Opelika Observer 08-05-2-21 E-edition

Vol. 13, No. 43

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Opelika, Alabama

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'The Buck Stops With The Parent' PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER

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I think it should read rather, ‘Save the small group of wealthy property owners’ bottom line’”, Beams said.

He urged the council to vote for the ordinance.

“We cannot let a few slumlords throw their perceived weight around and intimidate us. In closing, I would encourage you all to be courageous and do the right thing.”

After all the comments, both for and against the proposed ordinance, the item was presented to the council for its vote. Ward 2 Council Member and President Pro-tem Erica Baker-Norris made a motion to table the item. Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch seconded that motion and the role was called.

Ward 1 Council Member George Allen voted nay, Baker-Norris voted yea, Ward 3 Council Member Robert Lofton voted yea, Rauch voted yea and Council President and Ward 4 Council Member Eddie Smith also voted yea. The motion to table the ordinance passed 4 to 1.

At the end of the meeting, Smith thanked the citizens that took the time to speak and said that they are listening. “I think tonight we saw a true form of democracy. I can tell you that when we came here, our See TABLED, page A2

Auburn City Schools has followed in Opelika City Schools’ footsteps. The Auburn Board of ducation voted last week to require face coverings for students during the first six weeks of school.

“With the priority of returning safely to fulltime, in-person learning on campus, I recommend the revision of the Auburn City Schools Fall 2021 Return To Learning Plan with the modification to masking requirements,” said Superintendent Dr. Kristen Herring. “… With respect for the position See MASKS, page A3

Opelika Main Street Launches Downtown Sculpture Art Exhibit PHOTOS BY HANNAH LESTER

The Opelika City Council voted to table an ordinance to create a rental registry during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Nearly 20 men and women who own and or rent property in Opelika gathered to present their thoughts on the proposed legislation.

Businessman, Kurt Hayley, delivered more than 500 signatures of people in opposition to the ordinance to the council.

Annie Jones also spoke out against the ordinance about how it is not the time to enact this type of ordinance.

“We have not been able to evict anybody in a long time,” Jones said. “I have a tenant that owes me over 10 months rent and you want me to come up with more fees? … We are in the middle of a pandemic and we just don’t have time for [this.] It needs to be tabled and have further discussion on it.”

Local attorney Marrell McNeal discussed how the ordinance criminalizes landlord conduct. Section 12.61 of the ordinance states that violations of the provisions set forth in the ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall

constitute a misdemeanor, and upon conviction of said misdemeanor could be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for no more than 180 days — or both. It also states that every day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense. McNeal discussed the extension of the eviction moratorium and how that could keep a landlord from removing a tenant from a property.

“In my experience in my law practice, it takes between a month and two months to get an eviction done,” he said.

“Each additional day is an additional violation. So in the 45 days it would take me to get a tenant off the property would result in $22,500 and [potentially] 22 and one-half years in jail under this statute."

Not everyone that spoke was against the ordinance.

Chuck Beams spoke in favor of it.

“We support this ordinance as a significant step forward for the city …

I think this is precisely what we need.”

He also spoke against those that were in opposition of the ordinance, stating, “I am amazed at the folks that stood up in opposition to this ordinance. I have seen the yard signs opposing [it.] The tagline of their movement is ‘Save affordable housing.’

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER

Opelika Tables Proposed Rental Ordinance

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA MAIN STREET Opelika Main Street officially opened an extensive public art exhibition Monday.

Called Industry On Track, the exhibit highlights four sculptures from across the nation. The 15-month juried exhibition features art from the following artists: Adam Walls, Gregory Johnson and Stacey Rathert.

The pieces exhibited were selected by the Opelika Main Street Design Committee from a wide array of different entries from across the nation.

“Public art helps create a sense of

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

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

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

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

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

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

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

TOS

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Which Way Home was created in 2014. It’s made of steel and this piece was inspired by my moving away from home. I’m originally from the Midwest, and it’s a long drive to get back home. So I’m always looking at my directions, looking at my map, so these are houses that represent family members, but they also represent directional arrows. You can interpret the piece however you like." -Stacey Rathert, artist

place in our downtown,” said Opelika Main Street Executive Director Ken Ward. “This exhibit will showcase a diverse array of art from across the nation for all in our community to enjoy.”

In addition to viewing the art, audio descriptions from each of the artists describing the inspiration behind each piece will be available on the Opelika Main Street See SCULPTURE page A3

A2 August 5, 2021

How do you spend your free time? Isabelle Watt spends hers making polymer earrings.

Polymer earrings have become a trend in boutiques and online shops — but Watt wanted to begin making things she wasn’t seeing while shopping. Her sense of style was underrepresented, so she decided to start her own company: Canyon Clay Company.

“The majority of the earnings I make kind of have canyon tones,” she said.

The earrings were only for herself, and for friends, for a while.

“I’ve enjoyed creating things that I find useful for my whole life,” Watt said.

“So for a while, I made a lot of watercolor cards that I’d give to friends and family and things like that.”

But one day, while visiting The Well in Opelika, Watt said some of the women noticed and liked

her earrings.

“A couple of the girls who worked there saw them asked where I had purchased them, so I started telling them about how I make them and how much I enjoy it and so they were actually the ones who pushed me into selling them,” she said.

Now, Watt sells her earrings in The Well.

The Well is a collaborative space on Avenue A in Opelika that offers everything from food and drink to experiences.

And the kicker of the business is that everything is own and run by women, including the products for sale.

Watt has only been selling her earrings since May. “I am very self-critical and I am definitely a people-pleaser,” Watt said.

“And so that was kind fo my biggest feat when I brought my first batch to The Well, I was like ‘what if people don’t like them and what if they’re not happy with them.’ And so I was really, really worried

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ISABELLE WATT

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Canyon Clay Company

about that in the beginning.

It kind of took a while for me to realize that they’re going to be perfect for some people and not other people’s style. And that’s okay because we’re all different.

That’s how it’s supposed to be.”

But that hasn’t been a problem, she’s already had to restock several times.

open Monday- Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Reservations are required outside of walk-in hours after 8 a.m. up to 8 p.m. The Well requests one hour notices ahead of the reservation time.

This is the 13th in a series of articles on the different businesses that are located inside The Well.

“It’s been interesting taking into account making some that are different styles,” she said. “Because I have a very neutral closet and things like that and so it’s been really fun getting to venture outside of what I might wear on a daily basis.”

The Well is located at 824 Ave. A, Opelika and is

“The first day that I went to restock they had almost sold completely out and I was absolutely blown away,” she said.

Hopefully in the future, Watt will be able to stock in other stores too, she said.

Right now, she is working on growing her Instagram (https://www.instagram. com/canyon_clay_co/).

Gun Shop Going on Five Years in Smiths Station Rodney and Kristie Stariha began their business by providing firearm transfers. Which grew to selling guns at shows and eventually opening a brick-and-mortar gun shop in Smiths Station.

“We started with just one table at a gun show and we ended up going from that one table in 2012 up to five and six tables by 2016,” Kristie said.

Flat Iron Arms is located at 9483 Mullin Rd, in Smiths Station.

One of the challenges the couple faced as they

TABLED >>

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plan was not to have this thing tabled,” Smith said.

“So we are listening.”

He asked that those who requested that it be tabled to not ‘go missing’ now that it has been tabled.

“If we are going to do this and gonna do it how, as you as landlords, want it to be done, then we have to have input.”

started their business was that the market for firearms is very narrowed.

“It took a year just to find a place [to have the storefront],” she said.

Eventually, however, they found the right spot in Smiths Station.

“My son was going to Philadelphia Baptist Church’s preschool and so I would drive by our future store every day taking him to the preschool,” Kristie said. “I just thought, that would be the perfect location, it’s got good parking, good traffic, smaller community.”

The store is going on five years now.

“Having the gun show experience and also

already having the four years of building up inventory helped a lot,” Kristie said of getting the business up and running.

The two considered continuing to sell at gun shows after the shop opened but doing both was too difficult.

“We tried to do it where he stayed at the store and I went to the show and somebody stole a gun … you have to have two people there watching everything.”

Having the storefront has allowed more customers to find them, Kristie said.

“Just being friendly with people,” was how the business found its customers

in the first place, she said. “… We have a pretty good following there.”

Kristie said that being located in Smiths Station has worked out well and that the community is

supportive.

“I have a real sense of pride in being a part of the community,” she said. “I like being able to make the donations to the different groups, the

different schools and the little league teams.”

For more information on Flat Iron Arms, visit the Facebook www.facebook. com/FlatIronArms.

He stressed that tabling the ordinance does not mean that it will simply go away.

“It is not going to go away,” Smith said. “There has got to be a way to monitor the number of rental properties that we have … and we don’t know what we have … we need to find out.”

Smith finished by saying, “Let’s get together and let’s get it fixed.”

In other business: - The council approved a

request from Opelika First Baptist for a Back to School - Fall Kick-Off Event on Aug. 8.

- The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for 1st Ave Block Parties on Sept. 18 and Dec. 11.

- The council held a Public Hearing for a Project Agreement with Hanwha Cimarron, LLC. After the public hearing, the council voted to approve the agreement.

- The council approved a request for a refund of occupational license fees for Ecological Insulation.

- The council approved a resolution to accept a donation and a proposal from GOVRED Technology, Inc. for an Apex Officer Training Simulator for the OPD. - The council approved an agreement with Mark Foster Co. for police and fire promotional testing for the Human Resources

Department.

- The council approved Tax abatements and exemptions for Hanwha Cimarron, LLC. - The council approved amendments to the CDBG 2020-2024 Consolidation Plan and the PY2019 Action Plan as well as the CDBG PY 2021 Action Plan.

- The council approved a grant application with ALDOT for an Industrial Access Road Grant.

- The council approved a

resolution to grant access of an easement to Judson H. Salter, Jr., Anna S. Asbury, CJCF, LLC and Hayley Investments, LLC. - The council approved a special appropriation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County.

- The council introduced an ordinance to authorize the exchange of real property to CJCF, LLC. This ordinance will be up for a vote during the next meeting to be held on Aug. 17.

pelika Observer

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

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A3 August 5, 2021

City of Opelika IT Director Stephen Dawe Completes Doctorate CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

The city of Opelika congratulates Stephen Dawe of the Opelika IT Department or recently completing his Doctorate in Management Information Systems from

MASK >>

FROM A1

and opinion of each student and stakeholder, I am committed to the diligent study of our school data, the data of our local community and the assessment of our safe return to school.”

Masking will only be required for the first six weeks of school, seven weeks from the date the mandate was instituted.

Then, the data will be reevaluated, Herring said, and she will present another report to the board on Sept.

14.

Twenty-five parents and students spoke during the meeting. The majority were against the masking requirement, though two spoke in favor of masking.

One parent said she was concerned with how the requirement would be enforced. Another said he wanted to know what data was being utilized to make the decision.

The majority were concerned with freedom of choice and parental autonomy over their children.

“What I’m asking this for is to not overreach,” said one parent, Rod Burkey.

“Don’t be the overreacher.

Be the ones that can make a decision today that’s going to satisfy everybody. You have that opportunity. You can make a decision. You can leave it up to us as the parents …

"Don’t take away our parental autonomy. That’s a God-given right, to be able to have the opportunity to decide what is best for my children. I’m the only one who can. Until the court judicates that I cannot make those decisions for my children, I am the one making those decisions.”

Another parent, Jason Pratt, said he supported masking children in the school system.

“The data says that the masks I’m wearing are up to 70% effective of blocking, of me

SCULPTURE >>

FROM A1

website later this month.

The sculptures will be available for public viewing downtown until November 2022.

Funding for the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Opelika City Council, Auburn Bank, Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Auburn University. Dawe was able to complete this degree with the full support from the city of Opelika.

"The support from the city of Opelika has been outstanding and something to brag about to family, friends, cowork-

ers. If it were not for the city administration and my coworkers, my personal and my professional goals would not have been met at such a high standard, and my dissertation research on smart cities and their creation and operation would not

have been possible,” Dawe said.

The research conducted during his dissertation has been implemented within the city of Opelika with the support of the administration and with the guidance of Dawe’s professors at Auburn

University, making a partnership that will provide value to the city of Opelika for years to come.

Dawe maintained a 3.670 GPA while attending school and working full time. He plans to proudly walk across the

stage at graduation in August.

Everyone at the city and the IT department are extremely proud of Dawe for his accomplishments in his personal and professional lives. He is an inspiration to his family, friends and co-workers.

transmitting it to you,” he said. “… It’s protecting me 17%. So if I want to protect myself I can choose to wear a mask or not. I’m wearing a mask to protect you. The whole point is, we should have our children protecting each other.”

Some parents were concerned with health issues they said masks present, such as anxiety and depression.

Andrea Tobin said that her son has been in speech therapy for years, and struggles to communicate with a mask on.

“He could not talk, he could not articulate,” she said. “I don’t want my baby boy going into the second grade not being able to articulate himself, not being able to hear himself speaking because of his mask.”

A local optometrist and parent, Helen Hadley, said that masks make learning difficult for children with glasses and masking requirements have affected their learning.

After listening to all of the parents speak, Herring made her recommendation.

Herring did not finish her statement before parents began to leave the room.

“We are faced with challenging decisions and local data that places us in a difficult position, which is why we are asking teachers, staff, students and families in Auburn City Schools to give us the opportunity to re-acclimate to a school environment and assess our situation,” Herring said. “If we are able to demonstrate an ability to bring students and staff together safely, we will reconsider this requirement.”

The board then made its decision to require masks in the school and on the bus. Masks will not be required outdoors.

Additionally, according to CDC guidelines, if students are exposed, and have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, are vaccinated or properly masked, they will not need to quarantine.

Pushback To City Council: Parents expressed discontent during the Auburn School Board meeting, but have also begun working outside of the meeting.

A private Facebook group has formed, Lee County Parents Speak Out, with almost 800 members as of press time.

“This group is to keep the parents of Lee County, Auburn and Opelika, Alabama schools connected in fighting for the right to choose what is best for your individual child. Here we can keep each other updated on school board meetings, and how to go about speaking out about policies and mandates in our schools. Please only invite those who you know are against covering our children’s smiles all day long and will be a support to this group. We are not here to argue with each, but to support each other and to support our schools in doing what is best for each INDIVIDUAL child, guided by their parents.”

The group has posts encouraging people to attend local meetings, sharing messages from public officials and sharing news articles.

An event called ‘Unmask Our Kids’ was scheduled for Wednesday night at Good Ol’ Boys at 5:30 p.m.

Residents spoke out at both Auburn and Opelika City Council meetings Tuesday night.

During Auburn’s City Council Meeting, over 20 citizens spoke regarding the Auburn City School Board of Education’s decision.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders made a statement at the beginning of the meeting letting citizens know that the city council does not have the authority to overrule the school board’s decision.

“That doesn’t mean we walk away from our accountability to the citizens of this city because we do make those appointments and most

importantly, things that are concerning to you should be concerning to the city council,” Anders said. “… There’s nothing more precious in this community than our children and we respect the fact that you’re concerned about your children.”

The parents, grandparents and students in attendance spoke majoritively against masking children in schools. Many additionally brought signs and held them against the windows outside the meeting room.

Steven Smith expressed the similar frustration of many parents — the Auburn City School Board of Education did not listen to parents, he said.

“It did seem to appear that the school board listened to the different views but then didn’t adjourn, didn’t have a meeting or didn’t appear that there was, and they basically had their decision made before even hearing everybody speak,” he said.

“So I think a lot of this is that people are wanting them to hear them tonight and I think that’s why this is being addressed to you guys.”

Parents reiterated their concerns from the Board of Education meeting, including the ineffectiveness of masks, the difficulties for children who wear glasses, have asthma or speech problems and the right for parental autonomy.

Following the meeting, many citizens spoke with their council members.

“I would commend everyone coming out to speak their voice,” said Ward 5 Council Member Steven Dixon. “I think it’s really important, it’s really healthy for the community to come out and speak.”

Ward 6 Council Member Bob Parsons said that he appreciates people looking more closely into how their city government is run.

Ward 4 Council Member Brett Smith said that he appreciated hearing parents’ concern during the

Auburn City School Board of Education meeting, which he attended as a parent with children in the school system.

“I was proud that they got involved,” he said.

“Proud they got the opportunity. Because it was nice. Wherever you are on the issue, listening to people stand up for their kids is an awesome experience.”

Smith also said that he was in agreement with the majority of the parents who spoke and believes the school board made the wrong decision.

“I think at the end of the day, I think we have to parent our kids and I think it’s our responsibility to make healthcare decisions for our children,” he said.

“Now we should look to experts and listen to experts on what they think, we should listen to what they advise, but the end of the day, the buck stops with the parent as it comes to healthcare decisions for our children.”

Auburn University: Auburn University also announced that all professors, faculty, staff, students and visitors will be required to wear face coverings while indoors or on university transportation.

“The revised faces coverings policy aligns with the latest guidance from the CDC as well as recommendations from university medical staff, local health officials and the Alabama Department of Public Health,” said a statement from the university on its COVID-19 Resource Center. “Beyond this temporary measure, Auburn does not intend to adjust operational or instructional plans.”

Those who are vaccinated will also be required to wear face coverings. Those alone in private offices do not have to wear masks, nor will individuals need to wear them while eating.

Additionally, face

coverings will not be required while in resident halls with roommates or in the Recreation and Wellness Center, along with other “open-air athletics venues,” the statement said.

“Face coverings, along with other safe practices, are an important means of preventing the spread of COVID-19,” the release said.

Additionally, the university urged individuals to get their COVID-19 vaccine, which is available at the Auburn University Medical Center, local pharmacies or East Alabama Medical Center.

The COVID-19 Resource Center also includes information about self-reporting, hygiene measures, quarantine and cleaning around campus.

Opelika City Schools: Opelika announced on July 27 that its students will be required to wear masks or face coverings while indoors beginning Aug. 9.

