Opelika Observer 07-01-2021 E-edition

Vol. 13, No. 38

Thursday, July 1, 2021

O GROWS FARMERS MARKET EVERY TUESDAY FROM 3 TO 6 P.M. AUBURN'S CITY MARKET EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8 TO 11 A.M.

pelika Observer O

Opelika, Alabama

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

Auburn Incoming Freshman Earns Spot on U.S. Olympic Team

O-Day Is This Weekend

Auburn gymnastics incoming freshman Sunisa Lee punched her ticket to the Tokyo Summer Olympics as she finished second in the all-around at the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials Sunday night in St. Louis.

“It has been an amazing experience to watch Suni achieve what she has been working towards for years,” said Auburn head coach Jeff Graba. “This was such a great weekend. The Auburn program is so excited for her, and we can’t wait to cheer her on in July. War Eagle!”

See OLYMPICS, page A3

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY AMBER WHITE

By Maddie Joiner For the Opelika Observer Following a tragic accident last weekend that involved the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, the Lee County community has rallied around the group to offer support and love. One of those supporters is 11-yearold Kyleigh White from Opelika.

White runs her own keychain business, with the help of her mom Amber. When Kyleigh caught news of the tragedy, she wanted to help.

“So, I just explained to her what it is and what they do and she just kind See GIRLS RANCH, page A2

By Wil Crews sportscrews @opelikaobserver.com

Opelika’s annual giving back to the community event, Opelika Day, is being held on Saturday, July 3 at Covington Park.

“O-day started four

years ago when there used to be a lot of violence going on,” said event coordinator Teddy Houston. “So, I said ‘I need to put something together to bring everybody together and See O-DAY, page A3

Opelika Observer Earns Second General Excellence Award

By Opelika Observer Staff The Opelika Observer received a third-place General Excellence Award for its division in this year’s Alabama Press Association’s Best Media Awards competition. The General Excellence award is the topcategory in the competition and recognizes the overall quality and consistent work of the publications honored in each division. The award was presented to Owner and Publisher, Michelle Key, during the annual summer

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SWEATMAN / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Local 6th Grader Supports Girls Ranch Through Keychain Business

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

PHOTO COURTESY OF USA GYMNASTICS / CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

Contributed by AU Athletics

convention held in Orange Beach last weekend.

The Observer also earned a MostImproved award for the third year in a row. This year’s

award was a second-place. In addition to those awards and the ones previously announced earlier in June, the See AWARDS, page A3

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

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

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

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

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

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

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

July 6: Fedoras This acoustic duo plays folk, pop and bluegrass tunes the whole family will enjoy.

A2 July 1, 2021

Former District Attorney Faces 3-Year Split Sentence; 10 Months Jail Time Former District Attorney Brandon Hughes is expected to receive a threeyear split sentence, with an expected 10 months behind bars in the county jail after agreeing to a plea deal last Thursday.

After two days of jury selection and a day and half of testimony, former District Attorney, Brandon Hughes, decided to accept the deal and changed his non-guilty plea to a guilty plea on two of the seven counts brought against him in Lee County. He pleaded guilty to count 4 – use of his office for personal gain; and to count 7 – perjury in the first degree. Hughes' legal team approached the prosecution during the lunch break stating that he was willing to discuss a plea and asked them to make an offer. The remaining five charges were dropped as part of the agreement. The eighth charge against him originated out of Montgomery, and that charge is also expected to be dropped in the near

future as part of this agreement.

Standing before the presiding Judge, Pamela Baschab, Hughes was placed under oath and questioned.

“Do you understand the nature of the charge against you in each of those accounts?” Baschab asked. Hughes replied, “Yes, Your

Honor.”

Baschab asked a series of questions confirming that Hughes understood that by entering a guilty plea that he would be waiving some of his rights and that he understood what those rights were.

“It is my understanding that you are asking at this

FROM A1

so she met her goal on her birthday.”

Amber said as of Friday, Kyleigh has over 1000 orders they are working on. Of those, a majority are non-local orders that will be shipped off to customers.

As her mom, Amber is beyond proud that Kyleigh came up with the idea to donate to the

pelika Observer

O

No date has been set for the sentencing hearing. The plea deal stipulates a three-year sentence split to require Hughes to spend 10 months in jail. He will also have to pay restitution in the amount of $15,450.

Hughes' conviction on the two charges also ends his term as the district attorney for Lee County.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, Clark Morris, also spoke after leaving the court.

Clark explained the significance of the two charges Hughes pleaded guilty to.

“We felt the perjury charge was really important because there were numerous lies that occurred in front of the grand jury and we felt that he needed to take, accept responsibility for those lies," Clark said.

"And the $14,000 he paid out of public fund was really, really such a large amount of money that, number one, we needed restitution to the DA’s office and two, the amount of money kind of drove our decision.”

That's what makes me so happy – is seeing her happy and excited to serve others.”

Amber and Kyleigh are currently working on getting a huge check printed so they can present it to the Girl’s Ranch one day next week.

“I’m really happy I get to present the check to them in like a week or so,” Kyleigh said.

The sixth grader started making keychains when her mom got a laser machine for her door hanger business.

Kyleigh, the oldest of five kids, wanted to start making money to pay for her own Starbucks drinks and help with her gymnastics lessons.

“So, that's kind of how it started, just her wanting to be more independent. She was very

sweet and thinking that she could help me and her dad,” Amber said.

Kyleigh and Amber create the keychain designs themselves and Amber does the laser work. Kyleigh does everything after that, including adding the tassels, the key jumps and then packaging them into the bags.

Kyleigh has multiple

designs on her website, but her favorite is the one that says “Worthy”.

In addition to making key chains, Kyleigh does gymnastics and plays softball. She will be a sixth grader in the fall at Opelika Middle School.

To buy a keychain by Kyleigh, visit her website at www.inclusivelykyleigh.com/.

Hughes prepares to leave the courtroom in Opelika after pleading guilty to two charges on his indictment: perjury in the first degree and use of office for personal gain.

GIRLS RANCH >>

of was like ‘Mom, I'm so blessed, like, I don't have to struggle’ and that’s when she wanted to help,” said Amber.

The idea quickly formed in Kyleigh’s mind to make and sell a bunch of keychains, then donate the funds to the ranch. Amber then posted on Facebook to get the word out, saying Kyleigh had a $5,000 goal.

Amber’s post got traction and orders started flowing in fast.

“In less than 24 hours of me posting the very first post for her, she met her goal of $5000,” Amber said. “It is insane how many people love her and support her. She just turned 11 yesterday,

time to withdraw your plea of not guilty to counts four and seven of the indictment,” Baschab said. Hughes affirmed that information.

Hughes accepted the summary of the allegations of the two counts in the indictment and formally admitted his guilt pertaining to those two charges.

He plans to apply for a community corrections program.

The prosecution indicated that they would oppose that application during the sentencing phase.

Defense attorney, Richard White, spoke on camera after leaving the courtroom. “I think today we reached a fair agreement with the state of Alabama, and I appreciate the attorney general’s office listening to us and being fair with it,” White said. “I know it is not the resolution that we wanted when we started Monday, but I think it is a fair one.”

White then expressed his gratitude to Baschab and the jury.

“I thank Judge Baschab and the jury, the spent a lot of their time and I know they listened well so I would like to thank them.

“This is a decision that I don’t think the Hughes family took lightly, I assume they didn’t … It was a gamble that they decided, and I agreed with to go ahead and resolve it.”

Hughes had no comments to add at this time.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

By Michelle Key Publisher

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

Girls Ranch.

“It makes me proud that she did this all by herself, and that she can come to me, and she can tell me, ‘Mom, we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus’. She's so excited to take this check to those girls and just to see her get it and understand how we're supposed to serve our community.

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

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CORRECTIONS The Opelika Observer will correct any errors, omissions or inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be requested by contacting the editor at (334) 749-8003.

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A3 July 1, 2021

Creative Conglomerations at the Jule

By Emery Lay For the Opelika Observer This summer, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is displaying two new exhibits. These include “Outside In”, which opened in January 2021, and “Crafting America”, which opened more recently on Tuesday, June 29.

Outside In is a yearlong exhibit that will be available for viewing through Jan. 9, 2022. The exhibit is an examination of various fruit and nut specimens. Outside In is a collaborative exhibit that is made up of pieces selected from the University’s artists Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller.

Together, Hauss and Miller crafted the Audubon Collection with specimens that alter with the seasons, hand-picked from Auburn’s Museum of National History. Each North American specimen is paired with an artwork representation.

Their hope with this project is to contextualize the environmental elements of the Audubon’s 19th-century

OLYMPICS >>

FROM A1

“This means so much to me and I’ve worked so hard for the past couple years,” Lee said.

“To just go out on the floor and do everything I was supposed to do feels amazing.”

Lee, of St. Paul, Minnesota, finished first on bars and beam at the end of the twoday trials to go with

O-DAY >>

FROM A1

let them know, hey, let’s love on one another, let’s put the guns down, let’s try to do it this way.’”

The Curtis House, a local non-profit community center that provides a safe haven for elderly, adults and children, is helping sponsor the event.

Starting at 10 a.m., food and drink, games, inflatables, horseback riding, music and more will be available – free – to the entire Opelika community.

“Any color, any race, any age,” Houston said.

“It’s just for the community to come together and just have fun. It’s a positive event.”

Whether you are looking for a fun afternoon of festivities or just sniffing around for some good food, O-Day is the event for you.

Food vendors already scheduled to appear are Twice Baked, the Grub Spot and the “chicken

AWARDS >>

FROM A1

Observer was awarded the following: Third Place - Best Editorial Page or Section - Best Use of Photos and Editorial Content - Best Website These additional

By Consuelo Jimenez Underwood Home of the Brave, 2013 Wire, silk, fabric, safety pins, and synthetic and natural threads - 72 x 99 in.

Courtesy of the artist © Consuelo Jimenez Underwood; Photograph by Michael Tropea compositions and modern-day science.

Outside In was a perfect match for the Jule’s 21-22 season of juxtaposition. The calendar for the next year showcases a range of artists from various time periods and with a variety of voices that aligns with this theme.

“For Outside In, viewers can experience the ways in which plants and insects are displayed in works by the famed naturalist as well as

researchers and scientists at Auburn,” said Charlotte Hendrix, communications and marketing specialist for the museum.

To best care for Outside In, museum professionals will cycle the artwork out three times throughout its exhibition period. This will grant the paper drawings a rest from light exposure and other elements, while giving visitors an understanding of conservation and providing

her second-place finish in the all-around. Lee also topped Simone Biles on day two in the all-around, marking the first time since 2013 that Biles has been beaten in the category.

Lee entered the Olympic Trials as the U.S. champion on bars and runner up in the all-around and on beam. She will head to the international meet as a world champion, securing team gold at

the 2019 World Championships. Lee also won silver on floor and bronze on bars at the world meet.

Women’s gymnastics kicks off on July 25 at the Tokyo Olympic Games with the first round of team competition.

For the latest on Auburn Gymnastics, follow @AuburnGym on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook. com/AuburnGym.

wrap king” Carl Harper.

Certain food options will be vending, but 90% of the food is free.

Softball, kickball, basketball and football games are scheduled throughout the day. Water slides, free snow cones and drinks will keep you cool in that mid-day summer heat.

Furthermore, local author, Corey Bryant, will have a booth set up advertising his new book, “R.I.C.O,” so make sure to stop by and get a signed copy for yourself. For the adults, Dreamz Pool Hookah Lounge and Bunny T’s mobile bartending will be making an appearance as well.

To put on an event of such scale, Houston enlisted the help of Opelika Main Street Board President Melissa Munford, “silent partner,” Representative Jeremy Gray, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Corey Grant and former Baltimore Ravens safety Ledarius Webb – all of whom are contributing in some way to make the

day possible.

Houston said they are still searching for volunteers to help with food, kids activities and parking – and hoping for more donations.

“There is a lot more stuff to be paid for," Houston said. "We just step out on faith and try to get it and bring it back to the community and show love.”

Although its marketed to all age groups, all in all, O-Day is an effort directed at the betterment of Opelika’s youth.

“It is so important to the kids; the kids are our future,” Houston said.

“They are looking forward to it. All the way from kindergarten to college level, it’s kind of a meet spot.

Everybody unites before they go back to school and stuff. I don’t know who enjoys it more, the kids or the adults. It’s good for everybody.”

For more information, or to volunteer or donate, contact Munford at 334559-8974.

five awards brings the Observer’s total for the 2021 Best Media Contest to a recordbreaking 33 awards for the publication, plus six awards for LIVE Lee Magazine.

Key said that she is committed to continuing to strive for excellence.

“Giving the

community our very best work is important to me. This year’s awards have just blown me away, but we cannot get complacent — we must continue to work hard every day to continue to provide the news coverage that the people of Lee County deserve.”

them with new presentations throughout the year.

For the fall, the exhibit will rotate to focus on insects.

“This presentation is a way to engage with Auburn’s collection in a new way,” Hendrix said. “You can see vivid environmental details that Audubon and his studio assistants incorporated into the artwork and study the preserved plant or insect.”

Following its debut in Betonville, Arkansas, the exhibit arrived in town on June 29, and will be available for viewing until Sept. 12. Crafting America's journey to Auburn was sponsored by the Windgate Foundation.The exhibit, organized by the Crystal Bridges Museum, will feature over 100 works with materials such as ceramics, fiber, wood, metal and glass. From the 1940s to today, the exhibit highlights the work of acclaimed artists such as Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson and Sonya Clark.

While most works are courtesy of Crystal

Bridges, several are loans from private collections and major institutions such as The National Museum of the American Indian and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

This exhibition was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom. Additional support came from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Crafting America works to celebrate “the skill and individuality of craft within the broad context of American art”, according to the museum’s website.

Jewelry, furniture, sculptures and more will all be on display for visitors’ viewing pleasure.

An illustrated research book, published by Crystal Bridges and the University of Arkansas Press, is available in the Jule’s shop for $49.95. Art curated from regional artists is also available for purchase.

The Auburn-Opelika community is additionally

invited to “Red, White, & You!,” a reception for Crafting America, on Friday, July 9, at 6 p.m.

Admission is $50, which includes food and drink pairings provided by Ariccia Cucinia Italiana and the Sweet Auburn Band.

Tickets can be found at aub.ie/celebratecraft.

Apart from its two summer exhibits, the Jule is celebrating its selection to participate in a national museum research study, otherwise known as Measurement of Museum Social Impact. More information can be found at www.ocm.auburn.edu/ newsroom/news_articles/2021/06/151458-jcsmchosen-for-research-study. php.

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is located at 901 S. College St. in Auburn. Regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., beginning June 29.

For more information, visit www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

Bama in a Box Celebrates One Year of Helping Alabama Small Businesses Contributed by Angi Hron Just over one year ago, Bama in a Box launched from a small office in downtown Troy, Alabama. The subscription box service, created by small business owner Angi Horn, delivers boxes of Alabama-made products to their customers. The company formed as a way to help consumers connect with small business owners who were being negatively impacted by pandemic regulations. Now, it has expanded and delivered products from 106 Alabama companies to consumers in more than 40 states.

“We started this company with the hopes that that we could do something good during the pandemic,” Horn said.

“Bama in a Box has

grown far beyond what we could have ever dreamed. We knew that if people knew about the great products we make in Alabama, they would want more of them.

We just didn’t realize how much people would love them.”

The boxes are packed daily in the Bama in a Box facility just off Court Square in Troy and delivered via UPS and USPS. Food items, bath products, household goods and cleaning supplies fill

those boxes. For holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, the company produces specialty themed boxes.

“Every Bama in a Box represents seven Alabama companies.

That is seven times that the American Dream has come true every time you buy a box,” Horn said.

“There is nothing more special and more American than that.”

“Buy local,” she added. “It makes a difference.”

A4 July 1, 2021

Fireworks Under a Full Moon

SEAN DIETRICH

F

ire 9:02 p.m.

— My wife and I parked beside the bay, facing the water, to watch the fireworks. I hear the distant sound of children laughing in the night. The popping of far-off bottle rockets.

It’s July 4th and it’s been a weird day. I can’t pinpoint why. Maybe it’s because it’s been overcast. Maybe because we’ve been quarantining for 42,382 days. Maybe because this year’s holiday has been about as eventful as watching the

Lawrence Welk Orchestra play “Beer Barrel Polka.”

Which is exactly what I did this afternoon. A cable channel was playing “Lawrence Welk Show” reruns. I watched about four male singers in sparkly ascots sing “Red Sails in the Sunset” while Myron Floren showed the world how the accordion should be handled.

And now I am here to watch the fireworks before going home to remove my teeth and go to bed.

There are a few other

cars here tonight. Maybe four. In the vehicle beside ours are young kids.

Their car windows are down, they eat red-whiteand-blue popsicles.

They say little-kid things like, “COOL!” And: “COOLCOOLCOOL!” I believe this is the only word they know.

“Hey! Look!” one kid shouts to the other, pointing at any object ranging from a booger to a live water buffalo.

The other kid will say, “COOL!” Their mother is young.

Wiry. She sits upon the hood of her car — a mid90s Nissan. When she arrived earlier, her vehicle made a loud noise.

CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! Her Nissan needs a new CV axle. I know this because I once had a ‘98 Altima with the same problem. You could hear me coming from a mile away.

The woman looks tired. She’s kept the same

cigarette going for the last thirty minutes while playing on her phone.

“MOM! Can we have another popsicle?”

“As long as you share!” says Mom. “COOL!” I get the feeling that this woman is so tired that she wouldn’t care if they were playing with a bottle of hydrochloric acid, as long as they were taking turns.

I break the conversational ice.“Glad it’s not raining tonight,” I say.

“Yep,” she said.

Long silence.

Her kids fight over a popsicle. She barks at them in that harsh, life-threatening tone that only true mothers can perfect. It is a voice somewhere between Betty Crocker and the Terminator.

“If you don’t share,” she said, “no fireworks.”

Silence. Both boys put their arms around one another and I could swear I hear them singing “KumBa-Ya My Lord.”

“You from around here?” I ask.

