The Observer | March 28, 2024

“We were shocked,” said Kristie Howell, whose nineyear-old daughter has been enrolled in the gymnastics program for the past five years. “We’ve watched our children grow and excel in so many positive ways. In addition to the physical benefits, my daughter has learned the importance of discipline and teamwork, which has boosted her confidence and self-esteem.”

Howell said her daughter recently attended a competition in Georgia where she won first place all-around in her age group.

“The people who hosted the event were very complementary of all our kids, telling us that we should be proud of the outstanding instruction they were receiving in Opelika,” Howell added.

Kaleia Williams, mother of an eight-year-old daughter who has been in the program

for four years, said her child just finished her first year of competition, and recently placed first in floor exercise among 45 participants at an event in Auburn.

“She absolutely loves it,” said Williams. “It would just be a shame if she couldn’t continue with her friends in an environment that is familiar to them.”

On the evening of March 19, some of the parents attended a meeting of the Opelika City Council to express their concerns. The next morning, parent representative

Kaleia Williams received an email from Mayor Gary Fuller that contained a memo providing clarification from Parks

Authorities inspect an Auburn University plane that crashed Sunday, March 24, in Auburn. According to citizens who were nearby and rendered aid, the pilot was not seriously injured.

See GYMNASTICS, page A3

Pictured above, the Opelika Power Athletics gymnastics team after participating in the 2023 National Gymnastics Day.

Food Bank of East Alabama celebrates its new building

my Braves!” Happy 102nd birthday to Addie and Go Braves!

BY DEBORAH BURDETTE SASSER

—

Phenix City publisher elected APA president

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — Denise DuBois, publisher and managing editor of the Citizen of East Alabama in Phenix City, has been elected president of the Alabama Press Association.

DuBois is a native of East Alabama. In 2007, she began her career as a reporter for the Citizen of East Alabama and fell in love with community news. At 25 years old, she became the executive editor and co-publisher of the now 70-year-old weekly publication.

She led the newsroom through changes, including having a digital presence for readers and rebranding the newspaper into a tabloid-sized paper product that boasted a more modern look.

She also leads the newspaper’s sister companies AMP | Advertising, Marketing, Production and Channel 7, a local access TV station and studio.

DuBois has served on numerous community boards, including the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Young East Alabama Professionals, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, the Red Cross, Russell County’s Alabama Bicentennial, Phenix City Art Park and Miss Phenix City. She has served on the APA board of directors since 2016, and previously served on the APA Journalism Foundation board.

BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

After almost four years of waiting, the Food Bank of East Alabama was able to host an open house to celebrate its new building last week.

Back in 2020, the food bank planned an open house in March to celebrate its new building but COVID-19 put an indefinite hold on things.

In fact, rather than celebrating, COVID pushed the food bank into high gear, providing for people’s needs.

“It feels like coming full term,” said Executive Director Martha Henk about hosting the open house now.

The food bank was originally located at the old Auburn post office (now city hall), then it moved into its first building on Pumphrey.

“We outgrew that building pretty dang quick,” Henk said.

So the food bank began looking at moving into its first building on Industry Drive, which it also quickly outgrew, Henk said.

So the food bank just moved into a larger facility next door, and it is now located at 375 Industry Drive.

Within a year, the food bank payed off all loans and owned its current building outright, Henk said. It was a little over $1.4 million campaign.

And now the food bank even has plans to expand even more with a food pantry.

This food pantry is not quite ready for the Lee County community, but it will be in the future.

“What are the things that we wanted out of it,” Henk said. “We wanted it to be client choice, we wanted it to be warm and welcoming, we wanted it to serve as a hub for being able to send people out for other — if you need help with food, you almost always have other kinds as needs as well, easily accessible between Auburn and Opelika.”

Henk said they hope it will be a community center

and will be able to meet all types of needs, including classes, demonstrations, a farmers market and more.

Sometime soon, a capital funds campaign will kick off for that food pantry.

Despite the progress moving forward, last week’s open house was about celebrating the accomplishments that have already taken place.

Janice Buckingham, president of the food bank Board of Directors, welcomed the public, government officials Auburn students and food bank em-

ployees into the building.

“We all are passionate about what we do here and I think you must be passionate about what we do here too or you wouldn’t be here today,” Buckingham said, “Again, your support is what has made this possible.”

Jan Dempsey, an avid supporter of the food bank and member of the board of directors, shared why the food bank is something she’s so passionate about.

“Millions of pounds [of food] have been distributed to thousands of people who

come in need,” she said. “… Not only have we had an opportunity to give them the food they need, but in so many other ways, to be the mission of that market, to serve them in kindness, compassion and health.”

To learn more about the food bank, visit www.foodbankofeastalabama.com.

“We really thank you for being here and for taking time to see the building,” Henk said. “We’re proud of it and we appreciate having the chance to show it off.”

Addie

PHOTO

The Food Bank of East Alabama hosted an open house to celebrate its larger facility, located at 375 Industry Drive in Auburn.

DENISE DUBOIS

Local pharmacists respond to Alabama House Bill 238

BY DAVID BELL FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — Small independent pharmacies across Alabama have been facing a continuing challenge to offset losses incurred when prices they pay for prescription medicines are higher than the amounts reimbursed by insurance companies.

State Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville), who is himself a registered pharmacist, has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), third parties that administer pharmacy benefits for health insurance plans, to pay insurers the price of a prescription set by the state, plus a dispensing fee of $10.64.

“This is not a tax or a surcharge, but rather a means to help those of us cover expenses that we’ve previously absorbed ourselves,” said Jeff Jerkins, registered pharmacist and owner of Bubba’s Medicine Shop in Opelika. “Many of the more expensive drugs, especially those prescribed for the treatment of diabetes, require an up-front payment in advance. But I don’t receive reimbursement until four weeks later, and then it’s

GYMNASTICS >>

FROM A1

and Recreation Director Sam Bailey about the decision to drop gymnastics.

According to Bailey, there would be no one available to continue providing gymnastics training in the fall, despite “numerous efforts to hire someone who was USAG (USA Gymnastics) certified.” Bailey said current instructor Ariel Brown had been offered the job on a full-time basis but declined due to her pending marriage that would take her and her husband out of the area.

Bailey also raised the issue of inadequate space to continue all programs currently offered at the Denson Drive facility.

At the conclusion of the memo, Mayor Fuller instructed Mrs. Williams to contact Sam Bailey and set up an appointment, which was subsequently scheduled for Monday, March 25, at the Opelika Sportsplex. In addition to program parents, the meeting was attended by Parks and Recreation staff members Matt Battles, Municipal Area Supervisor, Director Bailey, and Covington Center Supervisor Patrice Lipscomb, along with Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Russell Melnick.

Seated behind a line of medals won by the gymnastics team over the past five years, parents expressed their frustration with the abruptness and manner in which the program was cancelled.

“The original email we received contained no explanation why the program was being terminated. If not for the memo that was later sent by Mayor Fuller, we still wouldn’t know anything prior to this meeting,” said Ann-Braxton Mann, whose six-year-old daughter was set to begin competing next year.

“Nothing has been properly communicated to us from

not usually equal to what I originally paid. Meanwhile, I still have all the other necessary overhead of running a business.”

Currently, when reimbursement is less than the cost, pharmacies can’t pass on the difference to customers. They either continue dispensing the medication and absorb the loss or stop stocking it.

“All we want is full transparency on prescription costs,” said Ashley Hoyt, registered pharmacist and owner of The Drug Store in Auburn.

“HB238 is not a new concept because it is exactly what the

State Medicaid Program has used since 2007. This is not about pharmacies making more money. It’s about access to pharmacy care for our customers.”

As proposed, the legislation does not mandate any increased cost to consumers, but rather puts it on the PBMs to pay fair reimbursement to the pharmacies. The bill only applies to commercial insurance plans and does not affect Medicare or Medicaid prescriptions.

“I don’t know if this is the best approach or not, but something definitely needs to be done,” said Roger Burnett,

registered pharmacist and owner of Thomas Pharmacy in Opelika. “You can’t charge health insurance plans one price for a medication and then pay pharmacies a different price for the same medication. The big chain drug stores can probably offset those kinds of losses, but it could eventually put a small store like mine out of business.”

The bill has passed the House Insurance committee and is now awaiting a vote by the full House of Representatives. If approved, it moves on to the State Senate for further debate.

Parks and Recreation.”

“The gymnastics program was originally set up by former instructor Tiffany Robinson, who had the knowledge and certifications. It was her responsibility to make sure all USAG guidelines were followed, but apparently she didn’t do that,” said Matt Battles.

National guidelines require a specified area of floor padding around each piece of gymnastic equipment for the creation of an adequate “fall zone.”

“We have stretched the guidelines/rules to get the gymnastic equipment into our limited space,” added Bailey. “We have been living on borrowed time not following the gymnastic fall zone requirements set up by USAG.”

Included in the equipment at the Denson facility are two large trampolines that are currently not being utilized for any specific program purposes, other than entertainment for the smaller tumbling participants. Battles was asked if sufficient space could be provided for gymnastics should the trampolines be removed?

“It’s possible,” replied Battles, admitting that removal of the trampolines had never been taken into consideration.

Regarding the referral to other area gymnastics programs, parents contend that option is not feasible for them.

“We can’t afford the cost of transporting our children to other places, most of which have higher fees and other

expenses we don’t have now,” said Kristie Howell. “Besides, there is a child on our team now who travels to Opelika from Columbus because our program is better than what they have there.”

After listening to all the expressed concerns, Bailey said he and his team would take another look at the situation to see if there was anything they could do.

“I can’t tell you things are going to change, but we will carefully look at it again,” said Bailey.

Parents informed Melnick that they would be attending the next Parks and Recreation Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 9.

Meanwhile, program parent Amber Eaves has started an online petition at change.org urging the City of Opelika to continue offering the youth gymnastics program at the Denson Rec Center or at another location. The petition has already received almost 400 signatures.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE — Right before The Observer's press deadline, we received official notification that, following the advice of legal counsel, the gymnastics discipline has been removed from the OPA program effectively immediately.

"We understand the disappointment this may cause for our gymnastics participants and their families," said Sam Bailey, director of Parks and Recreation."However, the safety and well-being of our

Mobile vet clinic serves local pets and families

BY KADIE VICK | FOR THE OPELIKA OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — Dr. Rachel Kring brings accessible veterinary services to the community through her clinic Liberty Mobile Veterinary Services. Her clinic can do anything a standalone clinic can do.

“To get in touch with us we have a phone number that you can call or text it's (334)734-9265 or you can reach out via our website, which is libertymobilevet.com,” she said.

The goal of Liberty Mobile Clinic is to relieve busy pet owners of the stress of finding time to take their pets to the vet.

“I feel like the biggest impact I've seen that we've been helpful are specifically people with just a lot of pets but also a lot of like older people, or just people that you know tend to be like smaller in stature but have this really big dog like Great Danes Mastis,” Kring said.

She said she saw a need in the community, with its lack of a mobile vet clinic, and has been able to mitigate it with her services. A typical experience at a standalone veterinary clinic can take hours, but Liberty Mobile Veterinary Clinic fits their pet check-ups into busy lives.

“I've had people where they'll be at work and they just let me in through the garage. I do their vet appointment and I'm gone and they didn't even have to lift the finger,” she said.

To anyone struggling to find time to take care of their pets, Kring said, “I think people should take advantage of my services if they're looking to make their lives easier and get back some of their time.”

Kring has enjoyed the relationship she gets to build with the community through her flexible and personal meetings with pet owners and the ability to meet them where they are.

“Now that I'm going into people's homes, I'm very basically gaining more family because I go into their home we're talking about their pet, you know,” she said. “I'm usually playing and you know, hanging out with the pet while we're, you know, discussing what kind of care we're doing today.”

The freedom of time and convenience that comes with the Liberty Mobile Veterinary Clinic was intentional in the naming of this clinic.

athletes are our top priorities.”

After numerous measurements and alternative layouts were considered, it was determined that Denson Drive Recreation Center does not have adequate space to house both the equipment for recreational tumbling classes and the equipment for the gymnastics program.

“I named it Liberty Mobile Veterinary Service for two reasons,” she said. “One, because I have liberty and spiritual liberty in Jesus Christ, and he's given me even my physical liberty, but anything that I do is for freedom. So, you know, I make sure that that gets passed on to the client.”

The jump into starting her clinic was scary but Kring reflects now on the growth and support she has experienced from God through it, and is thankful to be where she is today.

“It was just a very scary time for me and the Lord has just truly blessed it,” she said. “Through trusting in Him I've been able to see Wow, he really can do a seeding and abundantly more than we asked Him to. Just by simply trusting and having faith that this is His will, He'll bring it to fruition.”

Jeff Jerkins, front center, is the owner of Bubba's Medicine Shop in Opelika.

Parents of gymnasts met with city offiicials to discuss the future of the gymnastics program.

News from the Chambers of Commerce

Las

Scooter's Coffee

Scooter's

"Over

Auburn's

'Cheese Curd' update

Crisis strikes on episode 4: Where's the meat?

BY ANITA STIEFEL ANITAS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — On this week’s episode of MasterChef Junior, Opelika’s 11-year-old Bryson McGlynn had a close call, but once again his skill on the grill reigned supreme.

For the second week in a row, the aspiring chefs participated in a team challenge. The young chefs traveled to the historic Magic Castle Hotel & Club in Hollywood, where they were tasked with preparing lunch for the luxury resort’s 60th anniversary celebration that would feed all of the magicians and staff from the Academy of Magical Arts. Grills and workstations were set up in the parking lot.

Bryson was assigned to the blue team, which chose a menu of grilled pork chops with citrus glaze, collard greens with bacon and sweet mashed potatoes topped with candied pecans. Bryson’s assignment was to grill the bone-in pork chops to perfection.

The opposing red team prepared filet mignon with red wine sauce, roasted carrots and mashed potatoes.

The judges looked on as Bryson, nicknamed Cheese Curd, began seasoning a large platter of pork chops.

“Look at Bryson,” world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay said to the other judges. “This guy knows how to cook meat. That’s a big plus on the blue team.”

The judges offered advice to the children as they worked.

“So, I’m hoping (with) all that barbecue experience that you can absolutely own this today,” Ramsay said to Bryson.

“Yes, chef,” the Cheese Curd replied confidently.

As the clock ticked, Ramsay said

to the other judges, “The blue team are doing a pork chop, they’re cooking them in a cast iron pan. But, more importantly, Bryson is in that zone. He knows how to cook a pork chop.”

Ramsay tasted the team’s sample dish, which was required at 30 minutes into the challenge.

“That’s cooked beautifully,” Ramsay said as he sliced into a pork chop, but then he pointed out to the blue team captain, 11-year-old Michael from New Smyrna, Florida, that the sweet potatoes were cold and needed to be served piping hot. “You’ve nailed the pork,” he said, adding, “The sauce needs to be relaxed down.”

The pressure was on not just to produce gourmet meals — the hardest part of the challenge was to feed a full dining room of nearly 40 people, which required careful timing of both cooking and serving. Dishes had to be plated, five at a time, for servers to deliver to each table in quick succession.

The red team faced the first catastrophe and was forced to send out five plates without carrots, which were not finished cooking in time.

Then Ramsay sliced open a pork chop at the blue team’s plating station, found it bright pink inside and said to Bryson, “It’s undercooked. If you continue sending me that, (you’re) going home. Get me five perfectly cooked pork chops in two minutes!”

“Yes, chef!” Bryson replied. Ramsay shook the undercooked pork chop at Bryson. “That’s not good enough,” the famously temperamental chef said, then threw the meat across the parking lot. “No bit of magic that will bring that thing back!”

Then both teams faced calamity

when a guest sent back both her plates because the steak and pork chop were both raw on the inside.

With one table of five remaining to serve, Bryson found himself short of pork chops because he discarded two for being too raw to serve, plus the one Ramsay launched in disgust. Thus, three dinner guests did not get to taste them and could not vote for the blue team as having the better dish.

“Yo, I’m sorry,” Bryson said to his teammates. “I’ve messed this team up. I completely messed this team up.”

As they tried to offer each other support, each member of the blue team was convinced he or she was

going to be sent home from the show.

“I shouldn’t have messed up,” Bryson said. “I lost track of time, because I thought we had the pork chops down. We didn’t. It would have helped if I hadn’t thrown away those pork chops.”

But, in the end (and despite giving away three votes to the red team), the pork chop meal reigned superior with diners, and the blue team was victorious. Bryson credited the win to his team captain.

