge VA Wayfinding system at its Tuskegee and Montgomery campuses. This advanced technology aims to enhance the overall experience for veterans, their families and staff members by providing intuitive navigation and improved accessibility throughout the facilities.

The VA Wayfinding system utilizes interactive digital maps, directional signage and a mobile application to offer a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for guiding individuals within the CAVHCS campuses. Veterans, staff members and visitors can now access the system easily via smartphones or tablets.

The mobile application, available for both Apple and Android devices, provides real-time navigation assistance, turn-by-turn directions and additional information about the campus, ensuring that individuals can find their way effortlessly. Moreover, the VA Wayfinding system offers the flexibility to send directions directly to users' smartphones or allows them to print directions at conveniently located kiosks within the facilities.

By integrating the latest mobile technology and providing multiple navigation options, the VA Wayfinding system aims to improve overall accessibility and convenience for all users.

Whether utilizing the mobile app or printing directions at the kiosk, veterans, staff members and visitors can easily navigate the CAVHCS Tuskegee and Montgomery campuses.

“Implementing the VA Wayfinding system underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional care and support to our Veterans," said CAVHCS Director/CEO Amir Farooqi. "We are thrilled to introduce this cutting-edge technology, which will greatly enhance the overall experience by providing intuitive navigation and accessibility throughout our facilities. This system reflects our ongoing dedication to improving the care and support we provide to those who have served our nation.”

The VA Wayfinding system is now available at CAVHCS Tuskegee and Montgomery campuses. Veterans, staff members and visitors are encouraged to utilize this state-of-the-art tool to enhance their experience within the facilities. To download the mobile app, please visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search for “VA Wayfinding.”

Mike Hogan, a VA volunteer, prints directions on a VA Wayfinding Kiosk on the Tuskegee Campus. The VA Wayfinding system utilizes interactive digital maps, directional signage and a mobile application to offer a comprehensive and userfriendly solution for guiding individuals within the CAVHCS facilities.

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Heavy Lifting: Serving Country, Serving Others Story By Hannah Goldfinger and Michelle Key Photos Contributed By Jason Devereux and Opelika Middle School

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ne Opelika Middle School Teacher — and local veteran — has a “claim to fame.”

Justin Devereux recently won the World Masters Weight lifting Championship in Poland.

He traveled to Poland for almost a week and represented Opelika while there. Devereux wore an Opelika shirt in Poland to represent the school and the supporters he has in the system.

But before he was earning gold medals for weight lifting, Devereux was earning medals for his military service in the Marine Corps.

He said that he starting lifting weights as a child.

“I remember being far back as fifth grade and I would write out little workouts in my room with dumbbells, right?” he said. “I was always a little smaller growing up and I just liked being strong, it kind of gave me a lot of self-confidence.”

While he said that he wanted to be a competitive weight lifter, Devereux also wanted to be a United States Marine.

“I joined the military after my high school graduation primarily because I wanted to earn the title of United States Marine,” he said. “I read about the history of the Marine Corps growing up and I wanted to be a part of an elite organization that would protect our freedoms.”

According to Devereux, being a Marine helped shape him in the man that he is today.

“As a young man, joining the Marines built a solid foundation in my life and provided me the opportunity to go to college and buy a home,” he said. “It also helped me find my purpose as an educator where I continue to serve our country and community by helping our youth develop necessary skills needed to graduate, become successful and

become active, responsible citizens.”

Devereux was stationed near the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and said that he was awarded a National Service Defense medal for wartime service during the subsequent Global War on Terror. He also earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his service as a legal service specialist for administrative-related work under the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy with the Navy and Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity.

One of Devereux’s favorite memories of his time in the military is one that speaks volumes of the reverence and honor that is shown to those who have lost their lives in service to their country.

“One of my favorite memories of my service in the Marine Corps was on a particular unit physical training run through Arlington National Cemetery one early morning as the sun was rising and the fog was clearing,” Devereux said. “It was typical for us to sing a running cadence song to keep us motivated and in step as we ran. A memory that still gives me chills was when we ran through a particular sacred area of the cemetery where it was disrespectful to sing. Although we silenced our cadence, we stayed in step and the only sound you could hear was about 100 Marines’ footsteps echoing off gravestones. It felt like we were honoring those that gave the ultimate sacrifice with the beat of our steps. It’s a powerful memory that few have had the honor to experience and it brings back a strong feeling of esprit de corps.”

Although he played football in high school, Devereux said that being smaller made the sport less of a fit for him. Weight lifting, however, allowed him to compete with people in his weight class.

“When I went in the Marines, I had a really good recruiter, that I told him, I said, ‘You know, I want to be a Marine, but if it’s all possible, I know there’s been Marines that have tried to make the Olympics,’” he said.

His recruiter set him up with a legal job in the Marines that was accommodating to his training and weights.

He served from May 2000 to May 2004, with his primary duty station being in Washington, D.C., at the naval yard. During this period, he competed in the US Men’s

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Championships eight times.

“As a young man, it really kind of just helped provide a good, positive activity for me,” he said. “So, it kind of became like a lifestyle.”

Devereux is new to the area. He moved here with his wife from Oregon in July.

Devereux said that having Keith York, principal of Opelika Middle School, on his side, has been helpful for the transition.

“I emailed him and talked about in the interview where I was explaining, ‘You know, I would normally never ask this starting a new job but I’m signed up to represent USA in Poland’ and he was just, from the very get-go, ‘We’re looking forward to having you here and we take care of our teachers,’” Devereux said.