“Tennessee. Driving back tonight, couldn’t get off work long enough to stay, but I wanted my kids to see the beach for the Fourth.”

I ask her what she does in Tennessee.

She shrugs. “I clean hotels.” She takes a long pull on her Marlboro. “I used to hate it, I swore I’s gonna quit, but then all this [bleep] happened with this [bleep]ing COVID. I’m just grateful to have a [bleep]ing job.”

She sighs and a cloud leaves her nostrils.

“This hasn’t been a good year,” she says. “I don’t know how I’m still making it. My dad’s on hospice.”

She gives a soft laugh.

This leads to a cough.

Then she tells me more about her coworkers.

Before long, I realize her coworkers are not just friends. They are her lifeline.

Last month, for example, she needed a

new water heater. All the gals at work chipped in to buy her one. They have been helping with her grocery bills, too.

And babysitting. One coworker used to be a hair stylist, so she’s been giving the woman’s kids free haircuts.

“MOM!” shouts one kid.

This time, the woman doesn’t bark. She faces them and gives a look that would chill your blood. The kids fall quiet.

I can see her face in the moonlight. She has lines deep in her cheeks, and the stance of someone with a strong lower back.

This is a hard-working woman. This is someone who loves her children enough to work double shifts.

We are interrupted.

The sound of heavy artillery fills the night.

The sky lights up.

We see fireworks. They shoot high beneath the full moon, filling our See DIETRICH, page A5

Becoming a Shepherd…

BRADLEY ROBERTSON

J

ust before Mother’s Day weekend a few weeks

back, I became a shepherd, or maybe I should say, a shepherdess. Either way, it happened.

A baby lamb, becoming motherless at birth, joined our wild farm family. She gained a new mother, a new father, one sister and two brothers, and together we became a herd.

I could have never imagined the joy this one little life could bring to our home, but she did.

She was tiny at five

days old, the day my eldest son Braxton stepped out of the truck holding her in his arms. She was solid white with floppy pink ears, the perfection of lamb pictures you see in children’s books and paintings.

I did not know what to expect with this little being, but she was immediately cute and quiet. She was an orphan with a new human family. She knew nothing of us, yet loved us from her first steps onto our

green grass.

As Braxton gently set her down on soft ground to meet us all, the farmer said, “Here you go honey, your new baby is here!”

We both chuckled and grinned at his remark. She stretched her tiny head into the sky and began following closely behind the farmer as he made the sound of a mother sheep, “Maaaaaaaa…”

He grabbed her one item, a bottle, from the truck and walked

towards me. “Here honey, you give her the bottle, so she’ll know who you are.”

I kneeled down to pet her soft, white coat and held the bottle up for her. She could not see it and poked around trying to figure out her situation. I gently pulled her mouth towards the bottle and lead her to suckle. I was not her natural mother, no smells or soft coat for her to find her way.

But I found it for her, and she took the bot-

tle without hesitation.

She began to wag her tail just like a puppy dog at play. The five of us laughed and giggled, having never known that sheep have a tail to wag, too. Her pure delight in her bottle was divine. The sweetest of times in the oddest of circumstances, and we stood together as a new family for Lamby.

My first step as her new mom was

children in wagons and dogs on leashes. They are hot and optimistic when they head off to the water, and hot and weary when they make the trek back by. We smile and wave, knowing full well we will descend from that porch and make the same journey ourselves.

But only after some more boiled peanuts.

Between a bungalow the color of a raspberry, and a cottage the color of an orange peel, is our path over the dunes.

Some mornings we pick our way through the sand with every provision necessary to settle in for a long, hot soak in the sun. On the first day, from our spot on the beach, we saw what my grandmother would have called a "big-boned girl" in a thong whose companion was an even bigger-boned man covered in tattoos and sporting an ankle monitor. Even felons, apparently, need a vacation.

Another day we watched a man catch a shark. He struggled,

fought and finally reeled it in. Kids were jumping up and down. Teenagers were posting videos of the event to TikTok. Men hitched up their swimming trunks and walked over to check out all the fuss.

“Whacha got there?” asked a bearded man wearing a t-shirt that read "I Know My Beard Makes You Want to Kiss Me." “A shark,” was the breathless reply from the fisherman. “But it’s only a baby one.” He was as nonchalant as a person can possibly be while dripping sweat and posing with a shark he’s just pulled from the ocean.

Side note: The shark was released back into the water, looking slightly ticked off but no worse for wear, and with no idea he is on the verge of being TikTok famous.

By lunchtime we are all ready to escape back into the air conditioning. We have brought

See ROBERTSON, page A5

By the Sea

WENDY HODGE

I

t’s that time of year again - the season of bathing suits, bare feet and beaches. It is summer, and this week I am so grateful to find myself in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on a vacation with my best friend’s family. This is a yearly tradition for them, and I have been invited to go along. There are 12 of us who have driven from different parts of the state to spend a week by the sea. My best friend’s parents gave us this holiday as a Christmas gift, and we’ve all been counting the days since December.

Entering Gulf Shores and turning down the beach parkway, we pass

cottages and bungalows with names that make me smile: "My Friend's Place," "O-Sea-D," "We've Got Crabs" and "Please Don't Knock."

Each house is painted a different vibrant color, as if someone turned loose a giant preschooler with a box of crayons and said, “Have at it kid. Don’t stop ‘til they’re all done!”

About halfway down the road, we arrive at our spot. It is painted a yellow the color of a glass of homemade lemonade. There is a screened-in open room on the ground floor with tables, a fridge and a sign on the wall that reads ‘Tiki Bar.’ This is where we’ve stored our fishing gear, boogie boards and all the coolers. The second level is spacious with two kitchens, five bedrooms and more TVs than I can count. The wraparound porch has tables and chairs tucked in every corner. The back of the porch overlooks the private pool with water that’s clear and inviting. The front of the

porch is high up enough that we have a great view of the street below and the ocean beyond. It’s the perfect spot for morning coffee, evening drinks and people-watching.

We’ve been here for a few days. In fact, it’s toward the end of the week, and we all keep saying how we can’t believe it’s almost over.

It’s a cruel joke of life that, on vacation, time moves so much faster than normal. But we have used our time well. There was a storm the weekend before we arrived.

In fact, we were warned by several well-meaning friends that we should reconsider sharing our week at the beach with a possible hurricane. It turns out, though, that the weather could not have been better. Hot, but not so hot anybody melted.

Beautiful skies. Warm water.

And oh the things we have seen!

From our perch on the porch we’ve seen a group of teenagers on remote-controlled

skateboards zooming by. Remote-controlled?

I’m not sure I get that.

There’s the girl who runs past the house at least 30 times a day, every single day. She is toned and healthy, wears expensive running shoes with turquoise neon strips on the sides and makes us all uncomfortable with all that energy. “Good for her,” we say as we sip our cold drinks and reach for another handful of boiled peanuts. “Really.

Good for her.” I call her Neon Girl.

We’ve seen dune buggies and convertibles and pickup trucks with tires taller than I am, racing up and down the road, leaving fumes and the sound of Jimmy Buffet’s "Margaritaville" lingering in the air behind them. We’ve seen family after family loaded down like half-drunk pack mules with beach chairs and umbrellas and neon-pink bags stuffed with towels and enough sunscreen to grease up a whole village. They drag coolers on wheels and

See HODGE, page A5

A5 July 1, 2021

Auburn-based FetchMe Wins Against National Meal Delivery Companies, Launches New Restaurant Marketing Packages Unique Digital Marketing Platform, Alcohol Delivery Fuel Future Growth Contributed by Michael Ares FetchMeTM, the 4-year old Auburn-based restaurant marketing, takeout ordering and meal delivery company, announced a new package of digital marketing services for local restaurants to help build customer relations. By providing local restaurants and their customers with a variety of win-win marketing and meal delivery services, FetchMe continues to contribute to the survival and future success of these small businesses most severely impacted

by COVID-19.

FetchMe offered local area restaurants a high-value, locally-based alternative to costly national conglomerates like Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash. As COVID -19 restrictions drasti-

DIETRICH >>

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black night with multi-colored joy. We ooh and aah.

People stand beside cars, pointing to the sky. The bay reflects each fiery burst like a big mirror.

ROBERTSON >>

FROM A4

to mimic the sound of her mother just as the farmer had done.

Braxton and Isaac were both excellent in the sound and so I just copied in hopes it would work.

“Maaaa, Maaaaaaaa, Maaaaaa,” I would call out, bottle in hand, walking ahead of her, hoping she would soon

HODGE >>

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enough food to feed us a few dozen feasts and have leftovers for a month. Each group in the family is responsible for making dinner for everyone one night of the week. That covers five nights; on the sixth we go out for seafood.

Everyone brought their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. The counter is groaning under the weight of it all. One group brought fresh fruit, six gallons of juice, paper plates and several loaves of bread. Another part of the family brought sandwich meat and condiments, chips and dip, paper towels and several bags of dinner rolls. Yet another group brought sausage, donuts, crackers, boiled peanuts and three different kinds of bread.

We are covered when it comes to bread.

As we came back in the door on day one

delivery of alcohol beginning Oct. 1 as yet another way the company’s restaurant partners can expand off-premises consumption of the meals and beverages they serve on-site.

FetchMe’s model of employing its own drivers, as opposed to using independent-contract drivers, makes it easy for restaurants to take advantage of this new – and highly profitable – revenue stream without concern for the secure delivery of the alcohol transported.

“Alcohol is a critical component of a restaurant’s profit generation model – a high margin contributor – and this profit was taken away when the majority of meal sales went to

take-out and delivery,” Evola said. “The ability to expand that key profit component to takeout and delivery will be an important source of growth for restaurants as they emerge from the pandemic. We are positioning our restaurant partners to capitalize on this service offering.”

The company also revealed plans to expand their market presence beyond the Auburn-Opelika area. “We are looking to take the successful, local market business model that has been so successful here to other markets on a case-by-case basis, with new markets expected to be announced soon,” Evola said. “In addition, the legislation announced by Governor Ivey offers the potential to expand our planned alcohol delivery offering statewide.”

About FetchMe: FetchMeTM is an Auburn-based restau-

rant marketing, takeout ordering and meal delivery services company dedicated to helping local area restaurants succeed by helping them engage more actively and effectively with their customers. The 4-yearold company is a model of customer-focused attention, providing local restaurants and their customers with a variety of win-win marketing, operations, take-out, and delivery alternatives that have become increasingly valuable in light of the tough challenges restaurants and their customers face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s high-value, cost-effective services have been extremely successful in helping supplement a challenging on-premises restaurant dining environment that is expected to remain for some time to come.

world we grew up in. Some of us will go home and keep trying to make sense of it all. Others will keep being a mother, keep working a full-time job, paying the bills and helping their fathers die with dignity.

The young woman

crushes out her cigarette and places a surgical mask over her face. She jumps into her car. She rolls down her window and bids me a genuine goodbye. “Happy Fourth of July,” she says.

“Stay safe, it’s a crazy world out there.”

“You, too. I’m sorry about your dad.”

“Thanks.”

I hear her CV axle clicking all the way down the road until her tail lights disappear. She has a long drive ahead of her tonight.

She has work in the morn-

ing.

But somewhere in Tennessee, a bunch of good friends aren’t going to let her fall no matter what happens. And I think that’s very cool.

Even cooler than Lawrence Welk.

follow. To my quick delight, it took no time at all. She soon followed as I knelt down each time to pet her and rub her soft, sweet head; offering the bottle, a reminder that this new place was good.

That first day with our little Lamby I learned two important lessons on sheep. The first being that sheep hear the voice of the call and that becomes all they know. They

only follow the one voice. They do not go back and forth, here or there, they are one way. One lifeline, one being to rely on. That voice became me. She relied fully on my call to feed her life.

And Lamby responded back every time with the same “maaaaaaa.” As if to say, “I’m here too.”

And the calling would go back and forth until she felt the touch of

my leg and my hands rubbing her back. Her tail would wag and wag in affection for the voice of her new mother.

The second lesson was that this is all sheep know and do.

Sheep are limited in their knowing and learning of things.

They only carry the instinct God put in them. She will never know her name, she will never know that

I am not a sheep and she will never look into my eyes and know how much I care for her.

She only knows that there is a voice out there, somewhere, that is waiting for her.

And on the other side of that voice is family.

Isn’t this what we too long for in life?

That there is someone or perhaps something that hears us and is

waiting for us?

There is a knowing that out there in our great big world, there is one, single voice waiting on us too.

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow him because they know the sound of his voice.” John 10:3-4.

of our trip, one of the cousins was heading to the store.

“What are you getting?” his mom asked.

“Bagels,” he called back over his shoulder.

Bread. He was going to get bread.

Some days we opt for spending the morning in and around the pool rather than on the crowded beach. The deck around the pool has reclining chairs and umbrellas that we have managed, after much tilting and adjusting, to the perfect shade over us all. Those who spend the morning across the way on the beach return to the house and drift back to the pool to collapse into its cool, shimmering oasis.

Just yesterday, as I made the same pilgrimage from beach to pool, I waved to Neon Girl from the front of the porch. She never even glanced up. Healthy people are not easy to distract. My best friend was waiting in the water for me. I had barely

dipped a toe in when I heard, from the back yard on the other side of the 10-foot fence, a voice call out, “You children are driving me crazy! Where in the h#$@ is my Bible??”

And then there was silence. I looked over at my best friend who was swimming slowly from side to side.

“Did you hear that?” I asked.

“Yep,” he said.

“Sounds like someone is about to get beat with the Old Testament.”

We laughed together and tilted our heads back to look at the sky. This pool is the perfect size for doing a few laps or for floating....

One of the cousins popped his head out the door and said, “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“To the store. To get some floats for the pool.

And some bread.”

cally limited on-premises dining, local restaurants – already operating on thin margins – were forced to rely on take-out and delivery orders to stay afloat.

“We were already working closely with our restaurant partners to help market and drive off-premises sales before the pandemic,” said FetchMe Founder and CEO, Harrison Evola. “The relationships we’ve developed put us in the perfect position to help them even more when the pandemic hit through stepped-up digital marketing campaigns for take-out ordering and meal delivery. While we are beginning to see a return to on-premises dining, the value of take-out and delivery remains critical to local restaurant success.”

Agave Loco, an Auburn-based restaurant, has been working

with FetchMe for years.

Restaurant owner Jorge Escalera pointed to the increased orders from new customers, higher engagement with existing customers and larger average order sizes overall that have come from their partnership with FetchMe. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the brand recognition and bottom-line ROI generated from our relationship with FetchMe,” Escalera said. “Harrison and his team deliver innovative marketing and operational value we would not be able to achieve on our own.”

Evola also pointed to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s recent announcement that the state will allow take-out and

When the display is over, there is a gentle applause from people nearby. And it is over.

The fun has finished.

Now it’s back to real life.

We will return to our pandemic world, which doesn’t look anything like the

To Be Continued....

A6 July 1, 2021

Averitt Recognized for Sustainability Initiatives Targeting Food Industry Contributed by Averitt Food Logistics, an industry trade publication, named Averitt to its 2021 Top Green Providers lists.

The 2020 Top Green Providers list recognizes companies that offer products or services illustrating exemplary environmental stewardship in promoting sustainability.

In terms of the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Averitt continually seeks innovative solutions and technologies that reduce its carbon footprint within

the supply chain. In 2004, the company became a charter member of the Environmental protection Agency’s SmartWay® program.

By investing in the industry’s most modern trucks and trailers, in conjunction with optimizing its fleet routing, Averitt made several measurable achievements that provide a positive impact for its customers, including: 38% reduction carbon dioxide emissions 88% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions 6.2 million gallons of diesel fuel saved.

“It is an honor for our

team to be recognized by the food and beverage industry for our commitment to sustainability,” said Averitt President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Spain. “We believe that the efforts we put forth today to minimize our impact on the environment are critical to the future of our operations and those of our shippers.”

In addition to being recognized as a Top Green Provider, Averitt was recently honored by the Tennessee Trucking Association with the 2020 Clean Diesel Award.

Extension Receives Grants to Support COVID-19 Vaccines

Contributed by Alabama Cooperative Extension System By Wendi Williams The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, representing Alabama A&M and Auburn universities, received grant funding to provide much needed education about COVID-19 vaccines to Alabama residents. The grant money will also go toward hosting vaccination clinics to increase the number of vaccinations given in the state.

About EXCITE: Earlier this year, the Extension Foundation, along with the Association of Public and Landgrant Colleges and Universities’ Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, were invited to engage in an immunization education initiative after the signing of an interagency agreement between the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE). It supports efforts of the national Cooperative Extension System to address and reduce vaccine hesitancy, especially in underserved com-

munities.

The EXCITE program is designed to support all landgrant universities in delivery of the CDC Vaccinate with Confidence communication campaign in Activity 1. The program also involves the development of an adult immunization education pilot in Activity 2.

Grant Awards: Both Alabama A&M and Auburn universities received a minimum award of $24,000 for Activity 1. A joint proposal for Activity 2, submitted by Alabama A&M University, Auburn University and the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, was awarded $200,000. Collectively, extension staff from both institutions will work with local partners, including healthcare providers and faithbased organizations, to make the vaccines for COVID-19 and other viruses more accessible to hardto-reach communities across Alabama.

Alabama Extension Health and Nutrition Specialist Tamara Warren will provide project leadership at Alabama A&M University. Matt Ulmer, state specialist for community resource development, will provide project leadership at Auburn University.

“Alabama Exten-

sion at Alabama A&M University greatly appreciates the USDA, the Extension Foundation and the CDC for providing another opportunity to work with partners statewide and to increase Alabama’s vaccination rate," Warren said. "Alabama Extension promotes health and wellness. Getting fully vaccinated will help our state to get back on the path to wellness and to enjoy the rewards of safely gathering at work and with family, friends and new acquaintances."

Ulmer added to Warren's comments.

“Alabama Extension is grateful to the Extension Foundation, USDA, CDC, the Auburn University School of Pharmacy and to our state and local partners to committing to this most important work," Ulmer said. "Providing COVID-19 vaccine education and increasing vaccine acceptance will help Alabama make great strides toward our collective goal of returning to our normal way of life.”