“Due to the upward trend of COVID transmission and the current local positivity rate, this decision is in the best interest of our students and staff at this time,” said Dr. Mark Neighbors, superintendent, in the press release. “It is important for everyone to follow the guidelines and do their part to help us have a safe and successful start to the school year.”

Lee County School System: The Lee County School System has not announced what it will do regarding face coverings during the school year.

There are two petitions against masking in the school systems.

They can be found at Auburn's: www. change.org/p/auburn-cityschool-system-no-masksrequirements-in-auburncity-scools? and Opelika's: www.change. org/p/dr-mark-neighborsopelika-city-schools-nomasks-for-2021-2022school-year-opelika-cityschools?.

A4 August 5, 2021

GOOD

SEAN DIETRICH

A

retired professor sent me a letter. He told me that some of my stories were “too plain,” and “needed more work.” Then he went on to tell me many more unsavory things about myself.

I was afraid he was going to grade my work and give me a C minus.

I’ve admitted this before, but I have a noted history of getting C’s. I once set a longstanding academic record for earning

the most consecutive C’s in my weight division. The record was later broken, but my picture still hangs in the community college trophy case.

Although, not all the messages I receive are bad. For example: This morning I got a message from a man in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

He started with the words, “I sincerely love you.”

It was Niagara Falls after that. I can’t think of a better way

to start a day. Then, the man went on to tell me about something that happened to him once.

Years ago, he was standing in a supermarket line. He was trying to pay for his groceries, but his card was declined.

His bank account was in the red. A woman in line paid for his items. She was a complete stranger.

He’s never told anyone about this.

“That woman probably didn’t know it,” he wrote, “but I was a single dad, at the time I was broke and we were going hungry. She put food in my kids’ mouths.”

Oh, and there’s the letter I got from the woman in Chattanooga. She got pregnant when she was 17.

Her family kicked her out of the house.

She almost gave the child up for adoption because 17-year-olds

can’t afford babies.

She wanted her child to have a good life, even if this meant letting it go.

But then a neighbor woman stepped in.

She invited the girl to live with her for as long as the girl needed. She offered to babysit her child and to let her use her car. The woman’s only condition was that the girl stay in school.

That was ten years ago, today the girl has a nursing degree and a nine-year-old.

Here’s another. A man named Trevor, from Missouri, sent me a story about his dog that went missing a few years back. The animal was gone for a week. Trevor thought the animal was forever lost. He checked nearby shelters and neighborhoods. He even put up posters.

Nothing.

One night, he got

a call from a woman in Southeast Kansas.

She had his dog. He broke down crying on the phone. The dog had traveled 24 miles across a state line and showed up on her farm. When the woman found the animal she dialed the number she found on the dog’s collar tags.

Trevor made friends with the woman. Today, he regularly brings his dog to her property to let the dog run free.

At Cracker Barrel last night, I watched an elderly woman in the busy dining room.

The woman was eating alone. Have you ever watched an old woman eat alone at Cracker Barrel? It’ll bring a tear to your eye.

But then something marvelous happened.

A waitress struck up a conversation with the woman. They laughed a lot. The

server was in the weeds, but she never acted too busy for her elderly customer. The old woman seemed so grateful to have someone to talk to.

And when I saw the large tip the old woman left, I did the whole Niagara Falls thing again. It just makes you feel good to see something like that.

So anyway, I get a lot of letters telling me stories like these.

Most messages I get are nice, but I also receive my share of nitpicks. Someone called me “a misguided Pollyanna.”

Last week, one highly educated person called me a “grammar slob.” I don’t even know what that means, but I ain’t too sure it’s good.

Another religious guy once told me I’m probably “going to See DIETRICH, page A5

Compassion

BRADLEY ROBERTSON

I

have always been a feeler, a deep and wrestling feeler. And not just for myself, but for others as well. I’m beginning to think this is one reason why I write and tell stories, to share what the human heart often forgets to

feel, for we are good at bypassing anything of the sort.

I remember the pit in my stomach the moment I left my grandmother at around 12 years old, knowing she would soon pass from this Earth and I would never see her again.

I remember one of my high school friends not making the cheer team and I was torn for her, so I took her some random flowers and a hug, I was 15 or 16 years old.

I remember a Christmas morning when my father’s mother passed away. I remember hugging him in his bed and not

wanting to leave his side.

I remember when Braxton and Sissy were babies and my dear sister lived so very far away in Colorado. She was in a touchy spot of life which left me itching to reach out and touch her, to hold her, but there was no way when great distance was between us.

Of course, amongst all these feelings were the multitudes of joy, happiness, passion and love, all the things we openly express and share with others.

Today though, I have noticed that as clearly as I see smiles, I see anger, disappointment, unsatisfac-

tion, intolerance and judgement. It’s like watching a race, and they are all neck and neck. One gets ahead and then the other catches up, an on-going parallel of who will win. This has left me sincerely questioning hope in our world.

For where on Earth is compassion?

Is it even there anymore?

Have we separated ourselves so well from others that we cannot even begin to feel of the human heart?

“You never really understand a person,” said Atticus Finch, “until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb into his skin and

walk around in it…”

Are we, as a people, climbing into another’s skin for just a moment to consider their life?

Oh God, I hope we are, I hope we can.

Surely we can stop long enough to feel of another human before we brush their soul away.

And if we are losing the sensitivity and value of each human life, will we do something about it?

I think we must, by learning to feel all over again, and not just the joy of life, but to sit in our own weak spaces, the hard and the lost spaces. When we feel for ourselves, we can feel for anoth-

er. If we lose all compassion, then we are at the same time losing our own humanity.

I want to leave you here dear readers, to question yourselves.

Are you in a place of compassion or does your heart need a little restoration?

I pray I think of you today, and tomorrow and the next day. I will keep writing for you too, in prayer that my own heart repairs bless the people of this community.

This will be a series of stories, meant to question and inspire the human heart to think beyond ourselves and into the heart of others.

WHAT I HEARD

WENDY HODGE

T

his morning, before I opened my eyes, I heard thunder. I love that sound, especially when I am safe in bed and so comfortable that I never want to move.

That deep rumble that reminds me there is a wild, wide world out there. It never fails to make me want to open the door and step out into that noise and air.

Of course, that sound was followed closely by a whine from the dog who was done with pa-

tiently waiting to head out into that noise to do his morning business.

There are other morning noises, too –– the coffee pot hissing to life, the air conditioner’s low hum, and the neighbor starting his truck in the driveway as he heads out for work.

They’re all a sweet routine, and I love hearing them.

And then there are the bizarre, everyday, incredible noises –– like what you hear in Walmart.

As a general rule, when shopping in Walmart, I make a concerted effort to look straight ahead and avoid letting my eyes wander because, let’s face it, there are things that we’ve all seen in our local Walmart that just can’t be erased from the memory ... no matter how hard

you scrub your mind’s eye. If they handed out blinders like the horses in the Kentucky Derby wear as often as they hand out face masks, I’d gladly put mine on every time I walked in the door. It’s no accident that there’s an entire website dedicated to the people of Walmart. It’s a circus, and it’s open 24 hours a day.

But the sounds of Walmart –– the interchanges between strangers and friends, family and co-workers –– are a feast for someone like me who loves to hear other people’s stories. For the most part, they are crazy stories. They’re shameless and brazen, often comical and occasionally downright gross. But I am an addict. When I enter Walmart, my ears go into hyperdrive, and

I become an eavesdropper with no remorse.

Just a few days ago, as I was perusing the hair dye aisle trying to determine whether I wanted to cover my gray myself or leave it in the hands of a professional, I overheard this conversation: Woman #1: “Judy, do I have brown or black hair?”

Woman #2: “Don’t you know what color your hair is?”

Woman #1: “I can’t see my head from here ... so NO, Judy, I do NOT know what color my hair is.”

Woman #2: “You don’t look at yourself in the mirror?”

Woman #1: “Not since 2004.”

Woman #2: “Oh. Well. It’s red.”

Woman #1: “I thought so.”

And a few weeks ago,

there was this gem: Man, walking, head down and staring at the floor, said to himself in a loud voice: “Someday, Joe, you’re gonna run this whole store.

Cain’t nobody stop that!”

God bless him.

Of course, not everything I hear is funny or even kind. There are words I wish I could erase from my memory –– words spoken in anger or out of fear.

I’ve heard parents speak to children with disgust, using words I wouldn’t throw at a rabid raccoon. And I’ve heard children speak to parents with a lack of respect that proves they haven’t been sent to pick their own switch for their grandma to use on their backside.

Sometimes those ugly noises get too loud, and I have to escape

to the lake. The water has a sound all its own –– herons trumpeting as they sail across the surface, tree frogs and bullfrogs yapping back and forth to each other and the hum of a motor on a flat-bottom metal boat. And if I’m lucky, I get to hear my favorite lake dog, Camo, bark a greeting and sigh as I rub his beautiful neck.

I live for those sounds.

Just a moment ago, my best friend called.

The sound of his voice is the best sound of all. He’s out of town for work but called to say he’s coming home.

When I hear that word “home,” he is what I think of. And when he says, “Be careful driving to work. I can’t wait to see you,” what I really hear is “I love you.” There is no better sound on this planet.

A5 August 5, 2021

Opelika, Auburn Chambers Hold Ribbon Cuttings

Salsarita’s – Build your own tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, taco salads, or a famous quesorito at Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill. Located at 1111 S. College St., Suite 600, in Auburn.

The Hawkins Group Psychiatrics Consultants – Founded in 2019 with the vision of providing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for those suffering with Major Depressive Disorder. Located at 333 Airport Road, Suite F, in Auburn.

G-Mart & Sonic recently held their ribbon cutting. They are conveniently located by Southern Union and Opelika High School at 1450 Fox Run Parkway, Opelika.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Axe Marks The Spot held its ribbon cutting last week. It is located at 223 S. 8th St. in downtown Opelika.

$120 Million AUBix Data Center to Open in Auburn CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. KAY IVEY Gov. Kay Ivey announced today that AUBix LLC plans to open a $120 million data center in Auburn that will benefit communities across Alabama by providing a technological edge to businesses and individuals plus enhanced access to high-speed internet.

Construction has begun on the firm’s new 40,000-squarefoot facility on Samford Avenue,

just outside Auburn University’s campus.

“This investment is evidence that Alabama continues to grow its high-tech footprint and the innovation capacity of its economy,” Ivey said. “I want to congratulate the team in Auburn for their success with this project.

Our data shows strong job growth in various regions in the state, and I am delighted in those opportunities for our citizens throughout Alabama.”

AUBix LLC, a firm founded by Auburn businessmen, will build and operate the secure, compliant multi-tenant data center. The facility is designed to bring technology parity to underserved communities throughout the state.

“Our goal is to provide customers with secure and compliant infrastructure to host internet applications locally, as well as significantly higher internet speeds and the

digital transformation for businesses, supporting academic research and development, and providing access to high-speed internet.

“The state-ofthe-art AUBix data center in Auburn will optimize growth opportunities for businesses in many parts of Alabama by addressing their critical competitive need for reliable broadband service,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

choice of national/ global carriers who compete for their business,” said Andrew Albrecht, co-founder and CEO of AUBix. “In turn, that will attract new businesses to the state, support all levels of academic initiatives and research, and bring value to the communities we serve.”

AUBix is expected to become an economic catalyst for the regions and communities it serves, enabling

Museum of East Alabama Receives Donation From Opelika Rotary Club Foundation PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER The Opelika Rotary Club Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the Museum of East Alabama. Opelika Rotarian Bert Harris, second from left, presented the check to Museum director Glenn Buxton, right, with the museum president, Jim Hardin. The donation will be used to support the construction of a pavilion next to the museum to display a 1904 steam tractor. The tractor known as Old Nancy was donated by the Whatley family. Total cost of the pavilion project is expected to be $55,000.

“By enhancing the information technology infrastructure in our state, this facility will provide a spark for the future.”

One key benefit AUBix will bring to businesses is increased access to global internet exchanges through multiple high-speed fiber networks.

AUBix will become an internet exchange for the existing network service providers in the area, enabling them to

DIETRICH >>

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hell.” Well, all I can say is, at least it’ll be more tolerable than the current heat index in Walton County, Florida.

The truth is, I don’t love negative emails, but everyone’s opinion means something to me, even the crummy opinions. In fact, that’s one of the things I love most about writing. I love seeing people’s feelings in print. And as it happens, I also have a few feelings to share. So here’s mine, if I may: What I am about to say, I say to both friends and

See DATA, page A6

critics. I say this to the happy, and the disgruntled.

The glass-half-full people, and the gloomy realists who think I’m a whack-job Pollyanna. I say this to the surly professors, and their C students.

I also say this to those who help teenage girls raise their babies, to sad elderly people at the Cracker Barrel and to the waitresses who keep their wings hidden. To single fathers who can’t afford groceries, and to the strangers who make sure they can. I say this because it was recently said to me, and it meant a lot.

I sincerely love you.

A6 August 5, 2021

Girls STEPS, Inc. Hosts Open House in New Building Girls STEPS, Inc. now has a place to call home. “[Girls STEPS, Inc.’s] purpose is to empower, inspire and motivate school-age girls by exposing them to various culturally enriched activities that will prepare them for success,” the non-profit’s website said.

The organization hosts programs for girls in grades third through twelfth to help them grow, learn and prepare for their futures.

Now — the group has a building of its own to operate out of. The space includes a meeting room, computer lab, laundry area, full kitchen and outdoor areas.

Some of the programs include College/ Career Prep, Dress for Success, Job Readiness Skills, Political Awareness, Social Etiquette, Communication Skills, Fine Arts and STEM Activities.

“Diversity is very important to me,” said Tiffany-Gibson Pitts, president and CEO of

PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Girls STEPS, Inc. “Because I want all girls to feel welcome here and to want to come here and participate in the programs that we have.”

Girls STEPS, Inc. hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting last week to show the community what is going on within the organization.

“It means a whole lot to me to have the sup-

port of the community,” Pitts said. “I think in order for us to be more impactful, I think it’s important that we have total buy-in from the community. “… I believe in the all-in slogan. I know Auburn used to use it back in the day. We all have to be dedicated and committed to our youth in order

Nonviolence Peace March, Rally to be held Aug. 7 CONTRIBUTED BY CAROLYN MORTON The Sixth Annual Nonviolence Peace March and Rally Against Violence in the Community will be held on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. and will run until 1 p.m. The event will be held at Christian Care Ministries, located at

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leverage their highspeed regional and global networks and improve the performance of internet applications.

“The additional capacity and services AUBix will bring to local business and educational institutions is as groundbreaking as when Interstate 85 was built in the 1960s,” Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said. “Auburn will now be able to better serve IT-related business enterprises and, with that, bring desirable, knowledge-based, high-paying jobs to Auburn. On top of that, the significant revenue this project will bring will greatly benefit our school system, which we all value.

1000 Samford Court in Opelika.

The march is hosted by Carolyn Morton and the Samford Community Outreach Fellowship Group. Honored guests include the Opelika Police and Fire departments, the Auburn-Opelika Moms Demand Action group and Adiae I am grateful for the trust and investment of the owners and their partners in our community.”

AUBix tenants will benefit from infrastructure that exceeds industry standards, rules and regulations for cybersecurity, healthcare and financial services.

AUBix will offer 22,000 square feet of available data center space and more than 3 megawatts of critical power capacity across two data halls with redundant power and cooling. The initial 40,000-square-foot buildout includes customer office space, conference rooms and tenant equipment storage.

Alabama Power Company will provide the critical power supply to the data center in Auburn and has

Harris.

School supplies and snack will be distributed to the children.

The group promotes peace, unity, love and social change. The public is invited. Social distancing will be practiced and the group asks that attendees wear a mask. long supported the establishment of data centers as part of its economic development strategy in Alabama.

“Technology resources and connectivity are essential for our customers and businesses in our state,” said Jeff Peoples, executive vice president of Customer and Employee Services at Alabama Power. “Having the technological infrastructure that AUBix will provide strengthens Alabama’s competitive advantage. We’re proud to support economic and community development projects that bring new businesses to our state and help them thrive.”

for us to see real change.”

Pitts hopes to build recruitment and relationships with those in the community so more youth will want to attend the programs. The organization plans to do this through door-to-door campaigns and reaching the local schools.

“If we can get a group

of kids that’s bold enough to know that I stand for what’s right, it will draw the others,” said Valarie Canady, family advocate for Girls STEPS, Inc. “So, we’ve got to build some leaders, some confidence and it’s not too late.”

All of the programs offered at Girls STEPS, Inc. are free to the com-

munity.

“It’s just rewarding when I see kids who have gone through our program, whether they’re graduating high school, they’re going to college or if they’re just involved in their school, whatever way, being positive,” Pitts said. “That’s what’s rewarding for me, just seeing them doing well.”

Canady said that they hope the Girls STEPS program can be replicated in other communities.

“I look forward to what ya’ll are going to do here, too,” said District 1 Lee County Commissioner Doug Cannon during the open house. “It’s going to be a blessing for Lee County, Opelika also.”

The group will be hosting its next event, a back-to-school bash for parents on Aug. 7 at its new location — 500 Raintree St. in Opelika at 10 a.m.

School officials will be in attendance and the goal is to help prepare parents to send their children to school.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS: Aug. 7: 6th Annual Nonviolent Peace March Aug. 7: Samford Pool Float-NMovie Aug. 13: Not Our First Goat Rodeo at the Gogue Aug. 13: OTC's "Descendants" opening night

Jane Haynie Recalls Family Cookbook, Life In Opelika Over The Years PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

A

t her home on Fourth Avenue in Opelika, Jane Haynie is surrounded by family photos and mementos as she talks about the small cookbook she assembled a few years ago for her family. “Kitchen Keepsakes from Jane Haynie” turned out to be popular with friends as well as family.

While Jane’s husband, Bobby, worked at Ampex like my hubby, Jane and I did not meet until recently when we began chatting at the O Grows Farmers Market.