Weight lifting is also a family activity.

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“One of my favorite parts too, about this, is my daughter, she goes to Auburn Junior High — she’s actually a weight lifter too,” he said. “She’s just been always around my work and she’s competed in four youth nationals and she got fifth in the U.S. this past summer.”

Devereux said that doing this with his daughter — Penelope Devereux (Pip) — also means instilling life lessons — like doing your best, rather than over-pressuring yourself.

His wife is involved, too, he said.

“She’s kind of the rock of the family and supports a lot of us; she’s competed in some big meets but I think she could have more success if she wasn’t helping us so much,” he said.

Who knows where Devereux will head next? He has his goals and Opelika Middle School is ready to support him in his weight lifting.

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W. Kent Davis, state commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs; CAVHCS Director Amir Farooqi; Tuscaloosa VA Director John F. Merkle; and Patricia Ross, state commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs stand solemnly before a sea of American flags, each one a poignant tribute to a veteran who tragically lost their battle with suicide in 2021.

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Contiued on page 38

Story and Photo Contributed By Tramel Garrett CAVHCS Public Affairs

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profound crisis looms large across the nation: the heartbreaking reality of veteran suicides. Every state, including Alabama, has rallied behind initiatives like the Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge, fostering collaborations between federal and state agencies, aiming to combat this tragic epidemic. In the heart of Alabama, a visual testament to this crisis stands tall, bearing the weight of lost lives and the hope for a brighter future.

Rear Admiral W. Kent Davis, U.S. Navy (Retired), state commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, eloquently expressed the essence of this endeavor, “We wanted a visual reminder, a pretty stark visual reminder of how veteran suicide affects individual lives.”

Thus, Operation We Remember was born — a powerful initiative that seeks to honor and remember the veterans in Alabama who tragically succumbed to suicide.

The visual impact of Operation We Remember is striking; a field of flags, each representing a veteran who lost their battle with suicide in the year 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available. It is a somber reminder of individual lives, each one a story, a legacy cut short by the devastating effects of suicide. As American Flags flutter in the wind, they serve as poignant symbols of the deep-seated crisis that has touched countless families and communities across Alabama.

The significance of Operation We Remember goes beyond its visual impact. It serves as a stark reminder that the issue of suicide knows no boundaries — it affects the young and old; the rich and poor; and veterans from all military branches. The campaign stands as a collective acknowledgment of the struggles faced by veterans, highlighting the urgent need for support, understanding and resources.

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) has become a torchbearer for this cause, creating a moving display on the Tuskegee VA Campus. This display not only honors the lives lost but also serves as a constant reminder to the community about the gravity of the issue at hand. The field of flags, standing proudly amidst the Alabama landscape, signifies both the loss suffered and the resilience of a community determined to raise awareness and effect change.

Operation We Remember is not just about paying tribute; it is a call to action. The goal is clear — to raise awareness about veteran suicides, break the stigma surrounding mental health issues within the veteran community and create a robust support network.

“Ultimately, we’re hoping to raise awareness of the issue to get more support and link up the assets that can help veterans overcome the crisis,” Davis said. “So, we don’t have to put out more flags next year.”

This tribute gained added poignancy as it unfolded during September, recognized National Suicide Prevention Month.

It is a powerful reminder that while Operation We Remember is a testament to those lost, it is also a beacon of hope and a commitment to preventing further tragedies.

“Operation We Remember is not just a display; it’s a pledge,” said CAVHCS Director Amir Farooqi. “A pledge to our veterans that we will remember, honor and support them, not just in words but actions.”

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“I Think It’s Patriotism”

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Story and Photos By Hannah Lester

O

pelika, like Auburn, has chosen to honor its Veterans in a very public way.

On Seventh Street in downtown Opelika, by city hall and the mayor’s office sits the Opelika veteran’s Monument.

The monument’s main — and most prominent — portion, is the obelisk at the corner.

Surrounding the obelisk is a walkway with little markers for all 50 states.

“And then we have all the different services, Marines, Army, Airforce, Navy, Coastguard,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.

“All of those service flags are displayed around that particular monument.”

This was installed in 2002 when Barbara Patton was mayor of Opelika, Fuller said. Fuller was on the city council at that time.

“A veterans committee came up with that and we placed that, and it’s, of course, I think very attractive and that’s generally when we’ve had ceremonies here at city hall for either Veterans Day or Memorial Day, that’s where they place the wreath at the base of that monument,” Fuller said.

As part of the monument, there are two markers for medal of honor recipients.

“Col. Robert Howard was from Opelika and several years ago, when Bob Riley was the governor, we had unveiled that marker for Col. Howard,” Fuller said. “Then later we had a second medal of honor recipient in Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins … We have a marker there also for Bennie. So both of those are there to honor their memory.”

Both are in-ground markers and are not the only markers in place, either.

“Opelika has a proud tradition of honoring our veterans and that didn’t just start with me, that’s been going on for many,

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many years,” Fuller said. “… I remember probably … ten or 12 years ago, we did a proclamation and we ran copies for our Vietnam veterans, thanking them for their service because a lot of those veterans did not get an appropriate welcome when they got home. They were treated pretty shabbily. So, we gave each one of those, at one of our ceremonies, we had those proclamations and we gave [those] out to those service members that had served in Vietnam.

“You know, it was pretty touching. I had one guy come up to me with tears in his eyes and thanking me for that because they had never been recognized. ... Of course it was long after the fact but I think it’s an indicator of how we feel about our veterans and their service to our country.”

