The Observer | 05-23-2024

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University has announced the complete lineup for its upcoming 2024–25 performance season.

Officially released at the Gogue Center’s May 16 season announcement at the Walter Stanley and Virginia Katharyne Evans Woltosz Theatre, the 2024–25 season schedule features 27 performances, including multiple-night runs of Broadway hits

BY ANITA STIEFEL ANITAS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — The Cheese Curd did it! Lee County’s own Bryson “Cheese Curd” McGlynn is America’s MasterChef Junior, a title he earned by competing on and ultimately winning season nine of the FOX TV cooking show, hosted by world-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay.

On part two of the season nine finale, which aired Monday, May 20, Bryson won the coveted MasterChef Junior trophy and a cash prize of $100,000 along with a complete professional grade Viking kitchen appliance package, including a state-of-the-art range, refrigerator, cookware and more, as well as a utensil and bakeware package from Oxo. From 12 original contestants ages 8 to 11, the three finalists were 11-year-old Michael from New Smyrna, Florida; 10-year-old Remy from Hollywood, Florida; and Bryson, from Opelika, who was 11 during filming of the show. For the final challenge, the young See CHEESE CURD, page A5

artist lineup

“Dear Evan Hansen,” “MAMMA MIA!” and “Hadestown,” jazz icon and musical innovator Herbie Hancock, country

music royalty Rosanne Cash and Kathy Mattea, and the world premiere of a new work created

Bryson

AU

Memorial Day service to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn University’s

Veterans Resource Center will host a special Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. on Cater Lawn.

This year’s ceremony will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War II.

The ceremony will feature a series of honors and activities designed to remember and celebrate the brave servicemen and servicewomen who sacrificed their lives for our nation. Highlights of the event will include:

• Presentation of Colors by the Auburn Naval ROTC.

• National Anthem performed by an

Auburn student veteran.

• Invocation delivered by Chaplain (CPT) Gary Riddle of the Alabama Army National Guard.

• Guest Speech by Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Newton, U.S. Army (Retired).

• Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor fallen servicemembers, with a special tribute to the local Gold Star family of Billy Stelpflug.

In addition to these commemorations, 2,501 flags will be placed on Cater Lawn to represent each American servicemember who died on D-Day.

The ceremony is open to the public, and all community members are encouraged to attend to pay their respects and learn more about the significant role Auburn Univer-

sity and its veterans have played in our nation’s military history.

ABOUT AU VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER:

The Veterans Resource Center at Auburn University provides support and guidance for veteran students and their families

through various programs and services designed to help them succeed in their educational and career endeavors.

For more information about the Memorial Day ceremony, please contact the Veterans Resource Center directly at veterans@ auburn.edu.

Purple Heart recipient to speak at Opelika Memorial Day Service

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The City of Opelika will host a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27, to honor and remember our military heroes who fought for the freedom of our country, as well as the families who lost loved ones in the line of service. The event will be held at Courthouse Square at 10 a.m.

Following a welcome by Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and an Invocation by Patrick Hitchman-Craig, pastor of Foundry Opelika, the featured speaker will be Marine Corp Reserve and Alabama Natonal Guard Veteran Kenny Frazier, a Purple Heart recipient. Frazier joined the Marine Corp Reserve immediately following High School in the summer of 1988 and served six years. In 1993 joined the Auburn Police Department and served for 27 years. While with APD, he joined the Alabama National Guard in 1998, serving six years, including a year and a half on active duty in Iraq, and receiving the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during a suicide bombing. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Faulkner University. He and his wife Amy

raised three children, Tiera, Kai and Kenneth Jr.

There will be a presentation of colors and wreath laying ceremony by Opelika Fire Department, music and TAPS, followed by a benediction.

Immediately after the Memorial Day services, the

Museum of East Alabama will host a reception for the public to share the extraordinary memorabilia of Opelika’s history.

In the case of rain, the 10 a.m. service will be moved to the Municipal Court Building at 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Auburn Memorial Day to feature Mayor’s Breakfast, wreath laying Distinguished Veteran Award to be presented

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn community is invited to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice at two May 27 events.

MAYOR’S BREAKFAST

The 24th annual Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 27, at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

Marine Corps Sgt. Eugene Stanaland will be the guest of honor and the recipient

of this year’s Distinguished Veteran Award. The Auburn Heroes Remembered Award will be presented to the family of Marine Corps Capt. David Miller. Tickets can be purchased at City Hall (144 Tichenor Ave.) and are $25 a person or $250 for a table of eight.

WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY A free memorial wreath laying ceremony will follow the breakfast at 10 a.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument at the northeast corner of Ross

Street and Glenn Avenue. The ceremony will include a rifle detail performed by VFW Post 5404. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Douglas J. Watson Municipal Complex, Felton Little Park and the East Glenn Avenue Municipal Parking Lot. Ross Street between Glenn and Harper avenues and Glenn Avenue between Burton and North Debardeleben streets will be closed during the ceremony to provide room for on-street accessible parking.

Auburn Parks & Rec seeks volunteers for SummerNight Downtown Art Walk

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn Parks & Recreation needs volunteers to help with the 18th Annual SummerNight Downtown Art Walk, set for Friday, June 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. SummerNight Downtown Art Walk brings artist vendors, live music, children’s activities and late-night shopping and dining to downtown Auburn. The event is hosted by city of Auburn Parks and Recreation, Auburn Arts Association, Auburn Downtown Merchants Association and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church.

Volunteers will be assigned to two dif-

ferent shifts throughout the evening. Help is particularly needed for the late afternoon shift, but volunteers are encouraged to sign up for both. Dinner will be provided by Little Italy for volunteers working the full event.

• Late Afternoon: 4-7:30 p.m.

• Evening: 7-10:30 p.m.

• Both: 4-10:30 p.m.

Volunteers may sign up online. For information, visit auburnsummernight.org, email volunteer coordinatorsrenneker@ auburnalabama.org or call the SummerNight headquarters at (334) 501-2963.

Kappelman named Alabama Code Official of the Year

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The city of Opelika’s chief building official, Jeff Kappelman, has been honored by the Code Officials Association as the Alabama Code Official of the Year.

Kappelman has been with the city of Opelika for 22 years, and he has been a great friend and mentor to countless code officials across the U.S. He has become one of the go-to officials in the State of Alabama and has offered many insights and best practices from his jurisdiction. This has assisted in Opelika and other communities in their efforts to enforce building codes and public safety.

“We are extremely proud of Jeff,” said Mayor Fuller. “He shows what it means to be dedicated to your field. We are lucky to have him on our team.”

Kappelman has served every position level with the local chapter of the South Alabama Code Officials, currently serving as the president. Additionally, he has held positions as a board member of the Code Officials Association of Alabama and as board member and president of Region IX, which encompasses Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Lousianna.

“Jeff absolutely earned this award,” said Erik S. Waddell, president of Code Officials Association of Alabama. “He has been a great asset to our organization, and I look forward to working many years with my friend, Jeff Kappelman.”

Kappelman received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Auburn University. Before working for the city, he built houses. He has more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry.

Opelika Economic Development announces two new positions

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The city of Opelika Economic Development Department recently announced two new positions: Griffin O’Connor in his new role as project manager of workforce development and Jonathan Woodard as the new senior project manager.

“We were very fortunate to have Griffin join our team in August of 2022 as the workforce and talent attraction coordinator and have benefited tremendously from his efforts expanding our existing programs like the Citywide CSP military transition program,” said John Sweatman, director of Opelika Economic Development. “In his new role, Griffin will continue to build on the success of existing workforce programs and will also broaden his contributions to our business expansion and retention efforts and business recruitment. He is committed to supporting the continued growth of the City of Opelika.”

O’Connor is originally from Andalusia and graduated from Auburn University in 2021 with a BSBA in marketing and finance. Since joining Opelika Economic Development, he has completed the Intensive Economic Development Training Course at AU, graduated from the 20 Under 40 Class of 2024 and assisted in the creation of the Opelika Young Professionals organization. He currently serves on the boards of

Opelika Young Professionals, Lee County Young Leaders, Opelika Workforce Council and the Computer Information Systems Advisory at Southern Union.

Woodard, in the newly-created senior project manager position, will focus on recruiting and retaining businesses and industries to foster economic growth within the city.

“Jonathan brings valuable project management experience in manufacturing, as well as a strong background in international business relations,” said Sweatman. “In this new role, he will leverage those skills and contribute to our efforts attracting and retaining world class companies to call Opelika home. Having grown up in Opelika and now raising his family here, Jonathan is eager to help our efforts to encourage others to choose Opelika as a great place to live, work and play.”

Woodard embarked on his professional journey in sales with Opelika-based manufacturing company, Deep Rock

Manufacturing, known for its high-quality earth drilling equipment catering to global geothermal and commercial applications. Transitioning into the industrial manufacturing sector in January 2013, Woodard joined Regal Rexnord, a Fortune 500 Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based manufacturer specializing in electric motors and power transmission components. During his tenure there, he assumed various roles within Commercial Operations, including project manager, product manager and product specialist focusing his efforts in the Energy Global market. Woodard is a native of Opelika. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children, Landon, Lane and Carter. Woodward’s commitment to service flourished during his tenure as the Student Ministries Pastor at The Oaks Church in Auburn from 2008 to 2013. Presently, Woodard and his family are members at the Church of the Highlands Opelika Campus.

Next public meeting planned for Friends of Moore’s Mill Creek

Community invited to discuss local project to restore watershed on June 2

BY KADIE VICK FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Friends of Moore’s Mill Creek (FMMC), a local watershed restoration project, recently held its first public meeting and has set the next meeting date of June 3. The term watershed is described on the project website as, “a naturally defined area of land that drains to a river or creek, and eventually into a body of water or the ocean. Everyone lives in a watershed.”

by dance luminaries

Ephrat Asherie and Michelle Dorrance. The new season also features encore performances by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and several charttopping a cappella groups, including crowd favorites Straight No Chaser and VOCES8.

The 2024–25 season, which is sponsored by Walt and Ginger Woltosz, is divided into six genrespecific series: Broadway, Celebrity, Chamber Music, Concert, Dance & Movement and Family.

New for this year, the Gogue Center’s Chamber Music Series performances will be excluded from its full season subscription packages. A separate subscription offering tickets to the season’s three chamber music performances will be available.

The season’s Family Series will also be offered separately from the full performance season and will include four shows tailored to younger audiences. All Family

One of the goals of the FMMC is to identify issues that are contributing to the watershed’s disturbances. According to Project Manager Laura Cooley, it suffers from an excess of sediment and pathogens.

“What this project is doing is trying to identify what can we do about some of those issues — what are the causes and how can we think long-term about how we want to work together to make improvements,” Cooley said. “So generally speaking, the project goals are finding ways to prevent

Series performances are general admission and will be offered at the reduced price of $10 per ticket.

A complete 2024–25 season schedule, including all artists and performances, dates, times and series, is listed below. All performances for the upcoming season will be presented in the Woltosz Theatre.

Season and series subscriptions are now available to all current Gogue Center season subscribers and sponsors and will be available to the general public beginning Tuesday, June 25. Additional subscription packages as well as single tickets, including those for all Family Series performances, will be made available on future dates.

For more information on 2024–25 performances and season subscriptions, patrons are encouraged to contact the Gogue Center box office by telephone at 334.844.tixs (8497) or via email at gpactickets@ auburn.edu.

Subscriptions can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn. edu or in person at the

and reduce sediment and pathogen transfer long-term.”

Cooley hopes those living and working within the watershed will attend the meetings and collaborate on ways to identify and mitigate the issues affecting it.

“I want to work with the public and with the city,” she said. “This is the sharpshooter stakeholder group. You all live and work in the watershed, and you want to be part of long-term action.”

Those who attended were asked to share their connection to the watershed and encouraged to

Gogue Center box office, located at 910 S. College St. in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.

GOGUE CENTER 2024–25 SEASON

• Herbie Hancock

Tuesday, Sept. 17

7 p.m. — Celebrity Series

• Borromeo String Quartet with Henry Kramer, piano

Monday, Sept. 23

7 p.m. — Chamber Music Series

• The Piano Guys

Thursday, Sept. 26

7 p.m. — Celebrity Series

• Bill Blagg: “Family Magic”

Sunday, Oct. 6

3 p.m. — Family Series

• Alabama Symphony Orchestra: “The Wizard of Oz”

Tuesday, Oct. 15

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• Alabama Symphony Orchestra: “The Wizard of Oz”

Wednesday, Oct. 16

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• The Magic School Bus: “Lost in the Solar System”

Sunday, Oct. 20

3 p.m. — Family Series

• “Dear Evan Hansen”

Friday, Oct. 25

7 p.m. — Broadway

Series

ask questions. Attendees varied from members of local organizations, business owners, professional environmental experts and residents living within the watershed.

For those who did not attend the first meeting, there will be another one on Monday, June 3, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the CASIC building at Auburn University to introduce the project, cover project goals and discuss opportunities for engagement and next steps.

“Public engagement is a neces-

• “Dear Evan Hansen”

Saturday, Oct. 26

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• Straight No Chaser: Top Shelf Tour

Wednesday, Oct. 30

7 p.m. — Celebrity Series

• Rosanne Cash

Friday, Nov. 8

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• Black Violin

BV20: Then & Now

Thursday, Nov. 14

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations”

Tuesday, Dec. 3

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations”

Wednesday, Dec. 4

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• VOCES8

Tuesday, Dec. 10

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• A Winter Gathering with Kathy Mattea: “Good News and Other Favorites”

Thursday, Dec. 12

7 p.m. — Celebrity Series

• Gryphon Trio

Thursday, Jan. 23

7 p.m. — Chamber Music Series

• Ballet Hispánico: “CARMEN.maquia”

Thursday, Jan. 30

7 p.m. — Dance & Movement Series

• “Pretty Woman: The Musical”

Tuesday, Feb. 4

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “Pretty Woman: The Musical”

Wednesday, Feb. 5

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “Pretty Woman: The Musical”

Thursday, Feb. 6

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

sity in this project, and we welcome participation and insight,” Cooley said. “Once the watershed plan is updated under EPA standards, the watershed will be eligible to receive funding for water quality improvement projects. This project is funded by a Clean Water Act grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.”

To learn more about this project and how to get involved, visit the FMMC website: aub.ie/ mooresmill.

Thursday, March 20

7 p.m. — Dance & Movement Series

• Anoushka Shankar

Saturday, March 22

7 p.m. — Celebrity Series

• “MAMMA MIA!” Tuesday, March 25

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “MAMMA MIA!” Wednesday, March 26

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “The Center Will Not Hold” - A Dorrance Dance Production (World Premiere) Friday, April 4

• Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: “Spanish Journey”

Thursday, Feb. 13

7 p.m. — Chamber Music Series

• Voctave: “The Corner of Broadway & Main Street”

Friday, Feb. 14

7 p.m. — Concert Series

• BODYTRAFFIC

Wednesday, Feb. 19

7 p.m. — Dance & Movement Series

• Omnium Circus: “I’m Possible”

Sunday, March 2

3 p.m. — Family Series

• Kodo

7 p.m. — Dance & Movement Series

• Catapult Sunday, April 6

3 p.m. — Family Series

• “Hadestown” Monday, April 28

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

• “Hadestown” Tuesday, April 29

7 p.m. —Broadway Series

• “Hadestown” Wednesday, April 30

7 p.m. — Broadway Series

Jeff Kappelman, left, who has been with the city of Opelika for 22 years, received the state Code Officials Association’s Alabama Code Official of the Year award.

GRIFFIN O’CONNOR JONATHAN WOODARD

GOGUE >> from A1

News from the Chambers of Commerce

chefs were tasked with making a three-course meal for the four judges, including a sophisticated, restaurant-quality appetizer, entrée and dessert. They had 60 minutes of preparation time for each course.

Last week in part one of the finale, the young chefs presented their appetizers to the judges. Michael prepared a crab bisque with a crab salad with croutons in a tarragon and chive oil. Remy’s appetizer was sea bass with a satsuma mimosa vinaigrette and a Friese crab mirliton salad. Bryson’s appetizer was prawns (shrimp) and hush puppies with a rum marinade and a green tomato relish.