Hearing Jane talk about her love of family, Opelika and cooking, made us instant friends.

Jane’s family moved to Opelika from LaGrange, Georgia, when she was 9 years old. She loved Opelika. Jane was a cheerleader, ROTC sponsor and selected a class favorite her senior year at Cliff High School. She “loved” high school and Opelika.

After Jane’s father left her mother, Bernice Leverett, with four children, her mom began working hemming sheets at Pepperell Mill.

While in high school in 1953, Jane began working for Dr. Peacock. After working for the dentist a short time, a tornado went through Auburn and damaged

his house, causing him to be out of work for a while.

Jane then went to work at the soda fountain at Haynie’s Drugstore in downtown Opelika where she was employed in 1953 and 1954. While working there, milkshakes, cherry Cokes from the fountain and limeades were popular.

J.K. Haynie was the original owner of Haynie’s Drug Store.

He sold the business to the Pearsons in the early 1950s. Jane remembers Haynie’s was the hub of the town when she worked there. At that time, Uniroyal, Ampex and Diversified Prod-

Cookies by Kristi: Auburn’s Hidden Cookie Hotspot

BY ABBEY CRANK FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER Kristi Maggard was

your typical stay-athome mom. Instead of continuing her work as a bank manager, she dedicated her PHOTO BY ABBEY CRANK / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

time to the one boy that mattered most, her son, Brooks.

After a while, she realized she needed a hobby.

“I just needed something to do and I said, ‘I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to make cookies for Brooks’ first birthday, and it’s going to be wonderful,’” Maggard said. “It was not wonderful. I thought I was never meant to be a cookier.”

Jane Haynie, who has lived in Opelika since she was 9 years old, looks back over working at Haynie’s Drugstore, assembling a family cookbook and her love of Opelika. Jane is sharing several recipes from her cookbook and family. Photo by Ann Cipperly

ucts had not opened.

She remembered if anyone went to town, they generally went to Haynie’s.

Jane knew Bobby from high school. They became friends while she was working at Haynie’s, but he was not related to the family that owned the drug store. Bobby grew up in Tallassee and moved to Pepperell when he was 14 or 15 years old and then attended Cliff

High School in the tenth grade, as Pepperell School only went through the ninth grade.

After high school, Bobby joined the Navy.

Jane and Bobby married when she graduated from high school. She attended vocational school and worked at several jobs, including for Judge Ivey, who was a justice of the peace at the courthouse.

Sometimes she would have three small jobs

during the week.

Jane was the first bookkeeper at Tom Dyas Chevrolet. After five years, she went to work for Beck’s Turf Grass Farm. She retired after working there for 23 years.

At one time, Jane, who is creative, had a cottage business making wrap skirts. She created appliques on some of the skirts, while she See CIPPERLY, page A10

Auburn Area Community Theatre Announces Full 2021-2022 Season

See COOKIES, page A8

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

CONTRIBUTED BY AACT Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) is excited to announce its full 20212022 season that kicks off in a few weeks.

The season opens on Aug. 19 with “End Days” by Deborah Zoe Laufer. As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, this is a comedic redemption story about healing and family in the wake of 9/11. AACT’s artistic director says, “as theatre-makers, we search for the things that unite us. While this script is not for everyone, the emotions are universal.

End Days — for all its quirks — is a family’s love story, reminding us to listen to each oth-

er and hold each other close.”

AACT will be giving the proceeds from the Saturday, Aug, 21 show to Tuesday’s Children, an organization formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, to provide a lifetime of healing for families who have been forever changed by terrorism, military conflict or mass violence.

AACT’s Young Performers, ages 5-11, will stage the second show of the season slated to open Sept.

30, “Jack and Lil and the Beanstalk.”

A performance for the young and young at heart, come away with us to the Appa-

lachian Mountains for a foot-stompin’, toe-tappin’ retelling of a folk story classic. Be prepared to be swept up into the action and adventure as we join Jack and his sister Lil on a magical journey up the beanstalk. Audition sign-ups are open online now!

Next up in the season, part of a worldwide event, is MTI’s “All Together Now,” A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre.

Opening on Nov. 12, this is a fundraiser event for AACT and other theaters around the globe. Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatSee THEATRE, page A8

A8 August 5, 2021

Making the Grade: Brick & Spoon

I’ve always heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In fact, there’s an old saying: “Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and sup like a pauper.” However, breakfast would be my least favorite meal.

I’ve also heard that you live longer when you eat breakfast, so I usually eat a modest one.

Also, I’m not as hungry when I first wake up, but I’m ravenous at supper. Therefore, my eating habits are the exact opposite of that old saying. That’s probably one of the multiple reasons I’m a “Pooh-sized” diabetic.

I do have happy memories associated with breakfast. When I was a young girl, from Monday through Friday, Daddy was in charge of cooking breakfast since Mama took a lot longer to get ready for work. Also, Mama had the unenviable task of getting me up to go to school. Bless her heart.

That was a job by itself; it usually took her three attempts to get me moving.

While all of this was going on, Daddy would be making biscuits (the kind in a can) and frying sausage patties. The smell of that sausage

COOKIES >>

FROM A7

Not long after, she started seeing Halloween-themed cookie decorations on social media. She decided to give it another go and has not stopped since.

Cookies by Kristi is an at-home cookie store run by Maggard herself. The Auburn business has been in operation since December of 2018, and she sees no sign of it stopping any-

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rical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. After COVID-19 affected so many theaters’ livelihoods, MTI is providing the opportunity for schools and theatres around the world to locally produce and perform an exclusive musical revue featuring 15 songs from MTI’s

the old days, but I still like to eat it later in the day. Therefore, I recently met my friend Amy for brunch at 10:30 a.m. at Brick & Spoon at 2836 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika.

The restaurant’s interior is very attractive and cheerful. Steve Ginn, the owner, was very kind; he welcomed us and spoke with us after we ordered our meals. Brick & Spoon is a family business Ginn runs with his wife, daughter and son-inlaw. He said they also own two restaurants in

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

was really amazing.

Not being a morning person, I would stumble into the kitchen, in a surly mood. Daddy, who always woke up immediately and cheerfully, would be singing one verse of the song, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” and the verse was that title. Daddy would sing that title over and over again. My much older brother Mike said that before that, Daddy sang, “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone?”

Barely conscious, aggravated and not

Specialities & Bennys (poached eggs), and Sweet Eats such as pancakes and French toast.

In addition, for lunch, the restaurant has a big selection of salads, burgers and samiches (That’s how it was spelled on the menu).

Entrees include Chicken Florentine Chicken (That’s how it was listed), Southwest Chicken and Shrimp, Crab Cake Dinner, Grilled Fish/ Shrimp Tacos and Mardi Gras Pasta. A very definite do-over; Amy and I will be back, the Good Lord willing.

Brick & Spoon 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

ready to face the day, I would beg, “Daddy, would you please stop singing that same line over and over again?”

Undeterred, Daddy said, “I have to learn that line really well before I can learn another one.” If I could have just one more day with Daddy, he could sing as much as he liked.

Over the years, I’ve come to enjoy breakfast much more than I did in

Columbus called Simple Greek. Ginn told us that his restaurants are always very clean. He was correct; the ladies’ restroom sparkled. That made this germaphobe very happy.

Kelly, our waitress, was very kind, patient and helpful as well.

Amy ordered one pancake, scrambled eggs and fire-roasted corn grits. One pancake may sound strange; however,

it was as big as Amy’s plate.

Brick & Spoon made my day because they serve Diet Dr. Pepper, my very favorite beverage. I chose the three cheese & ham omelet with hash browns and extra crispy pecan smoked bacon.

Our meals were delicious. Amy said, “These grits are divine.” Also, Amy, who described herself as a “coffee

snob,” said the coffee was great, too.

For dessert, we ordered the café beignets with chocolate and blueberry dipping sauces.

We both agreed that the beignets were exquisite.

I left two beignets because I wanted to avoid a diabetic coma. However, I, unfortunately, wore some powdered sugar home.

Brick & Spoon serves breakfast, brunch and lunch daily from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Besides our tasty selections, the restaurant offers Day Starters aka Appetizers; a few of which include: Baked Brie Bruschetta, which is made of caramelized apples, golden raisins, pecans, Balsamic Reduction and Brie cheese; Bananas in Pajamas, which are crispy banana egg rolls and Foster sauce; Breakfast Fries, which include bacon, sausage gravy tomatoes, Hollandaise and one sunny egg.

Diners may also choose from a large variety of That’s All, Yolks (omelets), Brunch

time soon.

While she did not find her cookie-filled joy until later in life, Maggard realized she has always had an inspiration, her memaw.

“My memaw had all of these recipes,” Maggard said. “She was a big baker, and her specialty was a coconut cake and apple dumplings.”

To this day, the cookier has her grandmother’s laminated recipes on her kitchen wall.

These recipes are much bigger than the average serving; Maggard explained that her memaw’s recipes yields six to seven dozens of cookies.

“My memaw did not bake for a few people,” she said. “She would always take them to her church and have something to give.”

Just like most bakers, Maggard’s baking rituals take place at night; Sometimes, she will bake until 4 a.m.

“I actually have

something to do where I feel like a grown up and not just a mom,” she said. “When night time hits, it’s time to start rolling the dough.”

Maggard explains she has no cookie limit when it comes to orders. From three cookies to three dozen cookies, she welcomes them with open arms.

One of her favorite parts of custom orders is building a relationship with repeat customers.

“I did a 21st birthday

order, and now I’m about to do the same girl’s bridal shower order. I just think about the future, and it’s like, oh my gosh! I could do her wedding, and I could do her baby shower,” Maggard said.

Maggard loves that her cookies will put a smile on any face.

She also explained that seeing her work brightening her customers’ day makes everything worthwhile.

The Auburn cookier also has a strong social

media presence. On Instagram, @cookiesbykristi has over 10 thousand followers. There, you can watch Maggard decorate cookies as well as pictures of the final product. She also has a Facebook page.

For personal orders, Maggard said the best places to contact her are by email (cookiesbykristi@yahoo.com) or Facebook message.

For more information, check out her website www.cookiesbykristi. square.site.

beloved shows. To date, there will be over 3,300 performances in 35 countries and territories.

For the holiday season, AACT is excited to be back for the second annual “Holiday Walk in the Woods.” After great success partnering with the Kreher Preserve last year, and after many requests for another showcase this year, we’ll be offering another festive walk in the woods filled with holiday music and cheer, showcasing members from our

community. Mark your calendars for Dec. 17 and 18.

As the season moves into 2022, AACT’s Teen Performers will bring us a Prohibition Era telling of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Opening Feb. 25, this abridged version of the classic is a great introduction to Shakespeare for both the performers and audiences alike. Directed by an Auburn University Theatre student, this show will be full of upand-coming local talent

that you don’t want to miss. You can say you “saw them when” once they become famous.

Lastly, the season will round out with the comedy, “Vanya & Sonya & Masha & Spike.” This Tony award-winning, Chekhovian comedy was scheduled to close out the season in May 2019 but had to be postponed due to COVID-19. It is with great excitement that it has been rescheduled to close out this season, opening May 6. Who doesn’t love to laugh?

AACT is thrilled to be bringing so many great shows to our area this season. This season also offers many opportunities to get involved with AACT. AACT is a volunteer organization that depends on the time and energy of many wonderful people from within the community. There’s something for everyone.

Please visit www.auburnact.org to find our volunteer interest form or email info@auburnact.org to get involved.

Follow AuburnACT

on Facebook or keep up with us at www.

AuburnACT.org for the latest information on auditions, volunteer opportunities, tickets and more.

Come be a part of the magic of theatre, we can’t wait to meet you!

To schedule press interviews, photos, press comps or for additional information, please contact Terry Kelley, president of the AACT Board at tkelley@auburnact.org.

A9 August 5, 2021

Rising Opelika Folk Duo Starts New Tour This week, Webster’s Wheel, Opelika, Alabama, acoustic indie folk duo, sets out across the southeast on their Milk & Grass Tour 2021 in tandem with the release of their new album Milk & Grass.

The album comes out this Friday, Aug. 6, and Music Existence says listeners are going to find Milk & Grass to be “quite the treasured studio LP this summer season.”

On their Milk & Grass Tour, Webster’s Wheel will be performing for Auburn University’s first annual Tigerfest sponsored by WEGL 91.1 FM and the University Program Council in Auburn on Saturday, Aug. 21.

The duo has been writing in full force from their humble beginnings and there is no slowing them down as they release their third fulllength album. Ballyhoo Magazine says, “Milk & Grass captures the Alabama twosome sounding more divinely in touch with the medium than ever before.”

“We hang out on the porch a lot playing with the cats, listening to the crickets and observing nature,” says the duo.

“With Milk & Grass, we hope to share the honest

PHOTO BY MATTHAN BROWN

CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE ROBERTSON

feelings we receive as we sit, gazing across the overgrown fields beneath the summer sun.”

Webster’s Wheel will be covering a lot of ground in the next few weeks on their Milk & Grass Tour, performing in five states in nine days spanning the eastern country-side from Florida all the way up to Virginia.

“This is our first time traveling this far out as a band so this tour feels like a real milestone for us,” says the duo. “We’re looking forward to sharing our music with those who really need it.”

For more information

on Webster’s Wheel’s upcoming album and tour, visit www.websterswheel. com.

ABOUT WEBSTER’S WHEEL: Webster’s Wheel are a rising acoustic indie folk duo from the southern hills of Alabama. Their captivating harmonies, poetic lyricism and southern charm are a surefire heart revival.

To quote one reviewer at IndieShark Music Magazine, “It’s hard to avoid getting lost in the sonic gaze generated by these two when they’re clicking like nobody’s business.”

Itty Bitty Auburn Scavenger Hunt Has Begun CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN Itty Bitty Auburn began on Monday, Aug. 2.

Active Auburn has prepared yet another scavenger hunt to celebrate Alabama’s birthday, and this year’s theme is streets. Beginning Monday, Aug. 2, participants can pick up a pamphlet for the scavenger hunt at any parks and recreation facility or find it on the city of Auburn website, printed in select newspapers and on Facebook.

The pamphlet features 20 itty bitty streets around Auburn, along with three bonus streets.

Participants will solve the clue to figure out the street name then go find a QR code on that street. Once the QR code is scanned with a smart phone, complete the form and move to the next clue.

All codes will be deactivated on Tuesday, Aug. 31,

at 5 p.m. To be eligible for prizes, participants must complete and submit digital forms for ALL itty bitty sites. Those who complete all 23 clues correctly will be entered into the grand prize drawing.

Winners will be announced and contacted on Friday, Sept. 3.

To stay up-to-date on the Itty Bitty Auburn scavenger hunt, join the

Facebook event group at facebook. com/ActiveAuburn.

Hints regarding each of the sites will be published to the Active Auburn Facebook event group and Instagram page (@activeauburnal).

Active Auburn is a health and wellness campaign launched by the City of Auburn in August 2017. Learn more at facebook.com/ activeauburn.

Take a Friend Fishing and Enter the Black Belt Best Fish Photo Contest CONTRIBUTED BY LEE FREDRICK Set the hook and snap a pic to enter the Alabama Black Belt Adventure Association’s (ALBBAA) 2021 Best Fish Photo Contest.

New this year, participants in the contest must take a first-timer or beginner angler along for their adventure. Participants are encouraged to help mentor these new anglers and share their experiences of including these young people or adults during their outing.

The contest, which opened Wednesday, July 28 and runs to Thursday, Sept. 30, is eligible for any type of

fish caught in the Black Belt during 2021 only.

Participants should visit https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org/bestblackbeltfishcontest/ to enter their catch and to vote for their favorite entry. Visitors to the contest webpage may vote once per day, per entry, per IP address.

“Over the last year we’ve seen many first timers hit the woods and water in search of adventure,” said ALBBAA Director Pam Swanner. “Our fishing photo contest this year is designed to continue that trend by encouraging folks to take along someone new to experience the thrill of reeling in the big catch or simply enjoy the

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beauty of being in the great outdoors.

“There are great public access points to fantastic fisheries all across our region from Lake Eufaula to Miller’s Ferry and to our region’s west, the Tombigbee. Many of the lodges across the Black Belt offer trophy bass fishing with full amenities as well.”

The prize package includes one day of fishing for two people on one of the five trophy-managed lakes at Triple D Ranch near Emelle, Alabama, in Sumter County. Onenight’s lodging is also included. Please note that Triple D is a bring your own boat destination, and the winner

and their guest must fish in the same boat.

ALBBAA promotes and encourages ethical hunting and fishing practices. Photos contests were created to further educate the public on the abundance of natural resources found across Alabama’s Black Belt region.

The Black Belt includes the following counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.

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

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ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

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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.”

As healthcare professionals, it is up to you to ensure your patients remain up to date with their vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents: • • • •

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

A10 August 5, 2021

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

painted others. Some of the designs were highly detailed.

Bobby graduated from Auburn University and went to work at Ampex. Education was important to him, and he wanted his children to have a college education. He enjoyed attending Auburn University football games with their daughter, Linda, for 26 years.

Jane and Bobby have three children, five grandkids and two great-grandchildren, who all live in the Opelika-Auburn area.

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> MAMA’S GREAT DEPRESSION SOUP Robby Haynie This has been passed down in Jane’s family for five generations. It is still served when anyone in the family isn’t feeling well.

In a saucepan on low heat, warm 2 cups 2 percent or whole milk. Whisk constantly as you add 1 Tbsp. butter, 1 ½ Tbsp. cornmeal, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper. Slip in 3 eggs and simmer until eggs are semi-opaque, pushing with a spatula to keep from sticking. Cook slowly to keep milk for scorching.

“If the eggs are intact or broken up,” Robby said, “it is still great.”

