Opelika Observer 04-22-2021

Vol. 13, No. 28

Thursday, April 22, 2021

pelika Observer O

Opelika, Alabama

“An award-winning publication for local people, by local people.”

PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER / OPELIKA OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CREEKWOOD RESOURCES

Public Hearing Set Gov. Ivey visits community vaccine clinic to applaud effort for Beulah Quarry

By Hannah Lester

hlester@opelikaobserver.com

By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was welcomed to EAMC’s

vaccination clinic Tuesday to tour the operation and witness to Auburn University students receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine clinic is a partnership between EAMC, the city of Auburn, the city of Opelika and Lee County EMA and, as

Just brew it!

Boonie Hat Coffee Company is a new coffee shop that has recently opened in downtown Opelika. The shop is located inside Market Street Paint Shop at 116 S. 8th Street.

Owner Luis Saavedra started the company after serving in the Army for six years. During his tenure in the military in Southwest Asia, he was inspired to get more into the world of coffee after an experience he had with the type of coffee he was provided with while being in conditions he considers “pretty miserable.”

“The only coffee that we had was the little freezedried things that come in one of those government prepackaged meals,” he said. “It was like a

government Folger’s, just something that never goes bad because there’s so many preservatives.

After a month of drinking this stuff, I was thinking ‘there’s got to be a better way to do this.’

“Eventually, I returned home and I watched a YouTube video about how to roast your own coffee with an air popcorn popper. So, I started roasting my own coffee like that and I loved it and I haven’t bought store-bought coffee for I guess several years now.”

Not only has his time in the military impacted his love for the beverage, coffee also brings Saavedra a taste of his cultural roots.

His father is from Bolivia and the shop has South and Central American offerings, something that “keeps [him] grounded.”

“Something that struck

me was that we would go do social calls at relatives’ homes and they would serve this amazing coffee,” he said. “It was amazing because it was freshly roasted. It was grown right there. So very early on, I developed a taste for good coffee.”

Saavedra also shared with the Observer what made him want to open a coffee shop in downtown Opelika.

“What I’m also going for in a cup of coffee is I want the smoothest cup of coffee that’s possible that’s still accessible to working people,” he said.

“I don’t want to price it ever beyond what a blue-collar worker can afford. So that’s kind of what I want to do. Am I looking to have the next coffee empire? No. This is something that I love.”

See BOONIE, page A3

See IVEY, page A3

See QUARRY, page A3

Jan Dempsey Community Art Center to host summer camps

By Lofton Wheeles For the Opelika Observer The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) in Auburn will be hosting summer camps for kids ages four to 18, beginning on June 14 at 222 E. Drake Ave. City of Auburn Cultural Arts Director Sara Custer is coordinating the camps this year and is excited for what’s in store for the summer.

“These camps were created by Chichi Lovett, a retired Auburn University art education professor,” she said. “As of a few years ago, she was not able to coordinate camps. I took on this role to fulfill her legacy as she coordinated art camps for over 20 years

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Lofton Wheeles For the Opelika Observer

of this week, has provided more than 80,000 vaccines.

“Ya’ll … what a

Citizens in Beauregard have been advocating against a potential quarry in Beulah, proposed by Creekwood Resources LLC. And now — a public hearing will be held by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Agency (ADEM).

The quarry would be located on West Point Parkway (US Hwy 29) approximately 0.6 miles east of Lee County Road 177, according to the ADEM website.

Creekwood also tried to install a quarry in Opelika but due to the large amount of backlash, the company withdrew its permit in

while teaching at Auburn and working with the Auburn Arts Association.

Professor Lovett was my mentor in college and I taught at art camps as her student. So, these camps have always been dear to my heart and I strive to provide children with a supportive and inspirational learning environment.”

JDCAC is partnering with the Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) to offer a variety of theatre camps this

summer.

“Musical theatre camps have been a favorite for children for many years,” Custer said. “They always fill up and these campers shine all week long. [AACT’s] children’s theatre continues to grow along with their students.”

AACT has also brought in more opportunities for local children to express themselves through the art of theatre.

“They’ve added

Contents OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B12

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

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B13

For more photos from the Old 280 Boogie, turn to A9

See ARTS, page A6

A2 April 22, 2021

Mochi Donuts — The gluten-free option to satisfy your sweet tooth hlester@opelikaobserver.com

Most everybody loves a good donut. Lately, everyone is talking about the free donuts you get by showing a vaccination card at Krispy Kreme. But what if you eat gluten free? Is there any way to enjoy a good donut without spending a lot of time making them yourself?

Rebecca Shepherd makes mochi donuts and sells them inside

The Well, which is a downtown Opelika business.

“It’s basically an Asian-traditional kind of donuts, which is a gluten free product,” Shepherd said. “And instead of frying it, I bake it.”

These donuts may catch your eye — when completed, they are bright colors like green and purple. And each color is a different flavor. The purple is tuber (which is a yam), green

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY ASHLEY KICKLITER / THE WELL

By Hannah Lester

is matcha, but there is also strawberry, coffee and white chocolate with almond.

Shepherd began making the donuts recently as a way to create a side business, she said, although, she is also from Asia.

“So I was like, ‘why don’t we try something different that Alabama doesn’t have yet,’” she said.

Shepherd creates the donuts as needed for The Well. The Well, as

offer healthy kind of desserts [for those who are gluten free].”

The Well is located at 824 Ave. A in Opelika and is open: Monday: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesdays - Thursday: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This is the fifth article in the series on the different businesses that are located inside The Well.

Columbus this summer.

“Who knows, I might open a new small bakery,” she said.

Something unique about The Well: each of these businesses is women-created or women-run, just like Shepherd and her mochi donuts. There is also a focus on healthy products, too.

“They do believe in healthy living and most of their products are organic and it’s organically sourced,” Shepherd said. “… I can

described by one of the owners Allison Kovak, is almost like an incubator for new businesses.

There are 10 to 15 businesses located inside The Well, and the hope is that one day each might be able to have its own brick-andmortar store, Kovak said.

Shepherd said she has been praying for the opportunity for a food truck to sell her donuts in. She is also scheduled to sell the product at the farmer’s market in

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A3 April 22, 2021

Tuition will not increase for students at Auburn — housing fees will

By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com

Auburn University Board of Trustees announced on Friday morning that there will be no tuition increase to students in the fall of 2021.

Tuition for in-state

QUARRY >>

FROM A1

February 2020.

The public hearing will be held at the Opelika Municipal Court (300 Martin Luther King Blvd.) at 6 p.m. on May 20.

The hearing will focus on the permits that Creekwood applied for in December, an Air Permit and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit.

“The purpose of the public hearing will be for interested parties to make oral and written comments into the public hearing record,” the ADEM notice said.

“Those wishing to make oral comments at the public hearing are also encouraged to submit those comments in writing. All comments must address the conditions of the draft permits; the Department’s adherence to the applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations in development of the draft permit; or issues that have an impact on the

IVEY >>

FROM A1

difference a year makes,” Ivey said. “A year ago we were grappling with new terms like social distancing and slowing the spread, and when I look around and see all of you here at the East Alabama Medical Center’s community vaccine clinic, I am so optimistic and so grateful for all of you making this possible for so many people.”

Lee County began administering vaccines on Dec. 15 at the EAMC Education Center, but moved into the facility on Opelika Road (the former Tuesday Morning) on Feb. 1, said Bruce Zartman, vice president of support operations at EAMC. Zartman said that the clinic is vaccinating 45 people every fifteen minutes at the clinic.

“This vaccine is our ticket back to somewhat of a normal life,” Ivey said. “In Alabama, we’re making great strides in terms of our progress with COVID-19. Infection rates and hospitalizations are down, shots are getting in the arms and we’re accomplishing this while achieving the lowest unemployment rate in the southeast and one of the lowest in the country.”

Ivey attributed the successes to Alabama’s ability to come together.

“Ya’ll call it a community vaccine clinic and for good reason,”

residents at Auburn University will be maintained at $5,898 a semester, while for out of state students, the rate of $15,978 will be maintained.

“Both resident and non-resident rates are maintaining their position in the midrange,” said Kelli D. Shomaker, CPA, vice

president for Business & Finance and CFO. Shomaker cited the financial burdens exacerbated by the pandemic as a reason for maintaining current rates. Additionally, the state increased appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2022.

However, the

Finance Committee requested that the board increase student fees by $15 a semester, for a total of $30 a year, which the board approved.

There will be a $5 increase for mental health services, which will finance the positions of two mental health offi-

cials for the university.

“As you are most likely aware, the isolation many students faced during the coronavirus pandemic has placed a strain on limited mental health resources for the university and created a significant time lag for students

seeking help,” Shomaker said.

An additional $10 per semester fee will be added to fund the transit system at Auburn. “[This] is necessary to continue to provide a self-supporting auxiliary

applicant’s ability to meet applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations to affect the final permit decision.”

The department has already said in the notice that Creekwood Resources, LLC’s intended purposes concerning equipment and operations will likely meet state and federal air pollution requirements.

Additionally, the department said it “has tentatively determined” that Creekwood Resources, LLC’s water quality work should meet the rules proposed by ADEM’s anti-degradation rules.

The permits and the departments’ determinations so far are available online here: www.adem. alabama.gov/newsEvents/ pubHearings.cnt, and at the ADEM Main Office in Montgomery.

The hearing will be conducted in a COVID-19 safe manner, the notice said, which includes allowing only one speaker into the hearing room at a time.

“In order to affect final decisions, comments must

offer technically substantial information that is applicable to the applications or draft permits,” the notice said. “All comments must address the conditions of the draft permits; the Department’s adherence to the applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations in development of the draft permits; or issues that have an impact on the applicant’s ability to meet applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations to affect the final permit decision.”

Each speaker will be given seven minutes.

“Speakers are encouraged to provide lengthy statements in writing, and to present a summary of their statement during their testimony,” the notice said.

Although an audience will not be allowed into the room, the video of the hearing will be shared within 24 hours here: www.youtube.com/.../ UCDwu2w3FpjGgT4ZOjhk.../featured.

To pre-register to speak, do so online here: https:// forms.gle/6hzC4TDoexX-

h17Ah7 or call 334-3944302. Pre-registration will conclude on May 17 at 5 p.m. Registration will be allowed the day-of onsite.

“You should arrive at the hearing no more than 15 minutes before your specified time slot,” the notice said. “At that time, please enter the hearing venue, and Department employees will alert you when it is your turn to speak.”

Special accommodations can be provided, the notice said, and speakers should call 334-271-7714.

Attending in person is not necessary to provide feedback, the department said.

Comments may be mailed or emailed to Ronald W. Gore, Chief ADEM - Air Division (334- 271-7861, airmail@ adem.alabama.gov) or Jeffery W. Kitchens, Chief ADEM - Water Division (334-271-7823, water-permits@adem. alabama.gov) at the following addresses by May 27 and must include the permit number on the first page: 1400 Coliseum Blvd. PO Box 301463;

Zip 36130-1463, Montgomery, Alabama.

Other COVID-19 measures include encouraging participants to wear masks.

“However, once called into the hearing room, adequate distancing will be established to allow the speaker to remove their mask while speaking, if desired,” the notice said.

“All attendees will be subject to temperature screening prior to entering the hearing venue.”

The departments’ opening statements have already been provided here: Hearing Officer Statement: www.adem. alabama.gov/newsEvents/ notices/apr21/pdfs/4opelika-officerstatement.pdf Air Division Hearing Statement: www.adem. alabama.gov/newsEvents/ notices/apr21/pdfs/4opelika-airstatement.pdf Water Division Hearing Statement: www.adem. alabama.gov/newsEvents/ notices/apr21/pdfs/4opelika-npdesstatement.pdf The department’s decision and comments will be posted here: www.app.

adem.alabama.gov/eFile/.

To receive notification of the legal notice, sign up by email on the department’s website.

More information on the potential quarry can be found below: www.opelikaobserver.com/beulah-residents-fight-proposed-quarry-2/ www.opelikaobserver. com/commission-discusses-beulah-quarry/ www.opelikaobserver. com/beulah-asks-auburnand-opelika-to-opposequarry/ www.opelikaobserver. com/beulah-quarry-update-creekwood-appliesfor-air-permit-from-adem/ www.opelikaobserver. com/lee-county-citizens-continue-to-fight-potential-quarry/ www.opelikaobserver. com/creekwood-resources-requests-public-hearing-with-adem/ www.opelikaobserver. com/protect-beulah-stopthe-quarry-responds-tocreekwood-letter-in-facebook-post/ www.opelikaobserver. com/shady-grove-quarryupdate/.

BOONIE >>

story.” Challenge coins are commemorative coins that honor military persons for notable achievements.

“Being a veteran, I am willing to share what I learned with any veteran,” he said. “So, any veteran that will come in to Boonie Hat Coffee Company and bring in their challenge coin, if he tells me his story, then he will get his coffee at a very substantial discount. So, I do appreciate and I want and welcome the camaraderie.”

Saavedra also has an online roasting business that ships coffee across the nation, a business that he is looking to grow. According to him, he’s also shipped coffee to places outside of the States such as Belgium and Japan.

On top of growing the online business, he also wants Boonie Hat to be a place for connection and not in the digital sense.

“I want Boonie Hat Coffee [to be] where people leave their cares of the world behind and not necessarily be the place where you’re going to have free WiFi and everybody has

their face buried in the device,” he said. “Where you would meet somebody that you haven’t met before and find something in common with them. So there’s that aspect of that.

I want to facilitate community with Boonie Hat Coffee.”

Saavedra talked about his favorite parts about opening a coffee shop, but the sense of community is one factor that he always comes back to.

“My favorite thing about it the coffee business is, particularly about a roastery and a café, is that it kind of feels like a bar,” he said. “What makes a coffee bar unique is that you remember the fun that you had the night before.

And there’s conversations – you get to hear people’s stories and that’s really what I love about the coffee business. [It’s] providing a venue for that sort of thing to happen.”

For more information on Boonie Hat Coffee Company, go to the Facebook page facebook. com/auburnbooniehatcoffee.

she said. “The cities of Auburn and Opelika, along with Lee County EMA, Auburn United Methodist Church and many others have come together as a community.

And of course our young folks have been vital to the success of this as well.”

Ivey also contributed some of the success to the work of nursing students at Auburn University, Southern Union and Tuskegee University.

“So many volunteers are here, all walks of life … so this is truly a community effort to benefit members of the community,” Ivey said.

Ivey said she was “thrilled to death” to watch as Auburn University students, Brandan Belser, Jr. and Caroline Kein, received their vaccinations and she handed each a vaccination sticker.

“As the vaccines continue proving that they are key to helping us reduce the spread of this virus, it its so important for us to continue encouraging our young folks to get their shots,” she said. “So, I am proud that Caroline and Brandon are willing to be models for their fellow students and look like they are ready to check this off the list.”

Belser Jr. received his second dose Tuesday.

“I feel spectacular,” he said. “I’m really glad we got to have this opportunity and I’m really

excited to represent the 30,000 Auburn students in doing so.”

While Belser Jr. may not have a severe reaction should he contract COVID-19, he said he wanted to receive his vaccination out of empathy for others.

Kein, on the other hand, was receiving her first shot, and she said that she was encouraged by the amount of people receiving doses of the vaccine.

“It just was an honor to be able to get my vaccine with Kay Ivey, the governor of Alabama, when she’s worked so hard to get us back to some sense of normalcy and just to show these vaccines are available to us.”

To anyone who is debating whether or not to receive a vaccine, Ivey recommended they think about a possible alternative — being placed on a ventilator.

“That’s a whole lot easier to get a shot than being on a ventilator,” she said.

Ivey said that the state is now receiving a full supply of vaccine, which will help the vaccination rates as they compare to the rest of the country.

“It’s impressive that so many volunteers, both students and adults alike can come out,” Ivey said. “… So this is a great way for citizens to help citizens and we’re good about that in Alabama. Proud to be your governor.”

FROM A1

Boonie Hat’s coffee is air roasted and freshly grounded, a quality that is important to Saavedra. His reasoning for this is partially inspired by the coffee he had while in the military.

“I roast everything in house and most of all the coffee shop was roasted,” he said. “Coffee loses its best flavor after three weeks of being roasted and there’s no way to stop that process. Air and sunshine are the enemies of coffee, and it doesn’t matter if you take roasted beans and put them in the freezer or refrigerator it will not stop the process, it will make it worse and putting it in a hot car will make it worse.

It will lose its best flavor more quickly. So, we intentionally keep the supply low here so that the coffee is always fresh here.”

Saavedra's time in the military is evident in his shop — especially through the challenge coins that he keeps displayed. Each one he said “represents a

See TUITION, page A5

Notice to Taxpayers

The assessed valuations of all property listed for taxation has been fixed as provided by law. The tax return lists showing these valuations are in the Revenue Commissioner’s office and open for public inspection.

If you have justifiable cause and supporting evidence to protest the value of your property, you may do so by filing a letter postmarked within 30 days of this notice requesting an appointment with the Board of Equalization, PO Box 3050, Opelika, AL 36803-3050.

Please include a Map Number or Pin Number and Daytime phone number in your letter.

Oline W. Price, ACTA Lee County Revenue Commissioner

A4 April 22, 2021

The Georgia Story

D

EAR SEAN: Do you ever write anything not about gooey, syrupy love?

Thanks, MARK-IN-ATLANTA DEAR MARK: I have a story for you.

It starts with a woman who pulled her Chevy Blazer alongside an ordinary Georgia gas pump. There, she noticed a teenage girl seated on the curb. Head resting against the pump.

It was the early 1980s.

Blondie was still on the radio. Crimped perms were still a thing. Aqua Net hairspray was obscenely over used.

The girl at the gas pump was late teens, wearing a sweat-laden sundress, and eating an ice cream cone.

The woman in the SUV wasn’t sure whether to approach the girl and offer assistance, or whether the girl even needed help.

What was obvious,

however, was that this vagrant child was on foot.

The woman thought for a few moments.

Conventional wisdom says you’re not supposed to approach vagrants or down-and-outters. “Be cautious” is the mantra of all responsible suburban people.

So the woman in the SUV was telling herself to be smart. “You don’t know this young woman.

She could be dangerous.

Be cautious.”

The woman pulled alongside the pump and lowered her window.

“You okay?”

The girl nodded and gave a quiet, “Yes, ma’am.”

But something just felt wrong.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“My boyfriend’s supposed to come get me,” the girl said, blowing her nose, dabbing her eyes.

Oh, yes. Something was definitely wrong.

“How long have

By Sean Dietrich you been waiting here, sweetie?”

“Since six this morning.”

The woman turned to look at the horizon. The sun was sinking behind the treeline and dusk was approaching. “You’ve been waiting here all day? Where is he?”

The girl finished her cone, then stood to stretch. She placed a hand on the small of her back and extended her very, very pregnant belly.

So apparently the girl was eating ice cream for

two.

“I don’t know where he is, ma’am. He just took off and left me.”

The girl explained that all day passersby had been offering rides, but she was too afraid to accept these offers because, like I said, caution.

The girl began to cry.

So the woman leapt from her SUV and moved in for the classic maternal shoulder rub. This was a woman with two teenage daughters at home.