Fuller said that he believes it’s important to honor these men and women who volunteer to serve today, too.

“They take the pledge to defend the Constitution and so many of them wind up in harm’s way, and I think it’s the fact that they are willing to wear the uniform, that they are willing, if necessary, you know, to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” he said. “So, they deserve our respect and admiration, you know, for their service. And that goes for folks that are serving today or folks that served 50 years ago. We should be grateful for their willingness, you know, to serve.

“And I think it’s patriotism, I’m still convinced, even with the issues that we have, especially in Washington, that we live in the greatest country on the face of the earth and we’re so blessed and fortunate, and especially to be able to live in Opelika. And those veterans have had a lot to do with that.”

Fuller gave his thanks to all of Opelika’s veterans.

“My heartfelt thanks for their service, for their courage and their willingness to serve our country and I am so grateful for each and every one of them,” he said.

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A Warm Lee County Welcome Story By Hannah Goldfinger Photos By Robert Noles

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

L

ee County welcomed 24 foreign military personnel in August to learn more about America.

The men from South America toured the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Union State Community College’s Robotics Program on Aug. 28.

As part of the sheriff’s office tour, the men were able to view the majority of the jail facility and watch a K-9 unit demonstration.

During the K-9 demonstration, deputies demonstrated how the dogs can both detect bombs/explosives and drugs, as well as apprehend a suspect/prisoner.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones welcomed the men to the county and

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the country.

“Bueno Mañana,” he said.

The men laughed when Jones explained that that was all the Spanish he knew.

“We’re pleased to have you here,” he said. “We’d like to be able to share our operations and our technology and kind of show off, if we may, what we can do as far as our services to the public.

“We hope you have a great visit and any questions that you have, we would really prefer, please let us know, we’d be happy to answer them. We hope you enjoyed the detention center tour.”

Jones then joked that they always perform a head count to make

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sure nobody got left behind.

Following the K-9 demonstration, the men were able to view a sheriff’s office vehicle and pose for photos with deputies.

“As a token of our appreciation and friendship, we have a challenge coin for each one of you,” Jones said.

The coin has the Lee County Sheriff’s Office seal on one side and the motto on the other: duty, honor, professionalism.

The group then headed to Southern Union State Community College.

SUSCC President Todd Shackett was there to welcome the military guys.

“I always appreciate any awareness we can provide,” Shackett said.

“… I think the fact that we are very military friendly [is why the group visited].”

Local Judge Ben Hand is the organizer of the program.

“In 2004, I was appointed by Donald Rumsfeld, who was the Department of Defense secretary, as an oversight committee for this group, WHISEC, which is the Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Corporation,” Hand said. “It’s at Fort Moore. And what they do is train international students in national military. These are all military guys, in other countries, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. And sometimes they have some from Canada but it’s a Spanish-speaking course.”

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

The course is designed to see how civilian life takes place in America.

“They want to give them the full American experience, so they can take back ideas,” Hand said. “And if we have better ideas, use them.”

The groups come in pretty regularly. There were two in the month of August, alone.

Sometimes they will tour the Opelika Police Department instead of the Sheriff’s Office.

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Since the program is based out of Fort Moore, it is unique to this area, Hand said.

“We’ll never see the rewards of what we’re doing here but hopefully, some American citizen who is in a foreign country and needs help will come upon one of these guys and they’ll go ‘Hey, your folks were very nice, I’m going to help you out,’” Hand said. “So hopefully, we’re kind of paying it forward.”

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

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Opelika, AL Get Ready to Smile!

County

Merr y

ee

C

mas t s i r h L

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

LIVELee SPECIAL ISSUE — HOLIDAY 2023

A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

CONTRIBUTORS

STAFF BIOS

Kendyl Hollingsworth Audrey Kent Natalie Salvatore

DESIGN / LAYOUT Michelle Key

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.

Hannah Goldfinger

MARKETING Woody Ross Rena Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY Hannah Goldfinger Robert Noles

Hannah Goldfinger, LIVE Lee Editor Hannah Goldfinger is an Auburn University 2019 journalism graduate who started with The Observer in July 2020 as the associate editor for the LIVE Lee Magazine. She was named editor of LIVE Lee in July 2021. She was previously published as Hannah Lester.

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

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Robert Noles, Photographer Robert Noles is an award-winning photojournalist who has been with The Observer for more than 10 years.

Originally from Tallassee, he is a graduate of Alabama Christian College and Auburn University.

is a publication created by Key Media, LLC.

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Letter From The Publisher

F

all has officially arrived and with it my favorite time of the year. I love the cooler weather, nights sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows and watching football of course. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it comes the Iron Bowl — the football game that has the power to divide families (temporarily at least) like no other.

Thanksgiving weekend is often the start of the whirlwind of Christmas activities and it’s no different this year.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at O Town on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. and there will be a holiday lighting ceremony on Samford lawn in Auburn that same day from 4 to 6 p.m.

Just a few days later, Opelika’s newest holiday tradition — Snopelika — will take place in downtown Opelika on Dec. 1 with Auburn’s parade being on Dec. 3. December is simply packed with holiday events.

While December can be a fun-filled month for families, it can also be a month filled with stress and anxiety.

Moms and dads sometimes feel the pressure to be at every event, create the perfect holiday memories, capture the perfect Christmas photographs, prepare the perfect holiday meal and find the perfect gifts for everyone on their lists.

But as I like to remind people, life can be messy and there is no such thing as a perfect holiday.