For more information about the EXCITE initiative, contact Warren at (256) 372-4981, or Ulmer at (334) 740-2644.

Visit the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu for additional health information.

About Averitt Express: Celebrating 50 years in 2021, Averitt is a leading provider of freight transportation and supply chain management with international reach to 100 plus countries. In its 50year history, Averitt has grown from a small, local LTL carrier to a global logistics provider specializing in delivering customized transportation solutions that include LTL, truckload, international, distribution & fulfillment, dedicated, production and event logistics services. Aver-

itt’s technology offerings include a full suite of web-based shipping tools, electronic data interchange (EDI), warehouse management systems (WMS) and transportation and operations management systems. Together, these services and

technology solutions provide “The Power of One” to shippers, allowing them access to multiple transportation solutions from a single provider. For more information, call 1-800-AVERITT (2837488) or visit www.

AverittExpress.com.

Grassroots Effort Launched Statewide to Encourage Vaccinations

Contributed by Alabama Hospital Association According to a recent survey conducted by the Alabama Hospital Association, 94% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were not vaccinated. With vaccinations proving to be the best weapon against the virus, and Alabama being the second worst state in terms of its vaccination rate, leading healthcare organizations are joining together to launch a grassroots campaign, “We Can Do This Alabama,” to encourage greater participation.

The Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Hospital Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Alabama Nursing Home Association, the Alabama Primary Health Care Association, the Alabama Chapter-AAP, the Alabama Council for Behavioral Healthcare, the Alabama State Nurses Association and the Medical Association of

the State of Alabama are asking vaccinated Alabamians to help champion this effort by encouraging others to get vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the vaccines are effective at preventing nearly 100% of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. This is a pivotal moment in ending the pandemic – getting Alabamians vaccinated as quickly as possible is the path out of this crisis.

“We Can Do This Alabama” is part of the Human Health Services (HHS) COVID-19 public education campaign - a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures.

The grassroots effort is asking Alabamians to become local champions and share information with their family, friends, colleagues and community on the importance of getting vaccinated.

Here’s how: 1. Go to wecandothisalabama.com to sign up to be a local champion and access helpful messaging resources.

2. For four weeks, encourage three new people a week to get the vaccine.

3. Recruit five additional people to sign up and do the same.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to help end the pandemic in our state and nationwide. Along with getting the vaccine, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently.

Through a statewide network of trusted messengers and consistent, fact-based public health messaging, this campaign will help Alabamians make informed decisions about their health and COVID-19, including steps to protect themselves and their communities.

To help take action and for more information go to wecandothisalabama.com.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

Upcoming Events: July 3: O-Day at Covington Park - 10 a.m.

July 3: 69th Annual Freedom Celebration - 6 p.m.

July 4: Auburn Independence Day Celebration - 5 p.m.

Celebrate America’s Birthday With Plenty of Good Food PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

s fireworks light up the night sky, be sure to have plenty of good food for celebrating the Fourth of July. Whether you are at the lake, beach or relaxing at home, plan a menu ahead to include a grilled or smoked entree to enjoy the festivities instead of being in the kitchen.

Many folks in our area enjoy spending time at the lake. While Lake Martin is the closest, our family enjoys time at Smith Lake. With so many good cooks in our family, we recently spent a relaxing time at Smith Lake and savored delectable dishes.

My brother, Rodney Sanders, cooked tasty burgers on the grill, and his wife, Debbie, served German-Style Potato Salad and other delectable sides. While the burgers

were simply seasoned with salt and pepper, the extraordinary flavor came from the lump charcoal Rodney had made from hickory wood.

Making his own charcoal started last winter.

Rodney’s son-in-law, Todd Scott, has a love for grilling and barbecuing.

He had been doing a great deal of research on how to improve the flavor of grilling meats.

One of those ideas was making homemade lump charcoal. First, they searched a couple of home improvement stores to find a metal trash can with a lid. They were looking for a large one, but ended up having to settle for a smaller version, which was still a good size.

The next day, Rodney and Todd started early

on this project. They filled the metal can with pieces of hickory that were about 6 inches long and 4 inches in diameter, covering it with the lid.

Then they arranged the wood for the fire and placed rocks round it.

They sat the metal can – filled with the pieces of hickory – on the rocks and lit the fire. They built a fire around the can, and kept the flames going for 15 hours, adding wood to the fires.

They let the fire die down during the night.

It was important not to open the trash can during this time. Otherwise, it would have burned the wood.

The result was having their own product, which they have named Smith Lake Small Batch Lump Charcoal.

Burgers are a favorite for enjoying the Fourth of July with family and friends.

Serve with assorted sides and old-fashioned buttermilk pie, or southern butter-glazed pound cake with blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream for a dessert with red, white and blue.

If you want to try this sometimes, you can use hickory, pecan, oak or cherry wood. Just remember to keep the fires going and do not open the can until finished and allowed to cool.

Of course, you can grill a good burger without making your own char-

coal. Follow these guidelines from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

Set grill to medium and let heat for a minimum of 10 minutes if using gas or until coals turn white if using charcoal. Form patties and season liberally with salt and pepper.

Place a dimple in the

center of the burger patty to minimize shrinking and optimize cooking.

Place burgers on the grill and cook approximately 4 to 5 minutes, depending on size and thickness. Flip burger and grill an additional See CIPPERLY, page A10

The Heart of Waverly BBQ July 3

By Maggie Caraway For the Opelika Observer

Standard Deluxe Inc., a design and silkscreen print shop and outdoor event center, is hosting The Heart of Waverly BBQ on July 3. The event will feature live music and local barbeque. Gates and will-call open at 11 a.m. and the live music will

Visit Boonie Hat and try the new line of Artisan Pops.

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

116 S. 8th Street, Opelika

334-363-0390

www.booniehatcoffee.com

start at 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are general admission and cost $50. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets are available for purchase at www. standarddeluxe.com.

“Come spend the day in beautiful, rural, east central Alabama at the south's coolest venue, the grounds of Standard Deluxe, celebrating their

30th anniversary this year,” said owner of the Standard Deluxe, Scott Peek.

Live Music on the Outdoor stage will feature: - Cary Hudson at 12:30 p.m.

- Michelle Malone at 1:45 p.m.

- BB Palmer at 3 p.m.

- Royal Horses at 4:15 p.m.

- North Mississippi Allstars at 6 p.m.

Local barbeque

will be available from Robert Oswalt; located in the Feed Shak, and Butcher Paper BBQ food trailer, located in the Yard.

The Standard Deluxe website offers important information for The Heart of Waverly BBQ participants: -When purchasing tickets, choose “will call” in the shipping See BBQ, page A8

A8 July 1, 2021

Making the Grade: The Waverly Local

S

ometimes, I want to experience fine dining and go to a unique place to eat new, unexplored dishes. The Waverly Local is that place, and it’s only 11 miles from my house.

The restaurant is located at 1465 Patrick St. in Waverly.

The Local touches the edges of Lee, Tallapoosa and Chambers Counties; therefore, it is called, “a Tri-County Kitchen.” My sweet friend Lynda, who plays piano beautifully at our church, Central Baptist of Opelika, recommended the Waverly Local to me. Sidenote: Lynda is teaching me to play the piano, so please pray for her.

Mike and I ate at the Waverly Local on a recent Friday night.

We were led to a very

away from asphyxiation.

Mary Beth, our waitress, was wonderful.

She was sweet, funny and helpful. When she brought us paper menus, I was delighted. As I’ve said before, I’m a 20th century woman trapped in the 21st century. I. Don’t. Do. Apps.

For an appetizer, or “snack” as the menu called it, Mike and I chose pimento cheese on sourdough frybread.

I’m not a fan of storebought pimento cheese; to me, it’s lumpy and looks unappetizing.

However, I have a delicious pimento cheese recipe from Bobby Dean, Paula Dean’s son, so I wanted to give it a try. Oh, my.

The Waverly Local’s pimento cheese is incredible. Mike and I were tempted to lick the bowl, but our parents taught us better. Also,

spacious booth. “Poohsized” people such as Mike and I appreciate roomy booths. It’s embarrassing to squeeze into a tight one and not be able to breathe. In some restaurants, we’ve been one cheeseburger

the crunchy, tasty sourdough frybread complements it perfectly. After all, this is Alabama; everything tastes better fried.

Mike chose crab cakes with vegetable & herb fried rice with

BBQ

wristband.

-Tickets are nonrefundable.

-The event is rain or shine.

-No outside alcohol is allowed.

-Bring your chairs and blankets; sit physically distanced from your neighbor.

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FROM A7

information.

-No physical tickets will be mailed.

-Your name(s) will be at Will Call the day of the show; you will receive a

green goddess dressing for his entrée. I, on the other hand, picked the daily Gulf offering, which was grouper with blue crab fried rice and lobster cream. Both dishes were delicious and were beautifully presented. Other entrees included: roasted ranch pork, grilled prime ribeye, half smoked

chicken and burger and fries.

For dessert, Mike and I shared a luscious piece of key lime cheesecake with strawberry champagne jam.

Oh, my two times. Run, do not walk, to get a piece of this dessert.

We plan to visit the Waverly Local very soon for its Sunday brunch. Since our worship service at Central Baptist is at 10 a.m., Mike and I can be at the Waverly Local by 11:30 a.m. and beat the Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. to brunch.

Our waitress Mary Beth was kind yet again and let me take home a paper copy of the brunch menu. Mike plans to tackle the Wilbur omelette, which has -Small personal coolers are allowed; coolers will be checked at the gate; sealed water and soft drinks are allowed.

-No smoking inside the fenced yard.

-No dogs.

-No glass.

Call me for all your real estate needs!

1810 E. Glenn Ave. Suite 130 Auburn, AL 36830 Cell 334.444.8041 duffystewartrealtor@gmail.com www.BHHSPreferredAuburn.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affliates, LLC

smoked bacon, Capps sausage, country ham, pepper jack and grits or potato casserole. I’m torn between that delicious-sounding dish or the French toast bites, which have apple butter, vanilla bean cream and caramel. There are also other tempting choices.

As you can tell, this will be a tough decision.

Besides their delicious food and great service, I really love that the Waverly Local buys their produce from the Tri-counties they serve.

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

By Stacey Patton Wallace

For example, the strawberry champagne jam on our cheesecake came from Hornsby Farms, which is a small family farm in Auburn.

I love supporting small businesses, especially in Lee County, my home and favorite county in the great state of Alabama. I’m also glad that the Waverly Local buys produce from Tallapoosa County, where I was born.

The Waverly Local is open Wednesday-Saturday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. I would

recommend calling for reservations at 334-5396077.

The Waverly Local 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.

A9 July 1, 2021

First Avenue Night Market Entertains Opelika PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Opelikians flocked to the city's entertainment district last Friday night to celebrate local artists and enjoy food and music at the First Avenue Night Market.

A10 July 1, 2021

A Family Farm Two people need a little extra cash. They both hate tomatoes. So the logical conclusion is that the two would grow and sell tomatoes.

Harman Family Farm is more than just hydroponically-grown tomatoes and lettuce. It is a family of 15 that always seems to be growing.

Chris and Rita Harman originally decided to start growing tomatoes when their daughter, Megan, was turning 16. She wanted to drive a car and get her license, like all the other children her age.

But finding a car for Megan was going to take a bit of extra work and money — she is a functioning quadriplegic.

Megan was born with Arthrogryposis, Chris said.

“Basically your muscles don’t develop right while the fetus is in the womb with the mother and basically, you’re born with pretty much about as much muscle as you’re going to get,” he said. “You don’t get a lot stronger, grow a lot of muscles with this.”

So when Megan was looking to drive, finding a car that would allow her to drive was going to cost $100,000, Chris said.

Chris and Rita began considering ways they could afford this, outside of the partial help the state was going to provide.

“I had always sort of had an interest in what they call aquaponics, which is growing fish and also with plants, but … I saw in a magazine about a guy growing tomatoes hydroponically,” Chris said.

The idea was born and the family bought a greenhouse.

CIPPERLY

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4 to 5 minutes or until the center of the burger reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Avoid pressing down on burgers and only flip burgers once during cooking.

Along with burgers, pulled pork barbecue

Now, they have two greenhouses and not only grow tomatoes, but lettuce hydroponically.

“That gave me a way to have a second job and stay at home, plus I could get some help from my family,” Chris said.

Chris needed to be at home as much as he could be because the Harman’s have a lot of children.

Over the last 14 years that they have been growing tomatoes, they have also been growing their family.

The Harman’s have fostered over 75-80 children over the years — and adopted four.

They also have five biological children.

So, while Megan eventually did get the outfitted van necessary to allow her to drive, growing tomatoes also became a way for the Harman’s to support fostering.

And now, they are a family of 15. Chris and Rita have five biological and four adopted children: Megan (30), Ben (29), Kim (21), Kyle (18), Kelly (18), Erica (15), Brandon (13), Jacob (10) and JadaLynn (10). The Harmans are also currently fostering four: Madi (19) and her son, Sebastian (4), Bree (18) and Nicey (17). And let’s add one more — Chris’s mother lives with the family too! So, a family of 16.

Growing Hydroponically: Planting hydroponically essentially means planting in something other than soil, Chris said.

“For a long time, I grew them in compost or a ground-up coconut husk,” he said. “This year, to try to cut some costs and all, I’ve gone back to growing them in finely composted pine bark.”

Something interesting

to note — the Harman’s have tomatoes when most others don’t. They plant in October and the season runs from January to July 4.

“We don’t compete with summer tomatoes, so our season starts very early,” Rita said.

“We have tomatoes in January … Our big goal is not to compete with yard tomatoes but have good tomatoes in the winter.”

There are 580 plants this season, Chris said, with two plants in a container. A walk through the Harman’s greenhouse is a walk through rows of tomato plants that stretch to the ceiling.

Each week the Harman’s go through and take off the ‘suckers’ of the plant, which means the extra branches of the tomato plant. They want long vines, Chris said. “[The plants] will grow up to ten feet and then about five, six times a year, we’ll have to drop the plant about two or three feet and then slide it, and it basically makes room for it

to grow more,” he said.

Essentially, this means you have vines trailing the floor for a few feet before rising back up to the ceiling in the greenhouse.

Like all plants, there needs to be pollination, too. To achieve that in the greenhouse, Chris places a hive of bees inside.

By the end of the season, the Harmans will have harvested 10,000 to 17,000 pounds of tomatoes.

The Harman’s run the business on an honor system. They have a building where all the tomatoes are stored in crates. There is also a scale. Customers weigh their tomatoes and leave the cash in a mailbox.

The Family Behind The Tomatoes: Over the last several years, the entire family has helped with the tomato business, Chris said. “[Megan] helps me with social media and computer work, printing off stuff, I guess you could say sort of advertising,” he said.

and brisket are also popular for the Fourth of July. Pulled pork can be cooked in a smoker, oven or slow cooker.

Check out the recipes for these three versions to see which one is best at your home.

Prepare dessert a day ahead. Two easy choices are Old Fashioned

Buttermilk Pie and Southern Butter Glazed Pound Cake. It is easy to double the recipe for the buttermilk pie, and the large cake makes about 16 servings. For a festive look for the Fourth, serve either one of these with blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream.

Whatever is on the menu this year, celebrate the country’s birthday by taking a few minutes to be thankful for living in a free nation and remember all of those who paid the price for that freedom we enjoy.

Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.

PHOTOS BY ABBEY CRANK / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

By Hannah Lester HLester@ opelikaobserver.com

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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.”

A lot of the Harman children have grown up with the business.

“My eighteen-yearold twins, they’re the most heavily involved right now,” he said.

“Along with all the foster kids that have been old enough, have worked in there at times.”

Household chores involve chores in the greenhouse, too.

“It’s truly a family farm,” Chris said.

Rita said that as the children have grown older, they have been able to take on responsibilities she held, too.

“They have lightened my load to almost nothing,” she said. “I’m getting older now and the scaffold, I don’t like to be up in the scaffold.”

The children are all looking at different paths in life moving forward, and a lot of them have an interest in medicine. The Harman’s oldest son, Ben, is in Auburn’s VCOM program, Kim works at the hospital as well and some of the recent Harman graduates are

considering healthcare.

Fostering remains a big part of the family’s life.

“We typically take the older kids because nobody wants to take older fosters, everybody wants the babies, they want younger kids,” Rita said. “We’re pretty much the only people in town, and well, out of town, they call us from all kinds of counties, ‘please take a teen.’

And I think my love right now is these mom and babies because I get to be a nana, a grandma.

I get to be nana to the baby and mom to the mom. And so if we can help the moms along to get a great career and move on in life, then hopefully that cycle will be broken. “… My kids have grown up serving.

As far as foster kids go, they give up their clothes, they give up their rooms, they give up everything that they have to help take care of the kids. We could not be the foster parents we are today without them."

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A11 July 1, 2021

Smiths Station Marches Through its 20th Founders' Day Celebration

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

On June 26, Smiths Station celebrated 20 years with a Founders Day Festival. The day was complete with games, inflatables, food trucks, a car show, a bake-off, a BBQ cook-off, a parade, train rides and more.

Fireworks ended the night with a big bang.

A12 July 1, 2021

RECIPES

>>

MAMA’S LEMONADE TEA Vondalyn Hall 5 cups water 3 family size tea bags 6-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate 1 to 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 tsp. almond extract, optional Lemon slices Place 5 cups water and family size teabags in a large container and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Remove teabags. Add frozen lemonade concentrate and sugar to the tea mixture. Stir until sugar is dissolved and lemonade is completely blended.

Pour into a 64-oz. pitcher and add as much water as needed to fill the container. Add almond extract, if desired. Refrigerate until chilled. Add lemon slices just before serving.

ALABAMA FIRECRACKERS Jim Young 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. black pepper Two 1 oz. envelopes ranch dressing mix 3 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes 16.5 oz. pkg. saltine crackers Place vegetable oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, ranch dressing mix and crushed red pepper flakes in a 2-gallon plastic zipper bag. Seal the bag and smooth with your hands to thoroughly combine the oil and spices.

Place crackers into bag, seal, and turn the bag over to cover crackers with the spice mix.