Shoulder rubs were her specialty. “Where are

you from, honey?”

“Virginia. Me and my boyfriend left two days ago. And we… We had a big fight.”

She told the woman she had been riding shotgun with her boyfriend when he informed her that he didn’t want their baby. Things escalated.

He got violent. The girl told him in so many words to “Get lost.”

So he did.

He left her at this station and cut out faster than a ten-cent shave.

The filling station cashier had given the girl a free soda and soft-serve ice cream while she awaited his return. But things weren’t looking good.

The woman embraced the child. “Is there someone we can call?

Your parents? Brothers, sisters?”

The girl shook her head.

The woman could see how truly young the child was. The ice cream smears on her cheeks

only completed the picture.

“Ain’t got no family except a little brother, ma’am.”

“How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“Where is your brother?”

“Foster home in Richmond.”

The woman helped the girl into the SUV’s cushy interior, then adjusted the AC to full blast. And here’s my favorite part of the story. It took this woman maybe 60 seconds to make a decision that would alter her life forever.

“Okay then,” announced the woman, clapping her hands on the steering column.

“You’re coming home with me.”

And it was as easy as that.

The next few weeks were an adjustment. The 19-year-old assumed a new life in the spare bedroom of the woman’s See DIETRICH, page A5

The Lonely Road of Sorrow Walter Albritton When you are traveling the lonely road of sorrow, you don’t need to have someone tell you, “I know how you feel.” Ironically, what you need most is someone who listens compassionately while you share how you feel.

That’s a lesson I have learned in the weeks since my wife died. If you tell me you know how I feel, I may smile but inwardly I am thinking, “No, you have no idea how I am feeling.”

Truth is, no one knows how another person is feeling, so it is presumptuous to think you do. You only know how I feel if you stop talking long enough for me to tell you how I feel.

This important lesson

W

emerged as I reflected on the way several friends reached out to me in my sorrow.

Martha got me thinking about this in a sympathy card. She reminded me that our friends in Christ are the catalysts of true joy. “Friends make the journey of grief so much easier to travel,” Martha said. “I could not have made it through my grief without the help of my friends.”

We can learn the same lesson from reading Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Paul tells his friends, his partners in the gospel, that he thanks God for them every time he remembers them.

So, how do friends help assuage our grief?

They do so by patiently listening as we share

how we feel. Bonny and Tommy came by. They sat on the porch with me. No sermon. No advice. When they drove away two hours later, it dawned on me that I had done most of the talking. They brought no fruit or flowers but simply offered me the greater gift of listening.

They never said, “We care about you.” Their caring was manifested by the way they listened to me. I saw their love for me in their eyes.

Eddie brings breakfast on Thursday mornings.

One morning Ron came with him; on another morning Dick came.

They did not tell me they knew how I was feeling; they just let the pancakes and bacon tell me they loved me. And once again, when they

left I realized I had done most of the talking.

They had listened patiently without one time trying to “straighten out” my thinking.

My friends are teaching me that I can comfort grieving friends by simply “being there” and listening. You can fake love but you can’t fake being there.

When Jill’s son died one morning, I rushed to her home.

When I asked how she was doing, her reply underlined what I am saying: “I am ok,” she said; “Jane came.” I looked at Jane and silently prayed, “Lord, don’t let me ever forget those two words –‘Jane came.’” Her friend Jane was there, offering the loving gift of listening.

The death of someone

you love is a stunning reminder of our mortality. Suddenly the world is turned upside down.

Someone is missing.

A chair at the table is empty. Tools once used are now idle. You feel numb and helpless. Yet life goes on.

Caring friends help us embrace the reality of death. Little help comes from reading a poem that says, “I did not die; I am still with you.” No, the person who died in my arms and was buried in the family cemetery plot is actually dead and gone.

I don’t need a sentimental poem; I need a friend who will listen to me explain how it feels to know that my wife will never again sit at the table with me, or listen to my stories, or

straighten my tie or hug our great grandchildren.

Someone you know is struggling with the emotions that grief produces – anger, guilt, bitterness, emptiness, loneliness, fear and self-pity. You could possibly help that person by simply being there when the pain is raging.

When you lovingly listen to a grieving friend, as though you are hurting with them, that friend may begin to think that God is also listening, and that He also hurts when His children suffer. Your being there may give someone hope that God is there also, and that He has sent you to make the lonely road of sorrow easier to navigate.

Squeaky Shoes - Part Two

hen last we met, I was curled up in migraine agony awaiting a doctor in the ER when I heard, approaching from a distance, a pair of squeaky shoes. They got closer and louder until they stopped just on the other side of the curtain separating me from everyone else.

I held my breath. “Could this be help at last?” I wondered.

The curtain parted, and through the one eye that I could open I saw a nurse with pink hair and a smiling face.

“I wish I could turn this light out for you. I know how much that hurts when you have a migraine,” she said softly. She patted my arm and continued, “Let me see if we can’t get you seen quickly. I’ll be right back.”

And just like that, she became one of my favor-

ite people on this planet.

I knew I was going to be okay. She actually DID come right back, and a doctor followed soon after.

He ordered an IV and a cocktail of medications that would get me back on my feet.

I wish I could say the whole IV process was a breeze. But that would be an astounding lie. I swear the minute my veins hear that a needle is on its way, they tighten up and do their best to disappear altogether.

It’s always the same saga.

A tech will tell me they always get a vein on the first try. They begin to rub my arm, massage the vein, and give it a shot (so to speak). It never works on the first attempt. Just never.

Typically I get a smile and a “That’s okay. Just relax.

We’ll get it this time.” Then my arm is massaged a bit

more vigorously; the veins are given a few more pats, and then another needle is inserted... into what feels like my last nerve. It certainly isn’t a vein because there is no blood. Not ever.

At this point, the tech’s smile gets tight and frustration lines crease their forehead. “Let me see if I can get someone else,” they say, and they walk off muttering about how “this just never happens.” At this point in the routine, I have been given the following explanations for my “difficult” veins: You’re dehydrated.

You’re too hydrated.

Your veins are “wiggly.”

Your veins “roll.”

Your veins are “too skinny.”

You’re moving too much.

You’re not moving enough.

WENDY HODGE It’s caused by the tracking device the government secretly implanted in your arm at birth. (This was actually a medication-induced dream from years ago, but it seems as valid as anything else at this point.)

This day, though, a miracle happened. Nurse Squeaky Shoes intervened.

Quickly and almost silently, she had an IV started and medication flowing before I knew what was happening.

“The trouble,” she

explained softly, “isn’t your veins. It’s everybody else’s aim. You just have to visualize the vein, like a painting hanging on the wall, stare at it for a second until you know it real good, and then just point the needle ... nice and easy.”

I wanted to stick my tongue out at the frustrated tech who’d left me bruised and sweating ... maybe say “I told you so.” But I refrained. One shouldn’t provoke the people in charge of your meds, particularly when your clothes are in a bag somewhere beyond your reach.

As the nails in my head slow their roll, and the waves of pain recede, I can hear the patients in the rest of the room. There is a child throwing up in the far corner; a guy who insists he is fine and “just needs to get up out of here”

even though he apparently was STABBED IN THE LEG; and the little old lady who slipped and fell in her kitchen while making a cake. “My cake batter is still sitting on the counter!

I need to call someone to come finish my cake!” she cries over and over.

And then there’s the gentleman in the curtain area next to me who is groaning and cursing at the world. “Something is in my stomach, and it’s killing me from the inside out!” he screams, followed by a string of profanity that cannot be printed here. A female with him tries to calm him down, but he just gets more agitated.

Nurse Squeaky Shoes moves from bed to bed, quietly and kindly calming everyone down and easing their fears. The sick child is See HODGE, page A5

A5 April 22, 2021

'Tuesday Talk' with Alabama State Superintendent

By Lofton Wheeles For the Opelika Observer The Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted their Tuesday Talk last week and invited Alabama Superintendent for Education Dr. Eric Mackey to speak about Alabama Achieves.

Alabama Achieves is a recent initiative the Department of Education is taking to better the schools across the state.

The strategic plan for Alabama Achieves has five goals: to have academic growth and achievement, which focuses on literacy and the AMSTI For All program; to create college and career and workforce readiness, which focuses on getting Alabama students the credentials that say they’re ready for the next step in life; to have a safe and supportive learning environment, which focuses on getting more nurses in schools, fostering an environment that sup-

TUITION >>

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enterprise with the necessary financial resources to grow routes, to cover the expansion of our student living areas in the city and to provide a more environmentally friendly fleet of buses,” Shomaker said. “The students have asked for the sustainability and we are delivering with new buses.”

Total, the university will have 10 hybrid buses, 56 fuel-efficient diesel buses and four small-

HODGE >>

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given some medicine that stops the vomiting and a sticker on his arm, the stabbing victim is convinced that he’s far too smart to leave now, and cake batter lady is assured that indeed someone will clean up her kitchen for her and make everything alright.

Nurse Squeaky Shoes finally reaches the man next to me. “Henry, the doctor says you have a kidney stone.”

I wince at the memory of the pain this poor man is going through.

“Oh, Lord! I knew it!

I knew I was dying!” he wails.

“You’re not dying, Henry,” the nurse says quietly. “You’re going to be just fine. We will give you some medication to make you comfortable, and the doctor will take care of that stone first thing in the morning.”

“Call the kids,” the man wails to his wife. “Tell

ports students’ mental health and making families feel engaged and supported; to have effective educators, which focuses on getting teachers that are qualified to teach their respective subject; to create customer friendly service in the education department, which focuses on ensuring that the Department of Education is responsive to educators, the education community and parents as they are moving forward.

Mackey opened the meeting with an expression of gratitude about being able to meet in person to talk about the topics at hand. Mackey called seeing people in person for a meeting “so different,” but he is “glad that we’re moving back toward that.”

The type of instruction in schools was the first topic at hand.

Alabama schools have been offering either in-person or virtual learning this past year due to the

ongoing pandemic.

However, Mackey announced that most of the school districts will be offering in-person instruction again.

“There are schools that are still struggling to stay open, but all of our [school] systems, at least most importantly our elementary schools are opening,” Mackey said. “That’s what we’ve really been concerned about all year long because, as you know, that’s been a struggle.”

Mackey mentioned that he and Chamber Board Member Tracie West met with Jeffrey Fairbrother, a dean at Auburn University, prior to the meeting as they were unable to have an in-person meeting previously due to the pandemic. According to Mackey, they spent the meeting discussing the university’s role in the Auburn community and the state’s development.

Mackey gave an update regarding the vaccine rollout and

the goal that was set regarding the adults in Alabama. He mentioned during the meeting that state is looking to get above 70% of adults vaccinated in Alabama and he expressed the necessity in making willing and able people feel more at ease about taking the vaccine. However, Auburn seems to have no trouble in taking the vaccine when it comes to those working in the school system.

“Vaccination is the key to getting ourselves back to normal, or something really close to normal, and I hope we continue to be on the same trajectory,” he said. “Now again, I’ll brag on Auburn, Auburn City Schools has the highest, if not one of the top two, rate of adults in the school system willing to take the vaccine. In fact, until Auburn rolled out its vaccination clinic, we were running about 25 to 35% of teachers and adults in schools willing to

take the vaccine, and I think Auburn hit 85% immediately.”

Mackey then presented the budgeting for relief programs such as the first and second round of the CARES Act signed under the Trump administration and the American Rescue Plan signed under the Biden administration.

However, there is still some uncertainty on how to spend the funds due to the lack of rules and regulations present regarding how the money should be spent.

“We decided not to distribute those allocations because that could obviously mean we could get in a situation where we send $100 million dollars back because the rules were published after the money was spent, and we just don’t think that would be fiscally responsible,” he said.

“So, we’re holding on, but that money can spent all the way until September 30, 2024.”

Mackey gave exam-

ples during the discussion of the American Rescue Plan of what the money could be used for in the future. These examples include career tech equipment and sensory deprivation rooms for children with autism.

The Alabama Department of Education, according to Mackey, is looking to boost their social media presence. “[Social media] is where young people are getting their news and that’s what we’re really trying to tap into,” he said. “We want 17-, 18- and 19-year-olds to want to be teachers and so how do we get those people to engage with the education community.”

For more information on the Tuesday Talks presented by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, go to their Facebook page facebook.com/AuburnChamber or to stay updated on the Alabama Department of Education go to alsde.edu.

er buses in the fleet.

Housing Rates: The board also approved a 2% housing rate increase at both Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery.

Auburn University increased its housing rates as recently as 2020, while AUM has not had an increase since 2015. “[The increase] will be used to provide adequate funds for new development projects, renovation projects and deferred maintenance projects,” Shomaker said.

Current housing fees and proposed

fees can be found: www.auburn.edu/administration/housing/ apply/rentalrates/.

Transit Bus Financing: The board approved a request “to seek approval to finance up to 30 million in revenue bonds or debt, with the sole purpose of financing the new fleet of transit buses that will be put into operation on Aug. 1, 2021,” Shomaker said.

Both Trustee Charles McCracy and Trustee Tim Vines abstained from that vote.

Other Business: The board ap-

proved the Ham Wilson Arena Renovation Project for $2.8 million. The building will be used as a training facility for staff at Auburn.

The board approved an architecture selection for renovation for the Auburn University at Montgomery Science Laboratory Facility Renovation.

The board approved revisions to the bylaws, policies and procedures of the Board of Trustees.

The board awarded a posthumous degree to Tyler Grogan at AUM.

DIETRICH >>

them I’m done for!”

“Now, Henry,” Nurse Squeaky Shoes says.

“You’re going to be feeling better very soon. We just need to start a catheter.”

“You need to do what?”

Henry says, his voice much lower.

“We need to start a catheter. And then give you some rectal medication.”

The room falls silent. The words catheter and rectal seem to hang above us all.

“Catheter? Rectal medication?” Henry asks.

“Explain that to me.”

Everyone in the room holds their breath while Nurse Squeaky Shoes discreetly whispers the details of what is about to happen.

There is a moment’s pause, and then... “Come on, honey.” Henry says, sounding almost chipper.

“I feel much better. Ain’t nobody sticking anything in either of those places.”

There is a snicker from the other side of the room, and then a giggle on my left, and then the whole room is echoing with laughter. Even Henry’s wife

can’t keep the smile out of her voice. “Hush, Henry.

I swear I can’t take you anywhere.”

And through all of this, Nurse Squeaky Shoes never stops moving and caring and healing. She is one of a legion of health care workers who are on their toes (figuratively) and

on their feet (literally) for endless shifts, day to week to month to year, taking care of us all.

“Look for helpers,” Mr. Rogers once said.

“They’re always there.”

And sometimes they wear Squeaky Shoes.

Now if I can just find my bag of clothes.....

the girl finally married a guy from work four years later. A good guy. And for the girl’s wedding, brother, her new family put on the dog.

A huge shindig was planned. Florists were invoked. Bridal magazines were bookmarked. Dresses were purchased. The Blazer sat in the wedding-reception parking lot the whole time.

There was a wedding band, complete with frizzed-out hair, “Flashdance” cover songs, and 70-yearolds doing the foxtrot.

There were long, sappy toasts. There were tears among adopted sisters who were of no blood relation — although try telling this to them.

In other words, love.

Lots of syrupy, gooey, life-reorganizing love.

To answer your question, Mark: No.

The Premier Fine Art and Craft Festival for the Central Alabama Region

Join us at this year’s festivities in Downtown Troy, AL!

FROM A4

home. In no time at all, the girl became a genuine part of everyone’s life, and a close friend to the woman’s teenage daughters. A sister, if you will.

Months later, the girl gave birth to a boy.

And minutes after the baby drew his first lungful, the girl’s newly adopted family crowded her hospital room like a bunch of smoked oysters, snapping mile-long reels of Kodaks.

I’m compressing a lot of information here, but over the following years the girl and her infant son fit into this average suburban family like round pegs in round holes. Her brother even came to visit sometimes.

And since all good stories have a wedding, I will also tell you that

A6 April 22, 2021

Local NAACP branch wants citizen input on Carver-Jeter Plan

By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver. com The Carver-Jeter Revitalization Plan from the city of Opelika has been revamped. The plan has been in the works since 2014 when it was first created, but there has been no updates since — until March.

“We want everyone in the Carver-Jeter areas to know that this plan has been updated,” said Billy Allen, president of the Lee County branch (5038) of the NAACP. “Too, we want to inform those residents that the NAACP branch 5038 need their feedback and their input to make sure that the plan is fully implemented.”

prioritize based on what citizens want to see done.

The branch plans to give a report to the city of Opelika with what those priorities should be, he said.

“We’re asking [residents] to tell us, what is this life that you’re living today,” said Parker Hamilton, chairperson of ad-hoc committee for Carver-Jeter Plan. “What is this community you’re living in? Do you walk into potholes? Do you have proper lighting?

What’s the infrastructure?”

Other projects listed in the plan include forming a task force to plan the historic Darden High School trail, forming a task force to determine a list of historical figures,

The updated plan lists each project and how it currently stands — whether it is still necessary or what needs to be done to see it to completion.

Some of the projects that have been completed include creating street art designs and concepts, the establishment of a new bike shop, forming a bike route from Pepperell Village to Opelika High School, forming a community garden, implementing a new location for the Opelika Library in the Carver-Jeter area and the installation of a traffic circle at MLK and Auburn.

Branch 5038 wants to make sure that the full plan is completed, Allen said, but wants to

forming a task force to spur re-investment into single family homes in the community, analyzing emergency responses cause by mobile home parks, forming a task force to establish new community business incubators and more.

“When they say ‘Beautiful Opelika,’ we want that reflected here also,” said one of the committee members, Oscar Penn.

Wards 1 and 2 consist of predominately African-American residents.

The full plan, and the update, can be found here: www.opelika-al. gov/154/Carver-Jeter-Revitalization-Plan.

“The Carver-Jeter plan needs to take precedence over any other plan that the city may have,” Allen

said. “We understand they may have a citywide plan, but we feel that the Carver-Jeter plan should be completed before they start their city-wide plan.”

However, Allen said that Branch 5038 will work with the city, and with council members, to formalize and implement the Carver-Jeter plan.

“We’re here in unity so we can present all the sides and let you know our concern is what the people think, what they’re telling us,” said John Andrew Harris, another committee member, former Opelika City Council member and Lee County commissioner.

Branch 5038 has asked "to hear from those living in, working in, and taking

part in activities in Wards 1 and 2 to express their concerns so that their input can be included in any future updates to the Carver-Jeter Plan and any city-wide plans from the City of Opelika itself," said Herbert Walter Denmark Jr., the public relations coordinator for Branch 5038. To do so, email carverjeterplan. naacp@gmail.com or call or text Hamilton at 240401-9243.

“We feel if this plan is fully implemented, we feel that Opelika can be a model city for the state of Alabama and we feel that it can be the best city in terms of including all neighborhoods into the city and making sure that they get their fair share,” Allen said.