So I would encourage our readers to embrace the messy. It is okay if you don’t attend every event — pick the ones your family will enjoy the most and don’t stress over the others. Let your children make that mess in the kitchen and bake those cookies for Santa, or let them decorate store-bought cookies with ready-made icing and sprinkles. Make memories with your families by just being together, cuddled up on the couch watching a favorite movie for the 14th time instead of striving for the perfect vacation. Give yourself a break from the hectic, fast-paced, event-filled season. Instead of seeking a perfect holiday, slow down and find contentment and joy in the messiness of a life welllived with a plate of lumpy mashed potatoes and messy deviled eggs.

y e K e l l Miche

Table Of Contents

A Thanksgiving Harvest .............................. 4 Kringle Klaus For A Good Cause ................ 35 Making The Season Merry ............................ 7 Celebrate Children, Celebrate The Season .... 38 Going Nuts For Donuts ..............................12 Christmas In Opelika ............................... 40 Bring Opie Home ....................................... 16

Calendar of Events .................................... 46

Hats By Hayley .......................................... 21 Advertiser’s Index ...................................... 49

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

A Thanksgiving Harvest Story By Hannah Goldfinger Photos Contributed By Harvest Evangelism

T

his year, Harvest Evangelism will host its annual Thanksgiving event, more than 30 years in the making.

“I work all over the world with poor and needy people and I’m glad that I do,” said Rick Hagans, founder of Harvest Evangelism. “It’s always a blessing. I’ve been to India, I’ve been to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, I’ve been to inner-city New York. ... So I’ve seen need, but I also live here and I see need here. So, we decided just probably [30] years ago, let’s try to feed a few neighbors.”

The Thanksgiving event was born from Hagans’ desire to meet that need, along with a college buddy of his, Greg Glynn.

They prepared five boxes of Thanksgiving food and decided to drive around delivering them.

“In Auburn and Opelika, if you are impoverished foodwise, you’re also impoverished transportation-wise,” Hagans said. “You could have a gourmet meal somewhere but if the

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people can’t get there, it doesn’t do any good.”

Hagans said that over the years, some Thanksgivings have been warm, others cold. And this first year was one of those freezing cold years.

“We were in a neighborhood that we knew to be poor and needy, and we knew some people there, and there was a little bitty clapboard house,” Hagans said, “This was in Opelika — the house doesn’t exist anymore — but it was close by Pepperrell Parkway and industry and commerce and business but this was just a little poor house and smoke was coming out the chimney cause it was cold. “… We went up to this house, knocked on the door and [Glynn] was holding the box and so I went inside first. And the first thing I noticed is the chimney wasn’t drawing the smoke very well, so it was a smoky room. They just had one light hanging down from a cord in the middle of the ceiling.

And there was an old elderly man, African American man, sitting in a wheelchair, in a wheelchair now, right by the fireplace. And two things you never forget; number one, is

—4—

he was sitting by the fireplace reading his Bible. “… The second thing I noticed, he’s in a wheelchair because he doesn’t have any legs.

His legs have been amputated at his hips. So, I mean, he has zero legs, just a stump of a man propped up there reading a Bible in that smoky haze. And so, I told him, “Sir, listen, we’ve really been blessed this Thanksgiving and we have some extra food and we’d be honored to give it to you if it wouldn’t be offensive.’ And he started clapping his hands. ...

A lady came from the back room and, again, an elderly lady ... he said, ‘I told you God would provide. I told you God would provide.’ So, here we were, God had sent us there.”

Hagans said that he and Glynn gave them the food and prayed over the two.

“I remember thinking as I left, ‘It’s always a powerful feeling, always a good feeling, when God answers your prayer, but it’s an even better feeling when you’re the answer to someone else’s prayer,’” Hagans said.

This was the beginning of a thirty-plus year tradition.

Harvest Evangelism includes His Place and Hosanna Home.

But the Thanksgiving event has continued each year, even as ministries have changed.

From that first year with five meals, the second year with

20, the third with 100, the event has grown and last year it was 2,700 meals.

By the third year, 100 people were showing up to volunteer on Thanksgiving morning, too, Hagans said.

“My volunteers say, ‘We live for this one day a year,’” he said. “‘Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without this opportunity.’”

Eventually, the event had to be held under a large circus tent, it was well-attended. There are two meals, actually, Wednesday evening — which is a sit down meal — and Thursday, Thanksgiving.

This year, Hagans said the goal is to have the Wednesday night meal at Lakeview Baptist Church, where it’s been held the last couple of years.

Hagans recently bought a food trailer, too, which helps with food distribution and opportunities.

Harvest Evangelism also serves meals to the local jails — Tallapoosa, Macon, Chamber Counties.

There’s still room for opportunities to volunteer this year, too, or for those who need a meal for themselves or someone they know.

Contact Harvest Evangelism for both of these things.

“What we’ve found is that some people are not just hungry, they’re really lonesome,” Hagans said.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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Making The Season Merry

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Story By Hannah Goldfinger Photos Contributed By By Jae Shields

G

lynn Smith Chevrolet GMC is hosting its firstever Christmas market this season on Dec. 2.

Jae Shields is coordinating the event for Glynn Smith, and this is not her first rodeo.

“I’m the behind-the-scenes host,” she said. “Basically, what we’re doing is we’re going to do a Merry Market which is like Christmas everything.”

There will be more than 80 vendors at the market, with products appealing to men, women and children.