Let bag sit for about 1 hour, then turn again.

Repeat several more times until the crackers are well-coated with spice mix, and allow the bag to sit overnight. Remove crackers and serve.

CHERRY TOMATOES STUFFED WITH AVOCADO CREAM 1 medium-size very ripe avocado, peeled and pitted 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 small clove garlic ¼ tsp. dried basil 4 oz. (half of an 8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened ¼ tsp. salt Dash liquid hot sauce 1 ½ pints, small ripe cherry tomatoes Parsley sprigs for garnish Combine avocado and lemon juice in bowl of electric blender or processor; puree until smooth.

Add garlic, basil, cream cheese, salt and hot sauce.

Whirl until smooth.

Transfer to medium-size bowl. Refrigerate mixture until stiff enough to pipe into tomatoes.

Cut very thin slice off tops of tomatoes, scoop out with small spoon.

Drain upside-down on paper towels. Fill tomatoes with avocado cream

using a small spoon or a pastry bag with rosette tip. Garnish tops with small sprigs of parsley.

Makes about 30.

BRISKET RUB Jim Collins ¼ cup kosher salt ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup black pepper ¾ cup paprika 2 Tbsp. garlic salt 2 Tbsp. garlic powder 2 Tbsp. onion powder 2 Tbsp. chili powder 2 tsp. ground red pepper (optional) MOPPING SAUCE: 12 oz. can of beer or Coke 1 cup apple cider vinegar ½ cup water ½ cup Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup vegetable oil 2 Tbsp. brisket rub (from above) Rub generous amounts over entire surface of brisket. The brisket can be cooked immediately, but is best if allowed to sit in refrigerator for a day or two.

Cook brisket 45 minutes per pound at 300 degrees. Mop meat every 20 to 30 minutes.

Another variation is to cook for 3 to 4 hours on a smoker and then freeze for future use, cooking at 350 degrees for three hours when thawed. This recipe makes enough for two good-sized briskets.

Leftover rub keeps well in airtight container.

Enjoy!

SHARON’S PULLED PORK IN SMOKER OR OVEN Brine: 1 cup molasses 1 pint barbecue sauce (prefer Sweet Baby Ray’s) 1 cup vinegar 1 cup lemon juice 1 cup pickling salt 2 quarts water 3 cloves garlic, chopped 3 Tbsp. black pepper 6 to 8 pound Boston butt Rub: 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. onion powder 1 Tbsp. paprika Combine brine ingredients in 6-quart stockpot. Add Boston butt, making sure it is completely covered in the brine. Cover tightly with foil and marinate overnight in refrigerator a minimum of 12 hours.

Any less time does not do the pork justice.

In a small bowl, combine chili powder, onion powder and paprika for the rub.

Remove Boston butt from brine and pat dry. Sift the rub evenly over the shoulder and then pat onto the meat making sure as much of the rub as possible adheres. Tip on meat rub: wear rubber gloves when rubbing in spices and more will stick to the meat!

Preheat smoker or conventional oven to 210 degrees F. Place butt in smoker or oven and cook for 10 to 12 hours, maintaining a temperature of 210 degrees.

If you use a conventional oven, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Begin checking meat for doneness after 10 hours of cooking time. Use fork to check for doneness. Meat is done when it falls apart easily when pulling with a fork.

Once done, remove from pot and set aside to rest for at least 1 hour. Pull meat apart with 2 forks. Enjoy on a bun with coleslaw on the side. You really don’t need a sauce.

CRUNCHY COLESLAW 1 large head cabbage, chopped (or use pkg. cabbage mix) 1 carrot, grated 4 Tbsp. green onion, chopped 4 Tbsp. yellow onion, grated 4 Tbsp. green bell pepper, grated 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. pepper 1 Tbsp. garlic salt 1 Tbsp. Lowrey’s seasoning salt 1 Tbsp. salad vinegar 12 oz. mayonnaise Combine all ingredients and let set 12 to 24 hours in refrigerator before serving. Serves 4 to 6.

AMANDA’S SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK Spice Rub: 4 Tbsp. smoked paprika 3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. cumin 1 Tbsp. black pepper 2 tsp. salt Boston butt roast 2 cups chicken broth Combine spices in a bowl and rub liberally over Boston Butt (bone in or boneless) in a slow cooker insert.

Refrigerate overnight, if desired.

In the morning, pour 2 cups of chicken broth over the pork and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Shred meat and remove fat.

GERMAN STYLE POTATO SALAD Debbie Sanders 3 lb. petite potatoes 4 slices bacon ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1½ Tbsp. whole grain mustard (I use deli mustard) ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper ½ bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped ½ bunch fresh dill, chopped (I may use a little sugar if the dressing is too tart.)

Boil whole skin on potatoes in salted water until fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

While potatoes are

cooking fry bacon until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels. Reserve a small amount of grease in the pan for the dressing.

Chop bacon into small pieces.

When potatoes are tender, drain and allow to cool until you can handle them. Slice potatoes into ¼ inch slices and place in a large bowl.

Mix vinegar, mustard, bacon, and olive oil in the reserved bacon grease in the pan.

Whisking to combine.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Can add a little sugar if you think it’s too tart.)

Pour dressing over warm potatoes and add fresh chopped herbs.

Toss gently to coat.

Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Serve warm or cold.

OLD FASHIONED BUTTERMILK PIE Serve with blueberries and sliced strawberries with whipped cream. Easy to double recipe.

1½ cups sugar 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 3 large eggs 1 cup buttermilk ½ cup butter, melted 1 tsp. vanilla extract Unbaked 9-inch pie crust, homemade or purchased Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together sugar and flour in a large bowl. Whisk eggs, buttermilk butter and vanilla. Pour into sugar-flour mixture.

Pour into pie crust.

Bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes or until almost set, shielding edges with aluminum foil after 15 minutes, if needed. Cool on wire rack for one hour.

SOUTHERN BUTTER GLAZED POUND CAKE For the Fourth, serve with blueberries or strawberries with whipped cream.

3 cups sifted cake flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. baking soda 1 cup butter, room temperature 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 cup buttermilk Sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.

Add buttermilk alternately with flour, blending well.

Pour batter into a greased tube or Bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 75 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Pole top of cake with a toothpick. Pour the sauce over the cake.

Cool before removing from pan. Makes about 16 servings.

Sauce:

1 cup sugar ¼ cup water ½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature Combine ingredients and beat until smooth.

a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce; top with tomato, burger and toppings.

BAKED BEANS Becky Brown 1 tsp. olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1-16 oz. can kidney beans 2-16 oz. can Bush’s baked beans 1-15 oz. can lima beans 1-8 oz. can tomato sauce 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup Karo syrup Garlic pepper to taste 4 slices of bacon, partially cooked Sauté onion in olive oil and set aside. Drain kidney beans and lima beans. Partially drain baked beans. Mix all beans together in large bowl. Add onions and other remaining ingredients and mix well.

Pour into casserole dish and top with bacon.

Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.

SMASHED SIRLOIN BURGER Chef Hugh Acheson Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 4, 5 to 6-oz. 90/10 beef ground sirloin burger patties, pre-formed or form by hand 4 tsp. vegetable oil, divided Salt to taste Freshly ground black peppercorn to taste 4 slices halloumi cheese 8 Tbsp. mayonnaise 4 tsp. prepared harissa 8 leaves Little Gem lettuce, washed 16 dill pickle rounds 4 sesame seed buns Int a cast-iron skillet over high heat for 2 minutes, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Place each patty in the cast iron skillet and flatten with a spatula or a flat steak weight. Cook until the outer edges are browned, about 2 minutes.

Flip the patty and season with salt and pepper.

Cook for approximately 2 minutes on the second side and then remove from heat when patty reaches 160 degrees F as measured by a meat thermometer. Place on a cooling rack placed over a plate or sheet pan. Repeat process for all burger patties.

Add the halloumi cheese directly to the pan with the burger drippings and cook for two minutes on just one side. Remove from the heat and place on the burger patties. Let rest for two minutes.

While resting, combine the mayonnaise and the harissa and blend with a fork.

To build, place one leaf of lettuce on the bottom half of the bun and then place the burger patty with halloumi on top of that. Add pickles and a big dollop of the harissa mayonnaise and then a second lettuce leaf. Top with the bun top. Repeat for each burger. Close sandwiches.

GRILLED OR STOVE TOP CLASSIC BEEF CHEESEBURGERS Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 1 lb. ground beef (93% lean or leaner) 1½ tsp. steak seasoning blend 4 hamburger buns, split 4 slices cheese (such as Cheddar, American, Swiss, etc.)

4 lettuce leaves 4 tomato slices Toppings: ketchup, mustard, onion slices, pickle slices (optional) Combine ground beef and steak seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.

Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees F, turning occasionally.

About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut sides down, on grid. Grill until lightly toasted.

During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese slice.

Stove Top: To prepare on stovetop, heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet; cook 12 to 15 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees F, turning occasionally.

Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef.

Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Color is not

SMITH LAKE SMALL BATCH LUMP CHARCOAL Rodney Sanders and Todd Scott Hickory, oak, pecan or cherry wood Metal trash can with lid Cut wood of choice into 6 inch pieces that are about 4 inches in diameter. Place the pieces of wood in the can and cover it with the lid.

Arrange wood for a fire and place rocks around the edges. Place the trash can on rocks and start the fire. Build a fire around the metal can. Keep the fires going for 15 hours, adding wood to the fires.

Let the fire die down during the night. Do not open lid until time is finished and is cool.

A13 July 1, 2021

Justice In the Church Christ is everything.

Here’s some things the text suggests in regard to justice: 1. Justice has to do with how we treat "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40, 45). Taking care of the widow who was really

By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th in need was taking care of "the least of these." In Street Church of Christ Scripture, the widow, the in Opelika orphan, and the foreigner represent the spectrum of marginalized people. The y providing fichurch, as much as it is nancial assistance in its power, is to ensure to widows who justice, mercy and faithwere in need, the church fulness is experienced by at Ephesus was fulfilling them all. Anything less, a vital part of its mission means a lesser church and (1 Timothy 5:3-16). The a lesser reflection of God church as the body of to the world.

Christ is to practice jus2. Justice begins in the tice, mercy and faithfulhome and family. The ness (see Matthew 23:23). situation at Ephesus was When this is done, people that apparently there were are able to live and thrive people who, if not pushin community. In the ing for it, were at least kingdom of God, everyokay with the church takone is someone and Jesus ing care of a widow who

B

CHURCH CALENDAR CHURCH OF CHRIST The church at Cunningham Drive are 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

was part of their biological family (v. 3-8). Catch the irony—they wanted to church to live up to being just and doing the right thing—even though they weren’t. Sometimes the people calling the loudest for justice are those who have practiced it the least.

Justice in the church and justice in the world begins with justice in our homes and families.

That’s why the qualifications for church leadership (3:1ff) have so much to do with marriage and family. If you want to change the world that’s noble, but make sure you start with your home and family. You cannot be pro-justice and anti-family.

3. Justice is a two-way street. The church was accountable for supporting widows who were really in need, but the widows were also accountable for

meeting the definition of being in need as well as in reference to their character (v. 5, 9-10). Working for justice meant both sides had something to do. We would have a lot more justice in the church and in the world if people on both sides of an issue recognized this and were willing to make themselves accountable to what they needed to do.

4. The goal of justice is to do what it true, right and good—not to make everyone happy. As Timothy implemented Paul’s instruction, it’s doubtful that everyone at Ephesus was happy. There was probably a family or two who would rather have had the church take care of their grandmother than them. It’s not hard to imagine there was a widow or two in their late fifties who thought the sixty-year-old cut

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN off was arbitrary (v. 9).

Nonetheless, Timothy was doing the right thing.

Those who didn’t like it disagreed with God. 5. Justice can be a powerful witness. In Acts 6:1-6, Luke tells us a problem that faced the early church in Jerusalem. There was a certain group of widows who were being overlooked in the food distribution.

This was a justice issue and wise leaders looked into the situation and delegated authority to men who were equipped the handle the situation.

These men did what they were appointed to do and the church didn’t just move on—”the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (v. 7).

The way they handled the situation was a powerful witness to the world around them!

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

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

— Proverbs 3:25-26 Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc 28 Sanford AvE., Opelika 334-745-0210 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 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary

Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487 Green Chapel Missionary 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 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church

5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.d.a. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OPELIKA The following are held in-person and online on Sundays: Traditional Service in The Worship Center at 8:30 & 11 a.m.

Contemporary Service in The 3:16 Center at 9:45 a.m.

Evening Service in The Worship Center at 6 p.m.

Watch services online at fbcopelika.com.

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

A14 July 1, 2021

The People Who Colored the Way I Think

WALT ALBRITTON

S

everal people colored the way I look at life. Some touched me with lovely pastel colors, calling forth in me a gentleness long ignored and slow to develop. Others stroked me with vivid colors that created an intense enthusiasm for life. Still others, like my Daddy, stroked me with bold colors that birthed a driving ambition to make a difference with my life.

“Daddy” was what I called my father for 50 years. I never called him “Father.” To me and my siblings, our parents were Daddy and Mama. In later years, until he passed away at age 93, Daddy’s name became “Papa” in our family. I rejoiced to learn that when Jesus prayed, he addressed God as “Abba, Father.”

The word “Abba” was a colloquial term, used

by Jewish children, that is best translated as “Daddy” or “Papa.”

Frankly, that melts my heart.

Daddy painted my life by being the person he was – a pillar of strength – in our home. He influenced the way I see life by the power of his example – by the way he lived life.

He was a strong man.

He worked hard all day, all his life, from sunup until sundown. There was not a lazy bone in his body. Few things could deter him when his mind was made up.

When the cows needed feed on a winter day, stormy weather never slowed him down.

His routine seldom wavered. Bedtime was 10:30 p.m.. He arose at 4:30 every morning, determined not to “burn daylight.” Even in retirement, he got up at 4:30 to drink coffee, prepare breakfast, listen to the weather on the radio and read The Upper Room and his Bible.

Growing up in that environment gave me a strong work ethic. Never sleep late. Get up. Get at it. Keep at it until what needs to be done

is finished. That attitude was engrained in me as a child.

Daddy’s honesty influenced me. He was a man of his word. He meant what he said and he expected the same from others. He had no patience with liars.

In my teen years I discovered that Daddy had a good reputation.

I was never ashamed to be known as his son. In those growing up years I was called “Walter Junior.” People trusted Daddy. I felt proud to be his son. I never heard a person speak ill of Daddy.

Family was important to Daddy. We ate our meals together at a table that he built, and we never began eating until he had offered a prayer of thanks. As little children we were taught

to honor God for His provision.

I have observed some children speak disrespectfully to their mother, even sometimes implying that she was stupid. Such contempt nauseates me and Daddy is responsible for my attitude. He did not tolerate disrespect for Mama. My siblings and I learned there was a price to pay for “talking back” to Mama. My sons will tell you that I followed Daddy’s example by insisting that they treat their mother with the utmost respect.

Daddy seldom talked about his faith in God; he just lived it. One of my first books was a book of Bible stories filled with pictures.

Though my interest was more in Tarzan

and the Lone Ranger, Daddy and Mama made sure I also knew about Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Unless “the ox was in the ditch,” we went to church every Sunday. Alcohol and tobacco were off limits.

Like all of us, Daddy was flawed but his strengths outnumbered his weaknesses. In my middle years I began to realize how his strong example had shaped my attitudes. Now, it gives me great joy to remember fondly the many ways Daddy colored my life and the rare privilege of having been his son. So you will not be surprised to know I pray often that one day my sons will be thankful for whatever ways my example has colored the way they look at life.

Jehovah’s Witnesses to Hold Global Virtual Event Contributed by Dana Thomas “Powerful

by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which will be delivered in more than 500 languages to

households throughout the world over six weekends during July and August 2021, uniting 15 to 20 million people in 240 countries. Since the convention

is typically held from Friday through Sunday, the program will be available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions.

Public Memorial Planned for Crash Victims

By Michelle Key Publisher The Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch announced a public memorial service

Herman Stillwell Herman Stillwell of Opelika was born to the late Monroe Benjamin and Opal Baker Stillwell on March 11, 1940, and passed away at Bethany House on June 22, 2021.

He was 81 years old.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donal and Jackie Stillwell.

Herman was a committed Christian and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Opelika.

He was formerly a member of Trinity United Methodist where he taught the New Life Class for 35 years and ministered to senior high youth for 14 years.

Herman is survived by his wife, Becky Stillwell, daughter, Carol Stillwell Pridgen (Keith), grandchildren, Trace Pridgen (Annie), Cade Pridgen. Also special son, Greg Morrison (Diana), as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Visitation was held on Friday, June 25, in the

has been planned to honor the lives of the eight children that were killed in a traffic accident on June 19 on I-65 in Butler County while returning from

Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m.

Interment was from 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Garden Hills Cemetery, followed by a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Opelika.

Martha Irene Thompson Smith Martha Irene Thompson Smith passed away at home on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 96 years of age. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd P. and Lorene Dixon Thompson and her husband, Harvey M. Smith.

She is survived by her son J. Frank Reed Jr. and his wife Tena, daughters Donna Creekbaum, Gloria Vance and sonIn-Law, Robbie Vance, a grandson, Curt Vance and wife Tracie and a granddaughter Trent Mathis and her children, Cameron and Reagan.

She was a long time

their annual summer vacation trip to the beach. Ranch Director Candance Gulley lost two of her children, Ben and Isabella, as well as two nephews, Josiah

Adam and Nicholas Paul Dunnavant. Only one of the teen girls that was a resident at the ranch has been identified.

Seventeen-year-old Dana Marie Norman

OBITUARIES

member of First United Methodist Church of Opelika where she met a very special pastor and spiritual friend, Rick Lane.

Frank and Tena wish to thank Ivy Creek Hospice of Dadeville, Alabama and two very special caregivers, Sara Kittrell and Diane Mann.

Her family would also like to thank Becky and Elaine and all staff at Morningside.

Visitation was held on June 30, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home and a graveside service followed at 11 a.m. in Garden Hills Cemetery.