“It feels so good to win,” he said. “I’m so proud of my team and Michael, because if we didn’t have him, I don’t know what we would have done.”

The judges eliminated one

member of the losing red team from the competition, leaving seven remaining contestants to vie for the coveted MasterChef Junior apron.

A preview of next week’s episode teases that the young chefs will have to not only work with their most hated ingredient, but also eat their dish — and it looks like lima beans just may get the better of Bryson.

The Observer will continue to provide a weekly recap of Bryson’s progress on the show, which airs Mondays at 7 p.m. on FOX network.

The Observer will provide a weekly recap of the show, which airs Mondays at 7 p.m. CT on FOX network.

MasterChef Junior contestants make special appearance

BY NICHOLAS YOUNG FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The annual Watson Brothers Patio and Hearth tent sale featured two special guests who provided visitors with a tasty gift.

Opelika's Bryson “Cheese Curd” McGlynn and Lydia Ledon from Atlanta, contestants on season 9 of Fox’s MasterChef Junior were on site and showcased their culinary skills that landed them on the show in the first place.

Fajitas were the dish for the day, and as the afternoon progressed the aroma of grilled steak filled the air. The food preparation was truly a team ef-

fort. Bryson and his father, Mike, prepared and cooked the steak while Lydia grilled vegetables. In seemingly no time at all, lunch was ready, and the two young chefs earned a well-deserved break.

During this downtime, the duo reflected on their time on MasterChef Junior. Bryson identified camaraderie amongst the other contestants as one of the highlights of his time on the show.

“My favorite part was meeting everyone — we got really close.”

Being gifted with such culinary talent at a young age can make finding other children with similar interests a challenge at times. Both Bryson, now 12, and Lydia, 9, noted that being

around chefs in the same age group made the experience more memorable.

“All of us have the same passion and that’s always really fun," Bryson said.

The young chefs commended celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for his role in mentoring them.

Bryson described Ramsay as “awesome and really passionate” and someone who helped them “persevere through anything.”

Both noted that they noticed a true progression in their cooking technique throughout the show.

Lydia said, “I feel like it pushed me more in my cooking skills and I learned a bunch of things there — it was fun being there.”

Bryson said he believes that the presentation aspect of his cooking has improved.

“It’s definitely impacted my different styles of platings," he said. "I used to throw large portions of meat on a plate and say it was done. Now I add different sides and extra things to make it look really nice.”

The two highlighted that the show taught them more than just how to sharpen their cooking skills. Bryson said he learned valuable life lessons such as responsibility, belief in himself and time management. Lydia said she learned a lot about cooking and "to push myself until I can’t — it was fun being there, it made me feel more confident.”

Cooking at the tent sale event signified giving back to the community. “We always love coming out here and helping out in any way we possibly can,” said Mike. He also spoke of what his son’s success so far has meant to him.

“I’m beyond proud, no matter what the outcome is," he said. "The sky’s the limit. I think he’s already starting to surpass me and I’m proud of that.”

Mike credits his son’s ambition to learn as a primary factor in his accomplishments so far. He believes the future is bright “Whatever happens with the show happens, but this is just the start of it. [Bryson] loves what he’s doing.”

Opelika native Bryson "Cheese Curd" McGlynn (left) and Lydia Ledon of Atlanta, a fellow competitor on Season 9 of MasterChef Junior, were guest grillers at Watson Brothers Patio and Hearth in Auburn last weekend.

News vents, E

S Food ociety & News

BY ANN CIPPERLY

OPINION —

While Suzanne and Dr. Tom Tippett celebrated Easter traditions with their families growing up, they later found it more meaningful to call it Resurrection Sunday. A pastor and Bible teacher, Tom is active in the community on numerous boards. He also has a ministry of sharing his pound cakes and over 200 hundred of his homemade biscuits that Suzanne helps him deliver.

When Suzanne was growing up, she lived in Savannah, Georgia, during the school year and spent summers in Bluffton, South Carolina. She developed a love of the coast and fresh seafood. Her father was a dentist and enjoyed fishing during summer when he joined the family on weekends in Bluffton.

Suzanne’s family home in Savannah was a larger 1913 two-story home on 46th Street, which was near her father’s dental office. It was restored in recent years and has been featured in a national magazine.

Her family has deep roots in Savannah. Suzanne’s grandfather opened the first restaurant, Hester’s, in the city. At first it was a poultry delivery market, and her father delivered chickens on a bike when he was in junior high.

Then it became a bar, and Suzanne’s father said he swept up so many teeth from fights that it was why he became a dentist. Later, Hester’s became a

Southern Hospitality

Tippets share faith, recipes for Resurrection Sunday

restaurant with red checked tablecloths and candlelight. The restaurant mostly served steaks and a special cheese sauce with their bread.

When Suzanne’s grandfather died, her father’s younger brother took over running the restaurant. Until the Boar’s Head opened on River Street, Hester’s was the only restaurant in Savannah. It later burned.

Tom’s father was a Baptist minister in Savannah. Tom and Suzanne began dating after she graduated from high school. They both attended Georgia Southern, and Tom taught school. After they married and had two children, the family moved to Athens, Georgia, in order for Tom to receive a doctorate.

After graduating, Tom felt a call into ministry to become more involved in teaching the scriptures. They had started having home meetings when they lived in Savannah, and he was teaching school.

In 1987, the Tippetts moved to Opelika where Tom was called to be a pastor-teacher at Pepperell Baptist Church. After six years, he left to focus on teaching small groups of Christians with greater accountability, intimacy and flexibility for members.

They sing a song, “The Nine and Ninety,” about the scripture of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find one.

Tom is pastor-teacher of the Church at Opelika, a fellowship of small, informal community groups of Christians in the area.

Two of their three daughters, Hester and Emmie, worked for former caterer Martha Hicks, and both enjoy cooking. Emmie and her daughter, Hayes, want to open a bakery in Newman, Georgia. Their youngest daughter, Dorsey,

was the Lee County Junior Miss and a lead singer for the Auburn Knights. Dorsey and her husband, Sam, who live in Opelika, have seven children with number eight due in October.

Tom’s mother was a good cook. He learned from her and began making biscuits when they lived in Savannah. When the Tippetts moved to Opelika, he thought about giving biscuits to their neighbors on Ridgewood Court on Christmas morning. He would get up early to make them and place them in tin pans for neighbors to bake. He would put a scripture on top.

In 1996, they moved to Willow Run, and he decided to make biscuits for their neighbors there but didn’t want to stop delivering to their former neighbors. Then, the girls wanted him to make biscuits for their friends.

Now, he starts making them the night before and also makes Martha Hicks’ recipe for Sweet Potato Biscuits that takes a little more time. He also makes gluten free sweet potato ones. This past year, they delivered 220 biscuits to neighbors and friends for their breakfasts. His cream cheese pound cake is also popular, and he makes that for friends too. He started making it in 1995 when his church had a cake baking cook-off. All the guys made cakes, and some were fancy and beautiful with lots of icing. Tom made the pound cake from the Dorsey Cookbook, and it won the cook-off. He has been making it since then.

When Suzanne’s study club has a meeting with husbands, they always want Tom to take his pound cake.

Suzanne is a creative cook. She will see what she

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has on hand and then puts a meal together. Two of her favorite recipes are the marinated cheese and crab and shrimp au gratin recipe from the original Pirates’ House in Savannah. She is also creative in decorating and floral arranging.

Her mother did not cook, as they had “Annie,” who was like a member of the family. Suzanne had interests in other things besides learning to cook.

Growing up, Suzanne’s family had egg hunts and baskets. Her family would get together for a traditional Easter meal. When Suzanne and Tom’s girls were growing up, they followed similar traditions until the girls were older.

After doing research, Tom and Suzanne feel it is really Resurrection Sunday. His church will have a communion service. Tom may be making his special cream cheese pound cake.

“The meaning of

Resurrection Sunday,” said Tom, “is the historical death of Jesus and three days later, he rose from the dead. We actually celebrate the resurrection of Christ our Lord every Sunday when we meet together as the church. It is an important date on the calendar. For the protestants, we have the celebration of the birth of our Lord and the resurrection.

“As I celebrate that day it means life after death,” he adds. “It is a historical day that Christ rose from the dead.” The Tippetts celebrate the day with their church family.

Tom is also involved in the Ministries Alliance, which is planning the Easter Sunrise Service with the Opelika Kiwanis. The service will be held at the Garden Hills Cemetery on Sunday, March 31, and will begin at 6:15 a.m.

Suzanne and Dr. Tom Tippett are pictured with their family: David and Hester Maginnis and children Lavens, Miles and Anne Coulter; David and Emmie Sellers and their two daughters, Bennett and Hayes, who is married to Camron Tyson; and Sam and Dorsey Ketcham with children Seaborn, Sarah James, Thomas, Benaiah, Murray, Elisabeth and Margaret.

March 28, 2024

Craig Lee, pastor of Oaks Church, will be the speaker.

Tom has been active in the community over the years. He is on the board for Envision Opelika Foundation, Character Council Board of Directors and Christian Care Ministries.

The Tippetts’ daughters and their families include: David and Hester Maginnis and children, Lavens, Miles and Anne Coulter; David and Emmie Sellers and their two daughters, Bennett and Hayes who is married to Camron Tyson; and Sam and Dorsey Ketcham’s children are Seaborn, Sarah James, Thomas, Benaiah, Murray, Elisabeth and Margaret.

An assortment of recipes are featured, including Tom’s recipes, Suzanne’s favorites and ones from their daughter Hester. Some of the recipes are from Suzanne’s friend Nancy Stennis Kitts’ cookbook, “Blessings From My House To Yours.” Nancy was a caterer and is happy to share her recipes.

Check the recipes for a few to add to your Resurrection Sunday menu.

TOM’S CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

3 sticks butter, soften

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs (brown)

1/2 tsp. vanilla flavor

1/2 tsp. almond flavor

3 cups all-purpose flour (preferably White Lilly)

1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Remove eggs from the refrigerator and sit at room temperature for a while.

Cream the cream cheese and butter. Soften (not melted) the butter before creaming.

Gradually add sugar and mix well until there is

a creamy blend.

Add one egg at a time and mix thoroughly after each egg is added.

Add the flavors and continue to mix at a moderate speed. Sift the flour twice, adding the salt during the last sifting.

Gradually add the flour on a slower mixing speed.

Pour batter into a Bundt pan coated with nonstick spray.

Bake for about one hour and 25 minutes.

Check the cake with a probe toward the end to see if it is cooking thoroughly. If the probe indicates no batter on it, the cake is done.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

MARTHA HICKS’ SWEET

POTATO BISCUITS

Tom makes these, regular biscuits and gluten free biscuits to share.

Combine:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (sift flour, then measure)

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

¼ cup sugar

Cut in:

¾ to 1 stick butter

1 cup baked, mashed sweet potato

Stir in:

¼ cup sweet milk

Turn batter out onto floured waxed paper.

Pat out to desired thickness (will not rise much).

Roll lightly, if at all.

Cut with floured small metal cutter.

Bake on top self at 450 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, until lightly browned.

Note: Martha Hicks used pizza pans because they don’t dry out as much as on a cookie sheet.

TOM’S BISCUITS

Dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour

4 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. sugar

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cream of tartar

Cut in:

1 to 1½ sticks butter

Stir in:

¼ to ½ cup sweet milk (avoid stickiness)

Sift flour. Then measure 2 cups flour. Put in the sifter and combine other dry ingredients. After combining dry ingredients in a bowl, grate the butter into the bowl. Combine the grated butter and dry ingredients with a dough blender until the butter is in small bead-like appearance in the flour.

Then move the butterflour combination to the sides of the bowl. Gradually pour milk in the center, bringing the flour mixture into the milk, until you have a ball of dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little four. Remove the dough onto a lightly covered surface.

Note: I found recently that a mixer with a dough attachment works well in collecting everything, particularly with large amounts of dough.

Knead the batter 7 or 8 times. Kneading is pressing the batter with the hands, recollecting the batter and then pressing again.

Roll out to desired thickness (probably no thicker than ½ inch).

Cut with a biscuit cutter or with a sharpedged cup or drinking glass.

Space biscuits on the baking sheet aboutinch apart.

Bake at 400 degrees until lightly brown.

TOM’S GLUTEN, DAIRY FREE BISCUITS

Combine:

2 cups gluten free flour (sift flour before measuring)

4 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. sugar

½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. cream of tartar

Cut in:

Vegetarian butter (until small bead-like appearance)

¼ to ½ cup almond milk (avoid stickiness)

Use the same procedure as with the other biscuits.

Bake at 400 degrees until lightly brown.

SUZANNE’S FAVORITE CRAB AND SHRIMP AU GRATIN

From the original Pirates’ House restaurant in Savannah

4 Tbsp. plain flour (all-purpose)

1/3 tsp. salt

1/3 tsp. pepper

2 cups milk, divided

1/3 cup Kraft’s Cheese Whiz

1/8 tsp. Tabasco

8 oz. cooked shrimp

4 oz. crab meat

1 cup grated cheese for topping

Mix flour, salt and pepper with part of the milk. Beat all the lumps out. Add Cheese Whiz to rest of milk in a double boiler. When Cheese Whiz has melted, add flour mixture and Tabasco. Stir until smooth and thickened. Add shrimp and crab meat.

Pour mixture into casserole. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serves four.

MARINATED CHEESE

Suzanne’s favorite appetizer from her friend’s book, “Blessings From My House To Yours”

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1 small jar diced pimento, drained

3 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

3 Tbsp. green onions, finely chopped

3 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. sugar

3/4 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. coarse ground pepper

1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese

1 (8 oz.) block Cheddar cheese

Ritz crackers or crackers of choice for serving

Combine first ten ingredients and mix well. Cut cheeses in half and cut the halves into 1/4 inch slices. (Make sure the cheeses are well chilled to make slicing easier.) Place cheese slices alternately in shallow dish, with slices on edge. Cover with marinade. Cover and chill several hours before serving. Serve with crackers.

VERY BERRY SALAD

Hester Tippett

Meginnis

1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped

Sliced strawberries

Red/green seedless grapes, halved

Chopped celery

Chopped green onions

Praline pecans

Crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Brianna’s Blush

Wine Vinaigrette (or vinaigrette of choice)

Top romaine lettuce with fruit, celery, and

green onions. Toss together. Serve salad topped with pecans, gorgonzola, and Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette. Serves 2 to 4.

SWEET GREEN BEANS WITH CARROTS

Nancy Stennis Kitts

50 oz. can round cut green beans

5 carrots, cut diagonally

5 cloves garlic, chopped

6 stripes bacon

½ stick butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

Salt and pepper

Onion powder

Partially drain beans and pour into casserole dish. Add carrots, fresh garlic, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir together. Slice butter and evenly dis-tribute over vegetables. Add light brown sugar and spread across the beans/ carrots. Place slices of bacon over brown sugar. Cover and bake on 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until carrots are tender. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes until bacon has crispy edges. Makes six servings.

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE WITH FOUR CHEESES

Nancy Stennis Kitts

16 oz. pkg. elbow macaroni

¼ cup butter

¼ cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

8 oz. cream cheese, cut into large chunks

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

2 cups (8 oz.) extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

2 cups (8 oz.) Gouda cheese shredded, divided 1 cup (4 oz.) Parmesan cheese, shredded

Crumbled Cheddar Jack Cheez-Its for topping, optional Cook pasta according to package instructions. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, and whisk flour into butter. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and thick. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes until thickened. Stir in cream cheese until mixture is smooth. Add salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar, 1 cup Gouda cheese, Parmesan cheese, pasta and cream sauce. Spoon mixture into an 11 by 9 ½-inch pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle top with remaining cheddar cheese and Gouda cheese.

Cook covered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly. Uncover and sprinkle with crumbled Cheez-Its and allow to lightly brown. Serves four to six.

LEMON CAKE WITH LEMON FILLING AND MERINGUE

TOPPING

From Suzanne’s friend’s book, “Blessings From My House To Yours”

Cake:

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs, separated (save whites)

1 egg 1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Filling:

2 eggs, separated (save whites)

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 Tbsp. butter or margarine

Meringue Topping: Use the 4 egg whites from cake and filling

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 cup sugar

Cream 1/4 cup butter; gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add 2 egg yolks and 1 egg to creamed mixture; mix well. Combine 1 cup flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour batter into a greased 9 inch round cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.