Lee County NAACP Branch #5038 install new officers Contributed by Lee County NAACP #5038 After its reactivation in July 2020, and elections in December 2020, the Lee County NAACP Branch #5038 has installed its officers. The officers took the oath to carry out the NAACP’s mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of

rights and equal justice of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

At the branch’s March 25 general membership meeting, the officers (making up the Branch’s executive committee) took the oath as administered by Alabama State Conference President Benard Simelton. The officers consist of President

Billy U. Allen, 1st Vice President, Latricia T. Khalif, 2nd Vice President Desmond Scott, Secretary Formecca Tripp, Assistant Secretary Irene Dowdell, Treasurer John Andrew Harris and Assistant Treasurer Jessica Bryant Cook. The Executive Committee also includes, Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, as

The Opelika Chamber of

stated in the NAACP’s Constitution and Article VIII, Sections 1b, 4c and 5c of the NAACP Bylaws for Units.

The branch has already established several priorities in serving the Lee County, Alabama community. One involves working with the Carver and Jeter neighborhoods in Opelika, for the purposes of better

connecting the Carver and Jeter neighborhoods to the greater city of Opelika, and for establishing a compelling vision for the future of these neighborhoods. Another involves guaranteeing minority representation in Lee County, based on the latest U.S. Census of 2020.

President Allen expressed his gratitude

to all individuals that assisted in obtaining the reinstatement status of Branch #5038 – “The overall goal is to make #5038 the best branch in the State of Alabama, in terms of equality, fairness and justice for all citizens in Lee County.” Further information about meetings and joining the branch will be published monthly.

Run it to Win it 5k to benefit the SLAAM Youth Basketball teams

Commerce to host workshop

By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com The Opelika Chamber of Commerce will host a professional development workshop on April 30, centered around producing a productive staff.

“Ready, Willing & Able: 3 Keys to a Productive & Capable Staff” will be held at Southern Union’s Southern Room from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

“As managers, leaders, or small

ARTS >>

FROM A1

more intensive theatre opportunities that focus on skills and techniques for all different levels,” Custer said. “They even have a camp where young actors produce an entire play where they write lines, design their own set, sketch costume and make up designs and attain props needed for their play. They also offer All Day Arts Experiences, BYO Lunch Break and After Hours Theatre, which bridge morning art camps and afternoon theatre camps to provide children with an all day,

business owners, staffing is a constant challenge,” said a release from the chamber. “Not only is it hard to hire new employees, but it can be even more challenging to get your existing staff up to speed and executing according to your expectations.”

The workshop will focus on three main points: “[Staff[ are clear on what needs to be done and have available the resources they need to do their work, visual and performing arts experience.”

JDCAC is also providing camps that cater to those that want to create some magic with a brush.

The campers will learn more about the different kinds of art materials while diving into the history, the different artists, the movements and the culture surrounding art.

This, according to the website, will inspire the children to try something new with the materials while learning about art elements and the principles of design.

While the summer camps are bursting with opportunities, COVID

they are motivated to do their best, they have the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the job successfully,” the release said.

Registration costs $20 for chamber members and $50 for non-chamber members and must be completed by April 29 at 12:00 p.m.

Register here: https://www. opelikachamber. com/events/details/ ready-willingable-3-keys-to-aproductive-capablestaff-4020 has made planning the different programs fairly challenging. However, Custer is ready to get back to serving the community through the arts while doing so in accordance with CDC guidelines.

“I am very grateful to be able to hold camps this summer,” she said. “Summer is my favorite season at the JDCAC. Our arts center is full of energy in the summer and we all really missed having camps last year. We got creative with virtual opportunities, but we missed everyone. Planning during the pandemic has involved a lot of problem solving. We’ve worked

Saturday May 15, 2021 Courthouse Square 215 S. 9th Street 8 a.m.

Swag bags to the first 100 participants that register!

Men & Women’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes!

Children’s prizes!

Auburn-Opelika Running and Track Association will be providing race services, music, and pre- and post-race announcements.

Join us Saturday May 15 at 8 a.m. to walk or run a 5k. Proceeds will benefit the SLAAM youth basketball teams to help pay for tournament fees, hotel accommodations and all other travel expenses. Race registration for ages 13 & up is $30 and includes a Bella Canvas t-shirt. To guarantee your t-shirt, you must register by April 30, 2021. Race registration for ages 12 and under is $15.

Runsignup.com/race/al/Opelika/runittowinit5k

hard to make events and programs Covid friendly.

We continue to adapt in order to meet CDC and Alabama Deptartment of Public Health guidelines.”

There are several aspects of planning these camps that keep the job fun, however Custer says that there is one thing that stands out to her the most — collaboration.

“Our partnerships with the Auburn Arts Association and Auburn Area Community Theatre are fundamental to our cultural community,” she said.

“The arts are essential to a thriving community and these opportunities give cultural access to children,

families and citizens.

“I’m also excited Emillie Dombrowski, our new Art Education Specialist, will be coordinating camps with me this summer. She is an experienced art educator and has brought so many inventive ideas to our programming and events. So, I believe it’s going to be a productive and inspiring summer.”

The camps that are offered include: - Art for Young Children, ages 4 to 6 - Visual Arts Workshops for Children, ages 3 to 12 - After Hours Theater, ages 3 to 12

- AACT Academy Summer Intensive, ages 3 to 18 - AACT Academy Summer “Play”, ages 7 to 12 - BYO Lunch Break, ages 3 to 12.

- Musical Theatre Camp, ages three to 18 (split into four different groups depending on age).

For more information on the summer camps, go to auburnalabama. org/parks/facilities/ jan-dempsey-community-center/jdcac-summer-camps or you can email Sara Custer at scuster@auburnalabama. org.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

April 23, 24, 25 - Opelika High School's production of Cinderella May 1 - Story Book Farm's Derby Day May 5 - Opelika Giving Day

Serve a variety of chicken dishes for family, offering hospitality PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

s I was looking through recipes this week, I kept coming back to chicken recipes since most people always seem to be looking for new ways to prepare this main dish staple. Chicken is versatile and can be cooked a variety of ways, as well as used in casseroles, salads and many other dishes.

When I was growing up, my mother’s exceptional fried chicken was always the centerpiece of Sunday dinner. The aroma of the sizzling chicken filled the house and drifted through the screen door to the big porch where my favor-

ite spot was an old wooden swing. We kids would slam the screen door dozens of times asking when it was going to be ready.

I am still trying to cook fried chicken like my mom. When I have more time this summer, I am going to get her big cast iron skillet out and try again. I can make some fancy chicken dishes, but for some reason I can’t get her fried chicken exactly right. Of course, I realize that no matter how good the chicken is, no one will ever cook as good as my mom.

While fried chicken was a standby for my mother, boneless, skinless chicken

breasts are a staple in my kitchen as they can be prepared in many ways and cooked quickly.

They are also low in fat.

One of my quick dishes for chicken breasts is Chicken Marsala. I also make this dish with boneless, skinless chicken thighs that Don prefers. The dish is versatile as it can be prepared with the chicken floured or not. The amount of Marsala and broth can be varied, mushrooms are optional, and I use whatever cheese I have on hand for a topping.

Marsala, sherry and port are available at local grocery stores.

While the alcohol

Good Ol’ Boys restaurant introduces new chef

By Kayla Evans For the Opelika Observer Good Ol’ Boys, a family restaurant in Auburn has announced the hiring of a new chef for the restaurant.

Anthony Shiffer will be leaving the position of executive chef at the Marriott Resort at

Grand National in Opelika to join Good’ Ol Boys.

“He has such a passion not just for food but for people and service and making people happy,” said owner Gwen Adams. “He just has a unique way of connecting with everybody he meets. [He] takes it way beyond food service.”

Shiffer himself reflected on how he came to Good’ Ol Boys.

“I became a chef 25 years ago,” Shiffer said. “I’ve been a hotel chef with Marriott for an awful long time...I don’t know if I want to say that it is the end of my career, but you know, it’s the final See BOYS, page A14

Goat Cheese and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Fresh Tomato Chutney makes a delectable and attractive dish for Sunday dinner or for offering hospitality.

will burn off, you can always make it with cooking sherry if you prefer, or just deglaze the pan with chicken broth.

Years ago, before Chef David Bancroft opened his own restaurants, he shared a recipe for Goat Cheese and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Fresh Tomato Chutney.

While the recipe looks long, I found it went together quicker than I thought. If you don’t want to roll the chicken breasts out,

simply place stuffing in the center of breasts and fold to secure.

You can get small pots of fresh basil at the grocery store.

I think you can use dried basil in the stuffing if you don’t have fresh. Add a little at a time to get the taste that suits you.

The recipe can be prepared a day ahead.

If you have had your vaccine and are planning to have guests over soon, this would be a good recipe to

serve. I would serve it with fresh asparagus and a green salad. As the weather gets warmer, you can plan a dinner outdoors to feel safer.

Kay Harris’ Marinated Baked Chicken Breasts would also be good for guests or Sunday dinner. The chicken is marinated overnight, and then rolled in cracker crumbs and baked. It goes together quickly, and the marinade makes a tender, flavorful chicken dish.

See CIPPERLY, page A10

Live jazz returns (safely!) to Piccolo Contributed by the AUHCC After more than a year without live music, Piccolo is bringing weekly jazz back beginning April 9.

Piccolo, the area’s only authentic jazz lounge, located inside The Hotel at Auburn University, will welcome regional jazz artists back to the stage every Friday night,

along with a new small bites menu.

In order to accommodate social distancing guidelines, the weekly jazz events are offered as a ticketed experience, with reserved seating from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and experiences may be booked through aricciacucina. com or directly on the OpenTable booking

page.

“We’re excited to offer live jazz again in Piccolo,” said Adam Keeshan, Food & Beverage director at The Hotel at Auburn University. “We’ve spoken to so many people who have missed being able to enjoy live music and a cocktail with us, and we’re looking forward See JAZZ, page A14

A8 April 22, 2021

Making the Grade - ChickChickPorkPork We are blessed in Lee County to have a variety of great restaurants at which to dine. There’s pretty much something for everyone in our area.

Last week, I decided to try something which I had never eaten before: traditional Korean cuisine.

Mike and I met our friend Jack at ChickChickPorkPork on Pepperell Parkway in Opelika. The restaurant is located in the building formerly occupied by Kitchen 3810.

Jack hadn’t eaten in a Korean restaurant either, so it took us a little longer to read over the menu and choose what to order.

ChickChickPorkPork has an ordering feature which I really liked. There was a button at the table, and diners push it when they are ready for the waiter to come and take their orders. This feature was very helpful since we needed the extra time to read over the unfamiliar menu.

It was great not to be interrupted before we knew what we wanted. Also, the waiter didn’t have to trot back and forth to check on us. Great idea!

ChickChickPorkPork has an extensive menu.

Mike and I chose the fried dumplings for our

appetizer. They were amazing – so warm, crispy and delicious. We scarfed them down as though we hadn’t eaten all day. I could have made a meal of those dumplings.

Other tempting appetizers from the menu included Haemul Pajeon, which is a seafood pancake with vegetables, and Bulgogi Salad, which is Korean BBQ pork with vegetables.

The restaurant offers six different categories of entrees. Mike and I both chose Teriyaki Chicken from the Bento Box selections. Besides our main course, we also had rice, salad, two fried dumplings (Hurrah!) and onion rings.

Our meal was very tasty.

Jack chose from the popular category. His dish, Beef Bulgogi, was sliced and seasoned beef with vegetables; he also ordered rice. His serving was enormous; it was a savory mountain of beef. He said it was really delicious.

I was quite tempted to ask Jack if I could try a bite, but that didn’t seem right since we hadn’t shared our fried dumplings. Yes, you’re right; we should have shared; our parents taught us better. However, to Mike’s credit, he mistakenly thought that Jack had received two fried dumplings with his entrée.

I can only hang my head in shame.

Besides having great food, ChickChickPorkPork observes COVID-19 safety protocols. The employees all wore masks.

Also, the tables are at least six feet apart.

In addition, our waiter was terrific, being attentive, helpful and pleasant.

As we were leaving, the owner asked us about our meal and service; we appreciated being asked and told him that both were great. He told us that we should go next door to Cheetos, which is a Korean Fusion Dessert Café. However, last week I found out that my sugar average is up, so I’m afraid I will have to try the café when my number is lower. Believe me, that was disappointing. Looking at some of the tempting desserts online, I’m sure that I could have done some serious damage; hopefully, I will be able to try the luscious desserts after August 12, my next doctor’s appointment.

ChickChickPorkPork is open from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

ChickChickPorkPork makes the grade with an A+ from this retired

English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food.

Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

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By Stacey Patton Wallace

A9 April 22, 2021

Does Cinderella find her slipper?

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Opelika High Theatre Society held their opening weekend for the play Cinderella. They will perform again April 23 to 25.

Celebrate the Boogie

PHOTOS BY JOHN HILLSMAN / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Old 280 Boogie celebrated its 20th anniversary last weekend with a three-night concert event at the Standard Deluxe in Waverly.

A10 April 22, 2021

15th Annual Garden in the Park set for May 1

Contributed by Keep Opelika Beautiful

Keep Opelika Beautiful is excited to host the 15th annual Garden in the Park on Saturday, May 1.

It will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Opelika Municipal Park. Garden in the Park is a rain or shine event. Garden in the Park is Opelika’s annual festival featuring handmade and homegrown art.

Items for sale will include

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

Sara Mason’s recipe for Kleeman’s Chicken on Cornbread sounds like good comfort food.

To save time, you could use a rotisserie

RECIPES

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GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH FRESH TOMATO CHUTNEY Chef David Bancroft 8 - 5 oz. trimmed, flattened chicken

handmade jewelry, bags, paintings, plants, personalized items, children’s clothing and pottery.

Children will have the opportunity to create a flower vase and plant tomato seeds. Food vendors will be selling cakes, hotdogs, fish, pies, smoothies and more. There is no charge for admissions into Garden in the Park. Attendees are asked to leave their personal pets at home.

“We thrilled to host Garden in the Park this year.

One asset to this event is that every item sold has been created, painted, planted, or built by the person selling the item. Many of our artist come back year after year,” said Tipi Miller, director of Keep Opelika Beautiful.

Garden in the Park is an outdoor event. Masks will be encouraged but not required. Other safety precautions such as social distancing and hand sanitizing stations will be available. Keep

Opelika Beautiful thanks the following sponsors for their support of Garden in the Park: Opelika Auburn News, HomeLink Realty, City of Opelika City Council Members, Glynn Smith Chevrolet, Buick & GMC, Alfa agent Drake Martin, Afni and ESG Operations.

For more information about Garden in the Park, please contact Keep Opelika Beautiful at (334) 7494970 or tipi@keepopelikabeautiful.com.

chicken from the grocery store instead of cooking the chicken breasts.

If you are having ladies for lunch, Ann Bennett’s Chicken Pecan Quiche would be a good choice.

She said this quiche was served with fresh

fruit, mixed green salad and mini lemon poppy seed muffins for ladies’ luncheons in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she once lived. That sounds like a delectable luncheon.

For something different to serve

during the week, try the Creole Chicken Cakes with Remoulade Sauce. Chicken breasts, whole cooked chicken, or a rotisserie chicken can be used. The sauce can be prepared the day before, and the chicken patties can

be assembled the night before. They will be ready to sauté the next day after work.

If chicken is your family’s favorite entree, include a couple of the following recipes in your menus this week. Hopefully,

as more people have vaccines and Covid numbers go down, we can offer hospitality soon. Dining outdoors on a beautiful spring day can be wonderful.

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@cipperly.com.

breasts Chicken Spice mix: ¾ Tbsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper 1 tsp. garlic powder ½ tsp. dried oregano Stuffing: 11 oz. Belle Chevre goat cheese

(or another brand) 4 crumbled Sister Schubert dinner rolls ½ to 1 cup chopped fresh basil to taste 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp. ground allspice, optional 1 tsp. kosher salt To flatten chicken, lay one chicken breast onto a piece

of cellophane. Lay another piece of cellophane over the top. Using mallet, pound each breast consistently until it reaches ½ inch in thickness.

Repeat with each portion. Set aside for stuffing.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Add goat cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh

basil, olive oil, allspice and salt in a mixing bowl.

Using your hands, crumble mixture together until olive oil is evenly mixed through stuffing. Separate stuffing into eight portions.

Lay out one chicken breast long ways from left to right on

prep surface. Starting from top, begin spreading one portion of stuffing one inch away from top edge. Evenly distribute stuffing and press gently to tamp it down. Starting from the bottom, begin rolling the breast towards the top. Using butchers’ twine, tie three segments See RECIPES, page A11

A11 April 22, 2021

RECIPES

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around the breast to secure it, making eight “roulades.”

Repeat with each portion. (Instead of making rolls, can place stuffing in center of breasts and fold to secure.)

Place each portion onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle the spice rub evenly onto each roulade.

Bake in oven for 16 to 18 minutes or until center temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing twine. Slice roulades into desired thickness and serve with chutney.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO CHUTNEY 3 cups diced heirloom tomatoes (3 medium size) 1 seeded small red bell pepper, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, finely diced 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/3 cup cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 cup water 1 tsp. kosher salt Heat oil to medium heat in small saucepan. Add bell pepper and garlic and sauté gently for 20 seconds. Add tomatoes, vinegar and sugar; simmer for 5 minutes. Add water and salt and simmer 5 more minutes.

Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

MARINATED BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS Kay Harris 2 cups sour cream 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp. celery salt 2 tsp. paprika 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 4 cloves garlic, minced 8 boneless chicken breast halves, skinless 1 3/4 cups dry breadcrumbs 1/3 cup butter 1 sleeve soda crackers, crushed 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed To marinate: In a large nonporous glass dish or bowl, combine sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic; mix well.

Add chicken breasts and coat well with sour cream marinade. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to

350 degrees.

Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish or bowl.

Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade.

Dredge chicken in crumb mix to coat well and place in a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a small saucepan or skillet, melt butter and spoon evenly over chicken.

Bake for 60 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and fork-tender with juices running clear.

KLEEMAN’S CHICKEN ON CORNBREAD WITH CREAMY SAUCE Sara Mason From an old restaurant in Nashville 8 chicken breasts Salt and pepper 2 stalks celery, tops and all 4 sprigs parsley Water Grated ginger, optional 1 large carrot 1 onion Cook the chicken breasts in water to cover. Add remaining ingredients. Cook until just done. Use the strained broth for making the sauce.

Sauce: 6 Tbsp. onion, minced 1 cup butter 8 Tbsp. flour 3 pints (6 cups) chicken broth 1/2 cup cream or milk Salt and pepper to taste Brown minced onion in melted butter until golden.

Add flour. Add chicken broth, cream or milk, salt, and pepper.

Cook until desired thickness.

Slice chicken; place on cornbread and pour sauce over top. Serve extra sauce on the side. Serves 10 to 12.

Cornbread: 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 tsp. soda 1 tsp. baking powder 1 cup flour 1 cup buttermilk 1 tsp. salt Combine ingredients, mixing well.

Pour into greased baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

CHICKEN BREASTS OR THIGHS WITH MARSALA SAUCE 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs Salt and pepper ½ cup flour, optional 2 Tbsp. melted

butter or canola oil 1 lb. sliced mushrooms, sliced, optional 1/3 cup dry Marsala wine or sherry or chicken broth ½ cup chicken stock Grated Swiss, mozzarella or Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Salt and pepper chicken; dredge in flour and lightly brown in butter or oil.