Winfred E. Quinton Winfred E. Quinton, 71 of Opelika, passed away at his home on Friday, June 25, 2021.

He was born on Oct. 17, 1949 in Sylacauga, Alabama. Known to many as Wimp, he was a graduate of Opelika High School and a member of the varsity wrestling team. Winfred rodeoed

much of his early life. He steer-wrestled and calf roped. It was at a rodeo that he met his wife Angie.

Once married, Winfred began working for the city of Opelika with the Fire Department where he retired from after 36 years of service. Winfred always loved the rodeo but also became involved working on pit crews for different stock car teams for ARCA and NASCAR in the 90s-2000s. Winfred was a hard worker always working two jobs to provide for his family.

He worked many of his early years at Youngs Incorporated then was employed by Bobby Parker at Parker Grassing, Inc. where he worked until recently. His grandchildren were his joy and he spent many afternoons with them riding the golf cart and walking his dog Blue.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Angie, his two children, William Quinton (Angel) of Opelika, and Elizabeth Carpenter (Jason) of Smiths Station, Alabama.

Three grandchildren,

was from Madison County. All four girls attended Reeltown High School.

The service will be held on July 15 at 1 p.m. at Church of the

Highlands – Auburn East, which is located at 2001 E. Samford Ave. in Auburn. The Celebration of Life Service is open to the public and all are welcome.

Steven and Jacob Knight, and William Quinton.

He is also survived by a sister Virginia Waldrip (David) of Opelika as well as many other relatives including in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Merron and Juanita Quinton.

Winfred was a faithful member of Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard.

Visitation was on Monday, June 28 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m.

The funeral service was on June 29 at Providence Baptist Church (West Campus) at 2 p.m. with a burial following at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on his behalf to Providence Baptist Church.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.

Arnold Emmanuel Manning of Opelika was born in Auburn, Alabama on Sept. 14, 1935 and passed away at East Alabama Medical Center on June 24, 2021. He was 85 years old.

He was preceded in death by his son, Emmanuel Manning; parents, Emily and Willie Manning.

Arnold is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathy Faye Manning; children, Christopher Luttrell, David Manning, Tracy Mitchell (Nicole), and Joel Manning; granddaughter, Shelby Mitchell; six brothers and sisters, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation was held Sunday, June 27, 2021 in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home from 5 until 7 p.m.

The funeral service was held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m.

Monday, June 28, 2021 with Reverend Thad Endicott officiating.

Arnold Emmanuel Manning

A16 July 1, 2021

COMICS

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

S

By D. Mark Mitchell

Opelika Football Continues Fall Preparations

T

he Opelika High School football team continues to workout Monday through Thursday, preparing for the upcoming season. Head coach Erik Speakman, appearing "On the Mark", said over 100 players, including upcoming ninth graders, are gathering for conditioning during June. This is done in light of the AHSAA allowing teams to participate in "7 on 7" competitions at college campuses during June. The Bulldogs traveled to Troy University, earlier in June, for a 7 on 7 competition.

Speakman mentioned the following during the interview on “On the Mark" radio show on Fox Sports the Game 910-1310.

The quarterback position continues with four players vying for the starting job. JT Arnald, Jackson Bates, Bryce Speakman and Roman Gagliano are all in the running for the No. 1 spot.

The four quarterbacks rotate equally during workouts and will follow the

pattern at Tuesday's 7 on 7 competition in Gadsden.

Speakman said he would probably wait until fall practice is over before naming a starting QB. He mentioned the first two games, home games against Calloway and Auburn, would go a long way determining who will be the starter for the remaining games. Furthermore, Speakman said the secondary looks good but offensive line is unsettled.

Coaches are trying to find the best five lineman after losing last season's group to graduation. It may take a game or two before the offensive line is set.

The team will be off, Thursday (July 1) for a week. When the team returns, July 12, the focus will be on special teams. The Bulldogs have been working on offense and defense since summer workouts started.

Additionally in his interview, Speakman announced three new coaches who recently joined the program.

Adam Clayton and See SPORTS, page B4

Auburn: July 13 at 6 p.m.

Lee County: July 13 at 6 p.m.

INSIDE • OPELIKA SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

Opelika: July 27 at 4:30 p.m.

Bliss Earns Fifth All-America Honor From D1 Baseball PHOTO BY SHANNA LOCKWOOD / AU ATHLETICS

On the Mark

S

School Board Meetings

Contributed by AU Athletics

Junior shortstop Ryan Bliss earned his fifth All-America honor of

the 2021 season as he was tabbed Third Team All-America by D1

Baseball on Monday.

See BLISS, page B6

Jared Harper Set to Host Camp at Lee-Scott Academy

By Maddie Joiner For the Opelika Observer Former Auburn guard Jared Harper is returning to The Plains this summer to host the inaugural Jared Harper Basketball Skills Camp. Camp will be at Lee-Scott Academy July 6-8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration costs $225.

Boys and girls ages 8-16 can attend Harper’s program, regardless of their basketball skill level.

Camp will sharpen players’ fundamental skills and better their skills at the wing, guard or post position.

The official website says, “Jared and the coaching staff will offer tips and hands-on

instruction, including lectures, fundamental basketball skills stations, contests and scrimmage games in a high-energy, fun and positive environment.”

Harper’s inspiration for the camp came from professional basketball player Damian Lillard, who hosted programs that Harper attended.

“I went to his camp a couple years ago just when I was working out with him and being able to be there and see him involved in the camp and all the things he was doing, even himself helping the kids was great so it was definitely something I wanted to even do myself,” said Harper.

Harper chose Auburn

for the location of his camp because he sees the city as home.

“The city of Auburn

has always been special to me,” Harper said.

See HARPER, page B2

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B2 July 1, 2021

Girls STEPS Inc. Letter to the Editor The Gordo Ranger to Host Girl Boss Program July 13-15 T

By Maddie Joiner For the Opelika Observer Is your daughter interested in entrepreneurship? If so, then the Girls S.T.E.P.S Inc. Girl Boss Program is for them. The Girl Boss Program is for girls grades 5-12 who are interested in learning how to start their own business.

The program will take place July 13-15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location has not yet been decided.

Tiffany Gibson-Pitts, president and CEO of Girls S.T.E.P.S said in an email, “Girls will create a business plan, learn how to reserve a name with the state and acquire a business license, be exposed to marketing strategies, insurance needs and learn about business credit and loans.”

The program will be led by several experts in various business topics. The different topics will be discussed by each leader during their session.

Gibson-Pitts created this program to help girls jump into the world of entrepreneurship, which is a mostly male-dominated area.

“It's important that we expose girls to this opportunity at a young age to let them know that they, too, can own a business,” she said. “Starting with a business plan, we will

set the foundation for their business as it lays out their vision and goals.”

During the pandemic, Gibson-Pitts noticed how many people were starting businesses. She also noticed which ones lasted through the pandemic and which ones did not. Gibson-Pitts noticed some businesses were lacking something super important – foundation.

“If there's no foundation, the longevity of that business continuing is at risk,” she said. “Our goal is to assist young girls with creating an actual business plan and educate them on all that's needed to effectively run a successful business. They need to know what resources are available to them and how to go about taking advantage of them.”

At the end of the program, participants will pitch their

business idea in the “Shark Tank Finale”, to the four sharks, who will be local female entrepreneurs. The winner will be awarded a financial contribution to start their business.

This is the first year of the Girl Boss program and Gibson-Pitts is excited to see the participants become young entrepreneurs.

“I hope that the girls gain a better understanding of what it takes to start a business and how to keep it af loat. I also hope that participants become more comfortable and confident with their public speaking skills,” Gibson-Pitts said.

For more information regarding the program or to register, visit www. gstepsinc.org/. Keep an eye out on the Girls S.T.E.P.S Facebook page for the location announcement.

he Lone Ranger: “If we ride together, we ride for justice.”

Tonto: “Justice is what I seek, Kemosabe.”

The Gordo Ranger: “Each life has a beginning, middle and an end.

What’s important is not how long but how deeply and fully we live.”

Kemosabes: “Your model of a full life is what we seek, Kemosabe.”

David Housel may well be our last, I hope not, Lone Ranger. Let’s call him, The Gordo Ranger. In "From the Backbooth at Chappy’s" his 113 kaleidoscope pieces of reminiscences, constitute the telling of a full life, resplendent with tales of justice, fairness, goodness and good sense, each and all in the warmth of a life full of kemosabes, including The Lone Ranger.

The collection includes some athletics, not as much as you might expect. And, each ball story is a human-interest story, not wins and losses.

There is some politics.

Politically, David, seems to me, is clearly a flaming moderate, although some have charged him with being a liberal and some a conservative.

Proves my point. He cares deeply.

And, of course, included in the work is Gordo and the Green Wave – two words, Momma and Daddy and Gramma, favorite people – many, first love Annette Funicello and Auburn University, among a string of other

pieces on various topics and personalities. All deeply human-interest stories. Well, there is some preaching. He has some opinions.

However, the real story, the compelling story, the story that is right out of Flannery O’Connor, makes up sixty-nine, sixty-one percent, of the one hundred and thirteen telling moments of a full life.

Flannery O’Connor is one of many southern authors whose works have been haunted by southern religion. She writes, “While the south is not Christ-centered, it is most certainly Christ-haunted.” From O’Connor to Faulkner to many, if not most of the great southern novel writers, the Christ story, in all of its complexity and simplicity, infiltrates, sometimes overtly and oftentimes covertly, the telling. David is a southern writer.

There are well over fifty, I lost count with the duplications, biblical text references—OT and NT, allusions to religion, the church, salvation, the soul, prayer and, of course to God and Jesus, and Abraham, Moses and St. Paul, as well as Adam, Eve, Mary, Pilate and Barabbas.

The two quotes following the dedication page are both of saints and sinners and beliefs.

The titles, “Through a Glass Darkly” and “It’s Okay to get Mad at God” and “Lord, Gawd, Dave” and “Frustrated Jesus” to “Buddy Have a Drink” and “Running Naked

through the Street,” are all “religion” stories, some biblical. Even the non-religion-haunted pieces include the spirit of religion in tone and tenor, warp and woof.

Yes, David is a southern writer.

This major set of David’s reminiscences reflect his theology. As with his political character, David, to me, seems to be a religiously flaming moderate – caring, loving, forgiving, sensitive, mostly nonjudgmental. He cares deeply.

He quotes Archibald MacLeish, “Religion is at its best when it forces us to ask hard questions of ourselves. It is at its worst when it deludes us into thinking we have all the answers for everybody else.”

In the thematic finale, David writes about “imperfect people, people like us, living in an imperfect world, doing the best we can.” Living the full life. He quotes my good friend, Dr. Seuss.

“Don’t cry because it’s ending, smile because it happened.”

“From the Backbooth at Chappy’s” is a good read. More importantly, it is a compelling, funny, warming and profound accounting of each of our lives – the good and the bad, the joys and the sorrows, the people who have touched and shaped us and make life full.

Friends make life better, Kemosabe.

Gerald W. Johnson Auburn University Emeritus Professor of Political Science and Kemosabe

Valley Haven School in Eastern Alabama Receives Grant Contributed by Kindred Healthcare The Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity, an initiative of Kindred Healthcare, LLC, last week awarded a grant of $1,000 to Valley Haven School, a not-for-profit located in eastern Alabama that provides education, training, special instruction and other services to individuals who are

intellectually disabled and/or developmentally delayed.

“We are thrilled to offer our support to Valley Haven School, which provides a safety net of sorts for the developmentally and intellectually challenged in the community who need specialized training and services,” said Deidra Byrd, senior vice president, chief employment counsel at

Kindred and member of Kindred’s Inclusion and Equity Council, which oversees the Institute.

“The school has provided these services for decades and we wish them continued success in helping everyone in their community reach their highest potential.”

Craig Brown, director

of Valley Haven School, said, "It is because of support received by great people and organizations like the Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity that Valley Haven has been able to operate for more than 60 years.”

Valley Haven School is one of several not-forprofits across the country receiving grants in the first round of funding from the Kindred

Institute of Inclusion and Equity, a fund established in 2020 to allow Kindred to invest in a broad array of notfor-profit organizations leading grassroots, community efforts that can affect real change.

These efforts include causes related to healthcare disparities, gaps in the education system and social services within the cities where Kindred team members

live and work.

The Kindred Institute encourages Kindred employees – working at hundreds of locations across 36 states – to identify or nominate organizations in their communities doing the kind of work that helps those in need in underserved areas. The Institute is part of Kindred’s

HARPER >>

and hopefully former Auburn players.

Harper’s former Tiger teammate Bryce Brown is set to come speak to campers and assist with camp.

Harper is excited for his first-ever basketball camp. He says he looks forward to giving young athletes advice to help in the long run.

He also hopes the Jared Harper Basketball Skills Camp is something he can start doing every summer in Auburn.

For more information or to register for camp, visit www.jaredharperbasketball.org/.

FROM B1

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“Going to Auburn, I knew the first time being there that I could see that as being home.

I’m so thankful for all the support that I’ve gotten over the course of being at Auburn and events after from the whole Auburn community.”

Harper’s former mentor Chad Prewett used to coach at LeeScott and got Harper connected with the school.

Camp will be led

by Harper with the help of assistants

See GRANT , page B3

B3 July 1, 2021

Preparing to Celebrate Independence Day

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

A

s we wrap up June and head towards July 4, there is a heartfelt expression I would like to extend from this early childhood teacher to Eric Carle, who was my favorite author and illustrator of children’s books. His birthday is celebrated on June 25. He passed away on May 23, 2021 at the age of 91. His brightly colored designed books have captivated children and adults alike. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?” are truly my favorites to read to young children, from infants on up. Children love the predictable

pattern of the content of his books. Young children love a variety of techniques for story telling of their favorite books, as well as allowing the child to dictate his or her own stories.

Carle’s books truly lean toward letting children interact with his stories.

Our local libraries have all his books for summer reading and enjoyment.

Carle’s books are favorites for us seniors, too.

In doing “Sit and Chats” with the elderly in assisted living and skilled care, I have used Carle’s books as conversation starters and oh do we all chuckle and relate. For instance, “The Mixed Up Chameleon” does new

GRANT

of Inclusion and Equity at www.kindredgives. com. Visit www.valleyhavenschool.org to discover more about Valley Haven School’s work on behalf of individuals with intellectual or developmental challenges.

>>

FROM B2 broader inclusion and equity initiatives designed to promote a more diverse and inclusive workforce. These initiatives include mandatory unconscious bias training, the creation of employee resource groups, changes in hiring practices and the launch of the Scholarship of Hope offering tuition scholarships to employees who are black, indigenous or people of color. You can learn more about the Kindred Institute

About Kindred Healthcare: Kindred Healthcare, LLC, is the nation’s leading specialty hospital company delivering acute health services in its long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, acute

and different things all at one time and tries to change and turn into everyone else but himself.

What a wonderful lesson to we Baby Boomers and seniors, teaching us to pace ourselves and not try to many different things all at once. Too, “The Grouchy Ladybug” speaks directly to seniors in that life may present challenges as we age, but the best attitude we can have is a positive one.

Children and adults alike learn that each day is truly a gift from God and that it is better to wear a big smile and to have a happy, grateful and loving heart. It makes those all around you and yourself have JOY. As Sunday approaches, the annual summer holiday celebration of July 4 is eagerly anticipated.

Don’t you just love the holidays? Each holiday — no matter what culture, family or tradition — provides many learning experiences for young children. July 4 offers so many fun learning activities for them and their families.

On July 4, we are celebrating the birthday of our country right in our communities and backyards. It is so important to celebrate the fact that a diverse group of people came together to form the United States of America. It’s also

important that we declared our independence on July 4. As we celebrate Independence Day, the colors of our flag — red, white and blue — seem to be our focal point. Red represents bravery; blue signifies perseverance; and white represents purity. These are three strong principles that our country is built on.

Here are a few ideas I’d like to share with you that I hope will help your July 4 celebration one to remember. These are simple: Make red and blue Kool-Aid with your child. Freeze the different colored drinks in ice trays or pans. Your young child will love putting red and blue ice cubes to his lips on a hot day.

Another simple food that young children enjoy is red and blue Jell-O jigglers that can be cut into simple shapes. Young children love the bouncy texture of this child-favored treat.

Fun together time can be celebrated by baking simple sugar cookies, spread with white icing, and topped with blue or red sprinkles. Young children love to do this.

Too, having your young child help you make July 4 cupcakes with seasonal strawberries and blueberries

rehabilitation units and behavioral health line of business, all specializing in treating the most medically-complex patients.

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, and ranked as one of Fortune magazine’s Most Admired Healthcare Companies for nine years, Kindred’s mission is to help our patients reach their highest potential for health and healing with intensive medical and rehabilitative care through a compassionate patient experience. For more information, go to

www.kindredhealthcare.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Valley Haven School: Valley Haven School, located in Valley, Alabama, provides education, training, special instruction and other services for individuals – preschool and adult – who are intellectually disabled and/or developmentally delayed and who are not receiving these training services from any other local resources. Our early intervention and adult

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is not only a delicious dessert but a healthy one.

A variation of this is to sprinkle blueberries and strawberries into vanilla ice cream.

Build excitement with your young children by including them on July 4 picnic preparations. Color Styrofoam cups with red and blue stripes. You can do the same with decorating napkins. White paper plates make up an easy young child’s creation wreath as they color and scribble red and blue so it can be hung on the door to show your family is truly patriotic from the hands of a young child.

Share with them the different foods you are going to grill out, prepare or buy. With young children, make sure food is cut up in edible portions with your toddlers, twos, threes, fours, etc.

In many cities and communities, there are hometown parades on July 4. Too, you and your children can have a family July 4 by decorating bikes, tricycles, wagons or just marching around the house and yard with red, blue or white streamers. It doesn’t matter what you do, it is the time spent celebrating with your child that matters.

On July 4, when having fun in the sun, remember to protect your

little ones with suntan lotion, hats, being in the shade, etc. Also keep your children, yourselves and family well hydrated. Remember the bug spray in that little insects can make huge whelps to their young skin.

Playpens are so easy to tote as an infant’s bed or just a playpen. Spreading out blankets or quilts make it wonderful for toddlers to climb all around during the family’s festivities.