FRESH TOMATO SOUP 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 cup butter 4 lb. very ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped 6 cups chicken broth 1 small can tomato paste 1 ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 1/3 cup chopped or 2 Tbsp. dried basil In large saucepan, sauté 2 medium coarsely chopped onions and 2 crushed cloves garlic in 1/4 cup butter until tender.

Add 4 pounds peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped very ripe tomatoes, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 small can tomato paste, 1 ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.

Remove from heat, cool slightly. Puree in blender or food processor. Return to saucepan. Stir in 1/3 cup chopped or 2 tablespoons dried basil. Heat gently.

Serve hot.

BACON-CAULIFLOWERTOMATO DELIGHT 1 medium cauliflower, about 2 lbs.

2 slices cheddar cheese 1 lb. bacon 1 (8-oz.) container. sour cream 4 large tomatoes Cook whole cauliflower in 1 cup salted water in large saucepan, covered for 20 minutes or just until fork-tender. Drain but leave in pan. Place cheese slices on top. Cover, return to very low heat just until cheese melts.

While cauliflower is

Daughter Lisa Chappell is a nurse practitioner and teaches online at a nursing school in Kentucky.

Lisa and her husband, David, have two sons, Nathan and wife Kelly, and John and his wife Laurel, who have two daughters.

Their son Robby is an RN at EAMC and his wife Carolyn is a nurse. They have three children, Leila, Sam and Maggie.

Daughter Linda, who is retired from Auburn University, is married to Tom Caudle. Linda was delivered at home by her father, which was not planned. After

the delivery, both mother and child were taken to the hospital.

Jane has had a love of cooking for her family over the years.

When Jane published her cookbook in 1994.

It was going to be for family. Since she had to have a certain number printed, the extra books went quickly to friends who wanted a copy, knowing that she is a good cook. They were gone quickly.

One of her oldest family recipes is for Mama’s Depression Soup, which has been made by her family for five generations. Some called it egg drop soup.

Her son, Robby, adjusted the ingredients and named it Depression Soup.

Jane’s mother and her grandmother were both good cooks. Her grandmother was a humble lady who made the egg soup when anyone in the family had an upset stomach or was sick, and it has been passed on in the family. It is made from items that are generally on hand in the pantry.

Jane has enjoyed baking sourdough bread over the years.

The starter she still uses was given to her in 1993 by George Pierce. She has been

adding to it over the years from the basic starter, and keeps it in the refrigerator.

Her daughter Linda praises her mother’s cooking. She remembers her mother always had breakfast on the table when they got ready for school and cooked dinner every night while working.

She always loved being in the kitchen and experimenting with recipes.

Jane and Bobby celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. The family created a video featuring everyone in the family, which has become a

treasure. Bobby passed away the following year. An important part of Jane’s life has been being a member of Pepperell Baptist Church since 1970.

Although cooking is not as easy as it once was for Jane, she still enjoys getting in her kitchen to cook once in a while. She is thankful to have her family close by and for them to be using her recipes. When the weather is nice, Jane enjoys sitting on her porch surrounded by her flowers, as she savors memories of Bobby, happy family times and living in Opelika.

cooking, fry bacon in a large skillet until crisp.

Crumble 3 slices into the sour cream. Reserve bacon fat.

Slice ends off tomatoes. Cut in half and sprinkle with salt. Sauté for about 2 minutes cut side down in 2 tablespoons bacon fat. Turn, top with large dollop sour cream. Cover pan and cook for 2 minutes longer.

Place cauliflower in center of large platter and ring with tomatoes and bacon.

chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 1 small jar pimento, chopped 1 cup sugar ½ cup white vinegar Wash kraut and drain.

Mix all ingredients together and store in tightly capped jar in refrigerator. Keeps a long time.

1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda Mix oil mixture and dry ingredients together.

Fold in: 1 ½ cups chopped pecans 3 cups chopped Granny Smith apples Coat a Bundt pan with Baker’s Joy nonstick spray. Pour batter into pan. Bake for 1 hour or until tests done.

When cake is almost done, prepare sauce.

Sauce: 1 cup brown sugar ¼ cup milk 1 stick unsalted butter Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Cook for 3 minutes while stirring well.

When cake is baked, remove from oven and pour boiling sauce over cake. Let sit 2 hours before removing from pan.

Pour over chicken.

Bake at 300 for 3 hours.

1 box instant vanilla pudding ¾ cup Crisco oil 1 cup chopped nuts 1 Tbsp. melted butter 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs, slightly beaten ¼ cup sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into a Bundt pan coated with nonstick spray. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until tests done. Prepare Glaze and pour over baked cake.

Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 2 Tbsp. milk ½ tsp. melted butter ½ tsp. vanilla Combine all ingredients and mix together well.

Drizzle over cake.

TINSLEY DRESSING Tom Caudle 2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup white vinegar 6 tsp. garlic powder Combine in adequate bottle. Shake well. Do not refrigerate. Shake well before each use.

TINSLEY’S OVEN BARBECUE CHICKEN Linda and Tom Caudle Recipe is from Tom’s grandfather Tinsley.

1 cup oil Large onion, diced 1 ½ cups catsup 1 ½ cups water 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 Tbsp. sugar 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp. mustard 2 tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 10-12 chicken thighs In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except chicken. Simmer for 15 minutes. Pour over chicken thighs in a baking pan. Cover and bake at 375 for 1 ½ hours.

OLD FASHIONED EGG CUSTARD Bernice Leverett 6 eggs 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. flour 1 ½ cups milk 1 tsp. nutmeg Unbaked pie crust Flakes of butter Beat eggs well. Mix flour and sugar together; add to beaten eggs. Add milk and nutmeg, mixing well.

Pour into pie crust.

Sprinkle flakes of butter on top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

SOUR KRAUT RELISH Judy Johnston 1 (No. 303) can kraut 2 cups celery, chopped 1 medium onion,

SMOTHERED GREEN CABBAGE Lisa Chappell 1 medium head cabbage, coarsely chopped & core removed ½ cup margarine 2 Tbsp. bacon drippings 1/4 tsp. dry minced garlic 1 tsp. caraway seeds Salt & pepper to taste 1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted Melt butter and bacon drippings in Dutch oven.

Add cabbage. Cook and stir over medium heat until cabbage is tender-crisp. Add garlic, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. Stir in soup. Heat thoroughly and serve.

BEST EVER CHILI 3 lbs. ground lean beef 2 medium onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 ½ cups tomato juice 1 (16-oz.) can tomatoes 2 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce 1/4 cup chili powder 2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. dried oregano leaves 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin seeds 2 (15-oz. each) cans chili beans In Dutch oven over medium heat, cook and stir beef, onion and garlic until meat is browned and broken up and onion is tender. Drain. Stir in all remaining ingredients except beans. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Stir in beans. Simmer 1 hour longer over very low heat.

FALL APPLE CAKE Linda Caudle Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together: 1 ½ cups oil 3 eggs 2 cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla Sift together: 3 cups all-purpose flour

PIZZA BY THE YARD 1 loaf French bread, unsliced 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/4 cup pitted ripe olives, chopped 3/4 tsp. salt 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped ½ tsp. dried oregano 1 lb. ground beef 2 tomatoes, sliced 1 green pepper, cut in rings 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated Cut loaf in half lengthwise. Combine tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, onion, olives, oregano, salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add meat, mix well. Spread atop loaf halves.

Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, top with tomato slices and green pepper rings. Sprinkle cheese atop tomatoes. Bake for 5 minutes.

CHICKEN BREAST SUPREME Carolyn Beck 1 jar premium dried beef 4 chicken breasts, split and boned 2 (8-oz.) containers sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup Bacon Place 2 slices dried beef inside each chicken breast half and roll up.

Wrap with 1 strip bacon. Place in baking dish. Mix soup and sour cream.

FRENCH CREME Mr. “Guy” At one time, Jane lived across the street from a couple with the wife being French. When her French father visited, he made Jane this French Crème. Although he did not speak English, he managed to provide the recipe that has a melted sugar topping.

4 eggs, well beaten 1 qt. milk 4 heaping Tbsp. sugar 3 ½ Tbsp. cornstarch Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and stir constantly until thickened. Pour into individual dessert dishes.

Measure 5 tablespoons granulated sugar in cast iron skillet. Heat until sugar dissolves, turns a caramel color and begins to bubble up. Remove from heat and immediately spoon over mixture in dishes. Chill well before serving.

CHOCOLATE ECLAIR CAKE 1 (16-oz.) box graham crackers 2 (3.4-oz.) box instant French vanilla pudding 3 cup + 3 Tbsp. milk 1 (8-oz.) Cool Whip ½ cup nuts, chopped 6 Tbsp. cocoa 2 Tbsp. white Karo syrup 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar 3 tsp. butter 2 tsp. vanilla 3 Tbsp. milk Butter 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Line with whole graham crackers.

Combine pudding with 3 cups milk, beat until thickened. Add Cool Whip and blend well.

Pour half the pudding over the crackers. Sprinkle nuts over the pudding. Add another layer of crackers and pour the rest of the pudding over them. Add another layer of crackers.

In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa, syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Pour over last layer of crackers and refrigerate for several hours or until ready to serve.

CINNAMON BUNDT CAKE Nancy Cargill 1 box yellow cake mix 1¼ cups water

PORK SOUP Tom Caudle 1 lb. ground pork 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cans Italian stewed tomatoes 1 small can tomato sauce 1 can kidney beans 2 stalks celery, sliced 2 medium potatoes, cubed 2 carrots, sliced Salt, pepper 1 tsp. basil 2 tsp. parsley Brown pork with onions. Drain. Combine all ingredients and simmer for about 2 hours.

WAFFLES 2 cups Bisquick 1 egg, beaten ½ cup oil 1 and 1/3 cups club soda Mix ingredients together and ladle onto a hot waffler maker and cook until done.

EXTRACT FRUIT CAKE 1 lb. butter 2 ½ cups sugar 6 eggs 3 oz. lemon extract 1 ½ tsp. baking powder 4 cups flour (use ½ cup to flour fruit and nuts) ½ tsp. salt ½ lb. candied cherries, chopped ½ lb. candied pineapple, chopped ½ lb. white raisins 4 cups pecans, chopped Cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each. Add sifted dry ingredients and lemon extract. Add ½ cup flour to nuts and fruit. Add to cake mixture.

Grease and flour tube pan. Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 300 for 2 hours 15 minutes or until cake tests done.

A11 August 5, 2021

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CELEBRATED IN OPELIKA

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

The city of Opelika joined 38 million neighbors across the country on Tuesday in celebrating National Night Out. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Opelika's Courthouse Square was filled with citizens enjoying free food, entertainment, educational fun and games, provided by local first responders and community organizations.

• Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Rock of the 80s, 90s, and 00s Trivia in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Aug. 5 - Live music at La Cantina • Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. - Mark True in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Aug. 6 - Dallas Dorsey at Resting Pulse Brewing Company • Aug. 7 - Live music at La Cantin • Aug. 7 at 8 - David Jones in the Jailhouse at Rock 'N Roll Pinball • Aug. 7 - Daniel Neihoff at Resting Pulse Brewing Company

A12 August 5, 2021

Worship on the Lawn’s Inaugural Event Set For Aug. 28

BY ABBEY CRANK FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER At the beginning of February, one man had a vision: believers coming together in worship on Samford Lawn.

Soon, Russell Goldfinger’s dream will become reality. Grab a blanket and head over to Worship on the Lawn on Aug. 28 from

6:30 to 9 p.m. All ages are welcome to this free event.

“The only thing that matters about any of this is that we honor God. End of story,” Goldfinger said. “It doesn’t matter if this lawn is full or if only two people show up.”

First, when Goldfinger had the idea, he was hesitant. Then, he talked to event organizer Savannah Wood-

wall and realized they had the same vision.

This sparked Goldfinger’s passion to make this event a reality.

“What was put on my heart was to remind people that we must come together,” Goldfinger said. “This is only going to work if a bunch of us come together and make it happen.”

Instead of having the event in the beginning

of summer, Goldfinger thought it was crucial to include upcoming Auburn students.

“Wouldn’t it be great if these kids [Auburn students] coming from other countries and cities … have their first experience on campus be a night of worship,” Goldfinger said.

He wants everyone to feel welcome and provide an outlet for community.

“The idea is to remind people that the body of Christ is much bigger than four walls,” he said.

The night will include worship and a recitation of various scriptures. Some of the passages consist of the Sermon on the Mount, Colossians, Hebrews and much more.

Another organizer for the event, Kristin Morrison expressed noth-

ing but excitement for Worship on the Lawn.

“He [God] wants everybody in the kingdom of heaven, and this is what we’re hoping this event will represent” Morrison said.

For more information, go to Worship on the Lawn’s Facebook event page: www. facebook.com/events /337177287877829/? ref=newsfeed.

Great Futures Gala Lights Up the Gogue

PHOTOS BY ABBEY CRANK / FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County Great Futures Gala, hosted by Mayor Ron Anders of Auburn, and Mayor Gary Fuller of Opelika, took place at the Jay & Susie Gogue Pefroroming Arts Center in Auburn on July 29, at 7 p.m. The event included a fireside chat featuring Auburn University Athletic Director Allen Greene, Auburn head football coach Bryan Harsin and Voice of the Auburn Tigers Andy Burcham. The "Emerald Empire Band" provided live music, and a number of Auburn-Opelika's best restaurants and food trucks were present with their best dishes.

A13 August 5, 2021

Unchained Part 2 people respond to “the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They were cleansed “by the washing with water through the word” BRUCE GREEN (Ephesians 5:26). Sin Teaching Minister at 10th was renounced, Christ Street Church of Christ was enthroned, and the in Opelika kingdom came more and more in the lives of ot only did Paul disciples. He would tell know through the Corinthians: the Scripture Neither the sexthat God’s word could ually immoral nor not be chained, but he idolaters nor adulhad also witnessed it in terers nor men his life. In his travels who have sex with throughout the Medmen nor thieves nor iterranean world, he the greedy nor drunkhad seen the good news ards nor slanderers of Jesus transform the nor swindlers will lives of countless peoinherit the kingdom ple. In Ephesus, Athof God. And that is ens, Corinth, Philippi, what some of you Rome, etc., he had seen were. But you were

N

CHURCH CALENDAR

washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 6:9-11).

As he sat in a Roman dungeon and wrote of God’s word being unchained, you wonder if these memories were pouring through him.

Whatever he might have been thinking of, we know this –– even in his incarceration, Paul was in fact an unchained disciple. No shackles could take away the freedom and liberation he had through Jesus and His word.

This is a truth disciples need to grasp.

Our time is no differ-

ent than any other in that there are some people who choose to live in defiance and rebellion to God’s word. Ironically, but I suppose not surprisingly, they proclaim their brokenness and confusion as freedom and liberation and the rest of the world joins in the chorus.

Even among those who claim to be followers of Christ, there are some who want to distort and compromise God’s word in an attempt to accommodate them. However, Christ made it clear that true disciples abide in His word, they know the truth –– and the truth sets them free (John 8:31-

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN 32). Freedom is not something we give ourselves through following our baser desires; it is something Jesus does for us through His word.

When Paul bid a tearful goodbye to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20), he warned them of the dangers that were ahead (v. 29-30).

Then he said, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (v. 32). The way to be on guard (v. 31) was to be in the unchained word.

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Bible Verse of the Week

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.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. — Romans 8:1-2

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.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

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

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

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

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

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054

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

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley

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 and 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 August 5, 2021

An Urgent Plea to My Fellow Citizens of Alabama only 41% have received one dose of the vaccine.

By now you may be thinking, “Walter, you need to stick to devotional writing; nobody is looking to you for medical advice.” That is true and for that reason, I have hesitated WALTER ALBRITTON to write about the virus.

But it will be worth being criticized if I can s one old citizen persuade a few people of Alabama, I to get vaccinated. am deeply conI do have personal cerned about the future experience with the of our state as it relates COVID-19 virus. It was to the COVID-19 pana contributing cause of demic. Based on what I my wife’s death last have heard, it is possible December. At the end that soon the surging of November, Dean and Delta variant virus will I both tested positive claim the lives of many for the virus. Since she of our neighbors and was in the hospital, friends. However, the Dean was quarantined number of deaths could for two weeks. After be greatly reduced if this isolation, she was more of our citizens will sent home and died five get vaccinated. days later. Two other But here’s the probterminal illnesses conlem: many of our tributed to her death. fellow Americans have When I tested poschosen not to get vacitive for COVID-19, cinated. Only 56% of I was worried. For Americans over the age months I had been readof 12 are fully vaccinat- ing reports on the virus ed. While that number published by prominent is troubling for our naMontgomery physician, tion, what is happening Dr. David Thrasher. in Alabama is embarMy friend Jere Beasley rassing. Only 33% of had strongly endorsed Alabama citizens are Dr. Thrasher’s counfully vaccinated, and sel about COVID-19.

A

So I called the good doctor who, without hesitation, advised me to let him give me the Monoclonal Antibody infusion. This I did, though it was not an easy decision.

I was fearful that the virus might kill me and there were no guarantees that the infusion would protect me from the virus. Dr. Thrasher warned me that the infusion might have serious side effects but he also shared that none of his patients who had received the infusion had been hospitalized.

I had no side effects from the infusion. After waiting the prescribed 90 days, I got the two Moderna shots and became fully vaccinated.

It has given me peace of mind to know that I am now 94% less likely to be hospitalized with the COVID-19 virus.

However, the primary reason for getting fully vaccinated is not to get peace of mind but to help our nation overcome this deadly virus.

Unfortunately, many people do not believe this. Ignorance about the virus has influenced many people to not get vaccinated. To get at

the truth, I decided to interview Dr. Thrasher, a recognized authority on Covid-19, and let him answer pertinent questions. Here are my questions and his answers: Question: Is it your opinion that by getting vaccinated, our fellow Alabama citizens will likely save the lives of other Alabamians?

Dr. Thrasher: Yes, vaccines will unequivocally save lives.

Question: Does a person who has had COVID-19 and survived need to get vaccinated?

Dr. Thrasher: If you have had covid you need to be vaccinated.

Vaccine elicits better immune response than the virus. If you have had COVID and get vaccinated, you have the most robust immune response known. I have now treated 12 folks who have been infected twice and one died.

Question: Are fully vaccinated people at risk for getting the Delta variant virus?

Dr. Thrasher: Fully vaccinated people have a 35% chance of getting the Delta virus but the vaccines prevent most of them from

becoming seriously ill or dying. If you have any symptoms, even if vaccinated, get tested ASAP! We have better treatments now — Regeneron infusion — but it only works if used very early — less than 10 days of symptoms. Many doctors are not familiar with the reinfection risk with Delta. If you go to Urgent Care, don’t take steroids in first seven days of symptoms and get tested before going home with prescriptions such as Prednisone, Medrol dose pack, Decadron or receiving a steroid shot. If positive for the virus, contact a doctor with COVID knowledge but always ask for the infusion to see if you qualify.

90% of Alabamians now qualify under new requirements.

Question: What advice would you give a 30-year-old man who says, “The virus is killing mostly older people; all I need to do is avoid crowds and wear a mask at times.”

Dr. Thrasher: That was true — until the Delta virus appeared.

Delta is hitting people ages 30-40 very hard.

We have several that age now on ventilators who will likely die.

Question: Would you agree that no matter your age, getting vaccinated is one way to love your neighbor?

Dr. Thrasher: Absolutely!

Question: Is the threat of the Delta virus so great that it’s important for everyone to speak up and encourage others to get vaccinated?

Dr. Thrasher: Yes! For sure! And by encouraging people to get vaccinated, I believe you are doing God’s work and saving lives and souls!

I thank Dr. Thrasher for his response and assure him, as I have before, that I am praying for him and his staff as they stand in the gap for all of us during this prolonged pandemic.

Now, my dear Alabama brothers and sisters, if you are not fully vaccinated, please heed this sincere plea — get vaccinated this week as a gift of love to your friends, family and fellow citizens.

Thank you!

to many.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, James and Glenice Gilchrist of Opelika, grandparents, Wilson and Millie Bailey of Opelika, Alvin and Estelle Gilchrist of Opp, Alabama, his brother Jim Gilchrist of Opelika and his Aunt Dene Bailey of Opelika.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Gilchrist of LaGrange, their unborn baby Lukas Gilchrist of LaGrange, his sister Pam (Gary) Kenney of Opelika, nephews Jacob (Rachel) Kenney of Opelika, Jonathan (Lydia) Kenney of Juliette, Georgia, Jase May of LaGrange, nieces Anna Kenney of Birmingham and Kynlee May of LaGrange.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be accepting donations to Pineview Baptist Church or donations to Lisa to go into a savings account for Baby Lukas.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

Mr. Simmons worked for Uniroyal for 25 years and then continued his career as a driver with Thompson Carriers for another 25 years.

Mr. Simmons was a loving son, brother, uncle, father and Pawpaw. He lived by family, friends, fishing and football.

Lake Martin was his home away from home and he was the biggest Alabama fan this side of the Mississippi River. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his closest canine companions, Dinky and Sushi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Simmons and Myrtle Cannon Simmons.

Mr. Simmons is survived by his daughter, Billie Sue Scurnopoli, and his sister Cathy Simmons.

He was blessed with three grandchildren Braden Dubose (Elizabeth), Caitlin Mathes (Kody) and Ashton Scurnopoli.

He had three greatgrandchildren as well; Declan Levi Dubose, Heidi Kate Mathes and Jett Mathes. He also leaves behind a nephew, Billy Hall and two nieces, Leslie Cooper and Lisa Forte.

Visitation was held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at FrederickDean Funeral Home.

OBITUARIES CAMERON DOUGLAS WESLEY MULVANEY Cameron Douglas Wesley Mulvaney, age 32, of Beauregard, passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

He was born March 1, 1989, in Opelika, a son of Don and Janet (Stanke) Mulvaney.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Doyle and Stella (Ritter) Mulvaney of Edinburg, Illinois, and Doug and Shirley (Smith) Stanke of Warrensburg, Missouri.

Cameron is survived by his parents Don and Janet Mulvaney; his sister Katlin Ilene (Mulvaney) and husband John Tatarchuk of Chandler, Arizona, brother Chandler Reid Mulvaney of Centennial, Colorado, soul-mate Lauren Long of Atlanta, Gerogia, Uncle Gary Stanke (Claudia Stanke) of Tampa Bay, Florida, Uncle Merle Mulvaney of Hobart, South Carolina, Uncle Verle Mulvaney of Kinmundy, Illinois, Aunt Joyce Ayers (Everett Ayers), of New Minden, Illinois and Aunt Judy Prasun (Terry Prasun) of Stonington, Illinois.

Growing up he participated in the maintenance of family farms located in Beauregard,

and Warrensburg, Missouri, where he learned many life skills. He graduated from New Life Christian Academy and attended Auburn University.

He became employed with Health Information Design, of Auburn and thereafter, transitioned to his role as an IT Support Specialist with Chicken Salad Brand, Atlanta.

Cameron grew up under the umbrella of Providence Baptist Church where he developed a foundation for his strong Christian faith.

During his youth he was heavily involved in Alabama 4-H, Boys Scouts of America, Alabama Junior Hereford Association, youth sports and many organizations, even serving as an Upward Soccer coach at PBC. An avid outdoorsman, he was an avid forestry and wildlife competitor, an amazing artist, and was especially proud to have achieved the status of Eagle Scout.

Cameron loved his family time and his canine friend Skye.

Among those close to him, he was known as ‘the talented expert griller’ always testing hotter spices and new ways to cook meat or invent food innovations.

Cameron lived a

full meaningful life filled with a love for simplicity. Those around him describe him as a godly man, and impactful through his expression of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

His fellow employees admired his calmness in the midst of a crisis, expressing his strength as a peacemaker by bringing others togethers to resolve problems. Everyone loved Cameron for his wittiness and ways to bring humor to those around him. Cameron looked forward to time spent with his beloved Lauren, attending church or trips to be with the Mulvaney and Long families.

A visitation with friends was held on Saturday, July 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home. A memorial service was held on Sunday, Aug. 1 at the West campus of Providence Baptist Church located at 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika at 3 p.m.

Virtual attendance was available through the live streaming at www./ providencealive. com/ or at www. facebook.com/ ProvidenceAlive/.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the American Brain Tumor Association

www.abta.org/ or the American Cancer Society www.donate3. cancer.org/ for brain research, in memory of Cameron Mulvaney or the Chicken Salad Chick Brand www. chickensaladchick. com/our-story/ csc-foundation/, in memory of Cameron Mulvaney.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

–––––––

JEFFREY “CRASH” GILCHRIST A celebration of life service for Jeffrey “Crash” Gilchrist was held Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 3 p.m. at Pineview Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia, with Rev. Joel Scott and Rev. Jason May officiating.

The family received friends prior to the service.

Jeff was born on April 14, 1965, in Opelika and went to be with the Lord on July 26, 2021. Jeff worked at Vaughan Xpress for many years as a truck driver. He was a resident of LaGrange where he attended Pineview Baptist Church. An avid fan of the Atlanta Braves but loved his Auburn football. Jeff will be remembered for his great sense of humor and loyal friendship

–––––––

DEWEY LEVI SIMMONS Dewey Levi Simmons, 72, was born on May 9, 1949 and passed away on July 28, 2021 at Bethany House in Auburn.

A15 August 5, 2021

D

A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand

ear Fellow Alabamians, Last week the discussion of Covid vaccination burst into the news and ripped the scab right off the wound exposing the divide among Alabamians about whether to vaccinate or not. We all know there can be tense moments among friends and family when the vaccine topic comes up especially when there are differing opinions in the room.

Well, last week the discussion hit a fever pitch on a grand scale and landed on the front pages of the national news outlets.

According to news reports, in Alabama, there are about 2.5 to 3 million people that have CHOSEN NOT to take the vaccine out of the state’s population of 5.1 million. Approximately sixty percent of all Alabamians have made this their personal health choice.

I am writing this letter today to express my distaste for those bent on

shaming people in which they disagree on the vaccine issue. They divide Alabamians into two classes: the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. The media’s contempt is in overdrive for anyone that dares to disagree and not blindly follow the government directives. So, they shame by spewing their poison proclaiming the unvaccinated are the problem. Their assertion of “Blame” by extension means the unvaccinated are responsible for the spread of Covid. If you want to blame someone or something, blame the virus and the makers of it.

As everybody knows, it was not the bats.

The problem is not the unvaccinated, but rather those spawning division among the population.

It’s the BLAME GAME They shake their fingers in the face of millions of Alabama citizens for refusing to take the vaccine and are beside themselves

when everyone does not fall in line like sheep. I guess the unvaccinated are the “New Deplorables.”

I’ve listened to their shaming long enough and felt it was time to stand up for millions of Alabamians that have made their decision, over the many months, NOT to take the vaccine. I fall into this category; however, like most families I have family members that have chosen TO take the vaccine.

Alabamians know full well what is going on in their communities, local hospitals, nursing homes and churches. They are not ignorant to the medical realities and associated risks. Neither are they reckless or selfish.

Every unvaccinated person has considered whether to take the vaccine for months. They have discussed the matter with others, prayed about it and even may have tolled back and forth on the decision. In the end, their “call” was to not take the vaccine for their own

personal reasons. I can’t help but wonder why so many vaccinated people lecture everyone else when they themselves have marginal health risk as they are the vaccinated class.

Has it occurred to them that their shaming is certain to follow children into the classroom in the form of bullying? Do they care about young women in childbearing years who are rightfully cautious about what goes into their bodies? It’s ironic that people that CHOOSE NOT to take the vaccine are labeled dissenters even though they are the majority in Alabama and cross all races and political lines.

Going forward I want to encourage people to take a deep breath and stand back from the situation. Covid, of course can be lethal, but at the same time the odds of fatality are extremely low.

This is one of those times when we must not succumb to fear.

Fear is the root from which anxiety and worry bud.

Fear is a weapon used to manipulate the public, and the press is its enabler. The Lord speaks to the issue of fear through the Apostle Paul.

“For God hath not given a spirit of fear but of power and sound mind” – 2 Timothy 1:7 I also would like to take this opportunity to say something about Governor Ivey’s statement last week concerning unvaccinated Alabamians.

She said, “It’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks.

It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.”

The unvaccinated people represent approximately sixty percent of the population in our state.

The Governor’s comments triggered uncontrollable elation and gaiety from politicians and news anchors at CNN, NBC and others. As one could expect, President Biden and

Dr. Fauci were ecstatic at Alabamians being scolded by their Governor over this issue.

I believe the Governor’s comments were off-base. I also believe she likely misspoke in the heat of the moment; something any of us could do. As we navigate forward, we need to lower the tone and not take the bait of those whose goal is to sow seeds of division amongst Alabamians.

I have a message for the American press corps concerning their hysterical, fearbased coverage of the pandemic.

It’s a quote from Edward R. Murrow, the great broadcast journalist during the first half of the twentieth century. He effectively warned his fellow journalists what would happen if the free press became compromised. He wrote…

“No one can terrorize a whole nation unless we are his accomplices.”

Respectfully, Tim James

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Dr. Mahram graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia, received his medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) with Sigma Sigma Phi Honors and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Dr. Mahram is originally from Duluth, Ga. He completed his first two years at the VCOM-Carolinas campus, and then finished his second two years of rotations at the VCOM-Auburn campus.

During his time in clinical rotations at East Alabama Medical Center, his obstetrics and gynecology rotation was what helped him decide he wanted to practice in that specialty and return to the east Alabama community.

Dr. Mahram and his wife, Lindsey, have been married for eight years. They have two children, Hudson and Camden. In his spare time, Dr. Mahram enjoys spending time with family, fishing, hiking, traveling, cooking, and college football.

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Tanner Grant, M.D. recently joined the team at EmSouth, and will be practicing in the Emergency Departments at both East Alabama Medical Center and EAMC-Lanier.

Dr. Grant earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Baptist Health.

Dr. Grant is originally from Bluff Springs, Ala. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, farming, working out, and doing yard work.

Dr. Grant’s medical interests include emergency medicine and sports medicine, and he is board certified in family medicine.

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A16 August 5, 2021

COMICS

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

S

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Opelika Takes the Stand at Media Days

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would figure out a way to win.

Speakman then said this off-season has been good, citing the team did not play a spring game, instead opting to divide the team and have a scrimmage game.

The ninth grade participated which was fun.

Furthermore, the team has been conditioning during the summer and working in the weight room, which has been smooth. Opelika has 104 players on the roster as of Wednesday (July 28), including 35-seniors. The summer workout program ended on a good note with ice cream and watermelons for the players.

Players were off Wednesday through Monday (Aug. 2), when football practice officially began. The extreme high temperatures and heat index will cause the team to practice late afternoon, in an effort to avoid any heat related issues to the players and coaches. Opelika has a few new coaches on staff; two coaches will move from the ninth grade team. The two coaches are Jamel Smith and Tommy Traylor.

Smith will help coach the secondary while Traylor will handle the s-backs and kickers.

See SPORTS, page B3

Auburn: Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Opelika: Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m.

Blake Smalley has been named the new head girls’ basketball coach at Opelika High School.

“I’m extremely excited to be back with the Opelika City Schools as the head girls’ basketball coach at OHS,” Smalley said. “It is a great opportunity to build on the successful program Coach Devin Booth has already established.”

Smalley has been the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Handley High School since 2016. While at Handley, he also

served as the head track coach and as an assistant football coach from 2016-18.

Prior to teaching and coaching at Handley High School, Smalley taught at Opelika Middle School and was the head coach for the OMS 8th grade basketball team from 2013-16.

“Opelika High School welcomes Coach Smalley as our head girls' basketball coach.,” said OHS Principal Farrell Seymore. “He has a proven record of making positive differences in students' lives. As a veteran teacher and coach, he will build

SMALLEY on the rich basketball tradition at Opelika High School.”

Smalley is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in

Physical Education.

He is married to Megan Smalley and they have three children, twin boys who are almost 4 and one 10-month-old son.

Beck Gives AISA Update at Media Days

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM High School Football Media Days took place in Opelika last week and the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) Director Roddie Beck reflected on last year and provided an update on plans for 2021 fall sports.

“We are looking forward to another great year, another great fall,” Beck said. “The way things are going today, everything is ramping up a little bit but we are planning on going as normal at this time.”

Before taking

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

ast week, iHeartRadio's FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 and the Orthopaedic Clinic held it's annual "High School Media Days" at the Bottling Plant Event Center. The two day event featured 20 head coaches and a few players from each school.

Opelika's head coach Erik Speakman closed High School Media Days along with seniors Taylor Love and Jarell Stinson. The following is a summary of Speakman's remarks while at the podium.

Speakman began by thanking FOX Sports the Game and the Orthopaedic Clinic for hosting High School Media Days. He then recapped last years season that finished in the quarterfinals loss to Saraland. The Bulldogs finished with an official record of 9-3. Speakman added another win to the 2020 season, saying the win over Stanhope Elmore in a "no-count contest game" (prior to the first game), counted for a win. The fourth year head coach mentioned Opelika advanced to the quarterfinals the last six seasons, with all games being played in Mobile. He was sure the Dogs will see a team from Mobile in the playoffs and hoped they

INSIDE • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • COMMUNITY SPORTS

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

D. MARK MITCHELL

Lee County: Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Blake Smalley Named Head Girls’ Basketball Coach at OHS CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS

ON THE MARK

School Board Meetings

BECK questions from media, Beck took time to reflect on a challenging, yet successful 2020-21 sports calendar.

“All I can say is, we made it,” Beck said. “It was unbelievable the things that our student

athletes, administrators and schools had to go through. Along the way, we hit a few bumps in the road, but we made it – and we crowned a champion in all of our sports.”

Beck said the worst

thing about last year was the uncertainty of how to handle the pandemic, however, he and his staff feel more confident handling virus-related issues now.

“The good thing about this is, we have gone through this,” he said. “We will listen to the CDC, Dr. Harris and the Alabama Department of Health.

We will follow those guidelines, and we will get that information to our schools. Obviously, if Governor Ivey has another mandate, then we will follow that as well.”

Looking toward the upcoming football See MEDIA DAYS, page B5

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B2 August 5, 2021

‘Little Things Matter’

Experienced Opelika Looks to Make Improvements Prior to Region Play The Bulldogs were last but not least. That is, in terms of teams speaking to the media at High School Media Days last Wednesday at the Bottling Plant Event Center in Opelika.

Fourth year Opelika head coach Eric Speakman took the stand with players Jarell Stinson and Taylor Love to discuss the team’s outlook this season.

“I have really high expectations for the team this year,” Stinson, a senior defensive back, said. “If we can focus this year and get everything together, we can be really good.”

Stinson is a threestar prospect according to 247’s composite ranking, and Love does not have a composite score, but is rated a three-star prospect by other metrics. Although the two have played mostly defense for Opelika, Speakman said he plans to get creative with his senior leaders this season.

“Having a player

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Pictured above: #2, senior defensive back Jarell Stinson, head coach Eric Speakman (middle), #5 senior linebacker/running back Taylor Love (right)

like Jarell just makes the life of coach easier,” he said. “We’re going to use him a lot on offense this year.

We’ve got to figure out a way to put up points using a different variety of players.

Having both of them is going to be big for us this year.”

The Bulldogs have made it to at least the third round of the playoffs in six straight years, three of those under Speakman.

This year, with the return of spring and summer practice – and the addition of

some new, alumni staff members – Speakman and his players are confident in their chances to outperform the results of seasons prior.

“We had a really great offseason,” Speakman said.

“We’ve got a really tough schedule as always, but all that does is prepare us for what we see in the playoffs.”

Opelika begins its seasons on Aug. 20 against class 2A Georgia State Champion, Callaway High School. The

next week they play AHSAA class 7A state runner-up, and innate rival, Auburn High School.