There was no clear winning appetizer — all were judged equally visually appealing and delicious. The episode ended with the three finalists beginning to cook their entrées in front of a live studio audience, with family and former competitors cheering them on.

This week, in part two, the young chefs finished the entrées. The pressure was on.

“I’ve cooked a lot of steaks, but not a $100,000 steak!” said Bryson, who just finished sixth grade at Fox Run Middle School and participates in grilling competitions with his father, Mike McGlynn, a band director with Opelika city schools.

When the entrées were finished, the youngsters lined up to present them to the judges. Bryson prepared a Japanese wagyu filet mignon with a red wine reduction, squash puree and confit turnips.

“I felt really comfortable doing this, because I stuck to my roots,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I rocked it, and I’m just that much closer to that trophy.”

Michael made pan-seared halibut with sauteed purple kale, ginger-glazed Thumbelina carrots and an herb lime sauce. Remy’s entrée was shrimp and grits, a Tasso ham remoulade and collard greens.

Once again, all three entrées were nearly perfect, and the judges couldn’t decide upon a clear winner. Michael’s carrots were a bit undercooked, but the judges were impressed with his perfectly cooked halibut, which they called the most difficult cut of fish to cook because of its thickness and tendency to dry out. Remy’s dish, which

she said was inspired by the women in her family, was also a hit with the judges.

As Bryson presented his wagyu filets to the judges, he appeared confident, even if a bit nervous.

“I just wanna make the South really, really proud,” he said.

“Absolute perfection right there,” Ramsay declared as he sliced into the steak, cooked rare. “Young man, the filet is cooked to utter perfection. Honestly. Congratulations.

“I love slicing through that and then diving into the puree. It does need a touch more seasoning because it’s creamy and its rich, but you took a risk young man, and it definitely paid off.”

“I think your purees are the perfect consistency,” added Ramsay’s daughter Tilly, a guest judge this season.

“Watching you grow and being able to produce food like this is pretty amazing. I really enjoyed it.”

“Honestly, Bryson, you’re the meat guy, sure, but like, this is the meat king!” said judge Daphne Oz. “This is really good.”

Next up, it was time to prepare dessert.

“Right, the final round, the most technical course,” said Ramsay. “I mean, let’s be honest, desserts are all about timing, and you need to be precise… It needs to be perfect every step of the way.”

“The reality is, every round their execution’s been beautiful, the themes are coming through strong — it is such a toss-up at this point,” said Oz. “Who’s gonna just clinch that win?”

Michael prepared mini orange and olive oil pound cakes with citrus sauce and crème fraiche ice cream.

Remy made chocolate hazelnut brownies with hazelnut brittle, chocolate mousse and raspberry coulis. Bryson prepared peanut butter mousse crunch cake with chocolate ganache and peanut brittle, decorated with gold leaf and an edible flower.

“I’m feeling really good right now,” he said as he worked.

“The deal with Bryson is his success on this dessert really relies on timing,” said judge Aaron Sanchez.

“He’s gonna have to get that ganache right to its proper consistency and then let that cascade over, but it’s all depending when his peanut butter mousse sets.”

The studio audience burst into cheers and applausea-

when time expired, and the contestants embraced in a group hug, each filled with pride for themselves and each other for making it to the end.

“I’m feeling really, really nervous, but at the same time excited because I’ve proven myself since that first challenge to right now how much I improved,” Bryson said as he delivered the plates of dessert to the judges. “I want to make my dad proud, and I also want to make my hometown really proud.”

“Bryson, I’m just wrestling to believe that the same young man who showed up in this kitchen cooking humongous pieces of meat and now tonight is here using tweezers to delicately lay edible flowers and gold leaf onto a homemade glossy ganache-covered peanut butter pie — who are you?” said Oz.

“It looks divine, seriously. Well done,” said Ramsay, who then asked Bryson to explain the texture he was going for.

“So the bottom, the base, should be crispy,” Bryson said. “It should have a good chocolate flavor. The middle should be creamy, and the top should be kind-of gooey.”

“Let’s see,” said Ramsay, cutting into the dessert.

Each judge’s face expressed pleasure as they tasted it.

“Bryson, it’s delicious,” Ramsay said. “The ganache is super rich and it’s just a really nice coating over that peanut butter. I was nervous about the peanut butter mousse being slightly liquid, but it’s set beautifully.”

“Bryson, I’m just super impressed that you finished with that little bit of sea salt — I felt it did add a lot to your dish,” said Tilly. “I think you had some risky moves tonight, but you really pulled it off.”

“Bryson, this is, like, the most adult, sophisticated, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cup I think I’ve ever had,” added Oz. “The mousse is really balanced. It’s silky, it’s smooth, beautiful.”

“Bryson, you brought bling to the dessert, my brother, and it tastes fantastic, and you didn’t fall prey to putting too many things on top of it,” said Sanchez.

“You wanted the ganache to really be sort-of the star of this dessert, so really good job young man.”

As he returned to the

stage, Tilly said quietly to her fellow judges, “Day one, I don’t think I’d have expected Bryson to make this, but he’s grown as a person and a chef, and it’s really amazing.”

“Congratulations to all three of you,” Ramsay said to the contestants. “The judges now need to judge all of you on the entire meal. Every course, every detail. Then, very soon, one of you three will be crowned MasterChef Junior winner.”

The judges then retreated to discuss the three courses overall and determine a winner.

“This journey has been epic,” said Sanchez. “I can’t believe that these young kids came in there and showed us this kind of performance tonight.”

They discussed each young chef’s overall menu — calling Remy’s “a celebration of New Orleans and of female ancestors” and calling Michael’s “a nod to Florida and Caribbean influences.

“Bryson, he really did bring the Southern roots with him,” said Ramsay. “From the get-go, the hushpuppies and that beautiful shrimp — that was a great example of humble ingredients really elevated.”

“It was definitely the best [appetizer] I tasted all night,” added Tilly.

Regarding his entrée, Oz said, “At first I was a little bit nervous, because it was not his finest work plating-wise, but the flavor on those pieces were so delicious.”

“And then this peanut butter beautiful chocolate dessert,” added Ramsay, “Exceptional.”

“It was decadent but not too heavy,” said Sanchez.

“You know these menus need to be cohesive, so which menu from these three amazing finalists delivered?”

Ramsay asked.

“What I was most impressed by and what I thought was really cool from Remy tonight was she’s an executer. She makes beautiful food consistently,” said Oz.

“Michael really highlighted his family’s cultural roots, and I have to commend him, because he didn’t play it safe,” said Ramsay.

“If you look at Bryson, you’re talking, you know, he’s a Southern barbecue, meat carnivore, and then coming here and showing his elegance and his refinement — I thought, wow, what an evolution,” Sanchez said.

“Very impressive.”

Ultimately, the judges

made their decision, and returned to the set, which was vibrating with excitement and cheers from the audience.

“Michael, Bryson and Remy, those were three incredible meals,” Ramsay said. “I would be happy to serve any of those dishes in any of my restaurants tonight. Well done, all three of you.”

“It just feels amazing because I’ve always watched MasterChef, and I really never thought I’d get this far, and it’s just a dream, honestly,” Bryson said.

“Now, we’ve never had a closer finale in the history of this show,” Ramsay said. “Michael, a talented Florida fisherman, tonight you’ve mastered those incredible Caribbean flavors.

“Bryson, do you know what, young man?” he asked. “There is one word that would define your time here in the MasterChef kitchen. It’s ‘respect’ — for your cooking and the respect you show everyone in this entire competition.

“Remy, every time you walked in this kitchen, you were a burst of energy packed with sunshine,” Ramsay said. “Well done.”

“You guys are three incredibly talented home cooks, but only one of you can win it all,” he told the finalists. “The winner of MasterChef Junior season nine… congratulations [go] to Bryson!”

The Cheese Curd burst into tears of joy, and the other contestants offered sincere congratulations. Confetti fell upon the studio as the audience cheered and Bryson’s family joined him on stage in an embrace. His mother, Shannon McGlynn (aka Mama Cheesecake) wiped her eyes, while his father, Mike, beamed with pride.

“I feel amazing — this is honestly a dream come true,” Bryson said, raising the trophy and seeing his face on a banner that will now hang in the MasterChef Junior kitchen for seasons to come.

“I’m so excited right now.

“I’m the MasterChef Junior champion!”

CHEESE CURD >> from A3

Bryson is pictured above with the judges, left to right: Gordon Ramsay, Tilly Ramsay, Daphne Oz and Aaron Sanchez. He is pictured below with fellow finalists Michael, left, and Remy, right, as the results are announced.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FOX TV

Bryson is pictured above with other competitors who showed up at a private watch party to cheer him on, including, from left, Rae, winner of MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays, and season nine contestants Lydia, Miles and Kristell.

Bryson McGlynn shows off the MasterChef Junior trophy he worked so hard to win.

L labama Politics ee County & A

Liberal Democrats in Washington fear Katie Britt

OPINION —

Sen. Katie Britt has quickly established herself as one of the most effective, wellrespected members of the United States Senate.

In all my years observing state and national politics, I have never seen someone gain esteem on both sides of the aisle as quickly and as genuinely as Britt during her first 16 months in office. Furthermore, she has done it all while being a steady, strong champion for Christian conservative values and priorities that Alabamians hold dear. In recognition of her staunch conservative voting record, Britt was honored with CPAC’s Award for Conservative Achievement this year.

In my pre-Christmas column this past December, I wrote about Senator Britt’s early mastery of her roles on the Appropriations, Banking and Rules Committees. Through Appropriations, she secured the ninth-most funding out of 100 U.S. Senators, despite the fact she was a freshman member and ranked dead-last in seniority at the beginning of the year. This prowess in bringing Alabamians’ taxpayer money back home and making wise investments in the state’s future is the hallmark of a senior stateswoman, far surpassing Britt’s status as the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the

upper chamber of Congress. Outside of her impressive appropriations acumen, Britt is already running laps around her colleagues when it comes to the art of legislating, too. In recent weeks alone, she has seen a handful of her co-sponsored pieces of legislation be enacted into law in overwhelming bipartisan fashion. This includes complex foreign policy bills that crack down on America’s greatest adversaries: China, Iran and Russia. Britt has emerged as a stalwart advocate for Alabama’s military bases and communities. She helped ensure that training funds were not taken away this month by the Biden Administration from the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker in her native Wiregrass. Her intervention was seen as integral in saving a flight simulation training program from being halted. It is no secret that Britt has quickly cemented herself as one of the foremost pro-border security, anti-illegal immigration hawks in Washington. She helped lead the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law in April, alongside Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Katie has been a champion for rural housing affordability and rural infrastructure. She has also made it a personal mission to increase health care access and improve health care outcomes for rural Alabamians. First, she recently partnered with Sen. Laphonza Butler, a Democrat from California, to introduce the NIH IMPROVE Act. This bipartisan bill would provide consistent support and resources to conduct important research into America’s maternal mortality crisis

and improve health care outcomes for women before, during and after pregnancy. This type of effort is especially needed in Alabama, where over a third of our state’s 67 counties are classified as “maternity care deserts.”

Britt’s introduction of the comprehensive MOMS Act with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida also speaks to her commitment to solving the challenges facing so many women, children and families. Sadly, Alabama has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation. That reality is why Britt has also joined Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, in introducing the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act.

Additionally, Britt has co-sponsored a major bipartisan bill to expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors. That’s not even to mention the two pieces of bipartisan legislation she has cosponsored to help all Alabamians access affordable insulin.

Finally, Britt, partnering with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced the Youth Mental Health Research Act. Britt is a member of the honorary congressional working group for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force, underscoring her national leadership on a critical topic for America’s children and families.

Unfortunately, you will not hear or see most of these bipartisan efforts by Britt covered by the liberal media. The Nancy Pelosi left wing of the Democratic Party lie and distort the bipartisan pro-women

See FLOWERS, page A7

Remodeling underway at Opelika City Hall building

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Construc-

tion has begun on the City Hall remodeling project.

Beginning on June 1, citizens will need to enter City Hall at the Avenue A entrance.

The 7th Street entrance will be closed for several months. There will also be a temporary wall constructed on the first floor that will have an impact on citizens when visiting the Revenue Department.

“We encourage citizens to do as much business as possible online,” said Mayor Fuller. “We had several citizens take advantage of our online options during the pandemic, and we hope that they can do so again during this period of time.”

On July 1, 2024 demolition and constructions will begin on the public restrooms

within City Hall. These restrooms will not be usable for approximately three months. There will be a portable restroom for public use located in a parking space just outside of the Avenue A entrance.

“We apologize for any inconvenience you experience during our remodel,” said Mayor Fuller. “We ask citizens to use caution when visiting City Hall.”

City Hall will return to normal operations as soon as the construction is complete.

Opelika City Council recognizes citizen

Scholarship recipients during the meeting.

OPELIKA — Persistence — the character trait that Parker Hamilton of Ward 5 is known for. Hamilton was recognized by Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch, the Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller during Tuesday night’s meeting as the Opelika Char-

OTHER BUSINESS - The council held four public hearings during the meeting. The first two were on

Auburn Alumni Center’s lower plaza to get upgrade

BY DANIEL SCHMIDT FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn Alumni Center’s lower plaza is now due for a sizable city-funded overhaul after the Auburn City Council on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with Auburn University.

That agreement will see the city reimburse the university $105,000 to remove and replace the brick pavers along the plaza in front of the Auburn Alumni Center, which is located at 317 S. College St. Once completed, the project will eliminate the

difference in elevation between the new sidewalk and the existing plaza after road improvements near South College Street and Samford Avenue raised the sidewalk one foot above the plaza. It will also ensure that section of the property is once again compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Scott Cummings, the city’s development services executive director, told council members the city is reimbursing the university for improvements after university officials offered to oversee the project in exchange for funding. According to

Cummings, the agreement will also save the city tens of thousands of dollars in construction costs.

“They utilized one of their contracts that they have, which is a job order contracting agreement the (Auburn University Facilities Management) has, and were able to secure a price of $105,000,” Cummings said. “That’s a $50,000 savings to us (and) they’re managing the project on their property.” Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold

BY STEVE FLOWERS

Letter to the editor

BY LATICIA T. SMITH OPINION —

As I sit considering the recent run-off election of Alabama’s Congressional District 2, I can’t help but smile. I smile, knowing this democratic run-off was possible only because of the work, efforts and commitment of those on the ground and others involved in the Allen v. Milligan case. Community members and organizations fought hard to ensure that fair and equitable lines could be drawn in the state of Alabama based on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. And although I live in Lee County, Alabama’s Congressional District 3, and serve as the current president of the NAACP Lee County Branch 5038, I feel vindicated. I feel vindicated because when one wins, we all win. Recognizing that the NAACP did not win our redistricting case here in Auburn, someone else in our state did, and this win leaves many of us here in our community feeling hopeful. Why are we hopeful? We are hopeful that the seven members of Auburn’s City Council who voted for the city’s propose map and who were so vehemently opposed to the

the demolitions of structures located at 500 and 502 Martin Luther King Boulevard and 108 Plum Ave. Later in the meeting the council voted to approve the demolition of these structures.

The last two public hearings were on weed abatement assessments for 120 Chester Ave. and 814 Donald Ave. and the council voted to approve the assessments.

- The council approved a request for a downtown street closure from Red Clay Brewing for a food truck event on June 6.

- The council approved expense reports from city departments.

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

- The council approved a resolution amending the Organizational Chart of the Opelika Police Department (OPD.)

- The council approved Change Order No. 1 for the Opelika City Hall VRF Project Phase II. The increase for the project is just under $40,000.

- The council approved an Easement Termination Agreement with HARA LLC.

- The council approved an extension of tax abatements of sales and use taxes for Clear Springs Properties LLC / PFI

work of Katie Britt. They fear our Katie Britt. The left wing ultra liberals only shoot at worthy targets, and they have Alabama’s Katie Britt in their sights. If you want to know another person’s value, just look at who is attacking them.

Britt is an incredibly bright rising Republican superstar, and she is shining a light on the best of Alabama every day.