Remove to ovenproof dish. Sauté mushrooms in same skillet, adding more butter if necessary; sprinkle over chicken.

In skillet add wine and let simmer; add chicken broth; bring to a boil and simmer a few minutes. Pour over chicken and mushrooms.

Sprinkle cheese of choice over chicken. Bake for about 20 minutes or until chicken is done. Serves six.

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH CHICKEN Lura New Lura said this is a favorite everyone in the family enjoys, including the grandchildren.

4 small chicken breasts ½ cup ranch dressing 2 Tbsp. flour ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese Rinse and pat dry chicken.

Combine ranch dressing and flour.

Dip chicken in mixture until well coated. Place in greased baking dish and cover with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until done.

LEMON GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN LEGS Linda Letlow For the chicken: 10-12 chicken legs Sliced lemon 1 onion, sliced For the marinade: 8 cloves garlic, minced Zest from 2 lemons 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 Tbsp. melted butter 2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary 2 ½ tsp. kosher salt (use 2 tsp. for regular table salt) 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. fresh thyme ¼ - ½ tsp. red pepper flakes Whisk marinade until combined.

Pierce chicken legs with a fork and add to marinade. Turn to coat well and let it sit in the marinade

for an hour. (I’ve prepared this in the morning and refrigerated it in the marinade.)

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place chicken in a large baking dish (I marinate chicken in the baking dish.) in a single layer.

Evenly distribute the marinade over chicken. Arrange lemon slices and onion slices around and in between the chicken pieces.

Bake uncovered for about an hour, basting with juices after 30 minutes.

Serve chicken with the juices.

CHICKEN PECAN QUICHE Ann Bennett A slice of this quiche would be served with fresh fruit, mixed greens salad with poppy seed dressing and mini lemon poppy seed muffins for ladies’ luncheons in Kingsport, Tennessee, where I previously lived.

Whisk together: 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup mayonnaise 3 large eggs, lightly beaten Stir into that mixture: 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 tsp paprika 1/4 cup minced onion 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed 3 drops hot sauce, such as Texas Pete Pour into 9-inch deep dish frozen pie crust.

Topping: 1/2 cup chopped pecans Sprinkle pecans evenly over top of quiche.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees about 30 minutes; cover and bake until set to prevent top from over browning, usually 50 to 55 minutes.

Variation Another method of preparing the quiche is to place a piecrust into a baking dish, and press chopped pecans onto the crust.

Then add the filling. It is also good, but it is not as pretty served as a wedge slice topped with pecans.

CREOLE CHICKEN CAKES WITH REMOULADE SAUCE 2 Tbsp. butter or oil ½ medium-size red bell pepper, diced, optional

4 green onions, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, pressed 3 cups chopped cooked chicken 1 cup soft breadcrumbs 1 large egg, lightly beaten 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. Creole mustard 2 tsp. Creole seasoning, optional Vegetable oil Remoulade Sauce Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, green onions, and garlic; sauté 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Combine bell pepper mixture, chicken, and next five ingredients.

Shape mixture into patties.

Sauté patties in hot oil over medium heat 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with Rémoulade Sauce.

Makes four to six servings.

Rémoulade Sauce: 1 cup mayonnaise 3 green onions, sliced 2 Tbsp. Creole mustard or grainy Dijon mustard 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley, optional Combine ingredients until well blended.

CHICKEN IN LEMON PARMESAN SAUCE 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 Tbsp. butter or oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 Tbsp. Marsala or cooking sherry or chicken broth 2 Tbsp. grated lemon rind 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Sauté chicken breasts in butter or oil until light brown; salt and pepper. Place chicken in a baking dish. Add sherry, lemon juice, and rind to butter in skillet.

Cook over low heat, stirring a few minutes. Slowly blend in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cover chicken.

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over chicken. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is done. Serves six.

ROLLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PECAN TOPPING 2 tsp. oil 1 cup sliced mushrooms 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. dried oregano 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup chopped pecans ¼ cup Dijon mustard 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sauté mushrooms in oil.

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, thyme, garlic salt, oregano and mushrooms.

Pound chicken breasts until flat. Spread cream cheese mixture over chicken breasts; roll up. Place seam side down in baking dish.

Combine remaining ingredients; spread over chicken.

Bake 30 minutes or until done.

CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI, ASPARAGUS, ARTICHOKE OR SHRIMP This is an updated version of an old favorite Chicken Divan recipe from years ago.

1 cooked chicken (can be rotisserie chicken), cut into bite size pieces 2 pkg. cooked broccoli, artichoke hearts, asparagus or 1/2 to 1 lb. cooked shrimp 2 cans cream of chicken soup (can use reduced fat) 1 cup mayonnaise (can use reduced fat) 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. curry powder 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs 2 Tbsp. melted butter Paprika Place broccoli or other choice around edges of a 13 x 9 x 2 inch casserole dish; place chicken in the center.

Combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry powder; spread over chicken and partially cover broccoli.

Sprinkle cheese over top. Combine breadcrumbs and butter; sprinkle over cheese. Sprinkle paprika over top.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Serves six. Can be prepared ahead.

A12 April 22, 2021

Sarah Ward Thomas: A Pioneer of Alabama's Sickle Cell Research The death of Sarah Ward Thomas’s son, Todd Phillip Franklin Thomas, spurred the life-long Lee County resident to organize the first Sickle Cell program in Alabama.

The program, organized in 1974, was the first of its kind to receive state funding and also prompted then Governor of Alabama, George C. Wallace, to declare February as ‘State Sickle Cell Month’ as a memorial to her son.

According to the National Institute of Health, Sickle Cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell

disorders that affects hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. Those affected have red blood cells that are crescent, or sickle-shaped instead of round or disc-shaped.

Furthermore, the cells of a person with sickle cell, do not bend or move easily often leading to blood flow blockages.

Thomas was responsible for initiating the screening of newborn infants for sickle cell in hospitals statewide in Alabama in 1980 and in 1991 she founded the first hospital-based program that operated out of East Alabama Medical Center for a time.

Nearly 20 years after

Thomas founded the Southeast Alabama Sickle Cell Association, the focus of the organization shifted from its primary goal of education to emphasizing medical care and research. A new program was then formed as the Lee County-East Alabama Comprehensive Sickle Cell Education and Research Foundation, Incorporated.

Accomplishments Thomas received extensive education and training on the disease and as an instructor for the Lee County Chapter of the American Red Cross she traveled across the state to provide training via clinics, seminars and workshops

to others.

She has received many accolades and awards for her work in this field. Some of her most notable awards include: - Role Model for Today’s Girls Women of Achievement Award from the Girl Scouts of America - Channel 9 WTVM Special Friends “Taking the Time to Care Award - Listing as one of the South’s most influential Women in the book titled “Women of the South.”

Thomas also served her community by founding the Lee County Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club,

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Opelika Observer Staff

Incorporated and also served as Counselor of the Nurses Guild.

Thomas, who is now 90, has dedicated more than four decades to teaching others about sickle cell disease.

While there are treatments for the disease,

there is not a cure.

However, a new gene therapy is currently being studied and has shown promising results in the early stages of the research.

Visit www.seasca. com/about.html for more information.

Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame salutes Alabama healthcare workers Contributed by Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that over 18,000 healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 serving the people of our state. We do not know how many of these individuals have died from the disease as a result of their service. The aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic on Alabama’s health care workers will probably impact an entire generation of Alabama’s medical professionals.

The Alabama Health Care Hall of Fame is the only independent Alabama organization that exists to recognize and salute all of our state’s healthcare workers who demonstrate outstanding devotion, leadership, expertise and courage in the healthcare service of Alabama’s citizens. This year, we were overwhelmed by worthy candidates. The recipients should include workers from doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists who have saved lives on a daily basis, to environmental services staff who cleaned the con-

taminated ICU rooms and kept everyone safe.

Healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices and emergency services have risked their lives for us. Their families have borne the same uncertainty as service members’ families whose loved ones are deployed in combat zones. These workers have carried the pain and suffering associated with COVID deaths for the rest of Alabama’s society. Like our military, these fellow Alabamians have answered the call without hesitation.

While focused on saving lives and protecting coworkers, they have also worried about bringing this deadly disease home to family or neighbors.

This double burden has placed extraordinary mental and physical health strains on these skilled professionals.

Every Alabama healthcare worker is a precious, scarce resource for our state. Alabamians cannot afford to lose any of these workers, and we cannot thank them enough for their service.

As taught in America’s military, these dedicated individuals have “held

the line” when confronted by overwhelming adversity, suffering and risk of death caused by the pandemic. Our state should acknowledge this sacrifice and extend all possible support to these individuals, from the ICU teams to the custodial staff. Alabama’s public and medical leadership should embrace the same central concept of our nation’s armed forces: “No man left behind.” We should honor and support these medical veterans of the war on this pandemic as we have shown devotion to our military veterans

both on and off the battlefield.

The Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame recognizes all of our devoted healthcare workers who sacrificed and kept us safe, especially those individuals who, as President Lincoln described, “have given their last full measure of devotion” to fulfill their duty to their patients and our communities. We grieve for their loss and express our thanks to their families for their service to our state.

Richard E Powers, MD, Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame Board Member

Contributed by Lee County Relay Lee County volunteers and American Cancer Society will hold Victory Laps Against Cancer, on April 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at East Alabama Medical Center’s Spencer Cancer Center on Village Professional Drive in Opelika.

This year’s relay will be different with a “drive through” celebration to honor and remember those fighting cancer, announced Relay co-chairman Randy Causey, a longtime EAMC employee who has volunteered for Relay for more than 20 years.

“Because of coronavirus, Relay will look a little different, but it will happen. Coronavirus hasn’t stopped cancer and those who battle it,” Causey said.

“New cancer patients are diagnosed every day and those who are already diagnosed are battling it amid coronavirus.”

With a “racing” theme, the community is welcoming everyone to participate in the event by decorating a car in a race car or cancer theme and

drive in front of the Spencer Cancer Center on Village Professional Drive, the semi-circle off Dunlop Circle.

Cancer survivors will be recognized during the event in the cancer center’s main parking lot. Those wanting to decorate their car can participate in a contest

for the best decorated car. Signs will direct participants for vehicles to be judged.

The committee’s goal is to have luminaria candles on both sides of Village Professional Drive so as the community rides through, they can celebrate, honor and remember those

fighting cancer.

Luminaria bags will be one of the most important components of the fundraiser this year.

“I encourage everyone to purchase at least one bag, and maybe even more to remember those who are fighting or remember those no longer with us,” Causey

said.

Luminaria bags can be purchased online at www.relayforlife. org/leeal. Bags can also be purchased the night of the event, with volunteers collecting money and placing luminaria bags out during the event.

Because of contin-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

2021 Relay For Life Lee County set for April 30

ued coronavirus health concerns, only volunteers will be able to be outside their car during the event.

Teams are raising money for Relay For Life of Lee County and anyone can form a team or donate by going to the website www.relayforlife.org/leeal.

A13 April 22, 2021

P

Growing Off The Ground

aul had some special things to say about the disciples at Thessalonica in his first letter to them. He spoke of them their faith, hope and love (1:3), how they were a model to all believers (1:7), and how their faith in God had become known everywhere (1:9).

But maybe the most amazing thing was that they did all these things not as part of some multi-national conglomerate or even a national network connected through social media—they impacted the world of their day as a church—a local con-

Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org.

• Union Grove Baptist Church In-person gathering with social distancing. Masks are available.

Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m.

Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch • First Baptist Church Opelika The following are held in-per­son and online on Sundays.

8:30 a.m. Tra­ditional Worship and Message at The Worship Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour 11 a.m. Contemporary Service at The 3:16 Center 6 p.m. Evening Worship and Message at The Worship Center 6:30 p.m. Church on Chadwick at Chadwick Lane in Auburn To watch services online, go to fb­copelika.­com/­media

gregation of disciples.

Nothing less and nothing more. Roll that around in your mind a bit.

The church is, quite simply, the community of Christ. It is composed of people who belong to each other because they belong to the Lord. Or to say it another way, because they have given themselves to the Lord, He has given them to each other.

The church is the framework, the dynamic, the structure God has provided us for our growth and development. To go try to go it alone as a follower of Jesus without the church is,

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

in effect, to tell God that we know better than He does.

For anyone who has grown tomatoes, you know that you must either stake them, use a wire basket, or do something to provide them with support. If you don’t, the weight of the tomatoes will cause the plant to topple over. Toma-

toes on the ground are easier for animals to get, people to step on and rot to develop in. If you don’t do something to get your tomatoes off the ground—well, you won’t have to worry about picking them at harvest.

Yes, churches have their share of problems. They are, after all, filled with (penitent) sinners. But if there was such a thing as a perfect church— would they let you or me in?

There is only One who was perfect. And while didn’t ignore the hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of His day

(read Matthew 23), it was nonetheless “His custom” to be in the synagogue (Luke 4:14). Churches in the New Testament range from healthy to struggling—but at no time is any disciple ever told or given permission to abdicate their responsibility to their brothers and sisters in order to go it alone.

We need the church, and the church needs us. Trying to grow on the ground is not an option.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-tasteof-grace-with-brucegreen.com

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

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

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Green Chapel Missionary ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143

Church Directory

Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800

PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-

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

Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-7495386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-7411006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-7373222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319

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

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

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

A14 April 22, 2021

Classy Art Feeds nearly 17,000 children Contributed by Gabriel Cohen / Classy Art, LLC Premier wholesale wall art and décor supplier Classy Art, LLC announced that in the first quarter alone, it will be feeding nearly 17,000 children.

In February this year, Classy Art announced a partnership with the Indianapolis-based Million Meal Movement in its effort to provide nutritious meal packages to food pantries.

Classy Art committed to providing one meal to a hungry American child for every single unit of art sold, retroactively beginning Jan. 1. With their aggressive growth goals, the company

BOYS >>

FROM A7

stopping place where my career has taken me here in Auburn. Auburn is our home now.”

While at the Marriott Resort, Shiffer had the opportunity to work on his craft with Auburn University on gamedays.

“I had the opportunity to work closely with the university feeding our beloved Auburn Tigers,” Shiffer said. “It was a great opportunity and great experience ... it was a lot of fun and met a lot of good people and served a lot of good food.”

Shiffer, along with owners Dan and Gwen Adams, are planning to make the restaurant a family-friendly place with home-cooked meals,

intends to supply over 70,000 meals in 2021 alone.

Gabriel Cohen, CEO and president of Classy Art, said “Due to the efforts of our dedicated customers and my team, it is an honor to make such a contribution that will directly impact the lives of so many children. Our company donates in many ways throughout the year; however, I am positive that we have never been able to touch so many at one time. I hope that this is the smallest donations that we make for years to come.” Cohen and the Classy Art team stand firmly behind their own mission and the mission of the Million Meals

Movement to conquer hunger through the power of community. And while Cohen said he is proud of his business’s success, he knows there is always something more to being an industry leader than profits and the bottom line.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Million Meal Movement and how they can get involved should go to the organization’s webpage at, found at www. millionmealmovement. org, to read the story and see the scope of Million Meal’s impact across their home state of Indiana.

More About Classy Art: Classy Art is a leader in the wall art/

Shiffer said.

“We’re going to elevate the menu that it currently was,” Shiffer said. “We’re going to be making a whole lot of changes … but it’s going to keep the main staples like steak and catfish with a lot of elevated country food. Lots of chef specials and lots of theme nights. We’re making it a family-friendly oriented restaurant that’s going to be able to encompass the entire area and neighboring communities to go along with it.”

Gwen is excited about the new possibilities that Good Ol’ Boys has with Shiffer now at the helm of the kitchen.

“We’re going to take it back to that home-made, fresh-cooked, hand-cut fries and that type of thing,” Gwen said. “We

will still have a few items that are ready to go like mini corn dogs for the kids that are such a hit and stuff like that that you don’t really make from scratch from the kitchen.

Most everything will be homemade.”

Good Ol’ Boys having a lot of history in the Auburn area is a reason that Shiffer wants to work at the Good Ol’ Boys. And the opportunity to grow roots deeper in Auburn and bring home-cooked food to the people who want to enjoy it is what he is most excited about, he said.

“I’m just grateful and thankful for the opportunity that was presented to me and my family, and we look forward to getting after it and cooking some really good food,” Shiffer said.

OBITUARIES Bette Ann (Moore) Vaughan

Bette Ann (Moore) Vaughan was born Nov. 20, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama and passed away after a short illness at the age of 91.

Bette Ann was preceded in death by her parents, George Anderson and Minnie H. Moore, three brothers, John Robert Moore, Paul H. Moore and William H. Moore, a daughter and son-in-law, Anne V. and James K. Norman.

She is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, James Douglas Vaughan, two daughters, Nancy V. Myers (Tom), and Joy V. Bowles, five grandchildren, David E. Norman of Auburn, Andrew T. Myers of Berkley, California, Anna E. Myers of Durham, North Carolina, Jared A. Bowles (Sarah) of Columbus, Georgia and Carly B. Marken (Michael) of Phenix City, Alabama.

Bette Ann moved to Auburn, Alabama at three months old where she grew up and became a lifelong, die hard Auburn fan. She was an avid bridge player, excellent seamstress and the heart

and strength of her family.

Bette Ann lived fully and wore many “hats.”

Known as “Nannie” to her dad and brothers, “Bette Ann” to her peers and contemporaries, “Momma” to her three girls and “MaMa” to her grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends at a later date.

“Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her.” Prov. 31:28.

We will miss you until we rejoice together again in our heavenly home!

Kathryn A. Cooper

Kathryn A. Cooper of Opelika was born on Dec. 8, 1932 to the late Grover and Izzy Glenn Vinson and passed away at Piedmont Medical in Columbus, Georgia on April 12, 2021.

She was 88 years old.

Kathryn was survived by her sons, Danny McHargue, Jerry McHargue, daughters, Toni Warren (Gary), Darlene Robertson (Randy), 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Graveside service was held at Garden Hills Cemetery

on April 16 at 2 p.m.

Robert Andrew Adkins, Jr

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, we lost a loving husband, father and brother.

Robert Andrew Adkins, Jr., went to be with his Lord and Savior.

Robert was born, Aug. 10, 1962, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and lived in Opelika, since 1991. He was a graduate of Auburn University and a member of First Baptist Church Opelika.

Robert was a loving and caring husband and father.

He is survived by his wife, Vickie, his two sons, Trey (Hannah) and Turner, his sister Robbie Teague (Glenn), his nephew, Drew, his stepmother, Cathy, and great niece and nephew, Rebecca and Landon.

Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert Adkins, Sr. and Marjorie Adkins, as well as his brother, James Adkins.

Visitation was held on April 19 in the parlor of First Baptist Church of Opelika. A graveside service followed at Garden Hills Cemetery with Dr. Mike King officiating.

decor field catering specifically to furniture retailers across the country. Their average growth of 50% per year is the result of products that have proven to sell faster at retail through their proprietary process of product research. This higher rate of sales has increased customer retention as well as new customer acquisition.

The company carries all subcategories of wall décor including framed prints, metal, clocks, canvas, tempered glass and mirrors, and they pride themselves on single week lead times and guaranteed inventory.