Filling: Combine 2 egg yolks and water; set aside. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup flour in a heavy saucepan; add egg yolk mixture and lemon rind. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture.

CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS

Hester Tippett Meginnis French Women Don’t

Get Fat

4 chicken breasts (with skin and bone)

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Chervil, tarragon, or thyme (optional)

1 cup Brut Champagne, divided

1 shallot, quartered

1 container mushrooms

Olive oil

1 lemon

Fresh sage

1 Tbsp. butter Place chicken breasts in a roasting pan and season them. Pour ½ cup of the Champagne over breasts. Make a slit in each breast and insert a piece of shallot. Place pan under broiler, skin-side up, for 3 to 6 minutes, until the skin is nicely browned. Turn and broil other side for 5 minutes. Remove chicken from broiler. Baste with pan juices, and add remaining ½ cup of Champagne. Adjust oven temperature to 475 degrees, and bake chicken for 30 minutes, basting once or twice.

Sautee mushrooms with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook for a few minutes. Add a few drops of lemon juice, freshly chopped sage, seasoning to taste and 1 Tbsp. butter. Pour cooking juices from the chicken over the meat. Makes four servings.

Cottonseed Studios presents Chris Renzema at The Railyard

BY ANDY LEE WHITE FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELILKA — Richard Patton moved from Mobile to Opelika when he was just six years old. He grew up attending Opelika City Schools, eventually graduating and moving to Tuscaloosa where he earned a degree in advertising from the University of Alabama. After graduation he moved to Birmingham, taking his first big job fresh out of college. He worked there for two years. He hated it.

Working for someone else didn’t work for Patton. He said he longed to be his own boss.

“I’d rather be poor, doing something that I like rather than what I was doing at the time.”

Patton ended up moving back to Opelika in his mid20s and began his next phase of life, starting down a path that would help revitalize downtown Opelika.

After returning to Opelika, Patton ran a bed and breakfast for a while, eventually owning and operating a successful bar called Eighth and Rail in the historic downtown district. Over the years he has also branched out into the real estate world, purchasing several old cotton warehouse properties in downtown Opelika that are now renovated, leased and functioning as other miscellaneous businesses.

“When I made the decision to stay in Opelika, that I wanted to be here, I asked, ‘alright, what do I like to do and what can I help get here that are things that make my life better and others?’” Patton said. “So there’s a selfish side — I want good food and I want the brewery and etc. So, I’ve kind of searched out people and businesses that I thought would be good for downtown.”

When asked how he ended up in the hospitality business Patton said he thinks hospitality kinda came natural to him because of his mother.

“We were raised [to be] pretty hospitable children and her kind of goodness was in everything she did.”

Patton’s mother, Barbara, served for eight years as mayor of Opelika from 1996-2004 and is still actively involved in community affairs.

After selling Eighth and Rail Patton said he “still wanted music happening in the Opelika area” so he founded Cottonseed Studios with his friend Allison Kovak in 2013. There are two sides to the business with a focus on concerts and film-

CHRIS RENZEMA

making. Patton said Kovak “has been a filmmaker by trade her entire life.”

Kovak is also originally from Opelika having moved away and spending time in Los Angeles making films. She ended up back in Opelika when she and her husband got ready to start a family. Patton said he approached Kovak with the business model for Cottonseed Studios and convinced her to join forces with him.

“The Alabama tax incentives for filmmakers helped keep her here,” Patton said.

Then, when the COVID came along, ITput a major ding in the business and its current plans for films and concerts. It was a brutal time for live music and events.

But, as the world has reopened for business, so did Cottonseed Studios.

“We’re getting revitalized now,” Patton said. He said he is thrilled to announce upcoming Cottonseed Studios concerts featuring a couple of high caliber talents.

The shows will take place at The Railyard located at 706 N. Railroad Ave. in downtown Opelika.

“If you’re facing John Emerald Distillery, The Railyard is the outdoor space to the left,” he said. “This is an all-ages event, so everybody can come to the show. It’s very family friendly. It will be fun for anybody to come to; that’s the main thing — all are welcome.”

Chris Renzema brings his Manna Tour 2024 to The Railyard on Wednesday, April 10.

Renzema has recorded four solo albums and is currently touring in support of his recent release, “Manna.” His accolades include a GMA Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and playing Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Pan-

dora Radio named Chris an “Artist to Watch” and since 2019 when he began touring regularly, his fan base has indeed watched as he has established himself as an artist on the rise. Gates open at 7 p.m. with opening act Citizens going on at 8 p.m. Headliner Chris Renzema will take the stage at 9 p.m. Tickets are available through www.cottonseedstudios. com.

The Brook & The Bluff, a five-man group blending indie rock and folk rock, bring its Bluebeard Tour 2024 to The Railyard April 25 & 26, for a two night stand. The band is currently touring in support of its new album “Bluebeard.” The group will be joined by opening act Hotel Fiction. Gates open at 7 p.m. with Hotel Fiction kicking off the evening at 8 p.m. followed by The Brook & The Bluff at 9 p.m. Breweries and distilleries are “manufacturers,” so age restrictions do not apply. Reserve your tickets at www. cottonseedstudios.com.

Patton said he is excited to present these two national acts locally at The Railyard and hopes the public takes advantage of the opportunity to see live music in historic downtown Opelika.

“I just want to encourage everybody to come to these live music shows so we can continue to have the same music that any major city in the country has.”

For more information about upcoming shows follow Cottonseed Studios on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or visit wwwcottonseedstudios.com. For more information about the upcoming performers visit their websites www.chrisrenzema. com, www.wearecitizens. net, www.brookandbluff. com and www.hotelfiction. com.

Jazz artist Jonathan Dely to perform in Opelika April 3

BY MICHELLE KEY | THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — East Alabama Arts presents Jonathan Dely and his All-Star Band, Wednesday, April 3 at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts.

Dely's quick rise to popularity as a jazz artist and his decision to give up a lucrative full-time job on Wall Street to pursue his passion was the inspiration for the 2023 short film " Goodbye Jonathan’s Soul" by filmaker Bob Giraldi. Dely starred in the film and composed and performed the film's music.

The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. The Opelika Center for the Performing Arts is located at 1700 Lafayette Parkway in Opelika.

Tickets can be purchased by going online at www.eastalabamaarts.org, by calling (334) 749-8105 or by emailing Petrina Maher at petrina@eastalabamaarts.org. A discount on tickets is available by using the code DELYJAZZ at checkout.

BY SEAN DIETRICH

A few years ago I attended my first Catholic mass in a busy church outside Birmingham. It was Easter Sunday. I sat in the nosebleed section.

People greeted me with the words, “He’s risen.”

And because I was not raised under a rock, I answered with: “He’s risen indeed.”

I was not reared Catholic. I was born into a fundamentalist family with a mother who sometimes

Sean of the South

prayed in tongues over our meatloaf.

But after my father died, I learned that he had been raised Catholic. He went to Catholic school, he played Catholic baseball.

He didn’t talk about it. I never knew that version of him.

All I knew was a man who did not dance at wedding receptions for fear the pastor would catch him.

There in the Catholic cathedral, the priest announced, “He is risen.”

“He’s risen indeed,” said the congregation.

I was an outsider in the room. The priest recited the Liturgy of the Eucharist, people formed a singlefile line to drink out of a chalice.

Easter Sundays in my

family were nothing like this. My father was an usher at our little church. He’d stand by the front door and hand out bulletins that advertised upcoming Baptist church events.

For example:

—Thursday fundraiser, dinner on the grounds. Bring a covered dish.

—Young men’s Bible study, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

—Women’s Sunday school class is holding an upcoming prayer vigil against beer. Bring a congealed salad.

—Men’s group is recruiting for its annual mission trip to Biloxi.

On Easter, my father always gave folded bulletins to those approaching. He would

BY ANITA STIEFEL ANITAS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — When you think of candy sales, you might guess Halloween is the busiest season. But actually, as much candy is sold at Easter as the fall holiday.

According to Fortune magazine, “Easter spending historically surpasses Halloween, making it a significant event for candy sales. Depending on which study you reference, Easter might even outdo the spooky season in terms of candy consumption. It's the sleeper hit of holiday sweets.”

The National Confectioners Association’s data showed Halloween and Easter tied for candy sales in 2015, with each notching $2.63 billion. The National Retail Federation noted that over the past three years, Americans have spent around $3 billion each year on Easter candy.

Thecandystore.com reported that more than 90 million chocolate bunnies and more than 700 million Peeps are made annually. Each spring, the candystore.com releases its annual ranking of America’s most and least favorite Easter candies, as well as a state-by-state breakdown.

“Looking at over 15 years of candy sales data and the results from our survey responses, we were able to map out Easter candy preferences by state as well as overall nationwide rankings,” according to the online bulk candy seller. “We got over 10,000 responses this year. We also checked in with our friendly major candy manufacturers and distributors to be sure our survey corresponded with their seasonal observations.”

Nationally, Cadbury Mini Eggs once again clinched the top spot as America’s favorite Easter candy. The second most favorite was Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, followed by gourmet jellybeans in third place. Fourth place went to

Robins Eggs from Whoppers, followed in fifth place by Reese’s Mallow-top Peanut Butter Cups. Rounding out the top 10 are hollow chocolate bunnies, foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, Kinder Joy Eggs, Hershey’s miniatures in easter wrappers and Skittlesfilled Easter Eggs.

In contrast, Americans voted generic jellybeans, Oreo Eggs, marshmallow eggs, bubble gum eggs, solid chocolate bunnies and Sour Patch white chocolate bunnies in the top 10 worst Easter candies. Also among the lesser-appreciated confections were chocolate crosses.

“Available in milk, dark and sometimes white chocolate, they offer a variety of tastes for those looking to reflect on the season's deeper meanings while indulging their sweet tooth,” according to candystore.com. “While some appreciate the melding of faith and flavor, others find the concept a bit too literal, preferring to keep their chocolate in more secular forms. The idea of nibbling on a religious icon can be disconcerting for some, leading to mixed feelings about this particular treat.”

Americans ranked Peeps as the third worst candy of Easter.

“Despite their popularity, Peeps are a polarizing candy,” candystore.com stated. “Some adore the sugary sweetness and unique texture, while others critique them for being overly sweet and somewhat artificial in flavor. The debate over Peeps is as much a part of Easter as the candies themselves, dividing families and friends into pro- and antiPeep camps.”

Brach’s Bunny Corn was voted the second worst.

“Despite the seasonal color makeover, Bunny Corn inherits the divisive nature of its Halloween counterpart,” candystore.com reported. “While some enjoy the nostalgia and unique texture that candy corn brings, others find its overly sweet taste

Easter

say, “He is Risen.”

And any Baptist worth his salt would answer with, “He’s risen indeed.”

Most who attended our church on Easter were only visitors. They came twice per year. My father called them “nosebleed Baptists.”

I never heard anyone else use that term. I asked my father what this meant.

“Well,” he said. “Some fans only come to games once a year and sit in the nosebleed section. And other fans never miss a ballgame, even when the pitcher stinks.”

“Which ones are we?” I asked.

“You’ve heard our new preacher, you tell me.”

Our preacher delivered fiery sermons. He would remove his jacket and

preach to heartless sinners, drunks and those who danced at wedding receptions.

The church services of my youth were lengthy. Someone in the congregation would either faint from low blood sugar or be suddenly overcome with the spirit of narcolepsy.

But this Catholic business was different.

Mass was foreign to me. It was exoctic and beautiful.

All my life, my father refused to step foot in a Catholic church. And he wouldn’t even talk about it.

But then, there was that one time.

On the way home from a Boy Scout meeting, he pulled into a Catholic church. I knew my father

was having a rough time at work. I’d overheard him talking with my mother through the hot-air vents.

“The boss is killing me,” my father once said. “I can’t sleep, can’t eat…”

At night, sometimes I found my father vomiting in the bathroom from stress. I would ask what was wrong, he would tell me to go back to bed.

That afternoon, Daddy wheeled into a Catholic church and turned off the truck. There was a man cutting the church lawn with a push mower, he wore a white collar.

My father told me to wait in the vehicle.

Daddy was in that chapel for almost two hours. When he came back his

2024 Easter spending expected to top $22 billion

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

and waxy texture less than appealing, especially when there are so many other Easter treats to choose from.”

At the top of the worst list are Cadbury Crème Eggs.

“While Cadbury Creme Eggs remain a symbol of Easter and a subject of marvel for their unique design, the consensus on their consumption is less favorable,” candystore. com said. “The Cadbury Creme Egg is an Easter confectionery icon, featuring a thick chocolate shell encasing a sweet, gooey center designed to mimic the yolk and white of a real egg. Launched decades ago, it has become a seasonal staple …immortalized by commercials that left a generation confused about the reproductive habits of bunnies. However, the practical experience of consuming this ‘work of candy art’ often falls short of its aesthetic promise …with many finding it unpalatably sweet or texturally offputting.

“Adding insult to injury, the transition of Cadbury to Kraft's ownership marked a significant turning point. The shift from the beloved Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate to a "standard chocolate mix" for its shell was met with public outcry and petitions demanding a return to the original recipe. This change, perceived as a downgrade in quality for cost-cutting measures, has only exacerbated the discontent surrounding these eggs.”

In Alabama, the candystore.com reported the top-selling Easter candies are Robins Eggs, the small, egg-shaped malt balls manufactured by Whoppers. In second place were chocolate truffles, followed by chocolate bunnies (although it was not specified whether hollow or solid were preferred).

LEE COUNTY — Consumer spending is expected to reach a total of $22.4 billion this Easter, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The total figure is the second highest in the survey’s record-setting $24 billion when days later in the year.

“Each year, Americans celebration of Easter time and traditions with loved ones,” and CEO said. “Retailers importance of ready to help their they want and need at affordable prices.”

A majority of Americans (81%) plan to celebrate the holiday in 2024, the same as last year. They plan to spend an average of $177.06 per person, the third highest per-person spend in the survey’s history, after $192.01 last year and $179.70 in 2021.

Consumers continue to spend the most on food ($7.3 billion), followed by clothing ($3.5 billion) and gifts ($3.4 billion). Additionally, spending on candy is expected to reach $3.1 billion while spending on flowers is expected to reach $1.6 billion.

Consumers plan to celebrate holiday traditions in much the same way as previous years. The most popular Easter Sunday activities include cooking a holiday meal (57%), visiting friends and family (53%) and going to church (43%). Half (51%) of households with children are planning an Easter egg hunt at home.

The top destinations to purchase Easter gifts include discount stores (53%), followed by department stores (40%), online (33%), local/small businesses (22%) and specialty stores (20%).

According to the survey, consumers said they are inspired to shop for Easterrelated items because it’s tradition (64%), a social activity with family or friends (32%), or because of sales and promotions (29%).

“The overall shopping experience itself also plays a role in purchasing behavior,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. “This year almost onequarter of consumers said they were inspired to shop for Easter items from store displays and decorations as well as exclusive or seasonal products.”

Over half (55%) of those not celebrating Easter still plan to take advantage of holiday-related sales. They expect to spend an average of $20.52 per person, or $0.62 billion in total, on these items.

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on consumer behavior and spending for key periods such as holidays throughout the year.

The survey of 8,372 U.S. adult consumers was conducted March 1 - 6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.

ABOUT NRF

The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com

ABOUT PROSPER INSIGHTS & ANALYTICS

Prosper Insights & Analytics is a global leader in consumer intent data serving the financial services, marketing technology, and retail industries. We provide global authoritative market information on U.S. and China consumers via curated insights and analytics. By integrating a variety of data including economic, behavioral and attitudinal data, Prosper helps companies accurately predict consumers’ future behavior to help identify market behaviors, optimize marketing efforts, and improve the effectiveness of demand generation campaigns. www.ProsperInsights.com. See

Easter Calendar of Events

EASTER SERVICES

AUBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH, located at 2200

Hamilton Road in Auburn, will celebrate Palm Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on March 29, will have a service on Saturday night, March 30, at 7 p.m. and will have services on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

CITY CHURCH, located at 2900 Waverly Parkway in Opelika, will have its Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 10 a.m., followed by an egg hunt at noon.

FOUNDRY OPELIKA, located at 200 N. 26th St. in Opelika, will hold a Good Friday service on March 29 at 7 p.m. Easter services will be held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 31.