“A lot of these market shows that you go to, there’s never anything for the men, which is a given because a lot of men just aren’t interested in coming to stuff like that,” Shields said. “But we have a few man-made businesses coming that do like knives, things like that, hats, belts, different stuff like that that make the whole family want to come out.”

There will be activities for the children, like bouncy houses and face painting, plus food trucks and live music.

Santa will also make an appearance.

“Everything is a local-owned business,” she said. “… It benefits, not only everybody having something to do on a Saturday but every small business.”

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The businesses hail from The Plains, the city of Opelika and even Columbus and Phenix City.

The event was announced in mid-September but Glynn Smith has been working on it since July.

Can you say, ‘Christmas In July’?

Shields, who is a boutique owner herself, has planned other events like this one in the past.

“I’ve hosted events through my boutique but this is our first one that we will be holding through Glynn Smith,” Shields said.

Glynn Smith typically holds a family day each year, but for 2023 wanted to branch out and do something different, especially since things are returning to normal following COVID, Shields said.

Glynn Smith has been a very easy business to work with, she said, especially with connections to other small businesses to potentially participate in the market.

This will be Shields’ second year of hosting these markets.

“The fact that all small businesses are together is a big thing and everybody from town comes out for them,” she said.

Of course, there are difficulties with planning these markets.

Who is to say that it won’t rain on Dec. 2?

“You just kind of have to figure it out and do what you can,” Shields said. “It’s different stuff like that but overall, once the day happens, it’s all worth it.”

There are all kinds of vendors who will come and set up.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

“Not only is it just like a fun-filled day like I said, but you get to meet and learn about businesses that you didn’t know about,” she said. “And there’s a lot more people that own businesses that you didn’t know until you meet them.”

Shields said that people will be out shopping at one of the markets and come across a photographer they’d like to book for their wedding. Or someone who

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makes custom signs, perhaps.

“You find people new that you never knew that live ten minutes down the road from you that have a business,” Shields said.

The Merry Market will take place at Glynn Smith Chevrolet (600 Columbus Parkway Opelika) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST.

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Going Nuts For Donuts Story By Natalie Salvatore Photos Contributed By The Lee County Sheriff’s Office

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

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L

ee County law enforcement works hard to keep the community safe, and Donuts with Deputies is a way for officers to meet the citizens they serve, and vice versa.

Last year, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office created this casual, drop-in event during the holiday season as a way for both deputies and community members to get to know each other. Jessica Henderson, the media and community relations specialist for the office, plans the event, which will take place on Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. She said last year’s response was great and is looking forward to another year.

“We were so happy to see everyone that came to join us,” Henderson said. “Both the community members and deputies seemed to have a great time.”

Fortunately, as the event is fairly new, the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect its operations, which cannot be said for other businesses in the area.

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Henderson wants community members to know that this year, instead of holding the event in the Sheriff’s Office lobby like last year, it will take place in the Twin City FOP Lodge No. 21 to give guests more space to enjoy the event.

Because of the drop-in style, Henderson said guests are welcome to come and go as they please.

“They don’t have to worry about staying the whole time if they have other things going on that night,” she said. “They can just stop in, have a sweet treat and meet the deputies.”

The event is free of charge and open to all ages. Besides donuts, parents can enjoy coffee, while their children can participate in other activities, such as coloring and mailing letters to Santa. Guests can wear festive attire if they would like. The Lodge is located at 1307 Saugahatchee Lake Road in Opelika. For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ events/899655274433726.

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BRING OPIE HOME Story By Audrey Kent Photos Contributed By The City of Opelika

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

D

owntown Opelika transforms into a beautiful Christmas environment during December with its twinkling lights, festive decorations and family-friendly events.

However, Opelika residents can experience even more Christmas cheer on Dec. 1 when Opie the Christmas Elf returns to town.

Opelika is Opie’s favorite town to visit, and he loves meeting new people to spread the warmth that the Christmas season creates.

Opie first arrived in Opelika last December, spreading mischief and magic while he hid from town residents, waiting to be found by the lucky person who could deliver him to Opelika City Hall for a reward.

Opie will return from the North Pole this year to ensure everyone is on their best behavior and to see who will make it on the naughty or nice list before he helps Santa Claus deliver gifts on Christmas Eve.

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Participating in the hunt for Opie is an exciting way for all ages to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

The city of Opelika will make frequent posts on its Instagram account, @opelikacitygov, notifying when Opie is hiding and providing a clue as to where he can be found. Once he has been found, the post’s caption will be updated.

“His main activity is playing hide-and-seek where he hides around town,” said Caitlin Allen, community relations specialist at the city of Opelika. “A photo will be taken of him; then it is the citizen’s job to find him based on that and a clue before they return him to city hall, where he lives for the month of December before he goes back to the North Pole.”

The clues to Opie’s whereabouts are riddles that must be solved to find him.

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Last December, when Opie was hiding in a library, the riddle the city of Opelika’s Instagram account gave was, “Tired of having your route twisted and turned? Don’t give up! Go look in a book from which you have learned.”

Keep your cameras ready because once you find Opie, you need to snap a selfie with this little plush elf adorned in red and green clothing.

Once Opie has been found and the winners of his game take a selfie with him, they need to send the photo via direct message to the city of Opelika’s Instagram account.

“When Opie is found, they will take a selfie with him, usually post it, get him and bring him back to city hall,

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where they will essentially be bringing him home,” Allen said.

“In exchange, they will get their little prize or gift.”

Prizes for those who found and returned Opie last December included a tumbler with hot chocolate, a beanie and a T-shirt.