For more information visit www.ClassyArt.net.

JAZZ >>

FROM A7

to bringing it back in a responsible way.”

Artists will vary every week. April 9 performers include Dr. Michael Pendowski on sax, Julio Cesar Barreto on piano, Jason DeBlanc on bass and Tim Chambliss on drums.

For more information or to book your experience, visit www. aricciacucina.com.

About Piccolo Piccolo 241 Jazz and Cocktails opened in 2009 as an authentic jazz lounge, featuring jazz musicians from across the state. The bar and lounge is a key part of Ariccia Cucina Italiana, and has become a destination of its own within

Fish Fry to benefit Standing Rock community center project The Standing Rock Fish Fry and Bake Sale will be held on May 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Standard Time at the Dodgen Home which is located at 3155 County Road 278 in Five Points, Alabama.

Tickets are $10 and consist of cat-

fish fillets, french fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, lemons, pickles and onions.

For tickets call 706-333-8559 or 706-586-0252.

A raffle will also be held and tickets for the raffle are $5 or five for $20.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Standing Rock, Alabama Community Center Building Project.

Auburn. Rated the number one bar by Alabama Magazine several times since its opening, Piccolo is a great place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner or to have a quick bite from the small bite menu. A selection of 10 craft beers on tap and wines by the glass are served at the bar.

Leather club chairs, a cozy fireplace and comfy banquettes serve as a relaxing getaway in a comfortable, clubby environment.

Piccolo is located inside The Hotel at Auburn University. Both are managed, along with Ariccia Cucina Italiana, by Ithaka Hospitality Partners.

For more information on Piccolo or Ariccia, visit www.ariccia-

cucina.com. Ithaka Hospitality Partners is a hospitality management company, focused on all aspects of hotel management as well as special event and catering management.

Ithaka consults with properties to deliver strategic and tactical methods to achieve overall profitability, guest satisfaction and employee engagement.

Additionally, Ithaka works with the Hospitality Management Program at Auburn University to educate students in the classroom by partnering with faculty in a variety of competencies within the Hospitality Management Program.

For additional information, visit www. ithakahp.com.

Contributed by Marie Leak

LORD POUR OUT YOUR LOVE, LIFE AND LIBERTY “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

2 Corinthians 3:17

70TH NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Thursday, May 6, 2021 12 noon Lee County Courthouse Square Rain site- 1st Baptist Church 3:16 Center- Ave. C Broadcast live on Halleluiah 1520 am NON DENOMINATIONAL PRAYER & PRAISE GATHERING

ALL INVITED

A15 April 22, 2021

A16 April 22, 2021

COMICS

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

S

S

By D. Mark Mitchell

Opelika Varsity baseball wins area

T

with hits from Grilliott, Bryan, Smith, Jake Cummings and Deandre Smith.

The Bulldogs host Spanish Fort (18-14) in the opening round of the AHSAA 6A State Playoffs, Friday at 4:30.

The two teams play a best-of-three series, with two games Friday and the "IF " necessary Saturday at noon.

Fans can listen to Opelika baseball on FOX Sports the Game 9101310, online at foxsportsthegame.com and on the iHeartRadio app. Airtime is 4:15 from Bulldog Park.

SOFTBALL The Lady Bulldog softball team won the area regular season title, winning at Eufaula 3-1.

McKay Yountz pitched a complete game in the circle to earn the win.

Yountz stuck out 14 batters, allowed one hit and one earned run.

Nylen Thomas led OHS at the plate with two hits while Yountz, Ava Parker and Sani Stringer added singles.

Opelika earned the right to host the double-elimination area tournament on May 3 and 4 at West Ridge Park.

SOCCER Opelika girls’ and boys’ soccer teams played Auburn High School last See SPORTS, page B4

Opelika: April 27 at 4 p.m. at 300 Simmons Street in Opelika

Wesley Button has been named the new head boys basketball coach at Opelika High School. “We are excited to welcome Coach Wesley Button as the new OHS head boys basketball coach,” said OHS Principal Farrell Seymore. “Coach Button has been a valuable member of our staff for a number of years and has grown into a tremendous teacher and coach.”

Button has served as the interim Opelika High School head boys basketball coach since January 2021.

Button graduated from the University of Alabama in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and currently teaches history at Opelika High School. At OHS, Button has served as the Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach since 2015. He also coached 9th grade basketball (2018-2020)

and was a varsity soccer assistant coach (2015-2020).

“I’m super excited to have the opportunity to coach these guys.

They’re my guys and we’re poised to be very competitive next season.

My expectations are high, and I look forward to working with the team,” Button said.

Button is originally from Decatur, Alabama.

When not at work, he and his wife Jaclyn enjoy spending time with their

BUTTON dogs Tag and Samford.

Opelika’s Rowell inks track & field scholarship

By Wil Crews sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com

Opelika High School senior track & field athlete LeDamian Rowell is ready to start a new chapter in his athletic career after signing a track scholarship with William Carey University on

Tuesday of last week.

“It felt more like it was a new start in my life,” Rowell said of the moment he inked his name to the scholarship. “It was like I just opened up a new chapter in my book.

And I’m just ready to get to it … I’m amped for it.”

Rowell’s mom, Kimberly Patrick, said

she will be sad to see her son go off to college, but is excited for his next steps in life.

“I’m extremely proud of him, he’s worked hard, he’s determined, he’s ambitious,” she said. “I’m excited for him. It’s going to be tough letting my baby go but he’s going to grow up and, like he said,

this is a new chapter and I’m excited for him, he deserves it. This is just the beginning.”

Rowell and his teammates on the OHS track & field team won the 2020-21 indoor state title in February. Rowell was appreciative of the team See SCHOLARSHIP, page B4

PHOTO BY JOSH FISHER / OPELIKA OBSERVER

he Opelika High School Varsity baseball team (14-14 / A 5-1) won the area championship after sweeping Valley in a three game series, 10-0, 4-1 and 11-3.

The Bulldogs won game one, 10-0, at Bulldog Park, behind a strong pitching effort from Brantley Davis.

The sophomore pitched a complete game, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out eight Ram batters to earn the win.

Offensively, Opelika had 14 hits including three from Brooks Bryan along with two hits from Jackson Harris, Xander Grilliot, Paul Goodman and Bryce Speakman.

Other players adding singles were Jonathan Chase, Jacob Smith and Harrison Long.

OHS won games two and three in Valley, 4-1 and 11-3, to complete the sweep. Kydylan Ligon and Luke Murray combined on the mound to win game one of the doubleheader. Grilliot had two hits. Harris, Bryan, Goodman and Speakman added singles.

Four Dog pitchers, JT McArdle, Lawrence, Chase and Long, combined to win the last game of the series 11-3.

Goodman's three hits paced the offense along

INSIDE • OPELIKA SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

Opelika High School hires new boys basketball coach Contributed by OCS

On the Mark

School Board Meetings

B2 April 22, 2021

Van Cleaves Scholarship awarded Cha’rae Jones of Lineville is the 2021 recipient of Southern Union State Community College’s Van Cleaves Scholarship.

First awarded in 1967, the scholarship is sponsored by the Southern Union Alumni Association in appreciation of Dr. and Mrs. A.R. Van Cleave and Miss Vera Van Cleave for their many

contributions to the college. Dr. Van Cleave served as Dean Emeritus of the college from 1971-87.

Jones plans to remain at Souther n Union in the fall, pu rsuing a deg ree in nu rsing. The $1,000 cash award is awarded an nually to a st udent who displays academic excellence and leadership in the college, chu rch and com mu nit y.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC.

Contributed by SUSCC

Local student athletes make North-South All-Star Rosters

By Wil Crews sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com

Four student-athletes from Opelika/ Auburn were recently named to the AHSAA North-South All-Star game rosters.

Three cross country runners and one volleyball player from the respective schools made the cut.

Making the South squad in the 5th annual AHSAA NorthSouth All-Star cross country races was Opelika’s Breckin Gould. Gould took fourth place in last fall’s Class 6A state meet race with a 19:18.62 time.

“Breckin is a motivated athlete that shows dedication to the sport,” said Opelika Cross Country coach Jonathan Fischer.

“You can tell she loves cross country by her willingness to work hard each day.

I have seen Breckin achieve All State Honors for the state of Alabama for both the 2019 and 2020 cross country seasons. In 2019, Breckin was a top-10 finisher and in 2020, she finished top five at the AHSAA 6A State Meet. She brings lots of fun energy that is contagious amongst our entire team which helps to make the sport enjoyed by all. That’s what makes Breckin the all-star she is.”

Teaming up with Gould will be Auburn runners Sangie Lincoln-Velez and Lessye Gray, who crossed the finish line first and 29th, respectively, at the 2020 7A State Championships with times of 18:29.97

and 20:50.96. Both Velez and Gray were critical contributors to a Tigers team that took home first place at the state meet last fall, securing their fourth straight championship as a team.

“These are two of the most deserving athletes I have gotten to work with and it is so exciting to see them honored through the All-Star Meet,” said coach Olivia Tofani. “What I love about both Sangie and Lessye being selected for this meet is how different their running backgrounds are.

Sangie has been running in the Auburn Cross Country program since she was in 7th grade. I remember seeing her running around Auburn before she was old enough to join the school team. She has been

a pivotal member of the past three state championship teams at AHS. Lessye got a later start to running and did not join the team until her sophomore year at Auburn High School, but once she joined the team, she was fully bought in to the program,

her training and the camaraderie of the team.”

Tofani said that the quality that seperates Velez and Gray is their fearlessness in competition.

“For Sangie, her consistent racing and diligence at practice sets a model for her

GOULD

teammates. She is a quiet, confident leader who can really tell the pulse of her team, but when it’s time for her to step to the starting line, she is courageous and bold.

Sangie pushes herself to meet goals in every See ALL-STAR, page B5

CASEY PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY DANIEL CHESSER / ACS

LINCOLN-VELEZ

GRAY (NO. 152)

Opelika Track presented with State resolution The Opelika High School track & field team was presented with a state resolution

by Representative Jeremy Gray on April 12, commending them for winning the 2020 Indoor State Championship.

“It was a big deal, because for these

guys with COVID and everything happening last year, the season got cut short,” said Opelika Varsity Boys’ track & field coach Jimmy Johnson.

“When Jeremy contacted us it said ‘hey I want to present ya’ll with this award,’ it was just another thing that said we are who we think we are. Its validating, so that was great.”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DIEDRE FENN

By Wil Crews sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com

B3 April 22, 2021

Exploring and Keeping God’s World

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

G

od’s world in the spring offers so many nature lessons for young children in listening, seeing, smelling and feeling.

We will celebrate Arbor Day on April 30, Earth Day, today, on April 22 and the month of April is recognized as “National Garden Month.” Children love fresh air and nature and these celebrations engage children and families to interact with their environment.

One way we can teach young children to respect nature is to guide them in responsibilities of caring and nurturing nature. Even though we have had to cut down on community gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic, these three dates can be adopted into family celebrations.

Arbor Day is the time that we as families can plant new trees from sprigs or starter trees in our own yards,

neighborhood, communities and towns. What a wonderful family project it is to watch a tree grow over time. You and your children can go to local stores and nurseries to purchase sprigs or starter trees cheaply.

In the early childhood classrooms, young students love to celebrate Arbor Day through crafts. Arm trees, hand trees, sponge-painted trees, leaf, bark rubbings and mini field trip findings of small branches, leaves, seeds can be displayed in a simple nature mosaic. Taking a “walking field trip” around the home, school and neighborhood provide opportunities for children to identify different trees by size, type and color of leaves, and different kinds of bark. You can discuss with your child how trees provide homes for different animals such as birds. These ideas can be adopted for families to

do at home.

Today, April 22, is celebrated as International Earth Day. God created for us such a beautiful world to live in and enjoy through fellowship with our Creator. This is truly our Father’s World. How can we start teaching our young children to learn to take care of our earth? As a teacher of young children, I expose my students to nature through arts and crafts as well as hands-on science lessons. This is something that families can do during this time.

Just walking outside in nature and familiarizing your child with natural qualities of leaves, grass, pine cones and rocks makes for good observation and science lessons. Collecting nature items and gluing them on a piece of paper or tagboard is a craft lesson in making a nature collage. This allows you to spend time with your young child by taking little nature walks as they feel the sunshine on their heads, the wind blowing against their little cheeks and feeling the thrill of water from falling rain.

Early childhood teachers are famous in teaching their young students the three R’s of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Someone else’s trash is truly a teacher’s treasure in arts and crafts.

Reduce — It’s important to stress to young children to be good stewards of what they have.

Tell them to conserve energy by turning off lights. Gently remind them not to leave water

running from indoor faucets or outside sprinklers. Use the front and the back of paper when drawing and don’t throw away that plastic bag that can be used again. Guide your young children to take good care of their box of crayons, markers and pencils.

Reuse — Many moms who have raised young children are familiar with reusing materials we already have. Instead of buying a lot of new materials for everyday uses, keep empty grocery bags and bread bags for storing items. Thoroughly wash out and sanitize empty gallon milk or orange juice jugs to be used again for another round of lemonade, apple juice and Kool-aid. Keep those toilet tissue and paper towel spools to be used for early childhood crafts at home and school. Keep empty shoe boxes to make dioramas or animal habitats. Use old newspapers for different purposes such as making kites, cutting out pictures or for packing. Children are thrilled to get a birthday present wrapped in comic newspapers. Outgrown toys and clothes can be used and enjoyed by others.

Recycle — With recycling, homes now have recycling bins to be carried out with the regular garbage. Train your child to throw cans, plastics, bottles and newspapers into the recycling bins so they won’t end up in landfills. These items can be used over and over again. When you stop by local fast food

restaurants, point out to your child that brown napkins, bags, cups or cartons are made with recycled materials.

Last but not least, stress to your young child not to be “Litter Bugs” inside or outside.

Get them in the habit of safely picking up trash when they see it. Have yard or neighborhood cleanups.

Let’s start digging in the soil to celebrate April as National Garden Month. Young children just love to dig. When taking young children out to play, we early childhood teachers take a package of wet wipes and paper towels out because we know our young students are going to explore God’s World by digging in the soil.

Soil gets under their fingernails, but they are learning and having fun.

So please include your young children in your planting projects.

Young children understand the simple explanation of photosynthesis.

Explain to them that it takes soil, sun, water and seeds for plants to grow.

Simple books or simple drawings can be used to explain how plants grow.

For Mother’s Day Projects (Mother’s Day in 2021 is on Sunday, May 9), I love to plant rye grass seeds in soil in cups or cartons because the rye grass grows so quick into a beautiful, luscious green grass.

Young children get so excited when they see the grass grow up so quickly.

Children love to decorate their cups, planters or

cartons with love to their mothers and those they call mother.

Another classroom project that can be adopted by families in showing how seeds germinate and grow is to pick up large butterbean seeds. Use a small Ziploc bag, wet paper towel and tape. Tape the seeds inside the bag and put the paper towel to the back of the taped seeds.

You and your child can tape the bag in a window where the sun shines in.

Over a two week period your child can observe and see how the sprouts from the butterbean seed begin to grow. In this way a young child can understand how a seed that they plant in the soil grows sprouts and roots into the soil.

You and your child choose the kind of garden you want to plant. It may be out in the yard, in small pots or an indoor garden. Read carefully the directions on the seed packets to know how deep each seed needs to be planted. The seed packets will tell you when and where to plant and how much sunshine is needed, as well as how much water is needed.

So many skills can be learned when you and your child plant a garden.

Seeds of time, love, understanding and patience can be shared and planted in a young child’s heart. From these seeds we plant into young children’s hearts blossoms a life of love and joy!

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

Local schools issue mask regulations for remaining term

By Wil Crews sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com

When Gov. Kay Ivey ended the statewide mask mandate on April 9, Alabama schools were faced with a difficult decision: drop the mask mandate to coincide with Ivey’s new “Safer

Apart” order, or continue with the current guidelines, requiring masks, that have gotten them through nearly all of the 2020-21 school year thus far.

The Observer reached out to Opelika City Schools Superintendent Mark Neighbors and Lee County Schools

Superintendent Mac McCoy to see how they plan to finish out the school year.

“We have consulted with local physicians and even though the COVID situation is improving, we believe it is important to finish the year with our current guidelines,” said Neighbors. “Thanks

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to the cooperation of our staff, students and families, we have kept our COVID-19 numbers low within the schools and we feel that it is important to continue wearing face coverings and social distancing in order to maintain those low numbers through the end of May.”

In contrast, McCoy said Lee County Schools (Smiths Station, Beauregard, Beulah and Loachapoka) will only “strongly encourage” students to wear masks for the remainder of the school year.

“Lee County Schools will reinstate the original ‘Back to School /

Road to Recovery’ plan and strongly encourage individuals to wear a mask or other facial covering. We will not mandate masks be worn, nor will we discipline students or adults for not wearing a mask. As long as supplies last, we can provide masks to those who want one.”

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B4 April 22, 2021

Beulah routs Russell County, falls to Wetumpka

By JD McCarthy For the Opelika Observer In their two games Saturday, Beulah showed what they are capable of when playing their best as well as how far they need to go to consistently play at that level.

The Lady Bobcats started the day with a 12-0 win over Russell County and were in complete control from the first pitch. The Lady Bobcats scored three runs in the first, four in the second and five in the fifth before the game came to a close.

“It was nice,” head coach Stan Pepper said of the win. “The girls hit the ball well, I was pleased with that game.”

The stars of the show were Abrianna Green and Brandy Phillips, who each belted two home runs. Green, who bats leadoff for Beulah, hit a leadoff home run for the Bobcats and finished with two RBI and three runs scored.

“She’s done an outstanding job for us,” Pepper said of Green.

“She hits the ball violently; she has a violent swing. When we are in the cage, she is just really violent with the bat and has a good eye for the ball. She works extremely hard on that phase of the game, she’s in the cage all the time trying to get better and

improve and it's really paying off for her.”

Not to be outdone, Phillips went 3-for-3 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. She also pitched two innings and had two strikeouts.

After the win, Beulah had a quick turnaround before they faced Wetumpka, a team Pepper believes is one of the best in the state.

Through five and a half innings it was Beulah who had the upper hand, leading 1-0.

But in the bottom of the sixth, disaster struck the defense. The Lady Bobcats made several errors and Wetumpka was able to take a 4-1 lead and with a 90-minute time limit the game was over before Beulah had a chance to respond.

“Got everything well in hand we thought and the wheels kind of fell off from a defensive standpoint,” Pepper said.

The Lady Bobcats lone run came on a Katie Morris solo home run in the third inning. Morris was also the pitcher for Beulah and had another strong game, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits and striking out 10 batters.

The loss, their first since March 24, dropped the Lady Bobcats to 19-12 on the season, but Pepper would rather lose now

and learn from their mistakes than in the postseason when there are no second chances.

“I’d rather lose now and learn from it and have time to correct it then have that happen later on in the year when it’s a critical time of the season and you just can’t afford to make those mistakes,” he said. “You are going to lose games and you just need to learn from those losses, just like you learn from wins.”

The biggest thing Pepper wants to see from his team is working on fixing their mistakes and consistency, in all phases of the game.