TRINITY CHURCH OPELIKA, located at 800 2nd Ave. in Opelika, will host its Easter services on Sunday, March 31, 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary,10:30 a.m. in the chapel and 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

CHRIST METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN

announces three Holy Week services. A Maunday Thursday service will be held March 28 at 6:30 p.m. and a Good Friday service will be held March 29 at 6:30 p.m., both at Lee-Scott Academy gymnasium. An Easter Sunday sunrise service will be at 6:30 a.m. at Greystone Office & Ministry Center, 434 E. Magnolia Ave. in Auburn. Also on Easter Sunday, meet at the Lee-Scott gym for coffee at 9 a.m. followed by worship at 9:30 a.m. Lee-Scott Academy is located at 1601 Academy Dr., Auburn.

SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH, located at 2194 Lee Road 177 in Opelika, will host a free community Easter event on Saturday, March 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including an egg hunt, hot dogs, ice cream, a bouncy house, face painting and giveaways. The church will have an Easter sunrise service on Sunday, March 31, at 6 a.m. and worship is at 10 a.m.

OTHER EASTER EVENTS

OPELIKA FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNT

Children in third through fifth grades are invited to hunt for special prizes and golden eggs in the dark during the Opelika Flashlight Egg Hunt, set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Opelika SportsPlex Amphitheater. Bring a flashlight and a basket. This event is free.

OPELIKA UNDERWATER EGG HUNT

Children ages six through 10 are invited to hunt for eggs in the Opelika SportsPlex pool from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 29. Free swim to follow. Fee is $5 per guest. Registration required at www.opelika-al.gov/913/Parks-Recreation.

EASTER ON THE SQUARE

Children in second grade and younger are invited to the largest egg hunt in the area, set to take place on the courthouse square in Opelika on Saturday, March 30. Toddlers will hunt beginning at 10 a.m., followed by fouryear-olds and kindergarteners at 10:30 a.m. and first- and second-graders at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

AUBURN EASTER EGG HUNT

The city of Auburn’s 44th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the lower fields at Duck Samford Baseball Park on Saturday, March 30. Ages 0-3 will hunt at 10:30 a.m. on Field 10; ages four through six will hunt at 10:45 a.m. on Field 9; ages seven through eight will hunt at 11 a.m. on Field 7 and ages nine and 10 will hunt at 11:15 a.m. on Field 5. There will be face painting, balloon animals, inflatables and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Admission is $5 per child for Auburn residents and $10 per child for non-residents. Pre-registration is required (walk-ups not admitted) at auburnalabama.org/easter-egg-hunt.

Hope meets a need at Easter

BY BETH PINYERD | FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — This is a week of HOPE as Jesus Christ died for us and arose from the dead on Resurrection Sunday so many years ago.

In First Corinthians 2:9, we read, “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, or have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

For believers, this is so true as God Himself guides them through their journeys of grief.

When we have lost someone we love, we can count on God’s loving and everlasting arms to always be underneath us as we navigate this pain. A local group called Grief Share offers a Bible study and support group to those who have experienced a loss. It is having friends be with you as God moves you toward healing hope.

Whether the loss is sudden or over a period of many years, we cannot depend on the strength of human nature alone to see us through. We must depend on God, our Heavenly Father, who made us and gave us life. He provides peace, direction and encouragement in His Word, the Bible. As we strive to get through the loss of a love one, we must cling to the God who created us. As we do so, walking and talking with Him each and every day, we learn for ourselves of His greatness and goodness.

The three aspects of Grief Share are video seminar-helpful information on grief-related topics with experts; confidential group discussion with purpose; and personal, individual reflection and application of concepts presented to help a person who has experienced loss move toward hope and healing. Topics that are presented are:

• Is This Normal

• Your Grief Journey

•Loneliness and Sadness

• Self Care

• Fearful and Overwhelmed

• Anger

• Regrets

• Grief and Your Household

• Grief and Your Friendships

• Questions for God

Grief Share meets every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church located at 800 2nd Ave., in Opelika.

If you would like to come to any of these meetings, Grief Share invites you to attend. For more information contact Melinda Jackson, coordinator of Grief Share at Trinity Church at (334) 745-2632.

DIETRICH

face was wet and his eyes were pink. I never asked why. And he never told me.

Anyway, Easter mass was lovely. I’ll never forget it. The priest told the people that “Easter is when dead things come back to life, when we remember how the finger of God can touch dead wood and make it green again.”

I had to write that down I liked it so much.

After the service, I stayed in the chapel until all people had left. The priest sat in a pew behind me. He introduced himself.

“Father,” I said, “I’m not Catholic, but I really enjoyed mass.”

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for celebrating the Resurrection with us.”

“Can I ask you a question, Father?”

“Shoot.”

“Have you ever lost anyone?”

“Yes. I lost my mom, my dad, and my brother.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

He ducked his head. He let out a sigh. “Every second. Actually, I was thinking about Mom this morning. You know, when I was growing up, she would always laugh about the big Easter crowds and call them ‘nosebleed Catholics.’ Isn’t that funny?” It sure is.

On my way out of church, the priest and I took a slow walk down the aisle. I admired the statuary and the beautiful stained glass windows.

The priest hugged me, then said, “He is risen.”

And well, you know the rest.

Happy Easter.

Memorial Service 2 p.m.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, Opelika

FRANK ORGEL

Celebration of Life, 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 28

AU Club Pavilion, 1650 Yarbrough Farms Blvd.

BETTY JEAN CHADWICK MARTIN

Graveside Service, 2 p.m., Garden Hills Cemetery, Opelika

WILLIAM "BILL" DRYKOS

William “Bill” Ronald Drykos, 85, of Opelika passed away on March 17, 2024, at Bethany House in Auburn Internment will be at Fort Mitchell National Military Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home.

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charlotte and Angelo Drykos (Evangelo Drikos). He graduated from Williams High School and the University of Illinois where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Air Force.

Bill was proceeded in death by parents Charlotte Sullivan and Angelo Drykos (Evangelo Drikos); brother Anthony “Ted” Drykos and sisters Elaine Villarreal, Mary Freiwald, and Teresa Drykos, all of Chicago, Illinois.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Marie Antionette Drykos; daughters Laura Morales of Katy, Texas, and Noelle Abrams (John) of Auburn; sister Elizabeth DeMarche of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Meghan Laubscher (Albin) of Hockley, Texas, Matthew

Morales (Kandice) of Crosby, Texas, John Abrams III of Auburn, and William Jackson Abrams of Auburn; six great-grandchildren; nephew Anthony “Tony” Drykos (Charlotte) of Avon, Indiana, and a number of other nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the dedicated staffs of East Alabama Health, Compassus Hospice and Bethany House.

STACY AYN (BROWN) DUNN

Stacy Ayn (Brown) Dunn was a loving daughter, wife, sister, cousin, aunt and friend, but most of all, she was a beloved daughter of God. She left this world suddenly on March 20, 2024, at the age of 48 after a long struggle with diabetes.

Stacy was born to Larry and Linda Brown on May 15, 1975, in Ogden, Utah. She was a cherished addition to the family after three big brothers, Douglas, Gregory and Jeffrey. In a house full of boys, Stacy was excited to later embrace the role of big sister to her younger sister, Maryann.

Stacy’s childhood years carried her to many different places, attending grade school

in Utah, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Alabama. She navigated these changes with grace and determination, making friends easily with her characteristic kindness and generosity. As an active member of various clubs and the school’s cheerleading squad, Stacy graduated with honors from Northview High School in Dothan in 1993.

Desiring to pursue a new adventure, Stacy returned to Utah where she studied education at Brigham Young University. However, due to health issues, she had to return home during her senior year, marking the beginning of her fight with the worsening complications of diabetes. Determined to finish what she started, Stacy later completed her degree online and graduated from BYU.

On Aug. 19, 2000, Stacy married the love of her life, Wayland, who loved her and supported her unconditionally. In him, she found a devoted partner who made her happy and cared for her throughout the ups and downs of life. Together, they shared a deep love for traveling and created cherished memories as they experienced the world. When they weren’t venturing to new places, Stacy and Wayland enjoyed the simple pleasures of their quiet country home, surrounded by their beloved dogs and cats.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Stacy's kindness was evident as she served the primary children at both the ward and stake levels for many years. She found immense joy in those callings, always making those around her feel loved and important.

But perhaps Stacy’s

most defining trait was her profound love for her family. Whether using her unparalleled creativity to make crafts or to plan memorable trips, she was the heart and soul of every familial endeavor.

Though she will be deeply missed, Stacy’s passing leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and unwavering faith.

Stacy is survived by her husband Wayland; parents Larry and Linda Brown; siblings Douglas (Paulette) Brown, Gregory (Leann) Brown, Jeffrey (Catherine) Brown and Maryann (Evan) Dykes. She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews, one great-nephew and two cats Charlie and George.

A visitation was held at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, on Sunday, March 24. A graveside service followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

MARY CORNELIA (NEALI) BROWN VANN

Mary Cornelia (Neali) Brown Vann, 80, of Auburn Alabama, passed away on March 22, 2024, at Bethany House in Auburn.

Neali was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, to Grace Frasier Branch Brown and Henry Herschel Brown Sr., on Jan. 20, 1944. While growing up in Tuskegee, Neali became an accomplished pianist under the tutelege of Elma Howe. She also played the flute in the Tuskegee High School Band, and was a majorette during the marching season.

Neali was valedictorian of her graduating class. Neali graduated from Auburn University in 1965 with a major in home economics. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

Neali worked as a Media Relations Specialist, first for Burson, Cohn and Wolfe in Atlanta, Georgia, and later in the Office of Public Relations of Auburn University. Neali was active in her book club, her walking group and as a member of League of Women Voters in Auburn and Atlanta.

Neali was preceded in death by her parents and the father of her children, John Elzy Vann III. Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth Frasier Vann (Jeff Fleisher), of Houston, Texas and John Elzy Vann, IV, of Canton, Georgia; her sister Nancy Frasier Brown Veale (Charles), of Auburn; and brother, Henry Herschel Brown Jr. (Cindy), of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. She adored her three grandchildren, Max Henry Fleisher, John Elzy Vann V, and Emma Jean Vann, as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.

A family graveside service is planned for April 6a at Town Creek Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the staff of Amada Senior Care, as well as the doctors and staff of Bethany House. A special thanks to Dr. Shashi Sharma, Pulmonologist, who showed such compassion to Neali. A heartfelt appreciation to Amber Knowles, one of her sitters who became a close friend. And to neighbors and friends for their gestures of kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to League of Women Voters, 675 Burke Place, Auburn, AL 36830.

MARILYN DAVIS THOMAS

Marilyn Davis Thomas, age 70, passed away March 19, 2024, after a long and courageous struggle against

illness. Born Feb. 13, 1954, in Clanton, Alabama, she spent most of her childhood in Demopolis, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University School of Architecture in 1977. Subsequently, she contributed designs for numerous hospitals, including UAB, Baptist Montclair and The Eye Foundation Hospital in Birmingham. She moved to Auburn, with her family in 1987, where she designed several fine homes.

She especially enjoyed church renovation and preservation, contributing designs for the Auburn United Methodist Church Founder’s Chapel and the Chestnut Creek Baptist Church in Verbena, Alabama. She was an original member of the Auburn Historical Commission and was well respected by her design colleagues and builders. She loved all things beautiful, as well as many basset hounds over the years. She was kind-hearted, loved friends, family and travel, fine dining and cooking and was an enthusiastic supporter of her children’s endeavors.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Davis and Dorothy Driver Davis; and survived by her husband of 39 years, Dr. Charles E. Thomas; daughter Dr. Eleanor Thomas and her husband Andreas Hadji; daughter Mary Thomas and her husband Michael Adams; grandsons Alexander Hadji and George Hadji; brother Jerry Davis; nephew Allen Davis; and aunt Linda Lockhart.

A memorial service was held at AUMC Founder’s Chapel on Friday, March 22. In lieu of

fire in His eyes as His wrath toward those who are oppressing and persecuting His people (6:9-11). In the context of the book, this was Rome under the emperor Domitian.

The opening picture of Jesus in the book of Revelation is a breath taking one. It’s not the Jesus we’re used to seeing in paintings and pictures. From the way He’s described by John it’s clear it’s impressionistic and meant to convey certain truths about Christ rather than to portray His physical features. For example, His eyes are described as being “like blazing fire” (1:14). Since fire is so often associated with judgment in the Scripture, I think we’re supposed to see the

I think the other aspects of Jesus’ description can be treated in the same manner. We can look at the biblical witness and find examples of similar us-age and arrive at a sense of what is being conveyed. And that is true for everything else except one particular part of the picture. It is where Jesus is said to hold seven stars in His hand (1:16). There’s no corresponding picture of this anywhere else in Scripture.

What we do know is that Domitian had a boy who lived only a few years. Sometime

CHURCH DIRECTORY

after his death, he had a coin minted that showed his son seated atop the world with arms outstretched, hands open, and seven stars around him. The inscription on the coin said, “The divine Caesar, son of the emperor Domitian.”

Here then by Roman reckoning, was a divine son who ruled the world.

It seems quite likely that John’s description of Jesus as “ruler of the kings of the earth,” (v. 5), who holds seven stars in his hand (v. 16), is formed in response to the coin minted by Domitian.

It is to say, “This is the true divine Son who rules the world.” Rome could mint their coins and make their proclamations, but it couldn’t change the fact that the emperor’s

Union

CHURCH OF CHRIST

10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181

The Opelika Church 2660 Cunninghan Dr., Opelika

University Church of Christ 449 N. Gay St., Auburn www.auchurch.com

Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015

CHURCH OF GOD

Shady

Lakeside Church of God

son was dead, in his grave, and Domitian was powerless to do anything about it. The coin might have been real, but its message was counterfeit. Meanwhile, the One who died on a Roman cross was alive forever and ever and holding the keys to death and Hades (1:18).

What a powerful message for the struggling churches of Asia. What a timely reminder for us today. The One who holds the stars holds our hope!

Bruce has written an entry level book on Revelation called The Thrill of Hope. It is available through Amazon.

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

3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

GLOBAL METHODIST

Christ Methodist Church of Auburn

434 E. Magnolia Ave., Auburn | Worship at LeeScott Academy 334-209-0074

EPISCOPAL- AME Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690

EPISCOPAL

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

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

GNN now broadcasting on WMJB 95.3 FM

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — Lee County listeners are invited to tune in to the Good News Network (GNN) on WMJB 95.3 FM.

Good News Network is the umbrella organization for GNN Radio, based out of Georgia, which broadcasts via satellite to 26 English speaking affiliates and six Spanish speaking affiliates throughout Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

As a salesman for an animal feed business, Clarence Barinowski traveled over 50,000 miles a year, and spending so much time in his car made him wish he could hear some Christian broadcasting. Based on cost, there was no way to make it happen over a large territory. But when President Ronald Reagan deregulated the radio airwaves, satellite technology made it possible to build a broadcast facility much more inexpensively.

In 1982, Barinowski incorporated the Augusta Radio Fellowship Institute and filed See GNN, page A15

Bible verse of the week: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

— Colossians 3:12

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

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552

Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148

Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949

Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika

Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika

Southern Plains Cowboy Church 13099 U.S. Hwy. 280 Waverly 334-401-1014

PENTECOSTAL

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

PRESBYTERIAN

Providence Presbyterian Church 1103 Glenn St., Opelika 256-405-8697

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

SUNDILLA PRESENTS RUTH WYAND

The Sundilla Concert Series will feature a performance by Ruth Wyand on Thursday, March 28, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food and beverage. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 with student ID and free for children under age 12. Tickets are on sale at www.sundillamusic.com.

8TH ANNUAL AZALEA FESTIVAL

Auburn University’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum will host the 8th Annual Azalea Festival on March 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Arboretum, a native plant museum and garden, is located at 181 Garden Drive in Auburn. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature fun activities for all ages, including live music, local art, food trucks, the arboretum’s spring native plant sale and more.

JONATHAN DELY JAZZ @ OCPA

Jonathan Dely with his All-Star Jazz Band will be in concert on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1700 Lafayette Parkway in Opelika. Tickets range in price from $20 to $59 and are available at www. eastalabamaarts.org/tickets.

POETRY @ PEBBLE HILL

A poetry reading will be hosted at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn, on Thursday, April 4, from

6 to 7:30 p.m. The readings will be by Rose McLarney and Justin Gardiner.

SUNDILLA PRESENTS SAM ROBBINS

The Sundilla Concert Series will feature a performance by Sam Robbins on Friday, April 5, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food and beverage. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 with student ID and free for children under age 12. Tickets are on sale at www.sundillamusic.com.