There are many fireworks shows in our community. Check in the newspapers for those times. Be aware to the fact that young children are very sensitive to loud sounds. You might want to keep your infants and toddlers at a distance where they can enjoy the beautiful display of colors and not be frightened by the big booms.

Last but not least, be thankful and pray for those folks who protect our freedom by serving in the armed services. Many families in the community may have a family member serving in our armed services.

I hope these 10 simple suggestions create a child-friendly, happy July 4 for you and your families. Take advantage of what our community has to offer.

Happy July 4th!

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

Pictured is Amy Hayes (right), clinical coordinator of the EAMC Lanier Acute Rehab Unit, presenting a check from the Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity to Craig Brown (left), director of Valley Haven School in Valley, Alabama.

programs primarily serves individuals who reside in the Chambers

County and Lee County areas of eastern Alabama.

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B4 July 1, 2021

Cal Ripken 9U State Baseball Tournament Held in Smiths Station

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Florence Navy beat Phenix City, 8-5, to win the Big State Championship.

Sylacauga beat Muscle Shoals, 14-13, to win the Small State Championship. Phenix City finished second in Big State and Smiths Station finished third in Small State, losing in the semifinal to Muscle Shoals. Cal Ripken separates teams into Big and Small State based on their league sizes.

Both State winners move on to Regionals in Arkansas.

AR Workshop Offers Groovy Tie-Dye Summer Camp for Children AR Workshop is hosting a Summer TieDye camp for children in the local area. AR Workshop designed the Summer Tie-Dye Camp for crafty youth ages 7 to 14. The camp will take place July 5 to 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The cost of the camp is $195 per registrant.

AR Workshop currently has limited seats available and parents have until July 3 to register their children online at www.arworkshop.com/auburn.

Children attending the Summer Tie-Dye Camp will have the opportunity to create four “Do-It-Yourself" tie-dye projects over the course of the week. Project 1 will be creating a

SPORTS >> FROM B1 William Kayhill will work with the ninth graders, while Jamel Smith moves from ninth grade to the varsity to coach the secondary. Speakman said he will name a ninth grade head coach in July.

Opelika begins the 2021 season Aug. 20 against Calloway at Bulldog Stadium.

OPELIKA DBB ALL-STARS

tie-dye shirt; project 2 will be designing a tie-dye canvas wall hanging; project 3 will be creating a personalized tie-dye pillowcase; and project 4 will be constructing a tie-dye 12x16 plank sign. Camp participants will be able to customize and choose their project designs and paint colors from AR Workshop’s decor line of paints.

The Summer TieDye Camp is “a great opportunity to learn new skills and make new friends while creating memories” said Kimeran Keahey, the owner of the Auburn AR Workshop.

AR Workshop was started by Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff in 2010. These two designers realized their business was taking

off and upgraded from a graphic design, party-styling DIY blog and Etsy shop, to “their own branded e-commerce platform and blog where thousands would visit and shop their online store for printable party goodies.” After six years, the women had clients and fans interested in hands-on workshops where they could learn skills from the expert designers.

AR Workshop’s website explains, “their dream of coming out from behind the screen to offer DIY workshops for home decor and other creative skills came true! The vision was to create an inspiring and charming boutique workshop that not only offers classes but sells

Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball League (13U and 14U) will host the State Tournaments, July 9 at West Ridge Park. The Alabama Junior DBB State Tournament consist of Dothan and Opelika. The two teams will play a best of three-game series to determine who advances to the DBB World Series. The Alabama DBB State Tournament features seven teams from across Alabama,

Dothan, Troy, metro Montgomery, Southern League (Montgomery), Lee County, Auburn and Opelika.

Opelika's 13U all-star team plays the Dothan all-star team, Friday, July 9 at 4 p.m. on field 2.

The two teams will play Saturday (July 10) 4:40 p.m. on Harrelson Field. The "if necessary" game will be Sunday (July 11) at 12:30 p.m. on Harrelson Field.

The 14U all-stars

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY AR WORKSHOP

By Maggie Caraway For the Opelika Observer

See AR, page B5

open their tournament, Friday (July 9), against Auburn at 6:30 p.m. on field 2. The winner of the Auburn/Opelika game will play Metro at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10.

The loser plays at 10 a.m. against the loser of Lee County and Troy.

The complete bracket is listed on B5.

Opelika's 13U all-star team: Sye Siggers, Wes Grant, Seth Hammock, Jadin

Hancock, Brayden Tapley, Rooty Ward, Sam Smith, JJ Hood, Brady Blackstone, Levi Berry, TylerMark Bullock, Hunter Duval and Trent Tidwell.

Coaches: Jay Siggers and Mark Micheal.

Opelika's 14U allstar team: Jonathan Caufield, Noah Childree, Hunter Crews, Camden Dunson, Chris Floyd, Jaxson Gaither, Carter Green, Jackson Lee, Warner McDonald, Allen

Owen, Bennett Young, TJ Arnold and Landon Childree.

Coaches: Derek Lee, Michael McDonald, Allen Owens and Adam Crews.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director of iHeartMedia, the host of "On the Mark," 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.

B5 July 1, 2021

OLLI Instructor Receives NEH Award Contributed by OLLI

Local art historian Dr. Anne Leader and her research team at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities (IATH) have received a Humanities Collections and Reference Resources Grant for $299,000 from The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). In addition to teaching art history classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Auburn, Leader is a visiting fellow at IATH, where she and her colleagues are building an interactive digital research site on the connections between burial choices, family networks and religious and social affiliations in Florence, Italy. The project, called Digital Sepoltuario, links city and church burial records with the commemorative landscape and culture of premodern Florence.

Leader became interested in the memorial culture of medieval and Renaissance Florence in 2008, while studying tomb installations at the Badia Fiorentina for her 2012 book on the spiritual, political and social life of the city’s oldest Benedictine monastery. Why, she came to wonder, had a select group of patrons chosen to be buried in the Badia, rather than in their home parishes or in established family tombs at popular

burial sites like the Franciscan friary of Santa Croce, or the Dominican Santa Maria Novella? Archival tomb registries, known as sepoltauri, record burial rights and describe monuments in terms of their physical proximity to altars and to each other. Church officials maintained these records to keep track of burials on their grounds. Antiquarians later compiled individual registers into comprehensive sepoltuari as part of an effort to preserve the memories of churches undergoing renovations and in some cases demolition.

Enlightenment reforms aimed to remove burials to civic cemeteries outside city walls. The sepoltuari manuscripts are crucial evidence of the relationship between the living and the dead throughout the urban landscape of premodern Florence.

Florentine churches were covered inside and out with grave markers, mostly human-sized slabs in the floor, only a fraction of which have survived. The first decades of the 14th century saw explosive growth in personalized markers in the floors, walls and yards of city churches. Closely packed tombstones, memorials and decorated graves provided constant reminders of the transience of life and the urgent need to prepare for a good death.

Burial in the presence of sacred relics inspired prayers by the living

for relatively quick passage through purgatory on their way to heaven. But in addition to satisfying spiritual needs, these memorials announced Florence’s wealth and significance to both urban dwellers and visitors to Florence. The government commemorated civic heroes; churches, their most esteemed clerics; and individuals, themselves and their descendants. In spite of such legacies, children and grandchildren did not always choose to use the tombs of their ancestors but installed new monuments nearby or in a different church altogether. Family plots were sometimes sold, and churches remodeled or even demolished, raising questions about the spiritual well-being of Christians interred on their grounds.

While a manuscript sepoltuario describes tomb inscriptions, decorations, including coats of arms and changes of ownership, the Digital Sepoltuario built by Leader and IATH includes data about family, corporate and neighborhood networks and the employment, marriages and political service of the deceased. These broader socio-economic contexts shed light on the biographical details tomb patrons chose to include in, or omit from, their memorial inscriptions and help to explain individual burial choices.

Leader was appointed visiting fellow at

IATH in 2016 in order to make her database of memorials freely accessible online, and the project is now being developed in collaboration with IATH. The project has also received support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. The latest award from the NEH will support construction of a robust search mechanism, mapping features and an expanded dataset, thus allowing students, scholars, genealogists and visitors to Florence, whether in person or virtually, to explore and interpret the tombscape of this treasured UNESCO heritage site.

Leader will present a free OLLI — sponsored public lecture, “The Florentine Way of Death,” at the Auburn Public Library located at 749 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn on Aug. 18 at 2 p.m.

About OLLI:

OLLI at Auburn is a membership program for learning in retirement for adults 50 years and older. As a member-led, member-driven lifelong learning program, OLLI members participate in leadership through the OLLI Advisory Council and committees. OLLI is a program of Auburn University Outreach, Office of the Vice President for University Outreach.

Additional information about OLLI at Auburn is available at: www. auburn.edu/outreach/ olliatauburn.

About IATH: IATH is a research unit of the University of Virginia established in 1992. IATH explores and develops information technology as a tool for scholarly humanities research.

IATH provides Fellows with consulting, technical support, applications development and networked publishing facilities. The Institute also cultivates

partnerships and participates in humanities computing initiatives with libraries, publishers, information technology companies, scholarly organizations and other groups residing at the intersection of computers and cultural heritage.

Additional information about IATH and its sponsored projects is available at: www.iath. virginia.edu.

About the National Endowment for the Humanities: Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www. neh.gov.

Auburn Public Library to Host OLLI Lecture Series Contributed by the city of Auburn The Auburn Public Library is pleased to host a lecture series by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). All programs are free and open to the public. All lectures begin at 2 p.m.

July 14, “Buying French in Alabama” – Dr. Donna Bohanan will talk about the appeal of French design and decorative goods among Alabama consumers of the

early 19th century.

Bohanan is professor emerita in the History Department at Auburn University.

She is a specialist in the history of early modern Europe, and her research focuses on France during the 17th century.

Her book, "Fashion beyond Versailles: Consumption and Design in Seventeenth-Century France," looks at the consumption of household and decorative goods in a distant province of

France.

Aug. 18, “The Florentine Way of Death” – Dr. Anne Leader will present her award-winning research on burial customs in early Renaissance Florence, providing an overview of the memorial landscape of the city as Boccaccio and his contemporaries knew it. She will also discuss the ways in which Florentines reformed and renewed their interrupted memorial traditions. The

COVID-19 pandemic has upended cherished burial rituals worldwide and has renewed interest in the pandemic of 1348 that killed upwards of 60% of Europe’s population. Fourteenthcentury authors have become newly relevant as their vivid descriptions of the plague seem ripped from today’s headlines.

Leader is visiting fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced

Technology in the Humanities where she is developing Digital Sepoltuario, an interactive website that chronicles the memorial landscape of medieval and Renaissance Florence. She holds a History-Art History B.A. from Emory University and earned her M.A. and PhD in the History of Art and Archaeology from the Institute of Fine Arts (NYU). She was Rush H. Kress Fellow at Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University

Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, where she completed her monograph, “The Badia of Florence: Art and Observance in a Renaissance Monastery” (2012).

More recently she edited and contributed to, “Memorializing the Middle Classes in Medieval and Renaissance Europe” (2018).

For more information, email Library Events at libraryevents@auburnalabama.org or call 334-501-3296.

AR >> FROM B4

Note: If after game #11, there are three teams with one loss each, the team having played the most games will receive the bye in game #13. If two teams have played same number of games, they will draw for the bye. If all teams have played the same number of games they will all draw for the bye. th

unique and beautiful retail items.”

Now, over three years later, there are more than 150 AR Workshop locations across the country.

For more information on The Summer Tie-Dye Camp and other summer events, visit www. arworkshop.com, the @arworkshopauburn Facebook and Instagram pages or call 334-539-8057.

B6 July 1, 2021

2022 Auburn Gymnastics Season Ticket Renewal on Sale Now Contributed

by AU Athletics Auburn gymnastics season ticket holders from the 2020-21 season can now begin renewing for 2022. The deadline for renewals is July 16, while season tickets for new holders will go on sale the same day.

To renew, please log in to your account at www. auburntigers.evenue.net/

cgi-bin/ ncommerce3/ Get Apps? linkID= auburn&link Source= SR&call er=appList.

“It is absolutely refreshing to start talking about season tickets and the upcoming 2022 season,” said head coach Jeff Graba. “We have a phenomenal home schedule and with a tremendous incoming freshman class, I think this season will be very

exciting.”

Auburn will have five home meets inside Auburn Arena in 2022. Four of the meets are against teams in the Southeastern Conference, including rival and defending SEC champion, Alabama, and NCAA Championship Finalist, Florida. Auburn will also welcome Kentucky and Missouri, as well as

non-conference opponents to The Plains next season.

In addition, the Tigers will host a 2022 NCAA Gymnastics Regional in the Auburn Arena in April.

“I’m encouraging all season ticket holders to renew as soon as they can to make sure they have the best seats,” Graba said. “It’s going to be a full and fun year!”

Reserved chair back premium seats are available in sections 101-117, while section 118 will be reserved for the visiting team with remaining tickets in that section becoming available on meet days.

Reserved chair back seats in the sections previously stated are priced at $40. General admission seats are available in the upper level (200

level) for $20. Auburn faculty and staff tickets are $32 and will be in sections 101-118, while “Family Four or More” packages are priced at $30 per person and are available in the same sections.

For the latest on Auburn Gymnastics, follow @AuburnGym on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/AuburnGym.

Auburn Newcomer Earns Olympic Bid With U.S. Virgin Islands Contributed

by AU Athletics Auburn swimming newcomer Adriel Sanes will represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the USVI Olympic Committee announced this week.

Sanes, a graduate transfer from Denver,

was born on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands.

He just missed the Olympic B-cut time (2:14.26) in the men’s 200 breaststroke at the 2021 UANA Tokyo Qualifier meet last month, but was ultimately selected after surpassing the mark with a time of 2:12.59 in a post-meet trial the same day.

Sanes will be one of four athletes competing for the U.S. Virgin Islands in Tokyo.

“It’s just a huge honor and a great privilege to be able to go to the Olympics and represent the Virgin Islands,” he said. “And just to go to the Olympics itself, it’s something I’ve been working toward my whole life. I’ve made

a lot of sacrifices for it and put in so many hours in the pool, lifting. A lot of hard work went into this, and I’m glad it’s paying off and I made it. It’s a huge accomplishment. I’m very grateful.”

Sanes, who will swim the 200 breaststroke at the Olympics, set the USVI record in the 50, 100 and 200

breaststrokes in long course at the same qualifier meet last month. He also holds the country’s shortcourse record in the 200 breaststroke.

During the 201920 season at Denver, Sanes was named the 2020 Summit League Men’s Swimmer of the championship and was qualified to

compete in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events at the NCAA Championship before the meet was canceled due to COVID-19.

Sanes is the first current Auburn swimmer to earn a spot in the Tokyo Games.

He’s expected to arrive on The Plains in August following the Olympics.

Auburn Resumes Local Shopping Initiative: ‘AU10’ Contributed by Auburn Chamber The Auburn Chamber is pleased to announce its second year of partnership with Auburn University's Student Government Association (SGA) on the student discount program, AU10. This partnership is an effort to encourage students to shop local and support local businesses.

To welcome students back, the business

community may offer a 10% discount at the point of sale (excluding the sale of alcohol).

Students will be asked to show their student ID to receive the discount.

This program will run on Auburn University's academic calendar, and businesses will be given the opportunity to participate prior to each fall semester.

Participating

businesses will be given an AU10 decal for their storefront and a digital logo for their website, which will allow students to identify them as a participant of the discount program.

The Auburn Chamber has a webpage (www. auburnchamber.com/ community/au10-directory/#/action/Alpha/ value/ALL/cid/341/ id/4001/listingType/O) dedicated to the AU10 program and lists all

the participating businesses. This list will be updated for the 20212022 academic year.

Additionally, Auburn University's SGA will communicate program details through email and various marketing channels.

The deadline to confirm business participation is Friday, July 2. To confirm participation, email Crystal McKelvy at crystal@ auburnchamber.com.

Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity Cordially invites you to our 70th home

Dedication Ceremony for The Harris Family

at 829 Bedell Avenue, Auburn, AL on Saturday, July 17th at 10 a.m.

With grateful appreciation we recognize this home is sponsored and built by: McWhorter School of Building Science Auburn University Panhellenic Lee County Association of REALTORS WeHelp Coalition of Churches Publix Super Markets Charities City of Auburn Wells Fargo Home Depot BancorpSouth

Opelika Rotary Glynn Smith Chevrolet Buick Southern Union Mu Alpha Theta Budget Blinds Auburn Reprographics Archer Porta Potty Becks Turf Dennis Fussell, Builder Dr. John and Roberta Hand

Parking Directions: Please park at the Sam Harris Park on 850 Foster Street and walk to the ceremony.

BLISS >> FROM B1 Bliss has now been named First Team AllAmerica by NCBWA, Second Team AllAmerica by ABCA/ Rawlings, Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game/Rawlings and Third Team All-America

by D1 Baseball. A complete list of D1 Baseball All-America Teams can be found here: www. d1baseball.com/awards/ player-of-the-year-kevinkopps-leads-d1baseballall-americans/.

Along with his AllAmerica honors, Bliss has also been named ABCA First Team All-Southeast Region, Second Team All-SEC, a SEC All-Defensive Team performer and a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award and Dick Howser Trophy.

A native of LaGrange, Georgia, Bliss finished the regular season as the only player in the SEC to rank in the top five in average (.366), slugging (.664), runs (31), hits (48),

doubles (nine), home runs (10), RBI (30) and total bases (87) during league games. He also ranked in the top five in the league overall in average (.362), slugging (.643), hits (75) and total bases (133) during the regular season.

Bliss collected multiple hits in a league-best 26 of 51 games during the regular season, including 16 of 30 games in SEC play, and finished the year with a homer and another multi-hit effort in the Tigers’ SEC Tournament game vs. Ole Miss. His .365 average and 15 home runs are the most by an Auburn shortstop in the same season since Doug Gilcrease hit .386 with 17 home runs in 1982.