“I want to see corrections. I want to see the girls take to them and I want to see us getting better every chance we can. Just overall improvement,” he explained. “As long as we have consistency and keep improving every day, I feel confident in my girls. I really like this team. I really like the comradery. I like the teamwork. I like their chemistry and we are looking forward to the remainder of the season.”

If his team can accomplish that, Pepper likes their chances in the postseason, which is just a few weeks away.

“They are really doing a good job and I’m really proud of them.”

Smiths Station boys looking for answers

By JD McCarthy For the Opelika Observer “I got to find some answers for the big games,” said Smiths Station coach Jeff Carrero.

The Panthers had their second chance to take down Auburn on Wednesday and once again came up short, falling 6-3. It was a game of two halves for the Panthers, who were tied 2-2 at half.

“We started off strong,” Carrero said.

“We scored the first goal and we continued to play well, and I thought the first half we were just as good as Auburn, and the score indicated that.”

The Panthers came out strong in the start of the second half, retaking the lead 3-2 before Auburn tied the game at on a “good opportunity” that the keeper had a chance to make the save on but was unable to.

Ten minutes later, disaster struck for the Panthers. Tyler Suggs was on a breakaway with a chance to retake the lead and was “crushed” by the goalkeeper.

“Tyler has scored over 20 goals for us this season and tried to come back into the game, but he couldn’t

continue,” Carrero said. While the keeper was given a yellow card, Carrero thought it deserved a red and from there the game quickly unraveled.

“From there we lost focus, our offense went down, and we had to regroup and move some players around,” Carrero said. “Then Auburn's pressure just kept coming and we couldn’t have a good counter.”

The Panthers did not have long to dwell on their loss as they played a good LaGrange team on Friday. While the Panthers lost 4-0, Carrero thought his boys played well and was happier than after the Auburn loss.

“We played well against LaGrange; we just couldn’t finish. It was one of those games where when we got down on the offensive end, we just could not generate the finish that we needed.”

This is where the loss of Suggs was felt the most, as he leads the team in goals and the Panthers do not have another player of his skillset.

“I think if Tyler would have been in the game it would have been a different game,” Carrero said.

“I don’t have a big bench and I don’t have anybody to replace Tyler. I can pretty much replace a defender; I can replace midfielders; but at forward, right now I don’t have anybody that I can just slide in there and get the results that we need. Tyler is just super talented, and it’s hard to replace a super talented player on the field.”

The Panthers will look to get back winning against Beauregard on Tuesday and Carrero wants to see his team come out on top.

“I just want to win.

I want to have a nice game where everybody plays to their potential.

I want to see us get the ball into the back of the net,” he said. Results of the game were not available at time of press.

With the loss to Auburn, Smiths Station finished second in the area and will play at Enterprise on Monday in the first round of the playoffs – Carrero likes his team chances.

“I’m confident about going into Enterprise.

If Tyler is ready and everyone plays to their potential, we should be fine. We should be able to take care of business.”

Lee-Scott girls’ soccer aims for state title

By Wil Crews Sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com Beating Morgan Academy 6-0 on Monday, the LeeScott Academy Lady Warriors’ soccer team is two wins away from a state championship.

Going into the game against Morgan, head

SPORTS >>

FROM B1

Friday at Duck Samford Stadium in Auburn. The annual game between the two rivals is called "Soccer for Cure" night.

Proceeds from the game are donated to EAMC cancer center to help local patients with expenses.

The Dogs lost both games against the Tigers, the girls losing 1-3 and the boys losing 0-3. The losses do not effect area

coach Eric Faison was looking to shape up for the next two rounds and give some girls who typically do not play as much some well-deserved playing time.

“We never look past a team, never assume it’s going to be a win, but we’re going to come out preparing for deeper in the playoffs,” Faison said. “We just

got our chemistry together where everybody is playing in the place they play the best. If we and after we get an irreversible lead … I’m going to reward the players who put in the time in practice who don’t see a lot of minutes.”

As far as the tactics go, Faison was looking for him team to build the play out from his

back line of defenders, eventually work it to the middle and attack straight down the heart of the defense. Overall, the girls executed their coaches plan well, dominating Morgan Academy from the onset of kickoff.

For the entirety of the game, Lee-Scott held the lion’s share of the possession. The best

Morgan Academy could do was hoof the ball aimlessly down field in an effort the relieve the pressure put on by the Warriors’ attack.

Lee-Scott started slowly but senior Emily Heartsill opened the nets with a goal before too long. Fourteen minutes later, after a good display of passing, senior Abbie Star found

herself in front of net with no defenders in her way. The senior calmly buried the shot to make it 2-0 in favor of LeeScott. Heartsill’s second goal of the game came just before halftime when she made a blistering run down the left flank and toe-poked the ball with her left foot to slot it past the keeper.

standings. Both Opelika teams won the area championship and will host first round games at the W. James Samford Soccer Complex.

WESLEY BUTTON NAMED OHS BOYS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH OHS interim head basketball coach, Wesley Button, was named head coach by principal Dr. Farrell Seymore last week. Button served as assistant basketball

coach under former head coach John Wadsworth for five seasons. He was named interim coach in December after newly hired head coach, Emannual Brown resigned after an 0-6 start.

The dogs improved under coach Button, earning a playoff bid after finishing second in the area.

Coach Button is married to Jaclyn Button who serves as head coach for the girls soccer team.

Congratulations Coach

Button!

AHSAA CENTRAL BOARD MEETING The Alabama High School Athletic Association held a Central Board meeting Wednesday at the AHSAA headquarters in Montgomery. Major news will be made at the meeting, including a new 12-year Super 7 contract. The Super 7 football championships will be held at BryantDenny Stadium in

Tuscaloosa, Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium and Birmingham's new Protective Stadium.

Auburn-Opelika will host the Super 7 in 2022, 2026, 2028 and 2032.

Remaining details will be released after the meeting.

Listen to "On the Mark" radio show on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310, weekdays 6 to 9 a.m. Be sure to listen Thursday morning as AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese

joins D.Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser for a major announcement. Savarese will follow former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings’s appearance at 7 a.m.

D. Mark Mitchell is the Sports Director at iHeartMedia, host of the "On the Mark" on Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, Co-Chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, Chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball State Director.

matter what I do. They

Jimmy Johnson.

“Coach Johnson always stayed on me,” Rowell said. “Whenever I felt like slacking off he always made me do more.

Sometimes he picked at me and he would know I’m doing it right but say I’m doing it wrong just so I do it all over again.”

Johnson said Rowell is one of the best athletes he has ever coached and

expects big things from him in college.

“LeDamian is probably one of the best all-around athletes I’ve ever had,” Johnson said. "There's literally nothing he cannot do. To have him on track, it was struggle trying to find something to specialize him in because he was so good at everything. Jumping was like one of the things

that was it. He’s so strong and flexible he can do pretty much everything.

I’ll think he will do great there.”

William Carey University is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, and a diverse group of athletes compete on their sports teams, something Rowell is looking forward to.

“From the school I’m

going to, we have a lot of people from all over the world,” he said. “I’m excited about meeting all of them.”

Rowell’s strongest event is the triple jump, he said. And as far as the transition from high school to college sports goes, Rowell spoke bluntly about if he thinks he will fit in.

“Definitely,” he said.

SCHOLARSHIP >> are always aiming to be

FROM B1

comradery and competition that he thinks led to that crowning moment.

“My teammates are real competitors, I’m impressed with these group of guys,” Rowell said of his team’s accomplishment. “They are always competing against me no

better than me and that makes me want to be better than them … We came together; we had guys doing things they haven’t ever done before.

And afterwards, we celebrated.”

Of course, the team – and Rowell – wouldn’t be where they are today without head coach

See LEE-SCOTT, page B5

B5 April 22, 2021

Smiths Station girls' soccer wins area

By JD McCarthy For the Opelika Observer

The Smiths Station Varsity Girls’ soccer team is back atop its area.

The Panthers narrowly won the Area 4-7A championship over an Auburn team that was neck and neck with them all season.

The two teams split their two matchups and had the same margin of victory, which sent it into tiebreakers – which were also tied.

This forced the champion to be determined by a coin flip and the Panthers finally came out on top.

“We’ve really had a

good year,” said Smiths Station coach Dennis Jones. “I think we actually ended up playing a lot better than what we thought we were going to do.”

While Jones would have rather beaten Auburn on Saturday instead of losing 1-0, he knew that as long as they only lost by one, they would still be in the running.

“To be honest with you, that was the best of the worst-case scenario,” he said.” I knew that if we had to lose, if we only gave up one goal, that we would still be in the hunt for the area championship.

And that’s what we

were able to do, we were able to keep them to one goal.”

Despite losing the game, Jones thought his girls played “really good” in a very physical game. Prior to the Auburn game, Jones made an adjustment to his starting lineup to try and maximize his defense. He moved Jenna Bruce from offense to defense and Deseray Stone from defense to offense.

Jones was pleased with the change and will likely keep the change for their coming playoff push.

“It worked really well,” Jones said. “I’m able to get somebody

that’s been playing a little bit of offense and get them on defense, and they did very well.

The girl that moved up to offense from defense, that’s Deseray, she’s got a lot of energy, a lot of endurance and she’s able to go the entire game, so that helped out a lot.”

The Panthers faced another tough opponent on Friday at LaGrange, and once again came up short in a close game, falling 2-1.

Despite the loss, Jones was happy with the result against a challenging team.

“Again, it was a really good game,” he said.

“I thought my girls

played great, we had some good possession moving the ball around and we actually scored a goal from Deseray. I was not disappointed with that game … yeah, I’m disappointed with the loss … however, I thought we played a great game and that’s a great team to kind of get a warm up going into the playoffs. So, I was happy with the result to be honest with you.”

The Panthers bounced back with a 3-0 win over Northside on Saturday. The highlight of the game for the Panthers was when senior Kaylie Lodahl scored her first goal of

the season. With the win the Panthers improved to 11-4-2 on the season with just two games to play before the postseason.

The Panthers faced Beauregard on Tuesday and Prattville on Wednesday. The game against Prattville will give the Panthers a chance to win at Prattville, something Jones cannot remember them doing and serve as a boost ahead of the postseason.

“Prattville is always good, if we can go to Prattville and actually get a win then that would be a big boost for us,” Jones said.

Glenwood gearing up for state playoffs

By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com The AISA state baseball playoff tournaments begin this week and it’s becoming make or break time for the Glenwood Varsity boys’ baseball team.

“We’re trying to work out which way we are going to be best,” said Glenwood coach Tim Fanning. “… Trying to figure out the lineup, trying to figure out if we are going to be mentally focused to win a playoff game.”

The Gators are a formidable 31-10 overall, however, they recently dropped games against stiffer competition. It’s one thing to dominate clearly inferior teams, but it’s an entirely different thing to consistently compete with the best.

“We just haven’t done enough at the plate,” Fanning said.

“Pitching has been good all year, but we’ve left a lot of opportunities out there

ALL-STAR

>>

FROM B2

race, holding nothing back. She doesn’t worry about running out of steam or losing stamina, she pushes for those 3.1 miles knowing that it will make her better and help push her team to victory.

Lessye, a newer runner in our program, is incredibly inclusive and a role model for her younger teammates because she has shown how hard work and self-confidence can lead to success over the course of a single season.

During the 2019 season, Lessye’s times dropped drastically from meet to meet as she learned to trust her training and set big goals for herself.

Returning to the team

to score runs. If we do that in the playoffs and you make a couple mistakes, you lose games.”

Glenwood suffered back-to-back loses to Troup County (23-2) and Calvary Christian High School (21-5) on April 12 and 13.

Glenwood’s two best pitchers, junior Colton Dempsey and senior Trevor Horne, were not enough to keep the opposition at bay.

The game against Calvary slipped away from the Gators in the final inning. Down 3-2, Horne was pulled from the mound in favor of fellow senior Kody Bence. Calvary then put three runners on base and hit a grand slam, ending the game with a 7-2 final score.

“It was wham, bam, thank you ma’am and it was over,” Fanning said. “That’s the thing, we made mistakes behind Trevor defensively to put us down.

When you’re playing really good teams you can’t do that.”

The Gators had little time to grieve their this summer as she battled through an injury, Lessye remained fearless and strong as she worked her way back to the state championship, finishing the race with a new personal record.”

Selected to the 23rd annual AHSAA North-South All-Star volleyball games was Auburn’s Lillie Casey.

Casey, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, helped lead the Tigers to a quarter-final state tournament appearance.

“It’s an honor for the entire program and a great testament to the hard work that has taken place over the years,” said Auburn High volleyball coach Tommy Carter. “We are very proud of Lillie as she represents Auburn High School Volleyball.

“Lillie has the ability to quietly put together

loss as Southern Prep came to town for a double header in what was Glenwood’s final two area games of the year and resulting senior night.

The Gators got back to their winning ways with 20-2 and 13-2 victories. Landon Lancour got the start in game one, earning the win on the mound. Bence led the way on offense, going 4-for-5 with four runs and three RBI. Wes Johnson followed, going 2-for-4 with two runs and four RBI; and Trent Edwards went 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBI. Devin Denny was on the mound for game two and earned the numbers on the court, that is a difference maker. She comes to practice and matches ready to have fun and compete. She would be the first to tell you that her teammates make her better on the court and as a person.”

Lastly, as a non-player honorable mention, Smiths Station coach Ron Peters will be the administrative coach for both teams at the All-Star cross country races.

The all-star-studded week of North-South games for baseball, softball, volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ tennis and boys’ and girls’ golf are scheduled for July 1923 in Montgomery.

The two 10-member cross country teams are comprised of 2022 rising seniors and were

win. Avery Robinson had the highlight of the night with a grand slam in his 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI performance. Horne was a perfect 2-for-2 with two home runs, driving in two runs and scoring twice himself.

The next day, Americus Sumter came to town for what was Glenwood’s Cancer Awareness benefit game. The Gators blanked the visitors on their way to a 12-0 win. Bence, Garrison McClary and Edwards all went a perfect 2-for-2 on the night, driving in a combined seven RBI’s.

Jacob Page was the announced by Jamie Lee, director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association on April 5.

The two 15-member volleyball teams are comprised of 2022 rising seniors and were announced by Lee on April 8.

The remaining allstar teams will be announced at a later date.

The full list of volleyball participants can be found here: www. ahsaa.com/Media/ AHSAANOW/NewsArticles/north-southvolleyball-all-star-rosters-announced-for2021-all-star-weekmatch. The full list of cross country participants can be found here: www.ahsaa.com/ Media/AHSAANOW/ News-Articles/northsouth-all-star-rostersreleased-for-2021all-star-week-crosscountry.

winning pitcher.

Despite winning three straight games by comfortable margins, Glenwood’s momentum came to a screeching halt with a 2-1 loss to Callaway High School of Georgia (16-7) on Friday night.

Avery Robinson pitched a quality outing but was on the hook for the loss as Glenwood failed to back up its pitcher with its pedestrian showing in the batter’s box.

Bence was responsible for Gator’s lone run scored, going 2-for-3 on the night.

“And that was good to see because he hasn’t gotten to pitch much this year because he’s been hurt,” Fanning said of Robinson’s outing.

“We played really good defense, we just didn’t give him any support.”

Glenwood bounced back with a resilient, hard-fought 6-5 victory over Heritage High School on Monday.

Horne pitched just well enough to earn the win and Jackson Kennon

LEE-SCOTT

came in to earn the save. Bence led the way with a three-run homerun; Ty Smith hit a double and scored twice, and Lukas Holman went 2-for-4 with one RBI. The Gators played Newnan HS on Tuesday, but results were not available come press time.

Fanning said they also have a makeup game scheduled later in the week which will finish the regular season.

Glenwood is securely locked into a No. 1 seed in the AISA Class AAA baseball regional bracket, with a bye in the first round of the tournament. The Gators will face either Clarke Prep or Russell Christian Academy next week, depending on who wins that matchup on Friday and Saturday if necessary. Teams need to win two-out-of-three games in each round to advance in AISA. “We’re focusing on being sound defensively and being See GLENWOOD, page B6

>>

FROM B4

The Warriors, hungry for more goals, took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

The second half saw a transition from Lee-Scott when Faison began to rest some of his key players. Still, the Warriors got two more goals thanks to eighth grader Sam Sharma and seventh grader Julie Ann King.

Star got her double with a penalty kick goal halfway through the second half.

Sharma, who played some center back and in midfield, bossed the pitch all afternoon long, repeatedly cutting off Morgan’s attack and springing an attack for the Warriors.

For the final 20 minutes of the game, LeeScott cruised to the win. Morgan Academy managed to register their first shot on target with 15 minutes remaining in the game.

Going forward in the playoffs, Faison says he plans to field a team with a strong defense, but also a team that will attack as a complete unit.

“We play out of the back,” he said. “We won’t do defenders sit back and defend. On attack, I will send my defenders up.”

Lee-Scott will play the winner of Fort Dale and Springwood on Thursday. If they win, the championship game awaits on Friday.

B6 April 22, 2021

Takeaways from Auburn A-Day

By Wil Crews sportscrews@ opelikaobserver.com

The pundits would say there’s little to learn about a football team in 32 minutes of pseudo-competition in April.

Partially, they are right. But when the Tigers lined up to play the Tigers in what was Bryan Harsin’s first game in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, more than a few performances gave a look in to how Auburn will shape up in the fall.

Of course, much can change from now until then. But here is what stood out as encouraging or discouraging from Auburn’s A-Day, and what lingering question remain as the Tigers charge toward the season. For photos of the game, turn to B7.

Encouraging 1. The Bryan Harsin/ Mike Bobo offense looks very different from Gus Malzahn’s – and that’s a good thing.

Creative field spacing and motions, more tight end-heavy sets and even an under-the-center play action pass that was a calculated break up away from being a touchdown – Eureka!

“I think the offense we’re in now allows to be multiple and gets me to do different things with the football,” said Bo Nix. He added that the new scheme made it “easier to go through progressions and put guys in great positions.”

Overall, the offense

was the breath of fresh air and creativity that Auburn fans wanted and needed to see.

2. As predicted, the defense appeared to be the stronger unit of this team, with youth and depth at almost every position. To no one’s surprise, Zakoby McClain led the firstteam in tackles; Colby Wooden and Derrick Hall were locked in as the starting edge rushers, both registering a sack; and the secondary was largely untested.

Four underclassmen, Wooden, sophomore safety Chris Thompson Jr., sophomore edge Romello Height and redshirt freshman defensive tackle/edge Nick Curtis, finished with double digit tackles. The one glaring question mark was defensive tackle (more on that later). Lastly, another standout who has to be mentioned is senior cornerback Trey Elston.

Elston was by far the most impactful of those on the second-team, making a game-high six tackles and crucially disrupting the wouldhave-been touchdown pass from Nix to Elijah Cannion. Elston, who played at the University of West Alabama in 2018 and 2019, missing all of 2020, could be a nice depth piece in the Tigers’ secondary in 2021.

3. A couple of wide receivers seemed to stand out from the rest.

Elijah Cannion caught all six of his targets for

51 yards and one touchdown and Kobe Hudson had two catches for 22 yards, despite being targeted five times. The 6-foot-4-inch Cannion separated himself from the pack Saturday, proving he can be formidable as both a deep route and red-zone threat. His back-of-the-end-zone 4-yard touchdown catch, which was from a throw that Nix fit into a ridiculous window, showed off his tough hands and field awareness.