We are fortunate to have a stalwart senator, who simultaneously fights for Alabama’s Christian conservative values and is an effective mover-andshaker behind the scenes.

alternative map that we proposed will now admit, or at least consider, that they could have worked with us a little better. Perhaps, if they wanted to, we could have, collectively, gotten to an alternative map that was more representative of our new city’s demographics. We are hopeful that members of Auburn’s City Council who supported the city attorney, Rick Davidson, and specifically, his decision to hire Dorman Walker to serve as a consultant for Auburn’s redistricting, a man whose past was associated with the late Thomas Hofeller, a political strategist who was notorious for gerrymandering in the 1970s and 1980s, will more carefully vet outside consultants in the future. We are hopeful that the city will do their due diligence in procuring more qualified outside consultants by conducting their search more efficiently and thoroughly, even if means it will take more time.

More importantly, we are also hopeful that members of Auburn’s City Council can finally see, or at least consider, that Dorman Walker could have gotten it wrong. Given that he consulted with the state of Alabama and got it wrong with them — hence the Supreme Court ruling in Allen v. Milligan — maybe he also helped some members of

LTD until Dec. 25, 2024.

- The council approved a three-year subscription agreement with Citibot Inc. for just under $68,000 to be split annually during the three years.

- The council did not take action on a resolution to demolish a structure located at 401 N. 16th Place. The item remained tabled.

- The council approved a request for a Special Use Permit by AT&T for equipment located at 2404 Frederick Road.

- The council approved a request for a Special Use Permit by AT&T for equipment located at 900-D Reader Ave.

- The council voted to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 98.8 acres of land located between Gateway Drive and Cunningham Drive, from C-2, C-3, and R-4 to a Planned Unit Development (PUD.).

- The council introduced an ordinance to repeal Section 22-5 of the City Code of Ordinances: Ending Funeral Escort Services for its first reading.

OPD recommended that the city discontinue its policy of providing police escorts for funeral processions as of noon on July 1, 2024, should this ordinance be approved.

- The council voted to reappoint Tom Morris to the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority Election Committee.

That is why she was invited to sit at the Senate Republican leadership table. Britt is not only building Alabama’s future, she is our state’s greatest asset today. See you next week. Steve Flowers’ weekly column appears in over 60

Auburn’s City Council get it wrong here, too?

AUBURN’S REDISTRICTING JOURNEY

Reflecting on Auburn’s Special City Council meeting on Jan. 25, 2022, concerning adopting a redistricting map for Auburn, I am reminded of how deeply disappointed the NAACP Lee County Branch 5038 felt that day. We submitted a press release on Feb. 1, 2022, highlighting the various concerns with the meeting. We were concerned that the city disparaged the reputation of the NAACP by being complacent in allowing inferences to go forward about the NAACP’s map being illegal. Secondly, Mayor Ron Anders allowed a citizen to say disparaging and racially motivated remarks about the NAACP for almost four minutes without any attempt to remove him. The City Council also chose to protect the city’s map rather than consider another option that is more reflective of the growing and diverse population in Auburn and lastly, it appeared that the public engagement of the city with the citizens was performative. Did Auburn really want to have maps that ensured each district was reflective and representative of the electorate and the changing demographics of the city, or did they just say that that is

AUBURN >> from A6

questioned why Auburn University was not also paying to improve the plaza since it is located on university property.

“Is there a reason why we’re not asking for a cost sharing with the university for this expense?” Griswold said.

Cummings mentioned the university’s contracting agreement which enabled the savings and said the city and the Alabama Department of Transportation were the only two entities that shared costs initially associated with the road improvement project.

According to the memorandum of understanding between the city and the university, impacts to the plaza were not part of the construction limits.

The university then requested the modification to ensure a smoother entrance into the building.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The council announced three openings on the Planning Commission, which it will fill at its July 16 meeting. Those six-year terms begin on Aug. 1 and end

what they wanted to do?

THE COMPARISON

Similar to Alabama’s initial map, which only provided one seat as an opportunity for Black candidates to win, we in Auburn felt like more consideration should have been given to us to create a second ward and an opportunity for an additional minority candidate, as well. Comparatively speaking, two in seven Alabama voters are Black, and six of seven congressional seats are held by white politicians. And, after the census, Auburn’s total population grew by 42.6%, and Auburn’s minority population had grown to 36.8%. However, the city’s proposed map only showed one majority-minority district without consideration for anything else.

THE ASK

We challenged members of the Auburn City Council to do the math. If Auburn’s minority population had grown to 37%, why not draw a map that could give that same level of ward representation? Specifically, if 37% of eight wards is 2.88, we only asked for at least two (and not three) of eight representative wards to ensure a fairer voice for all voters across all wards.

Unfortunately, the majority of Auburn’s City Council did not

on July 31, 2030.

- The council approved a $1.5 million contract with JLD Enterprises LLC for the North Dean Road and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project. That contract includes the construction of left and right turn lanes at the intersection of East University Drive and North Dean Road, new sidewalks and upgrades to the existing traffic signals.

- The council approved a $242,000 contract with Pound Construction Company, Inc. for the Boykin Community Center HVAC Replacement Project. That contract will install eight rooftop HVAC units to serve the Joyland Daycare classrooms at the Boykin Community Center.

- The council approved a nearly $170,600 contract with Davis Architects, Inc. for the Lake Wilmore Park Community Center and Athletic Fields Project. That contract includes additional design, bid and construction services.

- The council approved a roughly $49,700 contract with Gulf Coast Underground LLC for the Farmville Road Culvert

agree with our stance for a fairer voice. Nor did they see the relevance of our argument. That is why the NAACP Lee County branch was disappointed.

HOPE

However, despite our disappointments, here we are today – nearly two years later – filled with hope. We are filled with hope because of the Supreme Court Ruling in Allen v. Milligan. After a long and arduous fight regarding Auburn’s Redistricting Plan, we are hopeful that this ruling was a step in the right direction and, hopefully, a signal of dismantling inequities and unfairness in the redistricting process here and everywhere.

So, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us on two different occasions, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” and “Know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.”

As for the NAACP Lee County Branch 5038, “We can finally see the stars.”

Laticia T. Smith resides in Auburn. She formerly served as a Redistricting Committee member for the NAACP Lee County Branch 5038 and is the current branch president.

Rehabilitation Project. That contract includes the rehabilitation of 56 feet of 30-inch corrugated metal pipe culvert and cured-in-place-pipe technologies.

- The council approved a $35,000 contract with UES Professional Solutions 18 LLC for the Lake Wilmore Park Athletic Fields Project. That contract covers construction material testing and special inspections services.

- The council accepted a temporary construction easement from Asbury Plaza LLC as part of the North Dean Road and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project.

- The council accepted a warranty deed and authorized $30,000 in compensation to Asbury Plaza LLC as part of the North Dean Road and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project.

- The council accepted a permanent sidewalk, lighting and retaining wall easement and a temporary construction easement and approved $6,500 in compensation to Circle K Stores, Inc. as part of the North Dean

Road and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project.

- The council accepted various easements and right‐of‐ways near the end of Riverwood Drive in the Riverwood subdivision.

- The council approved the annexation of 1.43 acres located at 375 Lee Road 51.

- The council denied the annexation of 5.1 acres located at Lee Road 93. The council denied that annexation because the property is located outside of the city’s optimal boundary line.

- The council approved the annexation of 1.18 acres located at 2428 Pinewood Place.

- The council approved Caliber Collision’s road service use application for an auto repair and paint and body shop located west of 1646 S. College St.

- The council tabled a vote on University Wine and Spirits’ commercial and entertainment use permit application for a package store located at 316 N. Donahue Drive. The council tabled that vote until its June 4 meeting due to public safety concerns.

OPELIKA >> from A6

Construction of a MultiUse Trail Along the Banks of Pepperell Branch

ADECA RTP Project 22-RT-54-03

Form of Advertisement for Completion Legal Notice for Bid# 23031

In accordance with Chapter I, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Robinson Paving Company Inc, Contractor, has completed the Contract for The Construction of a Multi-Use Trail Along the Banks of Pepperell Branch, for the City of Opelika/ ADECA, owner, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract.

All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Jeffrey Robinson, 5425 Schatulga Rd Columbus, GA 31907, in writing.

Legal Run 05/02/24, 05/09/24, 05/16/24, 05/23/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE MINOR NAME CHANGE PETITION FILED BY MONQUETTA BERNICE BARNETT CASE NO. 2024-203 NOTICE OF HEARING TO: CALIXTO FORTUNATO IBARGUEN III

Notice is hereby given that Petition for a Minor Name Change has been filed in the Lee County, Alabama Probate Office, by Monquetta Bernicia Barnett on April 4, 2024, to change the name of C.A.I, born on March 29, 2007, in Montgomery County, Montgomery, Alabama to Calixto Furtunato Ibarguen, II and Monquetta Bernicia Barnett. A hearing has been set for the 24th day of June, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. central time, electronically via "ZOOM", Should you intend to object to this 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 Deputy Chief Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama at 334-737-3670, 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.

Hon. Bill English Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 05/02/24 05/09/24, 05/16/24 & 05/23/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2020-187 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JESSIE MURIAL WILLIAMS, Deceased NOTICE OF HEARING TO: ANY AND ALL HEIRS OR INTERESTED PARTIES OF JESSIE MURIEL WILLIAMS ESTATE

You are hereby notified that on the 29th day of April 2024, Asaila Nakema Thomas by and through her attorney Cody W. Foote filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama a Motion for Approval of Sales Contract in the Estate of JESSIE MURIEL WILLIAMS, deceased. It is therefore, ordered that a hearing be set for the 10th day of June 2024, at 10:00 o’clock, a.m. electronically via “ZOOM” 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 334-7373670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part.

BILL ENGLISH Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 05/09/24, 05/16/2024 & 05/23/2024

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA Case Number.: 2024-202

IN RE: The Estate of MILTON F. STOKEY, JR. A/K/A MILTON FRANCIS STOKEY, JR., Deceased) TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to PATRICIA WARREN STOKEY as Executor of the Estate of MILTON F. STOKEY,

PUBLIC NOTICES

JR., deceased, on the 5th day of April, 2024, by the Honorable BILL ENGLISH. 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 Bradley R. Coppedge, Attorney for the Estate of Milton F. Stokey, Jr. Legal Run 05/09/24, 05/16/24 & 05/23/2024.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2023-001 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARY JANE THOMASON, An incapacitated person NOTICE OF FILING OF PARTIAL SETTLEMENT

You will take notice that Neil Thomason, as Conservator of the Estate of Mary Jane Thomason, filed his account and vouchers for a Partial Settlement of the Estate on the 19th day of April, 2024, and that the 3rd day of June, 2024, at 2:00 o’clock p.m. has been appointed to hear said partial settlement. Done this 7th day of May, 2024.

BILL ENGLISH Judge of Probate Legal Run 05/09/24, 05/16/24 & 05/23/24

NOTICE TO CREDITORS CASE NO. 2024-259 ESTATE OF JAMES EMORY MORTON SR., DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of JAMES EMORY MORTON, SR., are hereby granted to James E. Morton, Jr. on the 30th day of April, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

James E. Morton, Jr. Legal Run 05/09/24,

05/16/24 & 05/23/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of JANICE H. STEPHENS (A/K/A JANICE A. STEPHENS, Deceased Case Number: 2024-251 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to CHARLEY L. STEPHENS II as Executor of the Estate of JANICE H. STEPHENS, deceased, on the 3rd of May, 2024, by the Honorable BILL ENGLISH. 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.

Bradley R. Coppedge, Attorney for the Estate of Janice H. Stephens Legal Run 05/16/24, 5/23/24 & 5/30/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JEAN MEACHAM PETERSON, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2024-276 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to Victor M. Peterson on the day of 7th May, 2024, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

J. TUTT BARRETT

DEAN & BARRETT

P.O. Box 231 Opelika, AL 36803-0231 tutt@deanandbarrett.com Legal Run 05/16/24, 05/23/24 & 05/30/24

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

ESTATE OF JEFFREY TODD MAPLES, SR., DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE, LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration

of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of May 2024, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Witness my hand and seal this the 15th day of May, 2024.

CRAWFORD S. MELTON Legal Run 05/23/24, 05/30/24 & 06/06/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.:2024-263 IN RE: The Estate of JOANNA M. HALL, An incapacitated person. NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR FOR AN INCAPACITATED ADULT TO: JORDAN HALL and any and all heirs of JOANNA M. HALL, an incapacitated adult, the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, a petition for the appointment of a guardian and conservator on behalf of JOANNA M. HALL. It is therefor, ordered that the 18th day of JUNE, 2024, at 2:00 o’clock, p.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 16th day of May 2024.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 05/23/24, 05/30/24 & 06/06/24

ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE

In accordance with Chapter I, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Whatley Construction LLC, Contractor, has

completed the contract for New Lab Building for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries 991 Wire Road ,Auburn--’, AL 36832 for the State of Alabama and Montgomery County, Montgomery, AL 36832.

Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract.

All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated, (architect/engineer) at 624 South McDonough Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Whatley Construction, LLC, contractor PO Box 137 Opelika, AL 36803

NOTE: This notice must be run once a week for four successive weeks for projects exceeding $50,000.00. For projects of $50,000.00 or less, run one time only. A copy of the publisher’s affidavit of publication (including a copy of the advertisement) shall be submitted by the Contractor to the Design Professional for inclusion with DCM Form B-13: Final Payment Checklist for state agencies, PSCA-funded and other bond-funded projects. Legal Run 05/23/24, 05/30/24, 06/06/24 & 06/13/24

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution Case No.: 2024-290 In the Estate of GREGORY MARKLEY, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Angeline H. Markley on May 21, 2024 pursuant to Section 432-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 05/23/2024

ALDOT reminds drivers about Alabama’s hands-free law

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

ALABAMA — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) anticipates a higher than usual number of vehicles on Alabama’s roadways this weekend as Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start to the summer travel season. Drivers are advised to prepare for increased traffic and to plan for extra travel time to reach their destination this holiday weekend.

ALDOT is issuing a reminder that Alabama now has a hands-

free law. This new law allows drivers over 18 to make or receive phone calls using “hands-free” technology such as Bluetooth or integrated systems within the vehicle, as long as you don’t hold or support the device or manually enter letters, numbers or symbols. Drivers are allowed to answer a call with a single button or swipe of a finger. If you must hold your device, you should pull over to a safe location and park your car before handling. For the safety of the traveling public, construction industry

workers and maintenance crews, ALDOT will have no temporary lane closures on interstates after

noon on Friday, May 24 through midnight on Monday, May 27.

ALDOT Holiday Travel Tips: Avoid Distractions. Drivers should keep their eyes and minds on the road and avoid cell phone use while driving.

Observe Speed Limits. Speeding is the number one contributor to fatal crashes in Alabama. It reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.

Buckle Up. Seat belts save lives and reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. Ensure that everyone in the vehicle

is wearing a seat belt properly. Plan Travel Route with ALGO Traffic

ALDOT encourages all drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and stay alert on the roads if traveling for Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer travel season. Motorists planning their holiday travel route can find Alabama traffic and road condition information, including traffic camera feeds at ALGOtraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app.

LCSO holds instructor training for RAD self-defense

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted two sessions of R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) instructor training programs — the R.A.D. Systems Basic Physical Defense Instructor Certification Program and the Replication Adverse Dynamics Instructor Certification Program.

The newly certified instructors can now take the skills that they learned and help the women of their communities to become more empowered to defend themselves.

The R.A.D. System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The comprehensive course begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is NOT a Martial Arts program.

According to its website, the mission of the R.A.D. Systems is to establish an accessible, constantly improving and internationally respected alliance of dedicated instructors. These instructors in turn, will

provide educational opportunities for women, children, men and seniors to create a safer future for themselves. In doing this, we challenge society to evolve into an existence where violence is not an acceptable part of daily life.

The national standard in self defense Instructor Certification, R.A.D. is internationally recognized for programming quality and organizational commitment to excellence. R.A.D. Systems balances the needs of women to acquire self defense education in a relatively short period of time, with the life long commitment required for physical skill mastery. The program works by providing short term training opportunities in a progressive building block format and combining each with R.A.D.’s trademark Lifetime Return and Practice Policy.

R.A.D. Instructors share life saving information with confidence, knowing that their lessons will be continuously reinforced for a lifetime.

For more information about the R.A.D. System, visit www.rad-systems.com.

To sign up for the next local R.A.D. class, visit leecountysheriff.org/rad.