Bliss has played and started in all but two games during his Auburn career and is a .328 career hitter with 176 hits in 134 contests. He’s added 121 runs, 32 doubles, four triples, 20 homers and 99 RBI while turning in a .972 career fielding percentage.

B7 July 1, 2021

Pickleball Prowess PHOTOS BY ABBEY CRANK / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

Paddles were up and ready this past weekend for Opelika SportsPlex’s Paddles at the Plex. This four-day tournament brought over 350 pickleball fanatics from 13 states. Around 70% of competitors traveled 80-plus miles to participate.

B8 July 1, 2021

Dawgs in Training PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER Hosted by Opelika Parks & Rec, the Back to the Dawghouse football camp returned to Bulldog Stadium at Opelika High School this year. The free, June 26 camp was open to 4th to 7th graders in the greater Lee County area, with current and former NFL and college football players attending.

Participants received a free t-shirt, lunch, an autograph session with the players and plenty of football instruction and fun.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

July 1, 2021

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Inside the State House Privatization of ABC Stores Fails Again

A

STEVE FLOWERS

By Michelle Key Publisher Lee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Rita Smith recognized two EMA employees during Monday night's county commission meeting.

Billy Browdy was recognized for earning his Intermediate Certification and Austin Jones earned the recognition as “Rookie of the Year” by Alabama Association of Emergency Managers (AAEM), and for

earning his Basic Certification. Jones was nominated for his award

by Smith and other local first responders from Lee County.

“He is far from a rookie,” said Smith.

“We are so glad to have him.”

Smith was also recognized by Deputy Director, Chief of Staff for the State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Jonathan Gaddy for the completion of her certification as a Level Emergency Manager.

Smith was required to

complete this certification within two years of her hire date, however, she completed it in only 15 months. This training is recognized by Congress.

During the citizens communications segment of the meeting, four individuals addressed the commission.

First up was Regina Meadows who brought information regarding the CIRCLES program and some of its upcoming events.

See COUNTY, page B11

Ivey Signs Bill Affecting Municipal Election in Alabama PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. IVEY

lcohol was on the minds of many Alabama lawmakers this year as the legislature considered an abnormally high number of alcohol-related bills. Several of the bills passed.

Most notable was legislation that made it possible for Alabama businesses to deliver beer, wine and liquor to customers’ homes, and separate legislation that allows state residents to order wine directly from wineries, even if those producers are out of state.

One piece of legislation that did not pass was Senator Arthur Orr’s perennial bill to privatize ABC liquor stores. There are a number of reasons for Alabamians to be thankful this legislation did not pass.

First and foremost, the State’s General Fund Budget will benefit from the failure of this legislation. The proposed legislation would have resulted in higher prices, lost tax dollars, lost jobs and less enforcement of alcohol laws. For example, last year alone the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, contributed $314 million to the State General Fund and state agencies, according to information provided by the ABC Board. This is from taxes and the markup on liquor.

If you privatize liquor sales and close the ABC stores, much of this revenue goes away, even after considering the taxes generated by private stores. An analysis of the ABC Board shows a net loss of $95 million a year.

Another reason to be thankful the legislature refused to privatize liquor sales, is the fact that hundreds of state jobs were saved by the failure of this legislation. The ABC stores and the state warehouse are run by more than 875 state employees. Most would have lost their jobs, their health insurance and their retirement had the bill passed.

These employees go through hours of training to keep stores safe and prevent the sale of liquor to minors. Dollars and cents aside, if you look at this from a health and safety standpoint, Alabama is better off with state regulated ABC

stores controlling liquor sales than private retailers.

Speaking of private liquor stores, you can expect a big jump in their numbers.

If you consider all the grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail chains, such as Walmart and Target, along with the additional package stores that will pop up if liquor sales are privatized, liquor outlets in the state could increase from around 850 currently to more than 2,100. While there would not literally be a liquor store on every corner, it sure might feel like it.

Furthermore, studies and common sense indicate that the more stores you have selling liquor, which will come with privatization, the more liquor you are going to sell. More sales mean more consumption, and more consumption means more health and safety problems.

Alcohol is not just another commodity and buying it should not be as easy as buying milk and bread. Data from the CDC says 95,000 people die annually due to excessive drinking. No drug kills as many people each year as alcohol.

The good news is that under our current alcohol control system, Alabama fares much better than most states when it comes to alcohol consumption. As a state, we are among the lowest in liquor consumption and among the highest in revenue from liquor taxes.

Lastly, even if you look at privatization from a consumer’s standpoint, it does not benefit Alabamians financially to privatize liquor sales. As anyone who has gone into an ABC store and a private package store knows, private store prices are much higher. If you close the ABC stores, Alabamians are only left with the higher prices of private stores.

While the legislation to privatize liquor sales was well intentioned from a philosophical standpoint, we should be thankful our legislature looked at the bigger picture. The state has little to gain, but a lot to lose by closing ABC stores.

The ABC Board is a valuable state agency, and the ABC stores provide a great benefit to our state in tax revenue, hundreds of state jobs and lower prices for Alabamians.

I have known ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson a long time. I know he runs a tight ship and it would be a shame to wreck it, so let’s hope privatization of liquor sales is dead for good.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature.

Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.

Lee County EMA Director, Staff Members Recognized

On Tuesday, June 22, Governor Ivey hosted a ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 119, which revises municipal elections in the state.

Specifically, the new law moves roughly 97% of municipal elections off the presidential cycle, moves the qualification of candidates from July to June, shortens the run-off time from six to four weeks and requires the clerk to file a copy of each certificate of election with the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) and Secretary of State.

The legislation was endorsed by ALM and sponsored by Senator Jabo Waggoner, R - Vestavia Hills, and Representative Jim Hill, R - Odenville.

Pictured from left to right: Greg Cochran, ALM executive director, Baker Allen, ALM director of policy and research, Waggoner, Opelika Mayor and League President, Gary Fuller, Lori Lein, ALM general counsel, Kayla Bass, ALM director of external affairs and Bryan Parker, ALM director of governmental affairs.

NOW OPEN

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 July 1, 2021

Gov. Kay Ivey Signs Legislation Sponsored by Sen. Randy Price Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law three bills sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika), including a bill to establish a lifetime concealed carry permit, a bill to require the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to adopt guidelines for identifying and designating safer shelters throughout the state, and the Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act. Price released the following statement regarding the governor’s enactment of his sponsored pieces of legislation: “When I was first elected to serve in the Senate, I made a promise to uphold the rights of the citizens in my district, and these three pieces of legislation that have been signed into law are examples of me keeping my word. I will always stand up for what is right and fight for common sense legislation that will move my district and our state forward.

I appreciate the collaborative work that took place between my colleagues in the Senate and House to get each of these pieces of legislation

where they needed to be, putting the best interests of our people first,” said Price.

Price sponsored SB 308 which allows Alabamians to acquire lifetime concealed carry firearm permits and avoid the inconvenience of traveling to the local sheriff’s departments for frequent renewals. Representative Proncey Robertson (R-Mount Hope) carried the legislation in the House. This bill will streamline the permit process so it is handled in the same manner in each of the 67 counties rather than the varying processes that are currently in place. Oneyear and five-year permits will remain available.

“I want to thank Rep. Proncey Robertson for carrying SB 308 in the House. As your senator, I will work to advocate for and strengthen the protections of our Second Amendment rights. I will always fight to protect our conservative values and morals,” Price said.

The bill also allows law enforcement officers to better protect our families by providing them with tools to identify convicted felons and other

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334 749 0877 3051 Frederick Road, Suite 7, Opelika -

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� Circle of Excellence 2008-2011

MilhonA1r 2010 & 2011 & 2012 --------(between Sam:� Club and Tiger Town)

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. IVEY

Contributed by the office of Gov. Kay Ivey

individuals who were required to surrender their gun rights after judges ruled that they pose a danger to the public. A number of groups ranging from Alabama sheriffs, local district attorneys, the National Rif le Association and other gun rights advocates were consulted as the legislation was drafted and progressed through the process.

Their input was incorporated into the final version of the bill.

Ivey also signed SB 43 which helps local EMAs to create storm shelters across the state.

“I nor my colleague Representative Joe Lovvorn will ever

forget the devastation and tragic loss in Smiths Station and the Beauregard communities due to the deadly tornadoes that struck our state in March of 2019. Seeing this destruction first hand has stuck with me, and I wanted to do even more to help protect the citizens not only in my district but statewide during severe weather season.

Alabama is home to tornado outbreaks every year. This bill will help county EMAs to provide storm shelters across the state during severe weather. I want to thank Rep. Lovvorn for his leadership and carrying SB 43 in the House,” Price said.

This bill put specific guidelines in place for storm shelters across Alabama allowing county EMAs to create additional shelters.

The minimum guidelines include providing local EMAs with methods for notifying the community about safer places during severe weather events, providing an application process for those offering a safer place facility and requiring safer place facilities to satisfy building codes including a second exit, smoke detectors, and sufficient sanitary facilities.

Ivey then signed SB 39 which creates the Alabama State of

Emergency Consumer Protection Act. “I am also proud to have sponsored SB 39 which establishes the Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act. I have heard many horror stories of when a community is hit by a natural disaster, whether it is a tornado or hurricane, and it results in home repair frauds that occur way too often.

During this difficult time and situation, people are unfortunately taken advantage of and fall victim to home repair fraud and scams. This piece of legislation will hold those accountable and create criminal penalties,” Price said.

Under existing law, on a first conviction for home repair fraud, a person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, and on a second or subsequent conviction for home repair fraud, a person is guilty of a Class C felony. This bill creates the crime of aggravated home repair fraud to provide enhanced criminal penalties for home repair fraud committed for the repair of a residential structure that was damaged as a result of an event which was declared a state of emergency by the governor.

B11 July 1, 2021

No Place Like Home: U.S. Still Needs Local Political News Coverage

By Greg Markley

P

eople ask me why it seems national and state politicians are arrested more than local officials such as mayors and county commissioners. I can’t confirm that, but as a person who follows politics, I believe it is likely true. When teaching political science at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2016, I fielded that question. Here’s my tongue-incheek answer: “Publix.”

That’s right, the upscale supermarket chain! I use Publix as an example, as a prominent company who people can relate to. Local politicians live in our neighborhoods; they know they are being watched by voters. If an elected official shows up

COUNTY >> FROM B9 Peter Byrd requested additional information on a couple of invoices that are listed for payment approval. He also requested that the commission consider adding back more chairs to the commission chambers to accommodate those wishing to attend the meetings.

John Sophocleus addressed the commission, encouraging them to address the illegal dumping at the county’s dumpsters. He then asked for the commission to vacate their decision at the special called meeting

in a new Lamborghini, it might be legitimate (he inherited a bunch of money) or nefarious (lobbyists rewarding him for pushing certain bills.)

Public officials representing us in Montgomery or Washington, D.C. are less often under our microscope. D.C. especially has special-interest money available that could fill the Potomac River. Although local politicians are in the local spotlight more, news about them—good and bad—in local newspapers, radio and TV, has declined for years.

In a recent Politico column, “Why has local news collapsed?” senior media writer Jack Shafer identified a demand-side problem.

“When local reporting goes south, researchers tell us, political polarization, civic corruption, lower voter turnout, reduced civic engagement, even authoritarianism follow.” Shafer says local news is collapsing. Often, greedy publishers and online advertising titans like Facebook and Google are blamed, and for good reason. Yet, according to

Shafer the best explanation is that readers themselves have not responded to local news or asked for more of it.

When news by professionals in print and communications media is not available, Facebook articles on local issues such as still another quarry or an allegedly poisoned river, whatever, are passed along the internet as if they are true. Local “news” can quickly become full of rumors and conspiracy theories. Authors of posts are usually well-meaning, but most are not skilled in locating the truth or using critical thinking well.

In the 1970s and 1980s, I commonly heard workers pick up a newspaper and five minutes later say, “Well, I just finished the newspaper!” Back then papers had several sections yet these “readers” got done very fast. They must have just read headlines and looked at the sports photos! Just yesterday morning, I talked to a man who said “I never read the paper.”

He meant not the traditional paper, nor even

the online version. One wonders how much he knows from word-ofmouth or web pages about the city and state he lives in. Expectations have been dire for print papers’ durability since the late 1980s. Jack Shafer may be more pessimistic than everyone else.

“Even if you underwrote local news with taxes and philanthropy, and distributed it to citizens by subsidies, you’d still have to find a way to get people to read it,” he said. “Until some editorial genius cracks that puzzle, the local news quest will remain a charitable, niche project advanced by journalistic, academic and political elites.”

In “Local news coverage is declining and that could be bad for American politics,” Joshua Darr of FiveThirtyEight said people may not realize the wide impact of losing local political news. (538 is the number of Electoral Votes presidential candidates vie for.) “If local newspapers go away or are weakened beyond recognition, a real possibility

given their steep decline and Americans’ lack of awareness of it, we won’t just feel nostalgic—we’ll feel actual consequences.”

Absent from many small and midsize newspapers are “enterprise” stories. Those in-depth news stories cover topics beyond city council meetings and mayor’s press conferences. They take plenty of time and are often controversial. They can be positive such as identifying the need for another recreation center.

“Local political news offers Americans what political scientist Lilliana Mason calls a “cross-cutting identity; it connects partisans on a different dimension instead of further dividing them along party lines,” writes Darr. “When people read news about their neighborhoods, schools and municipal services, they think like locals. When they read about national political conflict, they think like partisans.”

In March 2013 while in Kansas doing research, I took a windshield tour of Emporia. It is there that Pulitzer Prize winning

writer William Allen White published the daily Emporia Gazette from 1895-1844. He was a confidant of U.S. presidents and a symbol of Middle America.

Now is a different story. Competition from the Web and contentious cable shows centered on national issues are turning consumers away from newspapers with local political coverage. William Allen White’s motto was: “The facts fairly and honestly presented; truth will take care of itself.”

That’s fine, but the hemorrhaging of readership is leading to fewer and fewer local political news.

To find out what your politicians are doing, you must go to Publix.

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 10 years. gm.markley@charter.net

on June 21 regarding the decision on trash collection.

Earnest Griggs spoke for the Lee County Recreation Board regarding the leasing of land in Loachapoka for a recreational facility.

Other Business: - Neil Cyriac and Wendy Swann gave a presentation on different options the county has for the use of the $32 million dollars that the county received from federal COVID-19 funding.

- The commission approved the minutes of the June 14 commission meeting.

- The commission

approved to ratify and approve claims and procurement and transactions.

- The commission approved the request from Ridge Grove Farms Subdivision to grant final plat approval.

- The commission held a second reading for a vacancy on the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board and voted to approve Stanley Tucker to fill this position.

- Loachapoka High School Principal Albert Weeden provided an update on the youth and recreation leagues in Loachapoka. The league will be providing both

tackle and flag football, cheerleading and tumbling, basketball, softball, baseball and t-ball. Weeden also presented the budget for the youth sports. Weeden was informed that the Lee County Recreation Board has funds already allocated for recreational expenses and he was encouraged to submit his budget proposal to the board.

- The Alabama legislature recently passed new laws creating seven new license types to be issued by the Alabama ABC Board. The commission moved this item to the following meeting.

- Erica Baker-Norris

made a request for reimbursement for educational expenses for an employee. The commission voted to approve this request.

- Lee County Administrator Roger Rendleman requested an amendment of the Gasoline Tax Fund 2021 Budget in the amount of $232,000 for the recognition of the excess proceeds from the sale of 10 dump trucks and the allocation of the same amount for additional equipment needs of the Highway Department.

The commission voted to approve this request.

- John McDonald, from the Environmental

Services Department, requested the commission to grant the chairman approval to sign an extension of the county’s animal control agreement with Animal Health Center and Opelika Animal Hospital for an additional year. The extension would take effect on Oct. 1, 2021, and end Sept.

30, 2022.

Commission meetings are held on the 2nd and last Monday nights of every month. The next meeting will be on July 12, 2021. Meetings are live-streamed and recorded and can be found on the county's website, www.leeco.us.

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED The Greater Peace Child Development Center is seeking applicants for the following jobs: • Child Development Center Director, • Kitchen Manager/Cook • Part Time Teacher For more information or to apply for these positions please email: alvena.williams@greaterpeacechurch. org or come by the Greater Peace Baptist Church office at 650 Jeter Avenue, Opelika, AL 36801.

HELP WANTED Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to fill the Fulltime 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 online at http://www.opelikaha. org/Default.asp?ID=123&pg=Employment+Opportunities HELP WANTED Auburn, Alabama homebuilder seeks an EXPERIENCED RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER capable of estimating materials and coordinating the construction of multiple homes concurrently.

Local project. No traveling.

Must possess good people skills, be computer efficient, and be capable of learning the use of scheduling and plan editing software. Building Construction or Architecture related degree/training or two years’ experience in a related position preferred. Email resume to carol@connerbros.com.

HOUSING AUTHORITY of the CITY OF OPELIKA 1706 TOOMER STREET P.O. Box 786 OPELIKA, ALABAMA 36803-0786 (334) 745-4171

JOB OPENING NOTICE DATE: May 12, 2021 1)

CLASSIFICATION:

Staff or Senior Accountant

2)

SALARY:

Depending on Qualifications

3)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

See Attached or go to www.opelikaha.org for job description and application

4)

PERSONS INTERESTED:

Submit resume and application with qualifications in writing to: opelikaha@opelikaha.org or via mail: Human Resources Opelika Housing Authority P.O. Box 786 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0786

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED (Please No Telephone Calls)

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE OR APPLICANT FOR EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION OR HANDICAP.

B12 July 1, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA FAMILY COURT: DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF HEATHER PADGETT, Plaintiff, v.

NICOLE MCGAHA PADGETT, Defendant CASE NO.: DR 2021-57 NOTICE OF DIVORCE ACTION NICOLE MCGAHA PADGETT, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer HEATHER PADGETT'S petition for divorce and other relief

by July 02 or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against her in Case No. DR-2021-57.00, in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Done this the 2nd day of June, 2021 Mary B. Roberson, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Jennifer M. Chambliss Samford & Denson. LLP P. 0. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Attorney for the Plaintiff Legal Run 06/10/21, 06/17/21, 06/24/21 & 07/01/21

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, July 1st, 2021, at 10:00AM

–––––––

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 07/26/2021 at 10:00 a.m. at 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 36801-5441, pursuant to subsection 32-13-3 of the Alabama Statutes.

GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

3D6WH48A68G137243 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 *TRUCK NEEDS ENGINE. GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 368015441 Legal Run 06/24/2021 & 07/01/2021

STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE DEFAULT having been made in the terms of that certain mortgage executed by Edie Hester to AuburnBank, which said mortgage is dated March 27, 2012, and recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Mortgage Book 3867, at Page 167, et seq and the said default continuing, and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the following-described real property will be sold at public outcry for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door of the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on Thursday, July 8, 2021, to-wit: Unit 16, of Building 5 in the Brookes, a Condominium at Auburn as more particularly describes in the as-built survey of the Brookes, a Condominium at Auburn recorded in Condominium Book 1, Page 176 and the as-built survey of Phase II, The Brookes, A Condominium at Auburn recorded in Condominium as recorded in Condominium Book 1-A, Page 646 and first amendment to Declaration of Condominium as recorded in Condominium Book 2-A, Page 89 and second amendment as recorded in Condominium Book 2-A, Page 109 in the Office of interest in the common elements, as set forth in Article II of the amended pursuant to said Declaration.

Said sale is to be made for the purpose of paying the mortgage debt and cost of foreclosure.

AUBURNBANK BY:/s/ Blake Oliver Blake L. Oliver, Attorney for AuburnBank Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 Legal Run 06/17/21, 06/24/21 & 07/01/21 ––––––– Extra Space Storage will

Adrienne Yates 1753 Roanoke Lane Auburn , AL 36830 Boxes, Totes Dexter Antorius Chamblis 166 E University Dr. k106 Auburn, AL 36832 Couch, chair, bike 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 6/24/2021 & 07/01/2021 –––––––

––––––– INVITATION TO BID 21019 Sealed bids for the construction of the New Police Department Training Facility shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, July 26, 2021, and then publicly opened and read aloud. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. 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.

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.

A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for 2:00 pm Thursday, July 8, 2021, for prospective bidders. The pre-bid conference will be located inside the City of Opelika 2nd Floor Conference Room, Opelika, Alabama.

After the meeting, there will be a site visit to the construction site.

Bid documents may be obtained from the City’s website at www.opelikaal.gov/Bids.aspx. Any technical questions should be directed to the Public Works Director at 334-7055413 located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him 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, PurchasingRevenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 368030390. Attn: New Police Department Training Facility 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 06/24/21, 07/01/21 & 07/08/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF MARK RALEY MORRIS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 21st day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 21st day of June, 2021.

JAMES N. DELAMAR, JR. Legal Run 06/24/21, 07/01/21 & 0708/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING

CASE NO: 2021-357 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of SHERRY WILLENE MCCAULEY, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Sonya Jananne Swindell on June 24, 2021 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 07/01/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF WALTER LEROY BOWMAN, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration with Will Annexed of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of June, 2021.

EDWARD EARL THOMAS, II Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF WILLIE G. SMITH, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 24th day of June, 2021.

KENNETH ROGER BLACK Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF PUBLICATION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA ELIZABETH MARTINDOWDELL V. GARNARD DOWDELL 43-DR-2020-000194.00 NOTICE TO: Garnard Dowdell must answer the Bill of Complaint for divorce filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, AL, within thirty (30) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Circuit Clerk located at 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 and with Hon. Russell K.

Bush (334)737-3733 or thereafter a final judgment may be rendered in the Circuit Court of Lee County, AL, for Final Judgment of Divorce.

Legal run 7/1/21, 7/8/21, 7/15/21 &7/22/21 ________ CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT July 13, 2021 9:00 A.M. MEETING CHAMBERS OPELIKA MUNICIPAL COURT 300 MLK BOULEVARD A. VARIANCE I. Approval of the June 8, 2021Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes.

1. William Reason, dba Certified Lighting, 2950 Pepperell Parkway, Requesting a 2.0 footcandle variance from the 0.3 footcandle maximum brightness allow at the property line for an internally lighted sign.

(This item tabled at June 8th BZA meeting.)

2. RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc., 1109 Columbus Parkway, Requesting a 3.5% variance from the 70% maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) requirement as stated in Section 10 Landscape Regulations of the Zoning Ordinance 3. Bill Williams, 1001 Old Columbus Road, Requesting a 10 foot rear yard setback variance from the 30 foot rear yard setback requirement in a M-1 zoning district.

4. Brian Lee, representative for Global Impact Church, 1107 Crawford Road, Requesting a 10 foot front yard setback variance from the 50 foot front yard setback requirement in a R-1 zoning district.

NOTE: 1. The City of Opelika complies with the American with Disabilities Acts.

2. The City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

3. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at ADA@opelika-al.gov or (334)705-2083.

Legal Run 07/01/2021 ––––––– IIN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH ANN VAUGHAN, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-337 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of June, 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.

JAMES DOUGLAS VAUGHAN Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345

Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21 ________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE DIVISION S.D.F.W. a minor child (DOB: 09/22/2020), Case No. JU2020-243.02 NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: William Henry, putative father, and any unknown putative father of S.D.F.W. a minor child, born at The East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama on 09//22/2020 to Cynthia Walker. 'The legal Custody of S.D.F.W. was vested in the Lee County Department of Human Resources on September 23, 2020. William Henry and any unknown putative father must answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of William Henry and any unknown putative father filed in the Juvenile Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at the Lee County Justice Center, 231l Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered in Case JU 2020-243.02 terminating his parental rights and placing the child for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Hon. Harold S. Patrick Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21, 07/15/21 & 07/22/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF JOHN WESLEY ELLIS, JR., DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 29th day of June, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Witness my hand and seal this the 29th day of June, 2021. JOHN WESLEY ELLIS, III Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07//15/21 ––––––– NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF EMERSON JOSEPH DUHON, Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2021-240 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of EMERSON JOSEPH DUHON are hereby granted to Sharon Lemoine on the 29th day of June, 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.

Sharon Lemoine Legal Run 07/01/21, 07/08/21 & 07/15/21

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B13 July 1, 2021

Smiths Station National Guard Soldier Receives New Rank, New Responsibilities Contributed by New York National Guard Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of

New York, announced the recent promotion of Ashley Appel, a member of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of her capability for

additional responsibility and leadership.

Appel is from Smiths Station and is assigned to the Intelligence and Sustain Company, 42nd

Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

She received a promotion to the rank of staff sergeant earlier this year.

Army National Guard

promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the

best qualified soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber citizen soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

Disasters Start, End at the Local Level Contributed by Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Alabama is no stranger to natural disasters. Since 1961, there have been 94 disaster declarations for Alabama by FEMA or its predecessor agencies. Many along the Gulf Coast vividly remember the impacts of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Last year’s unprecedented tropical weather and historic hurricane season affected the state in ways many of us have not seen in decades.

There were 30 named storms in the Atlantic Hurricane Basin. Two of those – Sally and Zeta — directly impacted Alabama, adding to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. When Hurricane Sally made landfall, affected communities got to work cleaning up and beginning the recovery process knowing state and federal help would be on the way. Alabamians know meeting a disaster head-on and coming out stronger on the other side is something that starts and ends at the local level.

Responsibility for disaster preparedness, response and recovery rests on each individual: Government’s role in a disaster is to provide support, not to be the first line of defense.

Homeowners and businesses lean on insurance

coverage, emergency savings, friends and the state’s capable workforce for help rebuilding. Whether this means putting a damaged roof back on after a thunderstorm or rebuilding an entire community after a hurricane, Alabamians are engaged in some type of disaster response every day. So, what separates a “big” disaster from a “small” one? In emergency management, we often remind people “If your house is the one destroyed, then this is your worst disaster” – even if yours is the only house damaged in the entire community. What distinguishes one disaster from another with regard to qualifying for federal assistance are the scale and scope of the disaster: the number of homes and businesses affected – especially those that are uninsured – as well the amount of funding required at the state and local level to repair damaged infrastructure. Even so, no matter what happens or what kind of assistance may be available, responsibility for disaster recovery ultimately comes back to each affected individual, family and community.

Disaster recovery is a team effort: Disaster recovery works best when it is federally supported, state managed and locally executed.

Execution at the local level is key to a successful recovery, and there

are always many local partners that come together to build a strong team. The most important partners are local non-profits and community organizations, including churches and faith-based groups, who are the backbone of disaster recovery. These home-grown organizations provide services that are tailored to the size and scope of the event – which is why it is crucial to support local non-profits and church groups with donations that build capability in our communities. Alabama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ALVOAD) is a coalition of voluntary organizations and partners. ALVOAD and local VOAD groups share knowledge and coordinate resources, such as money, materials and manpower, throughout the disaster cycle. ALVOAD is the primary forum used by organizations to coordinate activities with each

other before, during and after disasters, resulting in less duplication and gaps in service and better interagency cooperation.

Regional and state-level foundations and organizations, like the United Way, community foundations, food banks and food pantries, also frequently step in to provide additional resources in larger disasters and for those rural communities that may have a difficult time accessing social services. Lastly, national-level groups, like the American Red Cross, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Team Rubicon and The Salvation Army, can and often do provide help in very large disasters by deploying volunteers from around the country and, in some cases, providing assistance directly to disaster survivors.

It is worth repeating — disaster recovery starts and ends with

each affected person.

Unfortunately, not all of us have a strong personal support network.

Age, illness, disability, as well as being a caregiver to another person or being away from family and friends are all challenges that can make facing a disaster very difficult.

Our personal support network affects how we recover, and our first lines of defense are our insurance and savings.

If a home or property is damaged, insurance will soften the overall financial burden while savings covers the cost of deductibles so damage repairs can be made quickly. Every person’s situation is unique, and there is not a “one-size fits all” solution.

Lastly, the role of government in a disaster is to provide for public safety on a large scale and to help guide emergency assistance resources to communities as they begin the long road to disaster recovery. Most government-backed programs provide assistance indirectly: funds flow, for the most part, from the top down. Federal dollars go first to the state and then are passed on to municipal and county governments, and in some cases to non-profit organizations that provide government-like services such as our volunteer fire departments.

These programs help communities with the costs of debris removal, reimburse unbudgeted

disaster overtime costs and help to fund reconstruction of damaged public buildings and infrastructure. For individuals and businesses, disaster loan programs like those offered by the Small Business Administration and the US Department of Agriculture provide an important safety net, especially for businesses and homeowners who can’t easily access traditional loans. Ultimately, FEMA programs are the last line of defense for uninsured individuals and homeowners. It is important to understand that FEMA’s assistance is not designed to “make you whole” after a disaster and is limited to providing only enough funding and assistance to ensure someone has a safe place to live. There are caps on the amount of FEMA assistance available, and the typical amount paid to a homeowner in a disaster is usually less than $10,000, with an average payout of around $3,000. The FEMA program is very helpful for those who qualify, but no one should count on it: FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is only available in the largest, most devastating disasters.

Remember, government doesn’t connect with people — people connect with people.

The preparedness of our people is the real measure of Alabama’s preparedness. Are you ready?

Wreaths Across America Kicks Off Giving in July 2021 ‘Do Good Twice’ by supporting local groups in Alabama while sharing the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach

Throughout the month of July, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) will be featuring its annual Giving in July campaign — a month dedicated to the groups and individuals giving back in their communities while helping to share the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

Locally, groups like the Blue State Salute Foundation, Friends of Roselawn Cemetery, Ryan Wilson American Legion Post 911 and Veteran support group Three Hots and a Cot, are among those sponsorship groups raising funds through the sale of wreath sponsorships to support its efforts.

Since its founding in 2007, WAA has

partnered with hundreds of like-minded charities, community programs and civic groups throughout the country to remember and honor our nation’s veterans and active duty military all year long. Giving in July celebrates these groups and highlights the opportunity to ‘do good twice’ through the sponsorship of veterans’ wreaths through the organization’s Group Sponsorship Program.

Through the program, donations received in fact ‘do good twice’ because WAA gives back $5 of each $15 wreath sponsorship made to support the local group’s own mission, which include programs helping veterans, military families, youth and more in communities across the country. Through this national program, WAA has given back nearly

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Contributed by Wreaths Across America

$15 million in local contributions over the last 13 years.

“I have long said, it would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families and Teach the next generation the value of freedom, if we do not support other like-minded programs doing just that

in their communities,” said WAA Executive Director, Karen Worcester. “Our Group Sponsorship Program is a year-round effort, but through Giving in July, we hope to remind people that veterans and our current military serve and protect us 365 days a year and it is never too early to make a difference in your own community.”

This year, more than 2,500 cemeteries will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day, including nearly 20 participating locations in the state of Alabama – Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 – and more than 4,000 Sponsorship Groups are working in their communities to raises funds and awareness to honor the local

service members with the placement of veterans’ wreaths made of fresh Maine balsam.

About Wreaths Across America: Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www. wreathsacrossamerica.org.

B14 July 1, 2021

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B15 July 1, 2021

Local Businesses Are Hiring Looking for a job, either part-time or full-time? Lots of local businesses are looking for you, as well. From retail to service industry and receptionist positions, the Auburn-Opelika area is sure to offer you the job you are searching for. Local businesses with corresponding position offers and information are listed below.

Goodwill Retail Store and Donation Center - Hiring cashiers and merchandise processors as part-time positions.

Hiring immediately, paying $10 hourly.

Morning and night shifts available between the open hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Located at 3740 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika. Contact 334275-4815 for further information.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / OPELIKA OBSERVER

By Kinley Beshers For the Opelika Observer

Rob’s Ribs Searching for line cooks, cashiers and shift leads to start at the end of July.

Positions are parttime, generally with shifts from 5 a.m. to noon and noon to closing time. Listed positions’ hourly pay starts at $9. Located at 307 N. College St. in Auburn. Contact 334-209-1285 for further information.

Susie K’s Restaurant Looking for kitchen and front-of-house employees to be hired immediately, both full and part-time positions. Restaurant is open in the mornings and close at 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday and closed on Monday. Located at 1801 2nd Ave. in Opelika. Contact

334-737-6065 for further information.

Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers Looking for full and part-time jobs for kitchen and frontof-house. Potential employees generally hired within one week of applying. Shifts range from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located at 1006 1st Ave. in Opelika. Contact 334742-9655 for further

information.

Niffer’s Place Auburn - Offering open interviews Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Positions offered include hosts, line cooks and servers. Shifts divided between morning and night times.

Applications are in-store, available positions begin immediately. Located at 1151 Opelika Road in Opelika. Contact 334821-3118 for further information.

South College Veterinary Clinic - Searching for parttime receptionists and kennel technicians. A few shifts are available for employees throughout the day. Hiring immediately. Located at 151 Veterans Blvd. in Auburn. Contact 334821-3647 for further information.

Little Caesars Opelika - Generally hire immediately. Hiring kitchen

and management positions, full and part-time for morning and night shifts.

Located at 1515 2nd Ave. Suite C-1 in Opelika. Contact 334741-8989 for further information.

Papa John’s Opelika - Flexible hours offered to employees. Looking for full and part-time employees with pay being experience and position-dependent. Positions include drivers, inside workers and kitchen staff. Located at 2107 Pepperell Parkway Unit A in Opelika.

Contact 334-7417272 for further information.

Jefferson’s Opelika - Hiring immediately, in search of back-of-house or line cook workers. Morning and night shifts available. Located at 905 S. Railroad Ave. in Opelika.

Contact 334-7456927 for further information.

Auburn Police Division Announces Retirement of Police K-9 After years of service, Police K-9 Emily retired from the Auburn Police Division.

Emily, an 11-yearold Belgian Tervuren, served the Auburn community and the state of Alabama with distinction. During her seven years of service with the police division, she supported the citizens of Auburn by ensuring their safety during countless preevent sweeps and calls for suspicious items.

Emily worked with both local and out-ofstate agencies. In that

capacity, she located numerous firearms connected to various crimes, including capital murder and other items of evidence.

Because of her ability and training conducted by her handler, Sgt. Charles “Bud” Nesmith, K-9 Emily was successful in assisting in these cases.

Emily has almost 400 documented deployments supporting Auburn University Athletics, Auburn University graduations, NASCAR at Talladega, AHSAA Super 6/7 State Championship games and several other events around

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN

Contrbuted by Clarence Stewart— Auburn Asst. Police Chief

the state. She supported the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Bomb Squad during the governor’s

Contributed by Carolyn Morton The Samford Community Outreach fellowship group held its Fourth Annual Opelika Commnity Outreach Unity Prayer Gathering on June 26 at Christian Care Ministries in Opelika. This year’s theme was Unity and Power of Prayer based off the Bible verses

James 5:16 and First Thessalonians 5:17, which reads, “Pray without ceasing.”

Speakers included Lt. Ben Blackburn from the Opelika Police Department; firefighter Antavious Lipscomb from the Opelika Fire Department; Mary Hawkruiz, Lucile Gray and Marquenta Barnett from AuburnOpelika Moms

Demand Action group and Lee County NAACP Branch #5038 President Billy Allen and member Deborah Lowe. Lowe is the President of Religious Affairs.

The group expressed its thanks to the community for attending the event and showing love and support in the Opelika community.

Drug Enforcement Administration, CIA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and United

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CAROLYN MORTAN

Samford Community Outreach Holds Annual Prayer Gathering

inauguration along with numerous federal agencies including the United States Secret Service,

States Marshal’s Services Fugitive Taskforce.

Before Emily served the city of Auburn, she was deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once.

While deployed, she assisted military personnel in improvised explosive devices and weapons cache sweeps. Her service drastically improved the safety of our service members deployed to various arenas.

K-9 Emily’s career was devoted to serving the citizens of Auburn, the state of Alabama and the United States military.

B16 July 1, 2021

Piedmont Fertilizer Co. Inc. 201 2nd Ave. • Opelika, AL SINCE 1910

Nothing better for your lawn exists

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

“Our Mission is Your Health”

BEAUREGARD DRUGS

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• Drive Thru Only • Regular Operating Hours • Please Call Ahead on Refills to Avoid Wait

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

This week’s puzzle answers: