The Observer 01-19-2023 E-edition

Dream Day Foundation Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

BY MADELINE ACOSTA FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

Theo Moore II is both the founder and CEO of Hiztorical Vision Productions, a nonprofit organization where Moore creates documentaries revolving around African American history in Alabama to educate and inspire people — as well as give a voice to the voiceless.

Growing up in Anniston, Alabama, Moore lived in a single-parent household along with his mother and his two sisters. The environment that Moore lived in made him look forward to going to school every day.

“That was my breath of fresh air,” Moore

said. “You

to you,

Lee County Commissioner John Andrew Harris Passes Away

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

District 5 Lee County Commissioner John Andrew Harris passed away over the weekend.

Harris began his political career in Opelika in 1986 by serving on the Opelika City Council, a position he held until 1994. After this, he served on the Lee County Commission for over two decades.

Following a brief hiatus, Harris returned to the commission this past fall, elected to District 5 in November.

Outside of politics, Harris also owned a grocery store in Opelika for 15 years. Before this last term on the commission, Harris was serving as the chairman of political action for the NAACP of Alabama.

“I do more than just a commissioner,” Harris said when he started his campaign last spring. “I go out and talk to the community, ride the roads, try to bond and form a relationship with them. We need to do more than that. I’m an innovative commissioner.”

During his lifetime, Harris received numerous distinguished commendations and awards spanning across his political career, including but not limited to: the Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award (2018, Dream Organization) and the Champion of Change Political Action Award (2019).

Harris’ funeral will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at St. Luke AME Church in Opelika. It will be open to the community.

Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home.

JOHN ANDREW HARRIS

had teachers that were very positive when speaking

and I tried to hold onto that as much as possible.”

Along with his love for education, Moore

See MOORE, page A3

Theo Moore, local filmmaker and CEO of Hiztorical Vision Production, received the firstever $1,500 David Brower Grant for Alabama filmmakers.

Opelika, Alabama

OPELIKA — The Dream Day Foundation held its 24th annual

MLK Day Celebration on Monday as students of many ages performed

skits, songs, dances and more to educate and See DREAM, page A5

The Dream Day Foundation held the annual MLK Jr. Program at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts Monday, Jan. 16.

BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Key Media, LLC welcomed its three newest college interns from

Auburn University last week.

The staff will be working with these students during the majority of the spring semester and the program is a requirement for graduation for two of

the three interns in their degree fields.

Key Media has enjoyed a strong relationship with the internship program with four interns going on to work in a full-time capacity at some point over

the past five years.

The first assignment for the interns is to polish their interviewing skills by interviewing each other and writing a feature piece after the interview. Other assignments over

the next few months will include covering local events, reporting on city and county governmental meetings and putting their photography skills to test.

Each intern will also be tasked with writing

at least one magazine feature for Key Media's LIVE Lee Magazine.

Key Media looks forward to sharing their work with its readers and followers on social media.

BY MADELINE ACOSTA FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

With the start of the new year, The Observer would like to introduce Daniel Locke as one of the spring semester’s student interns.

From Helena, Alabama, Locke originally studied hospitality management at Auburn University. After working at WEGL 91.1 FM alongside fellow students, Locke started the sports talk show “The Eagle’s Nest.” Locke also reported on athletic events, which inspired his passion for journalism.

“This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Locke said.

After changing his major to journalism, Locke continued to grow as an aspiring journalist.

“I want to make my sport’s journalism career in print,” Locke said. “Being an MLB or NHL beat writer is kind of the goal at this point. So, I feel like [writing] with the newspaper would be the best route.”

Considered one of Locke’s best friends, previous intern at The Observer, Harrison Tarr, introduced the intern program to Locke.

“I owe a debt of gratitude to him for that,” Locke said.

Along with his love for sports writing and journalism, Locke said he also enjoys partaking

in some of the athletics he writes about, such as golf. Locke’s fascination with sports doesn’t stop there, as he said his favorite pastime is watching Major League Baseball.

“I love to watch the Red Sox play,” Locke said. "It’s my favorite thing to do, even when they are bad.”

Locke has watched the Red Sox play across multiple ballparks, and even though he said he might have bias toward Fenway Park, home of his favorite team, there is one MLB ballpark that holds a special place in his heart.

“Bush Stadium in St. Louis is really nice,” Locke said. “I really like what they have been able to do there. Even though they have had NFL and they have NHL now, baseball is the only game in town there. It’s just a town in middle America that loves their team and is very passionate about baseball.”

Outside of the sports world, Locke said he considers himself an avid Disney fan.

“I’ve been to Disney World 10 times,” Locke said. “My mom got me into it. She started taking me when I was very young [with] me and my sister. That’s definitely something I’m going to continue with my kids one day.”

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

As always, January brings a new semester, and with a new semester comes a fresh batch of interns.

The Observer would like to introduce Noah Griffith, who spent last semester as the assistant sports editor for the Auburn Plainsman.

A 21-year-old senior at Auburn University and resident of Phenix City, Alabama. Griffith has an inspiring story to tell.

When Griffith was 16, he was diagnosed with a rare disease called Friedreich’s ataxia, which ended his sport-playing days.

“I knew I wanted to stay involved with sports,” Griffith said. “I didn’t really know how, but my dad said, ‘You’re a good writer, and you make A’s on all your papers.’ I just kind of decided to get into journalism and jumped into the sports section at the Plainsman and then took off from there.”

In addition to sports, Griffith said he enjoys community writing.

Griffith has made a name for himself through his writing about accessibility in sports.

“That’s kind of my passion and my per-

sonal brand,” Griffith said. “I’ve always been a sports fan, and I like to talk about sports. But I think my way to be unique and different in that and to not be repetitive is to talk about my experiences as a student with accessibility issues — or maybe not even issues, maybe good things that I experience and to kind of help others to understand. For 16 years I never thought I would have had a disability, so I know how that thinking goes. It’s not something a lot of people relate to.”

Griffith participates in a clinical trial with the University of Florida to aid in the research of his condition.

“I just take a drug that tries to slow the progression,” Griffith said. “... It’s good to be involved in research and to know that things are moving forward to find a cure.”

While many people would let getting diagnosed with a rare condition keep them away from the things they love, Griffith has found a way to get closer to them.

After graduation, Griffith said he wants to pursue a career in reporting, but he would be open to a career in design as well.

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

As the community flips the calendar over to a fresh new year of 2023, The Observer welcomes in some creative new minds with three student interns — one of those being Auburn University senior Madeline Acosta.

In her first time working with a newspaper, Acosta said she is enthused to bring a unique, outside perspective to the community. After all, she has found her path as a creative writing major and is looking to display that creative spirit to the local area.

“I hope to write some creative pieces along with the articles that we’ll be writing because I like writing a lot of short stories, and that’s what I’m currently doing in class,” Acosta said.

All throughout her collegiate experience, Acosta has taken an unprecedented route.

First, reigning from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Acosta repelled the obvious choice of going to hometown LSU and decided to grow her roots and make a home on The Plains.

“I always wanted to travel; I was wanting to go out of state,” Acosta said. “Auburn always felt very welcoming every time that I toured,

and so I just knew it was the right place to go.”

Writing is Acosta’s new passion, but it wasn’t the obvious choice right off the bat. Now, she is minoring in political science, which was her major when she came to Auburn in 2019. But that didn’t stick, and neither did her second option of majoring in law and justice.

Now in her final semester of college, Acosta said she is looking to adjust to writing for publication, which she plans to continue after college. She has experience writing for her high school magazine, but interning with The Observer is yet another opportunity for Acosta to keep thriving with branched-out wings.

As well as short stories, Acosta said she is a lover of books, which she displays by also working for the Auburn Public Library as a library aide. From the “Percy Jackson” series to “Harry Potter,” Acosta said she is simply a lover of stories and desires to pass that on to others through her vivid storytelling.

“I love writing any kind of current events and doing any need-to-know kind of thing,” she said.

“So, if something happens in town, I want to be there to get the scoop on what happens and get all the details to tell. And I like the idea of interviewing people, and I think that will be a lot of fun as well.”

DANIEL LOCKE

NOAH GRIFFITH

MADELINE ACOSTA

RAPA Invests Over $25M in Auburn Facility

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / DAVID D. DORTON

AUBURN —

Automotive parts supplier Rausch & Pausch LP (RAPA) plans to invest over $25 million in its 70,000-square-foot location in Auburn Technology Park West. The German-based company, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Auburn last year, plans to purchase the building it operates in, invest in new equipment and create up to 73 additional jobs over the next three years.

“The purchase of the Auburn facility will

allow RAPA to continue our growth trajectory in the U.S. market and support the potential expansion of the company in the future,” said Dr. Roman Pausch, leader of the global company and the fourth generation of RAPA’s founding family.

Established over 100 years ago, RAPA is a family-owned Bavarian company that serves as a development and system partner of leading companies in the automotive, medical technology and industrial sectors.

RAPA manufactures pneumatic and hydraulic chassis and transmission components and com-

plete systems for passenger cars,

headquarters and operations in Selb, Germany, and operations in

China. Through these strategic locations, RAPA provides its customer base with localized content.

“RAPA is a great corporate citizen in the Auburn community,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “The company’s focus on innovation and automation at the crossroads of engineering and advanced manufacturing is a perfect fit for Auburn. We are honored that the leadership of RAPA continues to invest and do business in

Schmidt Automotive Invests $7.7M in Auburn

BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / DAVID D. DORTON

AUBURN —

Schmidt Automotive, a member of the MAT Foundry Group, is expanding its high-precision and high-volume production in Auburn by investing $7.7 million in new, highly automated equipment. This investment will create up to 25 additional jobs, primarily in CNC machining, over the next two years.

Schmidt Automotive first came to Auburn in 2015. The company uses precision machining technology to manufacture complex automotive powertrain components and assemblies, special-

izing in differentials, transmission shafts, housings, module and system assemblies.

“Despite the challenges we all faced over the last three years, we at Schmidt Automotive continued to advance our business acquisition activities,” said Joerg Wilmink, general manager of Schmidt Automotive. “This new investment will enable us to establish new product lines and further diversify our product portfolio and customer base, ultimately increasing our long-term attractiveness as a U.S.-based supplier for U.S.-based customers.”

Found-

Plans Created for Historic Giddens Cemetery

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Following a string of disputes and resolutions last year, the George and Addie Giddens Cemetery now has plans to be preserved and honored.

“Although the trees and fieldstones that were lost can never be replaced, the current restoration plans will hopefully bring back some level of dignity and respect to the sacred space and honor those the space represents,” said Robert Bubb, Auburn University professor and lead preservationist for the

cemetery.

The Giddens Cemetery, which received historic designation in 2022 from the Alabama Historical Commission, is located on the old Giddens property in the 2500 block of Frederick Road in Opelika. The African American cemetery is home to more than 100 burials that date as far back as the early 1900s, most of which are unmarked, or marked only with fieldstones or other natural indicators.

A descendant of George and Addie Giddens sold the property to Shey and Terri Knight a little over a decade ago. More recently, plans to

purchase and develop the property were put on hold in light of the research.

The research team, consisting of Auburn University professors and the Lee County Cemetery Preservation Commission (LCCPC), met in May 2022 with the landowners, developer BC Stone Homes and several community members to come to a consensus on how best to proceed with preservation of the sites.

Over the next several months, the parties worked together to draw up plans for Burial Sites 1 and 2 — with the

also loved sports and joining extracurricular activities after school.

“It was basically [to] keep myself from thinking about my home situation,” Moore said.

For college, Moore attended Troy University where he received a bachelor's degree in history, and then a master's degree in post-secondary education history.

Moore said he found himself asking the same question: “Why?” When it came to his home environment and the adults and children like him in similar situations, Moore wanted to find the answer. And through history, and educating himself on the past, he said he was able to understand just how much the past influenced the present.

“I was very curious of the fact of my situation,” Moore said. “A lot of kids that I went to school with in my neighborhood was going through the same thing.”

For Moore, another reason he said he wanted to continue his education was because of his teachers when he was younger, and how much of an inspiration they were in his life as well as the lives of his peers.

Moore became a history teacher as a way to help educate and inform his students on

these stories and help inspire them. With all his research and work that he had created so far, Moore said he was concerned with how people would see it or gain access to it.

“African American history is not just in your face,” Moore said. “You can’t just find everything you need at the library. Sometimes it takes visiting the communities and talking to people. You may meet one of the elders in the community that has all of the images that you probably need from that time period. From a cultural standpoint, elders hold onto a lot of those memories, and they are their own archives in many different ways.”

To have his research and his works more accessible, Moore sought out a different format of educating: through video.

When it comes to filmmaking, Moore is self-taught. Within his productions, he is the director, writer and producer. Moore oversees every decision made for each project and said he he has seen an improvement within his filmmaking over the years.

“Each project is getting better and better because I’m learning my style; I’m mastering my craft,” Moore said. “If you watch my first film and my latest film, you can see the progression.”

So far, Moore has

suppliers throughout the design and process development, working with clients to create the best possible solution when it comes to design and manufacturing.

“Our region is known for having the resources needed for technology-based, advanced manufacturing companies to be successful, and Schmidt Automotive is a shining example of that,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders.

“We are excited to have Schmidt Automotive and the MAT Foundry Group show their confidence in Auburn by continuing to invest and grow in our community.”

released three documentaries: “Crown the County of Lowndes,” “Hobson City: From Peril to Promise” and “African By Way Of American.”

Moore also has another documentary planned to be released sometime this year.

Since Hiztorical Vision Productions is a nonprofit organization, Moore is able to secure funding to help him with his goals of educating and empowering people through his documentaries. Recently, Moore was announced as the first recipient of the David Brower Grant for Alabama Filmmakers, a $1,500 mentorship that helps Alabama filmmakers during production.

Moore’s wife brought the grant to his attention and encouraged him to apply. Moore was not aware that he won the grant until he saw a post on Instagram announcing him as the winner. When hearing the news that he won the grant, Moore said he was shocked.

“I was like, ‘Oh, I’m the first? OK, no pressure,’” he said.

As Moore progresses in his filmmaking and reaches his goals of educating people on African American history in Alabama, he encourages young adults to broaden their horizons and branch out.

“Don’t put yourself in a box,” Moore said. “Take the first step.”

motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

The company serves premium automotive brands like Audi, Tesla

and Stellantis, as well as major suppliers serving the industry, including Vibracoustic and ZF. Carmen Jordan heads the U.S. operations

for RAPA Automotive Division as president and CEO of RAPA LP. In addition to its U.S. operation in Auburn, RAPA has international

Jintan,

our community.”

CONTRIBUTED

Through MAT

ry Group, Schmidt Automotive is part of a multinational organization boasting seven foundries

in eight countries, 11 machining facilities and over 2,000 employees worldwide. Schmidt

Automotive partners with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1

Many of the burials at Site 3 of the George and Addie Giddens Cemetery were marked with natural indicators, such as rocks and tree stumps.

SEAN DIETRICH

Isaw him across the crowded restaurant with his elderly parents. They didn’t look like they’d aged a bit. But he did. His face was lean, his skin was wrinkled, he was gaunt. And he still had his trademark sense of humor. I told him I hardly recognized him.

“Yeah,” he said, “it’s this new diet I’m on, it’s called being sick, the weight just falls off.” This is not his best joke, I’m not sure whether I should laugh. Then he gave me the real story. It’s a long one, I don’t have room to tell it all. He became very ill with an autoimmune disease. Doctors

said he was dying. His parents were braced for the worst. His mother and father became his caregivers.

His parents tell me that for two years, they did a lot of talking to the sky, asking for help.

Doctors still can’t explain how he was cured. Maybe it was the treatment. Maybe it was something else. They aren’t sure. All anyone knows is that one day he woke up better. No traces of illness are left.

“Now all I have to do is gain weight,” he tells me.

I have another friend I wanted to tell you about. I grew up with him. We once went to Mardi Gras together

when we were young men—which is another long story that I don’t have time for. Let’s just say that I almost ended up as a permanent smear on a New Orleans sidewalk.