Opelika man arrested on charges of child pornography

CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO

LEE COUNTY — On May 16, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received

information about possible voyeurism and child pornography.

Investigators obtained enough evidence to generate a search warrant for a residence located in the 700 block of Rosalind Street in Opelika. The search warrant was executed at approximately 4 p.m.

Robert Cameron Hansbargar, 37, of Opelika was taken into custody. Multiple electronic devices were recovered from the residence, including a cell phone. Investigators located multiple images from Hansbargar’s phone depicting juvenile females that appeared to be under the age of 18.

Hansbargar was arrested and charged with 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. He is being held in the Lee County Jail on a $100,000.00 bond.

Additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (334) 749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at (334) 215-STOP (7867).

Two Auburn men arrested for promoting gambling

CONTRIBUTED BY APD

AUBURN — Earlier this month Auburn Police initiated an investigation involving an illegal gambling operation located at a business in the 2400 block of East Glenn Avenue.

On May 8, Auburn Police detectives executed a search warrant at the business. During the search, multiple gambling machines were recovered. Currency was seized from the gambling machines, and detectives recovered evidence showing that the machines were used to yield illegal profits.

Robert Levett, 62, of Auburn, was the sole employee operating the business at the time of the search warrant, and he was arrested for conspiracy to promote gambling.

Rifat Hassan, 30, of Auburn was identified as the business owner and beneficiary of the illegal proceeds generated from the gambling operation.

Arrest warrants were obtained, and on May 14, Auburn Police arrested Hassan for conspiracy to promote gambling and possession of a gambling device. He was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $600 bond.

LCSO recently hosted instructor training for the RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) System.

ROBERT CAMERON HANSBARGER

ROBERT LEVETT

RIFAT HASSAN

Altar

call

BY WALTER ALBRITTON

OPINION —

Rejection is painful. Wrapped in cruelty, it can wound and even destroy relationships. Affirmation, on the other hand, strengthens relationships. In a world so broken by violence and rejection, affirmation wrapped in love becomes a welcome pathway to a joyful life.

In her book, Balcony People, Joyce Landorf Heatherley introduced me to the idea of seeing people as either affirmers

Thursday, May 23, 2024

We all need balcony people

or evaluators. The concept was life-changing for me, as it was for Heatherley. It was a theory about people that she learned from Keith Miller’s writing. Heatherley joined Miller in calling for Christians to learn to affirm one another.

The conception becomes clearer when we recognize that we all have the choice to live either as “balcony people” or “basement people.”

Heatherley calls basement people “irregular” people, those who are difficult to get along with or insensitive to the needs of others. Basement people are friends or family who constantly point out our flaws and pull us down with comments like “You can’t do it.” Balcony people cheer us on by saying “You can do it!” and “You’ve got what it takes!”

The writer of the Book of Hebrews must have

Studying His word

BY BRUCE GREEN

had this in mind when he advised us to run with patience the race before us “since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands.” It inspires me to believe that in my balcony there is “a great cloud of witnesses” leaning over the banisters of heaven pulling for me. That is a remarkable blessing — to know that all my life there have been, in my balcony, people living here and alive in heaven, who have been cheering me on to do the will of my heavenly Father.

Celestra Rowell, who introduced me to Heatherley’s book, Balcony People, one of the most significant gifts I have ever received, and I received it because Grady and Celestra were in my balcony. Following their example, I have given away dozens of copies of the book as a way of

saying, “I am in your balcony!”

If I forget this concept, the negative comment of only one basement person can ruin my day. But the greater truth is that it takes the cheers of only one balcony person to deliver me from discouragement. Loving affirmation is truly heart medicine.

Imagine how different our society — so grievously threatened by violence and hatred — could be changed if most of us chose to live in the balcony of other people. Every day, what makes the headlines is someone disparaging another person. Some people are so deep in the basement that their denunciations are filled with hatred and ridicule. How great the need is to restore civility to public discourse in our nation. Would to God there were more men and women willing to

live in the balcony and offer those with differing opinions common courtesy and respect.

A helpful exercise is to take paper and pen and list the names of persons who are in your balcony. Hopefully the list will be long enough to cheer you up.

Then make another list with the names of people to whom you are a balcony person. Keep both lists handy.

As you move through the day, look for ways to be in the balcony for the people around you. One of them may be struggling because of a disturbing comment from a basement person. You could be the one person whose kind affirmation could cheer up that person and assist their recovery from a harsh rebuff.

Then, for the rest of your life, decide to be a balcony person for your friends and family, as

Fallen walls and broken gates, part one

There are lots of lessons to learn from the battle of Jericho in Joshua 6. Here are some of them:

1. The walls fell to servants, not lords. From beginning to end, God specified how He wanted everything to happen. Israel’s role was to carry out God’s commands. They weren’t in charge, He was. That is always the formula for victory.

2. The walls fell by

CHURCH DIRECTORY

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

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

BAPTIST

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

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

128 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Road Valley 334-710-2117

faith, not by force. Israel didn’t have the equipment necessary to break through the thick walls of a fortified city like Jericho. However, they had a large enough army to conduct a siege and starve their way into the city. But that would have taken a long time and God wanted them to understand He was giving them the victory (6:2). No, they weren’t going to take it by force, they would take it by faith — by trusting God and following His commands.

Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184

Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108

Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608

Shady Grove Baptist Church 2194 Lee Road 177, Opelika 334-476-1531

Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

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

Walls today — walls of sin, weakness, fear, and everything else — still fall through faith. And they fall just like they did at Jericho, one day at a time, one step at a time. That’s all we need to do as followers of Jesus. Each day we keep putting one foot in front of the other for God. He’ll take care of the rest.

3. Walls fall to those who honor God. Israel honored God by obeying Him. We honor Him the same way. We’re not going to

The Opelika Church 2660 Cunninghan Drive 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 Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 510 Groce St. Opelika, AL 36830

GLOBAL METHODIST

Christ Methodist Church of Auburn 434 E. Magnolia, Auburn Worship at Lee-Scott Academy 334-209-0074

EPISCOPAL- AME

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

EPISCOPAL

be perfect, but we can be persistent. We’re going to stumble and fall at times, but by His grace, we can get right back on our feet and keep moving forward. That honors Him. That’s the story of the walls falling in Joshua 6. It’s one of the most wellknown, best-loved stories in the Bible. Little children have marching around the city of Jericho in Bible classes and at VBS for as long as… well, as long as they could walk.

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

METHODIST

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

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

NON-DENOMINATIONAL 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

well as for strangers. Resist the temptation to be everybody’s evaluator or judge. Cultivate an affirming spirit toward others. Refrain from the need to “correct” everything others say around you. Life is too short to waste any of it being hypercritical when you can offer others uplifting encouragement. People need affirmers. You need affirmers. Choose to be one. If you are wondering if this balcony/basement theory is biblical, remember it was our Lord Jesus who said, “Your care for others is the measure of your greatness” (Luke 9:48, TLB). When Jesus means everything to you, you will want to live and act like Jesus did.

Servants of Jesus, find a seat in the balcony of others!

But what if this is only part of the story? What if there’s something underneath the story that we don’t see because like everyone else we get caught up in the trumpets blowing, the people shouting and the walls falling? Next week we’ll look at the story within the story.

Find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-withbruce-green.com.

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

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

Golden State Foods Foundation ramps up food bank support

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — As summer break approaches and food-insecure families prepare to go without free school meals for their children, the Golden State Foods Foundation (GSFF) ramps up food bank support during the month of May.

Now entering its fifth year of hunger relief ahead of high-demand summer months, the foundation’s Focus on Food program aims to infuse grant funding into eligible 501(c)(3) food banks through an expedited process with matching national GSFF donations.

Since its 2020 launch, Focus on Food has funded more than three million meals to help children and families struggling with food insecurity throughout the United States.

cious gift we can provide to people in need,” said Gregg

Tarlton, GSF Foundation board member and chair of the Programs and Resources Committee. “To increase our impact on hunger relief this year, the GSF Foundation set a goal of donating the equivalent of one million meals through Focus on Food grants that support local food banks in the communities where our GSF associates live, work, and volunteer.”

Kicking off this year’s Focus on Food impact, the Golden State Foods Management Partners collectively contributed more than $100,000 in personal contributions to fund 360,000 meals in early 2024. Distributed evenly among five Feeding America affiliates, the funding

maintain strong momentum in giving back, the Foundation has activated a special initiative for Focus on Food month this year.

GET CURIOUS, GET INVOLVED

With the “Get Curious, Get Involved” initiative, GSFF Committees have the opportunity to earn a $1,000 donation to their local food bank, in addition to the $5,000 Focus on Food grant match that the Foundation has made available since 2020 when the program launched. Local committees can “Get Curious” by bringing three or more associates to tour their local food bank and “Get Involved” by engaging three or more volunteers to give their time sorting,

O’Grows summer market is in full-swing

BY KADIE VICK FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — O’Grows summer market started Tuesday, May 21, and will continue every Tuesday from 3 to 6 pm at Courthouse Square in downtown Opelika. Summer Market Manager, Garrett Martinez, believes moving the market to a more visible location will help increase community involvement and accessibility.

“One of the big reasons that we moved it is just to increase foot traffic,” he said. “We want to be where our garden is serving, and also want it to be here and be visible.”

There will be a variety of locally grown and baked goods stationed at tents guests can explore at their leisure. Martinez said some of the products could include, fresh eggs, poultry vendors and a lot of produce like tomatoes, okra and other vegetables.

“We're also going to have a rotating list of big vendors,” he said. In his new role Martinez

said he hopes to see market days flourish and become a cherished community event, but also increase community support for local farmers and small businesses.

“A big thing with food and finding healthy food is it needs to be convenient for people,” Martinez said. “So, we are continuing to serve the community and we have stepped into that doing that here, but also we are just opening up more space for our vendors.”

O’Grows summer markets are also structured to support the flexible and busy lives of the vendors. So, while customers will have many vendors that they will see every week and can develop close bonds with but will also get to explore new and rotation booths that they may not have visited before.

“We'll have a mix of vendors, a lot of vendors that are able to come for a little while and we also have some booths with the same product and maybe different places selling those products,” Martinez said.

Ultimately Martinez said he wants to use the summer markets as a way to celebrate the hard work vendors and farmers do throughout the year and remind everyone of the production and fruitfulness of summer.

“Summer is celebratory in a way, it's the time of year where the world literally naturally gifts in abundance,” he said. “There's fruit hanging all the trees, there's leaves everywhere, there's flowers. For kids, they don’t have to be in school. Even when you're working there's a little bit more of flexibility. You know, it's summertime.”

This fruitfulness is cause for celebration which he wants to be the feeling those visiting and shopping at the O’Grows summer market experience.

“I'm really hoping that we have a lot of people who kind of become regulars at the market, and it just becomes this paced thing of like alright, like I'm not spending 20 minutes in and out grocery shopping, spending an hour in a market,” Martinez said.

BETTY JOYCE TILLERY

Betty Joyce Tillery, 90, long time resident of Auburn and recent resident of Arbor Springs Health and Rehab in Opelika, passed away on May 13, 2024, at East Alabama Medical Center.

She was born on Aug. 25, 1933, in LaGrange to the late William Henry Tillery and Thelma Sanders Tillery. Betty dedicated her life to the art of nursing and nursing education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Emory University and a Master’s of Nursing at Kentucky Baptist in Louisville. She also earned a Master’s in Social Work at the Carver School of Missions and Social Work in Louisville.

Betty taught at Kentucky Baptist, the University of Kentucky Medical School and Berea College in Kentucky. She served as a nursing consultant for public health and mental health for Medicare and Medicaid. She taught nursing at the Auburn University School of Nursing.

After serving as a clinical nurse specialist at the Veteran’s Administration in Tuskegee, Ms. Tillery retired from the field in which she loved and

dedicated her career.

Betty was a supportive and encouraging presence in the lives of her nephews and nieces. She was a wonderful conversationalist and a life-long learner. She challenged herself to remain current in the topics of business, politics and technology and had a love of nature. She came to know Christ at a young age and was a Baptist by faith.

She is survived by her sister, Doyce Tillery Amos of WinstonSalem, North Carolina, and 13 nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Dr. Don Tillery, William (Buddy) Tillery, Ajalon (Happy) Tillery and her sister, Shirley Tillery Reese.

She will be remembered in a private memorial service.

Vance Brooks Funeral Home of Phenix City assisted the family with arrangements.

GLORIA BARBER DETMER

Gloria Barber Detmer, 69, of Opelika was born on June 23, 1954, in Prattville and passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024.

She loved her family and enjoyed getting to spend time with them. She loved the comedians in her family that knew just how to make her laugh. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and sister-in-law.

She worked for the State of Alabama as a fraud investigator for 25 years. She will be

OBITUARIES

deeply missed.

Mrs. Detmer was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis H. Barber and Blanche Rhodes Barber, and a son, Wesley Shane Meeks.

Mrs. Detmer is survived by her husband, Fernando Detmer; two sons, Marty Meeks (Kathy) and Aubrey Meeks (Sandy); twin sister, Gladys Arunachalam (Ravi), and sisters, Carol Dickerson and Toni Herd (William); brother, Curtis Allen Barber (Loretta); five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held May 21, with Brother Dennis Meeks officiating and Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisting with the arrangements.

DR. ROBERT GLENN BROWN

Dr. Robert Glenn Brown, 83, of Opelika passed away peacefully at home on May 16, 2024, attended by his loving family.

Robert was born on Dec. 29, 1940, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Charlie Glenn Brown and Margaret Pridgen Brown. He grew up spending summers with his surviving cousins Margaret and Rebecca. Known as “Butch” in high school, he was a wrestler and football center. He loved exploring the Chesapeake Bay around Norfolk with his best friend Burt. He studied philosophy at the University of Virginia and medicine at Duke University.

He married Cletis

Betty Akers, and they had a son, Glenn, while he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Lexington. His daughter, Rebecca (Becky), was born while he was a medical resident at the University of Florida. He studied microvascular surgery at the University of Rochester (New York). He was an associate professor at Emory University in Atlanta, where he pioneered novel reconstructive surgery techniques and developed a life-long passion for reconstructive surgery helping children with cleft lips and cleft palates.

In 1979, Bob and his family settled in Opelika, where he was a surgeon for the rest of his career. For a time, he served as the chief of staff at East Alabama Medical Center during its expansion, and he was board examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

His passion was children’s reconstructive surgery, and he volunteered monthly at Montgomery’s children’s hospital throughout his time in Opelika. He could hardly go anywhere without being thanked by someone he helped.

Years after losing his first wife to a 12-year fight with cancer, Bob married Cecelia Carol McGuffey, who had lost her husband after a similar struggle. They enjoyed almost a decade together before Bob’s passing.

Bob is survived by Cecelia and her

children, by his adult children, Becky and Glenn, and by his grandchildren, Alex, Gavin, Mason and Meris.

A memorial service was held May 20 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Opelika, which Bob loved and attended since 1979.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to two of Bob’s beloved causes, Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the Salvation Army, or to a charity dear to you.

ANN DIFFLEY NEIGHBORS

Ann Diffley Neighbors, 82, of Nixburg, Alabama, passed away on May 15, 2024.

Born on Oct. 12, 1941, Ann graduated from Goodwater High School in 1960 and attended Auburn University, majoring in home economics. On June 4, 1961, Ann married Bobby G. Neighbors and over the next 63 years, they had two children and relocated to several cities in Alabama where Bobby served as a teacher, coach, principal or superintendent in Rockford, Kellyton, Goodwater, Woodland, Guntersville, Tallassee, Jasper and Jefferson County (Birmingham).

In 2003, Bobby retired from public education and the couple settled into his home place in Nixburg.

Ann had no problem finding employment in every city the family lived in. A versatile and hardworking employee, she excelled in every

position and was a tremendous asset to her employers. Two positions she was most proud of in her career were serving as a writer and editor of federal projects at Sizemore & Sizemore Forestry Services in Tallassee, where she and Dr. Sizemore also taught grant writing workshops at Duke University during the summers, and serving as the financial manager of The Sportsman Center in Jasper. Ann was an accomplished lay speaker and was responsible for planting and growing Sunday school classes everywhere the family lived. She never missed an opportunity to witness to others through her Christian service, and she loved nurturing and encouraging others. Filled with the Fruits of the Spirit, Ann had a great love for all people, especially her family, and a great need to serve them. She spent her life encouraging others and making them feel good about themselves.