A-DAY IS APRIL 6

Auburn's annual spring football game, A-Day, will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Tickets ($10 in advance, $12 on game day) are on sale now at AubTix.com and at the Auburn Ticket Office located at Neville Arena. The ticket office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SUSCC DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI DINNER

Southern Union State Community College will host it annual Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Thursday, April 11, at The Farm at Rocky Top in Auburn. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $100, and patronlevel sponsorships are also available. Nominations for the award are open until March 24. For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner or nominating someone for the award, please contact Shondae Brown at (256) 395-2211, ext. 5145.

PICKLEBALL SENIOR OLYMPICS

The Opelika Pickleball Club will host the Senior Olympics April 12-14, featuring a round-robin format. For more information go to www.opelikapickleball.com, and follow Opelika Pickleball Club on Instagram.

SMITHS STATION SPRING FLING

The city of Smiths Station will host the Spring Fling Community Event on Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall. There will be vendors, food trucks, a bakeoff and a BBQ cook-off featuring chicken, ribs and pork butts. For vendor information and registration information, contact event coordinator Jilmeka Ashford at (334) 2978771, ext. 8, or email jilmekaashford@smithsstational.gov.

PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY

The Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform in Woltosz Theatre at the Gouge Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets, which range in price from $35 to $60, are available at https://goguecenter.auburn. edu/ticket-information.

AUBURN LIBRARY BOOK SIGNING

The Auburn Public Library will host local children’s book author Dr. Sarah “Mimsy” Odom on Saturday, April 27, who will read from her book, “Xantu Learns to Read,” at Family Story Time, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Odom has written a series of children’s books using her grandson as her muse. She also writes devotional and journal motivational books. In addition to her writing, she is the president and chief executive officer for a student educational and motivational consulting company.

flowers, please contribute to the American Cancer Society.

DURWARD RONALD "RONNIE" WARD

Durward Ronald Ward (Ronnie), 69, of Cusseta, Alabama, passed away in his home on March 20, 2024.

Ronnie was born to Durward (DJ) and Grace Ward on Dec. 23, 1954, in Tallassee, Alabama. He was a police officer in Notasulga, Alabama, for many years. He went on to retire from Auburn University Facilities department. During that time he also worked for Auburn Police Department as a reserve officer.

He is survived by his daughter Manda Ward Toney; son-in-law Burt Toney; granddaughters Ansley Toney and Samantha Toney; and Jasper, his beloved chihuahua. He was predeceased by his parents, D.J. and Grace.

Funeral services were held March 24 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika.

ROBERT EARL SULLIVAN

Robert Earl Sullivan, 68, of Opelika passed away on March 18, 2024, at EAMC.

He is survived by his mother Joan Noland; daughter Jessica, brother Tracy (Bettina) Sullivan; sister Tami; niece Katherine (Dallas) Welk; his significant other Grace Stetina and her children Robert and Brittani.

A memorial service was held March 27 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.

ELOISE GRAVES

Lois Graves was a 59 year resident of Auburn, Alabama. She passed from this life surrounded by her loving family on March 20, 2024. She was the first born of Maron L. Davis and Ether Capps Davis of Balm, Florida. Both parents were from pioneer central Florida farm families. Lois graduated with honors from Wimauma High School and celebrated her 17th birthday in June of 1951. At that young age she enrolled in Tampa University Business School, graduated, and accepted her first “real” job as a legal secretary. Granted, in addition to her formal education, she had already experienced some good job training in the strawberry fields and pea patches of south Hillsborough County.

He was born on March 1, 1956, in Mobile. He graduated from high school in Chipola, Florida, and earned a bachelor's degree from Auburn University. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His hobbies included motorcycles, hot rod cars and a passion for Auburn Athletics. He was a devoted Christian with a tremendous amount of faith.

As Lois continued to live, work, and make friends in Tampa, she found her way to First Baptist Church where she met a handsome young Texan who was stationed at McDill Air Force Base. Richard Graves was completing his tour and returning to Texas to finish his Bachelor's degree at Baylor University. A year later he returned to Florida to claim his bride and they both returned to Waco, Texas, where they attended classes and worked. Upon graduation they returned to Florida where Richard taught school and earned a Master's degree while Lois spent most of her time as a home-maker caring for Rebecca, born in 1957, and Jeffrey, born in 1962. She was a devoted mother who loved to cook, sew, decorate, and stay involved in her family’s activities. Through these years she was a faithful Christian who ministered to the sick and bereaved in various ways and stayed active in her church and community.

Though life was good in Florida, the opportunity for Richard to do additional graduate work came, and he and Lois were up to the challenge. In the summer of 1963, they relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, where Richard completed the Ph.D. program in English Education at Florida State University two years later.

Then came the noteworthy move to Auburn, Alabama, in 1965, which turned out to be the longest and best. Kathryn was born here in 1969. In addition to nurturing family and friends, Lois spent twenty-three years as a Civil Service adjunct employee on the Auburn campus, first in the USDA, then about twenty years as the executive assistant to the commanding officer of the Naval ROTC Unit. She remained very active at Auburn First Baptist Church and in civic and community affairs, serving willingly in leadership roles when needed.

Lois and Richard are supporters of Auburn athletics and have been football and basketball ticket holders for over half a century. They support the education of teachers through an Auburn University endowed scholarship as well as PEO scholarships. They have also contributed to the new College of Education building, establishing the Richard L. Graves and Eloise D. Graves Huddle Room where students may come together to collaborate and study. Additionally, Lois and Richard were avid square dancers, and after retirement they spent time RVing throughout the United States and Canada with special friends.

Lois was predeceased by her parents and one brother, M.L. Davis, Junior. She is survived by her husband Richard; brothers Wayne Davis and Gerald Davis; daughters Rebecca Johnson and Kathryn Booher (Chris); son Jeffrey Graves (Robin); grandchildren Ryan Johnson (Brittany), Richard Johnson (Alex), Sarah Beth Booher, Grace Anne Booher, Jack Graves and Sam Graves; great grandchildren Davis and Grace Johnson. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Spencer Cancer Center and Bethany House for their continual care and support. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Auburn First Baptist Church on Thursday, March 28, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tripp Martin officiating. A reception and visitation will follow in Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions honoring Lois may be made to Auburn First Baptist Church at 128 E. Glenn Ave.,

Auburn AL, 36830; or to the Dr. Richard L. Graves and Mrs. Eloise D. Graves Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education at Auburn University. Please make donations payable to the Auburn University Foundation and direct to 317 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849.

JEAN CARTER CLONTS

Jean Carter Clonts, 83, of Auburn passed away March 25, 2024. Born on Oct. 18, 1940, she lived in Dadeville for five years with her mother and grandfather while her father was serving in World War II. After the war, the family moved to Opelika.

Jean attended Opelika High School and furthered her education at Auburn University. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Opelika, where she found solace and community.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, George Richard Carter and Hazel Tillery Carter, and by her brother, Richard Ross Carter. She is survived by her loving husband, Howard Clonts (married 62 years) of Auburn and two daughters, Lynne Ninas (Larry) and Connie Cambron (Rodney). She is also survived by four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

Jean was a thoughtful and caring person who enjoyed bridge, Bible study, needlework, puzzles and reading. A memorial service was held at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on March 28.

COACH FRANK ORGEL

Coach Frank Orgel, beloved and admired football coach, passed away at his home in Auburn on Friday, March 22, 2024, after a long, 20-year battle with ALS. Coach Orgel is survived by Sarah, his wife of 50 years, their daughter Leigh Ann Orgel Mathis, son-in-law Cary Mathis and grandson Weston “Buddy” Mathis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Sara Orgel, and his brother, David Orgel, all of Albany, Georgia.

Coach Orgel was born on May 13, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Albany, Georgia, at a young age. He is a graduate of Albany High School and the University of Georgia. While at Georgia, Frank roomed with his future

fellow coach and life-long friend, Pat Dye. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and played football for the 101st Airborne. While playing military football, he and Pat Dye met again as adversaries on the military gridiron. After fulfilling his military duties, Frank played professional football for the Buffalo Bills. His love of football then led him into 40plus years of coaching which included Warner Robbins High School, Florence State College (University of North Alabama), East Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, South Carolina and the University of Georgia. After coaching, he became the athletic director for Dougherty County School System in Albany, Georgia ,where he served from 1995-2001. Soon after he was diagnosed with ALS, Frank and family moved back to Auburn to enjoy life surrounded by old friends, players and football.

Frank quickly renewed his friendship with the Auburn community and was embraced by the Auburn University Lettermen’s Club and surrounded by fellow coaches and players. Even though Coach fought his biggest opponent outside the stadium, it was not unusual for him to be seen in his powerchair at football practice and games, even in recent months.

The family wishes to thank all of those who fought and cared for Coach during recent years. Their support, care and assistance especially from Synergy, Compassus and other caregivers and friends in the Auburn community, made it possible for Coach to live out his final years at home.

They also thank the ALS Association for their support and partnership. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in memory of Frank Orgel to the ALS Association, 300 Cahaba Park Circle, Suite 209, Birmingham, AL 35242.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Auburn University Club Pavilion, 1650 Yarbrough Farms Blvd. in Auburn. Chette Williams, Auburn University football team chaplain, will preside. Plans for a service in Albany, Georgia will be announced later.

BY WALTER ALBRITTON

We buried our boy, our only child, on a lovely day in May. Our hearts were burdened with grief. That summer we sought relief from our sorrow by taking a vacation at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Billy Graham would be preaching in a conference on evangelism. If there really was “a balm in Gilead,” we wanted to find it.

Listening to Billy Graham preach for a few days might be the tonic we needed for our sin-sick souls. The death of our son, after long months of suffering, had not broken us but our hearts were heavy. We needed healing.

Graham was as stirring

Altar

The medicine my sick heart needed

as ever. Stuart Auditorium could seat 2,000 and it was packed for every service. We stood in a long line one day and finally got to shake Graham’s hand. We were awed by his persuasive preaching.

Will E. Sangster, a preacher from England, shared the pulpit with Graham. We had not heard of him, but it was Sangster whom God used that week to bring healing to my wounded heart. His words were captivating, penetrating my heart. He spoke with unusual authority, intensity and conviction.

Every word Sangster spoke had the ring of truth. I felt God speaking directly to my questioning mind, answering questions I had not even asked. Never had I been more convinced that almighty God himself was speaking to me. I listened intently, soaking up what seemed to me eternal truth.

My sorrow was compounded by many questions. If God is love,

why had he allowed our little boy to die? Why had God not healed him in answer to our prayers?

Why should a child who had done no wrong have to suffer like our son had? Why had God given him to us and then taken him away before he could grow up? Was his death punishment for our sins? Is God really “out there,” and if he is, why doesn’t he answer me when I beg for his help?

Finally, there in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, God was replying. He had been silent when David was suffering. Now, two months after our son’s burial, God was speaking. He spoke to me through the voice of his servant, Sangster. How do I know this? I know because I was there and heard his voice in my heart. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I had felt sorry for Sangster. He would be no match for Billy Graham in the pulpit. But I was

wrong. Sangster was older and wiser. And though his style was quite different from Graham, the man could preach. As the week went on, I realized we were listening to two of the world’s greatest preachers.

What did I hear from God? Not what I wanted to hear, believe me. I wanted something soothing; what I got was disturbing, yet profoundly helpful.

Sangster said, “You must stop dealing with your problems. You must deal with God! You get nowhere grappling with cancer or some tragedy. You must wrestle with God, for God is the sovereign God of the universe and he allows whatever happens to you. He does not will evil, but he allows it. The world is not out of control; God is in control, and he permits bad things to happen. For me, that was an entirely new concept with which to wrestle.

Sangster insisted that God has a purpose in allowing

GNN >> FROM A12

became radio station WLPE, transmitting a signal via microwave to a tower in Sweetwater, South Carolina, from which it was sent out to listeners.

GROWTH OF THE NETWORK

As support increased, the vision enlarged. A search for places to put more stations in communities without Christian radio saw applications in Georgia for Jesup (WLPT), Vidalia (WGPH), Byron (WPWB); in North Carolina for Harkers Island (WLGP); and in South Carolina for Florence (WLPG). Growth continued, as large gift allowed GNN to build stations in Barnwell, South Carolina (WHBJ) and

tragedy even though we may never understand why he allows it. We can find peace only by accepting God’s sovereignty and believing that in all things God is always working for our good. God is not accountable to us for his actions; on the contrary, we are accountable to God for our actions and behavior. And, Sangster asserted, God loves us even when he allows bad things to happen in our lives. As much as I was able, I responded to God by surrendering to him my stubborn, agnostic questioning. I began rethinking our son’s suffering and death in a new light. I realized it was time to embrace the message God had given me through a preacher I would never hear again, a message that was the strong medicine my sick heart needed. My loving Father was using the “balm in Gilead” to heal my wounded soul.

A year or so later word

Fair Bluff, North Carolina (WGHJ).

Expansion continued with WFAL, serving south of Atlanta to Macon; WJTB in Columbia, South Carolina; WJNA in the Clemson/Anderson/Toccoa area; WZTR in Dahlonega, Georgia; WQDK in Gatesville, North Carolina, and Suffolk, Virginia; WMJB in Columbus, Georgia/Valley, Alabama; and WBHC in Hampton, South Carolina. Then the broadcast spread to WZIQ in Albany, Georgia; WWGF in Donalsonville, Georgia; WTHP in Gibson, Georgia; WPMA in Greensboro, Georgia; WLPF in Ocilla-Tifton, Georgia; WNNG in Unadilla, Georgia; WSJA in York, Alabama; with repeaters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Richmond Hill and Blakely, Georgia. An opportunity to

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group meets 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 different topics are 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.

NAMI MEETING

came from England that Sangster was dying, having lost the voice that was like thunder in Stuart Auditorium to a muscular disease that was paralyzing his nervous system. That great pulpit voice would soon lie silent in the grave. But before his death, Sangster wrote a simple message to his new friend Billy Graham: “Tell people that the gospel works when a man is dying.”

I have journeyed to Lake Junaluska many times, heard many inspiring speakers and enjoyed the beauty of those North Carolina hills. But never have I been as deeply moved as I was that summer long ago.

On a clear day I can close my eyes and still hear the thundering voice of Will Sangster reverberating within the walls of Stuart Auditorium. It was a time when God spoke – and I heard him. It was the glorious time when I received from my heavenly Father the healing medicine my sick heart needed.

purchase WBLR in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, allowed GNN to reach many Spanish speaking people who live and work there. Soon, more Spanish stations were added in Soperton and Sparta, Georgia, and repeaters in Lake Oconee, Georgia, and Batesburg and North Augusta, South Carolina.

A traveling salesman’s dream to have a local Christian radio station has been fulfilled above and beyond, as the network is now able to reach the world through the internet.

ABOUT GOOD NEWS NETWORK:

GNN Radio is a non-profit funded by donations from individuals, businesses and ministries. To learn how to get involved or to request FREE program guides and car decals, go to gnnradio. org or call (800) 926-4669.

Yale ends AU's season early

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn University men’s basketball enjoyed a fun season, but it ended sooner than expected.

The

soccer team lost to rival Auburn 6-1 despite scoring first and controlling the first 20 minutes of the game. The Tigers scored six straight goals to continue their unbeaten streak against OHS. Opelika's David Cruz scored the lone goal.

SOFTBALL

The Lady Bulldog softball team (10-13) finished with three wins and three losses during spring break last week.

Rogers Heritage High School defeated OHS 13-7 in a tournament last week. Despite the loss Jade Jones, Katie Johnson and Kali Harper recorded two hits each while KG Soltau, Jamiah Williams, Emily Birmingham, Katie Harrelson and Jas Smith added hits.

Opelika beat Jo Byrns 8-2 behind two hits apiece from Jones and Smith. Soltau, Birmingham and Harrelson added hits.

Goodpasture Christian beat OHS 7-1 behind 12 hits. Opelika scored its only run in the first inning.

The Lady Dogs bounced back with a 10-0 win over West Memphis. Opelika's Cailyn Morgan earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings of scoreless softball and helped her team at the plate with three hits, six RBI's and scored two runs.

Brewbaker Tech slipped by OHS 3-7 to finish the week.

Williams led OHS offensively with two hits.

BASEBALL

Opelika baseball coach Zach Blatt knows his team must finish in the top two teams in the area in order to make the 7A baseball AHSAA State Playoffs. The season boils down to three "best of three game series" between Area opponents: Auburn, Smiths Station and Central.

Blatt planned a difficult lineup prior to the Area schedule which included games with teams from out of state and good schools across Alabama. Last week was no different, Blatt scheduled a trip to Gulf Shores during spring break so his team could play games and enjoy time

OHS beat Beauregard 9-4 behind good pitching from Birmingham (two innings) and Cailyn Morgan (three innings) combined to hold BHS to four runs on six hits. The Lady Dogs used three hits from Williams and two hits from Soltau and Smith to score nine runs.

See ON THE MARK, page B4

The Tigers notched a 27-7 record that peaked when they won the SEC Tournament, but Yale quickly extinguished their fire in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The No. 4 seed Auburn jumped out to a commanding early lead, but missed free throws by the Tigers helped 13-seed Yale complete one of the largest upsets of the entire Round of 62.

"We respected our opponent,” said head coach Bruce Pearl. “We knew we'd have to play well to win. We did not take good care of the ball. We turned it over too much. They made big shots."

Unlike the Bulldogs, Auburn failed to hit big shots after it led by 10 with 7:27 left in the game. Au-burn shot 2-of-6 from the free-throw line and

made just two shots from the field in the last four minutes of the game to lose, 78-76.

The Tigers were going strong even after Chad

Aubie bobbleheads on sale now

Baker-Mazara — Auburn’s third-best scorer with 10 points per game — was ejected three minthe following link, www.store.bobbleheadhall.com/ products/aubiebasketball.

The bobbleheads, which are in stock and ready to ship, are $35 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,024.

Available in blue and white basketball jerseys, the bobblehead features Aubie the Tiger, Auburn’s costumed mascot, wearing his No. 01 Auburn jersey while standing on a base that reads “Tigers” across the front with a backing featuring the Auburn Tigers logo.

Aubie made his debut in 1979 after first appearing as a cartoon character on the cover of a football program 20 years earlier. A spirit leader and goodwill ambassador for Auburn University, Aubie is a popular character among Auburn fans and one of the most animated mascots in the country. Aubie has won a record-setting 10 mascot national championships, he was named the 2014 Capital One Mascot of the Year and was among the first three collegiate mascots inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame on August 15th, 2006.

It is often said: “Women love him, children adore him and men want to be him.”

“We’re excited to unveil these new Auburn Tigers Basketball Bobbleheads in conjunction with March Madness as Auburn is dancing in March again,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “These bobbleheads are the perfect way for Auburn fans, alumni, students, faculty and staff to show off their school pride!”

The Auburn Tigers, who were up by10 at one point in the game, suffered an upset at the hands of Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Auburn girls & boys defeat Smiths Station in soccer Auburn

Glenwood trounces North Bay in a 12-0 shutout

On March 19, the Glenwood varsity boys baseball team won its game against North Bay Haven Academy of Panama City, Florida, by a score of 12-0 in three innings.

ON THE MARK >> from B1

close to the beach.

The Dogs won three out of four games in the tournament at the beach.

OHS beat Tushka (OK) (10), Paragould (11-0), Southside Bee (10-0) and lost to Lonake HS (4-5)

The Bulldogs beat Tushka 1-0 in two innings because THS coach pulled his team off the field after the second inning and forfeited after arguing with umpires.

OHS beat Paragould 11-0 in a five inning mercy rule game. Chris Floyd earned the win, throwing 4 and 2/3 innings of shutout baseball and allowed one hit while striking out 10. Brody Jones and Jackson Killcreas led at the plate with 2-hits each. Ty Hudson, Will Brandon and Tyler Johnson added hits.

Lonoke spoiled OHS from going undefeated after beating the Dogs 4-5 in the last game of the trip. The Dogs scattered four hits on the day while three pitchers allowed three earned runs on five hits. The Dogs made two costly errors.

Opelika plays at Dothan Thursday, March 28, at 6 p.m., and will host Elmore County Friday, March 29, at Bulldog Park at 4:30 p.m. The Dogs open area play April 3 versus Central at Opelika, with the first pitch set for 5 p.m. The two teams play a doubleheader in Phenix City, April 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Opelika continued the win streak, shutting out Southside Bee 10-0 in six innings behind a strong pitching performance from Davis Ford. The senior earned the win by pitching five innings of shutout baseball, allowed one hit and struck out six batters. Brodie Jones led OHS with three hits, followed by two hits from T. Hudson and hits from J. Killcreas, Ford, Hank Hudson, Floyd, Slade Clayton and Russell Copous.

OPELIKA DBB REC BASEBALL HOLDING REGISTRATION FOR PLAYERS AGES 13-14-15 YEAR OLDS

The Opelika DBB baseball league is holding registration at the Opelika Sportsplex and online at www. opelikasportsplex.com for those ages 13 through 15 that are interested in playing summer baseball. The cost to register is $45 for Opelika residents and $50 for nonresidents and covers jersey and cap. Players must provide, glove, pants and baseball cleats. All players registering will be on a team and play. If you have questions, please email D. Mark at foxonthemark@yahoo.com

LEE-SCOTT BASEBALL

The LSA Warrior baseball team (13-6) won four games in a row last week. Lee-Scott beat Glenwood (7-3), North Bay Florida (10-0), Lakeside (7-0) and (14-0).

The Warriors have received excellent pitching from Jake Cummings, Garrett West

and Jack McKay. Cummings pitched six innings against Lakeside, allowing no runs, three hits and struck out 10 batters to earn the win. West pitched five innings of shutout baseball, allowed five hits and struck out six to earn the win against North Bay Haven. McKay and Braden Martin combined to pitch seven innings in a 7-3 win over Glenwood.

At the plate the following players have recorded multiple hits in games: John-David Tillman Burns, Sam Jackson, Pelzer Reaves, West, Hardee and Sam Short.

LSA will host Bessemer

Thursday, and Lakeside for two games Saturday, March 30, at John Meals Field.

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.

PHOTOS

Lee-Scott softball in midst of fight to return to state

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN –– LeeScott Academy softball

fell a run shy of a state title against Macon-East Academy last spring, and the Warriors are returning nearly their whole roster from last year in its fight to get back to the championship this season.

Head coach Tina Deese was named AISA Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading a team that had a losing record in the regular season to the title game.

The Warriors remember the fight they put together at the end of last season as they are off to a 16-8 start to the 2024 campaign.

“They’re a year older. They hustle, they’re doing what I ask and they’re doing a good job,” Deese said. “The experience is very valuable. Let’s put it that way.”

Lee-Scott lost only two seniors from last year’s squad, and the Warriors are once again led by two seniors. The seniors, first baseman Mary Kathryn Harris and shortstop Madison Davis, are the offen-

sive sparkplugs on a team with four hitters that own a batting average above .300 entering Tuesday’s games.

Harris leads the team with three homers and 19 RBI with a .333 average. Right behind her at .324, Davis leads the team with 26 runs scored, while left fielder and pitcher Brianna Totty leads the team with 30 hits and junior catcher Ansley Tate leads with a .456 average and .535 onbase percentage.

“The biggest key so far I think has been Ansley Tate,” Deese said. “She would be the one I’d want up at the plate if I had runners on second and third – and I could pick any of them – but if I had to pick it would be her.”

The lineup is returning all its starters from last season with only two new additions to the varsity roster in Sarah-Caroline Joiner and Hayden Whatley. Deese said the ending to last season is in the players’ minds but not something they dwell on regularly as this team is forging its own path.

This team has talent

all around. In addition to a strong lineup, Railey Langford leads a solid pitching staff with a 10-2 record along with a save in 65.2 innings pitched. Totty follows her with a 5-4 record with 47.1 innings pitched.

In a doubleheader on March 12, Langford

led the Warriors to two consecutive shutouts of Glenwood to take the three-game series after the Gators took game one at home. Langford threw all 12 innings that day, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out 10. Langford also tallied two hits, a run and an RBI

Smiths Station gets an 'A'

utes into the game because of a flagrant-2 foul. Baker-Mazara threw an elbow near the chest area of a Yale player while running side-by-side down the court.

“The decision to flagrant-2 Chad Baker, that's a pretty tough call,” Pearl said. “[Baker-Mazara] got hit about five seconds earlier. Got tangled up; got a little bit of an elbow. They let it go. Maybe no-body saw it. About five seconds later, Chad hit him. It was inappropriate — clearly a flagrant 1. The fact that it was elevated to a flagrant 2 is a decision that the official had to make.”

At the time of his ejection, Auburn led 12-5, and it led at halftime, 41-34. Nonetheless, Tre Donaldson stood at the free-throw line with six seconds on the clock down by two.

K.D. Johnson had just missed a free-throw as part of an and-one

opportunity, but a jump ball in a scuffle for the rebound went in Auburn’s favor. The ball went to Donaldson on the in-bound, and a foul gave him the opportunity to tie the game after the Tigers went down by four with 13 seconds to go. After missing the first free-throw, a miss on the second and a Johni Broome offensive rebound was just what Auburn required to stay alive.

Off the rebound, Broome deferred to Jaylin Williams, who’s attempt to tie it in the paint got reject-ed. The ball dribbled out to the 3-point line with the buzzer approaching, as Johnson recovered it and heaved up a 3-point prayer for the win. It fell short, deflecting off the front of the rim as 13-seed Yale stormed the floor victoriously.

"That's the best basketball team we've beaten in Yale basketball history, as far as I'm concerned," said Yale head coach James Jones.

Auburn didn’t have the offen-

sive spark from Baker-Mazara late in the game, but it had the opportunity to increase the lead and then sever it with Jones, Johnson and Donaldson – three of Au-burn’s top five free-throw shooters — at the charity stripe. Instead, Auburn shot 15-for-22 at the line opposed to 21 Yale free points.

Auburn also turned it over six times in the final seven minutes, while Yale won the overall rebound battle, 14-11. Yale, however, turned it over just twice in the second half as it played its best basket-ball in crunch time.

Yale guard John Poulakidas put Yale in the lead for the first time in the game by splashing a 3-pointer with 2:11 in the game.

Poulakidas — who averaged 13.5 points a game — went off for 28 points on 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, including seven points in the final five minutes to send Yale to the Round of 32. The Bulldogs lost to 5-seed San Diego State on Sunday — 85-57.

talent and leadership, this team knows it can compete with top competition in its last season in the AISA. Along with the series win over Glenwood, Lee-Scott split a pair of matchups with defending champion Macon-East earlier this season before their threegame series this week.

After taking game one of a three-game series against Macon-East at home on Monday, the Warriors will head to Montgomery for a doubleheader with the Knights on Tuesday. After that, LeeScott will play 11 more games and a tournament at Lagoon Park to wrap up the regular season.

at the plate, while the team piled on for 8-0 and 3-0 wins.

Langford threw another complete-game shutout against Macon-East on Monday, allowing just three hits and walking none and striking out five in a 5-0 win. With a good dose of

Heading down the stretch, Lee-Scott is continuing to build off of last season’s experience and push towards its full potential in hopes of its first state championship title in its fifth year under Deese.

“All I have to do is turn them loose and let them play,” Deese said. “They know what to do, they know when to do it, and they keep getting better every day.”

Auburn library seeks applicants for its Teen Advisory Board

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library is recruiting students to serve on the Teen Advisory Board during the 2024 summer sea-son and the 2024-2025 school year. This year, teens may select to serve during one of the following:

• 2024-2025 school year

• 2024 summer season

• 2024 summer season and 2024-2025 school year Applications will be accepted April 1-30.

The board is open to all interested seventh through 12th graders. The mission of the Teen Advisory Board is to serve the library and its needs and to represent teens in the community. Advisory board members will volunteer their time assisting with Library events, shelf-reading the collection, attending occasional meetings and advis-ing Library staff on teen needs and interests.

Interested teens may email libraryvolunteers@auburnalabama.org to request an application form.

Against Yale, SEC Tournament MVP Broome tallied his third double-double in the last four games, racking up 24 points and 13 rebounds to finish with 14 double-doubles on the year and 60 in his career. The senior was named to the All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Defensive Team and led the Tigers in scoring 17 times with eight games scoring more than 20 points this season.

The Plant City, Florida, native averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks and assists per game in what will most likely be his last season at Auburn. The senior made a career-high 28 threes after making nine last season and none in two years at Morehead State.

"Johni had a great year," Pearl said. "Carried this team, particularly at the offensive end. We rely on him a great deal. He's one of the best centers in all of college basketball as an All-American."

Along with Broome, fifth-

year seniors Williams and Lior Berman finished their Auburn careers this season, while seniors Dylan Cardwell, Johnson and Chris Moore have one year of eligibility remaining due to the 2020-21 COVID year.

With incoming transfers Baker-Mazara, Jones and Chaney Johnson — as well as freshman Aden Holloway — returning with a year at Auburn under their belt that included a conference tournament title and NCAA Tournament learning experience, there’s a lot to like about this team going forward. Despite a disappointing finish, Pearl’s bunch turned in a memorable 2023-24 campaign.

"Auburn had a historic year," Pearl said. "We got hot late. This team has done so many great things, so I'm very proud of them. They made history. This is the fourth different team at Auburn that has won a championship in the past seven years. They represented Auburn really well."

TIGERS >> from A3

Most of the Lee-Scott Adacemy softball team are back for another go at a state title, including seniors Mary Kathryn Harris on first base and Madison Davis at shortstop.

Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Howard poses with students from South Smiths Station Elementary School, who proudly celebrated receiving an A on the ALSDE report card. They were one of 137 schools in Alabama to do so.

Plains Taproom hosts World Down Syndrome Day event

March 21 is set aside to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day. What makes this day special is the remembrance that 3/21 represents a third copy of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. Two of the three owners of The Plains Taproom in Auburn have children with Down Syndrome. Owners Justin Alexander, Dion Peoples and Scott Brown hosted a family event with music, face painting, games and food. A portion of proceeds from the event were donated to Auburn-Opelika Down Syndrome Alabama. The Plains Taproom is located at 200 W. Glenn Ave., Suite 200, in Auburn.

BY BETH PINYERD OPINION —

Ilove living in central Alabama where we experience a lot of Spring rains. I remember sitting on my parents’ screened back porch and watching the rains come in. Living in south Alabama by the beautiful Mobile Bay for many years it was breathtaking to observe a wall of water coming in as rain.

Springtime rain is so refreshing and cool as it waters our beautiful earth, plants, flowers and us. This is a time you can nurture your child’s learning of rain by taking the time out and safely playing or singing in the rain. Not singing in lightning and thunder, but singing in the rain.

Every day when your

little one walks out of the house they immediately experience the weather, whether it be sunny or rainy. One lesson I love to teach is following the travels of “Jimmy Raindrop.” Parents, grandparents, you can put your child’s name as the raindrop too like “Jane Raindrop” for girls, etc. Using this visible little guy or girl that I draw on the chalkboard or paper as a raindrop seems to simplify the learning of the water cycle for young children to grasp. They are fascinated by following Jimmy Raindrops' travels from earth to sky.

Water has been around for a very long time, but the earth does have a limited amount of water. That water keeps going around and around in

Classroom Observer

Running through the rain

what is called the water cycle. The cycle is made up of a few parts that we have to put in simple terms for young children to understand. These simple explanations for families to us in explaining the water cycle are listed below:

1. Evaporation is when the sun warms and heats up the water in rivers, lakes and oceans and turns it into vapor or steam. As I explain to my students, “Jimmy raindrop is swimming in the ocean, lakes, rivers and streams. The sun warms him up, then he floats in the sky. I wonder what will he see as he goes up in the sky?”

We know we sweat when we get red, hot and sticky from working and playing outdoors; but do plants sweat?

People sweat, but plants transpire, and this gives Jimmy Raindrop a little boost as he floats up with other raindrops in the sky. I tell my young students that Jimmy Raindrop has company.

An easy experiment to do at home on evaporation is to put water in a glass, keep it on a window sill, check it daily, record what you see and watch it go away. What happened to the water that disappeared?

It evaporated. As an

experiment, I put a wet streak on the board, and we go out of the room. When we return the wet streak has gone away. Where did it go? It evaporated.