“Which is obviously a huge game for us here in this area,” Speakman said of the cross-town Tigers. “We will always play tough people and try to get our kids ready to play in the postseason, using our regular season non-region opponents as that test.”

Adding to the challenges, Opelika enters its season

with many question marks – namely on offense. The Bulldogs are in the midst of a four-man quarterback competition to replace last year’s starter, JT McArdle.

“If we had to play tomorrow, we would play all four of them,” Speakman said.

The more pressing matter, however, is the offensive line. The Bulldogs have to replace seven senior offensive linemen who departed from last year’s team.

“The most important positions, not always the best, are your offensive line and quarterbacks.

And that’s our biggest question marks,” Speakman said. “We got some good kids coming back, they just don’t have a lot of experience.”

While the Bulldogs might lack experience in some areas, 35 seniors make up a good portion of the 104man squad.

“These guys have a lot of playing experience for us over the last four years,” Speakman said.

One under-classmen to look out for,

however, is 6-foot-6inch, 250-pound ninth grade offensive lineman, Malik Autry.

“We expect a lot out of him,” Speakman said. “He definitely has the frame that those college coaches like. He works really hard. He didn’t shy away from anything in the spring. You will definitely see him this fall.”

Overall, the mix of youthful and experienced players on this Bulldog team are striving to reach their first state championship since 2016.

“I’m pretty sure we can go all the way this year,” Love said.

To do so, they will have to gain experience and confidence while navigating a difficult front end of the schedule.

“These guys, they have worked hard all summer,” Speakman said. “But right now, our main goal is to start off really good after Callaway, fix the mistakes after that, play a really good Auburn team and then, after that, we get into region play where you kind of set the tone for your real season.”

‘A Special Group’ Smiths Station Prepared to Compete with the Best

For seven straight seasons, the Smiths Station football team has failed to reach the playoffs.

Entering his fourth season at Smiths Station, head coach Mike Glisson believes this could be the year the Panthers return to post-season play.

“Two of my three years, we have been real close [to the playoffs],” Glisson said on Wednesday at Media Days in Opelika.

“We’ve got to make the plays when it’s time to make them, and I do think this group has what it takes to make those plays.”

Markei Brooks and Al Braswell, two seniors who accompanied Glisson to Media Days, are convinced this year can be different, too.

“I feel like this can be one of the best seasons we’ve had and I feel like we are going to make it to November,” Brooks, an outside linebacker for the Panthers, said. “We have great coaches, great players, a good staff — and we have a great community around the school.”

Braswell, an offensive lineman, echoed his teammate’s ambition and said the Panthers

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Pictured above: #2, senior Markei Brooks (OLB), head coach Mike Glisson (middle), #62, senior AJ Braswell (C/DE) have been getting “bigger, faster and stronger” this offseason.

“We won’t be overlooked and we can make it to November,” he said. “Most of us have never been in that type of experience, but I feel like what our community is doing for us, what we are doing for our community, they are going to be there for us.”

The Panthers finished last season 4-6, second from the bottom in the AHSAA Class 7A Region 2 rankings.

With the return of spring training and normal summer practice

(things that were nonexistent in 2020 due to COVID-19), Glisson said he feels his team can improve on that mark.

“It’s been a great summer for us,” he said. “Compared to last year with COVID … having them all summer is huge … having spring training is huge ... I feel like we are so much further along right now than we were at this time last year.

Our kids have worked really hard; we’re looking forward to the season, and we’re ready to play.”

Another reason the

Panthers’ are feeling a renewed sense of confidence heading into the season is the revamped coaching staff.

“I think I got three guys on my staff that are former head coaches and about five or six coaches who are former coordinators,” Glisson said. “Any coach will get up here and tell you, you are only as good as the guys who work with you.”

Brooks and Braswell are buying into the staff’s teaching, and working toward setting the example for underclassmen below them.

“Our coaches, they

put in a good game plan to win, and if we follow that, we can do whatever we need to do to get the job done,” Brooks said.

“It’s just us being able to become leaders and being able to teach these younger guys that we know what we are doing, we know what we can do and what we will do in the season,” Braswell added.

Smiths Station’s scoring production has regressed in each season under Glisson.

The departure of last season’s quarterback, Corey Minton, means there is a big chunk of

production to replace.

Glisson is still optimistic, however, and he views this year’s crop of seniors as a key to improved results on the field.

“We got a good senior class that’s leading the right way and doing things the right way,” Glisson said. “These seniors have been in the weight room for four years, working the way we want them to work, being pushed the way we push them — it’s going to pay off.”

Smiths Station begins its season at home against Russell County on Aug. 21. In a region with traditional powerhouses like Central Phenix City, Auburn and Prattville, Smiths Station is apt to fall by the wayside.

“Of course our region is tough, like always,” Glisson said.

However, the Panthers are convinced this year will be different.

“I feel like Smiths Station has always been overlooked,” Brooks said. “The difference between then and now, the guys weren’t really understanding what they could do and what their potential was. We have a lot of courage now. A lot of confidence in ourselves and our coaches. I feel like we can do big things.”

B3 August 5, 2021

OHS Baseball Camps Aims to Grow the Game

SPORTS

>>

FROM B1

The ninth grade will have two new coaches, Adam Clayton and William Kayhill, both coming from Tallassee.

The Bulldogs open the season with two straight home games, Aug. 20 against Calloway and Auburn on Aug. 27. The Bulldogs then play three region games: Lanier at Crampton Bowl, Eufaula at Bulldog Stadium and Carver in Crampton

Bowl. OHS then goes to Phenix City Sept. 24, to play Central. After an open week, Opelika plays four straight region games: Oct. 1 versus Russell County in Seale, Oct. 8 against RE Lee at home, Valley Oct. 15 at home and at Crampton Bowl against Park Crossing to end the season. The Dogs will be open the last week of the regular season (Oct. 29), giving the players a week off before the playoffs start, Nov. 1.

I will brake down each of Opelika's opponents in the coming weeks.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE IN OPELIKA OBSERVER AND ON iHEARTRADIO East Alabama loves high school football. Each week you can keep up with Opelika and your favorite high school team by continuing to read the Sports section in the Opelika Observer. You will find articles about

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Lee County high school football teams including my column, "On the Mark". Opelika Observer photographer, Robert Noles ,provides photo's from numerous games including Opelika.

High School football fans can listen to the radio version of, "On the Mark" on FOX Sports the Game 910AM and 1310AM, weekdays Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The three-hour radio show is dedicated to covering

local sports, including high school football.

Head football coaches from around the area who have appeared on the show include: Opelika, Auburn, LeeScott, Beauregard, Beulah, Smiths Station, Chambers, LaFayette, Notasulga, Loachapoka and Notasulga. The High School Coaches Show returns, Aug. 18, on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM and FOX Sports the Game, every Wednsday night 6 to 8 p.m., LIVE

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

Opelika High School and varsity baseball coach Zach Blatt held thier annual baseball camp from July 26-28. Youth campers from ages 6 to 12 received instruction on the game, and an OHS baseball camp t-shirt by attending. “I just think it’s a great opportunity for those young kids to come and interact with our varsity and junior varsity baseball players,” Blatt said of the camp. “It gives them an opportunity to build some relationships with those young kids that, eventually down the road, will be playing on the same field as these guys.”

from Moe's BBQ in Bent Creek. Listen to the Orthopaedic Clinic High School Wrap-up Show, airing on FOX Sports the Game, Saturday's at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., beginning Aug. 21.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, 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 the Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

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B4 August 5, 2021

REGIONAL TEAMS REPRESENT AT MEDIA DAYS

AUBURN HIGH TIGERS

BENJAMIN RUSSELL WILDCATS

CHAMBERS ACADEMY REBELS

LAFAYETTE BULLDOGS PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

LANETT PANTHERS

DADEVILLE TIGERS

SPRINGWOOD WILDCATS

VALLEY RAMS

B5 August 5, 2021

LOACHAPOKA INDIANS

NOTASULGA BLUE DEVILS

RUSSELL COUNTY WARRIORS

THE OAKS PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / OPELIKA OBSERVER

SOUTHERN PREP ACADEMY FIGHTING RANGERS

MEDIA DAYS

>>

FROM B1

season, Beck announced that the AISA championship triple header will once again be held at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Since 2000, the event has typically been held at Troy University’s stadium. However, due to COVID-19, the event was moved to Montgomery last year, and will be held there again in November 2021.

“We have had a great relationship with Troy University,” Beck said.

“At this time it’s just a move due to the COVID situation that we are dealing with.”

With this in mind, Beck did not close the door on the idea of more championship events taking place at Cramton Bowl in the future, but “at this point and time, our plans are to be back at Troy,” he said.

The AISA Championship triple header is scheduled for Nov. 19, with the Class A game beginning at noon, the Class AA game at 3:30 p.m. and the Class AAA game beginning at 7 p.m.

Another topic that Beck addressed in his press conference was the integration of girls’ flag football as an officially sanctioned high school sport in Alabama. While the AHSAA has already done this and seen a good response from school’s in its bigger classifications, Beck said there are

complications to introducing the sport into the AISA. “At this time, it’s on the backburner,” he said. “We would love to provide another sport for our females, but a lot of schools, a lot of our numbers are so small, that being a fall sport, you’re cutting into your volleyball program, your cross country

REELTOWN REBELS program and your cheerleaders. We do not have many schools that would be able to do it.”

Beck discussed the possibility of adding eight-man football to the AISA’s repertoire, too, saying “it could be a possibility down the road.” And, additionally, he touched on the referee shortage that is currently plaguing the

association.

“We’re advertising,” Beck said. “And the sad thing about it, you’re not getting a whole lot of response. We don’t have any young ones [referees] to do it. So training is very important. They are trying to learn and we need them as we move down the line.”

A number of AISA member schools were in attendance at Media

Days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Practice ramps up this week.

Their seasons are approaching rapidly.

Overall, Beck is focused on delivering to them, yet another successful season in 2021.

“We are in it to please our student athletes,” Beck said. “Hopefully we will continue to keep moving forward.”

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B6 August 5, 2021

Auburn Bass Fishing Club's Recent Success Reels in Skilled Anglers CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

CONTRIBUTED BY JASON ALEXANDER LEE Qualifying 11 twoman teams to compete in the College B.A.S.S. National Championship is no small feat, but that’s exactly what the Auburn University Bass Fishing team accomplished this season.

It was the latest in a long line of the accomplishments the team has achieved within the previous year.

The 22 Tigers heading to the College B.A.S.S. National Championship Aug. 1214, on the St. Lawrence River in New York, is the biggest group Auburn has ever qualified in a single season for the national championship. The team also won all five Southern Collegiate Bass Trail tournaments and swept

Numerous members of the Auburn University Bass Fishing team came out to support Logan Parks and Tucker Smith during final weigh-ins when they were crowned champions at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Saginaw Bay.

Members of the Auburn University Bass Fishing team spend countless hours on the water honing their skills ahead of tournaments. the top three places at the Alabama Bass Nation College State Championship this season.

The sport of tournament bass fishing has been on a steady rise over the past few years and is opening opportunities for young anglers around the country. Auburn’s club is providing these anglers chances to develop their skills and showcase their talents on a national level. In doing so, the team is making quite a name for itself

across the U.S. Reeling them in The team’s continued success is attracting many young anglers to come and see what Auburn is all about.

Not only is the club attracting talented fishermen to Auburn’s campus, but it is bringing them from far and wide, including places like California, Canada and even Zimbabwe.

For many of these fishermen, the team is what drew them to the university.

“Although there were

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other factors that drew me toward Auburn, the fishing team was definitely one of the biggest deciders for me,” said Sam Harvey, a Zimbabwe native studying business administration. “It just had something that I felt no other teams I was looking at did, and that was a drive from the team members themselves to help and grow the team to where it is today.”

Harvey is not the only team member coming to Auburn from

outside the U.S. Rob Cruvellier, a senior studying business administration, came to Auburn from Montreal, Canada.

“I narrowed down my universities by which university has the best team, while also being close to lakes that can help me improve my fishing abilities by going out for a few hours after class,” Cruvellier said. “And Auburn was really the best fit.”

Coming from such great distances can be daunting, but it is a challenge that many members of the team were ready to face.

“Auburn was initially very different for me,” Harvey said. “My eyes were wide open, to say the least. I come from a smaller community back home in Africa, and although we have some of the best largemouth bass fishing there, it just doesn’t compare to the industry of tournament bass fishing in the U.S. I had to adapt, for sure.”

Being prt of Auburn’s fishing team helped Harvey adjust to a new country.

“To understand a new culture I had never experienced and all new people, it was a very fun yet challenging first semester,” Harvey said.

“The fishing team has definitely been the best things that’s happened to me and helped me transition a lot easier.

In general, Zimbabwe is much smaller than the U.S., thus, the fishing community doesn’t stretch as wide. We have some bucket-list bass fishing destinations; however, the U.S. has all the dreams of becoming a professional fisherman.”

Popular pastime The culture surrounding bass fishing in Alabama and the U.S. is much deeper ingrained compared to other countries, including Canada. The fact that it has gained popularity and support at the collegiate level helps create more and more opportunities for young anglers.

“It’s a lot more common,” Cruvellier said. “Everybody in Alabama fishes, but in Montreal, you tell somebody that you fish

bass tournaments, and they pretty much have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s just a huge deal in Alabama, and anybody who wants to really make it professionally and really have it be a huge part of their lives has to fully immerse themselves in it.”

Former Team President Logan Parks attributes much of the team’s success to being able to recruit new members with diverse backgrounds.

“That definitely is another reason why I think we’re so successful,” Parks, who recently won the Carhartt College B.A.S.S. Tour Stop #4 with his partner, Tucker Smith, said.

“We have kind of created a super team. We’ve got people from all across the country and outside of the country who all have different skillsets and mindsets. They approach fishing competitively in different ways, and they’re all very successful in their own ways.

See FISHING, page B7

B7 August 5, 2021

Hello August Celebrations 1-7 is International Clown Week in which we celebrate those who have been called to be clowns and make us laugh and smile. I love how the young and old are brightened up by a clown.

Even though Water Melon Day is celebrated on Aug. 3, we celebrate this delicious big and juicy classed fruit and veggie all summer long!

A bit of science here, watermelons are classed as a fruit because it grows from a seed and is a melon which contains a juicy, cool, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. refreshing flavor. Our popular watermelon is also in the same family as the squash, cucumbatch of chocolate chip s teachers, parber and pumpkin which ents and students, cookies. This is a wonder- puts it in the vegetable family. Also, we notice August seems to ful hands-on math lesson watermelons are picked slip in with rainy days before school starts. No and harvested from vines, called “Dog Days”, but to time to cook? Just stop which is the same as oththis month also seems to at the bakery to pick up be a peaceful and quiet cookies to share with oth- er growing vegetables. month as we prepare for Young children love ers in the neighborhood or the busyness of school. work. Guide your children the cold juicy taste of waWe try to savor each to understand that it is termelon. With children, moment of summer with important to share with remember to remove the the beautiful sunsets, others. Not only is it a seeds as well as cutting summertime swimming, blessing to the recipient up melon pieces in eatpicnics and those lazy, but it is a blessing to the able chunks. Have the hazy days of summer as giver too. children count the seeds we embark in hope on a A bit of history as you as a math lesson, then brand new school year. munch on your chocolate even plant the seeds as a Today is Wednesday, chip cookie: Our favorite science lesson.

Aug. 4 and we celebrate cookie was invented by Another special day National Chocolate Chip Ruth Graves Wakefield. which we celebrate Cookie Day. Chocolate She and her husband ran every day is National chip cookies are enjoyed the Toll House Inn in Friendship Day on Aug. on hot or cold days. Bring Massachusetts. So this 1. Teaching your chilyour young cooks into the is where “Toll House” dren that friends are a kitchen to help you read Cookies originated from. blessing is the very best the recipe, measure, pour, Don’t we all love to life lesson you can share stir and bake a delicious laugh? This week, Aug. with your children. I

have been taught this summer when I have gone through some health problems that friends don’t ask what they can do, they come in and do what needs to be done. I have a very special friend who is truly a practical servant in helping others in need.

She has gone with me to doctors’ appointments, shopped for my weekly groceries and provided me JOY rides. Teaching children that actions speak louder than words in making friends and helping others is truly a valuable life lesson.

We can read many Bible verses on friendship.

Children love to sing this Bible verse from John 15:12-13, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Tomorrow, Aug. 5, is “Work Like a Dog Day”.

As families get ready for this school year, we know there are days that you just have to work hard.

We notice that some dogs dig , dig, dig and don’t give up until the job is done. This day is to honor the hardest working folks among us whether it be in your family or at work.

After working so hard another holiday that is observed and celebrated is “Wiggle Your Toes Day”. Children love to do rhymes with their toes.

We all remember “This

little piggy went to the market, this little piggy stayed at home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had non, and this little piggy went wee, wee, all the way home” using all five toes on each foot starting with the largest and ending with the smallest. I love the way preschool teachers do toe and foot art with paints and tracing. I know in the heat of this summer the best place to wiggle your toes is in a cool pool.

Aug. 7 is National Lighthouse Day. You do not have to travel outside of our beautiful state to see lighthouses. Like some folks are storm chasers when it comes to weather, my husband was a lighthouse chaser when it came to going to lighthouses for history interest. Carl loved to canoe. We lived in Mobile, Alabama, and he loved to canoe to the Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile Bay. The Middle Bay Lighthouse is a hexagonal-shaped cottage style screw-pile lighthouse.

The lighthouse is located offshore from Mobile, Alabama. This lighthouse has so much warm history from its activation in 1885. According to the Alabama Lighthouse Association, in 1916 the keepers’ wife gave birth to a baby that summer.

The keeper brought a dairy cow to the station and corralled it on a section of the lower deck

because his wife was unable to nurse the newborn baby.