Ann enjoyed entertaining friends and family and was a master at it. Whether it was a reunion, a reception, a party or any other occasion, Ann was always up for planning, hosting and/or helping. She was very artistically talented with a gift of decorating and designing and loved helping others beautify their spaces and their lives.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, Lemerle Wright Diffley and

See OBITS, page A13

Oscar Harmon Diffley; and two brothers, Wayne and Roland.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bobby; daughter, Jennifer Ann Neighbors of Auburn; son, Mark Diffley Neighbors and daughter-in-law, Terri, of Opelika; two grandchildren who affectionately called her Gigi, Chelsea (Will) Neighbors Cloud of Helena and Sgt. John Carter Neighbors of Fort Drum, New York; and two greatgrandchildren, Walker Holt and Reece Ellynn Cloud of Helena.

A Celebration of Life service was held May 17 at Cornerstone First Global Methodist Church in Alexander City.

For those who would like to honor Ann’s lifelong desire to help others, the family suggests making a contribution to a charity of your choice.

Radney Funeral Home of Alexander City handled arrangements.

LARRY H. MARTIN

Larry Hughie Martin, aka “Sharpshooter,” 81, of Auburn departed from this earthly world on May 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born July 22, 1942, in Opelika to the late Hughie Martin and Colie Hemmings Martin Vincent. He was a loving husband, father, “poppa,” brother and friend.

Larry appreciated a good practical joke and was an avid outdoorsman and marksman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and feeding the multitude of hummingbirds that returned to his home each year.

In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Clara; his brothers Robert, Donald and Eddie; and his son, Larry Wade Martin.

He is survived by daughters Kathy Martin of Opelika, Audra (Don) Laking of Wetumpka and Jami (Sam) Howell of Opelika; grandchildren, Ciera Sanasith, Brooke Chunn, Briahna Preston, Kristan (Jeremy) Domingus,

Tommy Howell and Lainee Howell; greatgrandchildren, Cole Catrett, Hadleigh Chunn, Caroline Chunn, Olivia Domingus, Chloe Catrett and Hendley Howell; sister, Mary (Earl) Jackson of Auburn; devoted companion Brenda Freeman; and several nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Bethany House for their care and compassion during Larry’s final days. Their unconditional support was a beacon of light during a time of sadness.

Visitation was held May 21 at JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home. Out of respect for Larry’s wishes, no public memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Larry’s memory be directed to Hospice Angels Foundation, c/o Bethany House, 1171 Gatewood Dr., Bldg. 100, Auburn, AL 36830-1829.

WILL DAVID MCCONNELL

William “Will” David McConnell passed away on May 3, 2024, after a 15-year battle with bipolar disorder. He was born on Nov. 21, 1978, in Griffin, Georgia, to Debra Pruitt and David McConnell. He graduated from Opelika High School in 1996 and attended Southern Union State Community College while working for Southern Electronics. A prolific tinkerer, Will loved to deconstruct various mechanical items then improve upon the original design. He actively advocated exercise, especially for children. He built custom bikes for his niece and nephew and built/repaired bikes for Exodus Ranch, a home for local children in need. Later in life, he worked for several bike shops and could assemble bikes at record speed. Bicycle and motorcycle racing were his primary passions. Among his countless races and victories, Will was a two-time Bike Coweta Rockstar Challenge champion, two-time Go Nuts Spring Series overall winner, Battle for Paynes Creek overall team winner and Bo

Bikes Bama participant. Bipolar disorder can feel like an unsolvable puzzle. Those suffering from the illness often do not recognize problematic symptoms. Their brains are unable to process when their thoughts and moods do not reflect reality. Even if they acknowledge the illness and seek treatment, it can take months to access the help that they need. Resources are scarce and overloaded. While the stigma around the disease has improved, it still exists.

Faced with the hopelessness of depression and feeling like a burden to those he loved, Will believed that he had no choice but to take his own life. We cannot change Will’s fate, but we can do our part to ensure that others do not follow the same path. Will’s death serves as a painful reminder to never miss an opportunity to tell someone that you love them. God has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Will is survived by his mother, Debra Pruitt; father, David McConnell; grandmother, Elna Brown; siblings, Jennifer (Ken) Golden, Ashley (Ferrill) Crisler, Conner (Cassie) Pruitt, and Harrison (Rebecca) McConnell; nephews, James Golden and Oliver McConnell; and niece, Charlotte Golden. Will was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Brown and Gene and Helen McConnell.

To honor Will’s memory, there will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 13, at 2 p.m. in the former Southern Electronics location, 12 North 8th Street, Opelika. The family asks attendees to wear bright colors. a Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to UAB’s Early Intervention in Mental Health program by visiting https://go.uab. edu/willmcconnell. For more information on this revolutionary program, go to www. uab.edu/medicine/

psychiatry/images/ early-interventionin-mental-health.pdf. Nearly everyone has a mental illness story. Join us as we work to solve the puzzle.

ORLANDO RAY WELCH

Orlando Ray Welch was born in Montgomery on Jan. 19, 1973. He died in Salem on May 11, 2024. He was 51 years old. He is survived by his mother, Nola “Susie” Coshatt, and his father, “Whitey,” as well as his sisters, “Mary K” (Brian) Folds and Kristy (Charles) Carter. He is also survived by his girlfriend, Lisa Kirk, his grandmother and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Orlando was deeply rooted in his community and family. His work in the construction industry in Opelika demonstrated a commitment to his craft and dedication to building and improving his community. He was loved and will be missed by many, including his immediate family, friends and extended relatives.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

BYRON LYNN BLAGBURN

Byron Lynn Blagburn, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on May 8 in Auburn.

Byron was born on March 22, 1947, in Cottonwood, Missouri, to the late Mildred Louise (Blurton) Blagburn and Dalton Edward Blagburn. He grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Byron was not only a dedicated scientist but also a man of many passions. He was fascinated by guitars, a passion that started at an early age and led him to perform in multiple bands. He also had a keen interest in music, which he pursued by training at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His academic journey led him to receive B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology from Andrews University and a Ph.D. in parasitology from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Blagburn arrived at Auburn University in March 1982 and held a continuous faculty appointment

for over 40 years. In 1999, he became just the 10th Distinguished University Professor in AU’s history. He instructed first-, third- and fourth-year veterinary students, directed graduate research and served as the director of the clinical parasitology diagnostic laboratory. He is recognized internationally for his work and research in veterinary parasitology and most recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

He was not just a scientist and an educator but also a mentor and a friend to many. Byron was sincerely grateful to his students and colleagues for their support and friendship throughout his academic and professional journey. His relationships with them were not just professional but deeply personal, and he cherished these connections.

He was preceded in death by his parents and fur buddies Piper, Hoss, Darby, Scotch, Alice and Georgia.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Blagburn, son Matthew Blagburn, daughter-inlaw Katherine Blagburn, granddaughter Amelia “Millie” Blagburn, brother Charles (Barbara) Blagburn, sister Linda (Jim) Clegg, nephews Steven (Nicole) Blagburn and Ryan (Ashlee) Clegg, great-nephews Ryan Clegg Jr., Dalton Blagburn, Mason Blagburn and Cannon Blagburn and greatniece Laney Blagburn.

The Blagburn family will provide service information at a later date. JeffcoatTrant Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the EAGLES program at Auburn University, which provides a postsecondary education opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities, or West Auburn Baptist Church, where Kathy has been a member for more than 20 years.

MARY FERGUSON

Mary Ferguson, 77, of Auburn passed away

peacefully on May 7, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and compassion.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmy Ferguson, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. She is survived by her loving children, Jim Ferguson and his wife Lee of Plano, Texas, and Mary Huddleston and her husband Patrick of Auburn.

Mary was born in Mason, Ohio, and later moved to Falkville, Alabama, where she raised her family for over 30 years. Those years in North Alabama were among her happiest, filled with the joy of family gatherings and the simple pleasures of life. She loved her husband and two children deeply and was proud to add their spouses to her family. Regular talks with her sister (Donna Johnson) and brother (Joe Martin) were a treasured pastime that helped transcend the miles between them.

Mary had a successful career as a medical insurance coder before her retirement. She spent the latter part of her retirement in Auburn, where she lived for nearly 15 years, becoming a parishioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. She cherished the fellowship of her church community and the friendships she made there.

Mary had a kind heart and a big sense of humor. She loved meeting new people and had a gift for making people feel loved and appreciated. Her ability to bring laughter into any situation was a testament to her joyous spirit. Her passing leaves a void, but her family rejoices in knowing she is united with her loving husband.

A mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on July 16, followed by a celebration of life. Details of the service will be provided at a later date.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

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On the Mark

Opelika sports roundup

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OPINION —

FOOTBALL

OHS

Opelika football head coach Bryan Moore completed his first spring with a 10-0 win over Clay-Chalkville in a two-quarter scrimmage at Bulldog Stadium, last Thursday, May 16. Moore joined “On the Mark” radio show on FOX Sports the Game and the iHeartRadio app on Monday morning to discuss the scrimmage, spring, summer and fall schedule.

He said he was happy with many aspects of the team but also talked about areas where improvements are needed.

“I am glad to have the spring game behind us, we have a bunch to do and moving my family to Opelika is at the top of the list,” Moore said. “The team was excited to play someone other than themselves. As for the game, we have a bunch [of things] to correct, but the effort, energy, excitement and the crowd was awesome – the most I have seen at a spring game. I felt like it was a reward for working hard the last several months.

That is the Opelika I know; the fun part of games, making plays. We stopped them on 4th

down, kicked a long field goal. We played two young QB’s and many other players. Our players represented Opelika athletics the right way.”

He continued to talk about the importance of the crowd and team improvements.

“The big crowd will help us financially this summer, so we do not have to find money to operate,” he said. “We charged $5 per person, which goes a long way.

“I am thrilled our kids have gained an average of 20 to 30 pounds per player. They are eating right. We have almost 130 players on the varsity, 60 ninth-graders, 110 Opelika Middle School players giving us more than 300 student-athletes in the football program,” he said.

“As we transition to the summer, we will practice Monday through Thursday and go to camps such as Auburn University, UAB and a few other [camps] on Thursdays. In July, we will have four organized team activities, including a trip to Oxford.”

I applaud coach Moore for creating excitement, energy, positive vibes and for promoting his team. Bulldog Stadium was 60% full, most sitting on the OHS side. See ON THE MARK page B3

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Auburn High School hires national volleyball coach of the year

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Auburn High School has hired the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s current National Coach of the Year, Brian Wheatley, to be its next head volleyball coach.

Wheatley will be coming from Venice (Florida) High School, where he has coached for 30 years, beginning after his graduation from Auburn University in 1994.

During his tenure, Venice Volleyball has been to the playoffs 29 times in 30 years, has been to the Final Four 13 times, has won six State Championships and has finished in the top 20 nationally

10 times. Ninety-seven players from Wheatley’s Venice teams have signed to compete as collegiate volleyball players, and more than 20 have gone on to become coaches themselves. In 2023, Max Preps named Venice High School one of the Top 100 Volleyball Dynasties in America.

In addition to being the current AVCA national Coach of the Year, Coach Wheatley has been named Florida Coach of the Year for volleyball four times and was named Coach of the Year for all sports in 2022. He is an inductee into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame, the Florida High School Athletic

WHEATLEY, page B2 WHEATLEY

OHS names new basketball coach

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Bart Butler of Opelika has been named the new head baseball coach at Opelika High School.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bart Butler as the Head Baseball Coach at OHS,” said Opelika High School Principal Kelli Fischer. “His experience coaching cham-

pionship-level teams speaks volumes to his ability to develop student-athletes both on and off the field. Additionally, as a resident of Opelika, he is invested in the success of our schools and our athletic programs. We look forward to the positive impact he will make on our program.”

Butler was baseball coach at Central

High School in Phenix City for the past 10 years. He served as varsity assistant head baseball coach from 2018 to present, head coach for 9th grade in 2017, head coach for 7th and 8th grades in 2016 and head coach for 9th grade in 2015. Prior to coaching at Central, he coached at Sweet Water High School.

Byrd to coach Smiths Station baseball

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION —

Smiths Station High School has announced the appointment of Wesley Byrd as the new head coach of the school’s baseball program.

“We are looking forward to Coach Byrd’s guidance in the baseball program and are confident that he will persist in upholding the legacy of success we have achieved in the past,” said SSHS Athletic Director Shana Johnson.

“Coach Byrd brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the Smiths Station community, making him the ideal candidate to lead the team to new heights of success,” according to a press release from the school. “Having worked with-

in the Smiths Station system since 2012, Coach Byrd has demonstrated a deep commitment to the school and its students. His passion for the game of baseball, combined with his strong work ethic, makes him a natural fit for this leadership role.”

Byrd is a graduate of Smiths Station High School himself, and his wife, a retired educator, also dedicated her career to serving the students of Smiths Station High School. All of his sons are proud graduates of SSHS, further solidifying his family’s legacy within the school community.

“First and foremost, I am extremely humbled to have the opportunity to lead the SSHS Baseball program forward,” said Byrd. “As a

lifelong resident and alumnus of Smiths Station High School, it is an incredible honor to be in this position. Just the opportunity to coach in the SSHS Baseball program for the last 12 years has been rewarding in and of itself. Coach Ferry has done a tremendous job leading this program with numerous playoff teams, Elite 8 teams, Final 4 teams, and even wining a

State Championship in 2015. I have been extremely blessed to be a part of that era.

“My family and I are overwhelmed with excitement for this opportunity and the future of the SSHS Baseball program,” he said. “We will work with relentless effort to continue building a championship level baseball program and a community that is full of pride and support.”

Wesley Byrd is pictured with his wife and sons.

WHEATLEY >> from B1

Association Hall of Fame, and the Venice Sports Hall of Fame. For the last two summers, he has been selected to coach accomplished college players internationally in a Global Challenge tour in Europe. He works with USA Volleyball as a National Team Development Program coach, developing talent in

BUTLER >> from B1

the Olympic pipeline with some of the top college coaches in America.

Prior to his professional coaching career, Wheatley played volleyball at Long Beach State University and San Jose State University in California, and he was an undergraduate assistant at Auburn University under coach Liz Bitzer Underwood. It was at Auburn University where Wheatley met his wife, Lisa, who has had a distinguished career as an

elementary school principal in the Sarasota County Florida School System.

“Coach Wheatley’s record speaks for itself, as he is one of the most outstanding volleyball coaches in the country,” said ACS Superintendent Dr. Cristen Herring. “We are excited to welcome him to the Auburn City Schools family.”

As to why he’s making the move, Wheatley said, “Auburn felt like the right place at the right time. I

“My family and I are excited to be joining the Opelika Bulldog family,” Butler said. “Over the last 10 years, I've witnessed the unbelievable community support shown to both the school and the athletic programs, and I can't wait to be a part of that. We are ready to work tirelessly to build a championship baseball program in Opelika. Go Dawgs!” Butler graduated from Central Alabama Community College in May 2008 with a general business degree and received his bachelor of business administration in sports management from Shorter University in 2010. He received a master’s degree in business and marketing education from Auburn University in 2013. Butler and his wife, Katie, are proud parents to Easton,9, and Lily, 6.

don’t think there is another high school in the country that I would have moved to besides Auburn High School.

“Venice has been great to my family. It is a wonderful community and a top-notch school system, but ever since I transferred to Auburn University as an undergraduate, Auburn has felt like home,” he said. “My wife and I have dear friends in Auburn. There are churches we love in Auburn. Our daughter just

graduated from Auburn University and our son is there currently. We just love the Auburn Community. It’s a cliché, but we believe in Auburn and love it.

“Auburn City Schools have a reputation of academic and athletic excellence and they have shown they are willing to do what it takes to compete at the highest levels, so we are excited to come immerse ourselves here and build a program that reflects

the greatness of Auburn,” he said. “I am excited to meet the local players and see where we can go from here. I realize it may take some to build a championship caliber team, but Superintendent Cristen Herring, Athletic Director Dan Norton, Principal Shannon Pignato and the whole system have all been very supportive and willing to do what it takes to build a top-notch program, so we are excited.”