Hudson, on the other hand, didn’t have the same tangible affect as Cannion did. However, his high number of targets was encouraging as he looked like the clear No. 2, establishing himself, at least for now, as the team’s go-to screen pass receiver. “We need to get more consistent,” Harsin said of the receivers. “We’re not where we want to be.”

4. Tank Bigsby is still very good at football and a bulked up Shaun Shivers looks poised to thrive in Harsin’s scheme. Bigsby had seven carries for 64 yards and one put-yourfoot-in-the-ground, fastenough-to-juke-a-cheetah-cut that led to his lone touchdown. Shivers had 12 carries for 55 yards and is presumably buddying up with the tight ends, as the heavy sets allowed him to dive through the first hole he saw and pummel the second and third level of defenders. If these two can stay healthy, Auburn is looking at

one hell of a one-two punch at running back.

5. Freshman QB Dematarius Davis completed the only deep throw of the day and showed flashes of his mobility. At worst, he appeared capable of pushing Nix to the next level, something that had surely been missing ever since Joey Gatewood transferred at the beginning of last season.

6. Auburn escaped the game with no major injuries – ‘nough said.

Discouraging 1. The passing offense struggled to hit big plays. Nix was good, going 12-20 for 112 yards and one TD. The junior QB looked more confident in the pocket, yet just as adept at escaping it. Still, however, his deep ball leaves much to be desired and he exhibited shaky footwork at times, resulting in a few errant passes on what should have been easy completions. “I thought coach Bobo did a really good job of challenging him and making him operate,” Harsin said of Nix postgame. “That’s what you want to see from your quarterback, you just want to see him operate all the different things.”

2. The depth of quality offensive playmakers looks limited. Auburn’s first play of the game was a completion from Nix to tight end Tyler Fromm. Not a single completion was made to tight end on the firstteam offense for the

rest of the game. This team has too many tight ends and Harsin/Bobo appear to still be searching for a way to incorporate all their skills.

Furthermore, the Tigers will need a couple more of their young receivers to be reliable for Nix, and currently third string running back Devan Barrett, who has changed positions more than he’s scored touchdowns, will have a lot of pressure on him if anything happens to Bigsby or Shivers.

Lingering Questions 1. How good is the offensive line, really?

Auburn center Nick Brahms said the offensive line “had a pretty solid day,” in his post-game interview.

He’s not wrong. But that is nothing the unit can hang their heads on given they were blocking backups. Still, Brahms elaborated and said “I think we made a huge stride forward this spring,” and that offensive line coach Will Friend has done a good job bolstering the unit’s football IQ. Auburn has had some shaky offensive lines in recent years, so the jury will be out on this one probably until the Tigers play at Penn State on Sept. 18.

2. Who steps up at defensive tackle? When Derrick Brown left after the 2019 season, a mammoth-sized hole was opened in the middle of the Auburn defense.

The Tigers have yet to fill it. Auburntigers.com

has nine defensive tackles listed on the roster, and all of them have a chance to grab the starting job. Senior Marquis Burks made the best case Saturday.

3. What happens if Bigsby, Shivers or both struggle with injury?

Auburn is going to run to open up the pass this season. They should, given that Bigsby is arguably the best returning running back in college football. However, after losing two running backs to transfer this offseason, the Tigers are thin at the position.

And Bigsby missed time in the 2020 season due to injury, too. If he or Shivers go down, the workload landing on just one of them would increase their chances for injury, too. There’s not much more to be said as Tiger fans will just have to cross their fingers on this one all season long.

Traditionally, the A-Day football game signals the close of spring football practice for Auburn. However, due to missing a practice earlier in the spring because of COVID-19, the Tigers will wrap practice on Monday.

Harsin seems to have made the Auburn Family buy in. Will his players? Will that even be enough for a “successful” season? Auburn will begin to find out in their first game of the season on Sept. 4 at home against the Akron Zips.

GLENWOOD >>

Gators will have to win two more series to be crowned state champions.

“There’s nothing we haven’t seen that we will see in the playoffs,” Fanning said. “It’s just whether we can be focused enough to be productive.”

For more information about the AISA baseball playoffs go to https://aisaonline.org/ athletics/baseball/.

FROM B5

productive at the plate – that’s it,” Fanning said. “It’s not about doubles and home runs, it’s about having productive outs, limiting strikeouts, moving runners and scoring guys from third with less than two outs. That’s how you scratch runs. And that’s a big deal.”

From there the

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

Protect with 3! ✔ Tdap ✔ HPV ✔ MCV4 Protect your patients against vaccine preventable diseases.

As healthcare professionals, it is up to you to ensure your patients remain up to date with their vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents: • • • •

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

We can help with most Titled Vehicles in Alabama, including Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s & Trailers. Stop in, by phone or online!

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B7 April 22, 2021

Fans return to Jordan-Hare for A-Day

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

B8 April 22, 2021

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

April 22, 2021

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Inside the Statehouse State Supreme Court often forgotten in Alabama

O

ur 1901 Alabama Constitution replicates the United States Constitution in designing a triumvirate of government. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are designed to have separate and essentially equal powers.

Although, ideally, the three branches should be exclusive, over the course of history in both our state and national governments, the executive and legislative branches have been intertwined in public policy matters and government seems to work more cohesively that way, especially when they are on congruent pages. On the federal level, our judicial arm of government sits on a separate island shrouded by a statue of the Blind Lady of Justice, and rightfully so. They are very independent and shielded from politics on the federal level.

The U.S. Supreme Court is an omnipotent and private reserve of ultimate supreme power over public policy in America.

Our Alabama Supreme Court is separate and powerful, but is not shielded by politics. Our Supreme Court judges are elected. Most

STEVE FLOWERS states appoint these positions.

However, Alabamians have resisted any move to go from elected to appointed. Although most Alabamians could not name any of the members of the Supreme Court, they will fight to their death for their ability to go into a voting booth to elect them even though after they have done so they cannot remember who they just voted for or why.

However, despite having to elect our judiciary, Alabamians See FLOWERS, page B11

Proclamations, service awards main focus of council meeting

By Michelle Key Publisher Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council issued a proclamation to former President Pro-Tem and Councilwoman Patsy Jones and the Lee County Relay For Life CoChairs, Randy and Debbie Causey.

The proclamation declares the week of April 26-30 as Cancer Doesn’t Take a Holiday Week and April 30 as Relay for Life Day. A Relay For Life drive-thru event will take place on April 30 at the Spencer Cancer Center.

Proclamations were also presented

recognizing April 18-24 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week and to the Knee-High Foundation Inc. recognizing the foundation for its work with the Opelika Dawg Pound.

Also during the meeting, Fuller and several city employees were recognized with service awards as follows: Opelika Police Department Jacob Fox – five years Craig Vickers - 15 years Billy Smith – 25 years Opelika Power Services Adam Pierce – five years Opelika Parks

and Recreation Billy Jackson – 10 years Opelika Fire Department Michael Patterson – five years Blake Smith – five years Lance Caldwell – 10 years Jonathan Kennedy – 10 years City of Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller – 20 years In other business: - The council approved a request for a downtown Juneteenth Celebration March on June 18.

- The council voted to approve a request for a retail beer and wine off premise See OPELIKA page B10

Auburn City Council approves CDBG funds PHOTO BY JOSH FISHER / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com The Auburn City Council approved the CDBG FY2021 Annual Action plan and the FY2021 funding recommendations during its

council meeting Tuesday night.

The main focuses of the CDBG FY2021 plan are for administration, housing, public improvements, infrastructure, economic development and public service activities.

The fiscal year for the

funding begins in June, said City Manager Megan Crouch.

“The CDBG program is designed to develop communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic See AUBURN, page B10

B10 April 22, 2021

I

Infrastructure: ‘Will it be a chicken in every pot?

Or potholes on every street?’

n 1928, Republicans developed the slogan, “A chicken in every pot” for their presidential candidate, Herbert Hoover. It was meant to convince voters that the GOP and Hoover would build a “prosperity platform” for U.S. citizens.

Hoover won in a landslide, 58% - 41% over New York Gov. Al Smith. (The Prohibition Party candidate, William Frederick Varney, captured 1%.)

The infrastructure bill Congress is debating is comprehensive. It offers not “A chicken in every pot” but $2.3 trillion to improve roads, bridges, rail systems, the aging electric grid and more.

Politico writers Sarah Ferris and Marianne LeVine note that key questions are: “how far Democrats should go, how to pay for it and how to logistically get it to the president’s desk.”

Whenever there is a new president and a new Congress, the likeliest area in which bipartisanship may work is “infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure.” But when a

AUBURN >>

FROM B9

opportunities primarily for low-to moderate-income families and individuals,” said a letter to Crouch from Alfred J. Davis, Sr., community services director that was included in the city’s e-packet.

Funding of $676,129 was granted to the city in February, which was slightly over $30,000 more than was granted in

major program is offered, the devil is in the details.

It’s bad for the country that so much bipartisan initiatives are unsuccessful. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R.-TX) relates a rare case when bipartisanship was not just a pipe dream: “The Violence Against Women Act has been a true bipartisan success story since first enacted in 1994,” Cornyn said. “In my home state of Texas alone, its programs have helped hundreds of thousands of victims to break free from the terrible cycle of domestic violence.”

Beyond this, bipartisanship has been a dud. I hope they agree soon to repair our crumbling infrastructure.

President Biden has gone where Presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama hesitated to go. Bush 41 accepted that he did not have “the vision thing,” for domestic projects. Yet in foreign affairs, especially during the Gulf War, he is regarded highly by historians.

President Obama, hobbled by the Great Recession,

was cautious by nature so did not undertake big infrastructure plans. But Joe Biden is lucky that both the House and Senate are Democratic.

Politicians typically focus on their next election, even in a “secure” House or Senate seat.

They should keep roads, bridges, etc. in good shape before a disaster. Example #1: Hurricane Katrina was a Category 5 storm that claimed 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in damage in August 2005. With infrastructure changes, levees and flood walls in New Orleans might have held up.

Example #2: The 40-year-old I-35 Mississippi River Bridge was an eightlane steel truss bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

An average of 140,000 vehicles crossed daily. The bridge had a terrible failure, tied to poor design.

It occurred at evening rush hour, Aug. 1, 2007.

Thirteen people died and 145 were hurt. With better infrastructure, lives could have been saved and injuries prevented.

FY2020.

The city’s breakdown includes using over $173,000 on housing construction, over $110,000 on housing rehabilitation, over $91,000 on public services, over $107,000 on public infrastructure, over $26,000 on revitalization of neighborhoods, over $62,000 on economic development and over $104,000 on administration, planning and management.

“We have traditionally always had a CDBG program where we fund a multitude of different activities that benefit lowmod individuals and families so we are continuing that with the 2021 plan,” Davis said.

Davis said the hope for the funding is to complete two more homes with the affordable housing program.

A new agency was added to the program this

If the federal government does have infrastructure improvements, many people hope the dreaded “potholes” will be filled up, too. That is unlikely because local governments tend to pay for road repairs such as potholes, within their jurisdiction. The other reason is that there is a multitude of potholes and fixing them all would take time and money. And that pursuit would mean you were combating not just potholes, but “rabbit holes.”

Wisconsin, Ohio and New York have the most pothole problems, says Tires Plus. “Wisconsin’s typical winter weather

creates a vicious cycle of new potholes all winter.

The state sees dozens of inches of snow a year, but temperatures can vary — meaning heaps of snow can melt, sink into roads and refreeze within a matter of days or even hours.

Add in salt trucks and snowplows, and there’s the perfect recipe for worn roads and potholes.” They “badger” the state.

In Ohio, popular photos on social media show giant potholes frustrating drivers. New York not only has the usual snow and rain that makes potholes develop, but millions of vehicles and ever-present construction is making residents sour on The Big Apple. Famous people have commented about potholes: Tom Wilson, cartoonist, said, “Mondays are the potholes in the road of life.”

Actress Drew Barrymore said: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me.” Subramanian Swamy, an Indian

politician, states that “India’s infrastructure is pathetic, with frequent electric power breakdowns even in metropolitan cities, dangerously unhealthy water supply in urban areas, a galloping rate of HIV infection and gaping potholes that dot our national highways.”

It is very unlikely that infrastructure bills will delight people with the saying “A chicken in every pot” as in 1928. That would be too progressive or even socialist to legislators. But if all this talk about fixing roads, bridges, etc. makes headway, perhaps the government will take on potholes. For Alabamians, the lack of icy winters and giant traffic keeps most potholes at bay.

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history.

He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 9 years. gm.markley@charter.net.

year, the Esperanza House, Davis said.

“They help provide services to our Hispanic population so we are delighted to have them back as one of the agencies that we’re going to support this time out,” he said.

Other agencies include the Food Bank of East Alabama and the senior brown bag program.

The next Auburn council meeting will be held on May 4 at 7 p.m. in the

council chambers (141 N. Ross St.) Other Business: - The council approved a parking lease agreement with the First Baptist Church of Auburn for a three-year term.

- The council approved an easement with Dilworth Development, Inc. to accept a greenway easement at 1898 Yarbrough Farms Blvd.

- The council approved a board of education

appointment.

- The council approved a stop sign in the Farmville Lakes Subdivision Phase 5B. - The council amended the city code chapter 23, vehicles for hire.

- The council approved a vacation with Dilworth Development, Inc. for an easement at 1898 Yarbrough Farms Blvd. and Yarbrough Farms Subdivision Sawgrass Section.

OPELIKA >>

demolition and removal of debris.

- The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika Main Street for downtown plaques and outdoor sculpture exhibition for the amount of $1,000.

- The council voted to approve a special appropriation for Opelika High School Annual Project Graduation 2021 for the amount of $1,000.

- The council voted to approve an emergency purchase for a new pump to be installed in the North Industrial Park to service a lift station.

- The council held the first reading of a stormwater ordinance revision to meet new ADEM requirements.

- The council approved the reappointment of Patsy Parker to the Public Park and Recreation Board for a new term ending May 4, 2027.

The next scheduled council meeting is May 4 at 7 p.m.

Meetings are held in the Municipal Court chambers located at 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

By Greg Markley

FROM B9 alcohol license for Ganesha G Store LLC DBA G Mart - The council approved a request for a retail beer and wine off premise alcohol license - Boardem Gaming Cafe, LLC DBA Gear Gaming Opelika - The council voted to approve a license agreement with Opelika City Schools Board of Education for a fireworks exhibition and display to be held on July 3.

- The council voted to approve a resolution for the submission of five Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division grant applications.

- The council approved a proposal submitted by MetLife for certain types of employee insurance coverage.

- The council voted to remove the demolition of 108 Ray Ave. from the table and also voted to approve the resolution for the

B11 April 22, 2021

Alabama medical professionals call on Gov. Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid Contributed by Cover Alabama

More than 300 Alabama medical professionals released a joint letter last Wednesday calling on Gov. Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid coverage immediately for adults with low incomes.

The letter – signed by doctors, nurses, psychologists, dentists and other medical professionals – urges Ivey to “put Alabamians first and expand Medicaid coverage … during the greatest public health crisis in more than a century.”

If Alabama expanded Medicaid, some 300,000

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

have done a good job of electing good, well qualified people to our appellate courts. We have nine members of the State Supreme Court, all elected for six-year terms in staggered election years. We also have a five-member Court of Civil Appeals and a five-member Court of Criminal Appeals.

They are also elected for six-year terms in staggered years.

All nine seats on the State Supreme Court are held by Republicans and all 10 appellate judges are Republican.

Therefore, winning the GOP primary in the state Supreme Court races is tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie.

Seven of the nine Supreme Court justices are men and two are female. All are very conservative and religious in their court decisions and in their personal lives.

As late as the 1990’s, our Supreme Court was Democratic laden like our legislature. However, unlike our legislators, who were mostly conservatives and probably Republicans running as Democrats

adults with low incomes would gain access to affordable health care.

These Alabamians earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to qualify for subsidized marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act. “Alabama health care professionals see how the failure to expand Medicaid has put a financial strain on hospitals and providers,” said Alabama Arise Cover Alabama Campaign Director Jane Adams, who organized the sign-on letter. “They understand that when people do not have access to preventive care, in name only, these Alabama Democratic Supreme Court judges were pro plaintiff trial lawyers and anti-business. Many had been plaintiff lawyers prior to going on the court. Due to this overt bias and brazen liberal interpretation of laws and justice, we had become the laughingstock of the nation for fairytale justice that gave outrageous verdicts and judgments against every national corporation that did business in our state or even traversed through our borders. Therefore, our State Supreme Court became an eyesore for Alabama in recruiting any business or industry.

Time Magazine did a feature publication entitled “Alabama Tort Hell.” Numerous business publications cautioned against not only opening plants in the state but to be leery of even passing through.

Alabama was in bad need of Tort Reform. Alabama’s corporate community, as well as the national business community, decided to change things and that began with changing our State Supreme Court from a Democratic plaintiff bastion to a

they face worse health outcomes that result in more invasive and expensive care. The best thing Governor Ivey could do to ensure that Alabama’s health care system comes out stronger from the pandemic is to invest in health care by expanding Medicaid coverage now.”

Medical professionals who signed the letter write that they “have to deliver life-altering news to [coverage gap] patients and their families daily.” They add that “so much of this pain could be avoided or mitigated through preventative care and Republican conservative tribunal; and they put their money where their mouth was. The business community brought in the legendary Karl Rove to orchestrate the takeover. He was successful.

As mentioned, we now have a very conservative Republican nine-member State Supreme Court panel. As Rove was leaving, he imparted this nugget of advice for future races. His polling indicated that voters in Alabama prefer a Republican female candidate for a judgeship. Indeed, it is a proven fact in an Alabama appellate court race, if you place two candidates on a ballot in Alabama and neither does anything or spends any money, Jane Doe will defeat John Doe 54 - 46.

Next week we will give you a rundown on who are the members who sit on our State Supreme Court.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

early detection,” which Medicaid expansion would make available and affordable for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians.

The letter signers say they hope the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic will spur the governor and Legislature to “move forward in a collaborative and bipartisan way to make Alabama healthier.”

“Governor Ivey has done an amazing job leading our state during this pandemic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the vast health inequities

in Alabama,” said Dr. Aruna Arora, the incoming president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

“We have the ability to correct this. But we, as physicians, cannot do it alone. Our patients - the citizens of Alabama - need better access to care and affordable coverage.”

Alabama is one of only 12 states that have not yet expanded Medicaid. The new American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Joe Biden last month includes a provision that would give a boost of federal

dollars to holdout states that expand coverage.

Estimates show that the new federal incentive could mean hundreds of millions of dollars of new federal funds for Alabama Medicaid over two years. That amount would more than offset the initial costs of expansion. Alabama Arise and Cover Alabama call on Ivey and the Legislature to act quickly to expand Medicaid and make Alabama stronger and healthier.

The letter signed by more than 300 Alabama medical professionals went to Ivey on Wednesday.