A few years ago my friend had the worst year of his life. His marriage sort of fell apart. His wife left him and took their son with her. Next he lost his business, then his money. He became suicidal.

One night, while asleep on his brother’s sofa-sleeper he had decided that he was going to end it all on the following day. He had even worked out how he would do it.

He says he whispered to the ceiling, “You’re the only one who can stop me, if you give a damn about me, you will.”

The next morning, he was awoken by the sound of a car in the driveway. It was his wife and son. She had driven three hundred miles overnight on a

whim. She couldn’t explain why, but she wanted to patch things up. They are together today.

He’s never told anyone what I just told you. So try to keep that to yourself if you don’t mind.

Here’s another. This morning I got an email from a gal who told me that all her life she wanted to play music. But you know how life goes. You don’t always get everything you want.

She married, had two kids, there was no time for music. Instead she worked a job that she hated and found herself in charge of the soccer carpool. She was falling apart inside. Until one fateful week.

She got a call. A complete stranger offered her the lead role in a local acoustic folk band. She was so excited that she practiced for two weeks beforehand.

On the night of the performance her hus-

band and children were sitting in the front row eating onion rings. She sang her heart out and received a five-person standing ovation. Three people were immediate relatives. Two were cousins.

After a few gigs, a man from a nearby private school called her and told her that he had seen her perform. He said the school he worked for had just lost their music teacher. He asked if she would apply to teach music.

She is happy to report that she has been a music teacher for almost a year now, and her school’s Christmas program was a glorious train wreck. She still sings with the folk band sometimes.

Let’s see, what else?

Oh, I almost forgot. I got a letter in the mail from a 71-year-old woman in North Texas. The letter said that her dog recently died. A yellow Lab named Duke.

Duke was born in a shelter. She adopted him

and loved him for six years until he got hit by a car.

A few weeks after his death, she got a call from the same shelter. The shelter said that a man had dropped off a dog because he couldn’t care for it anymore due to his job. The shelter was asking her to adopt it.

“No thanks,” she told them, “I just lost a dog, and I’m not ready for another.”

“Well, that’s why we’re calling you,” they told her. “This is Duke’s brother, from the same litter, six years ago. He’s an identical yellow Lab.”

That was all she needed to hear. Even though it was evening, she drove clear across town to the shelter, still wearing her ratty pajamas. Also at the time, she says—and this was actually written in her letter—that she wasn’t even wearing a bra. Older women can be a

Work Worth Doing

exploit yourself. Your life is less rich, less full, and less beautiful than it could be for every person you could have lifted up and turned into a friend, ally, and supporter, but instead chose to use, demean, and diminish. For this reason, there is no such thing as selfishness because there is no such thing as truly benefiting from contributing to the suffering of another person.

you and hurts someone else. It’s one that you think will help you, but actually just hurts you and everyone else, too.

further every day into craziness, cruelty, and chaos, is to do more than what’s fair and give more than what you owe.

SAM DICHIARA

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day got me thinking about a favorite quote from his Letter from a Birmingham Jail: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of

destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” To Dr. King’s point, maybe there’s really no such thing as selfishness or selflessness. This is because if you degrade or exploit someone else, you necessarily degrade or

Any money, opportunity, or advantage obtained by screwing someone else over comes at the price of the only two things that can actually make a life good and a person happy: strong, healthy relationships with others and ourselves, and the chance to work on work worth doing. A selfish decision is not one that helps

To wake up in the morning is to have one more profound opportunity to do more than get even with those who hurt us or only act with integrity when others do. That’s a waste of the one short life we have to live. There’s more fulfilling work to be done on a more interesting project to leave this world better than we found it.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Far and away the greatest prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” The work most worth doing today, right now, as the world descends

There is no such thing as selflessness because making each other happy makes us happy and our lives get better when we help each other’s lives get better. As Charlie Chaplin said, “We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness—not by each other’s misery.”

That’s why Herodotus was right in saying that “the only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.” We do evil things because we’ve been tricked into believing we can escape the “inescapable

network of mutuality” Dr. King described. Knowledge of the fact that we all depend on each other only causes us to do good, and ignorance of that fact only causes us to do evil. Living a life of honor and integrity is not just the right thing to do—it’s the wise thing to do. Stephen Levine said, “Love is the only rational act.” The work most worth doing is to disrupt the pattern of people making each other’s lives harder, and to become in our words and actions walking demonstrations that we can all be happier than this, that life can be better than this if we learn to treat each other better than this, and that love is the only truly revolutionary idea ever conceived.

help of AP history students from Auburn High School.

“[In December] we came to final agreements on the preservation plan for burial sites 1 and 2,” Bubb said.

“We also received official approval and the necessary permit from the Alabama Historical Commission.”

Bubb and Carmilla Tindal, president of LCCPC, said the descendants get the final say anytime it comes to dealing with cemetery preservation.

“The descendants are critical,” Bubb said. “We do not decide how a cemetery is preserved — those in the descendant community need to make those decisions.”

Many of the students’ ideas will be implemented as well, Bubb added, including box planters with flowers surrounding Burial Site 1, a split-rail fence enclosing the south side of Burial Site 2 and a rock path connecting the two sites. The plans also include three oak trees that

will line the path and replace the three trees lost when the sites were cleared. Fieldstones that were scattered by the clearing process will also be re-erected in place with bordered clearances measuring 1 foot by 1 foot.

Three plaques will be placed on the property: a historical plaque set on a large stone at the beginning of the path, and two standalone informational plaques at each of the burial sites.

“Dr. Bubb has obvious-

ly taken the lead role in working with Bryan [Stone, of BC Stone Homes] and the state on the sites to be preserved,” said Shey Knight, one of the landowners. “I know that he secured the permit recently to clear these spaces and make the improvements, and we are ready to assist when the time comes, which I understand may be soon. We are delighted with the plan and thankful for Dr. Bubb’s work.”

BC Stone Homes will fund and provide the landscaping, improvements and continued maintenance of the sites, Bubb said, and the landscaping work is estimated to be done by March.

Bubb said he was first alerted to the burial sites in 2018 by LCCPC member Edna Ward, but it wasn’t until 2019 that he was able to begin research on the 7-acre parcel of land. A few months later, he began physical work on the sites

with permission from the landowner.

Auburn University geosciences graduate student Hayden Malloch joined the research team shortly after that, and with the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the team was able to locate about 150 burials across three sites. The LCCPC worked closely with the Auburn University team during the process.

With the blessing of the Giddens descendants and

help from several community organizations, Sites 1 and 2 of the Giddens Cemetery have been cleaned up and maintained while plans for preservation were in the works.

“Opelika wants to be progressive and grow, and with that growth comes development and properties and these historical spaces,” Tindal said back in May.

“Ultimately, there has to be a marriage and a compromise where that growth and progress can take place with the preservation, the protection, and the respect and the dignity of our historical spaces in our communities.”

“There are a half-dozen additional African American burial grounds in Lee County that are under threat of development,” Bubb added.

“It is my hope that what we accomplished working with developers here at Giddens Cemetery can become a model of how we can come together to preserve these historic sites. These sites can add educational value and pride to the community.”

The latest draft of the plans to preserve and honor the Giddens Cemetery.

entertain.

“Our theme, 'Reimagining the Dream of a Brighter Future,' represents our ability to follow Dr. King’s model of dreaming of better days ahead,” said one student at the start of the program. “We are all able to reshape our future by making wise decisions, leading wholesome lives, helping others and spreading love and cheer to all.”

The theme of this years program featured several “panels” on a show called

“The Brighter View” in which students representing figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Michelle Obama, Colin Kaepernick, Lizzo and more discussed issues such as voting, justice, freedom of expression, self-care and planning for the future.

“Me and Barack have fought hard to demonstrate the importance of the vote,” said the student portraying Michelle. “In spite of all the bad things that have happened to our people, I need our young folks to understand that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, we do not stoop to their level.

The group discussed difficult issues such as Emmett Till’s lynching in 1955. Till was only 14 when he was abducted and lynched for the accusation of whistling at a white woman. The woman later admitted to lying about the whistling.

“At the young age of 14, I lost my life to the hands of people who did not believe that I deserved justice,” said the student representing Till. “Two men nearly beat me to death, gouged out my eye and shot me in the head, tied my body to a cotton gin fan, wrapped in barbed wire

and threw it into the river. Where’s the justice in that? For many years my mother fought for my justice.

“In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which makes lynching and kidnapping federal hate crimes. Because of her diligent fight, justice for me was delayed but not denied.”

Students portraying figures such as Cardi B and Kyrie Irving spoke about watching what they say to represent themselves well and especially being careful on social media.

Following the students’ production, Program Co-co-

ordinators Dr. Camille Floyd and Dr. Karen Anderson presented the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Day scholarships to two students: Evan Carson and Ashley Pitts.

The group then presented the annual Dream Achiever Award to Micah and Blake Melnick, founders of the BigHouse Foundation.

“This award is given every year to an individual or an organization who has exemplified the characteristics of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Founder of the Dream Day Foundation Marion Sankey. “We can go all over Lee County and find plenty

of people. The selection committee has a difficult time each year making a decision on who should receive this award.

"We thank you for all you do for this community; we appreciate you and this community appreciates you.”

Micah said it was nice to have the community recognize what it is they hope to accomplish with the BigHouse Foundation.

“We love this community,” she said. “… Our hearts are just so indebted to this community, and we love Lee County and East Alabama."

No, when they go low, we go high.”

Auburn Graduate, Owner of SIP Café and Wine Room Creates Job Opportunities

CONTRIBUTED BY MANDM PUBLIC RELATIONS

WEST POINT, GA —

Restaurateur Tiffany Welch, owner of SIP Café and Wine Room, recently announced the building and expansion of a new event center called REUNION.

The event space will accommodate parties of up to 75 guests.

REUNION is an all-encompassing venue, offering catering packages, décor design and third-party vendor offerings such as photography, music and more. The coming of the new venue paired with the restaurant will be a welcomed boost to the econ-

TIFFANY WELCH

in the next few weeks.

SIP Café is attracting customers from across the greater Chattahoochee area, having served customers from Atlanta, West Georgia, Muscogee County, Coweta County and Chambers County.

Aside from the new event space, SIP Café and Wine Room is continuing to welcome the community with lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate its customers, quickly getting them in and out and back to work.

SIP touts an impressive array of wine for “Wine Down Wednesdays.” SIP is adding new, specific nights for educators called

Educator Appreciation Night” (Thursdays), and a Happy Hour on Fridays for patrons looking to stop in to de-stress from a busy work day. Those hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., starting in February.

SIP is open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Dinner hours are from 5 until 9 p.m.

The restaurant is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“We are building the community for the community,” Welch said.

SIP Café and Wine Room is located at 708 Third Ave. in West Point, Georgia.

DIETRICH

little nuts.

She burst into the shelter, “flopping and free,” she points out, and many young men had to divert their eyes.

The dog was the spitting image of Duke. She took him home. His new name is Luke, in case you’re curious. Though, if it had been me, I would have named him “Of Earl.” But that’s beside the point. Speaking of points, you were probably wondering if there was a point to this column. There is: Don’t give up. Not yet.

Help is on the way.

omy for West Point and surrounding areas creating new job opportunities.

Construction for REUNION is underway and is scheduled for completion

S

ociety & News

Ann Cipperly

SHouthernospitality

fter a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the Taste of Chocolate returns for its 20th year Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Opelika. Members of the Beta Xi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers’ Sorority are busy preparing a variety of scrumptious chocolate desserts for

the event, with proceeds going to scholarships. Those attending receive a container to fill that can be enjoyed in the fellowship hall with complimentary coffee or taken home.

Tickets are only $10 and are available from a Beta Xi member or at the door.

Chocolate desserts are nearly everyone’s favorite, and the ladies of the

teachers’ sorority have become experts at making decadent chocolate desserts for their annual Taste of Chocolate fundraiser. The event is a chocolate lover’s dream come true with luscious truffles, cookies, brownies, a variety of candies and other confections.

Each member is asked to prepare two or three kinds of chocolate desserts with 180 pieces

each, and some prepare even more to donate for the event. Their signature dessert is a confection with chocolate kisses made to look like a chocolate “mouse.” Member Dee Coulter saw the mice

Genealogical Society of East Alabama Invites Public to Next Meeting

CONTRIBUTED BY THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF EAST ALABAMA

OPELIKA —

The Genealogical Society of East Alabama wants to invite the public to its next meeting, Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Museum of East Alabama.

The meeting takes place from11 a.m. to noon and admission is free.

At the meeting, Melissa Gatlin will present a program inspired by her upcoming book — a self-guided walking tour of Opelika. The program will

feature stories and fun facts she and coauthor and daughter Anna Ruth have discovered in their research, including information gained through discussions with longtime Opelika residents. A PowerPoint presentation will highlight homes, locations and people as she tells their stories.

Melissa moved to Opelika in 2005. She was the administrator of First Baptist Opelika Christian School. She is the sister of Steve

being made and thought it was a great idea. Both Dee and Carolyn make the mice for the event.

Carolyn tries to create 120 chocolate ones that children especially enjoy.

At the first event in

2002, enough funds were raised for one $500 scholarship, and the same amount was awarded in 2003. From 2004 through 2015, a $1,000 scholarship was given each year.

Sundilla Presents Ben Bedford

AUBURN —

The Sundilla Concert Series will welcome Ben Bedford on Friday, Jan. 27. The concert will take place at the AUUF at 450 E. Thach

Ave. in Auburn. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and $20 advance tickets are available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at sundillamusic.com; admission at the door is $25. Free coffee, tea,

Members of the Beta Xi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers’ Sorority will hold their 20th Taste of Chocolate Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Trinity Methodist Church. All proceeds go to scholarships. The desserts can be enjoyed with complimentary coffee or taken home. Tickets are available from members and at the door. Pictured are, from left, Carolyn Moore, Claire Plott, Kay Spriggs, Anne Henderson-Blake and Pat May.

CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA

BEN BEDFORD

MELISSA AND ANNA RUTH GATLIN

CONTRIBUTED BY UPTOWN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS, GA —

Uptown Columbus is announcing a robust spring event schedule. Returning to this year’s event lineup are festival-goers' favorites including Uptown’s Spring Food Truck Festival, Riverfest and Uptown’s Beer and Wine Festival.

UPTOWN COLUMBUS SPRING 2023:

- April 1 – Uptown’s Spring Food Truck

Uptown Columbus Announces Spring Event Series

Festival - April 1 – Market Days on Broadway - April 7 – Uptown’s Spring Friday Night Concert Series - May 12 to 13 – Riverfest - June 3 – Beer and Wine Festival

Uptown's Friday Night Concert series will be rocking for six straight weeks starting April 7 on the Broadway stage. Fans will enjoy the sounds from touring tribute bands to local musicians. Con-

certs are family-friendly and free to the public every Friday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. The band lineup will be released later.

Market Days on Broadway is in its 16th year. Shoppers can expect the sidewalks of Broadway to be filled with vendors selling locally grown produce and flowers, homemade baked goods, local artwork and handcrafted items. The market runs every Saturday from

9 a.m. to noon Eastern Time, from April through November. To become a vendor, apply by visiting the website www.alwaysuptown. com/market-days. Applications opened Jan. 9, and it is $200 for the season.

For more information on events happening in Uptown Columbus, call 706-596-0111, visit the website www.alwaysuptown.com/ or Facebook page www.facebook. com/columbusbid.

From The Live Well Kitchen: Hearty Egg Burritos

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES

BY DUSTIN DUNCAN

AUBURN —

Cold winter mornings deserve a hot, nutritious breakfast to get the day started off on the right foot. Add in a few vegetables and beans for more protein, and a hearty breakfast awaits without much fuss.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon oil

• Half of a medium onion, chopped

• One 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• Pinch of salt

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic

powder

• Four large eggs

• Cooking spray

• Four medium tortillas, whole wheat

• 1/2 cup cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup salsa

PRO TIP

This recipe can also be used for a lunch or dinner for a change of pace.

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, beans, black pepper, salt and garlic powder. Cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Move beans and vegetables to a clean plate or bowl.

2. Mix eggs in a

counties.

Scroggins, former pastor of First Baptist Opelika. She said she is interested in Opelika's history, and said she looks forward to sharing the stories she has uncovered in researching her new book. She and Anna Ruth previously authored a similar book about Jekyll Island.

The Museum of East Alabama is located at 121 S. 9th St. in Opelika.

ABOUT THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF EAST

ALABAMA:

For more than 50 years, The Genealogical Society of East Alabama Inc. (GSEA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, has promoted the sharing of genealogical and historical information, within and about the five-county area of east-central Alabama: Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa

small bowl with a fork.

3. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel. Coat with cooking spray. Heat at medium-low heat.

4. Add the egg mixture, and cook about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir often to scramble the eggs.

5. Spoon the egg mixture into the center of each tortilla. Add the beans and vegetables, and sprinkle cheese on top. Add a spoonful of salsa. Fold into a burrito.

Want to learn more? Step-bystep instructions for this Hearty Egg Burritos recipe and

These five counties have a special history together: After 1832's Treaty of Cusseta, among the counties created when the native Creek tribes gave up their land, the central part was divided into counties of Chambers, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa. Then in 1866, Alabama's Lee County was created by carving out over 600 square miles from the middle of those parent counties.

Through GSEA's quarterly journal, Tap Roots, and tis special publications, the story of the area's natives, settlers and descendants is documented and preserved. GSEA is also involved at the forefront of cemetery preservation efforts and fighting against the shameful vandalism of our ancestors' resting places.

an instructional video are available at LiveWellAlabama. com.

“Cooking at home on a regular basis is a key ingredient to overall health, and it doesn’t have to be difficult or break the bank," said Katie Funderburk, Alabama Extension's SNAP-Ed Coordinator. “Our recipes are inexpensive, easy to prepare and don’t require fancy kitchen equipment.”

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Live Well Alabama provides numerous recipes that are simple and budget friendly.

For more information about Live Well Alabama and to find more Live Well Alabama recipes, visit www. LiveWellAlabama. com.

Also, check out more Live Well Alabama tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

LIVE WELL ALABAMA

Live Well Alabama is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. This initiative reaches

ABOUT ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

Alabama Extension is the primary outreach organization for the land grant mission of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. Its educational programs grow from these two land grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Sciencebased educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.

residents across the state with researchbased education.

Eggs, cheese and black beans can make a hearty breakfast meal.

Registration Opens for Annual Near His Heart Dinner Rare 'Million Dollar Fish' Returns To Lake Martin With New Addition

CONTRIBUTED BY LAKE MARTIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION

ALEXANDER CITY —

Lake Martin is known for its fishing-stripers, bass, crappie, catfish and the million-dollar bass. Crank 4 Bank returns to the Lake Martin area again this year and will be releasing 200 tagged bass

in a contest that runs April 1 through July 4. For the first time ever, it will also be releasing an additional 50 tagged crappie. There are over $1.5 million in prizes, including boats, a truck and even one fish worth $1 million. Every tagged fish caught is worth at least $1,500.

Participants do

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Registration for the 2023 Near His Heart dinner is now open.

The Near His Heart dinner is a special night for parents and caregivers of those with special needs. The program is set for Feb. 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.

There is no cost to attend the event, but all attendees must register for the dinner and for childcare. Space is limited; therefore, registration will close Sunday, Feb. 19.

Greg and Gina Hubert, parents of three autistic boys and host of the Joni and Friends podcast, are slated to be guest speakers. Greg brings a unique blend of training, experience and passion to oversee the Field Services ministry at Joni and Friends. With a bachelor’s degree from Biola University and master’s of divinity from The Mas-

ter’s Seminary, Greg’s career includes over 30 years of pastoral leadership and corporate management. Yet his passion for ministering to the disabled is deeply personal. He and his wife Gina have raised three boys who are all on the autism spectrum, each of whom is viewed as a gift from God. They know firsthand the fears and struggles, joys and triumphs that come with any disability. Greg enthusiastically views his role as senior vice president of Field Services as a culmination of his education, professional career and life experiences to expand the ministry of hope and support to those individuals created with God-designed abilities.

For further information and registration please go to nearhisheart.weebly.com.

Once you have registered, you will be prompted to submit your pictures for the slideshow presentation. If you are not able to

GREG AND GINA HUBERT

submit your pictures at the time of registration, there is a link on the Near His Heart web page you can revisit at your convenience.

When submitting pictures, please submit them as a JPEG file.

Lakeview Baptist cannot accept screenshots or low-resolution images as they will not load into the slideshow properly. The deadline for slideshow submissions is Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. If you find that you are unable to attend, please let Lakeview Baptist know by emailing its group at nearhisheart@gmail. com. While a live stream of the event will not be provided this year, a recording of the evening will be available on the website following the event.

For the men, there will be a prayer and fellowship breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at Lakeview Baptist Church room 109 just outside the fellowship hall. No reservation is needed.

SUNDILLA

water and food will be available, and The Chill Spot food truck will be on site selling sausage dogs, tacos, soft drinks and frozen treats. The audience is invited to bring any food or beverage they prefer.

Bedford has proven himself to be a truly inspired and talented storyteller. He establishes himself as a songwriter in the tradition of musical icons ranging from Bill Morrissey to Woody Guthrie, casting individual people in the theater of the Ameri -

can landscape. A true son of the heartland, Bedford dips into the deep inkwell of classic American literature and writes with the ‘old soul’ quality of his literary idols, such as John Steinbeck and Toni Morrison.

In the past 15 years since the release of his first album, Bedford has played his songs for audiences all over the United States and overseas. Bedford’s albums have charted highly on the Euro Americana charts and the Folk-DJ charts, and his music has been played on National Public Radio’s Car Talk and featured in The Sounding Board,

Nature Walk Set for This Weekend

CONTRIBUTED BY FRIENDS OF WOOD DUCK NATURE PRESERVE

OPELIKA —

Friends of Wood Duck Nature Preserve will conduct a Nature Walk this Saturday, Jan. 21, rain or shine. Those intereseted should meet at the pavilion, 3601 Waverly

Parkway (one-half mile from U.S. Highway 280).

Things of special interest that might be seen on the walk include migratory birds, especially waterfowl and warblers; resident wood ducks returning to nesting boxes; Opelika’s Charlie Woodchuck; and identification of forest trees. Coffee

and snacks for early birds will be available at 7:30 a.m.; walks to the two covered viewing houses start at 8 a.m. The walk usually takes about two to three hours, but people may return to the parking area at any time. Several loaner binoculars will be available.

MORE INFORMATION:

The Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park, a restored habitat for migratory and local birds, is a popular destination for birders and residents who have a common interest in wildlife preservation. It is one of the 34 sites along the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail.

ABOUT THE PRESERVE:

This 85-acre preserve and park has been made possible by the use of a 78-acre waste water lagoon property owned by the city, combined with the private donation of seven acres of land adjacent to the lagoon site. The park has become home to a significant

have to be registered in advance and must have an Alabama fishing license if required by Alabama state law. Registration opened Saturday, Jan. 14, and part of the entry fees for the event go toward helping fund high school fishing teams. Fishing is an important sport in many high schools, and the Lake Martin area sees the impact of the popularity of the sport by hosting multiple high school fishing tournaments each year.

This is a unique event hosted on beautiful Lake Martin, and it offers a great added incentive to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

You can also learn more at Crank4Bank.com.

the official newsletter of the renowned C.F. Martin Guitar Company.

Bedford's newest CD, "Valley of Stars," will be officially released on Jan. 27, the day of the concert.

Unsurprisingly to anyone who is familiar with his work, in July of 2010 Bedford was named one of the “50 most significant Folk singer-songwriters of the past 50 years.” The list also included Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Anais Mitchell, Joni Mitchell and John Prine.

For more information, go to www.sundillamusic.com.

population of wood ducks and waterfowl. More than 170 species of birds have been identified at the Wood Duck Nature Park, including residents and those that pass though the Opelika community. It is home to a variety of habitats, including hardwood and pine forests, swamps and ponds.

(Left) Patrons await the beginning of the Wood Duck Nature Preserve Nature Walk last year.

Duck Nature Park

Three scholarships were presented in 2016, including a $1,000 and two $700 scholarships with the addition of funds given in honor of member Jeanette Trammell, who passed away.

In 2017, another $1,000 scholarship was given, and beginning in 2018, two $1,000 scholarships were given annually. During the twoyear COVID hiatus, two

$1,000 scholarships were given in 2021 and 2022.

Recipients were Abigail (Abby) Dixon at Opelika High School, and Raygan Walls at Beauregard High School. The 2022 recipients were Madison Buchta of Lee-Scott Academy and Alissa Willett at Opelika High School. To date, a total of $26,400 has been presented in scholarships.

During the past two years, members were creative in providing enough funds to present

CHOCOLATE

CARAMEL CANDY

Beth Brewer

2 tsp. butter

1 cup milk chocolate chips

¼ cup butterscotch chips

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

Filling: ¼ cup butter 1 cup sugar ¼ cup evaporated milk

1 ½ cups marshmallow creme ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 ½ cups chopped salted peanuts

Caramel Layer: 1 pkg. (14 oz.) caramels

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

Icing: 1 cup milk chocolate chips

¼ cup butterscotch chips

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with foil. Then grease the foil with 2 tsp. butter and set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter; stir over low heat until melted and smooth.

Spread this mixture into the prepared pan. Refrigerate until set.

For the filling layer: In a small heavy

saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and milk; bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to mediumlow; cook and stir for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in marshmallow creme, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add peanuts. Spread over first layer. Refrigerate until set.

For the caramel layer: In a small heavy saucepan, combine caramels and cream; stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Cook and stir for 4 minutes. Spread over filling. Refrigerate until set.

For the icing: In another saucepan, combine chips and peanut butter; stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Pour over the caramel layer. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before cutting. Remove from pan and cut into 1-inch-wide strips, then into squares. Store in an airtight container.

four scholarships since they could not hold their Taste of Chocolate event.

Seniors from Beauregard, Beulah, Lee-Scott Academy, Opelika High School and Trinity Christian receive applications for the scholarship.

“We would not be successful without our dedicated Beta Xi sisters and our wonderful local support,” said member Kay Spriggs. “This also includes Trinity Methodist Church and our Alpha Delta Kappa sisters

1 cup toasted chopped macadamia nuts

1 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 ½ tsp. almond extract

8 oz. sweetened, shredded coconut 12 oz. bag semisweet chocolate morsels, melted 1 Tbsp. shortening

In a bowl mix together nuts, condensed milk, almond extract and coconut. Using your fingers, press mixture into balls, about ¾ inch round. Place onto sheet tray and let rest at room temperature for 4 hours or in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

After the balls have set up, melt chocolate and shortening until smooth. Dip into the chocolate to coat evenly and lightly. Place onto a parchment or foil lined sheet pan to dry. Makes 30 pieces.

throughout the state.”

Alpha Delta Kappa was founded in 1947 for the purpose of giving recognition to outstanding women educators actively engaged in teaching, administration or some specialized field of the teaching profession.

Several purposes of Alpha Delta Kappa include promoting educational and charitable projects and activities, sponsoring scholarships, furthering and maintaining worthy standards in the field of

Combine crumbs and butter in an ungreased 13 x 9 inch pan, stir and press firmly in bottom of pan. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels and pecans. Remove lid from caramel topping; microwave at high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot, stirring after 30 seconds.

Drizzle over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until morsels melt.

Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Chill at least 30 minutes; cut into bars.

education and cooperating with worthy community programs relating to education and charities.

Beta Xi Chapter was chartered April 27, 1972, in Opelika. Pam Fourtenbary served as the 20202022 president, and Jerry Barber is the current president.

Mark your calendar for this special event and enjoy a delectable selection of homemade chocolate desserts while helping students in our area become teachers. Invite

350 degrees. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Roll in confectioners’ sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 1012 minutes.

friends to join you to savor the desserts while sipping complimentary coffee. The chocolates are wonderful treats to freeze for Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to get extra for those who are homebound and would enjoy receiving a delicious dessert.

Check the recipes from members for a glimpse of a few of the yummy desserts that will be served.

and divide filling on wafers. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes. Cool and add cherry pie filling on top of each. Store in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH PATTIES

Claire Plott

2 cups (12 oz.) butterscotch chips

PETITE CHERRY OR CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES

Nancy Weatherman

Can add ½ cup of tiny milk chocolate chips to batter and let mixer chop into batter before adding to each cup.

1 cup (6 oz.) milk chocolate chips

1 ½ cups dry roasted peanuts

CHOCOLATE COCONUT BALLS

Betty Letlow

GOOEY TURTLE BARS

Pat May 2 cups graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafer crumbs 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 (12 oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels

1 cup pecan pieces 1 (12 oz.) jar caramel topping

LIZ'S CHOCOLATE CRINKLES

Kay Spriggs

2 cups granulated sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled 2 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 2 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt Confectioners’ sugar Mix granulated sugar, oil, chocolate and vanilla. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Stir in sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Preheat oven to

If you desire chocolate cheesecake, melt the ½ cup chocolate chips and add to batter.

Two 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened ¾ cup sugar 2 eggs 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. vanilla 1 box mini Vanilla wafers 1 can cherry pie filling Makes 48 minis. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Place decorative paper liners in mini muffin pans and place one mini wafer in each cup

1 cup crushed thick ripple-cut potato chips In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine butterscotch and chocolate chips. Microwave at 50% power for 1 to 3 minutes or until softened, stirring after each minute. Stir until smooth. Add peanuts and potato chips; mix well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Allow to harden.

ROCKY ROAD CANDY

Beth Brewer

1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

2 Tbsp. butter 1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 ½ cups dryroasted peanuts 16 oz. pkg. miniature marshmallows Line a 9 x 13-inch

pan with wax paper.

Microwave chocolate and butter until melted and stir occasionally until the chocolate is smooth.

Take the mixture from the microwave and stir in condensed milk.

Then add peanuts and marshmallows and stir into the chocolate mixture.

Pour into prepared pan and chill until firm.

Cut into squares.

CROCK POT CANDY

Beth Brewer

16 oz. salted peanuts

16 oz. unsalted peanuts

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 German chocolate baking bar

¾ cup peanut butter chips 2 pkg. white almond bark

Place salted peanuts, unsalted peanuts, semi-sweet chocolate chips, German chocolate bar, peanut butter chips and almond bark in a crockpot.

Place lid on the crockpot and set it to low heat.

Cook on low for 1½ hours. The mixture should be stirred every 15 minutes.

While the mixture is cooking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

After the mixture has cooked for 1½ hours, drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture onto parchmentlined baking sheet.

Let the mixture set until firm.

1 can sweetened condensed milk

½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 tsp. peppermint extract

1 cup crushed peppermint candy, divided Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parchment paper.

In a double boiler, add white chocolate, butter, and condensed milk.

Place the double boiler over medium heat and stir constantly until fully melted. Remove double boiler from heat.

Then add peppermint extract and ½ cup crushed peppermint candy.

Pour mixture into prepared pan and top with remaining crushed peppermint candy.

Chill overnight in the refrigerator.

SCOTCHAROOS

Mandy Baker

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 6 cups Rice Krispies

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips

Cook light corn syrup and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, mix well. Add cereal, stir until evenly coated.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and pat in place.

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE NO-BAKE COOKIES

Ann Radavsky

2 cups sugar

½ cup milk 1 stick (8 Tbsp.) unsalted butter

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups oldfashioned rolled oats

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

Large pinch kosher salt

Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment.

Bring sugar, milk, butter and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then let boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add the oats, peanut butter, vanilla and salt and stir to combine.

Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto prepared baking sheet and let sit at room temperature until cooled and hardened, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

1/3 cup quickcooking oatmeal (uncooked)

¼ cup packed light brown sugar ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbsp. butter, melted ¾ cup mini M&M candy Spray bottom of 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. Prepare brownie mix as directed and pour into pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine pecans, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter. Stir in candy. Sprinkle the mixture over the brownie batter. Pat lightly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool. Cut into squares.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Blair Harris

2/3 cup shortening, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix well. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes 3 dozen.

FLOWER PRETZEL BITES

Anne HendersonBlake White candy melts M&M s Square waffle pretzels

Parchment paper

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place pretzels in rows on the baking sheet.

Put one candy melt on top of each pretzel.

Warm in oven 2 to 3 minutes so candy melts are soft (not melted).

Remove from oven and quickly place an M&M (M side down) in the center and surround it with 6 “petals’ of a different color.

BARK WITH SEA SALT

Mandi Edwards

1 ¼ cups whole raw almonds, skin on 20 oz. white chocolate, or white chocolate confectionary, chopped in small pieces (White chocolate chips will be more difficult to melt.)

1 Tbsp. refined coconut oil ½ tsp. sea salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put the nuts on a baking sheet and toast for about 20 minutes. Give the pan a shake from time to time and watch carefully for the last 5 minutes. You want the almonds to get darkly roasted, but not burnt. Set the pan aside to let the nuts cool on the pan.

Line a fresh baking sheet with a silpat mat, parchment paper or non-stick foil.

EASY WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT

FUDGE

Beth Brewer

16 oz. white chocolate chips or almond bark

Melt semi-sweet and butterscotch chips in a saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly. Spread over cereal. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Cut and eat. Makes 24 bars.

Note: You may substitute almond butter for peanut butter.

VERA ELLEN'S OAT AND CRUNCH BROWNIES

Kay Spriggs

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix (9 x 13 size)

½ cup chopped pecans

1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup chopped nuts

1 cup chocolate chips

Beat the shortening, sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla in a mixing bowl until well combined.

Gently press the candy down to secure them in the candy melt.

Let cool and serve. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy.

TOASTED

Put the white chocolate, coconut oil and salt in a glass microwave safe bowl and heat on full power for a minute. Continue heating, checking, and stirring until the chocolate is melted. If you are using chips, they won't look melted until you stir them. When the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, stir in the almonds and quickly spread out the mixture onto the lined baking sheet. Spread it out evenly to roughly 9 ½ x 14 inches. (It doesn't have to be exact.)

Let the bark harden completely before cutting.

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WHITE

ALMOND

RELIGION —

Even though disciples are under the new covenant Jesus inaugurated rather than the old covenant God gave Israel through Moses, there’s still a lot we can learn from the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 19:1521 is part of a section that’s largely concerned

with government and administration. That being so, we hear about judges (16:18-20), how to handle difficult court cases (17:8-13) and witnesses (19:1521). It’s not hard to see a focus on those who were to lead Israel and the legal processes and standards they were to implement. Brueggemann reminds us that Israel is being given “a pattern of public order that manages public power in responsible ways in order to enhance community.”

In the section on witnesses, there are two important areas covered. The first has to do with the need for multiple witnesses (v. 15). No one is to be convicted on the basis

of a single witness — two or three witnesses are called for.

It’s not difficult to see the wisdom in this. Eyewitnesses weren’t infallible. A second witness offered confirmation and therefore provided more confidence in determining what had actually happened. A third witness would add another layer, as well as provide a way of ironing out any differences between the testimony of the other two witnesses. We experience this every day whenever we have multiple people tell us about the same event. We’re almost always able to gain a deeper, fuller picture than if we relied on just what one person told us.

The better part of the witness instruction focuses on the problem of a false, “malicious” witness (v. 16-21). When there is a single witness pressing an accusation against someone, both the witness and the accused were to stand before the priests and judges. A “thorough” investigation was conducted, and if it showed that the witness was testifying falsely and with malice, then they were to do to the witness what would have been done to the accused if they had been found guilty! The concluding two verses of this section make it clear that this is to serve as a deterrent.

“Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

— Romans 12:10

CHURCH DIRECTORY

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528

Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

AFB - 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

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

EPISCOPAL

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

METHODIST

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

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika

for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (v. 21). The punishment of the individual was merited (After all, what would happen to them was what they wanted to happen to someone they knew to be innocent!).

But it was also done for the preservation of the community. There would be no community without justice, and no justice without truthtelling. It seems to me that this message is needed as much today as ever. Next week, we’ll expand on truthtelling as we think about Paul’s words in Ephesians 4.

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

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

PENTECOSTAL Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary 1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn 334-745-6926

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

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Forgiveness is a powerful key to a life of joy and peace. It may well be the most positive power in the world. Forgiveness can break the chains that

hold you in bondage to the past. It can free you to enjoy peace in the present and hope for the future. It can make relationships strong and beautiful.

A family remains healthy through the constant practice of forgiveness. That’s because no one is perfect, and sooner or later every one of us will need forgiveness for having said or done the wrong thing.

Soon after our marriage, my mother gave Dean and me a

Sweet Forgiveness

framed copy of this profound statement: “Marriage: May there be such a oneness between you that when one weeps the other will taste salt.” It hung in every bedroom we shared during our 68 years of marriage.

We shed many tears and tasted a lot of salt. Repeatedly, forgiveness saved and restored our marriage. That philosophy helped Mama and Daddy stay married too — for 67 years.

An injured relationship

BILLY WAYNE FOWLER

Billy Wayne Fowler, 83, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away Jan. 10, 2023, after several years of declining health. Wayne was born in LaGrange, Georgia, to the late Grady Fowler and Geneva Williams Fowler and was preceded in death by his siblings, Delma Fowler and Marion June Fowler. He was a proud member of the 1957 LaGrange High School state football championship team and enjoyed attending high school reunions with his buddies. Wayne also proudly served in the National Guard before beginning a successful career in the banking industry.

Wayne fulfilled many roles throughout his life, most notably as a loving daddy to his three daughters, Lainie (Tom) Hall, Lisa (Jason) Nichols and Leslie (James) Dixon. He was a loving husband to his wife, Vivian, and a doting Papa to his seven wonderful grandchildren, Will (Olivia) Hall, Becca Jane Hall, Jackson Hall, Sam Nichols, Jake Nichols, Abe Nichols and Ben

Dixon.

Wayne was a dedicated community leader, having served as a longtime member and former president of the Opelika Lions Club, as well as a member of the Opelika High School Band Boosters.

He spent most of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s shuttling his three girls around to attend their various extracurricular activities while working at Farmers National Bank. He and Vivian also enjoyed traveling with their longtime friends, Ted and Mary Wade. After his retirement, he and Vivian enjoyed their time renovating homes in Opelika and traveling to visit their grandchildren.

Wayne loved Auburn football and the Atlanta Braves. He was a good man, an extraordinarily good man, and served as an example of how to love and support his family and friends unconditionally.

Wayne’s family hosted visitation at Frederick Dean Funeral Home in Opelika on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m. CST. FrederickDean Funeral Home handled all arrangements.

MICHAEL TRANTHAM

Michael Trantham passed away on Jan. 9, 2023, at the age of 61.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Roy and Iva Lee Trantham, and his brother-in-law, Larry Davidson.

Michael is survived by his wife Jeanette Chambers Trantham; his daughters Jan Bautista (David) and Julia HawthorneBledsoe (Nick); his grandchildren Lauren Bautista (Tyler Culberson) and Braedon Bautista; his siblings Jane Davidson and James Trantham; his nephews Robby Williams (Christine), Jamie Trantham (Kristie) and Dru Trantham; his greatnephews Landon Williams, David Williams and Caleb Trantham; and his great-niece Kasey Peppers (Austin). As well as his lifelong friend Doc Brannon.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 1:30 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church 124 Lee Road 652 Auburn, AL 36832.

with Dean was always at the top of my pain list. When our oneness had been broken, usually by me, I was miserable. I could not focus well on any task at hand. All I could think about was “How can I fix this?”

Early in our marriage we sometimes engineered a two-weeks “mad.” Rather than say “I am sorry,” we punished each other by withholding forgiveness. Fortunately, we got better at “making up.” As the years went by, we learned how to recover

from a breakup within minutes. In our golden years, truth be told, neither of us had the energy for a good fight, and that may be one of the blessings of old age.

“Making up” is one of life’s sweetest experiences. The process is not complicated. You come down off your high horse and admit you were wrong. You ask forgiveness. You offer forgiveness. You accept forgiveness. The result is awesome. You exchange misery for joy — and the joy

of oneness releases an extraordinary peace within your soul. Life is beautiful again.

When you become weary of pouting and chaffing because your feelings have been hurt, you might try saying “I was wrong; please forgive me.” That’s how you use the power of forgiveness. Offer it and soon you may be tasting salt. And when you are miserable, nothing tastes better than the salt of oneness restored. I suppose it’s the only time when salt is sweet.

JAMES EDWARD WALKER SR.

The family of James Edward Walker Sr. of Lee County, Alabama, are saddened to announce his passing on Jan. 6, 2023, at the age of 78 after losing his battle with Alzheimer's.

He will always be remembered as a father and husband and a loving grandfather who would do anything for his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Candee and three sons James, Tony and Rodney, one grandson and six granddaughters and seven greatgrandchildren.

James served in the Alabama National Guard and was a member of the Masonic lodge in West Point, Georgia.

University and served as a land surveyor for Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood in Montgomery, Alabama. He enjoyed reading, birdwatching and Auburn athletics.

Ricky married Jamie Alloway Clay in 1983, spending the last 40 years happily married.

Ricky is preceded in death by his mother, Gaynell Carter Clay. He leaves to cherish his memory his father, Terry Don Clay; his sons, Brad (Maria) Clay and Wes (Christina) Clay; his brother, Craig (Kim) Clay; his sister, Donna Glenn; his grandchildren, Adaline, Eli and Jackson; special friends, Guy and Sharon Starr; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

morning with her husband by her side. Becky was born in Tallassee, Alabama; she lived in Opelika, Alabama. She was the daughter of Reba Virginia Lumpkin and Daniel J. Lumpkin, deceased, and sister to Jonie Heron (deceased).

She worked as dispatcher and bookkeeper for J&S Trucking for 25 years. She is survived by her husband, companion and friend, Mike Wright. She will be missed by her beloved bird, Sarge.

Becky was mother to seven children: Reba Osteen, Donna Hill (Mike), Robin Cox (deceased), Holly Hadden (Gary), Jamie Canon, Tim Blackmon and James Blackmon Jr.

RICK CLAY

Ricky D. Clay of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully surrounded by his closest family and friends on Jan. 10, 2023. He was 62 years old.

Ricky was born on March 10, 1960, in Opelika, Alabama. He attended Auburn

The visitation was held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. The funeral service began at 2 p.m., with the interment immediately following.

REBECCA WRIGHT

Rebecca “Becky” Wright, 1940-2023, passed away at home early Wednesday

She was a grandmother of 16 to Brian Crabtree, Daniel Osteen, Gabriel Phelps, Jennifer Cummings (Sterling), Janna Bavar (Brett), Jessica Abrahamson (Chase), Allison Crawford (Andy), Katie Murphy (Todd), Crystal Hadden, Mark Hadden (Rachel), Amanda Spraggins, McKenizie Spraggins, Brittany Cannon, Kasey Guzzonato

A Good Year Planned for Lee-Russell Agency on Aging

BY BETH PINYERD FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY —

The advisory council with the Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG) Area Agency on Aging held its quarterly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Jeanna Thomas, director of Area Agency on Aging, led the meeting. New member introductions were made, and the exciting things happening at LRCOG were shared.

The advisory council

has senior volunteers and staff who meet quarterly to share ways that the senior adults in our community can be supported and helped.

Program reports from Medicaid Waiver/ ACT (Lisa Barnes), Home-Delivered Meals (Avanna Thomas), Aging and Disability Resource Center (Charlotte Bledsoe), Senior Rx Program (Fran Burke), Ombudsman Maria Davis, Elderly Nutrition Program and Senior Community Service Employment Program

(Lou Ella Foxx) and Alabama Cares (Leisa Askew) were delivered through meeting agenda.

Alabama Cares, under the direction of Leisa Askew, shared about the Memory Cafes offered to families who have loved ones with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. There have been two wonderful memory cafes held. One was held in November at the Auburn University Airport with lunch and paper airplane fun. The December memory café brought much joy and cheer as families

went on a tour of the Victorian Front Porch Tour in Opelika. A cocoa bar with music, activities and delicious treats were enjoyed by all who attended. The next Memory Café will be held on Jan. 23, 2023, at Giovanna’s Pizzaria located at 1600 Broad St. in Phenix City. Please RSVP to Askew at LASKEW@ LRCOG.COM or 334528-9215. If you need transportation assistance, mention when you RSVP.

The Senior Rx

Program under the direction of Fran Burke is wanting residents of the community to know that if they take a prescribed medication that they cannot afford or struggle to afford, the Lee-Russell Council of Government Senior Rx Program may be able to assist them with securing that medication at little or no cost. Pharmaceutical companies partner with LRCOG’S Senior Rx Program to provide prescription savings on certain medications. Even if a specific

What's Happening in Lee County

2023 CITY MARKET VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN

Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreation's 2023 City Market. City Market vendor applications opened Nov. 14. City Market will be held Saturdays from May 20 through Aug. 26 at Town Creek Park from 8 to 11 a.m., with vendor setup beginning at 7 a.m.

Farmers, growers and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry St.).

For more information, including a link to vendor applications and the City Market handbook, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket or contact Sarah Cook, market coordinator, at scook@auburnalabama.org.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Jan. 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Southside Center for the Arts, located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika. Activities will include planting, storytime, crafts or art projects for children and hanging out with the goats.

at

(Anthony), Leah Cannon and Jacob Cannon.

She had 18 greatgrandchildren: Michael Crabtree, Daniel Osteen, Lauren Cumming, Leighton Cumming, John Michael Lawson Cumming, Lyla Corinne Cummings, Jett Bavar, Breanna Bavar, Rena Bavar, Lucy Abrahamson, Cadence Crawford, Hannah Crawford, Lucy Crawford, Aiden Murphy, Everett Murphy, Garrison Hadden, AJ Guzzonato and Ellie Guzzonato.

Funeral services were at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home, Opelika, Alabama, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Viewing was from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial followed

JAMES DAWSON

Our beloved James, better known to his family as “Poppy,” was made whole and graciously welcomed into his heavenly home on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Mr. Dawson was born and raised in Opelika and holds a special place in the heart of our community. He will be remembered for the joyful, loving, goofy and steady soul that he was by all who knew him.

James lived his life in the spirit of helping others. He never met a stranger. There was never a project too big for him to tackle, and he spent all the time he could spare making our little

corner of the world a better place. He was a wonderful husband, gracious father, topnotch bass fisherman, next-level handyman and best friend. To know him was to love him; and man did we love him big. Still do.

Mr. Dawson is survived by his wife of 38 years, Starla Dawson; four children, Jonathan Matthew Dawson (Jessica), Clay Seth Dawson (Katie), Kyle James Dawson (Donna) and Nicholas Chase Dawson (Catherine); eight grandchildren, Savannah Leigh Dawson, Sawyer Bryan Dawson, Ava May Dawson, Sadie Rose Dawson, Everly James Dawson, Clay Seth Dawson Jr., James Victor Dawson II and Parker Dru Dawson; and parentsin-law Tom and

medication is not eligible for this type of saving, a Senior Rx coordinator will be happy to work with individuals to determine which pharmacy offers a drug at the lowest cost and if coupon savings may be available. Call LRCOG to speak with Burke about prescription savings at 334-528-9226. Our community is very fortunate to Lee-Russell Agency on Aging to take care of senior citizens in our community. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 11.

NEW PARKING KIOSKS IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN

Four new parking kiosks have been installed throughout downtown Auburn, including one on Tichenor Avenue, one on East Magnolia Avenue and two on North College Street. These parking kiosks became functional Jan. 10.

Parking along Tichenor Avenue and on Gay Street adjacent to Hamilton's is now $1 per hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking will be limited to two hours, like other on-street parking spaces throughout downtown.

Find more information about downtown parking at auburnalabama.org/downtown-parking

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group will meet every month on the third Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AIDB-Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional center on 355 Dunlop Drive in Opelika. Every month there will be different topics discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision.

Contact Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab Therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, or Melody Wilson, case manager for the blind, at 256-368-3258.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of South College Street, will be open on Wednesdays 8 to 11 a.m. with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.

Dianne Hornek and Jimmy and Jelaine Clark.

Visitation for Mr. Dawson was Saturday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home in Opelika. Funeral service was held on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Opelika’s 3:16 Center.

CLAIRE ADAMS

Claire Cofield Adams, age 98, of Opelika, Alabama, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 12, 2023. She was born in Troup County, Georgia, to the late Claude B. Cofield and Ruth Whatley Cofield on Jan. 12, 1925. Early years of her married life were spent in various

locations, including Fairfax, Alabama, and College Park, Georgia. For the last 52 years she resided in Opelika, Alabama. At the time of her death, she was a resident of an assisted living facility in Valley, Alabama. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Opelika. In her earlier years she was a substitute school teacher and a volunteer at East Alabama Medical Center. She also loved spending time in her yard planting and tending flowers. In later years she could be found sitting out on her screenedin porch.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Luther Milton Adams;

sister, Minnie Belle Moore; and grandson, Christopher Adams. Survivors include a sister, Alice Whatley of Chesapeake, Virginia; three sons, Stephen M. Adams of Opelika, Andrew C. Adams (Vicky) of Moreland, Georgia, and Roger A. Adams (Deborah) of Boaz, Alabama; four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Garden Hill Cemetery in Opelika with the Rev. Mike King officiating. JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home is responsible for the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Opelika, Alabama.

Garden Hills.

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OPELIKA —

The Opelika High School girls and boys varsity basketball teams dropped a pair of area games in the Main Street Gym last week.

The Lady Bulldogs (7-10, A1-2) lost 24-56 to Central and 26-68 to Auburn in the Main Street Gym.

Central, led by Hall of Fame coach Carolyn Wright, played aggressive defense and used clock to get good shots. Offensively for OHS, Cherdi Daniels scored 14 of the 26 points scored against the Lady Red Devils.

The Auburn High (9-4, A1-2) girls team blew out OHS 68-29 in the Main Street Gym Friday night. Despite outrebounding the Lady Tigers and forcing 10 more turnovers, Opelika could not hit a shot, according to head coach Blake Smalley. Auburn shot 10-of22 from behind the three-point line while Opelika hit 1-of-29 three-point shots.

Opelika's varsity boys lost a pair of home games last week as well. Area rivals Central (68-58) and Auburn (76-59) won double-digit area games, dropping OHS to 1-2 in Area 2.

Opelika's junior varsity defeated rival Auburn 55-52 behind 21 points from Brady McAnnally.

The varsity boys and girls both picked up wins in a non-region contest on MLK Day, Jan. 16, against LaFayette. The boys won, 65-55; the girls won, 56-21.

The Lady Bulldogs and Varsity Boys Bulldogs host Smiths Station Friday night (120) in the Main Street Gym on the OHS campus. Tipoff for the varsity girls is scheduled for 6 p.m. with varsity boys to follow. Fans can listen to the OHS versus SSHS girls and boys basketball games on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. Airtime for the girls game is 5:45 p.m. with iHeartRadio's Van Riggs with the broadcast.

OHS WINTER SCHEDULE FOR JAN. 23 THROUGH JAN. 27

- Tuesday (Jan. 24) OHS Wrestling at Thompson; tipoff at 4:30 p.m. FreshmanJV basketball-Varsity at Central; tipoff at 4:30 p.m.

- Wednesday (Jan. 25) OHS Girls JV at AHS; tipoff at 5:30 p.m.

OPELIKA: JAN. 24 AT 4:30 P.M.

LEE COUNTY: FEB. 14 AT 6 P.M.

AUBURN: FEB. 14 AT 6 P.M.

Holder Makes Difference in AU Recruiting

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Recruiting is perhaps the biggest difference-maker in collegiate athletics. It is vital to the success of any program. Putting together a staff full of effective recruiters is often a head coach’s first priority when taking over a program.

Ty Holder, who is in his second year on staff with the Auburn Tigers Football Program, is a former cornerback for Ball State who played professionally in the Alliance of American

Football and the XFL. Prior to his arrival on the Plains in February 2022, Holder served as a defensive graduate assistant for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

“It kind of gives me an advantage,” Holder said about how his playing experience benefits him as a recruiter. “I know how it feels to be a player and how it feels as a player to know a coach cares about you. When a player knows that a coach cares about them as a person first, they’ll go the extra mile for you.”

Holder played a big role in See RECRUITING , page B6

Lee-Scott's Meyers Named 'Back of the Year' for AISA

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Lee-Scott senior running back George Meyers was announced by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) as the Alabama Independent Association's (AISA) "Back of the Year"

at the Mr. Football banquet in Montgomery Thursday.

Meyers thanked his family, coaches and teammates upon accepting the award.

"I wouldn't be the man or the football player I am today with them [my family]," Meyers said in his acceptance speech. "I just wanted to thank the coaches throughout my life who

have helped me with my my football career, especially under coach Daniel. Lastly, I would just like to thank my teammates. I just want them to known that my success that I had on the field this year was not for coaches to see, not for people in the stands to know my name but just for them to know I had their back because I know

they had mine 100% of the way."

Meyers and the Warriors — under third-year head coach Buster Daniel — completed a perfect, 12-0 season in 2022 on their way to the AISA 3A football State Championship.

Meyers rushed for 46 yards and two touchdowns in the

Lee-Scott Academy senior running back George Meyers, center, was named AISA 'Back of the Year' at the annual Mr. Football Banquet in Montgomery last week.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY TYREE HOLDER

Tyree Holder is a second-year staffer with the Auburn University football team.

Opelika Boys Look to Sustain Intensity, Get Back On Track Down The Stretch

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Opelika hung in there against Central — for all but two and a half minutes in the third quarter.

Instead of getting a big win over the Red Devils to stay unbeaten in area play, Central went on a 13-1 scoring run in the third quarter, and Opelika fell to 1-1 in area play heading into a rivalry matchup with Auburn, looking to taste .500 again.

The Bulldogs lost some momentum against Auburn, losing 76-59 despite 24 points from senior transfer from Florida Mekhiron Brock, leading all scorers in the game in front of a packed-out Main Street Gym. Sitting at 7-9, that’s the story of the season, according to Opelika head coach Wesley Button.

“We’ve been very competitive this year,” Button said. “I think a lot of our early losses were us learning how to finish a game. Now, I think we’re learning how to sustain intensity for four quarters.”

The Bulldogs have certainly shown sparks of playing like a winning team. Behind leading scorer Isaiah Knight (17 ppg) and Brock, who has three games of 30 or more points and 20 or more rebounds this season, they notched key

wins over Benjamin Russell, Russell County and stole an area win from Smiths Station.

Close losses, however, have plagued Opelika in the first part of the season. Six of Opelika’s nine losses have come by 10 or fewer points, including a 57-55 loss to Pike Road in December.

On the other hand, it has only won one game decided by single digits this season.

“I need to do a better job as a coach getting some of my guys who play heavy minutes — to maybe give them more breaks earlier. That way, they’re not as tired down the stretch,” Button said.

“As a team, we’ve got to learn to trust each other more, not just on the defensive end. The guys are starting to see, when we make more than two passes on a possession, we usually end up with a bucket.”

With three main guys who are experienced in Opelika’s varsity squad — Knight, Brock and D.J. Harris — Opelika’s main points of focus are “talking and flying around” on defense. The team has had its best outcomes when contribution is more evenly dispersed throughout the team.

Button explained that when he has three guys score double-digit points, it gives the team a good chance at winning, but whenever four guys score

in double figures, they have won every time.

Along with the team playing together and sustaining intensity, Opelika is figuring out how to avoid that one period in each game that puts it in a position where it has to play with a deficit at the end of games like the third quarter against Central.

“I told them [after the loss to Central], ‘We lost focus for just two and a half minutes. That can lose you a ballgame,’” Button emphasized. “It can’t be three and a half quarters, it’s got to be all four quarters. We’ve got to keep our focus throughout the game. That’s a big thing I’ve learned.”

Opelika has five more chances to improve its cohesiveness throughout the entirety of a game. It plays Lafayette next on Monday before rematches with Smiths Station and Auburn, a home matchup with Dadeville and a rematch at Russell County to end the season.

As it vies to rebound from three consecutive double-digit losses, Button also hopes to change the trajectory of Bulldog basketball to close out the 2022-23 campaign.

“Now, we’re at that point of changing the culture and getingt this program headed in the right direction,” Button said.

OHS Girls Basketball Looks To Build On Bright Spots In ‘Up And Down’ Season

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

Sitting at 7-11 after an excruciating 69-26 loss to Auburn, Opelika girls basketball is searching for consistency in what head coach Blake Smalley described as an “up and down” season.

The Bulldogs know the joys of a big win, as the 51-29 triumph over area rival Smiths Station was, but they have also felt six beatdown losses of over 30 points this season.

“We’ve kind of been up and down a little bit,” Smalley said. “We’ve actually played a much tougher schedule this year than we did last year. But I also feel like that’s kind of led us to where we are now. We lost a lot of production last year, probably our top five contributors.”

The team has had to find cohesiveness all over again, as they lost five seniors, three of them starters, as well as a sophomore who was one of the team’s top statistical producers from last season.

While Opelika has returning contributors from last season, like senior guard Z Fanning who now leads the squad in scoring, it is “learning how to

win again” as a unit. While the team has certainly participated in its fair share of blowouts, they have also lost four games by five points or less, and three of them were by a single score.

While Smalley sees glimpses of a complete team, he knows they still have a way to go after losing two straight region matches, to Central and Auburn, by more than 30 points each.

Some areas in which Smalley pointed out improvements are rebounding and ball handling. With several girls up near 6 feet tall and one that surpasses that mark, rebounding is an area where the team has a high ceiling, but with two of its best ball-handlers gone from last season, turnovers have been an area of concern for Smalley.

While offensive possessions haven’t yielded the kind of success the team needs to beat stiff competition, the coach has recognized some breakthrough moments on that side of the floor as of late.

“We’re getting better at [ball handling] and working on that every day,” Smalley explained. “Two things I do think we’re starting to understand are shot recognition

— what’s a good shot, bad shot. I think we’re getting better at finishing and hitting those open shots when we get them.”

While a 1-2 start to region play is not what Opelika hoped for, Smalley said he knows he’s working with a young team with a lot of room to grow. The squad consists of five sophomores, two juniors and three seniors, one of which transferred to Opelika in August and is relatively new to the system.

With senior veterans Fanning and Cherdi Daniels paving the way, one thing the team wants to work on is focusing on the play at hand and not dwelling on mistakes. This will be key for the Bulldogs in rebounding from disappointing losses to area neighbors when it travels to face Lafayette on Monday before finishing out the season with rematches against Smiths Station, Central and Auburn, then hosting Dadeville before going to Russell County to end its season.

“I feel like we’ve gotten better as the year’s gone on,” Smalley said. “But I think we’re still improving. I don’t think we’ve peaked yet.”

- Thursday (Jan. 26)

Freshman boys at Auburn Junior High tipoff at 6:30 p.m.

- Friday (Jan. 27)

Varsity girls and boys basketball at AHS; tipoff at 6 p.m.

OPELIKA DIXIE YOUTH

BASEBALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Registration for Opelika Dixie Youth Baseball (ODYB) is underway. ODYB is for 6 year olds through 12 year olds, based on the players age on April 30, 2023.

Register online at www.opelikadixieyouth. com. The cost for each play is $90, but during the "Early Bird"

registration period the fee is $75. Registration fee includes jersey and cap, and all players will be on a team.

DATES:

IMPORTANT

- Evaluations will be conducted between Feb. 23 through 26; exact times and dates will be released soon.

- Sunday, Feb. 17: Last day of registration

- Monday, Feb. 27: First practice and - Saturday, April 1: Opening Day.

OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS

BASEBALL (13- 15-YEAR OLDS)

Opelika Dixie Boys (13- to 15-year-olds) will hold registration during the month of March.

Opelika DBB is for baseball players who will be 13 to 15 years old as of

April 30, 2023. More information will be coming soon.

OPELIKA SOFTBALL

Opelika Parks and Recreation will open softball registration Feb. 24 at the Opelika Sportsplex. Softball players from 6to 15-years old are eligible to play. Games will be held on the new turf fields at West Ridge Park.

For more info call the Sportsplex at 334-705-5560.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity OHS boys basketball team fell to rival Auburn, 76-59, on Friday, Jan. 13.

The varsity OHS girls basketball team fell, 68-26, to rival Auburn on Friday, Jan. 13.

Bulldogs Open Area Play Against Central

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

The Opelika High School boys and girls varsity basketball teams opened area play against the Central Phenix City Red Devils Jan. 10. The Lady Bulldogs fell, 56-24, and the boys also fell, 68-58.

Warriors, Gators Share the Spoils

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity Lee-Scott Academy Warriors basketball teams faced rival Glenwood on the road Jan. 12. The Lady Warriors fell, 53-42, while the boys downed the Gators, 61-44.

Panthers, Tigers Battle for Bragging Rights

PHOTOS BY MATT AUSTIN FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity Auburn High and Smiths Station basketball teams faced off Jan. 10. The Auburn girls emerged with a 60-30 win, while the boys won 72-64.

Five Impact Transfers for Auburn 2023

BY TODD VAN EMST AUBURN ATHLETICS

RECRUITING

landing crucial prospects in a recruiting class that is expected to help Auburn find its footing once again.

“Tyler Scott or Bryan Battie,” Holder said when asked about the recruits he is most excited about. “Those are guys who I got to learn about and got to know their families, so I’m excited to see what they do when they come to Auburn.”

The hiring of head coach Hugh Freeze has resulted in a substantial morale boost for the entire Auburn football program, and the effects of it have been noticed when it comes to recruiting. Holder stressed how much he has enjoyed being on Freeze’s staff so far.

“It's really like a dream come true,” Holder said. “I got to see him from the outside as a great SEC coach, and now I get to learn from him every day.”

know you care, especially parents,” Holder said. “I like to let parents know that I’ll recruit their son the same way I would want my son to be recruited.”

Former Auburn and NFL cornerback Trovon Reed has been a big part of Auburn’s recruiting staff since his return to the Plains in 2021. Reed has developed a reputation as an effective recruiter due to his ability to relate to people. Holder said he has thoroughly enjoyed getting to work alongside a guy who is known as one of the best recruiters in college football.

“T-Reed, that’s my guy,” Holder said. “He’s probably the closest person to me on the staff. I get to lean on him and see how he recruits. It doesn’t matter if it’s the janitor or the head coach, he is such a people person with everybody.”

other coaches. A recruit and their parents know if you’re being authentic or if you aren’t. I like to establish genuine relationships.”

While the inability to recruit has been the downfall of many coaches, Holder said he enjoys the process and sees it as rewarding.

“I love the fact that you get to establish a relationship with the recruit and their parents,” Holder said.

“If you get them to sign with Auburn, there is no feeling like it. I get to mentor and inspire these guys. The whole reason I got into college football is to mentor young men.”

Auburn’s fanbase has developed a reputation as one of the best in all of college athletics, and Holder said he agrees.

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn football staff earned commitments from two more transfer players this week, raising the team’s 2023 total to 12 overall.

The additions, Justin Rogers (defensive lineman) from Kentucky and Austin Keys (linebacker) from Ole Miss, pushed Auburn’s 2023 transfer class ranking to No. 2 overall in the country, according to On3.com.

With the first transfer portal window (Dec. 5 to Jan. 18) officially closing Wednesday, now is a good time to access the progress the Tigers have made over the past two months. Keep in mind the road to rebuilding the Tigers’ program is likely one that cannot be traversed in one off-season. However, we have seen the likes of USC vault themselves into college football relevancy after a coaching change and just one off-season of transfers. So, why can’t the Tigers replicate something of the same ilk?

The following are five transfers coming to The Plains in 2023 who can have an immediate impact on success.

1. BRIAN BATTIE (RUNNING BACK, SOUTH FLORIDA):

A four-star transfer prospect and rising junior, Battie just capped off a 2022 season in which he totaled 1,186 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 176 carries (6.7 yards per carry average) for the Bulls. Tank Bigsby’s departure from The Plains via the NFL draft means the Tigers have a clear need for a running back for the first time in a few seasons. Much like 2022, when Auburn employed a one-two rushing punch of Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter — with a little Demari Alston spliced

in there as well — the 2023 iteration of Auburn football could employ a one-two punch of Hunter and either Alston or Battie. Even if Battie ends up as the third name on the depth chart, he proved last season he is capable of handling a large workload in the event of injuries to the running back room.

2. NICK MARDNER (RECEIVER, CINCINNATI):

It’s no secret that Auburn lacked difference makers on the outside of the offense in 2022. With the hire of Auburnalum Marcus Davis as Freeze’s new wide receivers coach, the 6-foot-6-inch Nick Mardner comes to The Plains from Cincinnati. Mardner played under Davis in 2021 at Hawaii and had his best collegiate season there — posting a team-high 913 receiving yards and five touchdowns. While he failed to find a footing with the Bearcats in 2022, Mardner is a welcome addition — and prime red zone target — for the Tigers’ thin wide receiver room.

3. GUNNER BRITTON (OFFENSIVE TACKLE, WESTERN KENTUCKY):

Coming to The Plains to exercise his final year of college football eligibility, Britton was a mainstay along the Western Kentucky offensive line four years running. During his time with the Hilltoppers, Britton earned a Conference USA All-Freshman Team nod in 2019 and protected quarterbacks like 2021 C-USA MVP and NCAA record-setting quarterback Bailey Zappe (now of the NFL’s New England Patriots) in one of the nation’s top passing attacks. Britton started every game for WKU last season, earning a PFF College grade of 80.7, including an 87 pass-blocking grade, which ranked No. 5 nationally among tackles who played at least

20% of their team’s snaps. Britton has experience as both a left and right tackle and projects to immediately pose as one of the Tigers’ best linemen.

4. RIVALDO FAIRWEATHER (TIGHT END, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL):

Freeze’s first handpicked target to commit to the Tigers out of the transfer portal, Fairweather spent the previous three seasons with FIU. One of the top two tight ends in the transfer portal, Fairweather tallied 54 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. The 6-foot5-inch playmaker will nicely replace the lost production of John Samuel-Shenker and provide immediate help to Auburn in both the passing and rushing game.

5. AUSTIN KEYS (LINEBACKER, OLE MISS):

LSU transfer linebacker Demario Tolen could have easily gotten the nod for the fifth and final spot. But the 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pound rising sophomore lacks experience and size as he registered just 10 tackles in 12 games for LSU last season. Contrastingly, Keys, a rising redshirt junior, played in all 13 of the Rebels’ games last season on his way to 39 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Listed at 6-foot-2-inches, 240-pounds, Keys has the size and experience to elevate the linebacker position for Auburn. The linebacker group at Auburn looks like the thinnest unit on the 2023 defense, and with the departure of four-year stalwart Owen Pappoe, Keys has a legitimate opportunity to step directly into an impact role for the Tigers this season.

The Tigers will have one more opportunity to add talent to its 2023 roster when the transfer portal’s second window opens for a 15-day period this spring (May 1 to 15).

Throughout the recruiting process, Holder said he prioritizes building a relationship with prospects.

“I think it’s important to establish a connection with a person and let them

MEYERS>>

FROM B1

state championship win over rival Glenwood.

2022 was Lee-Scott Academy's first 12-win season since 1998 and fourth

It is no secret that the Southeastern region of the country is one of the hardest places to recruit due to the abundance of great coaches and successful programs. It is vital to stand out to find success.

“I’m one of one,” Holder said on what sets him apart. “Just me being myself, I can set myself apart from

state title in the school’s history.

Meyers accounted for over 900 rush yards and 20 touchdowns in his senior season.

On a Lee-Scott offense that averaged 43.1 points per game, Meyers was the

“Auburn is truly a great place,” Holder said. “I’ve never been around a better gameday environment. The fans will support you to a T. I never want to leave.”

The Auburn football program is looking to get back on track and reclaim its place as an annual contender in the SEC. Holder being on staff will only expedite that process.

key engineer of long scoring drives, averaging over 8 yards per carry.

The ASWA Mr. Football Banquet is presented by ALFA Insurance and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

PHOTO

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze at his introductory press conference.

Auburn University Interdisciplinary Team Committed to Reversing STEM Teacher Shortage in Alabama through UTeach program

Collaborative effort propelled by $3 million grant from Alabama STEM Council

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY / NEAL REID

AUBURN —

Professors from Auburn University’s College of Education and College of Sciences and Mathematics are joining forces to help reverse a glaring shortage of K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, teachers throughout the state of Alabama.

An interdisciplinary team from the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM, and the

College of Education will use a $3 million grant from the Alabama STEM Council to develop a UTeach program at Auburn. The team is led by co-directors Christine Schnittka from the College of Education and Stephanie Shepherd from COSAM and also includes COSAM’s Katherine Buckley and Mary Lou Ewald and Paul Fitchett from the College of Education.

Auburn’s program, AUTeach, will be generated thanks to a partnership between the Alabama STEM Council and the UTeach Institute — a national

network of colleges and universities working together to improve STEM teaching and learning in the United States — designed to increase the number of effective STEM teachers and to diversify the pipeline of secondary STEM teachers.

Alabama is facing a severe shortage in certified STEM teachers, particularly in economically disadvantaged districts. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education in 2022 identified 68 school systems that were experiencing critical teacher shortages in science and/ or math, with more than

30% of science teachers lacking full certification. Many of these districts are within an hour’s drive from Auburn University.

In some areas of the state’s Black Belt, 80% of science and math teachers lack full certification.

“COSAM graduates the highest number of STEM majors annually in the state,” said Shepherd, an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. “Our graduates pursue many different career paths, from medicine to research. The AUTeach program will provide a

pathway for our students to discover an important and rewarding career as a teacher. The combined training in science and education means we will be sending dynamic science teachers that can share their passion for and knowledge of science to K-12 students in Alabama.”

One of the central aims of Auburn’s AUTeach program will be to produce 60 highly skilled, certified secondary science teachers annually by year four of the fiveyear project. Auburn’s team plans to accomplish this through generous scholarships, community

Rebuilding The Black Family

CONTRIBUTED BY MANDM PUBLIC RELATIONS

AUBURN —

The DREAAM Project, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) of the Dr. Bell's Student Success Enrichment Center, is hosting a community conversation between parents, sons and leaders.

The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST at 936 N. Donahue Drive in Auburn.

Conversations will take place about important issues for Black boys and parents, discussing their future and the challenges they face in school, at home and in the community — specifically addressing their concerns to the leaders in the community who lead and guide them.

Dr. Bell’s Student Success Enrichment

Center focuses on developing Black males to be productive citizens in society through education, skill development, leadership development and self-awareness. The Jan. 21 conversation in Auburn is an extension of what DREAAM works to do. This conversation and symposium will accommodate 200 parents and sons.

Featured guest panelists and leaders from the community include Steven T. Speakman, Lee County district judge; Clarence Stewart, assistant chief of the Auburn Police Department; and Tiffany Yelder, assistant superintendent of Opelika City Schools.

DREAAM is an acronym for “Directly Responsible for Educating African

American Males.” DREAAM seeks to teach young men how to become innovative, productive and responsible by providing quality mentoring, education and social services to cater to their development.

Lunch will be served, and there will be a sports skills mini-camp for the boys.

Registration information can be found at www.eventbrite. com/e/rebuilding-the-black-family-tickets-502809947087/.

For more information, contact Dr. Frankie Bell at fnfministries@ gmail.com or 334-357-6178.

“This is truly a family affair,” Bell said. “The village was summoned and the village is trying to respond.”

internships, mentoring, tutoring, early field experiences and a streamlined process that reflects current research in science teacher education.

The consequences of having under-prepared educators in classrooms can be devastating and are likely to have longterm social, economic and technological impacts on the state.

“Teaching school is mission work. It’s a noble career, a way to serve humanity,” said Schnittka, a professor in the Department of Curriculum and

Enjoying Indoor Fun on a Winter Day

being inside with young children during the winter months can be a challenge at times. As early childhood teachers, we provide a variety of activities to keep young children motivated and provide an outlet for them to be physically active during the teaching day.

Listed below are some activities I have done — and some I have learned from fellow teachers and moms — to help your little ones beat the winter blues and to keep them from getting bored.

to do on a dreary, cold, overcast day is to have a warm bubble bath. They love to blow bubbles all over the bathroom. Let your young children bring their favorite toys, such as plastic ducks, boats and plastic dolls that can withstand the water in the tub.

Another fun activity that young children enjoy is drawing and writing in shaving cream sprayed over a table. It provides hours of clean fun, and it’s neat to get that table cleaned.

meat, spices, etc., fills the home with good smells and makes aa delicious, healthy meal enjoyed by all. In the classroom, I used to put my crockpot in a safe place and have my classroom children help me make soup. This presented wonderful hands-on math lessons with measurement, as well as science lessons of good nutrition and the sense of smell as the soup’s good aromas filled our cozy little classroom.

on a winter afternoon. Children love to draw and re-enact stories.

As I was strolling through the grocery store this week, yellow spring buttercups drew my attention to the sunshine of spring with delightful thoughts of playing outside with the children.

As I stepped out of the store to go home, I quickly realized we are far away from spring as the cold central Alabama winds hit my face.

I really enjoy the season of winter and all the fun and seasonal delights that it has to offer. But

many times children, as well as adults, get the “blues” or “blahs” during these winter months.

When my son moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, his aunt who had also lived there told Gus to pack a sun lamp and to pack his CD player with his favorite music to play during the long winter months. She told him it would be quite an adjustment after living in the south Alabama sunshine close to Gulf Shores.

As teachers and parents of young children,

science is particularly important right now, when scientific and technological advances are both improving and

In the summer we build sand castles, but in the winter we can build box castles. To do this, collect cardboard boxes of various sizes; use what you have around the house. Tape the box flaps shut to make a stackable box. Use crayons to decorate the boxes. Children love to stack these to make homes, skyscrapers, stores or just anything their little imaginations come up with. You can use white paper to cover the boxes in order to change the scenes.

Another fun activity that young children love

destroying our lives, and only a scientifically literate population will be able to understand, tackle and wrestle with

Another way to ward off winter boredom is to go to the warmth of the kitchen to prepare creative winter treats. Icing cupcakes and cookies are a favorite of “little hands.” One very simple winter treat is to make marshmallow snowmen. Put three large marshmallows together with icing. Use raisins or miniature M&Ms for the eyes, red licorice sticks for the mouth, a chocolate kiss for the hat and pretzel sticks for the arms and legs. Fixing warm, healthy soups where your young child gets to help add vegetables,

the challenges that we are certain to face.

AUTeach offers an additional path for Auburn’s college students who love science to graduate in four years, certified to teach.

“We have a fantastic teacher preparation program in the College of Education, and now we will have an additional path in collaboration with COSAM to reach, educate, inspire, graduate and certify the science teachers that our youth need in order to grow into scientifically literate problem solvers.”

As the premier landgrant university in Alabama and a leader in preparing students to enter careers in both STEM and science education, Auburn is uniquely positioned to produce highly qualified middle and high school science teachers. Auburn consistently produces more graduates with STEM degrees than any other university in Alabama and certifies the second-largest pool of secondary teachers.

Other winter entertainment for young children includes dancing to music and grabbing up paper for your little artists to draw and cut for hours. Provide a craft box with odds-and-ends so that your children express themselves using their imaginations. Roll up sheets of white paper into little balls to have a pretend snowball fight. Young children will delight you with what they come up with on these cold winter days.

Moreover, puzzles provide endless hours of fun for young children and the whole family. Books provide entertainment for your young children

thinking and problem-solving skills. We are excited to receive this award so we can increase our contributions to the training of science teachers and help ensure students in Alabama receive the best science education possible.”

At Auburn, after three years, fewer than a third of science majors persist in their originally intended majors. However, the students who abandon a science career before the end of their third year of college chose to study it because they had a passion for it. AUTeach will offer them an alternative career path to stay immersed in the science they love and use their talents to give back and help educate the next generation.

Another winter activity that can be enjoyed is to purchase or make an inexpensive birdfeeder. Make a birdfeeder out of a pinecone by spreading peanut butter in between the crevices, putting bird seed on the peanut butter, then hanging the bird feeder. This is a wonderful science activity that you and your child can enjoy doing together as you observe birds flying back and forth to the feeder. Young children love to observe different birds flying up to the feeder to eat. You and your child can discuss the different colors and kinds of birds they are observing flying back and forth. Also explain to your children that they are helping the birds to survive winter.

I hope some of these simple ideas will help you and your child during these winter months to have warm fun indoors no matter what’s going on outside.

Classroom Observer Beth Pinyerd

program in four years. Other universities setting up their own UTeach programs beginning this spring are Auburn University at Montgomery, or AUM, Alabama A&M University, Athens State University, the University of South Alabama and the University of West Alabama. The University of Alabama at Birmingham was the first university in the state to establish a UTeach program.

ABOUT THE ALABAMA STEM COUNCIL

The Alabama STEM Council was formed on Sept. 21, 2020, by Gov. Kay Ivey’s Executive Order No. 721. The council members represent leaders from Alabama businesses, education and state government. The council’s work builds on and extends Alabama’s Roadmap to STEM Success by advising on ways to improve STEM education and STEMrelated career awareness and workforce pathways.

ABOUT THE UTEACH INSTITUTE

115 years ago

AuburnBank was founded on the principles of sound money management and putting the customer first. As we’ve opened our new home in downtown Auburn, those principles still drive everything we do. Come by and help us celebrate our most recent success, and let’s talk about helping you achieve yours.

“AUTeach is an innovative partnership that will help us produce more science teachers during a time of critical need for this expertise,” said Jeffrey T. Fairbrother, dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor for the College of Education. “As our lives become more and more dependent upon technology, we need to prepare future generations to work in STEM fields. Science teachers provide the foundation for children to move into these fields.

“Science also teaches our children analytical

“Students at Auburn University can make a difference in the critical STEM teacher shortage in the state of Alabama through AUTeach,” said COSAM Interim Dean Edward Thomas Jr. “These students who are majoring in science will receive additional pedagogical training to help them inspire the next generation of students as STEM teachers in K-12 schools.”

AUTeach will provide another critical career path for COSAM undergraduates. Students in the program will receive a degree in biology, chemistry, geosciences or physics and a second major in education. The curriculum is specially designed so that students will gain experience in K-12 classrooms early, take courses in their chosen science discipline — as well as educational theory and practice — and successfully complete the

The UTeach Institute works to improve secondary STEM teaching and learning through the national expansion of the UTeach secondary STEM teacher preparation program to colleges and universities. Over 15 years, the Institute has employed a comprehensive approach to successful program development in higher education settings and serves as the national hub to a networked community of 50 universities implementing UTeach programs.

Learn more at www. uteach-institute.org.

BETH PINYERD

Teaching. “Teaching

L

labama Politics ee County & A

Inside the Statehouse Inauguration Day

Ivey, Ainsworth Hint at School Choice During Inauguration

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

The inauguration of our Alabama Constitutional officials was Monday. Our state constitution calls for the inauguration to be held on the third Monday in January. As you would expect and as almanacs suggest, it is usually a cold day. Over the years, I have had countless folks hearken back to their high school band experiences of marching in the Inaugural Parade, especially ladies who had been majorettes. They had to march and twirl a baton in 20-degree weather with skimpy, legless, bathing suit-style attire. It left them with a lasting indelible memory of an Alabama gubernatorial inauguration.

Mind you, I was not there, but every old timer who has talked politics with me over the years and who has seen a good many inaugurations will remark that the January 1963 George Wallace initial inauguration as governor was the coldest. There was a lot of frostbite that day. However, the inaugural address from Wallace was hot and heavy. That was the day that Wallace threw down the gauntlet and declared “Segregation today, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.” That was exactly 60 years ago.

A lot has changed since that day. It was during the Wallace era that the Civil Rights movement changed the political landscape of the nation, especially in

the South. Wallace was an integral part of that historical era. He watched it all unfold from his Goat Hill office overlooking Dexter Avenue, and he was the reason for a lot of the bloodshed. Every time I see an inauguration on the Capitol steps, I reminisce about the history that has been made in that block of Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.

The men who wrote Alabama’s overtly racist 1901 Constitution and the crowd that howled in defiance as Wallace made his 1963 declaration would marvel at the change and diversity of today’s Alabama. It is poetic and ironic that this year’s Inauguration Day, Jan. 16, 2023, was on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a state and national holiday.

Gov. Kay Ivey grew up in the heart of the Wallace era in Wilcox County. She cut her political teeth campaigning for the Wallaces. She was especially involved with Lurleen Wallace’s 1966 governor’s race when she was a student at Auburn University. After Auburn, she worked for a while in banking and teaching in Mobile. She began her Montgomery career as the reading clerk in the Alabama House of Representatives under the tutelage of Speaker Joe McCorquodale.

Black Belters, like McCorquodale, controlled the House and the Senate.

Ivey’s melodious, pronounced Black Belt accent drew folks’ attention to her reading even the most mundane legalese for hours on end. She later became associated with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

As its public relations and governmental affairs director, she learned the legislative process. She entered the political arena in 2002, when she was elected state treasurer. She

served eight years in that post. She was then elected lieutenant governor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. In the middle of her second term, she became governor after Dr. Robert Bentley vacated the governor’s office. She served out the last 18 months of his term and was elected in her own right as governor of Alabama in 2018. She was reelected, overwhelmingly, last year. If Ivey finishes out this fouryear term, she will have been governor of Alabama longer than anyone else besides Wallace. She is the first woman to be elected as a Republican. She is the second female governor, the first being her idol, Lurleen Wallace, 56 years ago.

Also inaugurated with Ivey were Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, State Treasurer Young Boozer, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, Secretary of State Wes Allen and State Auditor Andrew Sorrell.

Two Supreme Court justices took their oaths of office for six-year terms on Monday. Justice Kelli Wise was sworn in for her third term. Wise has served 12 years on the Supreme Court. She was on the State Court of Criminal Appeals for a decade prior to being elected to the high court. Greg Cook was sworn in for his initial term on the high tribunal. He is a well-qualified and conservative jurist who will fit in well on the Supreme Court.

It was a big day in Alabama politics.

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. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

BY 1819NEWS CRAIG MONGER

ALABAMA —

At Monday’s inauguration, Alabama’s highest-ranking state offices suggested school choice could be a priority in the near

future.

School choice has been in public conversation for years. Alabama’s poor national performance in reading, math and science has led many to consider schools other than those in which they are currently

zoned.

On Monday, Jan. 16, newly elected members of Alabama’s constitutional offices took their oaths at a large inaugural ceremony held in front of the capitol building in

Opelika City Council Receives $60,000 From Pickleball Club

BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

The Opelika Pickleball Club presented the city of Opelika with a check for $60,000 during Tuesday night's Opelika City Council meeting as a way of giving back to the city, acknowledging its partnership with the city and showing its thanks for its investment in pickleball.

MAYOR'S PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council presented a proclamation of appreciation to First United Methodist Church members for their work in aiding and assisting those in need of a safe and warm place to stay during the recent severe cold weather.

Fuller also issued a proclamation declaring January 2023 as Cervical Cancer Month.

Fuller presented Attaboy Awards to Terry Coxwell and Nathan Mallory of Opelika Power Services for the extra work they put in building a fiber network capable of handling the audio Wi-Fi needs

for the Snopelika event in December.

BY MICHELLE KEY THE OBSERVER

Fuller also notified the council of the appointment of Jay Walters to the Opelika Planning Commission for a new term ending Feb. 15, 2029.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

See OPELIKA COUNCIL, page B11

PHOTO

The last to take their oath of office was Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, followed by Gov. Kay Ivey, both of whom exalted school choice as a priority moving into the next quadrennium.

PHOTO FROM 1819 NEWS

Opelika Pickleball Club President Jim Young, pictured right, and Opelika Parks and Recreation Director Sam Bailey, pictured second from the left, presented the city of Opelika with a check for $60,000.

OPINION —

In ninth grade we read

“SlaughterhouseFive.” That was in 1970 at a Catholic high school in New England. This Kurt Vonnegut book has faced censorship often, with its irreverence, sexual content, profanity and gay characters. My friends at the public high school were not assigned that book. We delighted in our Christian brothers honoring free speech

Banning Books, Not Reading Them, is Still in Vogue

top was 1,597 books in 2021.

“It represents an escalation, and we’re truly fearful that at some point we will see a librarian arrested for providing constitutionally protected books on disfavored topics,” Deborah CaldwellStone, director of the Office Of Intellectual Freedom at the library association, told The New York Times. “They’re being threatened with prosecution, attacked on social media, harassed for simply doing their jobs by trying to meet the information needs of their communities.”

librarians being harassed and badgered by people desiring to ban books. This difficult situation for librarians is dominated by conservatives, but there are progressives also who want certain books banned. Moms for Liberty, a conservative group aiming to remove books they say are not appropriate in public school libraries, they frame it as all about parental choice.

2021 ‘Porn in Schools Report’, Florida Citizens Alliance lists books they say contain ‘indecent and offensive material’ — such as ‘And Tango Makes Three,’ about two male penguins who adopt a baby penguin. The alliance has more than 250,000 people to flood politicians with letters.”

Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She suggests restrictions based on one’s age.

more than high school principals did.

Now we find 53 years later that attempts to ban books are much more common; they are occurring beyond any rate recorded 20 years ago.

The American Library Association reported that attempts were made to ban or restrict access to 1,651 different titles in 2022. That is the highest number of constraints since tracking began 20 years ago. The previous

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

HARDWOOD, LLC, Plaintiff v. Case No.: CV-2022-900402.00

A tract or parcel of land designated as: Lot 9, Lower Acres Estates Subdivision, being More particularly described as follows, to wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Township 17 North, Range 27 East, in Lee County, Alabama; thence run North 88 degrees 50 minutes 49 seconds East, 485.92 feet; thence run North 01 degrees 09 minutes 11 seconds West, 240.00 feet; thence run North 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds East, 55.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel to be described herein:

FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, thence run South 89 degrees 02 minutes 07 seconds West, 208.31 feet to a point on the east margin of Alabama Highway No. 51; thence run in a northerly direction along said margin of said highway on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 5,013.20 feet for an arc length of 120.0 feet; thence run South 89 degrees 35 minutes 36 seconds East, 215.29 feet; thence run South 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds West, 115.14 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.572 acres, +/-.

And Howard J. McNally, and/or the unknown heirs

Of Howard J. McNally, And Linda J. McNally, and/or the unknown heirs Of Linda J. McNally, And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by Amendment when ascertained, Defendants.

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 November, 2022, 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: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff;

Howard J. McNally, Linda J. McNally, and/or the unknown heirs for Howard J. McNally and/or Linda J. McNally, as Defendants, whose additional heirs, executors and/or administrators are unknown and cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows:

Lot 9, Lower Acres Estates Subdivision, being more particularly described as follows, to wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Township 17 North, Range 27 East, in Lee County, Alabama; thence run North 88 degrees 50 minutes 49 seconds East, 485.92 feet; thence run North 01 degrees 09 minutes 11 seconds West, 240.00 feet; thence run North 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds East, 55.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel to be described herein: FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, thence run South 89 degrees 02 minutes 07 seconds West, 208.31 feet to a point on the east margin of Alabama Highway No. 51; thence run in a northerly direction along said margin of said highway on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 5,013.20 feet for an arc length of 120.0 feet; thence run South 89 degrees 35 minutes 36 seconds East, 215.29 feet; thence run South 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds West, 115.14 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.572 acres, +/-.

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 19th day of December, 2022 /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 724 North Dean Road, Suite 100

To me, this is the opposite of what happened with librarians after the USA Patriot Act passed Congress and was signed by President George W. Bush, weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Librarians heroically banded together to push adjustments in cases where libraries would be hindered in their work due to requirements on recording who signed out which book and why, etc. Now what we see is

For children under say age 13 or so, that is proper. But for older teens, all that’s necessary is to put the books at the reference desk, and they can check out a semi-banned book by showing an ID. If the parents object, they must be reminded that their child will be a young adult in perhaps five years. Then he or she can read anything they want at the library (except how to make a bomb, maybe).

In the NYT article “A Fast-Growing Network of Conservative Groups Is Fueling a Surge in Book Banning,” Elizabeth Harris and Alexandra Alter note that “In its

PUBLIC NOTICES

Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023, 01/12/2023 & 01/19/2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

JOE R. COFIELD, JR, Plaintiff, v. No.: CV-2022-900417

A Parcel of Real Property described as: Tract A: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T -20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported); thence North 1 Degree 57' 00 West, a distance of 210.91 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 290.00 feet to a 3/4" crimped top pipe on the Southerly right of way of Lee Road 270; thence along said right of way, North 86 degrees 30' 25'' East, a distance of 109.54 feet to a 1/2 inch iron bar; thence leaving said right of way, South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 290.00 feet; thence South 86 degrees 33' 30" West, a distance of 117.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.754 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

Tract B: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported), said point also being the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 210.91 feet; thence North 86 degree 33' 33" East, a distance of 117.03 feet; thence South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 251.31 feet; thence South 68 degrees 58' 19" West, a distance of 130.73 feet; thence North 1 degree 54' 00" West, a distance of 80.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.750 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N. R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

And Ken Belton, and/or the unknown heirs Of Ken Belton, And Capital One Bank (USA), N.A.

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

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 1st day of December, 2022, 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: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; Ken Belton, and/or the unknown heirs of Ken Belton, as Defendant, whose additional heirs, executors and/or administrators are unknown and 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:

Tract A: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T -20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported); thence North 1 Degree 57' 00 West, a distance of 210.91 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 290.00 feet to a 3/4" crimped top pipe on the Southerly right of way of Lee Road 270; thence along said right of way, North 86 degrees 30' 25'' East, a distance of 109.54 feet to a 1/2 inch iron bar; thence leaving said right of way, South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 290.00 feet; thence South 86 degrees 33' 30" West, a distance of 117.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.754 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

Tract B: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported), said point also being the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 210.91 feet; thence North 86 degree 33' 33" East, a distance of 117.03 feet; thence South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 251.31 feet; thence South 68 degrees 58' 19" West, a distance of 130.73 feet; thence North 1 degree 54' 00" West, a distance of 80.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Last September, during Banned Books Week, a survey was taken of how teenagers feel about this issue, which touches them as much as anyone. Only using first names was allowed. Deborah, of Vanden High School, in Fairfield, California, came across as a real advocate for not banning books.

“Honestly, the efforts to remove books that expose race, gender and sexuality from schools and libraries are quite sad to me,” Deborah said. “I feel as if these important pages of knowledge are getting ripped out of our minds. This can be scary because without knowledge, we are destined to be blind.”

Sofia is a student at

“First graders do not need to know some cruelty and harshness of the world quite yet but if a child has an interest in a more mature subject, they should be allowed to explore and research things,” she said.

“Children of age 12 and up should have the right to learn any subject, to experience the real world one way or another and might as well let them be prepared.”

Finally, Haley from Julia Masterman School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seeks a compromise in deciding what young people should read.

“If this problem does come up, it would be good to have a voting system,” she said. “The school staff and children should vote if they should still read the book or put it in a young adults section for teens. Some may be inappropriate for

Containing 0.750 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N. R-29-E, 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 19th day of December, 2022 /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 724 North Dean Road, Suite 100 Auburn, AL 36830

Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023, 01/12/2023 & 01/19/2023

---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROY R. SCOTT, Deceased Case No.: 2022-593

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Rebecca Scott, Personal Representative on the 29th day of December, 2022, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Rebecca Scott Legal Run 1/12/23, 1/19/23 & 1/26/23

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE VESTER WOODSON, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

CASE NO. 2022-604

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Mavis Melissa Woodson, Personal Representative on the 7th day of November 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 1/12/2023, 1/19/2023, 1/26/2023 & 02/02/2023

---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CECIL DAY , DECEASED Case No. 2022-544

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take notice the LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to June Barnes on the 13rh day of December, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Done this 13th_day of December, 2022.

JUNE BARNES Legal Run 1/12/23, 1/19/23 & 1/26/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE:The estate of Bobby Jack Jones, Deceased. Case No. 2023-007

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Bobby Everitt Jones as Administrator of the Estate of Bobby Jack Jones, deceased, on the 5th day of January 2023.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred.

Bobby Everitt Jones, Administrator of the Estate of Bobby Jack Jones, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803

334-745-7033

Legal Run 01/12/23, 01/19/2023 & 01/26/2023

above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by Amendment when ascertained, Defendants.

GREG MARKLEY

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Jeff Tickal was sworn in as a circuit judge for Alabama’s 37th Judicial Circuit in a small ceremony Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in the Lee County Justice Center.

Tickal was elected to the position in 2022, succeeding Judge Jacob Walker. He will serve a six-year term.

As he put on his black

robe, Tickal acknowledged the impact of his father-in-law Jim Gullage, who donned the robe as a Lee County circuit judge for 20 years beginning in 1977. Gullage and Tickal practiced law together in their own firm following Gullage’s retirement.

“In getting prepared for this today, I was thinking about what I wanted to say about what it might be to be a good judge,” Tickal said. “I’ve practiced in front of hundreds of judges, and they’re all

different; they all have different attributes. One thing that seems to have come out is wisdom, and I try to base that wisdom on people I’ve known in the past.”

Tickal focused on the wisdom his father has imparted to him throughout his life, as well as a different kind of wisdom he noticed in his father-in-law.

“My father taught me to be tenacious; he taught me to be competitive; he taught me my values

— my family values,” he said. “When I think of wisdom, wisdom has to be based on knowledge, so I started with that knowledge that was given to me by my father and my family, and then as I got older, that knowledge becomes wisdom. I don’t know that I have that kind of wisdom, but the wisdom I’m going to try to achieve … is the wisdom of Jim Gullage. I refer to it as ‘slow wisdom.’ He was not quick to speak, and he was not quick to

anger.”

Tickal said he appreciated how Gullage’s answers to his questions were always well thought out.

“That’s just the way he was, and he was that way until the day he died, and it’s that slow wisdom I’m hoping to achieve,” Tickal added.

Tickal also acknowledged the influence of several other judges he has known over the years.

“You learn from each one of those folks, and I

hope to bring those [attributes] to bear as a judge, and over the next six years, I hope I do a good job and do the things you want me to do, and rule fairly.”

An Auburn University alumnus and 1996 graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, Tickal has practiced law in the area for more than two decades. He has also taught pre-law students at Auburn University as an adjunct professor.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones Starts New Term

OPELIKA COUNCIL

Two public hearings were held during Tuesday night’s meeting. The first was pertaining to a potential ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 67.6 acres of land located in the 2700 block of Society Hill Road from C-2 and R-1 to C-2.

The second public hearing

was on the proposed ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 16.47 acres located at 2701 Society Hill Road from C-2 to C-3.

Following the public hearings, these proposed ordinances were introduced for first reading.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

• The council approved a request from RaceTrac Alabama Inc. doing business as RaceTrac No. 2628 for a retail beer off-premise

and retail wine off-premise license.

• The council approved expense reports from various departments.

• The council approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and to authorize its disposal.

• The council approved the Uniform Purchase and Rental contract renewal utilizing the Omnia Contract No. R-BB-19002.

• The council approved the purchase of Cisco

Umbrella Software utilizing the National IPA Contract No. 2018011-01 for the IT Department in the amount of nearly $15,500.

The council approved the purchase of Desktop/ Endpoint, Server Security and Firewall Protection utilizing the National IPA Contract No. 2018011-01 for the IT Department in the amount of nearly $31,000.

• The council approved a request for a refund of building permit fees of a little

over $4,000 paid in error by Hooper Homes, LLC.

• The council approved a request for a refund of occupational taxes totaling $1,728 paid in error by TR Group.

• The council approved a special appropriation of $3,000 to 3D Youth Development Academy Inc.

• The council approved a special appropriation of $2,000 to J. W. Darden Foundation in support of the annual Black Tie Gala.

• The council introduced an ordinance to authorize the conveyance of real property to the Opelika Utilities Board for the first reading, however, the council voted to suspend the rules and voted to approved this ordiance

during Tuesday's meeting. According to the ordinance — the property in question is described as real property that is no longer needed for public or municipal purposes, to-wit: Lots 2 and 3 in the Plat of the Opelika Utilities Property according to and as shown by a map or plat of said subdivision of record in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Plat Book 47 at Page 112. (b).

The property described above has been utilized and maintained by The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “Utilities Board”) for more than 60 years.

Tuesday, Jan. 17, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones took the oath of office for his seventh term. Jones was sworn in on his mother’s Bible by Judge Christopher Hughes. In a brief speech addressing the staff of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Jones had this to say: “I’m constantly getting asked what’s the best part of being sheriff, and my answer always is, getting to work with the folks I get to work with every single day. That has always been the case. That will always be the case . . . We wouldn’t be where we are, this office wouldn’t be successful and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in without the efforts that all of y’all expend not just once in a while, but each minute of each day and I appreciate it beyond words that I can offer . . . I really appreciate the honor of working with all of y’all and most importantly being in partnership with each and every one of you in serving the citizens here in Lee County because, folks, that’s what it’s all about. Thank you.”

PHOTOS BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Jeff Tickal was sworn in Jan. 17 as a circuit judge for Alabama's 37th Judicial Circuit.

Auburn Council Amends Code On Business Revocations

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The Auburn City Council, following more than three months of discussion, voted on an amendment to the Auburn City Code, Chapter 12, for a procedure on revocation of business licenses.

This was first postponed in October 2022 and again on Dec. 6, 2022.

Auburn City Manager Megan Crouch gave a presentation in December on why the change is being discussed, what it would look like, how the process would work, etc.

“Certainly what we’re trying to do here is a proposal to put all of the authority for the final enforcement actions in the elected governing body’s hands, which is you, the nine-elected member body by the citizens of Auburn,” Crouch said.

On Tuesday night,

however, Ward 4 Council Member Tyler Adams proposed an amendment to the amendment.

Before the amendment, the original proposal meant the council would be in charge of revoking business licenses — if necessary — at the final stage, rather than a judge.

There was some public concern on the process.

“Businesses, along with our citizens, are

FROM B9

Montgomery.

The last to take their oath of office was Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, followed by Gov. Kay Ivey, both of whom exalted school choice as a priority moving into the next quadrennium.

“We must assure that the quality of education our children receive isn’t determined by the ZIP code in which they live,” Ainsworth said. “With the authorization and

continuing expansion of charter schools and school choice across the state, we have given parents a measure of decision-making power over how their children are taught. But we must keep working to improve, reform and fully fund the public education opportunities that Alabama provides.”

Ivey spoke to the crowd after Ainsworth, also hinting at the possibility of furthering school choice and charter school availability.

the lifeblood of our community and there would never be an attempt by the city staff — never — to harm business in any way, shape or form,” Crouch said in December.

“Sometimes our goals are different, sometimes we need to do things and one of the No. 1 things we’re trying to do here is be sure that we’re being equitable in the treatment of all businesses.”

Auburn Chamber President and CEO

“We need to have meaningful discussions about school choice in Alabama,” Ivey said.

“And I believe that begins with making new reforms to our charter school option. We cannot let our students continue to struggle and rob them of a chance to achieve their dreams.

I pledge to you that we will no longer accept the existence of a failing elementary school in our state. The two major components are ensuring we improve the way we teach, and that we ensure

Anna Hovey sent out a notice on Friday, Jan. 13, about the proposed amendment.

MICHELLE

of the council members intends to present an amendment to the proposed ordinance for the purpose of limiting the broadness of the possible reasons to revoke a business license and it will address the specific issue of businesses that do not remit taxes.

Adams’s amendment removed several sections of 12.6 which addressed shutting down businesses if they were a threat or danger, a concern of citizens.

FROM B10

young kids, but it does not mean we should just throw all those books away.”

In the introduction of this piece, I recalled my Catholic teachers at the

academy I graduated from in 1975. They were conservative on “social issues” in following Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers. Yet many took liberal, open-minded approaches in teaching. We were allowed to read some adult stuff, or occasionally

rough stuff, as part of a progressive curriculum.

So, I say “Let there be peace on earth,” and let it begin with a variety of books.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history

“Following the Auburn City Council Meeting on Dec. 20, I had the opportunity to speak with city council members, Mayor Anders and City Manager Crouch and heard from Chamber members who also shared concerns regarding the proposed ordinance,” Hovey said in the email. “I am pleased to learn that one

our students continue to learn at a high level.”

Ivey also announced an executive order to create the Alabama Commission on Teaching and Learning.

“This group of folks will have boots on the ground and help advise us on big changes we can make to recruit, retain and prepare the teacher of tomorrow,” Ivey said. “…Ensuring every Alabama student receives a high-quality education will be my No. 1 focus. We will build upon the foundation

from Auburn University. 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 since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books. gm.markley@charter.net

"While I have not yet reviewed a copy of the amendment, I wanted to send this as an update to my previous communication regarding the ordinance. I hope you will make plans to attend or tune in to the Council Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m. We remain committed to providing resources to you to help support you and I appreciate you belonging to the Auburn Chamber! We are excited for a great year ahead!”

For the original proposal information, please read here: www. opelikaobserver.com/ auburn-discussesbusiness-licenserevocations/.

we have laid so that by the end of my term, Alabama will rank in the top 30 states for the first time in our history in reading and math.”

School choice was a fiery issue in the 2022 regular session.

State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) introduced a bill in tandem with former State Rep. Charlotte Meadows (R-Montgomery), which never received any House deliberation after passing the Senate.

Since then, several lawmakers, freshman

“I wanted to pare this down so that the revocation only addressed the nonpayment of taxes, or license or fees,” he said.

Additionally, the proposal added a new section that said, “Upon revocation of a license or the privilege to obtain or renew a license, the taxpayer or applicant may seek judicial review in accordance with state law.”

In his amendment, he also added that hearings wouldn’t occur until at least 60 days following the notice.

Adams was praised by other council members for his effort on the amendment to the amendment.

“I want to say what a great job the staff and Council Person

See AUBURN COUNCIL,

and seasoned, have expressed a desire to make school choice a legislative priority.

In recent months, Ivey, Ainsworth, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and newly elected House District 7 State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity) have all said education will be at the top of the list next session.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig. monger@1819news.com.

Auburn City Council conducts meeting Tuesday, Jan. 17.

PHOTO BY

KEY / THE OBSERVER

COUNTRY Financial Supports Opelika Police Department

BY COUNTRY FINANCIAL

—

OPELIKA

COUNTRY

Financial Representative and insurance agency Owner Stephan York is pleased to support Opelika Police Department with a $1,500 donation as part of the Operation Helping Heroes program. The funds were used to purchase equipment.

“We want to thank the Opelika Police Department,” York said. “Their dedication and commitment

to the community is appreciated.”

COUNTRY Financial, an insurance and financial services company, has donated more than $5 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.” The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support nonprofit events and programs that benefit active-duty service

members, veterans and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers.

ABOUT COUNTRY FINANCIAL

COUNTRY Financial serves about one million households and businesses throughout the United States and offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home, business, farm and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.

Community Hosts Annual MLK Celebration

AUBURN COUNCIL

FROM B12

>>

Adams did with this amendment,” said Ward 8 Council Member Tommy Dawson. “It’s very impressive.”

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for 167 K BBQ Inc. d/b/a 167 Korean BBQ at 1660 S. College St.

- The council approved a restaurant beer and retail table wine ABC license for Auburn Self Pour LLC d/b/a The Plains Taproom at 200 W. Glenn Ave., Suite 200.

- The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for the Frosty Tiger LLC d/b/a The Saloon at 138 N. College St.

- The council approved a retail table wine (off-premise only) ABC license for Trinity Rose Creations LLC d/b/a Auburn Flowers and Gifts at 1345 Opelika Road, Suite G.

- The council approved a retail beer and retail table wine ABC license for YC Group, Inc d/b/a Shake Seafood and Bubble Tea at 815 E. Glenn Ave., Suites C and D.

- The council approved a facility encroachment agreement with CSX Transportation Inc.

for the Will Buechner Parkway Project for $21,000.

- The council approved the renewal of the three-year Small Government Enterprise Agreement with ESRI Inc. for $55,000.

- The council approved a contract with Forensic Technology Inc. to purchase equipment for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network program for over $232,200.

- The council approved a contract with the Loachapoka Water Authority for the water meter access fees for the new Environmental Services and Public Works Facility for $200,000.

- The council approved drainage and utility easements for JL Ventures LLC at 220 N. Debardeleben St.

- The council approved a utility easement for the Paul B. Webster and Beverly R. Webster Revocable Trust for the Will Buechner Parkway (also known as New Connector Road) Project at 2450 Martin Luther King Drive.

- The council approved a board appointment for the board of zoning adjustment for a supernumerary position.

- The council voted to establish a stop sign on Havens Court at Denali Lane for The

Haven at Plainsman Lake.

- The council rezoned 4.19 acres from rural to development district housing for the Links Crossing, Phase 5.

- The council rezoned 5.69 acres from limited development district to comprehensive development district at 3022 Cox Road.

- The council granted conditional use approval for the city of Auburn Public Safety Training Center at 7384 US Highway 280 W.

- The council approved a tax abatement for Rausch and Pausch L.P. at 2450 Paul Parks Lane in the Auburn Technology Park West.

- The council approved a tax abatement for Schmidt Automotive USA LP at 2471 Innovation Drive in the Auburn Technology Park West.

- The council approved a contract with Bailey-Harris Construction Co. Inc. for the Lake Wilmore Community Center for over $19,900.

- The council approved legal action authorization against Misfits 4x4 Offroad at 1103 Opelika Road for “various violations of city codes and ordinances including but not limited to the Zoning Ordinance, Business License Ordinance, Building Code and the Property Maintenance Code.”

CONTRIBUTED

The Opelika Kiwanis Club last week hosted Steve Gemperle. He came and spoke about his time as Secret Service Protection under President George W. Bush. Furthermore, he spoke on cyber security, which he transitioned to after leaving the Secret Service.

Pictured left to right: Opelika Police Officer Wade Cook, Officer Collin Poss, Chief Shane Healey, COUNTRY Financial Insurance Agent Stephan York, Officer Jonathan Glover, Sgt. Johnathan Whaley and Capt. Tony Amerson.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Pastor Carolyn Morton and Prophetic Outreach Ministries presented the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream On The Celebration Jan. 16 at Christian Care Ministries in Opelika. Several groups attended, including the Opelika & Auburn Moms Demand Action local chapter group, the Samford Community Outreach Group and Lee County NAACP Branch 5038, along with President Laticia Smith, Opelika City Council Member Erica Baker Norris and ministers Ronnie and Debra Lowe. Those in attendance enjoyed a wonderful time in unity and fellowship celebrating King’s life and legacy. Dr.Joan Harrell from Auburn University was the guest speaker during the event.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

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PUBLIC NOTICES

FROM B10

ESTATE OF BETTY V. HOPSON DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2022-713

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS

TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of BETTY V. HOPSON are hereby granted to Michael Hopson on the 30th day of December, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

MICHAEL HOPSON Legal Run 01/12/23, 01/19/23 & 01/26/23

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New Antenna Tower in Opelika 2022-ASO-26631-OE Level

Up Companies Date: 01/19/2023

This is to serve as local notice that Level Up Companies is in the process of fulfilling its compliance with the Public Notice requirement as specified within Federal Communications Commission Order No. 11-181 and the National Environmental Policy Act.

A new application for a 144 ft antenna tower. The antenna tower, is to be located at 32°39’-00.19” N, 85°-23’-30.70” W has been submitted to the FCC. Interested persons may submit their comments at FCC's Submit Pleading Page and completing the online application provided at the referenced site. Please use File Number: [A1236418] to refer to this specific application.

Comments are sought regarding any environmental concerns about this project. Interested persons may file a Request for Environmental Review with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) within 30 days after the date on which the information related to this project has been posted on the above referenced FCC site. The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental

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Review online. Instructions for making electronic filings can be found at: www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest. Written requests for Environmental Review may be sent to the following address: FCC Requests for Environmental Review Attn: Ramon Williams 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554. Copy of any written or electronic Request for Environmental Review or for additional information regarding this tower should also be addressed to the following address. Federal Airways & Airspace Attn: FCC Department, 1423 South Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 Legal Run 01/19/2023

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IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILLY MACK NOLEN, Deceased Case No.: 2022-709

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Christi Nolen Ingrum, Personal Representative on the 12th day of January, 2023, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Christi Nolen Ingrum Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23 & 2/2/23

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE WILDER, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2022-589

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 10th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

FRED WESTERN EDDIE MILLER

Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345

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Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 1/19/2023, 1/26/2023 & 2/2/2023

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, LLC has completed its work on the System Strengthening & Operational Improvements Project / 500,000 Gallon & 300,000 Gallon Elevated Water Storage Tanks / GMC Project No. CMGM-170126(1) for the Beulah Utilities District.

Any person(s) having a claim against the project should notify Josh Pierce, P.E., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC, 2660 East Chase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117. All claims should be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this notice.

Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23, 2/2/23 & 2/9/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANTOINETTA MICHELLE WIMBERLY HENDERSON, DECEASED LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION for the estate of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned Personal Representative JADA AALIYAH HENDERSON on December 22, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

JADA

AALIYAH HENDERSON

Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23 & 2/2/23 ---------------

NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. 2019-C-130

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January 12, 2023, 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 01/19/2023 ---------------

INVITATION TO BID 23008

Electrical Substation Site Work for OPS Sealed bids for the construction of the shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on February 13, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §348-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. The Work to be performed

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GENERAC Standby

website at. Bid documents may be obtained from the City of Opelika Purchasing Department, 204 S 7th St, Opelika, Alabama at no charge. Please contact Brent Poteet with Opelika Power Service at 334-705-5591 with any questions regarding the specifications.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li-ka, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Electrical Substation Site Work for OPS LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 1/12/2023 & 1/19/2023

INVITATION TO BID 23010

Sealed bids for the construction of the Crawlspace Encapsulation and Ventilation Installation at Southside Performing Arts Center shall be received at the Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama,

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et. seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid. All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Bid documents may be obtained from the office of the city Inspection Department Director located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama.

Documents may also be obtained from the City of Purchasing Department located at 204 S 7th St., Opelika, Alabama, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., or downloaded from the City’s website at https:// www.opelika-al.gov/Bids.aspx. The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Crawlspace Encapsulation and Ventilation Installation at Southside

Jan, 20-21 at 7 p.m. and Jan 22 at 2 p.m.