Opelika High School’s

Opelika SportsPlex to open new pool, splash pad on Tuesday, May 28

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — The Opelika SportsPlex & Aquatics Center will open its new outdoor aquatic facility to the public on Tuesday, May 28 at 9 a.m.

The grand opening will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. The SportsPlex is located at 1001 SportsPlex Parkway in Opelika.

The highlight of this new addition is the impressive 50-meter competition pool, designed to meet the highest standards for aquatic sports and recreational swimming. Accompanying the pool is an adjacent splash playground, offering a fun and safe environment for families and children to enjoy water activities.

In addition to the state-ofthe-art aquatic features, the new facility includes well-equipped locker rooms, family restrooms and a concession stand to cater to visitors’ refreshment needs.

“Opelika Parks and Recreation is excited to offer this new stateof-the-art aquatics venue to our area,” said Sam Bailey, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It will be a great addition to the SportsPlex facility, and we are looking forward to members and guests taking advantage of everything it has to offer.”

Opelika SportsPlex members will have the privilege of using the new outdoor aquatics facility at no additional cost to their membership. For non-members, a daily aquatics guest pass can be purchased for $4 per person.

For more information about the Opelika SportsPlex & Aquatics Center, including membership details and operating hours, visit www.opelikasportsplex.com.

The band played in the stands while the cheerleaders helped cheer the dogs on the field. It is obvious Opelika football team has made big strides in a short period of time.

BART BUTLER NAMED NEW OHS BASEBALL COACH

Opelika High Principal Kellie Fischer announced Bart Butler will be the new head baseball coach at OHS. Butler comes to Opelika after spending 10 years as assistant baseball coach at Central High School in Phenix City.

Coach Butler appeared on “On the Mark” radio show earlier in the week.

“This is a dream come true,” he said. “I am thrilled to be at OHS with the support of the administration. I feel like they handed me the keys to a new Ferrari. I hope I do not wreck it.

“This 7A area is amazing and

Finishing touches are being made to the city of Opelika’s new SportsPlex addiitons, including a 50-meter competition pool and a splash playground, as well as locker rooms, family restrooms and a cocession stand.

should be fun trying to navigate playing these three teams. All have great programs. I look forward to developing these kids and helping each be their best.

I have a young son (Easton) playing baseball at West Ridge. I love watching our kids play plus I live a few blocks away,” Butler said. “This is my last week at Central, [I] need to get started in Opelika. If you want to win in May; you must win the summer.”

Butler and his wife Katie live in Opelika with their two children Easton (9-years old) and Lily (6-years old).

OPELIKA DIXIE YOUTH ALL-STARS

Following is a list of the Opelika Dixie Youth All-Star teams:

Opelika Diamond Youth Ozone League All-Stars (1112) play in Auburn at the District 10 Tournament, beginning June 11. The team includes: Charlie Branch

Blaine Bryan

Luke Cates

David Collier

Jack Corbitt

Brycen Credle

Briggs Hutto

Gavin Lee

Isaiah Lyles

Cash McCard

Parker Risner

Grayson Wood

Kurt Branch, Head Coach

Diamond Youth Minor League Traditional (10U) All-Stars play in Auburn at the District 10 Tournament, beginning June 11. The team includes:

Mason Bailey

Stephen Cates

Wesley Earle

Rodolfo Garza

Brayden Jones

Reign Lockhart

Harper Oliver

Austin Smith

Griffin Speakman

Jacob Stovall

Masyn Wimberly

Paxton Margeson

Danny Earle, Head Coach

MINOR LEAGUE ROOKIE

Opelika Diamond Youth Minor League Rookie (9U) All-Stars play in Prattville. On the team are:

Hudson Asbell

Easton Butler

John Cates

Samuel Collier

Deshawn David

Hudson Hughes

John Michael Manasco

Huey Mann

Chip Nicholson

Chase Puckett

Caden Skinner

Barrett Williams

Tim Walker, Head Coach

Opelika Diamond Youth

PeeWee League Traditional (8U) All-Stars play in Montgomery at the State Tournament, beginning June 26. The team includes:

Owen Barnes

Jack Bruner

Carter Burney

Braxton Evans

Collyn Floyd

Diego Garza

Tanner Moultrie

John Brooks Sanford

River Smith Shep Speakman

Hudson Stanford

Toby Yaeger

Michael Smith, head coach

Opelika Diamond Youth PeeWee League Rookie (7U) All-Sars play in Prattville, at the Rookie State Tournament beginning June 13. The team is made up of: Maddox Baker

Eli Chandler

KJ Chappelle

Kayson Coleman

Amir Dunn

Tucker Edwards

James Fenn

Mack Henderson

Ransom Herring

Finn Mason

Westin Ragsdale

Mark Sawyer

Jesse Edwards, Head Coach

D Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

D. MARK >> from B1

OHS hosts Clay-Chalkville for spring scrimmage

Coach Bryan Moore posted his first win in Bulldog Stadium, as Opelika High School hosted Clay-Chalkville for two quarters of football. Opelika beat the Cougars 10-0 in the exhibition game.

Auburn Parks & Rec spring soccer league champs

The Auburn Parks and Rec spring soccer league recently announced the season’s champions, including Bubba’s Medicine Shop

U16 Girls Champions (top left), the Orthopedic Clinic

U16

Boys Champions (top right), Glynn Smith Chevrolet-GMC U13 Girls Champions (center left), R Keith Thomas, LLC U13 Boys Champions (center right), Sizzle Sisters U10 Girls Champions (bottom left) and Jewelry by Design Auburn

Boys U10 Champions (bottom right).

James Dean, creator and illustrator of the beloved children’s book character, Pete the Cat, visited Opelika recently. Dean spoke and signed books at the Opelika Public Library on May 14, and on May

15 he was a special guest speaker at Carver Primary School. He received a degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and is a self-taught artist. His first self-published children’s book, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, was released in 2008. There are now almost 100 published Pete the Cat titles, with more coming out all the time.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Kristen Williams named principal at Opelika Middle School

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Kristen Williams

has been named the new Principal of Opelika Middle School.

“We are excited to welcome Kristen Williams as the new principal of Opelika Middle School,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, superintendent of Opelika City Schools. “She is a compassionate educator with the highest of expectations for students, staff, and herself. Her leadership capacity coupled with a strong background in curricular development and student outcomes will be assets to Opelika Middle School and our school system.”

Williams has been an assistant principal at Auburn Junior High School (AJHS) since July 2021. Prior to her position at AJHS, she was an assistant principal at South

Girard School in Phenix City June 2020-June 2021 and an instructional coach at Phenix City Intermediate School June 2019-May 2020.

Williams began her teaching career at Dadeville High School in 2012 but spent seven years at Opelika High School as a teacher of AP Government, AP Macroeconomics and social science courses.

“I am thrilled to return home to the Opelika City Schools family and would like to thank Dr. Seymore and the school board for this incredible honor,” said Williams. “The middle grades are a pivotal time in a student's life, and I strongly believe that relationships are the foundation for growth and success.

“I look forward to fostering strong relationships with those I will serve and embrace this opportunity to lead OMS in the tradition of Opelika City

Schools commitment to excellence,” she said.

Williams received her Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Science from the University of Southern California in 2011 and received her Masters in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama in August 2018. She and her husband Blake Wood are members of First Baptist Church in Opelika, and they enjoy spending free time with their Labradoodle named Mille.

Williams will begin her role as OMS Principal this summer.

Earlier this month, Mr. Keith York, current principal of OMS, was named as the new Human Resources Director for the Opelika City Schools and will begin his new position at the conclusion of this school year.

Bryant Lumpkin hired as new principal at Beulah High School

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Following a competitive national search, Auburn University has named Laura M. Stevens as the institution’s next director of the Honors College, effective July 15, 2024.

Stevens, a distinguished scholar and administrator, brings more than 25 years of experience to the role. She comes to Auburn from her position as Roxanna McFarlin Chapman Professor of English at the University of Tulsa (TU).

“In addition to her scholarly background and leadership experience,

Dr. Stevens’ dedication to honors education perfectly aligns with the mission and

aspirations of Auburn’s Honors College,” said Provost Vini Nathan. “Her ability to bridge undergraduate research and creative scholarship with student-based initiatives aligns with our goal of providing exceptional student experiences and becoming a pipeline for the next generation of leaders.”

“I am honored and thrilled to be selected as the next Director of Auburn University’s Honors College,” said Stevens. “As an alumna of an honors program with an interdisciplinary focus and communal ethos, I have always been enthusiastic about the possibilities that an honors college offers — not only

to intensify and elevate the education of the students in the college, but also to foster connections and intellectual exchanges across the entire university.”

As the director of Auburn’s Honors College, Stevens will oversee the unit’s programs and staff that support over 2,000 students, including its advanced curriculum and prestigious scholars. By collaborating with various departments across campus, she will continue to promote the college’s objectives of fostering intellectual growth and encouraging active student participation while continuing to expand the college’s academic and research goals.

Her previous positions include directing TU’s Undergraduate Research Challenge, an innovative program that promotes student research, scholarly and creative projects in collaboration with faculty mentors, and serving as chair of the institution’s Department of English and Creative Writing. A respected scholar in British and American literature, Stevens has held presidencies in the Society of Early Americanists and the South-Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and is a former editor of the Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature journal.

As director of the Tulsa

Undergraduate Research Challenge, Stevens worked with faculty across TU’s campus to strengthen its undergraduate research culture by creating innovative mentorship programs and establishing new interdisciplinary initiatives. In addition to securing funding, Stevens helped construct comprehensive research frameworks designed to provide high-achieving students with greater access to scholarly opportunities. Her emphasis on student leadership, collaborative scholarship and professional development expanded the university’s community engagement and increased student research opportunities—a vision she hopes to carry forward at Auburn.

“I am eager to contribute to Auburn’s community

and work with students, faculty, administrators and staff across the campus to advance the Auburn Honors College experience,” said Stevens, who holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and the honors program from Villanova University and earned a master’s and a doctorate in English from the University of Michigan.

As the author of two books and numerous articles, essays and book chapters, Stevens has given over 40 presentations and invited talks and has received more than $150,000 in grants and awards. She is also the co-founder and co-director of The Second Book Institute, a program assisting mid-career scholars in book-related fields, managed by the University of Tulsa’s Henneke Center

for Academic Fulfillment.

In addition to expanding TU’s undergraduate research efforts, Stevens has also gained international recognition for her work with The PSIG Project, an initiative to locate, identify and honor students who attended the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls (TU’s originating institution). Collaborating with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department, Stevens’ efforts to promote inclusivity among the region’s Indigenous students and communities have allowed her to serve on various editorial boards and establish numerous advocacy programs.

KRISTEN WILLIAMS

Bryant Lumpkin, second from left, brings his proven track record of success to Beulah High School as the new principal. He is pictured with his wife, Lee County Schools Board Member Roger Keel, left, and Superintendent Mike Howard, right.

LAURA STEVENS

The Lee County Education Retirees Association awarded $1000 scholarships to local high school seniors.

Pictured above, left to right, is Jada Jones of Smiths Station High School with LCERA member Patsy Jones.

Pictured below is Violett Alcorn from Opelika High School with LCERA member Susan Stanley. A third scholarship recipient is Elizabeth Bullard from Auburn High School (not pictured).

OPINION —

As we teachers have seen our classes graduate, we have bittersweet heart felt feelings as we see our students finish up a good school year.

As parents bond to their children, we teachers bond to our students. They become our life families as we bond with these lives day by day. We teachers truly miss our students as we pray and encourage them to the next step of their lives. I know we older teachers are so rewarded when our students are grown up

and still come back to give us a hug and to say thank you. As Classroom Observer I would like to review and remind we parents, grandparents, and teachers that children are a promise. The Bible says it so well from Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I like to use the word PROMISE as an acrostic for us to be easily reminded.

P — Praise and encourage your child. Verbal praise is important for children to hear when they have done a good

Classroom Observer

Promises and encouragement to graduates

job. Pats on the back or eye to eye contact, or a smile or wink says, “I am proud of you,” which means so much to children.

R — Reach out to your child. In our world it seems like that we are always on the run going here and there. Spending time with your child spells love. R also stands for Realize free play is important for your young child’s growth and development. Free play is a young child’s work. Free play serves as an outlet for children to work, grow and express themselves. Our local parks offer beautiful, spacious green areas to run and play.

O — Optimism is contagious to be around. Children love to be around happy people. It brings them joy. POP is a catch word that I share with younger children. It is not soda pop or a lollipop but it encourages us to be P(positive)O(optimistic) and P(peacemaker). During a classroom day if the children are complaining or having trouble getting along with their classmates, I just say “POP” and they know

what I am instructing them to do. This can also be done within families. Children learn early that life is not always going to be easy, but it is our attitude and how we handle life situations that matter. We have all heard the old expression about making lemonade out of lemons, and it is so true. Children love this expression and seem to pick up on it quickly.

M — Meeting your child’s strengths of gifts and talents is so important in encouraging children to be all they can be. Help and be available to offer learning sessions and supplemental activities which enhance what children are inclined to do. When parents discern and guide them in their interests and talents, this is a true gift of love. Talking and listening to your child helps a parent discern what their interests and talents are.

I — Interaction is so important in teaching and reaching our children. Before we can reach and teach our children, we have to know what kind of learners our children are.

1. Physical learners

Education Briefs

learn best by activity, such as being active with their hands, feet or whole body. Physical learners engage in pretend play and games.

2. Visual learners learn by seeing pictures and demonstrations.

3. Logical learners learn by following patterns or sequences. We think of ordering numbers or alphabet sequence when we think of this kind of learner.

4. Reflective learners generally learn best when they are by themselves or alone. These learners are observers. We usually see these learners playing or reading a book alone, and they assess and ponder on how to handle new learning situations.

5. Musical learners will sing, hum and enjoy playing instruments. As a teacher, I love to sing Bible verses, sing the ABCs, sing numbers, etc. Children love to learn by singing.

6. Natural learners love to be outside and learn. They are naturally little observers and scientists who love to look closely at nature with its plants, insects and animals.

7. Relational learners interact and relate well

with other children and people.

S — Special is what children are to us. Children love to hear their names, and they love to hear praise and encouragement. As parents, grandparents and teachers, we paint on a child’s life canvas. We can paint rainbows of hope for our children and students.

E — “Every” is such an important word as we watch our children grow up so very fast. Cherish each day of your child’s life. Each day is a gift wrapped up with a bow. Our children are such a gift to us. I wish every child at the end of this school year of 2024 to reflect on this year with happy memories of learning, making new friends, and knowing just how special each child is. James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.

Beth Pinyerd has taught many years and holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education.

WILLIAMSBURG, KY — University of the Cumberlands recently held commencement ceremonies. Among the graduates in the Class of 2024 are Himanshu Kale, Gopi Reddy Yarkareddy and Sunil Adhikari, all of Auburn.

MANCHESTER, NH — Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has released the 2024 President’s and Dean’s Lists for the winter term, which runs from January to May.

To be eligible for the President’s List, undergraduate students must have earned a minimum gradepoint average of 3.7 and above on a full 12-hour course load. Local honorees include: Cleophus Hayes, Charles Walker, Shontesia Gilmore, Gifty Sutton, Ebony Vines, Michael Rife and Glenn Jones, all of Auburn; Ernest Johnson, Perry Whatley, Valerie Sepulveda, all of Opelika; Scott Miller, Brandon Stegmeyer and Nash Ellis, all of Phenix City; and Joshua Burgess of Smiths Station.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, undergraduate students must have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.69 on a full 12-hour course load. Local honorees include Amelia Mathis of Opelika, Ieisha Hodge of Salem and Latrice Walker of Smiths Station.

OXFORD, MS— Kathrynanne Eastman, of Auburn, majoring in international studies and French, was among 80 University of Mississippi students to receive a 2024 Marcus Elvis Taylor Memorial Medal, the university’s highest academic award, which recognizes no more than 1% of the student body each year.

DEMOREST, GA — Piedmont University has designated Katherine Prowell of Auburn as a Dean’s Scholar for the Spring 2024 semester. To earn this distinction, students must achieve a perfect 4.0 GPA during the semester.

BIRMINGHAM — Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law has released the Dean’s List for the spring 2024 semester, which recognizes students whose end-of-semester GPA is 3.3 or higher. Included are Henry Sheils and Harrison Woods, both of Auburn.

Auburn Public Library receives funding for programming, collection expansion

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library recently received contributions from the Auburn Public Library Foundation, formerly known as the Friends of the Auburn Public Library, to support the library’s growing collection and programming needs.

The foundation allocated $5,000 to address the bustling demand for children’s and teen’s materials, allowing the library to increase purchases of popular titles to ensure every child could delve into their favorite stories without delay. These books will likely be showcased on displays throughout the summer, inviting young minds into a world of literary exploration. The foundation also al -

located $2,000 to support the library’s flourishing Adults Create! program, a haven for adults seeking creative expression and

community connection. These funds will cover the costs of supplies, equipment and refreshments. With each session

BETH PINYERD

LaGrange College junior Will Gray of Opelika received the Hearnburg Theatre Scholarship during the college’s recent Honors Day ceremony.

of Adults Create! filled to capacity and a growing waiting list, the donation paves the way for expansion.

Pictured, from left, are Connor Lowery, Kari Carpenter, Mandy Campos, Leslie Johnston and Lyn Causey.

Food &E ntertainment Community Calendar — B14

BY ANN CIPPERLY

This Memorial Day, plan a cookout with family and friends to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives serving our country.

Plan a menu with sides and desserts made ahead to allow more time with guests instead of being in the kitchen, and remember to provide plenty of cold beverages for guests spending the afternoon outdoors.

With children out of school, Memorial Day weekend is a time when many families get together, and the lake is a favorite place in our area. Years ago, going to the lake for Opelika families meant spending sultry summer days at Lake Condy. Many families would pack picnic lunches to enjoy a day’s outing, while their children swam in water so clear that stones could be seen at the bottom. At one time, Lake Condy was the only recreational area for families in Opelika to enjoy swimming and picnics.

Diaries from old Opelika families recall visits to the lake, telling of making the trip in wagons. In later years, barbecues were held at the lake. Big pits were dug to cook the barbecue. Brunswick stew was cooked in big black pots, and there were barrels of lemonade.

The lake was built by Zabud Fletcher in 1878. Zabud was born in 1842 north of Opelika in the pre-Civil War community of Mt. Jefferson. In 1912, the property was sold to M. L. Wilson who resold it in 1917 to H.L. Condon, the grandfather of the late Doris Canon, who owned the Condon Jewelry Store in downtown Opelika. The family moved their belongings in a wagon.

The name of Fletcher’s Lake was changed to Lake Condy, and Doris grew up there. Many children spent

Southern Hospitality

Plan a cookout to honor Memorial Day

numerous summer days at the lake learning to swim. Lake Condy was closed to the public in the mid-1980s, and the Barks later sold the property.

While Lake Condy was popular for many years, other families were enjoying cookouts at home with recipes passed down for generations. Both Fran and Tom Plott’s families have deep roots in Opelika, going back to about 1850.

Tom’s grandfather started Plott’s Grocery in the 1930s, and his father, Herman, helped at the store. He drove a delivery truck to the coast to buy fish and sold it on the way back. What he didn’t sell was sold at the grocery store.

After Herman’s brother, Charlie, returned from fighting under Gen. Patton in WWII, he took over the grocery store. Tom’s father opened Plott’s Seafood, which stayed in business for 55 years.

In the late 1940s the seafood business also processed chickens, with the Chicken House Restaurant being one of their customers. In the 1950s, Tom’s father cooked chickens, while his mother, Eulene, made her famous barbecue sauce for band boosters and other fundraisers in Opelika. The barbecue sauce was a secret recipe everyone wanted. However, she did not share it.

Tom remembers that his parents would also provide food for the needy. At their home on West Point Highway, there was a mark on the telephone pole to indicate a “friendly home.” Hobos and other homeless coming to town would see the mark and stop by their home around lunch time, where Tom’s father would set up tables for them in the garage.

Those who stopped ate the same meal as the family, and his parents gave each one a loaf of bread from the freezer and a mayonnaise jar filled with tea to take with them.

“My father said no man should go hungry,” said Tom.

“My father did a lot of things like that.”

Fran remembers living at her grandparents’ home on

North Eighth Street when they would buy shelled peas from young boys who came to the door selling them.

When she was a young child, Fran and her parents, Jane and Horace McCurry, and her baby sister, Marion, lived with her grandmother, Frances Frazer, who was the widow of Probate Judge John Thomas Frazer.

In today’s recipes, Tom is sharing his mother’s secret recipe for her barbecue sauce, while Fran is sharing her mother’s squash casserole recipe, another summer favorite in our area.

Two other side dishes not to miss are Susan’s Ballard’s Roasted New Potato Salad and Kelli Duncan’s Green Beans with Vinaigrette Sauce. Both of these dishes can be prepared ahead. If you are looking for something different to cook on the grill, try Tony’s marinated lamb. The Strawberry Pudding and Iced Brownies can be prepared ahead.

If you are at home on Memorial Day, plan to attend one of the services being held in Opelika and Auburn.

The city of Opelika will hold Memorial Day services at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse Square. Guest speaker will be Marine Corp Reserve and Alabama National Guard Veteran Kenny Frazier, a

Purple Heart recipient and member of the Auburn Police Department for 27 years. The Presentation of Colors and Laying of the Wreath will be conducted by the Opelika Fire Department. Following the program, a reception will be held for the public at 11 a.m. at the Museum of East Alabama, located on 9th Street.

On Monday, the city of Auburn will hold the Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast at 8 a.m. at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center. Tickets are $25 and available at Auburn City Hall. Marine Corps Sgt. Eugene Stanaland, recipient of this year’s Distinguished Veteran Award, will be the guest of honor. The Heroes Remembered Award will be presented to the family of Marine Corps Capt. David Miller. Following the breakfast, the public is invited to a wreath laying ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument.

Whatever is on the menu this Memorial Day, be sure to remember and give thanks for those who paid the highest price for us to enjoy this time with family and friends.

EASY HUMMUS WITH MEDITERRANEAN TOPPINGS

Easy to double or triple for

more serving. While traditional hummus has tahini, it is not necessary for a tasty spread. Serve with pita chips and fresh vegetables cut into strips.

16 oz. can chick peas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 ½ Tbsp. tahini (ground sesame), optional

• 1 tsp. minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend to a smooth consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Keeps well several days in refrigerator.

TOPPINGS:

Diced tomato or cherry tomatoes

Black and/or green olives

• Feta cheese, crumbled

• Red or green onion, chopped, optional Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

Spread hummus in center of serving dish.

Sprinkle toppings in desired amounts over top, then drizzle with olive oil. Place pita chips and

fresh vegetables around the spread.

JENNIFER’S PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD

Serve with crackers or crostini

• ½ can or more mild Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. Worcestershire

sauce

• Two 8 oz. blocks sharp cheddar cheese, grated

On Memorial Day, set aside a time to remember those who have given their lives serving our country, allowing us to enjoy time with our families. If you are looking for something different to cook on the grill, try Tony’s Grilled Marinated Lamb. Rack of lamb and lamb loin chops are pictured on the grill.

Registration underway now

AACT Academy offering four summer camps

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The AACT Academy will offer four different camps this summer for young people ages 3 to 18: “Play” in the Woods, Musical Theatre Camp, Summer Intensive Camp and Summer “Play” & Tech Camp.

AACT offers sibling discounts (automatically applied when you register) and needbased scholarships.

“Play” in the Woods

First up is “Play” in the Woods Camp, an “All the world’s a stage” theatre experience for children ages 7-18 set for June 3-7 from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. The camp will explore theater techniques in the great outdoors at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, so wear hiking shoes, bring water and apply sunscreen and bug spray. Cost is $180, which includes a t-shirt and daily snack. There will be a presentation for parents on June 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Musical Theatre Camp

For those who love to sing and dance, there will be Musical Theatre Camp (MTC) at Auburn University’s Telfair Peet Theatre June 24-28 for ages 3-18. Learn music, choreography and participate in character development activities from Broadway Musicals.

MTC Jr. for ages 3-5 will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

MTC 1 for ages 6-7 will be held from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.

MTC 2 for ages 8-10 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon

MTC 3 for ages 11-18 will be held from 1-4 p.m.

The cost of attendance for MTC Jr. and MTC 1 is $160, while MTC 2 & 3 cost $180. The price includes a t-shirt, sheet

music and daily snack.

Each actor will have a chance to shine on a real stage for family and friends at the parent presentation on June 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Summer Intensive Camp

AACT Academy Summer Intensive, a theatre skills and techniques camp appropriate for all levels of experience, will be held July 15-19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Jan Dempsey Community Art Center. This fun and fastpaced camp will focus on improvisation, voice, movement and scene studies, with a special presentation for parents on July 19 at 4 p.m.

This camp is for ages 3-18, who will be grouped by age. The $180 fee includes a t-shirt, supplies and daily snack.

Summer “Play” and Tech Camp

From auditions to performance, young actors ages 7-18 will be able to go through the whole process of producing a play during Summer “Play” & Tech Camp, set for July 22-26 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center.

Using a children’s literature story for our base, the actors will be able to write some of their lines, develop their character and create their own set, costume and make-up design sketches. Participants will be expected to practice their lines and do some character development work at home.

This year there is an added Technical Skills Track focusing on lighting, sound and set design. Students participating in this option will need to bring a laptop or iPad.

A parent presentation is scheduled for July 26 at 5:30 p.m.

The “Play” & Tech Camp fee is $200, which includes a t-shirt and daily snack.

For more information about any of the camps or to register, visit www.auburnact. org.

Thank you for reading The Observer www.opelikaobserver.com

Auburn Parks & Rec offers summer day camp for kids

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — This summer, Auburn Parks & Recreation will host Camp Voyager, a jam-packed day camp for children ages 6-8 held at East Samford School (332 E Samford Ave.).

Each week of camp is filled with games, activities, swimming, art projects, special guests and field trips. Camp time is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. and pick up ends at 5:30 p.m. CAMP DATES:

Auburn

Week 1: June 10 - 14

Week 2: June 17 - 21 (No camp June 19th in observance of Juneteenth, city facilities will be closed)

Week 3: June 24 - June 28

Week 4: July 8 - 12

Week 5: July 15 - 19

Week 6: July 22 – 26

The cost is $145/week ($110/week for each additional sibling). For more information, visit https://auburnal. myrec.com.

Arts Association’s Spring

Invitational

Art Exhibit ‘SQUARE’ on display at Jan Dempsey Center

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The Auburn Arts Association is hosting the 2024 Spring Invitational Art Exhibition: SQUARE. The exhibition will be on display through June 22 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The exhibit will feature a wide variety of works based on the theme: Square. A reception will be held on Thursday, May 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the arts center. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy incredible artwork and talk with the featured artists.The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the exhibition, or for any questions, contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at (334) 501-2963 or visit auburnarts.org.

BY SEAN DIETRICH

OPINION —

Sunset. There must be a million people gathered in Railroad Park tonight. Downtown Birmingham is crazy. There are no parking spots left. People are parking cars as far away as Milwaukee.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is playing a Memorial Day weekend concert outdoors in the park. Concert goers have come from every corner of the earth. This place is like Woodstock, only with fewer naked people. There are children, playing tag. Young families. High-schoolers, full of hor-

Sean of the South

A Memorial Day in the park

mones, with only one thing on their minds. (Hint: It ain’t bingo.) College couples on first dates, carrying on intense conversations. And elderly married couples, who haven’t conversed since the Nixon administration.

The symphony tunes up. And away we go. The music can be heard all the way in Hoover.

The most interesting person I will meet this evening is a young man with Down syndrome. He is 6 years old.

His family’s blanket is near mine. He listens to the orchestra with slack-jawed awe.

I’ll call him Ray.

“We just adopted him,”

Ray’s parents say.

Ray’s biological mother got rid of her son when he was a newborn. And by “got rid of” I mean that she threw Ray in a dumpster when she discovered his developmental disabilities.

A neighbor found the infant screaming among the

Worcestershire sauce

• ½ cup (4 oz.) white vinegar

1 small bottle (6 oz.) lemon juice

• 1/2 small bottle (1 oz.) tabasco sauce

1/2 small box (1 oz.) black pepper

Stir butter, catsup and Worcestershire sauce together and bring to a broil. Then, gradually add: white vinegar, lemon juice, tabasco sauce and black pepper as mixture boils. Cook sauce for 5 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Makes 1 ½ gallons.

GRILLED CHICKEN SLIDERS WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES & LETTUCE

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Garlic powder to taste, optional Fresh mozzarella, sliced

• Fresh tomatoes, sliced Lettuce Slider buns, toasted Pound chicken breasts to thin, if desired, then cut into thirds. Season with salt and pepper. Spray grill with vegetable spray. Grill on each side or until cooked through. Place a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese on top of each piece. Close grill and cook until cheese is melted. Serve with tomatoes, lettuce and condiments of choice.

GRILLED MARINATED LAMB

Grilled Marinated Lamb Lamb chops or rack of lamb

MARINADE:

1 to 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 Tbsp. Dijion mustard

• ½ Tbsp. soy sauce

1 to 2 tsp. rosemary, minced

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

• ½ tsp. salt

• ¼ cup olive oil

Whisk marinade ingredients together. Coat lamb evenly; cover and refrigerate at least four hours or overnight. Remove lamb for marinade and shake off excess. Lightly oil the grate. Grill lamb until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 135. Cook until desired doneness.

garbage. And yet here he is. I have never seen a child more excited. Also, I have never been hugged so many times.

Ray is a big hugger.

After each hug, Ray listens to music for a few seconds, until he suddenly realizes he isn’t hugging me, so he re-hugs me again. We do this every 9 seconds.

“Ray loves everyone,” says his mother.

Ray and I meet a young woman nearby. I’d guess she is maybe 16. She is very pretty. Ray wanders over to this girl and gives her a big hug.

“You smell good,” Ray tells her.

“Thank you,” she says.

“What about me?” I ask Ray. “Do I smell good?”

“No. You smell like a fart.”

You have to worry about America’s youth sometimes.

Ray and I are also introduced to a dog named Lawrence. Lawrence is white and brown. He walks with a pronounced limp in his gait.

Let lamb rest before serving.

GRILLED PORK WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Bobbie Umbach

Good with pork chops or pork tenderloin.

6 large thick pork chops or pork tenderloin

• 1 tsp. salt

• ¼ tsp. pepper

½ cup lemon juice

½ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. chopped parsley

• ½ tsp. sage or thyme

• 1 garlic clove, mashed

• Mustard Sauce:

1½ cups heavy cream

¼ tsp. salt

• 1/8 tsp. pepper

• 1 tsp. dry mustard

• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste

½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp. fresh basil leaves Rub pork chops or tenderloin with salt and pepper. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, sage or thyme and garlic together and pour over meat. Marinate at least 4 hours or overnight, turning several times.

Simmer cream, salt and pepper in a saucepan for about 10 minutes or until it is slightly reduced. In a bowl, beat mustard and tomato paste together. Beat in hot cream and Worcestershire sauce. Refrigerate. When ready to cook, pat pork dry and grill over hot charcoal until done. While chops are grilling, gently reheat sauce and add basil. Pass reheated mustard sauce separately. Makes 6 servings.

ROASTED NEW POTATO SALAD

Susan Ballard

Can be prepared ahead.

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 lbs. small red potatoes, diced

• ½ medium-sized sweet onion, chopped

• 2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. sea salt

½ tsp. freshly ground pepper

• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 3 or 4 green onions, chopped 3/4 cup (or less) Ranch style dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

Place olive oil in large jellyroll pan; add diced potatoes, onions, garlic, sea salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Arrange in single layer. Bake at 425 for 30 to 35

It takes him a long time to cover short distances.

“Lawrence was a stray,” his owner tells us. “He was hit by a car. The guy who hit him just drove away, and I found Lawrence lying in the road, I thought he was dead.”

Ray is remarkably touched by this for some reason. He gets down on all fours and tells the dog, “I love you, Doggie.”

Then he hugs the dog.

During the concert, Ray’s father and I decide to stretch our legs and walk around the park. Soon, we are all standing in line for the restroom.

The bathroom line is long. Ridiculously long. If you’re standing in this line and you are having a bladder emergency you are—how do I put this?—screwed.

Ray knows no strangers. He meets a 22-year-old young woman in line. She is bald, wearing a scarf over her head.

“Why do you have no

minutes stirring occasionally.

Transfer to large bowl. Toss together potato mixture, bacon, green onions and dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.

Serves 6.

GREEN BEANS WITH VINAIGRETTE

SAUCE

Kelli Duncan

Can be prepared ahead.

• 2 lb. green beans, stem ends trimmed or use frozen

• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. white-wine vinegar

• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp. coarse salt

• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Place green beans, stem ends trimmed, in basket. Cover; steam until crisp-tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Plunge beans in ice water. When cool, drain; pat dry with paper towels. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake extra-virgin olive oil, white-wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, coarse salt and ground pepper until thickened and combined. Pour over beans; toss to coat.

To make ahead (up to one day), steam beans and make the dressing; refrigerate separately, covered. Up to one hour before serving, toss beans with dressing, and keep at room temperature. Serves 8.

MAMA’S SQUASH CASSEROLE Fran Plott

1½ lbs. yellow squash, sliced

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 Tbsp. sugar

½ stick butter

Breadcrumbs (or Panko or crushed crackers)

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 1½ cups grated cheddar cheese

½ cup chopped pecans

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil squash and onions with salt and drain. Put cheese and melted butter in a bowl with drained squash on top.

hair?” Ray asks. “I had cancer,” she tells Ray.

Ray just looks at her.

“But as of this week,” she says, “I don’t have cancer anymore. I’ve been cut open, and had enough chemo to last a lifetime. But my cancer’s gone. And I’m about to go to college.”

I ask the woman what she wants to major in.

“I want to be a therapist,” she says, “so I can help people who’ve been what I’ve been through.”

Ray hugs her. Soon, we return to our blankets. The orchestra begins playing the theme to the movie “Superman.” The music is lush and triumphant. The cymbals crash. You can feel the brass section in the pit of your belly.

Little Ray stands. “Superman!” he shouts. Ray starts zooming around, pretending he is flying. His hands are held out before

Beat egg and add sugar and mayonnaise, and mix well with the other ingredients. Put in greased casserole dish. Spread breadcrumbs and pecans on top. Bake at 350 for 20-35 minutes.

BLACKBERRY MUFFINS

Sue Ellen Tallakson

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

• 2 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. milk

• 1 cup sugar

• 8 Tbsp. warm melted butter (1 stick)

1 tsp. vanilla

1½ cups fresh blackberries, cut in half (can use frozen blackberries if fresh are not available, defrost and drain)

Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 400. Grease a standard 12 muffin pan or line with paper muffin cups. This batch makes 18 muffins. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, milk, sugar, butter and vanilla.

Add wet mixture to dry mixture and mix together with a few light strokes, just until dry ingredients are moistened. Add berries. (If you are using frozen berries, defrost first, then drain excess liquid, then coat them lightly in flour.) Do not over mix. Over mixing will cause muffins to be dense, not fluffy. The batter should not be smooth.

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake 17 to 20 minutes or longer until a toothpick inserted into the middle of 1 or 2 of the muffins comes out clean. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before removing from the pan. If not serving hot, let cool on a rack. Serve as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours of baking.

STRAWBERRY PUDDING

Anita Thompson

Just like banana pudding made with strawberries.

1/2 cup sugar 1 cup milk

him, he is running at top speed. His little legs move fast.

And I’m just watching this child. This boy. Once an infant. Once lying on a bed of trash. Once laid into a manger of old coffee grounds and empty beer cans. Left for dead. But tonight he laughs. Tonight he smiles. Tonight we are all so lucky to bask in his marvelous light.

“I’m flying, Mom!” Little Ray shouts. “I’m flying!”

And deep within my heart, I know he’s right.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist and standup storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored 15 books, he is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast and he makes appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.

2 Tbsp. flour

• 3 egg yolks

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine above ingredients and cook in top of double boiler until thick.

Vanilla wafers

• Strawberries

Layer vanilla wafers and strawberries in casserole dish, ending with strawberries. Pour pudding mixture over each layer. Line edge with wafers.

MERINGUE:

• 3 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

Beat egg whites and gradually add sugar; beat until stiff peaks are formed. Spread on top of pudding and brown in oven.

FAVORITE ICED BROWNIES Vondalyn Hall

1 cup butter

• 2/3 cup cocoa

2 cups sugar

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. vanilla

• 1 cup lightly toasted chopped pecans (optional)

Melt butter in microwave. Whisk in cocoa until smooth. Add sugar to mixture, followed by eggs. Blend until smooth. Add flour and stir until well mixed. Stir in pecans and vanilla.

Pour in a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool bofore frosting.

CHOCOLATE ICING:

• 1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup cocoa

• 6 Tbsp. half and half (can substitute milk)

• 1 tsp. vanilla

1–1/3 box confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Heat first 3 ingredients in microwave until butter is melted. Whisk mixture until smooth; add vanilla. Add butter mixture to 1 box sifted confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth and velvety. For thicker icing, add additional sugar one Tbsp. at a time until desired consistency is reached.

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> from B11

SPRING SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES

SummerNight Art Walk scheduled for June 7 in downtown Auburn

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk will be held Friday, June 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Auburn.

An artist marketplace, live music, children's activities and late-night shopping and dining are just some of the fun features SummerNight has to offer. In addition to on-site activities, the community is invited to participate in a guacamole culinary contest. All culinary entries should be brought to the Jan Dempsey Community Arts

The 2024 Spring Sundown Concert Series at Kiesel Park in Auburn will be held Thursdays in May from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The concerts are free. The community is invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy great music, with food and sweet treats available for purchase from the Chill Spot. Pets on a leash are welcome. The final two concerts feature Soul Therapy on May 23 and Austin Ritch on May 30. Kiesel Park is located at 520 Chadwick Lane in Auburn. For the most up to date information on performers delays or cancelations, visit the Auburn Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

NOON TUNES CONCERT SERIES

The final Noon Tunes Concert will be held on Wednesday, May 29, on Courthouse Square in Opelika. The free lunchtime concer will feature Strawberry Whine, consisting of the father/daughter duo Mark Wilson and Jessica Walters, who will perform music from current artists such as Tayor Swift and Chris Stapleton, Allman Brothers, Eagles and Tom Petty, as well as originals. You can catch their band Crossroads at the Summer Swing Concert Series on July 2.

SUMMER SWING CONCERT ON MAY 28

Every Tuesday evening, Opelika Parks & Rec hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, folk and community band music. On May 28, see The Dave Potts Band playing a mix original music along with folk and country favorites. Dave’s music has been met with critical acclaim, including winning 1st Place in the Folk/Americana category at the International Acoustic Music Awards. He has released 14 albums of original music and performed in 43 states. The Opelika High School Band Boosters offer hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

AUBURN CITY MARKET

City Market, Auburn Parks and Recreation’s weekly farmer’s market, is open each Saturday morning through Aug. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Town Creek Park. The entire family is invited to enjoy live music, fun activities for the kids and an array of fresh, local and handcrafted items to browse and purchase. Parking is available at Town Creek Park and in the gravel lot across the street from the park. City Market vendors will start selling their products at 8 a.m. sharp. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/ citymarket or email citymarket@auburnalabama.org.

SUSCC MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE

Veteran Services at Southern Union State Community College will host a Memorial Day observance on Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Southern Union Southern Room on the Opelika Campus. The Southern Room is located in the Business and Technology Center near West Point Parkway. There will be several guest speakers and performers from the area, and a light lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service. All are welcome to attend.

SUNDILLA CONCERT SERIES

The Sundilla Concert Series & Radio Hour will present performances by Dallas Ugly on Thursday, May 23, at Pebble Hill; New Quintet on Friday, June 7, at Pebble Hill; Kim Richey Band Thursday, June 13; Jeff Black on Thursday, July 18, at Pebble Hill; The Close on Friday, August 23 at AUUF; Steve Forbert on Friday, Sept. 13 at AUUF; Joy Clark on Friday, Oct. 11, at AUUF; and Griffin House on Friday, Nov. 1, at AUUF. For tickets and more information, visit www.sundillamusic.com.

Center (222 E. Drake Ave.) on Friday, June 7, between 8-11 a.m. Winners will be announced at 7:15 p.m. on the SummerNight stage at Toomer’s Corner.

This year, SummerNight is excited to welcome the band Sail On. The Beach Boys tribute band is ready to bring good vibrations to Auburn while paying homage to one of the greatest bands in history.

SummerNight is a FREE downtown entertainment district event and will be held rain or shine.

The event is hosted by the city of Auburn's Parks and Recreation

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AU MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

Auburn University will host a Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. on the Cater Lawn.

DOWN THE TRACKS 5K

Workout Anytime’s Down the Tracks 5K will be held Saturday, May 25, at Courthouse Square in historic downtown Opelika. On race day, packet pick up will begin at 7 a.m. The One Mile Fun Run will start at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m. Registration for the Fun Run is $15 and for the 5K is $25 (register by April 30th to receive a T-shirt). Awards will include 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place overall male and female and top male and female in divided age groups. A portion of the proceeds for this event will go to Flags for Vets Inc.

AUBURN MAYOR’S MEMORIAL DAY BREAKFAST

The annual Auburn Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast will be held Monday, May 27, at 8 a.m. at the AU Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a table of eight and are available at City Hall, 144 Tichenor Ave. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Monument, located at the northeast corner of East Glenn Avenue and Ross Street.

OPELIKA MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE

The city of Opelika will host a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27, at Courthouse Square (rain location: Municipal Court Building, 300 MLK Boulevard). A reception will follow at 11 a.m. at the Museum of East Alabama, located at 121 S. 9th Street.

PRIDEFEST 2024

Pride on the Plains, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, will host several events during the week leading up to PrideFest 2024, including: Bingo at Red Clay Brewery downtown Opelika 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 26; Karaoke at The Jailhouse inside Rock ‘n’ Roll Pinball downtown Opelika at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28; Trivia at Avondale Bar and Tap Room downtown Auburn 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29; Fresh Faces open stage fundraiser on Thursday, May 30; the family-friendly 6th Annual Pride Parade in downtown Opelika at 6 p.m. followed by a party with Denali at the AU Alumni Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31; and the family-friendly 6th Annual PrideFest at Auburn’s Kiesel Park noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Vendors invited to sign up now. For more information, visit prideontheplains.com.

SUMMER SWING CONCERT ON JUNE 4

Every Tuesday evening, Opelika Parks & Rec hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, folk and community band music. On June 4, Conner Lorre will deliver stunningly accurate voice impressions of Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, Alan Jackson, Lee Greenwood and many more. The Opelika High School Band Boosters offer hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

SUMMERNIGHT DOWNTOWN ART WALK

The 2024 SummerNight Downtown Art Walk is scheduled for Friday, June 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Auburn. The festival features the work of local and regional artists, live music, merchant specials, children’s activities and a culinary contest. Presented by the City of Auburn/Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association, Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association. Visit auburnsummernight.org for sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information.

TOUCH A TRUCK

Opelika Main Street will host a Touch-a-Truck event beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, in downtown Opelika.

BURGER WARS

The 10th Annual Burger Wars will be held Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m. in historic downtown Opelika. Hosted by the Opelika Rotary Charitable Foundation, this event raises money to support those in need in our community, including the Food Bank of East Alabama. Tasting tickets will go on sale on the corner of North Railroad Avenue and 8th Street beginning at 10:45 a.m. Don’t miss the Big Bite Battle between the Opelika and Auburn fire departments at the Railyard on North Railroad at 1 p.m.

SUMMER SWING CONCERT ON JUNE 11

Every Tuesday evening, Opelika Parks & Rec hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment

Department, Auburn Arts Association, the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact the SummerNight Headquarters at 334-5012963 or visit auburnsummernight.org.

STREET CLOSURES:

College Street between Thach and Tichenor avenues and Magnolia Avenue between Wright and Gay streets will be closed to traffic from 5:15-10:30 p.m. for the event.

including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, folk and community band music. On June 11 the high-energy band Route 66 will perform pop, rock and dance music, with audience participation encouraged. The Opelika High School Band Boosters offer hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

SUMMER SWING CONCERT ON JUNE 18

Every Tuesday evening, Opelika Parks & Rec hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, folk and community band music. On June 18, the band GP38 will perform a mix of country, southern & classic rock. Opelika’s own Chris McDaniel will have everyone singing along, dancing and having a good time. The Opelika High School Band Boosters offer hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

GET OUTDOORS EVENT A Get Outdoors event is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lee County Fairgrounds, 2408 Lafayette Parkway in Opelika. The free, family-friendly event will feature food trucks, a bounce house and exhibits of RVs and campers by Camping World, 4x4s and boats by Southern Mud and 4x4 trucks and accessories by H&W.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE SUMMER CAMP

Missoula Children’s Theatre, a world-renowned children’s touring theatre for more than 50 years, will be back in Opelika for Summer Camp June 24-28. Registration is open to young people in kindergarten through 12th grades. Cost is $200, with a 10% discount for additional family members. Camp is limited to 60 campers, and every camper will be cast in the production of “Gulliver’s Travels in Space.” Register at www.opelikacommunitytheatre. com. For more information, contact Opelika Community Theatre by calling (334) 400-9660 or emailing opelikatheatrecompany1@gmail.com.

SUMMER SWING CONCERT ON JUNE 25

Every Tuesday evening, Opelika Parks & Rec hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment including gospel, soul, jazz, R&B, oldies, country, folk and community band music. On June 25 the band Muse returns for a 34th year on the Summer Swing bandstand. Together for 46 years, Muse will perform fan favorites by artists such as the Eagles, Beatles, Crosby Stills & Nash, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Little Big Town, Jason Isbell and more.The Opelika High School Band Boosters offer hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.

71st ANNUAL FREEDOM CELEBRATION

Celebrate Independence Day with Opelika Parks & Rec at the 71st Annual Freedom Celebration on Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Opelika High School. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, musical entertainment and activities for the whole family. The Silver Wings Parachute Team will perform at 7:15 p.m., followed by a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Orthopedic Clinic and the Kiwanis Club of Opelika.

EXTREME POWERSPORTS BIKE NIGHT

Extreme PowerSports will host Bike Night at Hey Day Market on Thursday, July 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., with proceeds supporting Storybook Farms. Adrenaline-seekers will enjoy the display of power sports, and there will be free gelato from Saint Bernardo’s Gelato Cart, demos from the Mini Grom and Slingshot clubs and a ticketed raffle.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI

The Lee County Alumni of Alabama State University is holding a membership drive. Increased membership will allow the group to offer more scholarships and support financial and other vital needs for student success at ASU, as well as will foster a sense of pride, visibility and connection to the community. For more information, contact President Dwight E. Howard at (334) 745-7293.

Opelika Kiwanis

Sons of the American Revolution

Jenna Buffalo, founder of Lilies of the Field, was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club. Lilies of the Field repurposes flowers and other decorations from other events for gifting to individuals in nursing homes and other care groups. For more information or to donate flowers from your function, email Jenna at jbuffalo1116@gmail.com. Introduction was made by Lion President Glenn Stokes.

NAMI OFFERS VIRTUAL PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

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

AUBURN/OPELIKA MOPS IS NOW 'MomCO'

MOPS International changed its name from MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers to MomCo to include moms of children of all ages. Auburn Opelika MomCo meets at Pepperell Baptist Church, 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika. Contact Rachel Elrod at (706) 244-5620 or Pastor Zac Gardner or Pastor Josh Elliott at (334) 745-3108 for further information.

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 256-3683258.

NAMI of East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy.

NAMI of East Alabama meets at 6 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, located at 714 East Glenn Ave. The next meeting will be held June 18.Email laurajnh@gmail.com or call (205) 267-2986 for more information.

749-8003

Deadline

Carline Coffee Thursdays & Fridays 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.

At the May 2024 Chapter Meeting of the Alabama Society of the Sons of American Revolution (SAR), Sid Harden provided a very informative and interesting presentation on “Seeking Summerville.” In 1838, Robert S. Hardaway and 10 other prominent families, established an elite community in the hills of East Alabama near the Russell County/Lee County line.

Lions Club

The guest speaker at the Opelika Kiwanis meeting was Opelika Economic Development Director John Sweatman, who provided insight into the developments happening in our area.