2. Condensation is when the water vapor in the air changes back into water or liquid to form clouds. The air gets colder so Jimmy Raindrop and his friends experience cold surroundings as they change back from a vapor into water. You can show your young child this concept by pouring a cold glass of water or lemonade on a hot day and watch how the water forms on the outside of the glass or pitcher. Children love to use their fingers drawing happy faces and happy scenes on the outside of the glass or pitcher. Explain to the children that water did not actually leak through the glass but the water vapor turns back into liquid when it hits the cold glass. Interesting concept to learn. Keep in mind as you are using your Jimmy Raindrop pictures you are making him look like a raindrop, then water vapor, back to a raindrop. Children are absolutely fascinated that Jimmy Raindrop can take on many shapes.

3. Precipitation

occurs when so much water vapor has gone through the process of condensation that the air cannot hold it anymore. The clouds get so heavy and full that the water falls back to the earth in the form of rain or other forms of precipitation like hail, sleet or snow. I like to review information about clouds with the readers who have young children or grandchildren, especially in the spring and summer months.

(a) Cirrus clouds: They look like long, feathery clouds. When we see a lot of cirrus clouds it often means bad weather is on the way.

(b) Cumulus clouds: These clouds remind us of cotton candy or big fluff wool. They are easily seen far up in the sky, and the sky is usually blue. It’s neat to observe how cumulus clouds build up for an afternoon shower. This encourages childrem to observe over a longer period of time as the clouds billow up during the day. These are the kinds of clouds too in which it is easy to use our imaginations and see different shapes and figures.

(c) Status clouds: These are usually dark, gloomy and heavy

looking featureless clouds that are of low altitude. Fog is a stratus cloud in contact with the ground.

4. Collection is when the water (precipitation) falls back to Earth on the ground, lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. It will soak into the soil and become ground water that nourishes our plants and animals or it may collect in the oceans, lakes or rivers — then the water cycle begin again.

Isn’t this a fascinating trip of water drops traveling from earth to sky in a continuous cycle. Enjoy these spring showers as a teaching lesson. Remember your young child is a rainbow of a promise as you take time to simply teach them about the beautiful world they live in. Parents, grandparents nurture their little minds and world with time, teaching and learning. Let’s join hand in hand and go run in the rain.

I want to wish all readers a very Happy Easter this coming Sunday.

Beth Pinyerd has taught many years in the early childhood classroom. She has a master’s degree in early childhood education.

L labama Politics ee County & A

Inside the State House

Population and Political Power

Now Rests in North Alabama

BY STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

Growing up as a teenager in the 1960s, I served as a page in the Alabama Legislature. One day when I was around 13 years old, I was looking around the House of Representatives and it occurred to me that North Alabama, as well as the state’s largest county, Jefferson, was vastly underrepresented. Even at that early age I knew that the U.S. Constitution required that all people be represented equally, and that the U.S. Constitution superseded our state Constitution. Both Constitutions clearly state that the U.S. House of Representatives and the Alabama House of Representatives must be reapportioned every 10 years, and the representation should be based on one man, one vote. In other words, all districts should be equally apportioned. That is why the census is taken every ten years.

As a boy, I knew that the Birmingham area was home to about 20% of the state’s population, but certainly did not have a fifth of the House members. The same was true of Huntsville and the other large cities in North Alabama.

My county of Pike had 28,000 people and two representatives, while

Madison and the city of Huntsville had 186,000 people yet they also had two representatives. The most glaring malapportionment example would have to be in the late 1950s when Lowndes County with 2,000 voters and had one state senator. Well folks, that ain’t quite fair.

Rural and Black Belt counties like Lowndes, which were overwhelmingly Black in population had no Black voters and were represented by white legislators, which were determined to keep Black people from voting and north Alabamians from gaining their fair share of representation. Alabama’s archaic 1901 Constitution had written into law the malapportionment of North Alabama. The Constitution was written by Black Belters and was very narrowly passed. In fact, history reveals that it probably did not pass, as North Alabamians voted against it. The South Alabamians essentially stole the election with fraudulent ballots. It was so flagrant that in the aforementioned Lowndes County there were 2,000 registered voters yet 10,000 votes were recorded in favor of the 1901 Constitution.

The state was malapportioned at that time and enshrined into the Act. However, with the population growth already occurring in Huntsville and north Alabama, it had grown severely imbalanced over the years. The legislature had simply ignored the constitutional mandate to reapportion itself every 10 years. It was not until 1974 that the courts finally intervened and made the legislature reapportion.

That occurred because of the unconstitutional underrepresentation of Black voters.

I thought during that time why in the world would North Alabama white voters allow this travesty of misrepresentation to continue to exist. My hypothesis is that the south Alabama Black Belters would use the race issue and demagogue so that the rural north Alabamians would be more interested in keeping Black people from voting than allowing their cousins and neighbors to vote.

Well, folks, I’m here to tell you the power advantage that South Alabama had in the Alabama legislature and state politics for over 100 years is gone. The political power in Alabama is all in North Alabama and rightfully so because that is where the population is in the state. With the explosive growth of Huntsville and North Alabama, it is where all the money, roads and power are going. They may as well move the Capitol back to Huntsville where it was in the early days of statehood.

The proof is in the pudding. Look at the realm of power in the legislature. Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is from Dekalb County. Budget Chairmen Danny Garrett and Rex Reynolds are from Trussville and Huntsville, respectively. Minority Leader Anthony Daniels is from Huntsville.

In the Senate, the powerful Education Budget Chairman Arthur Orr is from Decatur. The President Pro Tem of the Senate Greg Reed is from Jasper. The Rules Chairman Jabo Waggoner

second resolution allocates $250,000 of ARPA Revenue Replacement Funds for design and construction of Loachapoka Park. The third resolution

designates $3.4 million in ARPA funds to complete Phase II of the Lee County Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The fourth resolution designates $43,000 of ARPA Local and Tribal Consistency Funds and executes a contract with low bidder DPS Group to update the second-floor cameras at the Justice Center courtrooms.

In other action, upon recommendation of Sheriff Jay Jones, the commission accepted a low bid of just of over $148,000 from Mobile Communications America for emergency equipment for 14 plus Chevrolet Tahoes for the Sheriff’s Department.

The commission voted to approve updates to the Flood Damage Prevention Resolution, as recommended by Chief Building Official Eric Parten. Environmental Services Director John

McDonald informed the commission it is time to renew the county’s Solid Waste Management Plan, a 10-year plan required by ADEM. The commission authorized an agreement with CDG and Associates to complete this update at a cost of just under $9,700.

McDonald asked for community participation in the Alabama PALS “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” 2024 Spring Clean Up event, which lasts the entire month of April. For more information about participating, call (334) 737-7013.

McDonald also updated the commission on the Environmental Service Department’s participation in the Touch-A-Truck event at Smiths Station Elementary School. He and commissioners commended Recycling Facility Manager

See COMMISSION, page B13

Extension Office to host workshops

BY TARA BARR | FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY —LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) will offer a series of adult classes throughout April called Tips and Tricks to Save Money, Eat Better and Move More. The schedule follows.

April 9: Floral Arrangements — Getting Ready for Prom Season, hosted by Jasmine Holloway.

April 18: Budget Wise 101 and Planning for Summer Fun, hosted by Angela Taylor.

April 25: Live Well Alabama — Eat Better, Move More, hosted by SNAP-ED agent Jacob Bailey and Human Diet and Nutrition Agent Regina Meadows.

April 30: Candlemaking with Local Wax, hosted by Damon Wallace, expert beekeeper and veterans outreach agent and B.J. Debardeleben.

All of the workshops will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Lee County Extension Office, located at 600 S. 7th St., Suite 4, in Opelika.

In May, Lee County Extension will offer a series of cooking classes for adults called Right Bite, which will provide tips and quick, simple recipes for those struggling with weight loss and diabetes and those interested in preventing type 2 diabetes.

For more information, visit the calendar at www.aces.edu or the Lee County Extension Facebook Page. To register, call (334) 749-3353.

The Opelika Character Creed

We believe it is important to build good character in individuals and for society.

We believe good character is above race, religion, age, gender, education and personality.

We believe a person of good character exhibits attributes and virtues that promote good behavior and habits.

We believe the basic building blocks for good character are integrity, honesty, loyalty, self-sacrifice, accountability, and self-control.

We believe character marks who we are as individuals.

We believe character highly influences the choices that we make in our lives.

We believe character traits determine how a person responds and reacts to certain situations in life.

We believe good character manifests itself in front of people but also - more importantly - when no one else is watching.

We believe good character creates a foundation for happy, healthy and trust -

ing relationships.

We believe good character helps to improve our self-esteem, self-respect and confidence.

We believe building good character is a life-long endeavor that involves commitment, practice, struggles through failures, and continued motivation.

We believe building good character in individuals is essential to building a caring and respectful community.

March, 2018

Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc.

Letter to the editor: Be of good character

BY ENVISION OPELIKA FOR THE OBSERVER

OPINION — The Envision Opelika Foundation has employed the Opelika Character Council since 2007 to emphasize, recognize, and reward good character in every aspect of the community.

Businesses, organizations, City government, and City Schools are doing remarkable work to achieve this goal. Last year was the inaugural year for the “Opelika Character Week.”

This week is dedicated to acknowledging and recognizing the good character of all citizens. A city of character is comprised of citizens who are genuinely concerned for each other.

Every school year, beginning in August, twelve-character words are chosen to share with the community. A new character word is introduced each month. These words are displayed on specially designed signs at the Board of Education Central Office, in the schools, Sportsplex, Opelika Police Department, the Boys and Girls Club, Head Start, Southside Center for the Arts, and Tiger Town Chick-fil-A Restaurant.

Additionally, the character words are exhibited on

the marquee at Opelika High School and on the City Council and Opelika Chamber of Commerce agendas.

The Opelika City Council is very supportive of the Envision Opelika Foundation and its efforts to assist nonprofits in achieving its goals. The Character Council has a partnership with the Opelika City Council to recognize a citizen monthly, who exhibits outstanding character. Each member of the City Council has been extremely supportive of this effort.

The City Schools are doing a great job of utilizing these words as a part of their character education program. The Character Council grants a Character Scholarship annually to an Opelika High School senior who will attend Southern Union State Community College. The Character Council Committee Members believe the future quality of life in the community is based on the character of today's students. However, the ultimate training center for good character begins in home and family life.

In 2018, the Character Council published the Opelika Character Creed, a statement endorsed by the

Opelika City Council, the Opelika Board of Education, and the Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board. The Creed emphasizes the importance of developing good character.

The Opelika Character Council is proud of Opelika and encourages all citizens to possess good character in their lives.

ACTS OF KINDNESS

• Start with showing love to your family, recognizing their strengths, and forgiving their weaknesses.

• Recognize everyone for their kindness by saying “thank you” for what they did {Be specific}.

• Email or text a different friend each morning with a positive statement.

• When you pull up to a fast-food drive-through, pay for the food order for the person behind you.

• Pick up someone’s litter on public property. Pick up trash (even if it's not yours).

• Help a playing partner look for his lost golf ball.

• Genuinely compliment

someone who is doing a service for you.

• Focus on others. Kindness puts others at the center. It's not about you.

• Stay connected with others, especially old friends.

• SMILE at others. Smile and the world smiles with you.

• Safely wave at others while driving, even if you don’t know them.

• Volunteer to visit shutins at their home or hospital.

• Pull a neighbor's trash can from the street to their house.

• Give someone your seat at any crowded event.

• Allow someone else the parking space, and don't try to out race them.

• Let someone cut in front of you in the line.

• When driving, let someone in when trying to switch into your lane.

• Defend a friend if untrue words are spoken about them. The friend may never know this kindness.

• Hold the door open for someone else.

• Pay it forward if you

have been encouraged by someone else's good deed to you.

• Practice an “Attitude of Gratitude” daily that leads to Kindness.

• Be attentive with people in conversation, putting away the phone. Focus on them.

• Be there to listen to someone who could use a friend.

• Kindness is a two-way street. The more YOU practice kindness the more you receive kindness.

• Be polite.

• Use a warm tone in conversation.

• Show patience and gratitude to a stranger.

• Write a card telling someone how much you appreciate them.

CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF

AUBURN — The

Auburn Police Department is proud to recognize the recent promotions of Capt. Jameson Presley to the rank of assistant police chief, effective Feb. 9, 2024, Lt. Michael Creighton to the rank of captain and Lt. James Pescia to the rank of captain, effective March 8, 2024.

JAMESON PRESLEY

Jameson Presley has been promoted to the rank of assistant chief. Presley, who has been with the Auburn Police Department (APD) since April 2002, has served as interim assistant chief of police since November 2023.

With nearly 29 years of experience in law enforcement, he has held a number of positions with APD to include jailer, patrolman, patrol sergeant, administrative sergeant, administrative lieutenant and administrative captain. He served as a field training officer at the Auburn Police Department and the West Point Police Department. Presley is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Columbus State University’s Georgia Law Enforcement Management Program.

In addition, he served as a Boatswain’s Mate Third Class in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve from 1992 to 2000 during which he was stationed at USCG Station Mobile and SARDET

Dauphin Island. Presley is currently a representative for the Central Alabama Highway Safety Office and the East Central Alabama

Highway Safety Office.

MICHAEL CREIGHTON

Michael Creighton has been promoted to the rank of administrative captain. Creighton joined the Auburn Police Department in March 2004 and served as a patrol officer until 2008. He was promoted to detective in November 2008, detective corporal in June 2016, sergeant in May 2017 and lieutenant in April 2020. He remained in the Detectives Section until January 2021, before promoting to administrative lieutenant where he has served until present. Over his career, he has commanded the General Investigations Section and many specialized units such as the Records Division, Motor Unit, Bicycle Patrol, K9 Unit, Hiring and Recruiting, Parking Enforcement and Student Program. Creighton is also a certified Internal Affairs Investigator and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Instructor. He graduated from Auburn University in Au-

gust 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology cum laude and from Faulkner University with a Master of Justice Administration in May 2022. Creighton and his wife, Melanie, are the proud parents of two children.

JAMES PESCIA

James Pescia has been promoted to the rank of patrol captain. Pescia joined the Auburn Police Department in 2008 and served as a patrol officer until 2014. He was promoted to detective in 2014, sergeant in 2017 and lieutenant in 2019. Pescia has served in multiple positions across the patrol and investigation sections within the Auburn Police Department. Pescia has served in the Alabama Army National Guard since September 2004 and is currently the Company First Sergeant of the 128th Military Police Company. He also serves as the SWAT Commander for the Auburn component of the Lee County SWAT Team.

Pescia holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration. Pescia continued his studies and graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 283, in 2022 and from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in 2023. Over his career, he earned the title of Alabama’s first honor

graduate from the Army’s Master Leader Course and was awarded the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal, 2022 Army National Guard Sergeant John Ordway Award and the Military Police Regimental Bronze Order of the Marechaussee.

“I am incredibly proud to announce the well-deserved promotions of these exceptional officers,” said

Auburn Police Chief Cedric Anderson. “Throughout their careers, they’ve consistently demonstrated the dedication, integrity and leadership qualities that are the hallmark of our department.“These promotions will undoubtedly build upon our continued progress and have a positive impact on our ability to serve and protect our city.”

Bass promoted to sergeant

The Opelika Fire Department congratulates Michael Bass upon his promotion to sergeant. Sgt. Bass has been with the OFD for 18 years.

Fleeing suspect crashes into two APD vehicles

Houston man charged with DUI, resisting arrest

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn

Police responded to a harassment call near the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue during the early morning hours of March 21. Officers met with a victim that reported the suspect threatened them with bodily harm.

APD officers responded to the area and located the suspect in a parked vehicle a short distance away. Upon being alerted to police presence, the suspect began to drive away, disregarding an officer’s commands to stop. While attempting to flee, the suspect drove in a reckless manner, crashing into two Auburn Police Department vehicles and nearby construction scaffolding. The suspect continued to flee until his vehicle was disabled after leaving the roadway and striking traffic bollards.

The suspect refused to obey police commands and was forcibly removed

from the vehicle. After being detained, the suspect was identified as Octavio Maldonado, age 46, from Houston, Texas. During arrest, officers observed obvious signs of intoxication. Maldonado was arrested for driving under the influence and resisting arrest. After further investigation, he was also charged with felony attempting to elude. Maldonado sustained superficial cuts to his face during the multiple collisions, which were the only injuries that occurred.

Maldonado was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $7,000 bond.