Sand Island Lighthouse is a decommissioned lighthouse located at the southernmost point of the state of Alabama near Dauphin Island.

Battery Gladden Lighthouse in Mobile Bay at one time marked a turn in the old ship channel. It was deactivated in 1913.

Mobile Point range Lights were a series of lights at the entrance of Mobile Bay. They served as range lights during the American Civil War. Another lighthouse in Alabama on Mobile Bay was Choctaw Point Lighthouse.

At times the stream, rivers and waves of life flow smoothly but there are times in our lives when there are rocks, shoals, shallows when we are faced with disappointments, losses, uncertain futures and just don’t know what to do. This is where God provides a lighthouse for us. Lighthouses not only warn us of impending dangers when we see the full beams of light in the darkness but it gives us hope and encouragement of being guided in the right way. The beacon of light God uses is the Bible is, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

God gives us this light in order to live our lives.

Beth Pinyerd, Classroom Observer

FISHING >>

potential members, answering any questions they may have and making them feel like a welcomed member of the team. Of course, he will also take prospective members out for some fishing as well.

After becoming a member of the team, there are a few things to expect. There are a set of qualifiers at the beginning of the year that include a series of five tournaments that determine rankings within the Auburn team. There are also weekly meetings where the team discusses anything important that’s going on.

Any angler, regardless of rank, receives payment for hotels at every event, as well as gas reimbursements based off tournament

results. The team also has numerous social outings throughout the year with the purpose of team bonding. Any anglers interested in joining the team can contact Hanggi by email (samhanggi@ icloud.com).

“With our lack of ability to provide scholarships, it makes our recruitment process much more difficult,” Hanggi said.

“However, due to our success as a team and the hard work of our members, we have continued to recruit some of the highest-placing individuals in college fishing.”

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary

research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs.

Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

A

FROM B6

“Having all those kinds of different minds together on the same team creates a very successful thing for us.”

With the rise in popularity of competitive bass fishing over the past few years, it is becoming more common for young anglers to base their college decision on their school of choice’s fishing team.

“I do see that,” Parks said. “The more people know about us, the farther the name Auburn Fishing gets spread. I do see a lot more anglers coming to Auburn in the future for the fishing team, and not just from the U.S.” Riding its wave of success, the Auburn

bass fishing team is becoming a prominent name in the tournament fishing world, but success is nothing new for the anglers.

“We have some of the most notable alumni in the competitive professional fishing world,” Parks said. “We’ve got Steve Kennedy, an Auburn graduate who’s been around the professional scene for a long time. Then we’ve got Jordan and Matt Lee, who are both brothers and fished for Auburn, and Jordan went on to win Bassmaster Classic, which is basically the Super Bowl of bass fishing, two years in a row. So, that definitely puts Auburn on the map big-time for high school kids who want to come here and fish.”

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Recruiting new anglers Auburn’s team has grown considerably in recent years. The team now sits at almost 100 members, and its growth appears to be continuing steadily.

Club Membership Chair Sam Hanggi explained their recruiting process for any young anglers looking to join the team.

“We rely on our social media presence to recruit new members, whether it be our Instagram, YouTube series, et cetera,” Hanggi said. “We also reach out to other successful high-school competitors directly with the hopes of getting them interested in joining the team.”

Hanggi is responsible for talking with

B8 August 5, 2021

Esperanza House Donates Backpacks With Help From OPD On Thursday, Aug. 29, Esperanza House hosted a back to school registration and backpack giveaway at Opelika’s Goodwill Career Center. There were 60 students registered for Opelika City Schools and 92 backpacks distributed with help from Opelika police officers. Goodwill also provided 92 gift cards for back to school shopping.

Approximately 33 Hispanic families were served, fed and are now prepared to start the school year.

Opelika would like to thank so many organizations that came alongside Esperanza House for this event: - Goodwill Career Center - Auburn Community Church - Church of The Highlands (Opelika Campus) - City of Opelika Community Development - Opelika Police

Department (Community officers, School officers) - Our older Esperanza House students helped serve as well! We are so proud of them!

Goodwill not only hosted the event but provided five interpreters that came here from their other Career Center in Columbus.

Esperanza House is excited to launch their tutoring program for the Opelika

Hispanic students at the Goodwill Career Center school year 2021-22.

“We are blown away by all the support and thankful for all of these organizations working together to serve a serious need in the community!

Esperanza House looks forward to working with these organizations and the City of Opelika in the future,” said Odalys Silvera of Esperanza

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

House.

“The Back-to-School registration and backpack giveaway held at the Goodwill Center was amazing! To see the children excited to embark on a new school year and eager to learn is refreshing.

We had a fantastic turnout and hope to make this an annual event for our Hispanic community,” said Lisa Thrift, City of Opelika Community Development.

OLLI at Auburn Presents

Fall 2021 Term With a Focus on Wild Places in Alabama CONTIBUTED BY OLLI The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn Univeristy introduces Fall 2021 term with a special focus on the wilderness of Alabama. OLLI will kick-off fall term with an opening event on Sept. 8 with author, journalist and filmaker, Michael Ray Taylor.

Taylor’s talk is sponsored by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the F. Allen and Louise K. Turner Foundation. The Turner grant is also

funding a public Brown Bag series that willl examine nature and designated wilderness areas of Alabama through the lenses of history, literature, science and politics. OLLI classes begin Sept. 13.

In addition to the usual rich variety of not-for-credit classes, this fall OLLI will also offer its members a set of classes focused on the wilderness of our beautiful state including Ancient Life in Alabama, Landscape Photography and Shinrin Yoku Forest

Bathing. OLLI longterm favorites – Writing Our Lives, World War II, Line Dancing, Mysteries, Yoga, Shakespeare, Spanish and The Concerto will also be offered. And again this fall, all three OLLIs in Alabama will share a few, via ZOOM, stand-out classes with each other. The University of Alabama will offer Opera, US

Founders and a class on Iceland, while The University of Alabama in Huntsville will offer Chinese Art History, World War I and Dolly Parton: More than a Cup of Ambition.

Classes will be held in-person, via ZOOM, with a few ZOOM hybrids. Registration begins Aug. 16. View course offerings now at www.auburn.edu/

outreach/olliatauburn.

OLLI at Auburn is a member organization that enriches the lives of senior adults by providing opportunities to engage with ideas, each other and the community. There is no homework and no grades – just the fun of discovering the world we live in with your fellow learners. Visit the OLLI website at http://www.auburn.edu/ outreach/olliatauburn or call 334-844-3146.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for

University Outreach.

OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property, 1031 S. College St., Auburn, Alabama. For more information or to learn about becoming a Volunteer Faculty Member, Volunteer Service Assistant, or Sponsor, contact Barbara Daron, OLLI Program Coordinator, at 334-844-3102, olli@ auburn.edu, or visit our website at www. auburn.edu/outreach/ olliatauburn.

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

August 5, 2021

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Inside the Statehouse

Governor Ivey Should Coast to Reelection

F

STEVE FLOWERS

or over a year I have been touting the fact that the 2022 election year in the Heart of Dixie was going to be the busiest and most monumental in history. Folks, it looks like it is not going to be as eventful as anticipated. Yes, everything is on the ballot, but the power of incumbency is thwarting the drama. It appears the U.S. Senate race is going to be the marquee event.

Most states have their big election years in the same year as the presidential contest. Not so in Alabama, our carte blanche election year is in between presidential elections in what is referred to nationally as off years.

All our constitutional officers are on the ballot next year as well as all 105 state house seats, 35 state senate seats, all 67 sheriffs, all state school board members, along with all seven of our Congressional seats.

Historically, the biggest race in Alabama is governor. In fact, throughout history the governor’s race year has been the largest turnout year in Alabama. That is probably because it was not until the 1970’s that a governor could succeed themselves.

Therefore, there was an open governor’s race every four years.

The inherent advantage of incumbency has cut down on the every four years gubernatorial circus and theater. This incumbency advantage is playing out to the nines as we head towards next year’s May 24 election day.

All four of our top tier Constitutional offices are held by popular incumbents and all four are running for reelection virtually unopposed. All of our statewide elected offices are held by Republicans. A Democrat cannot win a statewide race in Alabama.

They can get 40% but that appears to be the ultimate threshold. Therefore, winning the May 24 GOP Primary is tantamount to election.

Governor Kay Ivey is the prohibitive favorite to win a full second term next year. She has done a good job as governor despite the gigantic obstacles of having to fight through a once in a lifetime COVID pandemic, which completely shut down the world’s economy for over 15 months. She

did a good job of steadying the ship of state during the crisis.

It was thought and even anticipated that Ivey would run for only one four-year term when she was elected in 2018. She, herself, probably thought she might only run one time because, coupled with her serving as governor the last two years of Robert Bentley’s tenure, would give her a six-year reign. That mindset of striving to govern for four-years rather than run for reelection has made her a successful governor. Ivey has rolled up her sleeves and tackled the job and diligently governed. She has gubernatorially addressed many of the problems that have plagued the state and been swept under the rug or kicked down the road for decades. Addressing the problems of repairing the state’s roads and infrastructure and the prison problems has not been an exciting agenda, but she has been a workhorse governor rather than a show horse governor.

She will coast to reelection. It would be difficult for a candidate to run negative ads against your grandmother. The only thing that could prevent Ivey from serving another term is if she changes her mind.

She relies a lot on her Chief of Staff, former Mobile/Baldwin Congressman, Jo Bonner. There is speculation that Bonner may accept the position of President of the University of South Alabama. Gov. Ivey would very much miss her “little brother” from Wilcox. However, she has a brilliant and loyal youthful staff that have been with her all four-years. She will probably stay the course and be reelected.

Speaking of youthful, our young Lt. Governor, Will Ainsworth, is poised to win reelection to a second four-year term essentially unopposed. He is waiting in the wings, ready to run for governor.

Attorney General Steve Marshall is also going to coast to reelection with only token or no opposition. Marshall has tackled his job well and diligently over his first fouryear term. He, like Ivey, has strived to delve into his job rather than politick full time. He has staked out a position as being a bona fide conservative Alabama Republican.

Rick Pate has done an excellent job as Alabama Agriculture Commissioner and will deservedly win a second four-year term as the head of this important constitutional office. He is perfectly suited and qualified for this job.

So, folks, it looks like it may be a dull year. However, don’t fret, we have 67 local sheriff races and all 140 legislative seats all running under new lines.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature.

Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Auburn Council Approves Transportation Plan, Warrants For New Elementary School

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM The Auburn City Council met Tuesday night for a short agenda, which included approving the transportation plan, warrants for a new elementary school and expansions to the Auburn Industrial Park and Technology Park North.

Warrants for new elementary school: The Auburn City Council approved general obligation warrants Tuesday night which will relate to the next phase of the Auburn City Schools financing plan — the construction of a new

elementary school and renovations to East Samford School.

The warrants include the $17.9 million General Obligation Warrants and the $26,825,000 Taxable General Obligation Warrants.

Auburn Industrial Park: The Auburn Industrial Park is planning to expand with a new 6,000-plus-squarefoot facility.

The new facility will “allow for additional space for future startup companies to locate,” the city’s e-packet said.

The Industrial Development Board will finance the new facility with

$1.1 million from AuburnBank and $450,000 in existing funds.

Auburn Technology Park North: Additionally, the Auburn Technology Park North sought and received approval for expansion of the industrial facility in the park.

The Industrial Development Board requested approval to utilize the Revolving Loan Fund for the expansion.

The expansion is for a 12,000-plussquare-foot expansion to the manufacturing facility, which will be financed by See AUBURN COUNCIL, page B10

Hanwha Cimarron to Build Manufacturing Facility in Opelika

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM Hanwha Cimarron, LLC is building a new manufacturing facility

NOW OPEN

in the city of Opelika.

The base of operations will provide a capital investment of $130 million and bring 261 jobs to the city.

“They are producing

products for the use [in] many industry sectors including aerospace, drone defense, marine, rail, vehicle and See HANWHA, page B10

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

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B10 August 5, 2021

Could a Building Named for a Beloved Admiral be Renamed Someday?

GREG MARKLEY While visiting Naval Station Great Lakes, near Chicago, recently I noticed a building was named after Admiral Mike Boorda. He went from the lowest rank (sailor) to the highest rank in the Navy (admiral), a remarkable story.

But it ended horribly, due to a true or untrue allegation published in Newsweek.

In May 1996, I was visiting a Navy base as I traveled from New York to my new home in Lee County. I picked up the latest edition of Navy Times and read the main headline: “Mike Boorda, Chief of Naval Operations, commits suicide.” I recalled the day when I met some of the admiral’s coworkers in 1993 who praised

AUBURN >>

FROM B9

$1.9 million from AuburnBank.

Transportation Plan: The city approved the transportation plan Tuesday night, which is funded through the FY 202122 Biennial budget.

The plan includes two projects, renewing the Opelika Road Phase 4 project from Gentry Drive to Saughatchee Road.

This project will create a grass median, bicycle lanes and left-turn lanes.

HANWAH >>

FROM B10

gas transportation, in addition to the jobs that they already have it the automobile business,” said City Council President Eddie Smith during the city’s announcement Tuesday.

“We’re very fortunate to have Hanwha who is already a major presence in our community, has made a difference in our community by being a part of it, that we owe them a debt of gratitude to them for.”

The facility will cater to the Carbon Overwrap Pressure Vessel industry.

David Jeon, CEO of Hanwha Cimarron, said on Tuesday that the company is excited for local partnerships in Opelika.

“I want to thank you so much for your hospitality,” he said.

his originality, strategic knowledge and above all, his people skills.

I was deployed to Zagreb, Croatia, for three months and knew that if we got into a ground war in the Balkans, Boorda would command the Joint Task Force. His aides were already scouting a location for a headquarters and they greatly admired him.

We at the public affairs team were supposed to go to Naples, Italy, to meet key people, including Boorda. That trip fell through. So I did not meet the amazing man who became the 25th CNO and the first who was not a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

For decades, a campaign to dislodge statues of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson was unheard of. But now, having owned slaves turned the first and third U.S. presidents into personas non-grata.

Naturally, descendants of slaves have strong reasons for downgrading slave-holders and this negative aspect of some Founders’ lives

is regrettable. Seeing Boorda’s building at the navy base in Illinois makes me wonder if future activists may want to delete his name, too.

What happens when in say, 2035, an effort sweeps the country to change the names of buildings and monuments named for persons who committed suicide? Will proponents say we should not glorify those who take their own life? Maybe in 2051 new evidence will surface that Boorda wore a whole lot of medals that he didn’t earn? Then what, down comes his name from the building and his Lone Sailor Statue? (See below for the controversy about his medal usage.) Where does it stop?

Boorda, 56, left suicide notes with “expressions of concern” that he had harmed the reputation of his beloved Navy, following Newsweek’s investigation into the legitimacy of his having two ribbon devices on his uniform and was thought to have made an unconscious error that he was authorized to wear them.

The 4-star admiral was said to be agitated over the research conclusions made for Newsweek by contributor David Hackworth, a highly decorated soldier in the Vietnam War. (Hackworth, who retired as a colonel, wrote the best-selling “About Face,” which showed the generals stumbling for an honorable way out of the quagmire.)

According to Newsweek’s issue 11 days after Boorda’s death, “Hackworth believed that wearing an undeserved combat pin for valor was a grave matter of honor in the military, ‘the worst thing you can do.’” I agree.

The final word came on June 24, 1999, from the Department of the Navy Board for Correction of Naval Records, which determined that despite the additions to Boorda’s personnel file he was not authorized to wear Valor devices. That ruling came more than three years after Boorda’s death. In a one-page suicide note for “my sailors,” he apologized for the issue

of his medals, noted the New York Times.

One result of all the partisanship and “tribalism” of our time is that the concept of historical empathy is, even more, a challenge for a person to use when studying history. In old times, researchers may find that people were too tough on their children, and these historians would recoil, for example. But “putting on someone else’s shoes” is very important to avoid biases and to correctly describe an era or heroes.

People may object to a Jefferson statue because, by today’s standards, he was not a great man, not when he was promoting democracy everywhere but on his own farm. But why should we use today’s standards to understand another time? That would make for a poor history paper or book and one not fair to all persons studied.

As I noted, history may be rewritten in a way that judges Mike Boorda too heavily on his last living act. In the larger view, he was a giant in the Navy’s

constellation and that’s why, in a rarity even for admirals, he is honored by having a major building named for him, at Naval Station Great Lakes.

Yes, I was disappointed in 1993 in Europe not to have met Admiral “Mike” Boorda, given the charisma and intelligence he oozed. His memory is still present at the large base, in his seven-story 310,000 square foot complex. I don’t expect protestors asking to take his name off the building anytime soon. Perhaps in 25 years? Who knows?

Things are changing so fast.

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 11 years. gm.markley@ charter.net .

You can always talk to someone by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-2738255 (TALK).

The second project is the Cox Road/Wire Road Roundabout.

Masking in City Schools: Over 20 parents spoke at the Auburn City Council meeting against the recent Auburn City Schools Board of Education decision regarding face coverings this fall.

For this coverage and more information, turn to A1 or see here: www.opelikaobserver.com/ the-buck-stops-withthe-parent-parentsreact-to-face-covering-requirements-in-

schools/ .

Other Business: - The council approved retail beer and retail table wine alcohol beverage licenses for the Auburn Candle Company.

- The council approved retail beer and retail table wine alcohol beverage licenses for The Goal Post.

- The council approved a lounge retail liquor alcohol beverage license for The Goal Post.

- The council approved a contract with Dell Marketing

LP C/O Dell USA LP. to extend support on Dell Data Protection 4400 appliances for over $27,000.

- The council approved expenditures of almost $45,000 to Hudmon Construction Co., Inc for the Farmville Road Culvert Replacement Project.

- The council approved expenditures for almost $141,000 to Hudmon Construction Co., Inc. for the Ogletree Road Culvert Replacement Project.