The last time Opie will be out and about is the week leading up to Christmas Day. Opie looks forward to returning to Opelika and challenges the residents to find him and bring him home when he starts his merry game of hideand-seek.

Be sure to follow the city of Opelika’s Instagram account, @ opelikacitygov, to stay updated with Opie the Elf’s arrival and the clues to his hiding spots.

HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

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www.goreesfurniture.com 334-742-0607 3797 Alabama Highway 169, Opelika —20— Lee

LIVE

Hats By Haley

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HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Story By Hannah Goldfinger Photos Contributed By Haley Waller

H

aley Waller has lived in Opelika her entire life, but only recently started her own business, Hats By Haley, making and selling artistic hats.

Five months ago, Waller and her grandmother, Shirley Ratliff, were out antiquing when her life changed forever.

“So me and my grandmother like to junk and [visit] antique places,” she said. “… So me and her were walking through

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Timeless and we see this hat. And it was a hard hat but it was painted these neon colors. And she picked it up and it was $30 and I’ll never forget, I couldn’t believe she would pay $30 for something in there, as many times as I’ve heard her say, ‘I’m not paying that for that,’ … but she loved the hat so much that she ended up buying the hat. And I looked at her on the way home and I was like, ‘You know what, I could do that.’ … To this day, that

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was a total God moment.”

Hats aren’t the only way Waller expresses her creativity — she’s also done paintings.

“I’ve always been very artsy,” she said.

Waller, who suffers from bipolar manic disorder, said that moment in the antique store, and making the hats, has really pulled her from a depressive episode.

“Truly, I feel like, I was at the right place at the right time and that hat was literally a gift from God showing me that, ‘you know, that’s something you can do,’” Waller said. From that day forward, Waller had a new business.

“My grandmother handed me a hat when we got back to her house and she was like, ‘Paint something on this hat.’”

Her grandmother liked the hat and wore it out to the lake. Just

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

by having the hat out in public, there were requests from new customers for hats.

“I made my grandmothers’ for free and then all of her friends were like, ‘Oh my gosh I want one.’ So me and my grandmother sat down and she priced everything for me.”

The hats cost $40 a pop if you supply the hat and $60 if Waller does. “[My grandmother] has truly been by my side this whole time, helping me, inspiring me,” Waller said.

Ratliff even came up with Waller’s brand, using gold playing cards tagged with the Hats By Haley name.

The brand has taken off. Outside of individual orders,

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Waller was able to participate in the Opelika High School bazaar on Oct. 14.

“These hats are more than just me wanting to make somebody feel beautiful and love the hat; every time I make one, it truly saves my life, because it gives me that purpose I feel like I’ve been looking for my whole life,” Waller said. “I feel worthy of something, I feel like I am worthy.”

One of Waller’s most popular hats is a Tiger Face hat, which isn’t surprising given her proximity to Auburn University.

Waller said the time it takes to fulfill an order varies; while it may only take her half a day to paint one, if there

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Plus, she works another job.

“When I’m not at work, which I work about 45 hours a week, when I’m not at work, I literally stay up way too late painting hats … and I literally spend my whole weekend doing it but I don’t mind it because it just makes me so happy.”

She did say she hoped that one day it could be a fulltime business.

“These hats are more than just a hobby for me, they truly save my life when I’m in my downer sides of my mental disorder,” Waller said.

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featuring Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan • Patti LuPone • Veronica Swift • The Rainbow Fish Mark Morris Dance Group • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Step Afrika! • My Fair Lady • To Kill a Mockingbird • and many more

Tickets available August 15!

To learn more about annual sponsorship opportunities and season subscriptions, contact the Gogue Center box office.

334.844.TIXS (8497) GOGUECENTERTICKETS.AUBURN.EDU

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

Story By Kendyll Hollingsworth Photos By Robert Noles and Contributed By BGCEA

W

hen local children need a helping hand, there are plenty of caring individuals ready to lift, support and help propel those children forward.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama (BGCEA) — formerly known as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County — has been working since 1990 to provide children and teens in the area with a safe place to learn and grow. The three active

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clubhouses in Auburn, Opelika and on the road offer “caring adult mentors, fun and friendship and high-impact youth development programs” during the week outside regular school hours.

But what happens during the holidays? The BGCEA assured the community that support continues — even during those long school breaks.

“Magic happens in clubhouses every day, but around the holidays

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we make sure to provide young people with an elevated experience,” said Richard B. Curry Jr., president and CEO of the BGCEA. As a former “club kid” himself, Curry said he understands firsthand how the Boys & Girls Clubs can have a profound impact on a child’s life. And there are many children out there who need that. Whether it’s through those long-standing programs or something new and special to the local clubs, all BGC organizations work to help children reach their full potential both now and in the future.

Here in Lee County, the BGCEA partners with the United Way of Lee County to serve more than 2,000 children through both

membership and community outreach efforts. Though these children come from a wide variety of backgrounds, the goal is the same: to uplift every single child.

“We often say that Boys & Girls Clubs are well known but not known well,” Curry said. “So many people believe that we only serve young people from a certain demographic, or insert any other misconception, when in reality our mission is clear: ‘To inspire ALL young people.’ “... Every kid in every community could benefit from a Boys & Girls Club experience. Our motto is ‘When school’s out, the club is in’

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and we are hopeful that as folks are exploring spring break camps and summer camps that they will think of us. We want the opportunity to serve your family and provide a ‘world-class club experience’ while doing it.”

While good character and leadership, academic success and healthy lifestyles are at the heart of what all Boys & Girls Clubs do, the recipe for a better life — both now and in the future — would be incomplete without a healthy dose of fun.

“Providing unique experiences is the driving force behind our youth development strategy,” Curry said.

During the holidays, the clubs offer such unique experiences as “Clubsgiving” and “A Clubhouse Christmas.”

For Clubsgiving, the BGCEA strives to provide a fun, fulfilling and memorable Thanksgiving experience for all its club members and their caregivers. But the BGCEA also wants it to feel extra special and contribute to that “home away from home” spirit, Curry said.

The same goes for A Clubhouse Christmas. But rather than focus on the material gifts that are often associated with Christmas, Curry said the BGCEA primarily seeks to give the gift of a great future.

“The world needs to know that hope is not canceled and that the simplest things make the greatest gifts,” he said. “If we all took the time to be who we needed as a child, the world would be a much better place, and it’s through that lens that I hope to see the community

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rally around young people at the club and for young people to know just how loved they truly are.”

These are long-standing traditions in Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation, Curry added, but there are still some special programs offered only to the youth involved in the BGCEA. Last year, the BGCEA introduced one such new program to its youth — one that is sure to resonate with Lee County children in particular, year after year.

“In 2022, we started a new tradition in partnership with Auburn University Athletics, ‘Tiger Giveback Day,’ where elementary-aged club kids spend an evening getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a day in the life of a student-athlete,” Curry explained. “Starting with a city of Auburn police escort, members are chauffeured to the AU campus on Tiger Transit buses, and [the day ends] with a tunnel run into Jordan-Hare [Stadium] while being cheered on by AU cheerleaders with the fight song filling the air.”

In fact, Curry said the BGCEA gets many of these special ideas straight from the children and teens they serve.

“We believe in the power of choice, and a big part of our vision is to allow young people the opportunity to speak into their future,” he explained. “As the holiday season approaches, we will begin to ask club members how they would like to celebrate and be celebrated; from there, it’s our job to make their dreams a reality by transforming

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spaces.”

But achieving these goals and upholding the vision of the Boys & Girls Clubs wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of local volunteers.

“When you volunteer at a Boys & Girls Club, you can make a difference in the lives of youth and give back to your community,” the BGCEA website reads.

“Filled with the sounds and energy of spirited children and friendly, caring professionals, the Club is a fun and hopeful environment.”

The BGCEA is continuously seeking volunteers in several different areas, including everything from facility maintenance and administrative support to tutoring and special event support. So, if adults fear they are too short on time or talent, the BGCEA provides a place for everyone to contribute if they wish to do so. Find the volunteer application at www. bgceastal.org/volunteer.

“These young people are the only next generation we’ve got and with the support of our community, there is nothing this next generation can’t do,” Curry said. “While we can all agree that the world is complicated, helping kids is simple: We need individuals and businesses to invest in our mission with your time, talents and treasure. Now more than ever, young people need mentors and meaningful moments.”

At the end of the day, Curry said the success of these programs — and the people who make them happen — speaks for itself, helping club members to find their light and become shining members of society.

“Often, I think back to my own club experience as a child and my time at the Boys & Girls Club,” Curry

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said. “The friendships formed and lessons learned in areas like the games room prepared me for areas like the boardroom in my adult life. The beauty of Boys & Girls Club is that you learn without realizing that you’re learning, and you get to have fun while doing it. I am — and so many others — are proof that the club works.”

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama, including how to register a child, visit www. bgceastal.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and X @bgceastal. The administrative office can also be reached at 334-502-1311 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS HONOR, RESPECT, SERVE

N O S I G N - U P F E E S , C A N C E L AT I O N F E E S , CL ASS FEES OR HIDDEN C HARGES. J U S T O N E L O W M O N T H LY / Y E A R LY PAY M E N T .

Gift the gift of membership this Christmas!

It’s a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.

We have something for everybody, at a price for anybody.

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10 01 S P O R T S P L E X P K W Y

O P E L I K A , A L 3 6 8 01

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334.705.5560

W W W. O P E L I K A S P O R T S P L E X . C O M

Kringle Klaus for a Good Cause Story and Photos By Michelle Key

K

arlton Jenkins, aka Kringle Klaus, has been bringing joy and holiday cheer to the East Alabama area for nearly five years.

Jenkins, who has owned a graphic design business, Jenkins Graphic Designs since 2009, as well as being a full-time employee of the Department of Transportation since 2014, started his “side gig” of playing the jolly guy in 2018 when a friend asked him to fill in for him during an event. Jenkins said that he enjoyed it so much that he decided to create Kringle Klaus.

He said that he loves playing Santa for children of all ages but that he especially enjoys working with the disabled.

“The best part about portraying Santa Claus is engaging with kids but most of all, special needs visits are my favorite,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins, dressed as Kringle Klaus, can often be found

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making home visits.

Last year, he had the opportunity to visit LIVE Lee’s publisher’s son Jared, an adult with disabilities, who loves everything Santa Claus.

Imagine Jared’s surprise when his favorite person in the world rang his doorbell on his birthday last December.

“At my house?” Jared exclaimed over and over as he gave hugs.

When not working, Jenkins said that he enjoys spending time with his family.

“We love spending time at the beach and watching football with family and friends,” he said. “I have

been happily married for seven years and I have a 6-year-old daughter that enjoys karate.”

Jenkins is available for all types of events, including family and corporate events, home and group visits, community events, school and day care visits, hospital visits, photography sessions, print and media events and Christmas in July parties or events.

To schedule an appointment with Kringle Klaus visit his Facebook page: Kringle Klaus, Instagram _kringleklaus or email him at kringleklaus334@gmail. com.

We invite you to join us for worship and fellowship this Advent season as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

461 Opelika Road, Ste. A, Auburn

tpcopelika.org/Christmas

Serving Lee County for 25 years

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

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334-502-8848

www.whittsautoservice.com

Our family serving your family

“Our Mission is Your Health”

BEAUREGARD DRUGS

WE DELIVER!

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334-364-9993 | 334-364-9997 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Suite A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com Mon-Fri 8am–6pm | Sat 9am–12pm | Sunday Closed

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A LIVE LEE CHRISTMAS

Meet David Hedges AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO Leadership succession in any business is essential to its sustainability, especially one that has been strong and viable for 116 years. Since our founding in 1907, AuburnBank has had eight presidents — and now David Hedges succeeds Bob Dumas as our ninth. Joining the bank in 2006, David has demonstrated his commitment to AuburnBank and its shareholders. He and his wife, Jill, are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and they enjoy raising their three children who attend Auburn City Schools. David is excited to lead AuburnBank into the future, while upholding a tradition of service to our customers and our communities.

Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com

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3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt

College? Retirement? Find out how to afford both.

Carson B Cooper Financial Advisor

200 South 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-745-0100

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Member SIPC

MKT-5894K-A

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Christmas In Opelika Photos from last year’s events

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Nov. 4: Smiths Station’s Holiday Bazaar - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 12: Opelika Holiday Open House, Noon to 5 p.m. - Downtown Opelika Nov. 12: “Mary, Did You Know?” - Women’s holiday event at Providence Baptist Church at 6 p.m. Contact Anne Nicholson 334-329-4142 to register.

Nov. 16: Straight No Chaser Sleighin’ It Tour 7 p.m. - Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center Nov. 16 through Dec. 24: “A Christmas Carol” at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival Nov. 18: 17th Annual Holiday Art Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Frank Brown Recreation Center and Harris Center Nov. 26: Ice Cream with Santa, 4 p.m. - O Town Nov. 26: Holiday Lighting Ceremony, 4 to 6 p.m. - Samford Lawn Dec. 1: Snopelika Parade and Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. - Courthouse Square/Railroad Avenue Dec. 1: Downtown Auburn Holiday Open House, 5 to 8 p.m. - Downtown Auburn Dec. 1: Donuts With Deputies 6 to 8 p.m. - Twin City FOP Lodge No. 21 Dec. 1 through Dec. 31: Christmas in Camelot Dec. 2: Annual Christmas Market at AUMC 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Auburn United Methodist Church Dec. 2: Merry Market at Glynn Smith Chevrolet GMC - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 2: Habitat for Humanity’s Cookie Walk at True Deliverance Holiness Church Gymnasium from 8 a.m. to noon.

Dec. 2: Santa On The Corner, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Toomer’s Corner Dec. 2: Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun Run, 6:30 a.m. - Downtown Auburn Dec. 3: Downtown Auburn Christmas Parade, 2 p.m. - Downtown Auburn —47—

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Dec. 3: “Follow the Star” Childrens Christmas Muscial, 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church Opelika Dec. 5: East Alabama Arts presents Brian Stokes Mitchell, 7:30 p.m.- OPAC Dec. 7: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Big Band Holidays, 7 p.m. - Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center Dec. 8: Christmas In A Railroad Town 6 to p.m. - Downtown Opelika Dec. 8 to 10: East Alabama Community Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the Telfair B. Peet Theatre in Auburn. There will be a “sensory-friendly” performance on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Visit www.eacballet.com to purchase tickets.

Dec. 8-12: Victorian Front Porch Tour - Opelika Historic District, 8th and 9th Street Dec. 9: Brunch with Santa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National

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Dec. 10: “God of All Gods” Adult Choir and Orchestra Program, 4 and 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Opelika Dec. 12: East Alabama Civic Chorale Christmas Concert, Time, location TBA Dec. 13: Live Nativity, 6 p.m. at Courthouse Square, presented by First Baptist Opelika Dec. 14-16: Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express, 5 to 8 p.m. - Opelika Municipal Park (Monkey) Park Dec. 15: Collinwood Luminaries, 5 to 9 p.m. - Collinwood Luminaries off of 10th Street in Opelika (rain date of Dec. 16.)

Dec. 15 and 16: Holiday Walk in the Woods - Kreher Nature Preserve Dec. 24: First Baptist Church Opelika, Christmas Eve Services,visit www.fbcopelika.com for times

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ADVERTISERS INDEX AuburnBank, 38 Ballard Pest Management, 16 Beauregard Drugs, 37 Butcher Paper BBQ, 9 Edward Jones, 39 Goree’s Furniture, 20 Habitat for Humanity, 33 Harvest Thrift, 35 Jay & Susie Gouge Performing Arts, 11, 26, Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home, 37 Market St. Paint Shop, 16 Matt Austin Photography, 50 Merry Market, 10 Opelika Chamber of Commerce, 51 Opelika Main Street, 78 Opelika Parks and Recreation, 34 Orthopedic Clinic, 25 Smihs Station Holiday Bazaar, 50 Stitch Therapy, 82 Sweet Gee’s Restaurant and Catering, 43 Taylor Made designs, 39 The Bridge Church, 25 Trinity Presbyterian, 36 Tripp Walton Law, 9 Whitt’s Auto, 36

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334.745.4861

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www.opelikachamber.com