JAMESON PRESLEY MICHAEL CREIGHTON

JAMES PESCIA

OCTAVIO MALDONADO

Club News Andrews speaks to Opelika Kiwanis

PUBLIC NOTICES

of reasonable diligence. You are hereby notified that on the 14th day of February, 2024, 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:

Hallie Jones, as Plaintiff; Charlie F. Shellman, and/or the unknown heirs of Charlie F. Shellman; and, Jessie M. Shellman, and/or the unknown heirs of Jessie M. Shellman; and, Charlotte F. Thornton, and/ or the unknown heirs of Charlotte F. Thornton; and, a Wanda Chapman, a/k/a Wanda Christine Shellman, a/k/a Wanda Lloyd, and/ or the unknown heirs of Wanda Chapman; and, Kristin Nichole Lloyd, and/ or the unknown heirs of Kristin Nichole Lloyd; and, Zachary Taylor Lloyd, and/or the unknown heirs of Zachary Taylor Lloyd, as Defendants, whose 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

described as follows:

shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 28th day of February, 2024 /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 03/07/24, 03/14/24, 03/21/24 & 03/28/24

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No.: CV-2024-900020

FAIRPOINT PROPERTIES,

LLC, Plaintiff, v. A tract or parcel of land designated:

Lot 13 and a portion of Lot 12, B1ock 210, Totten's Official Real Estate Map of the City of Opelika, Alabama, 1930, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 2, at page 9, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, further described as follows:

Alabama, being the Point of Beginning of that tract described in Deed Book 905, Page 182, of Deed Records of Lee County, Alabama;

of Jessie M. Shellman, And Charlotte F. Thornton, and/ or the unknown heirs of Charlotte F. Thornton And Wanda Chapman, a/k/a Wanda Christine Shellman, a/k/a Wanda Lloyd, and/or the unknown heirs of Wanda Chapman And Kristin Nichole Lloyd, and/or the unknown heirs of Kristin Nichole Lloyd And Zachary Taylor Lloyd, and/or the unknown heirs of Zachary Taylor

Lloyd 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

COMMISSION >> FROM B9

Harold Whatley for doing an excellent job coordinating the event.

Parks Department Manager Ryan Norris sent a report to commissioners, informing them the opening ceremony for spring sports at Beulah Park is upcoming on April 6. Smiths Station and Beauregard youth softball will begin on April 8, and Loachapoka recreation leagues will begin playing at the softball field during the first week of May. In another matter, Norris asked the commission for direction on how to proceed with a request by a nonprofit organization for discounted rates to use county fields.

The commission asked for additional information and tabled the matter pending more discussion. Commissioners also tabled consideration of options for upgrading security technology in county facilities. They will hold a work session to discuss these and other matters at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 8, before the regularly scheduled meeting at 5 p.m.

Lee County Commission meetings are held on the second and the last Mondays of each month at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chamber on the second floor of the Lee County Courthouse, located at 215 S. 9th St. in Opelika. Community members wishing to speak should sign in prior to the meeting.

FLOWERS >> FROM B9

is from Vestavia. The Republican Majority Leader Steve Livingston is from Scottsboro. All eight of the most powerful members of the legislature are from Birmingham north. The political power in Alabama is in North Alabama because the population is in North Alabama. See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Flowers served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

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 16th day of January, 2024, 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: Farpoint Properties, LLC, as Plaintiff; Belle Jordan, and/or the unknown heirs of Belle Jordan; and, Lillie Mae Smith , and/ or the unknown heirs of Lillie Mae Smith; and, Lillian Ann Smith, and/or the unknown heirs of Lillian Ann Smith, as Defendants, whose 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 13 and a portion of Lot 12, B1ock 210, Totten's Official Real Estate Map of the City of Opelika, Alabama, 1930, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat thereof of record in Town Plat Book 2, at page 9, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, further described as follows:

Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Lot 13, thence Northeasterly along the Southeastern boundary of said Lot 13 and 12 for a distance of approximately 120 feet; thence leaving said Southeastern boundary at a right angle, Northwesterly for a distance of approximately 190 feet, perpendicular to the Southwestern boundary of said Lot 12, to the Northwestern boundary of said Lot 12; thence in a Southwesterly direction along the Northwestern boundaries of said Lot 12 and 13 for a distance of approximately

121 feet; thence along the Southwestern boundary of said Lot 13, for a distance of approximately 187 feet, to the Point of Beginning, being further described as Lee County, Alabama tax parcel 43-09-01-12-4-002-069.000

Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Lot 13, thence Northeasterly along the Southeastern boundary of said Lot 13 and 12 for a distance of approximately 120 feet; thence leaving said Southeastern boundary at a right angle, Northwesterly for a distance of approximately 190 feet, perpendicular to the Southwestern boundary of said Lot 12, to the Northwestern boundary of said Lot 12; thence in a Southwesterly direction along the Northwestern boundaries of said Lot 12 and 13 for a distance of approximately 121 feet; thence along the Southwestern boundary of said Lot 13, for a distance of approximately 187 feet, to the Point of Beginning, being further described as Lee County, Alabama tax parcel 43-09-0112-4-002-069.000And Belle Jordan, and/or the unknown heirs of Belle Jordan, And Lillie Mae Smith , and/or the unknown heirs of Lillie Mae Smith, And Lillian Ann Smith, and/or the unknown heirs of Lillian Ann Smith, 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.

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 28th day of February, 2024

/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 03/7/24, 03/14/24, 03/21/24 & 03/28/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WANDA

JEAN MCPHERSON f/k/a WANDA JEAN HARPER, Deceased.

Case No.: 2024- 129 NOTICE TO CREDITOR

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to La Wanda Jones, Personal Representative on the 5th day of March , 2024, 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.

LaWanda Jones Legal Run 03/14/24, 3/21/24, 3/28/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARTHA LEE GRAHAM, Deceased. CASE NO.

2024-135 NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary, having been granted to Dustin Wade Carlisle, as Executor of the Estate of Martha Lee Graham, deceased, on the 5TH day of March, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. 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 will be barred.

Dennis Wade Carlisle

Executor of the Estate of Martha Lee Graham, deceased Legal Run 03/14/24, 03/21/24 & 03/28/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: The Estate of MELVIN WADE PIKE, an incapacitated adult CASE NO.: 2024-118

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR TO HANDLE A SINGLE TRANSACTION FOR AN INCAPACITATED ADULT TO APRIL LYNN PIKE, CARSON WADE PIKE AND ANY AND ALL HEIRS OF MELVIN WADE PIKE, an incapacitated adult. You are hereby notified that on 21st day of February, 2024, Charlotte Conway filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, a petition for the appointment of conservatorship to handle a single transaction on behalf of Melvin Wake Pike. It is therefore ordered that the 29th day of April, 2024, at 10 o’clock, a.m., electronically via “ZOOM” virtual meeting website has been set and appointed as the day for the hearing of said petition, and the taking of testimony in support thereof, at which time any next of kin can appear and contest the same if you see proper. Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to said hearing. Given under my hand on 5th day of March 2024. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 03/14/24, 03/21/24 & 03/28/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PAMELA SILVER KREPS, Deceased CASE NO.: 2023-641

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to TYLER KREPS on the 1st day of March, 2024,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.

Tyler Kreps Legal Run 03/14/24, 03/21/24

The guest speaker for last week's Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting was Lisa Andrews, who talked about the Call to the Capitol Prayer Event. On April 4, the speaker will be Lisa Sant, director of Lee-Russell Council of

PUBLIC NOTICES >>

shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the City of Opelika. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

A certified check or Bid

Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00 must accompany the bidder's sealed proposal - refer also to Instructions to Bidders. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder at the signing of the Contract.

The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Bid documents may be obtained from the city’s website at https://www.opelika-al. gov/Bids.aspx or from the Purchasing Department at 204 S.7th St, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at no charge. 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: Substation 10 Control Building 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 03/21/2024, 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024

STATE OF ALABAMA

LEE COUNTY PROBATE

COURT CASE NO. 2024-144

ESTATE OF JIMMY

CHARLES THOMASTON, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL

REPRESENTATIVE

Letters Testamentary of said Jimmy Charles Thomaston, deceased, having been granted to Sandra Kay Thomaston this 13th day of March 2024, 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 time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Sandra Kay Thomaston, Personal Representative Legal Run 03/21/24, 03/28/24 & 04/04/2024

Notice of auction of an abandoned vehicle. The Only One, Inc will be auctioning off the below mentioned vehicle on APRIL 15, 2024, This auction will be held at 3601 PEPPERELL PARKWAY, OPELIKA, ALABAMA, 36801 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions regarding this vehicle, call 334-745-2166.

VIN# JF2SJABC0JH404892–2018 Subaru Forester LEGAL RUN 03/21/24 & 03/28/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE JAMES LOVE, Deceased

CASE NO. 2024-174

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Helena A. Frye, Personal Representative on the 21st day of March 2024, 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.

Helena A. Frye

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS HARREE SMITH, Deceased.

CASE NO. 2024-176

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Helena A. Frye, Personal Representative on the 21st day of March 2024, 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.

Tammy W. Hall

Legal Run 03/28/2024,

04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VEE LODEN, DECEASED.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2024-162

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of March, 2024, 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.

DALE KEVIN LODEN

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345

Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

CITY OF OPELIKA

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

300 Martin Luther King Blvd. April 9, 2024

TIME: 9:00 AM A. VARIANCE

1.Kelly Hitchman, 2504 2nd Avenue, VR-2 zoning district, Requesting a 10 foot variance from the minimum 10’ side yard setback to replace a carport damaged in a storm.

“In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334)705-5130.”

Legal Run 03/28/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The estate of Curtis David Waldrop,Deceased.

Case No. 2024-081

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Barbara Waldrop as Administratrix of the Estate of Curtis David Waldrop, deceased, on the 12th day of March, 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.

Barbara Waldrop, Administratrix of the Estate of Curtis David Waldrop, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARY LOIS COSBY, DECEASED.

Case No.: 2023-547

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Vonda Worley, as Executrix of the Estate of Mary Lois Cosby, deceased, on the 20th day of March 2024, by the Honorable Bill English.

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that all persons having claims against the

fence corner post and the Point of Beginning for the parcel herein described:

Street

South Eighth Street); Thence North 03

14 Minutes 20 Seconds West along said street, 379.04 feet to an iron pipe at the intersection of the South margin of West Johnson Avenue Rightof-Way; Thence North 85 Degrees 13 Minutes 49 Seconds East along said Right-of-Way of said West Johnson Avenue, 377.60 feet to the Point of Beginning. Described parcel containing 3.29 Acres, more or less, and as shown on Plat of Survey entitled Brown/Southside School dated August 2004 by Brady Pollock of the City of Opelika Engineering Department under the direction of Huey W. Morgan, Al. Reg. No. 18384. Also being described as Lot 5 in Block 226 according to Totten’s Official Real Estate Map of the City of Opelika as recorded in Plat Book 2, at Page 9 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. The City reserves to itself the exclusive use of a portion of the north wing of the building according to and as shown on the drawing of the Opelika Cultural Center, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (the portion of the north wing shaded in red is reserved to the City). The City and its employees, guests and invitees shall have unobstructed access to the reserved portion of the north wing through the front entrance and the north corridor of the building. Section 2. That the City, having received an offer from Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc., to lease said property located at 1103 Glenn Street, Opelika, Alabama, it is hereby declared to be in the best interest of the public and the City, to lease said property to Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc., for a term not to exceed one (1) year.

Section 3. That a proposed Lease Agreement to be entered into between the City and Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc., a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A”, be and the same is hereby approved, authorized, ratified and confirmed in substantially the form submitted to the City Council.

Section 4. Pursuant to the authority granted by §11-4721 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver said Lease Agreement in the name and on behalf of the City, and the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to attest said Lease Agreement.

Section 5. That this ordi-

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC

CITY CLERK

TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR this the 20th day of March, 2024.

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC

CITY CLERK

ACTION BY MAYOR

APPROVED this the 20th day of March, 2024.

/s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC

CITY CLERK

Legal Run 03/28/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT FOR LEE

COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MILLIE F.

GOODSON, Deceased.

CASE NO. 2024-158

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE THAT

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Yvonne D. Chamblee on the 18th day of March 2024, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

KIMBERLY M. DEAN DEAN & BARRETT

P.O. BOX 231 OPELIKA, AL 36803-0231 kim@deanandbarret.com Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GEORGE B. DANIEL Deceased.

CASE NO.:2024-126

NOTICE OF

APPOINTMENT

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on 27th day of February, 2024, by BILL ENGLISH, Judge of the Probate Court of LEE County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand, and dated this the 27TH day of February 2024.

RODNEY LEE DANIEL Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/11 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE MINOR NAME CHANGE

PETITION FILED BY: CAITLIN CONCI

FLICKINGER

CASE NO.: 2024-104 & 105

PUBLICATION NOTICE

TO: Clinton Ward Robinson Please take notice that a petition for minor name change was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Caitlin Conci Flickinger on February 15, 2024, to change the name of C.R.R. born on May 22, 2018, in Opelika, Alabama, and C.H.R. born on April 17, 2020, Opelika, Alabama to Clinton Ward Robinson and Caitlin Conci Flickinger. A hearing has been set for the 23rd day of April 2024 at l o'clock p.m. Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to object to either minor name change, you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Jason C. Riggs, P.O. Box 954, Auburn, AL 36831 or with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible, but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published or appear on the date of the hearing as set above.

Dated on this the 15th day of March 2024.

HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024, 04/11/0224 & 04/18/2024

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B15

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE

COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA

RE:Estate of LEOPOLEON PHILPOT, JR., Deceased

CASE NO.

2024-058

NOTICE TO FILE

CLAIMS

TAKE NOTICE that

Letters Testamentary having been granted to Tony C. Philpot, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Leopoleon Philpot, Jr., deceased, on the 21st day of March, 2024 by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that all

TONY C. PHILPOT,

Personal Representative

PREPARED BY:

Phillip E. Adams, Jr. 205 S. 9th Street Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 745-6466

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE

COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA

RE: Estate of LELIA

DOWDELL WALTON

Deceased

CASE NO. 2020-288

NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters

to Brenda K. James as the Administratrix of the

Estate of Leilia Dowdell Walton deceased on November 2, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate 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. Done this the 2nd day of November, 2023

BILL ENGLISH Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA RE: Estate of CHARMAINE CASEY, Deceased CASE NO. 2024-181

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted of Jamie Christine Marshall, personal representative on the 25th day of March, 2024, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate 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.

Jamie Christine Marshall Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PAUL MARY, IV, an incapacitated person NOTICE OF FILING OF PARTIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given

that a Petition for Partial Settlement was filed by Conservator, Tammie Mary on February 26, 2024. A hearing has been set for the 5th day of May 2024 at 2:00 p.m. central time, electronically via “ZOOM.” Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the said hearing.

Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BETTY CAREN WHITE

CASE NO.: 2024-165

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to CLINT PRIDGEN, as Administrator of the Estate of BETTY CAREN WHITE, deceased, on the 9th day of August, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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. Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER O

VIRGINIA FRANCES HENDON, Deceased

Letters Testamentary of said deceased was granted to Woody Mark Hendon on the 21st day of March, 2024. By the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge 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/ Woody Mark Hendon, Executor

Margaret A. Mayfield

Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 809, Opelika, AL, 36803 334-745-0333

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

IN THE PROBATE

COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF NATHANIEL CANNON

CASE NO.: 2024-170

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that

Letters of Administration having been granted to GREG CANNON, as Administrator of the Estate of BETTY CAREN WHITE, deceased, on the 10TH day of September, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate. 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.

Legal Run 03/28/2024, 04/04/2024 & 04/11/2024

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF HARVEY L. SATURDAY, DECEASED

COURT OF PROBATE

LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of March, 2024, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given than all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 15th day of March, 2024. FLOYD JAMES WATSON JR. Legal Run 03/21/24, 03/28/24 & 04/04/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PAUL E. CROW, JR. Deceased Case No.: 2024-164

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Olivia P. Crow, Personal Representative on the 18th day of March, 2024, 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 the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Olivia P. Crow Legal Run 03/21/24, 03/28/24 & 04/04/24

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Estate of WILLIAM MARK WEATHERLY, Deceased

In the Probate Court, Lee County, Alabama Letters Testamentary under the Last Will and Testament of said decedent, WILLIAM MARK WEATHERLY having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of March, 2024, by Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law (six months) or that the same will be barred.

George W. Fendley, III Attorney for Estate Anita Weatherly AvrittPersonal Representative of said Estate Legal Run 03/21/24, 03/28/24 & 04/04/24

NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of ROBERT JOSEPH RENIE, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by BARBARA

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