- The council approved over $42,000

for emergency repairs to the city meeting room by J.A. Lett Construction Company, Inc. - The council approved the annual independent audit by Machen McChesney for over $87,000.

- The council approved basic law enforcement training for five police officers by the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy for $16,000.

- The council approved the installation of underground power by the

Tallapoosa River Electric Company for Fire Station 6 for over $26,600.

- The council approved sanitary sewer easements for a property at 105 Prather’s Lake Drive

by Glenn Property Revocable Trust.

- The council approved drainage and utility easements and rights-of-way for a property south of Cary Creek Parkway and the terminus of Turing Lane by Bridgewater at Cary Creek, LLC. The next meeting will be on Aug. 17.

“I’m very fortunate to serve as CEO … and in fact, Opelika is very special to me because I was a young project manager years ago when Hanwha first decided that Opelika, Alabama, would be the U.S. home … so fate has brought me back here.”

Hollie Pegg, assistant director for the business development division of commerce for the state of Alabama, said the state welcomes what she dubbed the ‘second generation’ of Hanwha.

“They’ve been a great corporate partner,” she said. “Now to have this new entity, new division, to join us here will be wonderful. And our commitment to you is to provide the best-skilled workforce to you.”

This workforce development will include partnerships with community colleges

and high schools in the area, Pegg said.

“Opelika is a community that ‘gets it,’” Pegg said. “I think that’s an overused expression but we’ve seen for really almost 20 years now, certainly for the past 15-plus years, the commitment by the leadership, by the city council, by the county commission, by the IDA to invest the money to be ready so when an opportunity comes, they will be the best prepared to welcome and create jobs for your residents.

So, thank you.”

This new facility will not be just focus on automobiles, like the previous Hanwha partnerships, Smith said, but a host of other opportunities.

“Hanwha Cimarron’s decision to build a new manufacturing facility in Opelika is

great news for the city and for the state,” said Gov. Kay Ivey in a press release. “This is another project that will create jobs for our hard-working citizens while also showing Alabama offers the kind of business environment

that companies seek for success.”

Although Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller could not attend the announcement due to contracting COVID-19, he shared his gratitude in the city’s press release.

“We thank the leaders of Hanwha Cimarron for having confidence in Opelika,” he said. “Our city provides a strong workforce and offers great living amenities.

We are excited to support this new industry.”

B11 August 5, 2021

B12 August 5, 2021

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LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED DIRECTOR OF MODERNIZATION & DEVELOPMENT KIND OF WORK: This is administrative work in directing & managing activities of modernization, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects & initiatives for the Opelika Housing Authority.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.)

Manages and directs all phases of construction, renovation, revitalization, rehabilitation, modernization and work order initiatives; Plans, budgets, schedules, and coordinates projects and work order initiatives; Prepares materials and equipment specifications; Prepares specifications to acquire architectural, engineering, and related professional services; Prepares specifications for contract work; Ability to perform the procurement requirements and functions for services needed; Supervises work of contractors; Supervises the inspection

of substandard housing and prepares reports for scope of work and cost estimates for repair; Performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of multi and single family housing design, development and building construction methods, practices and materials; Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of construction, maintenance, and project management; thorough knowledge of labor and materials costs related to construction and repair; thorough knowledge of building codes, ordinances, regulations and standards governing construction and maintenance of residential housing; thorough knowledge of federal and state public bid laws and Section 3 requirements; working knowledge of public housing development, modernization and maintenance programs desirable; thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of administration and management;

ability to plan, manage and direct multiple projects and initiatives; ability to plan and supervise the work of professional and technical subordinates; ability to prepare comprehensive and accurate reports and records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and technical personnel, contractors, government and public officials, other employees and the general public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Attainment of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in business or public administration, civil engineering or a related field and a minimum of five years’ progressively responsible managerial and administrative experience in the housing development, construction, rehabilitation or maintenance industry; or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements.

HELP WANTED Opelika Housing Development, Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated, experienced, and trustworthy candidates to

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.

fill the Full-time position of Maintenance Technician for properties in the Opelika, AL. . area. Duties will include, but not be limited to: Promptly handle unit and facility work orders Complete repairs in a consistent and correct manner Provide excellent customer service Work well with other team members Willing to clean grounds as needed Be well organized to coordinate and perform unit

and site inspections Able to complete makeready of units proficiently Ideal candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in apartment maintenance (or similar skills).

Candidates should have an understanding of and repair capabilities in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, appliance repair, and/or other tasks related to maintaining the communities in excellent condition. HVAC Certification not required, but preferred. This position will offer competitive pay

and benefit package.

Education: High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: Driver’s License (Required) HVAC Certification (Not required, but preferred) To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application on-line at http://www.opelikaha.org/ Default.asp?ID=123&pg=Employment+Opportunities

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. : CV-2021900166.00 MARSH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS, LLC, Plaintiff, v.

A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama More Particularly Described in Deed Book 2355 at Page 400 and Unknown Persons, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 18th day of May 2021, a Bill to Quiet Title was

filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: Lot No. 2 in Block A of the Byrd Lands according to and as shown by Totten’s Real Estate Map of Opelika, Alabama 1930, and more particularly described as follows: Commence at the intersection of the Northeasterly margin of Fourth Street with the Northwesterly margin of Avenue A, in the City of Opelika, Alabama, and run thence in a Northeasterly direction, along the Northwesterly margin of Avenue A, 100 feet to the point of Beginning of the lot here to be described

and conveyed; from said Point of Beginning run thence in a Northwesterly direction parallel to Fourth Street, 200 feet; thence in a Northeasterly direction, parallel to Avenue A , 85 feet; thence in a Southeasterly direction, parallel to Fourth Street, 200 feet to the Northwesterly margin of Avenue A; thence in a Southwesterly direction, along the Northwesterly margin of Avenue A, 85 feet to the said Point of Beginning; together with all improvements thereon and all appurtenances thereunto appertaining. Said property is further described as being

the identical property conveyed by Mrs. Esther S. Blanton, et als to Roy W. Odom and Eva D. Odom by deed dated September 24, 1949 of record in Deed book 322 on Page 68 in the Office of Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being

intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 6th day of July 2021.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 07/15/21, 07/22/21, 07/29/21 & 08/05/21 ––––––– NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

ESTATE OF CLAUDIA W. EVANS, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day o f July, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby giben 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 15th day of July, 2021.

FORSON EVAN, JR. Legal Run 07/22/21, 07/29/21 & 08/05/21 See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B13

B13 August 5, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES ––––––– NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL August 17, 2021 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with §23-4-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, that the City Council of the City of Opelika will conduct a Public Hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to receive the benefit of public input concerning a proposal to vacate a portion of an unnamed street lying between Lots 5, 6 and 8A of a subdivision plat entitled “Revision of Lots 3,4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18, a re-subdivision of Lots 4 and 7 of Fox Run Industrial Park, First Revision First Addition”, according to and as shown on plat of said subdivision of record in Plat Book 20 at Page 89 in the Office of the Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama. All persons interested in the proposed vacation are invited to appear at the public hearing and express their views.

Written statements or objections may be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the time of the hearing.

The portion of said unnamed street proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows: LOTS 8A AND 9A, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF REVISION OF LOTS 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18 A RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 4 & 7 FOXRUN INDUSTRIAL PARK, FIRST ADDITION, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN PLAT BOOK 20, PAGE 89. BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGIN AT A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND AT THE SW CORNER OF LOT 8A OF SAID PLAT, SAID REBAR ALSO LYING ON THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF AN UNNAMED ROAD (60 FEET INWIDTH RIGHT OF WAY); THENCE RUN NORTHERLY AND NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE THE FOLLOWING THREE (3) COURSES: 1.)

N00°05'40"W, A DISTANCE OF 205.58 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND; 2.) ALONG A CURVE TO THE RIGHT (RADIUS= 150.00 FEET) A CHORD BEARING AND DISTANCE OF N28°34'21"E, 143.76 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "15722") FOUND; 3.) N57°12'47"E, A DISTANCE OF

160.39 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAID EAST RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND THE SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF FOX RUN PARKWAY (U.S. HIGHWAY 431) (ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT NO. OLB-041-000-001) (RIGHT OF WAY WIDTH VARIES); THENCE RUN SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE THE FOLLOWING THREE (3) COURSES: 1.)

S32°49'21"E, A DISTANCE OF 171.84 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND AT A RIGHT OF WAY FLARE; 2.) S44°08'51"E, ALONG SAID FLARE, A DISTANCE OF 101.65 FEET TO A 6" x 6" CONCRETE MONUMENT FOUND; 3.)

S32°48'55"E, A DISTANCE OF 388.00 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF GREATER PEACE DRIVE (60 FEET IN-WIDTH RIGHT OF WAY); THENCE RUN S57°12'45"W, ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE, A DISTANCE OF 262.95 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND; THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTER ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE AND A CURVE TO THE RIGHT (RADIUS= 270.00 FEET) A CHORD BEARING AND DISTANCE OF S62°25'37"W, A DISTANCE OF 47.92 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR (CAPPED "11282") FOUND; THENCE LEAVING SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE RUN N31°32'31"W, A DISTANCE OF 339.52 FEET TO A 1/2" REBAR FOUND; THENCE RUN S89°58'51"W, A DISTANCE OF 136.31 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PARCEL OF LAND LIES IN THE SW 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 5, T19N, R27E, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND CONTAINS 4.79 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. A copy of the Petition to Vacate and the proposed resolution approving the vacation will be available upon request at the office of the City Clerk, 1st

Floor of City Hall, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334705-2083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

DATED this the 22nd day of July, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones RUSSELL A. JONES, CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21 & 08/12/21 ––––––– IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: CV-2021900126 JOHN L. BELFANCE, II and TINA L. BELFANCE, Plaintiffs, v.

Parcels of Real Property described as: Lee County, Alabama Tax Parcels 43-12-08-28-0-000002.031 and 43-12-08-28-0-000002.044, said parcels being legally described according to the Legal Descriptions included herein, And Jewel V. Meeks, and/ or the unknown heirs Of Jewel V. Meeks, And David L. Allmond, and/or the unknown heirs Of David L. Allmond, And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the abovecaptioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by Amendment when ascertained, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 21st day of April, 2021, a Complaint to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: John L. Belfance, II and Tina L. Belfance, as Plaintiffs; Jewell V. Meeks and/or the heirs of Jewell V. Meeks, and David L. Allmond and/or the heirs of David L. Allmond, and A Parcel of Real Property, described below, as Defendants; and unknown persons or entities who cannot

be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: PARCEL ONE: That certain lot, tract or parcel of land containing 16.439 acres located in Section 28, Township 19 North, Range 29 East, Lee County Alabama, more particularly described as follows: Commence at an iron pin marking the Southeast corner of said Section 28 and run North 01 degree 05 minutes West along the East line of said Section 28 a distance of 2298.4 feet to iron pin found located on North right of way line of Lee Road 250 (f/k/a Bleecker-Riverview Road); thence run along the northerly margin of said Lee Road 250 as follows, to-wit: South 65 degrees 05 minutes West 209.6 feet to a concrete right of way monument (P.C.138+18.3); thence South 63 degrees 28 minutes West 40.2 feet to a concrete right of way monument (P.C. 138+40.6); thence South 61 degrees 22 minutes West 483.6 feet to a point; thence South 57 degrees 15 minutes West 409.8 feet to a point; thence South 53 degrees 45 minutes West 455.5 feet to the intersection of the East right of way line of Lee Road 435 and the North right of way line of Lee Road 2 50; thence continue southwesterly along the North right-ofway line of Lee Road 250 a distance of 60 feet, more or less, to its intersection with the West right of way line of Lee Road 435; thence leaving the right of way line of Lee Road 250 run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West along the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 a distance of 3796.3 feet to the iron pin marking the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes West 1960.0 feet to an iron pin located on an old abandoned road; thence run North 43 degrees 00 minutes West along said abandoned road 870.0 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 00 degrees 16 minutes East 257.7 feet to an iron pin on the Southeast margin of the former Chattahoochee Valley Railroad; thence run North 42 degrees 50 minutes East along said railroad margin 176.0 feet to a point located at the centerline of Wacoochee Creek; thence run along the centerline of Wacoochee Creek as follows, to-wit: South 35 degrees 19 minutes East 209.2 feet to a point; thence South 19 degrees 45

minutes East 531.0 feet to a point; thence South 45 degrees 15 minutes East 364.0 feet to a point; thence North 26 degrees 45 minutes East 506.0 feet to a point; thence North 83 degrees 13 minutes East 231.0 feet to a point; thence North 59 degrees 21 minutes East 102.0 feet to a point; thence North 78 degrees 49 minutes East 266.2 feet to a point; thence leaving the centerline of Wacoochee Creek run North 15 degrees 37 minutes West 59.7 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes West 888.0 feet to an iron pin located on the West right of way line of Lee Road 435; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East along said right-of-way line 250.0 feet to the iron pin marking the POINT OF BEGINNING. SAVE AND EXCEPT THEREFROM: That portion of the above described property containing 3.09 acres, more or less, being more particularly described as follows; Commence at the intersection of the North right of way line of Lee Road 250 and the West right of way line of Lee Road 435 and run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 3796.30 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 285.59 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 597.41 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 224.92 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 68 degrees 45 minutes East 597.41feet to an iron pin; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East 224.97 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning. Together with a perpetual, non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities running along the northernmost boundary of the above-described property to the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 as same is described in that certain deed dated December 11, 2001 recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Deed Book 2215, Page 896. The description of this, save and except portion together with the easement for ingress, egress and utilities, is based on a survey prepared by Jack B. Shay, R.L.S., dated November 12, 2001.

Subject to easements and restrictions of record.

PARCEL TWO:

That certain lot, tract or parcel of land containing 3.09 acres located in Section 28, Township 19 North, Range 29 East, Lee County Alabama, more particularly described as follows: Commence at the intersection of the North right of way line of Lee Road 250 and the West right of way line of Lee Road 435 and run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 3796.30 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 285.59 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning; thence run South 68 degrees 45 minutes 19 seconds West 597.41 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 21 degrees 15 minutes West 224.92 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 68 degrees 45 minutes East 597.41feet to an iron pin; thence run South 21 degrees 15 minutes East 224.97 feet to the iron pin marking the Point of Beginning. Together with a perpetual, nonexclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities running along the northernmost boundary of the above-described property to the West right-of-way line of Lee Road 435 as same is described in that certain deed dated December 11, 2001 recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama in Deed Book 2215, Page 896. The description of this, save and except portion together with the easement for ingress, egress and utilities, is based on a survey prepared by Jack B. Shay, R.L.S., dated November 12, 2001.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 12th day of July, 2021. /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Of Counsel, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 324 East Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 07/22/21, 07/29/21, 08/05/21 & 08/12/21 –––––––

B14 August 5, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

A Petition to probate the will of the Estate of WALLACE E. KILGO, JR., deceased was filed in the Lee County Probate Office

by Alfred Doug Davidson on May 28, 2021. It is hereby : ORDERED by this Court that a hearing be set on this matter on the 8th day of September, 2021 at 9 o'clock a.m. central standard time.

It is further ORDERED by this Court that notice of this hearing be mailed or served on the following:

NOTE: The City of Opelika complies with the American with Disabilities Acts.

The City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

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 08/05/2021

Hon. Zachary D. Alsobrook 114 N 9TH Street Opelika, AL 36801 Julie Kilgo 2019 Lee Road 241 Salem, AL 36874 DONE this 1 6th day of July, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 07/29/2021, 08/05/2021 & 08/12/2021 ------------CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT August 10, 2021 9:00 A.M. MEETING CHAMBERS OPELIKA MUNICIPAL COURT 300 MLK BOULEVARD

------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF WALLACE E. KILGO, JR., DECEASED ESTATE NO.:2021319 10x5 - Bleed.pdf

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 July 13th BZA meeting.)

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 (This item tabled at July 13th BZA meeting.)

ORDER SETTING HEARING ON PETITION TO PROBATE A WILL AND APPOINT A GUARDIAN AD LITEM

CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA FAMILYJUNVENILE COURT IN THE MATTER OF: J.M.B & J.A.B.-minor children NOTICE TO: any unknown fathers of J.M.B. born 9/7/2005 & J.A.B. born 10/21/04 to Andrea Lynn Bearden at Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, Clayton Co., GA. Custody of the minor children was vested with Lee County DHR on 2/16/2019. Any unknown fathers must answer the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights filed in the Family Court of Lee County, AL by Lee County DHR, within fourteen (14) days from the last date of publication of this notice, or a final judgment may be rendered in Cases JU-2018504.02/505.02 in the Family Court of Lee Co., AL terminating all parental rights to the minor child.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Lee County Justice Center 2311 Gateway Dr. Opelika, AL 36801

Hon. Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR P.O. Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 07/15/21, 07/22/21, 07/29/21 & 08/05/21

------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA In the Matter of Mary Weeks, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any relatives or interested parties: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian for the person of Mary Weeks. It is ordered that the 9th day of September 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

be appointed the day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested may file their notice of appearance and contest the said petition if they deem it proper.

Said hearing may be conducted electronically.

Done this the 2nd day of August, 2021.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 08/05/21, 08/12/21 & 08/19/21 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GRACE W. COLLIER, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF

LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to William T. Collier and Dorothy C. Kolander, as Personal Repr esentatives of the Estate of Grace W. Collier, deceased on the 27th day of July, 2021, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred WILLIAM T. COLLIER, Personal Representative and DOROTHY C. KOLANDER, Personal Representative PREPARED BY: Phillip E. Adams, Jr. 205 S. 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 745-6466 Legal Run 08/05/2021, 08/12/2021 & 08/19/2021

------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of Jerry Roger Herring, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has

A. VARIANCE Approval of the July 13, 2021 Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes.

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been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office

by Jerry Randall Herring on July 30, 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 the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 08/05/2021

William Reason, 7/30/21 11:17 AM

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