Lee County Commission considers noise ordinance

By Hannah Lester hlester@ opelikaobserver.com The county is looking to put a noise ordinance in place soon, following complaints from citizens in Beauregard over nightly sounds.

The county commission met Monday night for a work session after several residents in Beauregard came forward during the last Lee county Commission meeting, complaining about a neighbor who plays loud sounds each night, which they said included recorded tornado sirens, air raid sirens, church bells, animal noises and more.

The property in question is owned by local attorney Margaret Brown, who has said that she is not the one playing music. Her partner, Travis Carlisle, does play music, she said, but it is all sounds used in commercially-made entertainment music, such as music from Grand Theft Auto and club music.

There are no siren sounds outside of that music, she said.

“These people were saying that these sirens were going off in the middle of the night and to me, that is what is so disheartening for us up here,” said

NOW OPEN

District 2 Commissioner Sarah Brown. “We’re trying to help these people, and we’re trying to do the right thing but we’re put in [between] a rock and a hard place here because we’re hearing these things from these people and they’re distraught about it and we need to do something about that.”

In an interview with the Observer, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said that over the last year there have been 13 noise complaints for Margaret’s property, though that number has since increased.

“What we have been looking at are ways to address the situation based on the complaints that we have received,” Jones said Monday.

Margaret said that she does not stay on her property every night and that she is not in control of her partner, Carlisle.

“I do not have a single other solitary soul on the face of this earth that I have total control of,” she said. “If you do, bless you, is all I can say.”

Additionally, there has been music and animal calls emanating from other properties, Margaret said.

“Over the past several years we have called that in on a repeated basis,” she said.

Margaret said she has additional complaints with her neighbors as well, including a bird hunt that resulted in her being shot, poisoned animals and footprints outside her window.

Sarah asked if Margaret would ask Carlisle to stop playing music, which she said she would not do.

“That’s what laws are for,” Margaret said. “… I think looking at a noise ordinance is a good idea.”

District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham asked that Margaret try and work with her neighbors and said that is always what he recommends first.

“I’m not in a conciliatory mood or non-conciliatory mood. I’m in a ‘I don’t play music mood,’” Margaret said.

An ordinance is necessary because there is no noise ordinance currently for the county.

There is an old draft of an ordinance that the county considered in 2014, but didn’t pass.

“We have been through this, my word, how many times since I’ve been on the commission and we’re right back where we were,” said District 3 Commissioner Gary Long.

“But, we haven’t resolved See NOISE page B15

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B12 April 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA SHARON LEE BLACK, Plaintiff, v.

A Parcel of Real Property described as: Lot 5, John Osborn Theney Estate, according to and as shown on map or plat of said subdivision of record in Plat Book 6, at Page 75, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, And Gordon Theney, and/or the unknown heirs Of Gordon Theney, And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added

by Amendment when ascertained, Defendants.

Case No.: CV-2020-900030 NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 25th day of January, 2021, a Complaint to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Sharon Lee Black, as Plaintiff; A Parcel of Real Property, described below, as Defendant; and unknown persons or entities who cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: Lot 5, John Osborn Theney Estate, according to and as shown on map or plat of said subdivision of record in Plat Book 6, at Page 75, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 18th day of March, 2021. /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Of Counsel, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 324 East Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 3/31/21 4/8/21, 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Dorothy Krejci, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any relatives or interested parties: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for the person of Dorothy Krejci. It is ordered that the 3rd day of May, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. be appointed the day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested may tile their notice of appearance and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 2nd day of April, 2021.

Bill English Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 04/08/21, 04/15/21 & 04/22/212 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PENNY P HUNDLEY, DECEASED

CASE NO.: 2021-182 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Joey R. Hundley on the 31st day of March, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

J TUTT BARRETT P.O. Box 231 Opelika, AL 36803-0231 Legal Run 04/8/21, 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– INVITATION TO BID 21012 Sealed bids for the construction of the Eastside WWTP Upgrades shall be received at the Purchasing Department, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama until 2:00 pm local time on April 26, 2021. Bids then will be publicly opened and read aloud in Mayor’s Conference Room located on the second floor of City Hall. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor.

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Work to be done: The work to be completed for the Eastside WWTP Upgrades is described generally as follows: UV Disinfection System A UV system consisting of two lamp banks, control systems, and electrical modifications will be furnished and installed in an existing channel following demolition of existing UV equipment.

Micro Bar Screen A micro bar screen will be furnished and installed in an existing concrete well upstream of existing influent pumps. Site grading and concrete pavement will be required Influent Wet Well Cleaning Settled residuals will be removed from the influent wastewater lift station wet well and hauled to a Cityowned disposal site.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Copies of Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the City of Opelika website at https://www.opelika-al. gov/Bids.aspx or obtained from ESG Engineering - contact Margaret Hildebrand at mhildebrand@ esgengineering.com. Digital documents will be provided at no charge and hard copies will be provided upon nonreimbursable payment of $200.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

Please note on the proposal form that any addendum issued has been received.

Not noting the bid addendum was received may cause you to be disqualified. It is the contractor’s responsibility to check the Owners website regularly to determine if an addendum has been issued.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Eastside WWTP Upgrades LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 04/08/2021, 04/15/2021 & 04/22/2021 ––––––– IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JANICE ELLEN STANSON, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-175 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 26th day of March, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

LINDA ANNE STANSON SMITH Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 4/8/21, 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of the Estate of Gloria Jean Finley, Deceased Case No. 2021-102 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINSTRATOR AND NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters of Administration of the Estate of Gloria Jean Finley deceased, having been granted to the undersigned, Cody W. Foote, on the 2nd day of April, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Cody W. Foote, Administrator, Estate of Gloria Jean Finley, Deceased Legal Run 04/08/21, 04/15/21 & 04/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOYCE S. VANBENTHUYSEN, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2021- 187 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Melisa V Love and Kristina J Bartsch on the 2nd day of April, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

J. TUTT BARRETT P.O. Box 231 Opelika, AL 36803-0231 Legal Run 04/8/21, 04/15/21 & 04/22/21 ––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF ANNIE LEE UNDERWOOD, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been

granted to Charlene Heard of said deceased having been granted to Charlene Heard on the 8th day of March 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Charlene Heard Legal Run 04/08/21, 04/15/21 & 04/22/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Florence Smith, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any relatives or interested parties: Lee County OHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for the person of Florence Smith.

It is ordered that the 3rd day of May, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. be appointed the day on which to hear such petition, at the Loo County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested may file their notice of appearance and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 2nd day of April, 2021.

Bill English Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 04/08/21, 04/15/21 & 04/22/212 ––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF WALLACE HENRY GILMORE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-194 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Christopher Wallace Gilmore on the 2nd day of April, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Christopher Wallace Gilmore Margaret Mayfield Attorney for Administrator Post Office Box 809 Opekika, AL 36830 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 4/8/21, 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021135 ESTATE OF SUGUNA KUMAR! CHIVUKULA, Deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of SUGUNA KUMAR! CHIVUKULA are hereby granted to Krishna Kishore Chivukula on the 9th day of March, 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

KRISNHA KISHORE CHIVUKULA Legal Run 4/15/21, 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 ––––––– Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N. Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, May 6th, 2021 at 10:00AM Caleb Daniel Schofield 1322 N Dean Rd 225 Auburn, AL 36830 Hunting equipment, household items The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com.

Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the

personal property.

LEGAL RUN 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021-184 LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF JOEL A. KLEIN, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Joel A. Klein, deceased, having been granted to Marianne Klein, this 2nd day of April 2021, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Marianne Klein, Personal Representative Jeffery A. Hilyer 334-745-2564 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, Alabama 368030030.

Legal run 4/15/21, 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 ––––––– “NOTICE OF LEGAL SERVICE: Michael W. Slocumb & Slocumb Law Firm, LLC. Slocumb Law Firm, LLC. Has been sued in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court by Raya Greenberger, Case No. 63-CV-2016-900531.

Ms. Greenberger seeks money damages for legal malpractice from Slocumb Law Firm’s representation of her from 2012-2014.

Slocumb Law Firm must file an answer on or before June 5, 2021 or default judgment will be sought.

Yuri Linetsky, Plaintiff’s Counsel, Civil Law Clinic, (205)348-4960, Box 870392, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.”

Legal Run 04/15/21, 4/22/21, 4/29/21 & 05/06/21 ––––––– STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:00AM Leslie Marable-Hawthorne Unit A13 209 Freddie Dr Tuskegee, AL 36083 Queen Bedroom Set Sofa/ coffee table Kitchen table/ chairs Other household items Clothes Clara Kirby - Unit 269 601 Ogletree Rd Auburn, AL 36830 Household furniture and boxes Roderick Dumas - Unit 276 889 Lunsford Dr. Apt 202 Auburn, AL 36830 Unknown Cory Adams - Unit Q291 521 S Antioch Cir B Opelika, AL 36801 10 Boxes and a bed frame and mattress The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com.

Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Ru 4/15/21 & 4/22/21 ––––––– IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CARL HOPSON, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-101 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of April, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

TRENTON GARRETT HOPSON Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 4/15/21, 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 ––––––– IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA S. LAWLER, Deceased IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021-200 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of April, 2021, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

HUGH W. SMITH, Co-Executor TED A. LAWLER, Co-Executor Legal Run 4/15/21, 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GLADYS M. GREGORY, DECEASED NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION TO: Any unknown heirs of Gladys M. Gregory, deceased, Josh Hensley, address unknown (adult grandson of Gladys M. Gregory, deceased), and John Hensley, address unknown (adult grandson of Gladys M. Gregory, deceased).

Please take notice that a Petition to Probate the Will of Gladys M. Gregory, in the above styled matter has been filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Petitioner Sharon Gregory Hinz, a/k/a Sharon Gregory Hines and that the 3rd day of June, 202 l, at 10:00 A.M. (Central time) has been set for a hearing on the same in said Court located at 215 South 9111 Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please be advised that if you intend to contest this Petition to Probate the Will of Gladys M. Gregory that you must file a written response within thirty (30) days hereof with the clerk of said Probate Court and with counsel for said Petitioner, and/ or you must appear the hearing scheduled in this manner.

Done this the 12th day of April, 2021 Hon. Bill English Judge of Probate Lee County, Alabama This instrument prepared by: Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 4/15/21, 4/22/21 & 04/29/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2021-215 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CHESTER DREW GOLDEN, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY EXECUTRIX Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to MELISSA CHAPMAN GOLDEN, on the 12th day of April, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

BY: James E. Hall, Attorney for Executrix.

Legal Run 4/22/21, 4/29/21 & 5/6/21 ––––––– IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of: Gisela Lewis, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any relatives or interested parties: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian/Conservator for the person of Gisela Lewis. It is ordered that the 17 day of May, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. be appointed on the day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 915 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested may file their notice of appearance and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Done this the 15th day of April, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH Probate Judge Legal Run 04/22/21, 04/29/21 & 05/06/21

See PUBLIC NOTICE, page B13

B13 April 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE >>

FROM B12

INVITATION TO BID 21016 Sealed bids for the construction of the Pickle Ball Courts Phase II—Base, Grading, Drainage and Site Work shall be received at the Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, May 10, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor.

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450. Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Pickle Ball Courts Phase II LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 ––––––– INVITATION TO BID 21017 Sealed bids for the construction of the Sportsplex Pickleball Restrooms shall be received at the 2nd Floor Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, May 10, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

There will be a Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference on April 28, 2021 at 2PM CST at the Opelika Sportsplex Building, 1001 Andrews Rd, Opelika, Alabama 36801.

Any potential bidders must attend this mandatory pre-bid conference meeting.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s

current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule, or regulation for the performance of the work.

Options for obtaining Bid Documents are as follows: Electronic (CD): Make check payable to Auburn Reprographics & Supply in the amount of $25. This amount is non-refundable. Shipping arrangements shall be made by the Contractor.

Hardcopy: Contact Auburn Reprographics, 660 North Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830; (334) 501-8235; Attn: Greg Sellers; (E-mail greg@ auburnrepro.com) to obtain bid documents. Hardcopy sets are non-refundable.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

As a condition for award, the business entity and its subcontractors shall not knowingly employ or hire an unauthorized alien within the State of Alabama. The awarded business entity must provide documentation of enrollment in the E-Verify program. The business must participate in the E-Verify program for the length of the contract.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama 36803-0390.

Attn: Sportsplex Pickleball Restrooms LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 4/22/21 & 4/29/21 –––––––

ESTATE OF BETTY RUTH LEDBETTER, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of April, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given tat all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 15th day of April, 2021.

CRAWFORD RAY LEDBETTER, JR. BRENDA FAYE LEDBETTER LUCAS Legal Run 4/22/21, 4/29/21 & 05/06/21 ––––––– SYNOPSIS OF ZONING NOTICE The City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika by rezoning or redistricting the parcels of land hereinafter described so as to change such parcels from one class of district to another class of district, as follows: From a R-1, GC-P District (Rural, Gateway CorridorPrimary Overlay District) to a R-3, GC-P District (LowDensity Residential, Gateway Corridor-Primary Overlay District), the parcels of land hereinafter described: Parcel A Commence at the Northwest comer of Section 9, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, Lee County, Alabama; and run thence South 0 degrees 08 minutes West for 521.3 feet to an iron pin on the Southwest margin of U.S. Highway 280; thence run South 67 degrees 1 minutes 31 seconds East for 3272 feet to an iron pin which point is the TRUE Point OF Beginning of the following described parcel.

From said point of beginning continue to run along said Highway margin South 67 degrees 18 minutes 31 seconds East for 348.54 feet to an iron pin; thence leaving

said highway margin run.

South O degrees 48 minutes East for feet along a fence to an iron pin; thence ren North 88 degrees Oi minutes 11 seconds West for 228.89 feet to an iron pin; thence run North C degrees 08 minutes 03 seconds East for 1,603.61 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 88 degrees 01 minutes 04 seconds West for 115.61 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 1 degree 0 minute 15 seconds West for 500.00 feet to the aforesaid Highway margin end True Point of Beginning.

Parcel B Commence at the Northwest comer of Section 9, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, Lee County, Alabama; and run thence South 0 degrees 08 minutes West 521.3 feet to an iron pin on the Southwest margin of U.S. Highway 280, which point is the point of beginning of the following described tot. From said point of beginning, run South 67 degrees 13 minutes 31 seconds East 32.72 feet along said highway margin to an iron pin; thence South 1 degree 00 minutes 15 seconds East 500.00 feet to an iron pin; thence South 88 degrees 01 minutes 04 seconds East 115.61 feet to an iron pin: thence South O degrees 08 minutes 03 seconds West 1608.61 feet along a power line to an iron pin; thence North 88 degrees 01 minutes 11 seconds West 113.61 feet along an old road bed to an iron pin; thence North 1 degree 00 minutes 15 seconds West 2,121.55 feet along a fence to the point of beginning.

The above-described property contains 17.8 acres, more or less, and is located at 5067 Birmingham Highway, Opelika, Alabama.

Public Notice of this public hearing with insertion of the proposed ordinance was first published on April 15, 2021, in the Opelika Observer.

This notice is given pursuant to Section 11-52-78 Code of Alabama (1975).

All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-2083 two (2) working days prior to the

meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

THIS NOTICE is given under my hand this the 22nd day of April, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 4/22/2021 ––––––– IN THE MATTER OF THE CONSERVATORSHIP OF LEWIS WARREN JOHNSON, A NON-COMPIS MENTIS (JENNIFER MARIE SHUMACK, CONSERVATOR AND LEGAL GUARDIAN) IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.:20215-218 NOTICE OF CONSERVATOR’S SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that Jennifer Marie Shumack, the Conservator of Lewis Warren Johnson, a non compos mentis, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, the detailed accounts, vouchers and statements for final settlement of his conservatorship of Lewis Warren Johnson, covering the period from November 15, 2018 through January 1, 2021 and that the 18th day of May, 2021 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. has been appointed as the day for making said final settlement in this Court and that any person interested therein may appear and contest the same if he sees fit to do so.

This the 19th day of April, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 04/22/21, 04/29/21 & 05/06/21 ––––––– “NOTICE OF LEGAL SERVICE: Michael W. Slocumb & Slocumb Law Firm, LLC. Slocumb Law Firm, LLC. Has been sued in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court by Raya Greenberger, Case No. 63-CV2016-900531. Ms. Greenberger seeks money damages for legal malpractice from Slocumb Law Firm’s representation of her from 2012-2014.

Slocumb Law Firm must file an answer on or before June 5, 2021 or default judgment will be sought. Yuri Linetsky, Plaintiff’s Counsel, Civil Law Clinic, (205)348-4960, Box 870392, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.”

Legal Run 04/15/21, 4/22/21, 4/29/21 & 05/06/21

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LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Full-time position of Maintenance Technician for properties in the Opelika, AL. . area.

Duties will include, but not be limited to: Promptly handle unit and facility work orders Complete repairs in a consistent and correct manner Provide excellent customer service Work well with other team members

Willing to clean grounds as needed Be well organized to coordinate and perform unit and site inspections Able to complete makeready of units proficiently Ideal candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in apartment maintenance (or similar

skills). Candidates should have an understanding of and repair capabilities in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, appliance repair, and/or other tasks related to maintaining the communities in excellent condition. HVAC Certification not required, but preferred. This

position will offer competitive pay and benefit package.

Education: High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: Driver’s License (Required) HVAC Certification (Not required, but

preferred) To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http://www.opelikaha.org/ Default.asp?ID=123&pg=Employment+Opportunities

B14 April 22, 2021

Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku?

Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

B15 April 22, 2021

NOISE >>

FROM B11

it yet. Robert, you said we needed a solution. Wow I agree with that, but what’s the solution?”

Probate Judge Bill English asked Jones on Monday if he will contact the sheriff of Madison County to see how its noise ordinance has

worked and why it was necessary.

Before enacting an ordinance things will need to be considered, such as hours of the day limitations, monitoring, distance, decibels and more, Jones said.

“It needs to be a narrow, specific ordinance if we’re going to adopt something like that,” English said.

District 1 Commissioner

Doug Cannon said he is in favor of an ordinance because there will be more situations that arise where an ordinance will be necessary.

“I think we need to come up with something to protect the people in the future,” he said.

District Attorney Pro Tem Jessica Ventiere asked the county to consider whether the ordinance

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would make the act civil or criminal.

“If you’re talking about a misdemeanor, the law enforcement officer has to witness it,” she said. “So that is, what I’m understanding, part of the issue with these types of situations, where they have to witness it before they can make a criminal charge for it. So, these are just all things that I think when the commission is developing this idea, that you’ll have two avenues, the criminal avenue or

the civil avenue and you’ll have to consider what you want to accomplish and how that effects on law enforcement.”

The standard of proof is much higher in a criminal charge vs. civil, Jones said.

Ham said he is in favor of making the action criminal, while allowing citizens to file civil if they choose.

“I would like to suggest that we take that ordinance that he has which was the last draft

that we had, working on it back in ’14,” Ham said. “… What I would like to see us do is to take that and let [Attorney Stan Martin] work on that and have some input from [Ventiere] and some input from our sheriff and let the three of them look at how they think it could be done so [Jones] has something to enforce ,[Ventiere] has something to prosecute and we have something that some citizens can get some relief.”

B16 April 22, 2021

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This week’s puzzle answers: