The Observer 06-30-2022 E-edition

Thursday June 30, 2022

Vol. 14, No. 38

Opelika, Alabama

FRED ERi CK-DEAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY

Covering Lee County, Alabama

Compassion • Integrity • Tradition

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334-745-4667 On-site Crematory Coming Soon

Opelika Remembers Life of Community Leader, Educator

BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — Opelika lost one of its most beloved educators and community leaders with the passing of William Parker Sr. on June 22. Parker dedicated his life to educating children in the Opelika City Schools and served the community in numerous organizations, receiving many honors and awards. The educator and his wife Patsy inspired dreams in thousands of students over the years.

Parker was raised in Dothan where he was active in sports, playing basketball and football in high school. He attended Alabama State University until he was drafted into the Army. He served two years, spending 16 months in Korea.

Following his discharge, Parker returned to Alabama State University where he played basketball. Around this time he met Patsy, which he said was one of the best things that ever happened to him.

They were married in 1957

William Parker Sr., a longtime Opelika community leader and educator, passed away on June 22.

when he graduated while she was a junior.

After graduating, he went back for a master’s degree and also earned a specialist degree in administration from the University of Alabama.

Since he loved sports, Parker had a desire to become a coach. His first coaching job was in Barbour County where

he taught physical education and organized a successful basketball program.

Since Patsy had a job in Opelika teaching at Jeter Street Elementary School, Parker accepted a position as physical education director for the Black elementary schools in Opelika. He later became assistant principal at

BigHouse Boasts Big Progress PHOTOS BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER

Blake and Micah Melnick stand inside the new home of BigHouse Foundation.

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@OPELIKAOBSERVER. COM OPELIKA — BigHouse Foundation, a

local nonprofit that supports foster families, hosted two evenings of tours at its new “BigHouse Retreat” on Grand National Parkway in Opelika on June 23 and 24. The orga-

nization enlisted the help of Sarah Tollitson Smith and Michael Allen Homes to make the dream a reality. While the

See BIGHOUSE, page A4

5 y l Ju . m . p 7 at

F

s a r o d e

Darden High School.

During integration, the Parkers felt they were fortunate to have had support from the community as they worked with parents, students and school administrators in assisting in a smooth transition.

“Working with the community and the parents in making a smooth transition during the period of integration was the most rewarding experience I have had,” Parker said. “The transition was smooth because we had strong leadership in our city fathers, our parents, our school administrators and, most of all, the students.”

After the schools were integrated, Parker became the first Black principal at Opelika Junior High School. He worked with Judge Lane as a volunteer advisor to the Lee County Juvenile Court System and served on the State Central Board of Control for the Alabama High School Athletic Association, which sets standards for behavior.

The Parkers were both See PARKER, page A2

Key Media Earns Top Honors in Annual Contest

BY THE OBSERVER STAFF

OPELIKA — The Observer, which is the flagship publication for Key Media, LLC, was awarded the top honor in its division during the 2022 Alabama Press Association (APA) Media Awards convention this past weekend. The Observer earned first-place honors under the General Excellence category, the Most Improved category and more.

LIVE Lee Magazine also won two first-place awards.

Both publications won awards for content, photos and advertising.

Michelle Key, owner and publisher of The Observer and LIVE Lee Magazine, said she was overwhelmed by the awards that both publications were given and said she recognizes that without the hard work and dedication of the staff, photographers, freelance writers, columnists, advertisers, customers and more, that none of these awards would have been

possible. Key expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone that has helped make both publications successful over the past five years.

The list of awards received in this year’s contest are as follows: THE OBSERVER First Place General Excellence Most Improved Best Lifestyle/Family Pages Best Local Economic Coverage Best Local Education Coverage Best Local News Best Sports Coverage Best Business Story Best Feature Story Best Editorial Best Humorous Column Best Human Interest Column See AWARDS, page A4

Lee County Emergency Manager Elected VP of Statewide Association CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER LEE COUNTY –– Lee County EMA Director Rita Smith has been elected the 202223 first vice president of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers (AAEM), the statewide association representing Alabama’s emergency managers.

Smith was elected to the position at the recent 2022 Alabama Disaster Preparedness Conference.

“I’m grateful that my colleagues across See SMITH, page A3

Lee County Emergency Manager Rita Smith poses for a picture following her election as Alabama Association of Emergency Managers vice president at the 2022 Alabama Disaster Preparedness Conference.

CONTENTS

OPINION ..................... A4 ENTERTAINMENT ........... A7 OBITUARIES ............... A13 RELIGION ................... A14 COMICS ....................... A16 SPORTS ........................ B1 POLITICS ...................... B9 CLASSIFIEDS ................ B14 PUBLIC NOTICES ........... B14 PUZZLES ..................... B15

A2 June 30, 2022

Opelika Business Owner's Success Story Recognized by SBA OPELIKA — One local businesswoman has proven that her trials won’t keep her down, and her success story has earned a spot on the radar of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

PARKER >>

FROM A1

active in PTA, serving as presidents. When the Boys and Girls Club was organized, the Parkers were on the first board and the Youth Development Board, among many other boards.

“My biggest experiences came within the school system, and as a result of that everything else fell in to place, including all of the organizations in which I was involved,” said Parker. “I worked extremely hard wherever I was because I wanted to be the best I could be.”

When Parker retired in 1991, he became director of the Child Advocacy Center for about ten years. He was instrumental in getting land and a new building to help children in need.

He was appointed by the mayor to represent Opelika on the Indian Pines Golf Authority. He was proud of this public golf course in the community.

“One of the greatest accomplishments and pride in

“It is truly an honor to have been selected

by SBA to share my success story,” said Lisa Ditchkoff, owner of the Bottling Plant Event Center in downtown Opelika. “My business had tremendous struggles for the first six years and then again in 2020 and 2021 when COVID hit. Persever-

ance and determination helped us through.”

According to her published story, Ditchkoff’s dream of running her own event planning business and unique venue began to take shape in 2003 when she started a small event planning business from her home. A few years

my life is my family,” Parker would say. “Settling in Opelika and raising my family here was the most rewarding accomplishment in my life.

Having worked in the school system as a teacher and principal gave me the opportunity to help our children and work with some of the finest parents anywhere.”

Parker not only encouraged and gave hope to children and youth over the years, he and Patsy set examples of working hard to achieve goals and dreams. In this effort, they established an annual scholarship for any Opelika High School student to attend Alabama State University.

The Parkers’ children, Billy and Nancy, were active in many activities in school.

Billy was the first black Key Club president, while Nancy was the first black Miss OHS. The Parkers feel their greatest accomplishments, pride and love in their lives has been their family with six grandchildren. Billy works as a Partner with a commercial real estate development firm, and Nancy became an Emmy winning anchor at Fox8 News

in New Orleans.

Parker and Patsy experienced heartbreak at the devastating loss of their daughter Nancy in a plane crash while she was working on a story.

With Nancy’s outreach and dedication to helping others, her loss broke the hearts of people around the world. Her passion for telling people’s stories inspired others to make a difference.

After Nancy’s death, the Parkers established a community scholarship in her honor to an Opelika High School senior. This is the second scholarship the Parkers have established.

When William passed away, Nancy’s husband Glenn Boyd commented, “When Nancy and I were courting, I remember one evening she explained to me what type of man she hoped to marry. ‘I want to marry someone just like my Dad,’ she said.

“Of course I’d met her father a number of times. He was a school principal, a leader in the Opelika community, sat on boards and commissions and was president of the golf club.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

See SUCCESS, page A6 “Above all that, William Parker was a man of character and integrity, a family man, in love with his wife Patsy of more than 60 years and his two children Billy and Nancy. I’ve never met a man so dedicated to his family.

He pampered Nancy and his wife; hunted, fished and golfed with Billy all of his 88 years. His grandkids were the apple of his eyes. Our kids affectionately called him, ‘Poppi.’

“I remember telling Nancy in that conversation, I could never be like her father. I could try and work to be a lot like him.”

“She loved her father, and he loved her more than life itself. On Wednesday afternoon, Nancy and her hero embraced again, in eternity.

“I can truly say, I’m a better man, because of Mr. Parker. I never heard him raise his voice, I never heard him swear, we never had a cross word.

“I could never be just like Mr. Parker, but I’m still trying and I’m better for it. Thank you for my greatest gift.

“You truly were one of a

Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year • Co-recipient of the 2012 Dream Achiever Award • Lee County Juvenile Court Award for Outstanding Distinguished Voluntary Leader in the establishment of the East Alabama Child Advocacy Center • Certificate of Appreciation from United Way • Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. • Member of Alabama State Alumni Association • Member of the Indian Pines Golf Authority Board • Member of the Alabama Education Association •Member of the National Education Association • Member of the Lee County Retired Teachers Association.

In Lou of flowers or green plants please consider a donation to the: William A. Parker, Sr. Gap Scholarship SUSCC Foundation PO Box 1000 Wadley, AL 36276

kind.”

The service to remember and honor William Parker Sr. will be held on July 2, at 11 a.m. on the Southern Union State Junior College campus.

WILLIAM “BILL” PARKER SR.’S HONORS AND AWARDS • B.S. degree in social studies and physical education from Alabama State University • Master of Science Degree from Alabama State University • Specialist degree in administration from the University of Alabama • Co-recipient of the Alabama State University President’s Club Award • Alabama State’s Alumni on the Move Award • Alabama Athletic Association Distinguished Service Award • East Alabama Mental Health and Retardation Center Award for 17 Years of Service on the Board of Directors • Vice president and treasurer of the board of directors at the East Alabama Mental Health Association • Co-recipient of the Boy

Located in beautiful downtown Opelika 223 S. 8th St. • 334-749-8003 www.opelikaobserver.com

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A3 June 30, 2022

‘It Is In The Shelter Of Each Other That People Live.’ –– Irish Proverb LEE COUNTY –– As I look over how many intakes we have encountered at the Lee County Humane Society (LCHS), just in this past week, I find myself wondering, “How can I help?

What can I do? What will ignite a ‘difference maker?’” The recurring answer for me is simply, “I don’t know.” My heart wants to save and rescue every single animal. My magical, endless bank account wants to build massive shelters everywhere –– shelters with a well-paid staff, high-end amenities, industrial washers and dryers and grassy knolls. This magical dream is pursued by each and every volunteer and staff member at LCHS. The passion and hope for this animal shelter utopia is what each and every one of us strives to achieve. If you have the wonderful opportunity to talk and listen to an animal shelter employee and/or volunteer, you will find that our hearts work day in and day out in the hopes to build this magical place.

Sounds amazing, right? Of course it does.

However, our minds at LCHS are aware that our dream of saving all animals, having stateof-the-art technology and most importantly, space to provide a safe and loving home for our animal friends simply isn’t realistic. Our animal shelter utopia is just a pipe dream. This knowledge of it being just a dream doesn’t stop our drive and passion from trying to make it happen. It doesn’t stop our volunteers from working tirelessly to make it happen. So back to the questions at hand: “How can I help? What can I do? How can I be a difference maker?”

ADOPT. RESCUE. FOSTER. TRANSPORT. SPONSOR. DONATE. VOLUNTEER. EDUCATE. CARE. In hopes to bring a focus to an immediate need for how you can help, I would like to reintroduce our Shelter Jewels Program, our “Diamonds In The Ruff.” This elite group of animal friends has taken up residency at LCHS for quite a long while.

They have been with us the longest. Think of a teenager stuck in foster care their entire life, the

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY KIM REEDER CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

child that’s never known a forever home, one that is too old for that family to adopt, the anxious couple’s missing piece of their family, yet they feel that “this isn’t the one.”

The one that is overlooked with thoughts of them being too much of an undertaking, too risky, too hard, too mature or too grown. Just like this aged-out teenager longing for family dinners and game nights, our “Diamonds” have similar longings. They long for a family, a yard, belly rubs and ear scratches.

They long to provide the best “welcome home” each and every time you leave the house. This is their utopia. This is their

dream — a dream that isn’t “far-fetched.” You could be their forever family. If forever isn’t an option for you, becoming a foster just might be.

Having a prolonged residency in a shelter does come with some speed bumps. With patience and time, our Diamonds In The Ruff will love you with such gratitude, you’ll wish you would have rescued them earlier. If you are familiar with how a diamond is formed, you will understand our special gems, our “Diamonds.”

The formation of a diamond takes patience, pressure (stress/strain), a fiery temperature and time. It requires all of

Auburn Fire Department Celebrates Six Promotions AUBURN — The Auburn Fire Department announced this month the recent promotions of six firefighters to lieutenant, captain and battalion chief. The promotions took effect in May. According to Fire Chief John Lankford, firefighters must go through a rigorous assessment to determine whether they will be promoted. The assessment is designed to test their strengths and see how they would handle various situations they might face on the job.

“The testing is a rigorous process which includes an emergency scene roleplay, writing exercise and written test,” he said. “Their performance is graded by peers from other fire departments in Alabama. The candidates that score the highest are selected to be promoted.”

Four men were promoted to the rank of lieutenant: David Carr, Esau Hooks, Cody Krauel and David Tuten. All four previously held the rank of sergeant.

According to a news release by Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Steven Jordan, Carr began in Auburn as a student firefighter in March 2001 before his official hiring in 2005. He was promoted to sergeant in

SMITH >>

FROM A1

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF AUBURN

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

these things and then some for these carbon atoms to even begin to become a gem, a diamond. Same applies to our Diamonds. It will take patience, time, pressure (stress/strain) and a fiery soul, but wow, in time, what a gem. A Shelter Jewel.

With any precious jewel, special care is required and recommended. You wouldn’t ordinarily give a 3-yearold a 3-carat diamond to play with…and neither will we. You wouldn’t choose a pipe cleaner for your ring setting with that same 3-carat diamond. If LCHS was a jeweler (we kind of are) we certainly wouldn’t insure your pipe cleaner setting. In LCHS terms, we make sure our 3-carat diamond will have a perfect setting, one fitting for such a gem.

We take tremendous pride along with tremendous love and care for our Diamonds, and we don’t want their integrity compromised. To ensure quality and longevity of our Diamonds, we provide training, toys, wire crates, blankets, food, bowls, medicine (if needed) and a free photo session with our media specialist. There

the state have entrusted me with this important responsibility,” Smith said. “I look forward to working closely with each Emergency Manager to prioritize safety and promote emergency awareness across all 67 counties.”

ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield expressed his confidence in Smith’s abilities, stating: “Rita is a proven leader, poised and willing to make a tremendous impact on the association. She has proven her genuine desire and sense of responsibility

is also a virtual, fourweek training session via GoodPup when certain LCHS Shelter Pets are adopted.

Puppies are beautiful, and they deserve forever homes, but when referencing our Diamonds, puppies are the cubic zirconia. They are cute — their own diamonds in the making — but they aren’t Diamonds. Some people are the family heirloom types — “Shelter Jewels” people — while others are the new, bright and shiny like diamond people: puppy people. And then there are so many of us all that fall in between. That’s the great thing about it.

Just like diamonds, we are all unique, and none of us are the exact same.

It is what gets us closer and closer to that inner animal shelter utopia. It is what helps us rescue, adopt and foster our animal friends. Simply magnificent. If you are unable to adopt, rescue or foster, please remember you can volunteer, transport, donate, sponsor, educate and most importantly, care.

Are you ready to meet our “Diamonds In The Ruff”? Visit us at leecountyhumane.org to find out more.

to protect citizens in her home county and across the state. I know she will bring that same mindset and dedication to her new role as AAEM First Vice President.”

Smith was named Lee County Emergency Manager in February 2020.

The Alabama Association of Emergency Managers is a statewide organization speaking for all 67 counties with one voice. The organization promotes the creation of resilient communities and the enhancement of public safety by empowering members to prevent, mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from all types of disaster.

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Top row, left to right: Lt. David Carr, Lt. Esau Hooks, Lt. Cody Krauel. Bottom row, left to right: Lt. David Tuten, Capt. Edward Ray, Battalion Chief John Benefield.

2013.

Hooks followed a similar path, joining as a student firefighter in 2009 before his hiring as a career firefighter in 2011 and subsequent promotion to sergeant in 2014. He has earned degrees from Tuskegee University and Auburn University, and organizes the annual Firefighter Sporting Competition.

Krauel joined the department as a student firefighter in 2011, became a career firefighter in 2013 and was promoted to sergeant in 2018. He is also an EMT, Fire and Physical Fitness instructor for the Fire Department

Recruit School.

Tuten started as a student firefighter in 2009 before becoming a career firefighter in 2012. He studied at Southern Union State Community College and Auburn University.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2016.

Edward Ray was promoted to captain this year. He also started at the Auburn Fire Department as a student firefighter in March 2001. Ray was hired as a career firefighter in 2006 and promoted to lieutenant in 2007.

John Benefield is the department’s newest battalion chief. Bene-

field, whose career with the Auburn Fire Department spans nearly 30 years, started in 1993 as a student firefighter and became a career firefighter in 1996. He was promoted to team leader in 1999, lieutenant in 2006 and fire captain in 2021. He holds degrees from Auburn University and Troy University.

“Our firefighters are well educated and motivated to provide the best service to the citizens of Auburn,” Lankford said. “I am proud of all that they have achieved and know they will achieve great things in their new roles.”

Protect with 3! ✔ Tdap ✔ HPV ✔ MCV4 Protect your patients against vaccine preventable diseases.

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

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

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

A4 June 30, 2022

The Ballad of Bubs McFee

SEAN DIETRICH

N

ew York Harbor, 1885. Only 20 years after the Civil War. New York was the epicenter of the world.

Bubs McFee had traveled all the way from Maryland to be here, hoping to get hired as part of the auxiliary metal-working crew that would help assemble the world’s most famous statue.

Competition was stiff.

Everyone wanted this job.

A big-bellied foreman surveyed the long line of hopeful young laborers, sizing them up like an infantry.

When the foreman’s eyes landed on Bubs, he laughed.

“God sakes, son,” said the foreman. “You don’t look old enough to shave.

You sure you’re in the right

place?”

“Yes, sir.”

The other applicants laughed.

“What are you, 12?” said the foreman.

Bubs said nothing.

At age 23, Bubs looked like he was an adolescent.

But he had worked the steel girders on exactly 28 buildings and three truss bridges in Pittsburgh. Bubs had been laying rivets since his 14th birthday. He could climb anything, lift twice his weight and swing a nine-pound hammer so hard you’d feel its impact from three states away.

“Your mama know you’re here?” said the foreman, whose belly jiggled with laughter.

“Yes, sir.”

This got another laugh from the group. But Bubs did not break a smile. He merely stared at the foreman.

The foreman looked at his clipboard. “Bubs, huh? That your real name?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, Bubs, you have any idea how many beamwalkers die each year on my clock? Have you ever laid a rivet in your life? Can you even lift a hammer with that puny arm you got?”

“Yes, sir.”

The foreman shook his head. “You’re naturally gabby, aren’t you?”

Bubs took the Fifth.

The foreman squinted and leaned in. “Well, I think you’re a liar. I don’t think you’ve ever worked with iron in your life. I don’t think you’d know a rivet from your own butt.”

The foreman held up a hammer. “You want this job, I’m gonna need a little proof, kid.”

In a few moments a full-scale competition was underway to separate the wheat from the chaff. A gaggle of competing ironworking applicants crowded beneath a tall, unfinished steel skeleton, ready to prove

themselves.

Young Bubs buckled a leather harness around his scrawny waist and prepared to give his audience their ticket’s worth. Nearby ironworkers were already running bets on how many rivets skinny young Bubs could lay down.

The foreman shouted the ground rules. “Gentlemen, you have three minutes!

First man to climb the iron and give me five good rivets gets a job!”

This was a tall order. Five rivets in three minutes? Even your average veteran riveter could only install one rivet per minute. But then, Bubs was not average.

The foreman wound a stopwatch. Bubs loosened his shoulders and took deep breaths. He placed the tongs and hammer into his toolbelt then glanced 50 feet upward at his “feeder,” a man cooking red-hot rivets over coals.

Riveting was a two-man job. One man operated the coal forge and tossed glowing rivets to the riveter; the riveter swung the hammer and shaped each rivet with nothing but his shoulder muscles and the will of the Lord.

“On your marks…”

shouted the foreman.

Go. The crowd never knew what hit them.

Bubs scaled the iron column like a veritable superhuman. His awesome hammer pounded each steel pin faster than you could scratch your nose. The booms from his mallet were like locomotive collisions.

His competitors didn’t stand a chance against the wonder kid.

Men on the ground lost their smiles. And their bets.

Mouths gaped open as the crowd watched a 23-yearold steeldriver from Baltimore pound iron rivets like a downright miracle.

After only one minute, Bubs had laid in four rivets.

After two minutes, he’d finished nine. When the clock ran out Bubs had driven 13 rivets into the iron. None of his competitors had even come close to finishing four.

Young Bubs returned to the ground, his chest heaving with each breath. Men applauded him and took turns congratulating the young man, some still shaking their heads in mock disbelief.

Even the foreman was rendered mute as he gazed into the distance at the New York

Harbor surrounding them.

This diverse crew would help European craftsmen erect the iron framework of a gargantuan statue. Its pylon underframe would be riveted together, then covered in 350 forged copper plates, secured with 300,000 copper rivets. It was the project of a lifetime.

The kind of thing that lands men in history books.

When completed, the neoclassical sculpture would stand at 305 feet. Her Torch of Freedom would greet 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. Steamship passengers would later report that the statue was the first thing they saw from sea.

Many newcomers would weep when they first laid eyes on her. Most still do.

Not because of her appearance, but because of what she stands for.

The foreman clapped Bubs on the shoulder and gave a warm smile.

“That was quite a show, kid. Ain’t never seen anything like that. You start tomorrow morning. You and me are gonna build the most beautiful statue this world has ever seen.”

Bubs wiped the slick sweat from his ebony face.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

Red, White, Blue: July 4th is Rolling In

I

BETH PINYERD

have always loved living in Lee County.

Our community always comes together and celebrates the holidays BIG. With gas prices being quite high this summer, much of our family summer fun can be centered right here in our community. Monday rolls in that annual summer holiday celebration of July 4. Don’t you just love the holidays

during the year? Each holiday, no matter what culture, family or tradition, provides many learning experiences for young children. July 4 offers so many fun learning activities. I have listed just a few tried-and-true fun activities for young children and their families.

We are celebrating the birthday of our country right in our communities and

AWARDS >>

FROM A1

Best Editorial Column or Commentary Best Sports Single Event Story Best Local Sports Column Second Place Best Production and Printing Best Use of Photographs and Editorial Content Best Layout and Design Best Feature Story Best Editorial Best Editorial Column or Commentary Best Sports News In-depth Coverage Best Local Sports Column Best Photo Essay Best Use of Graphics Best Headline Best Use of Social Media Best Use of Video (Longer than 2 minutes) Third Place Best Newspaper Website Best Use of Graphics Creative Use of Multimedia Best Feature Photo

backyards. It is so important to celebrate the fact that a diverse group of people came together to form the United States of America.

It’s so important that we declared our independence on July 4. As we celebrate this day, the colors of our flag — red, white and blue — seem to be our focal point.

Red represents bravery, blue signifies perseverance and white represents purity.

These are three strong principles that our country is built on, and children can easily put these truths to heart.

Here are a few ideas I’d like to share with you that I hope will help make your July 4 celebration one to remember. These are simple: 1. Make red and blue Kool-Aid with your child.

Freeze the different colored drinks in ice trays or pans.

Your young child will love putting red and blue ice cubes to his lips on a hot day.

2. Another simple food that young children enjoy are red and blue Jello jig-

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glers that can be cut into simple shapes. Young children love the bouncy texture of this child-favored treat.

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

4. Also, having your young child help you make July 4 cupcakes with seasonal strawberries and blueberries is not only a delicious but healthy dessert. A variation of this is to sprinkle blueberries and strawberries into vanilla ice cream.

5. Build excitement with your young children by including them on July 4 picnic preparations. Color styrofoam cups with red and blue stripes. You can do the same with decorating napkins. White paper plates make up an easy young child’s creation wreath as they color and scribble red and blue. It can be hung on the door to show that your

BIGHOUSE >>

FROM A1

new 8,976-square-foot building is still under construction, guests were invited to see the progress, pray over the property and sign the wood framing.

Micah Melnick, BigHouse founder and executive director, said she is excited for BigHouse to have an all-in-one space of its own to share with the foster

family is truly patriotic, right from the hands of a young child. Share with them the different foods you are going to grill out, prepare or buy. With young children, make sure food is cut up in eatable portions.

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

7. On July 4, when having fun in the sun, remember to protect your little ones with suntan lotion, hats, being in the shade, etc. Also, keep your children, yourselves and family well hydrated.

Remember the bug spray because little insects can make huge whelts to their young skin.

8. Playpens are so easy to tote as an infant’s bed or

families they serve.

“Being able to design that and create that and have it be something so warm and inviting for families, and a place where they feel like they can belong and spend time ... we’re hoping that they will take advantage of that and be out here all the time with us,” she said. “Whether it’s a scheduled event or just impromptu — coming to play on the playground and stuff like that — we want them to feel like

just a play area. Spreading out blankets or quilts make it wonderful for toddlers to climb all around during the family’s festivities.

9. There are many fireworks shows in Lee County.

Check in the newspaper, The Observer, for those times. Be sensitive to the fact that young children are very sensitive to loud sounds. You might want to keep your infants and toddlers at a distance where they can enjoy the beautiful display of colors and not be frightened by the big booms.

10. Last but not least, be thankful and pray for those folks who protect our freedom by serving in the armed services. Many of your families even now might have a family member serving in our armed services.

I hope these 10 simple suggestions create a child-friendly happy July 4 for you and your families.

Take advantage of what our community has to offer.

it’s theirs.”

Melnick noted the community’s strong support of BigHouse over the years and said the staff is always open to donors and volunteers.

“Our community has always been just really generous and supportive of BigHouse, so we want them to come … and see what their support is going towards and be a part of it.”

For more information, visit ourbighouse.org.

A5 June 30, 2022

Local Hospital Executive Elected to Board of Trustees

Opelika Senior Care Center Earns Prestigious Award

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

MONTGOMERY –– Laura Grill, president and CEO of the East Alabama Health Care Authority, was elected to serve on the executive committee of the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA) as the secretary-treasurer. In addition, Grill was selected to lead the Association’s Central Alabama Regional Hospital Council as its president. The elections took place last week at the Association’s recent annual meeting.

“Laura has served the Association in a number of positions and is always willing to lend her time and expertise,” said Donald E. Williamson, MD, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. “Her clinical background and her keen insight have proven extremely helpful in our initiatives, and we are pleased that she has agreed to serve as an officer and a council president.”

Grill has been with EAMC for nearly 30 years. Prior to joining the hospital, she worked at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham. She has served AlaHA on numerous committees, including chairing the State Legislative/Regulatory Committee and serving on the Finance Committee, Awards Committee, Education Task Force, Future

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA –– Home Instead Senior Care of Opelika, Alabama, is the recipient of the 2022 Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A) Corporate Sponsorship Award which will be presented to Home Instead at

GRILL Directions Committee, Federal Legislative/ Regulatory Committee and Physician Alignment Workgroup.

Grill received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a master’s in business administration from the University of Alabama.

She is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing, the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a board-certified nursing administrator by the American Nursing Credentialing Center. In

addition to her hospital leadership, she serves on multiple boards including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, AmeriFirst Bank, the Auburn University Women’s Resource Advisory and United Way of Lee County.

Founded in 1921, the Alabama Hospital Association is a statewide trade organization that assists member hospitals in effectively serving the health care needs of Alabama, through advocacy, representation, education and service.

S&S Termite and Pest Control Now Serving Local Community As Northwest Exterminating CONTRIBUTED BY NORTHWEST EXTERMINATING OPELIKA –– S&S Termite and Pest Control will now serve its local community as Northwest Exterminating. The S&S team joined the Northwest Exterminating Family of Brands in late 2021 and look forward to creating the extraordinary experiences customers expect and deserve under the Northwest name beginning in June 2022.

S&S Termite and Pest Control serves customers in the east Alabama and west Georgia area with termite, pest, mosquito, rodent and bed bug control. As Northwest, the team will continue to support the local area with the same great team, pricing, services and customer care. The office remains locally operated.

“Serving as Northwest will allow our

Opelika team to grow even further and offer a growing list of services for our commercial and residential customers,” said James Nelson, regional manager of the Northwest Alabama offices. “The S&S team provides extraordinary customer service, and they really care about each home and business they service. I can’t wait for even more people in our community to get to experience the service standard they create.

When you see a Northwest truck or uniform, know it’s that same S&S team you’ve come to love, now just rocking The Mouse around town.”

The Opelika office will be Northwest’s fifth Alabama location, further allowing the teams to serve green pest control solutions and their mission to create healthier living and working environments to more

customers throughout the state. The team looks forward to serving under the Northwest Exterminating name and sharing The Mouse with more customers. For more information, please visit www.callnorthwest.com.

ABOUT NORTHWEST EXTERMINATING: Northwest Exterminating was founded in 1951 and is now in its third generation of Phillips’ family leadership. Joining the Rollins, Inc. family of leading brands in 2017, Northwest has grown across the Southeast to include over 40 service centers, with plans to continue that growth alongside Rollins in partnership with leading pest control brands. We have been recognized as one of AJC’s Top Workplaces for eight consecutive years and believe in creating ‘Customers for Life’ through extraordinary experiences.

the SE4A Conference, Waves of Change Aging Redefined, at Amelia Island, Florida. The mission of the SE4A Agency is to be an advocate for aging senior adults and recognize individuals and organizations who provide outstanding contributions to older persons in the Southeast region. Home Instead

has received this award for its hard work and dedication to the care of seniors and for Home Instead’s Santa to a senior event held every December. Home Instead would like to thank the Lee County Area Agency on Aging for the nomination and for their continued support of this community program.

EAMC Awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification From The Joint Commission

CONTRIBUTED BY EAMC

OPELIKA –– East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

EAMC underwent a rigorous, onsite review on April 8, 2022.

During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards; for example: initiation and delivery of stroke patient care, utilization of current evidence-based guidelines of stroke care, continuing staff and provider stroke specific education and timeliness of stroke specific patient care metrics. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” sayd Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission.

“We commend East Alabama Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“We congratulate EAMC for this outstanding achievement,” sayd Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

“Having a certified stroke program is something we have dreamed about for years,” said Laura Grill, East Alabama Health president and CEO. “Despite the pandemic, we were finally able to put the pieces together over the past couple of years by adding a highly quali-

guidelines; providing dedicated stroke education to all EAMC staff; comprising a multidisciplinary stroke team; designating stroke care clinical leaders; and facilitating community education to promote stroke awareness. Because of strong clinical leadership, administra-

fied neurohospitalist in Dr. Nojan Valadi, and a trusted nurse practitioner in Jayme Gardner, CRNP, FNP-C. They are both very passionate about providing a high level of stroke care for our patients and leading EAH’s multi-disciplinary stroke team.”

Grill says, “Without this team, and our specially trained registered nurses and ancillary staff in our emergency departments, critical care units, and designated stroke unit, this certification, and most importantly, excellence of care for our stroke population could not be achieved. We want to be the provider of choice for our community and achieving this designation means fewer patients have to go outside of this region to receive top-notch stroke care.”

EAMC diligently prepared for the survey for approximately 18 months. This preparation, spearheaded by Valadi and Gardner, included activities such as: developing stroke-specific order sets, guidelines and protocols based on current evidence-based

tive support, a multidisciplinary stroke team and staff engagement, EAMC is now a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

ABOUT EAST ALABAMA HEALTH: East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinic and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area.

EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital with a 26-bed Skilled Nursing Facility, while EAMC-Lanier provides inpatient services as well as a nursing home, an acute rehab unit and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,500 employees and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.

For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.

A6 June 30, 2022

New Realtors Join Growing Three Sixty {real estate} Office in East Alabama CONTRIBUTED BY 360 REALTY

AUBURN –– Three Sixty {real estate} is pleased to welcome realtors Jamie Peters and Dylan Johnson to its office in East Alabama.

JAMIE PETERS Peters said she loves being part of Auburn’s local community, and helping that community grow and develop in her role as a realtor. She is happy to offer her expertise in what can be one of the biggest financial decisions her clients will ever make. Her greatest joy is helping her clients feel at home and part of something special that is

right for their lifestyle.

“I love the community aspect of real estate, and seeing small towns grow and develop,” Peters said.

As an Auburn native, Peters grew up in the area and attended Auburn City Schools where she enjoyed cheering for the Tigers on Friday nights. Peters began her education at Southern Union State Community College in Opelika, where she earned her Associate’s degree.

She then continued her education at Auburn University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Finance.

Peters enjoys visiting

JOHNSON

PETERS

family and friends at the lake, with her parents on Lake Harding and her grandparents on Lake Martin. She also loves to bake for her side business, Butter Me Up Custom Cakes.

Peters recently bought a house in Opelika. She

enjoys flying with her boyfriend Austin, who is a corporate pilot in Auburn. They have a Pomeranian named Boo and they enjoy going to the beach and flying to new places together.

“We are thrilled to have Peters on board,

Stone Martin Builders Promotes Adam Middleton to Director of Innovation

Middleton’s creative solutions have played a key role in the company’s strong performance and growth. Middleton created a new database and tracking tool that accurately predicted subcontractor capacity, making it possible for the company to forecast their demand and meet goals. Middleton also was responsible for creating and developing Stone Martin Builders new scheduling process, improving the workload balance for their team.

“I want to continue to push for improvements across every department to become a more well-informed resource for all of our employees and enhance the home

building experience for our homeowners,” said Adam Middleton, director of innovation at Stone Martin Builders.

“Stone Martin Builders is always working to be ahead of the curve.

I’m confident that my future innovation plan will secure Stone Martin Builders as the premier choice in Alabama and Georgia.”

Middleton has been with Stone Martin Builders since 2017.

Middleton will also begin pursuing his MBA at Auburn University this upcoming fall.

ABOUT STONE MARTIN BUILDERS Based in Auburn-Opelika metro area, Stone Martin Builders is dedicated to developing aspirational communities throughout the state, including Columbus, Athens, Huntsville, Prattville, Montgomery and Dothan. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has quickly grown and in 2020 was ranked as one of the 100 largest home builders in the U.S. by Builder Online. More info at https:// stonemartinbuilders.com

SBA. “The U.S. Small Business Administration’s mission is help Americans start, grow, expand or recover their business from a disaster,” explained Megyn Rodriguez, an SBA outreach and marketing specialist who worked with Ditchkoff to share her story.

“In Lisa’s case, she utilized one of our local resource partners, the Alabama Small Business Development Centers … to assist her in obtaining an SBA 504 loan, which ultimately helped her grow her business.”

In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and so did another round of challenges for Ditchkoff and the event center. She man-

aged to push through by diversifying her business and utilizing another SBA loan, the SBA COVID-19 EIDL, which seeks to help businesses recover from the economic impact of COVID. From there, the Bottling Plant Event Center was able to recover and continue operating and growing.

Rodriguez said SBA does not endorse private businesses, but the organization does seek to highlight a few that have found success by taking advantage of their resources. In Ditchkoff’s case, she demonstrated perseverance and resiliency more than once.

“My whole goal has been to help others in

CONTRIBUTED BY STONE MARTIN BUILDERS

OPELIKA –– Stone Martin Builders (SMB), one of the largest home builders across Alabama and the region, announced the promotion of Adam Middleton to director of innovation. In his new role as director of innovation, Middleton will evaluate, develop and implement new and improved systems and processes to increase overall functionality and efficiency across Stone Martin Builders departments.

“Since the day he joined Stone Martin Builders, Adam has been essential for our team to continue exceeding the expectations of our employees and customers,” said John Manasco, chief operating officer of Stone Martin Builders. “Adam’s dynamic, forward-thinking approach fuels our passion in bringing the vision of your dream home into reality. We are so proud of all his achievements and can’t wait to see what he has next in store for us.”

SUCCESS >>

FROM A2

later, she saw Opelika’s old Coca-Cola bottling plant for sale and was struck with inspiration.

What began as a dream eventually evolved into the Bottling Plant Event Center, a versatile venue that now also boasts a wine shop and offers full-service, offsite catering.

But getting there wasn’t an easy task.

Renovations for the bottling plant would be expensive, and in 2008, Americans were no strangers to economic adversity.

After facing rejection in her initial search for a loan, Ditchkoff was able to secure one through

MIDDLETON

and we look forward to seeing how she grows in the profession,” said Elizabeth Rose, branch broker, Three Sixty {real estate} East Alabama.

DYLAN JOHNSON Johnson began his career in real estate as a property manager with a strong background in student living in Auburn with a focus on leasing.

Earning his real estate license was a natural next step, and Johnson is happy to now be able to help and guide his clients through what is one of the biggest decisions they will ever make.

“I love being able to help and guide my clients through one of

the biggest decisions they will ever make,” Johnson said.

Originally from Hope Hull, Alabama, just south of Montgomery, Johnson also spent a lot of his childhood at Lake Martin. He attended Southern Union State College where he majored in Business Administration. Johnson is engaged and lives in Opelika with his fiancé and their two dogs and two cats. He enjoys traveling, spending time on the lake and attending local events.

“Johnson is a welcome addition to our team. We are excited to see how he grows in the profession," Rose said.

Local Insurance Agent Receives Life Membership in MDRT Prestigious Membership is Exclusive to World’s Leading Financial Professionals CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — Farris L. Bondurant of Auburn, has achieved life membership in the prestigious MDRT organization, a coveted career milestone that marks ten continuous years in attaining MDRT membership. Membership in MDRT is a highly recognized mark of excellence and limited to only the most successful in the financial services profession with exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client services.

For Bondurant to become a Life MDRT Member, this places him among the top professionals in the intensely competitive global life insurance and financial services industries. It also offers the opportunity to connect and share innovative ideas and best practices with other leading financial professional members. “Life MDRT members are the best and brightest profesregard to my business,” Ditchkoff said, whether that be by hosting nonprofits or bringing new customers to downtown Opelika.

“So often people give up on their goals and dreams of owning a business. But had they

sionals our industry has to offer,” said Randy Scritchfield, CFP®, LUTCF, MDRT president. “They all shared long-standing experiences in and unwavering tenacity to help their clients and provide excellent services. MDRT hopes to continue to

BONDURANT foster a culture of excellence and encourage members to continue to grow both personally and professionally.”

MDRT’s culture motivates the best in the business to share innovative ideas, concepts and techniques with each other. The exclusive tools and resources members obtain through tried just one more time to secure funding or tried one more business expansion, it’s possible that would have changed the trajectory of everything for them. I just hope that the story helps someone out there.”

Read the full pub-

membership help them to better guide their clients to beneficial solutions and provide their clients the greatest service.

For more information contact Farris Bondurant at 334-821-5050 or FLBondurant@WoodmenLife.org.

ABOUT MDRT Founded in 1927, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 72 nations and territories. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service.

MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, please visit www.mdrt.org and follow them on Twitter @MDRtweet. lished story at /www. sba.gov/offices/ district/al/birmingham/success-stories/ story-persistenceand-resiliency-howsecuring-sba-financinghelped-bottling-plantevent-center/.

E vents, Food, & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS: JULY 1: JULY 4TH EVENT, 5 P.M. IN DOWNTOWN LOACHAPOKA, FIREWORKS AT 9 P.M. JULY 2: OPELIKA'S FREEDOM CELEBRATION STARTING AT 6:30 P.M. AT OPELIKA HIGH SCHOOL FIREWORKS START AT DUSK JULY 4: INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, 5 TO 7 P.M. AT DUCK SAMFORD STADIUM IN AUBURN

Remembering History, Fourth Of July Celebrations At Lake Condy PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY / FOR THE OBSERVER

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

O

n the Fourth of July weekend, many families will be heading to Lake Martin, Lake Harding or the beach in search of cool breezes. Years ago, Lake Condy was the only recreation area for families in Opelika to enjoy for swimming on sultry summer days.

Families would pack a picnic to enjoy for lunch and swim in water so clear stones could be seen at the bottom.

Diaries from old Opelika families recall visits to the lake, telling of making the trip in wagons. Many chil-

dren spent most of their summer days at Lake Condy, learning to swim or racing to the diving platform in the middle of the lake. Later, barbecues and festive Fourth of July celebrations were held at the lake.

When the late Doris Condon Canon lived at Lake Condy, the Fourth of July celebration with barbecues and picnics was her favorite time of year. Big pits were dug to cook the barbecue.

Brunswick stew was cooked in big black pots, and there were barrels of lemonade. At night there were fireworks lighting

up the sky.

Doris remembered there was something going on all the time. It was the only other place to swim besides the high school pool.

The history of Lake Condy was recorded in a diary belonging to the late John Fletcher. The lake was built by Zabud Fletcher in 1878. Zabud was born in 1842 north of Opelika in Mt. Jefferson, a small pre-Civil War community.

Zabud enlisted in the Confederate Army of Tennessee in 1862 at Opelika. Since he was small in stature at 5-feet

Heritage House Hosts Midsummer Market

Lake Condy was once the site of Fourth of July celebrations with barbecue, Brunswick stew and lemonade. At one time, fireworks were displayed to end a day of festivities at the lake. For many years in early Opelika history, Lake Condy was the only recreational area for swimming and picnics.

2-inches, he could not carry a rifle and was delegated to driving a mule wagon. He was wounded in Perryville, Kentucky, and became a prisoner of war at Camp Douglas, Illinois, and later Atlanta.

When he was paroled in June 1865, Zabud was penniless and had to walk from Atlanta to his home in Mt. Jefferson.

Zabud, his wife Janie and six children moved

to the area that would be known as Lake Condy. The lake was built mostly by farm labor. In his diary, Zabud makes references to digging and hauling rocks to dam the water and building a bath house.

Two springs were at the head of the lake, which was called Fletcher’s Lake at the time.

In 1912, the property was sold to M.L. Wilson

who resold the property in 1917 to H.L. Condon, grandfather of Doris Canon, who owned the Condon Jewelry Store in downtown Opelika.

Doris’ family’s history in Opelika stretches back to pioneer days. Her great grandfather Joshua C. Condon, H.L.’s father. operated the first jewelry store, Condon Jewelry Store, which was later See CIPPERLY, page A10

Nationally Acclaimed Art Exhibition Coming to Columbus PHOTOS BY ANN CIPPERLY / FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — On Sunday evening, the Heritage House in Opelika held a Midsummer Market event on the lawn with music provided by Webster’s Wheel. A variety of local vendors offered art, crafts, jewelry, floral arrangements, baked goods and refreshing lemonade.

Rummage sale booths from residents in the Northside Historic District were also filled with a variety of items. Turn to A9 for more photos from the event.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE COLUMBUS MUSEUM

COLUMBUS –– The Columbus Museum is proud to announce the opening of Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful, a comprehensive exhibition of renowned artist Alma W. Thomas’ extraordinary career with more than 150 objects, from her rarely seen marionettes to her well-known abstract paintings.

Following a 12-month, multi-city tour along the east coast, the acclaimed exhibition will make its final stop in Thom-

as’ native Columbus, where it will be on view from July 1 through Sept. 25, 2022.

“Sharing Alma Thomas’ passion for fostering education and creativity and for supporting artists, The Museum has been a beacon for arts and culture in the Chattahoochee Valley for decades,” said Marianne Richter, director of The Columbus Museum. “The debut of this exhibition in our museum is a beautiful, symbolic homecoming for Thomas. We’re immensely proud to be presenting such an extensive and unique

body of work that reflects her life and work and celebrates her legacy.”

Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful demonstrates how Thomas’ creative practices extended to every facet of her life, from community service and teaching to gardening and clothing. The exhibition is organized around multiple themes from Thomas’ life and career. It features a wide range of artwork and archival materials that reveal Thomas’ artistic complexity from early in her career to her later projects, See MUSEUM, page A9

“Our Mission is Your Health”

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334-364-9993 | 334-364-9997 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Suite A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com Mon-Fri 8am–6pm | Sat 9am–12pm | Sunday Closed

A8 June 30, 2022

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE / FOR THE OBSERVER

Making the Grade: Byron’s Smokehouse

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

I

am a big fan of condiments, with ketchup being my all-time favorite. Now, my husband Mike says that I will put ketchup on everything; however, that is incorrect.

Once when I was in single digits, I saw my cousin Lance dip his cornbread in ketchup.

There’s no way that I could bring myself to do that to cornbread or ketchup.

One of the most popular condiments in the South would have to be barbecue sauce, and most folks would argue that their state’s is the best. I wondered how many different types of barbecue sauces there were, so I asked my sweet husband to do a little research on the internet for me. Mike found that there were 12 types of barbecue sauces in the United States.

Recently, Mike and I sampled some Alabama white barbecue sauce. Argh!

Now, Mike and I love Sweet Home Alabama as much as anyone.

However, we won’t be partaking of that particular sauce again; it was too bitter for us.

My friend Ashley Kuehl-Binder is from North Carolina, and she thinks that East North Carolina barbecue sauce is the best.

However, I can’t agree with her because her barbecue sauce, which has a slight, reddish tint, has too much vinegar for me. Mike and I were glad to visit with Ashley, her hus-

band William and their children Nelia and Russell last week when they spent the night in Auburn on their way to Gulf Shores.

According to the description of the sauce, Mike and I prefer the Kansas Citystyle barbecue sauce.

It is sweet, tangy and has a tomato or ketchup base and has brown sugar or molasses as a sweetener. Since I’m a diabetic, it figures that I would love sweet-tasting barbecue sauce and not bitter.

Also, years ago, our friend Jack told us that the lighter the barbecue sauce, the hotter it was.

That was very helpful; I always grab the dark sauce when I go to barbecue restaurants because I love mild sauce. As I’ve said before, if my lips are burning while I’m eating, I’m not having a good time.

Last week, Mike and I dined at Byron’s Smokehouse at 436 Opelika Road in Auburn. I loved the orange and blue trim on the outside of the building. I also admired the pictures of Auburn’s past players and coaches. The restaurant had a really down home, comfortable atmosphere.

We met Glen and Stephanie Gulledge, who have owned Byron’s Smokehouse since 1989. The restaurant is named

after Glen’s dad, who used to do the cooking. The Gulledges were so warm and welcoming. I laughed when Stephanie told me that over the years, Glen has sent home a couple of employees to change clothes when they came to work in Bama shirts. However, Glen said that he loved serving Bama fans.

For his entrée, Mike ordered the sausage platter

with fried potatoes and baked beans. I chose the chicken, fried potatoes, turnip greens and cornbread. Even though the restaurant was busy, Stephanie quickly brought out our food. Everything was delicious. I was really glad that I took Stephanie’s advice when I was ordering and chose the turnip greens and cornbread.

My turnip greens tasted like my Grandma Patton’s, so they were terrific; Stephanie said that they were cooked fresh, and I could cer-

SUMMER SWING - EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT

July 5: Fedoras Concerts are held at Municipal Park at 7 p.m.

Hamburgers and hotdogs provided by Opelika Band Boosters and lemonade provided by SouthState Bank will be available from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Camp Hill Marketplace

Come out and buy your fresh produce, honey, jams and hand-crafted items at the Camp Hill Marketplace, a state-certified farmers market Every Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m., June 2 through Oct. 20, rain or shine, at Mount Lovely Baptist Church at 21900 Senator Claude Pepper Dr., Camp Hill, (AL Hwy 50). Potential vendors contact Sharon at 256-749-5100 to apply to join.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn (next to Ray's Collision off of S. College St.) will be open on Wednesdays 0800 - 1100 with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.

tainly tell that they were. Also, there was plenty of pot liquor, so the restaurant got bonus points.

In addition, my cornbread muffin was soft, golden brown and delicious, practically melting in my mouth. “We found cast iron skillet cornbread muffin pans because we wanted them to taste like our Mamas’ cornbread,” said Stephanie. Now, I loved my chicken, but I could have made a meal out of those wonderful greens (which of course had hot pepper sauce poured on them

by me) and cornbread.

Byron’s Smokehouse is a DEFINITE doover.

Besides our delectable dishes, the restaurant serves diners chipped or sliced barbecue, ribs (Thursday through Saturday only; we’re looking forward to eating them), salads, sandwiches and a vegetable plate.

Byron’s Smokehouse is also the place to enjoy a great country breakfast. Come by and enjoy eggs, sausage, bacon, link sausage, ham, grits, fried potatoes, biscuits, toast and gravy. Run and do not walk to Byron’s Smokehouse.

Ashley, this review was for you. I love you

bunches!

Byron’s Smokehouse is closed on Sunday and Monday.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Byron’s Smokehouse makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher.

Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

THE MARKET AT AG HERITAGE PARK Every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. at AG Heritage Park located at 620-A S. Donahue Dr. in Auburn O GROWS FARMERS MARKET Every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. outside the Southside Center for the Arts located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

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

“Alone we can do so little: together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller Contact: Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab Therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, Melody Wilson, Case manager for the blind at (256)-368-3258

A9 June 30, 2022

Midsummer Night Market Brings Wares to Community PHOTOS BY ANN CIPPERLY / FOR THE OBSERVER

Habitat For Humanity Hosts House Dedication PHOTOS BY ED SIKORA / FOR THE OBSERVER Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 71st home, located on Foster Street in Auburn, on the morning of Saturday, June 25. The home was sponsored and built by numerous community organizations.

MUSEUM>>

FROM A7

including her breakthrough solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972.

Built on a collaboration that began years ago by the Chrysler Museum of Art and The Columbus Museum, the exhibition is co-curated by The Columbus Museum’s own Jonathan Frederick Walz, Ph.D., director of curatorial affairs and curator of American art, and Seth Feman, Ph.D., The Frist Art Museum’s executive director and CEO (formerly the Chrysler’s deputy director for art and interpretation and curator of photography.) Drawing

on their respective strengths – The Columbus Museum’s deep holdings in Thomas-related archives and the Chrysler’s collection of mid-century works – both institutions played an integral role in creating a robust, but until now untold, account of Thomas’ artistic journey.

The Columbus Museum audiences have the opportunity to experience Alma W. Thomas: Everything is Beautiful accompanied by Sand Unshaken: The Origin Story of Alma Thomas. This exclusive, historical exhibition draws from the Thomas family archives in the Museum’s permanent collection to shed light on Thomas’ complicated and surprising

history of growing up in the Deep South in the decades following the Civil War. Sand Unshaken features portraits, books, family mementos, and furnishings from the Thomas home in the upper-middle-class Rose Hill neighborhood. Among the historic artifacts is a locket purchased by Thomas’s grandfather for her grandmother while both were enslaved.

“Bringing Everything is Beautiful together was a herculean effort that was made possible thanks the collaboration of a magnificent interdisciplinary advisory committee of experts and scholars – and of course, the contributions of the Thomas family to The

Columbus Museum collection,” said Walz.

“Now to see it all here, where her life began, is a powerful full-circle moment and a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to view such a comprehensive group of work by a lauded artist of her caliber, all exhibited under the same roof.”

Amplifying the exhibition’s reach beyond the gallery, The Columbus Museum has also developed a driving tour that includes 25 notable landmarks related to Alma Thomas and her family. Tour stops include the family home in Rose Hill, Lincoln Park, the historic site of St. John AME Church, Sixth Avenue School, John Thomas’s saloon and the passenger train depot.

Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful will be on view through Sept. 25, while Sand Unshaken: The Origin Story of Alma Thomas will welcome visitors until Oct. 2.

Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful is sponsored by Aflac and was also made possible in part by major support from the Henry Luce Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance and VisitColumbusGA. Sand Unshaken: The Origin Story of Alma Thomas is generously sponsored by Synovus.

For more information on the exhibitions or to

become a member of The Columbus Museum, visit ColumbusMuseum.com.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS MUSEUM Founded in 1953, The Columbus Museum is one of the largest museums in the Southeast and is unique for its dual concentration on American art and regional history, displayed in its permanent collection, temporary exhibitions and educational programs.

The Museum strives to be a cultural leader, distinguishing itself through an approach that engages visitors, stimulates creativity, inspires critical thinking, sparks conversations and brings art and history to life. www. columbusmuseum.com

A10 June 30, 2022

CIPPERLY >>

FROM A7

purchased by the Goodsons.

Known as an expert in his field, Joshua installed the original clock in the steeple at the Lee County Courthouse. He was also on the first board of education, which established public schools in Opelika.

H.L. Condon and his family moved their belongings in a wagon to the property. Fletcher’s Lake was changed to Lake Condy. The name being formed from Condon by dropping the “on” and adding a “y.”

In 1917, a pamphlet on Opelika stated, “For the benefit of those that are not familiar with Lake Condy we offer the following: The delightful recreation center is located two miles north of Opelika, only a short distance from the Dixie Highway.

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> DORIS CANON’S DOWN SOUTH BARBECUE PORK ROAST Barbara Sims 2 sliced onions, divided 4 - 5 lb. pork roast or fresh picnic ham 5 - 6 cloves 1 apple, halved 2 cups water Put half of onions in bottom of crock-pot. Then add pork and other ingredients with remaining onion and apple on top.

Cover and cook overnight or 8 - 12 hours on low.

16 oz. bottle barbecue sauce 1 large onion, chopped Remove bone and fat from meat. Pull meat apart and return to crockpot. Add chopped onion and barbecue sauce.

Cover and cook additional 1 - 3 hours on high (4 - 8 hours on low) stirring 2 3 times. Serve on buns.

DORIS CANON’S POTATO SALAD Barbara Sims 5 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 3 - 4 boiled eggs, chopped 3 - 4 stalks celery, chopped Chopped green pepper Several large spoonfuls cubed sweet pickles Mayonnaise Salt to taste Celery seeds Cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender; drain. Cool thoroughly. Add chopped eggs, celery and pepper to cooled potatoes. Add sweet pickles and mayonnaise (start with 1 large spoonful - add more as needed). Mix well. Salt to taste. Sprinkle generously with celery seeds and mix well.

DORIS CANON’S BEAN MEDLEY Barbara Sims 1 can white shoe peg corn, drained 1 can small English peas, drained 1 can diagonal cut green beans, drained

“The grove has four acres of beautiful shade trees. The lake proper occupies about one and one-half acres. The entire body of water is supplied by 14 pure water springs.

The outflow is 58,300 gallons every 24 hours.

“The grounds and lake are electric lighted.

Accommodations are convenient. Lunches, ice cream and soft drinks are served.

“It is known as one of the most delightful bathing places in the South. It is operated under orderly management and kept in tune to meet with the approval of the most particular.”

Doris’s great-grandfather, Joshua C. Condon, lived with his son at the lake. In 1926 he wrote a letter to his niece telling her about Lake Condy.

He wrote, “The home is 2 1/2 miles from the city with excellent gravel road between. Henry and Josie own 45 acres

of land on it, a beautiful lake surrounded with a most beautiful grove of large oaks, hickory and pine trees, with large dressing rooms for the bathers.

“The roads being good, the people come from 50 miles or more for swimming during the summer months. It is a great resort for different secret organizations to have picnics also the churches and Sunday schools for their suppers, picnics and barbeques.

“The past summer has been a busy one for them.

The lake has been well patronized this season.

At times we have had 75 to 100 in bathing at once, reminding me of Coney Island.”

Doris and her family lived in a two-story house built by her grandparents. In 1930 the house burned, and the family moved into a smaller house on the property.

When Doris on was growing up at the lake, they would let the water out during the winter months and clean the bottom of the lake.

Along with picnics, she remembered the Kiwanis Club ate lunch there on Thursdays, and her grandfather cooked the meals.

When Doris’s grandparents were ready to retire and keeping up Lake Condy became tiresome, Katherine and Earl Barks purchased the property in 1946. The Barks were living in Mobile at the time. Katherine, who was related to Doris, had grown up in Opelika.

The Barks moved to Lake Condy in 1947, bringing azaleas and camellias with them from Mobile. Katherine planted many of them around the lake.

They stopped serving barbecue and slowly grew into a garden business. They built a fishing

lake below the original lake.

The Barks were thankful no one drowned at the lake, but there were close calls. One day when the lifeguard was having lunch, Earl saw a baby go under the water. He jumped in and quickly pulled the baby from the bottom.

The last several years the lake was open for membership only. Lake Condy closed to the public in the mid-1980s.

The Barks later sold the property.

Earl Barks was always so thankful they lived at the lake. He wrote a poem: Lake Condy “It speaks well of our placeThe children love it so.

For ‘tis full of plainAnd simple things ‘Tis countrified.

Even the road to our place Is dirt-not vitrified.

The water from our

1 can French cut green beans, drained 1 small jar pimento, chopped, drained 1 cup diced onions 1 cup bell pepper, chopped 1 cup celery, chopped Combine all vegetables.

Heat to boiling: 1 cup vinegar 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup oil 2 Tbsp. water 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Cool to room temperature. Pour over vegetables. Mix well.

Refrigerate at least overnight. Drain before serving.

Lettuce, tomato and onion slices Mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce and mustard Shape burgers to fit buns. Grill burgers and toast buns. Serve patties on slider buns with assorted toppings.

toss just before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

1 large box instant vanilla pudding 2 cups heavy cream 4 Tbsp. sugar Pound cake or angel food cake slices or cubes Save a few strawberries and blueberries to garnish. Mix pudding as directed on box; set aside. Whip cream with 4 Tbsp. sugar.

Line bottom of a deep glass bowl with a third of the cake slices. Pour a third the strawberries berries over cake and then pour a third of the custard over top, a third of the blueberries (be sure they are along the edges) and one-third whipped cream.

Repeat two more times. Garnish with berries. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Note: Can sweeten berries to taste before using. Can use raspberries instead of strawberries or a combination of both.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS OR THIGHS ½ cup lemon juice ½ cup soy sauce 1 tsp. or more garlic powder (or fresh garlic) 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts Combine marinade ingredients. Pour over chicken. Marinate in refrigerator overnight.

Grill chicken on each side until fully cooked.

MINI CONECUH SAUSAGE DOGS Will Herring 1 pkg. Conecuh sausage, grilled 1 pkg. hotdog buns 1 bottle mustard 1 bottle honey Grill Conecuh. Cut into 4-inch sections. Cut hotdog buns in half (or use mini hotdog buns).

Assemble hotdogs topped with either mustard or drizzled honey.

SLIDER BURGERS Small ground beef patties seasoned with salt and pepper Slider buns (available at local grocery stores) Topping Selections: American and Swiss cheese slices Crisp cooked bacon Guacamole Pickles Sautéed mushrooms Salsa

CROCK-POT BAKED BEANS Mary Skinner 1 onion, chopped 1 lb. ground beef 3 lb. can Van Camp pork and beans, drained 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup ketchup 1 Tbsp. mustard Dash Worcestershire sauce Brown ground beef and onion; drain well.

Mix all ingredients and bake 4-6 hours in crock-pot.

Makes 10-12 servings.

FRESH GREEN BEAN, WALNUT AND FETA SALAD Marian Scharpf 2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed 1 small purple onion, thinly sliced 4 oz. pkg. crumbled feta cheese 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted ¾ cup olive oil ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill (can use dried) ½ tsp. minced garlic, optional ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Cut green beans into thirds, and arrange in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam 15 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Immediately plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process; drain and pat dry.

Toss together green beans, onion, cheese and walnuts in a large bowl.

Cover and chill 1 hour.

Whisk together olive oil and next 5 ingredients; cover and chill 1 hour.

Pour vinaigrette over green bean mixture.

Chill 1 hour or longer;

NEW POTATO SALAD Mary Hodson 5 lb. new red potatoes, diced and cooked quickly (do not overcook) 1 bunch green onions, finely diced ½ cup sour cream ¼ mayonnaise Prepared horseradish to taste 1 small bunch fresh dill, finely chopped (or dried dill to taste) 4-5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled Mix sour cream, mayonnaise and horseradish together until well blended. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add mixture to potatoes, onion and dill weed.

Toss well and chill until ready to serve.

Just before serving, sprinkle bacon on top.

ICE CREAM CONE CUPCAKES WITH RED AND BLUE SPRINKLES Let children decorate their own cupcakes.

18½ oz. box cake mix 24 to 28 flat-bottomed ice cream cones Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. Fill cones ¾ full with batter. Place cones in muffin tins to prepare topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Cool.

Frosting ½ cup shortening 1 box powdered sugar 4 Tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla Sprinkles or candy topping in red and blue, if desired Cream shortening and powdered sugar with milk until creamy.

Beat in vanilla. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle cupcakes with sprinkles or candy in red and blue.

ALL AMERICAN TRIFLE 1 qt. strawberries, sliced 1 or two pints blueberries

ICE CREAM PIE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE 36 Oreo cookies ¼ cup melted butter ½ gallon vanilla ice cream, softened Hershey’s Chocolate syrup 1 can sweetened condensed milk Large container Cool Whip, optional Chopped nuts, optional Crush cookies with filling and mix with melted butter. Coat a 9 by 13 inch pan with nonstick spray. Pat cookie mixture into pan. Spread softened ice cream over crust; freeze.

In a saucepan, combine chocolate syrup and condensed milk and cook over medium heat; boil 2 minutes stirring constantly. Cool completely and chill in refrigerator.

When chilled, pour over ice cream layer.

Freeze. Top with Cool Whip and nuts, if desired. Store in freezer until ready to

spring Is as God intended-not a thing Is added.

‘Tis nature’s water-not citified.

Whether you are celebrating the Fourth of July this year at a lake, the beach or your backyard, take time to remember the reason we are celebrating, as you enjoy a barbecue or picnic with your family.

The following recipes from wonderful local cooks offer ideas for a Fourth celebration.

Doris Canon’s daughter, Barbara Sims of Opelika, is sharing three of her mother’s recipes.

Memories of Lake Condy are from family diaries and interviews with Doris Canon and Katherine and Earl Barks in 1988, who are now all deceased, by Ann Cipperly.

serve.

MOM C’S OVEN BAKED RIBS 3-4 lb. country style ribs 1 lemon, sliced 1 large onion, sliced 1 cup ketchup 1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. salt 2 dashes Tabasco sauce 2 cups water Cut ribs into pieces and place meaty side up in a shallow baking pan. On each piece place a slice of unpeeled lemon and onion. Place in a 450 degree oven for 30 minutes or until brown.

Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour sauce over browned ribs. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 45 minutes to an hour or until done, basting every 15 minutes with the sauce.

If sauce becomes too thick, add more water.

Serves 4.

QUICK AND EASY BRUNSWICK STEW Margo Herndon 4 Tbsp. butter ½ medium onion, diced 1 baking potato, diced 2 cups chicken broth 32 oz. bottle Dreamland barbecue sauce, Stubbs or Foy’s (I use as low carb sauce as I can find) 28 oz. can diced tomatoes 14 oz. can shoe-peg corn 1 lb. purchased (or homemade prepared) chipped pork barbecue 1 cooked deli roasted chicken, meat pulled apart and chipped In large pot, over medium heat, melt butter, add onion and sauté until translucent. Add potato and chicken broth and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in sauce, tomatoes, corn, pork and chicken.

Cook over medium-low heat until potatoes are tender and stew has thicken, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Add more chicken broth if it’s too thick. Delicious and easy!

A11 June 30, 2022

O Town Begins New Partnership

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — Opelika’s local ice cream shop, O Town Ice Cream, has partnered with Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe’s creamery.

O Town needed to find a new creamery at the beginning of June when its current partnership went out of business suddenly.

“We, unfortunately, couldn’t get anyone on the phone and called a friend in Georgia who was ordering through the same company, and they had just found out they were permanently closed by the department of agriculture in Georgia,” said O Town owner, Angela George. “We tried for days to get answers but we were never contacted.”

The business was in a bind — no ice cream for one of the hottest months.

"I’ve learned being a business owner that you

have to become Ross from 'Friends' and yell 'pivot!' and change directions quickly,” George said. “I was concerned, but I researched who was making ice cream in the amount of quantities that we were needing. Being the week school let out for summer, we needed ice cream fast.

"I called Old Dutch in Mobile and Cammie (owner) called me personally and we jumped in my car with our 10-year-old son in tow.

He’s learning the family business now along with our girls who stayed behind to help run the shop for two days.”

Cammie’s is located in Mobile, and George said she’d never actually met with Owner Cammie Wayne before driving down there.

“Cammie is a workhorse,” George said. “She has been working at that shop since she was 16 and then bought it and operates it with her husband. We

clicked and she is excited to have her ice cream in east-central Alabama to serve those customers that aren’t close to her and supply to us. She really loved that we named our flavors after people in our community and that she could share her great product with our locals."

George shared on Facebook that not only did Wayne have O Town’s flavors, but new flavors too.

“I am personally a white cake, white icing girl, so her birthday cake is my dream come true because it’s a vanilla ice cream base with a bunch of sprinkles and her white cake,” George said.

“It brings back memories of your childhood birth-

day parties. Get your cake and ice cream too. But I gotta say her lemon cookie sandwich ice cream, which we named Lorna’s Lemon Cookie, is out of this world and has become a favorite for everyone that is coming in. It’s probably our best seller right now.”

George said even her picky customers are enjoying the new partnership and flavors.

“I was concerned about the switch at first,” she said. “That was my main concern. I have some very loyal flavor customers. I’ve had them kindly deny my suggestion if they don’t have their flavor up. But everyone seems to give such

great feedback about the new flavors, and Cammie is making custom flavors for O Town to ensure our customers get their Big Swamp Turtle. “… I think we are transparent enough with our customers that we have a genuine relationship with them. They trust that we are going to do our best at making their experience at O Town a pleasant one. In the years we’ve been doing this, we know that communication is the best way to keep your people coming back to see you. I told them the truth of what was happening, and the people of O Town are our cheerleaders.

Even when we are losing, we’re not, because we

always have their support.

Team O Town!"

George also said some more new flavors may join the menu later in the summer and fall.

“I have no reservations about becoming an Old Dutch provider,” she said. “… Best part is that is made in Alabama and family-owned. Chris [George] and I have a unique relationship in the business world. Any husband/wife team operating a business together has great challenges. There’s lots of arguing, laughter, hard times and good times.

“There are days you want to quit it all and days where you’re dreaming of the next location. Cammie seemed to totally understand what was happening the day I called her and took me in. She has years of experience in this small business world and that was very comforting.”

Stop by O Town at 700 2nd Ave. in Opelika, to try the new flavors.

Sparky's Fireworks Barn Hosting July 4th Celebration

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LOACHAPOKA — Sparky’s Fireworks Barn is hosting a family-friendly July 4th celebration Friday,

July 1, in downtown Loachapoka.

Food vendors will set up at 5 p.m., and guests can enjoy a live Motown band at 7 p.m. The event will feature a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Guests are encouraged

to bring blankets, chairs and the whole family for an evening of fun.

For more information, call Mathan Holt at 334319-1492 or Sparky’s Fireworks Barn at 334734-4407.

have information to share about a crime? you can now send ANONYMOUS tips directly from your cellphone.

SCAN THE QR CODE AND DOWNLOAD THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE APP

STAY INFORMED SUBMIT A REPORT, & SO MUCH MORE

FunCarts of Opelika

0660 funcart.opelika com

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

1900 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36803 334-749-5651

www.LeeCountySheriff.org CRIME STOPPERS 334-215-STOP (7867)

CLIPPERS

A12 June 30, 2022

Recycled Teenagers Are On Target PHOTOS BY EMILY KEY / FOR THE OBSERVER

Recycled Teenagers, a group of seniors over the age of 62 who meet regularly at the Charter Foundation Adult Activity Center inside the Opelika SportsPlex, last week found out that "Axe" truly does marks the spot. The group had a miday exercise/fun outing throwing axes at targets at Opelika's axe throwing business, "Axe Marks the Spot".

Our New Home Is Built on a Solid Foundation...

Just Like Our Bank.

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

A13 June 30, 2022

Homo Unius Libri

WALTER ALBRITTON

C

RELIGION ― irculating among Methodists lately has been a video of a United Methodist drag queen denouncing the Bible. Openly gay Isaac Simmons is celebrated by some as the first drag queen

certified as a candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church. Currently he serves as an associate pastor of Hope UMC in Bloomington, Illinois.

He regularly preaches in drag as the female persona “Ms. Penny Cost.” In a recent message titled “The Bible is Nothing,” Simmons disparages the Bible’s authority while repeatedly using profanity to make his point.

Fortunately, Mr. Simmons’ apostasy is unique among millions of Methodists across the world. Most Methodists consider the Bible as the primary authority

for Christian living.

There are, however, some fellow Methodists who question the unique authority of the Bible and insist that its truth needs to be “revised” to accommodate today’s cultural, moral values.

This matter — our view of the Bible’s authority — is the primary issue in the current squabbling among United Methodists across the world.

Since it was John Wesley whose ministry created Methodism, it should be helpful to inquire how Wesley viewed the Bible. Familiar to many Methodists is Wesley’s answer to this question found in the first volume of his Sermons: “I want to

know one thing, the way to heaven — how to land safe on that happy shore.

God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven.

He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! … Let me be homo unius libri [a man of one book]. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here.

In his presence I open, I read his Book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.”

Though Wesley did not worship the Bible, he stressed its preeminence over all other books. He did not revise biblical teachings so that his circuit-riding pastors

could find ways to baptize cultural morals. He believed the living core of the Christian faith is revealed in scripture as the sole foundational source. Scripture, for Wesley, was the first authority and contains the only measure whereby all other truth is tested.

Its authors were divinely inspired and it neither needs, nor is capable of, any further addition.

The more Wesley studied the Bible, the more he stressed the doctrine of scriptural holiness for the Methodists. Wesley once wrote: “In the year 1729, I began not only to read, but to study, the Bible as the … only standard of truth, and the only model

of pure religion. Hence I saw, in a clearer light the indispensable necessity of having ‘the mind which was in Christ Jesus,’ and of ‘walking as Christ also walked’ not only in many or in most respects, but in all things.”

Imagine for a moment the difference it would make in our nation if the majority of us, accepting the Bible as the ultimate standard of truth, began to allow the reading of its inspired teachings to cause us to walk like Jesus walked. Disparage the Bible? No! Let us exalt it for its timeless value for all people everywhere!

Interment followed at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. Brother Billy Short officiated.

his baby girl Niki.

He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Anderson.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 47 years Diane, daughter Niki Martin (Danny), grandson Hunter, granddaughter Peyton, sister Kathy (Ken) Sconyers, brothers Don and Ted (Jean) and nieces, nephews, and other family members.

A Celebration of Life was held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on June 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. Central with Reverend Jim Gilboy officiating.

OBITUARIES JEANETTE VORDENBAUM Jeanette Vordenbaum, 82 of Opelika, passed away June 21, 2022, at Bethany House.

She was born Dec. 21, 1939, in Lee County to Alvis and Faye Taylor.

Visitation was held on Friday, June 24, 2022 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Burial followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.

Mrs. Vordenbaum was preceded in death by her husband: William C. Vordenbaum; parents: Alvis & Faye Taylor; sister: Judy Robinson; brother: James Taylor.

She is survived by her children: Tim (Kristin) Vordenbaum, Terry (Machelle) Vordenbaum, Teresa (Jeff) Melton, Tommy (Annette) Vordenbaum, Troy Vordenbaum; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She owned her own floral business where she worked in floral and retail. She was known as “Nannie” to many and enjoyed outdoors and family gathers.

Jeffoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

FAYE LAWLER AMOROSO A funeral service for Faye Lawler Amoroso, of Opelika was held on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Pepperell Baptist Church.

A visitation was held on Wednesday, June 22, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Pastor Mike Newman officiated.

Interment followed at Garden Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Amoroso, who passed Monday, June 20, 2022, at home, was born March 2, 1950, in Opelika.

Faye was a longtime member of Pepperell Baptist Church. She retired from the restau-

Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment.

Your Full-Service Funeral Home

rant business after almost 20 years. Faye’s love was her husband and her children, but her grandchildren were her passion. She was an actively involved grandmother with a love for all of their interests, especially football. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pepperell Baptist Church.

Faye is survived by husband David Amoroso, daughters Deana Black (Jason), Valerie Al-Riyami (Sal), and son Dave Amoroso (Mary).

Faye also has grandchildren: Sarah Ward (Michael), Kendal, Connor, Adam, Evelyn, Cade, Zain, Liam and great-granddaughter Collins.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

WILLIE “EVELYN” KELLEY Willie “Evelyn” Kelley passed away on June 19, 2022. She was 89

years old.

She was born in Beulah, Alabama, on March 5, 1933, to the late, Omer Ralph and Ethel Lou Howard Kelley. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sulla B. Coxwell and brother, James Kelley.

She is survived by her children, Carolyn Ray Babson, Ronald “Ronnie” L. Ray, and Karen D. Caylor (John); grandchildren, Christopher M. Watkins (Amanda) and Kelly Ann Watkins; great-grandchildren, Katherine Evelyn Watkins and Kara Rose Watkins; nephew “phone buddy,” Franklin Kelley, and other family members.

She was an lifelong member of Liberty Baptist of Opelika.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the parlor of Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

Her funeral service was held on Thursday, June 23, at 9 a.m. in the chapel of Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

GORDON M. ANDERSON Gordon M. Anderson was born in Alabama on July 2, 1945, and passed away on June 14, 2022.

He was 76 years old.

Gordon was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time outdoors and spending time with his family and never missed his grandkids sporting events. He was the best daddy to

CBC Hosting Vacation Bible School CONTRIBUTED BY CBC Central Baptist Church is hosting a Vacation Bible School from July 10 through 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Get those creative juices flowing at Spark Studios where imagination is ignited and creativity is awakened,” said a release from Central Baptist Church.

“Whether kids are exploring their artistic side in the Bible Study Studio or Crafts Design Center, laying

down a track at the Music Sound Stage or bringing inventions to life at the Missions Workshop, they will learn, like King David, to use their talents to bring glory to God. They will discover that their creativity is a gift from the infinitely creative Creator who designed them for his glory.”

Children as young as 3, through sixth grade can attend if parents register at myvbs.org/cbcopelika. For more information, call 334-7452482.

A14 June 30, 2022

Jesus from Mark

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

L

RELIGION — ife was seldom smooth for Jesus. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and by Peter at Caesarea Philippi. He experienced rejection from the Jewish leaders, His own family, and His own church.

At times in His ministry, He had huge crowds following Him and He enjoyed

immense popularity, but most of it was superficial.

He was welcomed into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna! and Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). A few days later they were shouting, “Crucify Him!” (15:13-14).

Then there were His disciples. He was totally committed to them but they were . . . a work in progress (just like we are). They saw Him perform great miracles but at times showed no faith in Him. They were asleep when He needed them to be watching and praying with Him. One of them betrayed Him. Another denied Him. All deserted Him. No, life was seldom smooth for Jesus but it was never too big for Him because it wasn’t too big for His Father.

5. He stood up for the humble and vulnerable but opposed the proud and selfrighteous.

When the people were bringing their little children to Jesus for Him to bless, “the disciples rebuked them “(10:13). Mark tells us that Jesus was indignant and told them unless they received the kingdom like a child, they would not be able to enter it. Then He took the children into His arms and blessed them.

When the woman anointed Jesus and everyone began to complain about the extravagance and waste of money it was and “rebuked her harshly,” He wouldn’t hear of it.

He told her she had done “a beautiful thing,” and wherever the gospel was preached what she had done would be told (14:6-9). He

did these things (and more) because that’s who He is and what He does.

6. Jesus rewarded faith wherever He found it.

The four men lowered their paralyzed friend down through the roof of the house where Jesus was.

Mark tells us, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (2:5).

Then there was the man who had a son who was possessed by an evil spirit.

Nine of the disciples had been unable to do anything for him. Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John and the man asked Jesus to help him — if He was able. Jesus told Him, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

He told Jesus he believed

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN but he needed help with his unbelief and Jesus responded by casting the evil spirit out of his son.

7. He invited everyone to follow but His terms were non-negotiable.

Jesus calls us to take up the cross as He did. And while it’s certainly a call to an intense following, it’s also a call to intimacy — Jesus Himself couches our discipleship in terms of His own following of God. We won’t find life until we lose it by making the simple decision to put Him above all.

And now we're back to where we started — talking about the simple life of (following) Jesus where less is more.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website:www. a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com

Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. — Psalm 138:8

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Catch ‘On the Mark’ with D. Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m.

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

334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117

334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika

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

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

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

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

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

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn

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High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750

Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015

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

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

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

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

Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St.,

Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

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A15 June 30, 2022

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A16 June 30, 2022

COMICS

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

S

INSIDE B1 - B8:

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• AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS • AUBURN UNIVERSITY • COMMUNITY SPORTS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS • SUSCC

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AUBURN: JULY 12 AT 6 P.M. LEE COUNTY: JULY 12 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA: JULY 28 AT 4:30 P.M.

OHS Philanthropy Class Gives Back PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

Youth AllStars in Action Youth Minor State Tournament, July 8 in Troy.

JUNIOR DIXIE BOYS ALL-STARS 13U The Opelika Junior Dixie Boys Baseball (13U) and Dixie Boys Baseball (14U) All-Star teams have been announced.

The following are the players on each team.

Junior DBB: Trent Hayes, Isiah Grey, Christian Terry, Fuller Young, Troy Tungett, Kason Kalla, Jack Patterson, Jack Branch, Tyson Prince. Two other players have not confirmed they are available to play.

Opelika's Dixie Boys All-Star Team (14U): Brady Blackson, Eli Brogden, Landon Childree, Jason Hood, Luis Merly, Colt Miller, Carter Neese, Thomas Robinson, Trip Scott and Jordan Watts.

The manager is Wes Miller.

The two tournaments will be played on Harrelson Field and DB #2 at West Ridge Park in Opelika. Opening day is scheduled for July 8.

Opelika Mayor See SPORTS, page B7

BY JAKE GONZALEZ FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA –– For the past three weeks, 14 Opelika High School rising seniors have been taking

Philanthropy 101, a summer class where they learn the basics of philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and volunteer with nonprofits in Opelika. The threeweek class concluded

last Thursday with a ceremony, where the students showcased their knowledge and each donated at least $700 to a local non-profit of their choosing.

This is the seventh year

that Opelika High School has held this three-week summer course with the sponsorship and help of the W. James Samford, Jr. Foundation.

See OHS, page B2

Auburn’s Smith Falls to Rockets at No. 3 in NBA Draft, Becomes Tigers’ Highest Drafted Prospect PHOTO COURTESY OF AU ATHLETICS

OPELIKA — The Opelika Dixie Youth Baseball Ozone AllStar Team swept through two games to capture the district tournament title. The 11-12-yearold all-stars beat Auburn Orange (144) and Auburn Blue (10-1).

Opelika batted .447 as a team during the two games; pitchers allowed no walks and struck out 14 batters. Opelika advances to the state tournament, July 15 in Enterprise.

Players include: Logan Childree, Carson Holcey Bllingsley, Whit Cooper, Caleb Peoples, Cam Pilate, Troy Tidwell, Asher Rudd, Colton Woodall, Turner Underwood, Jack Brandon, Grant Speigner and Brock Danford. The manager is Danny Cooper.

MINOR Opelika's Dixie Youth Minor AllStar Team finished 1-1 in the district tournament. The 9-10-year-old all-star team beat Auburn Orange, 10-0, but lost to Auburn Blue, 0-5.

Despite finishing 1-1, Opelika advances to the Dixie

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM NEW YORK –– Following a stellar freshman campaign on the Plains, Auburn’s Jabari Smith was selected Thursday to the Houston Rockets as the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft in New York, making him the highest drafted player in the Tigers’ basketball program history.

“I’m happy to be where I’m wanted,” Smith said.

“I’m glad they took a chance on me, and I’m ready to get in there and show them they made the right decision.”

This past season, Smith, the SEC Freshman of the Year and All-SEC First-Team

selection, helped the Tigers to the program’s first No. 1 national ranking, an SEC Regular Season Championship, a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the third most wins in school history.

Smith “fell” to No. 3 after weeks of being the odds-on favorite to be selected No. 1 in the NBA draft to the Orlando Magic. Orlando

instead opted to select Duke freshman Paolo Banchero, and the Oklahoma City Thunder passed on Smith at No. 2 for Gonzaga’s Chet Holgrem.

Smith is no stranger to being passed up. His own college coach, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, said after the draft that Smith was overlooked in his recruitment process, allowing the Tigers to swoop in

and earn a commitment from the potentially generational talent.

“Paolo and Chet were always one and two (in the recruiting rankings),” he said. “We didn’t beat the Blue Bloods to Jabari. We beat out Tennessee and LSU. It’s not the first time Jabari has been overlooked.

“Yep. Just go ahead and poke the bear …

I wouldn’t want to be Orlando or OKC in those matchups. That’s just how he is. He keeps score.”

Smith is the fourth one-and-done player from Auburn to enter the NBA draft after his freshman season, following Isaac Okoro in 2020, and Sharife Cooper See NBA, page B2

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B2 June 30, 2022

Auburn’s Kessler Selected No. 22 to Minnesota Timberwolves

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM NEW YORK –– Auburn center Walker Kessler was selected Thursday night by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft in New York.

“I’m ecstatic,” Kessler said. “I’m excited for the opportunity. As a kid, you look at this level of basketball and you don’t really understand that it’s a real thing or an attainable thing. And to finally get here, it’s surreal. I’m just so excited.”

Kessler was ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect by Sportingnews. com prior to the draft, but much like his time

on the Plains, continued to prove doubters wrong on draft night. Following an underwhelming freshman year at North Carolina, Kessler transferred to Auburn and played well enough last season to be named the 2022 Naismith and NABC Division I National Defensive Player of the Year.

Kessler was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SEC First Team, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. He was key cog in the Tigers team which went on to receive the program’s first-ever national No. 1 ranking, a Regular Season SEC Title, the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the third-most wins

in school history.

“I’m so happy for Walker and his family,” said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. “Walker has had to carry the weight of a lot of people that have doubted him.

He delivered in a huge way. I felt like Walker affected the game as much as any player in college basketball. He dominated the rim on both ends of the floor.

And at the same time, I think his game really translates to the next level.”

Kessler and teammate Jabari Smith — selected No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets — became the first pair of Auburn basketball teammates to be drafted together in the first round.

It’s the second straight

year that two Auburn players have been taken in the same draft; JT Thor and Sharife Cooper were both second-round picks last year.

Auburn has now had a player drafted in each of the last four NBA Drafts and six total draft picks in that span with Smith and Kessler. Before that stretch, a player from Auburn had not been drafted since 2001 (18 years).

Kessler became the third member of his family to be drafted into the NBA next to his father Chad Kessler, selected in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1987, and paternal uncle, Alec Kessler, selected 12th overall by the Houston Rockets in 1990.

Kessler joins a Timberwolves team that made its way into the NBA Playoff through the NBA Playoff Playin Tournament, before being eliminated in six games by the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies. It was the first time the T-Wolves made the playoffs since the 2017-18 season.

Minnesota boasts a strong, young core that is anchored by center Karl Anthony-Towns and soon-to-be third year guard Anthony Edwards (the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft). The biggest knock on Kessler entering the draft was his lack of mobility and outside shot. However, Anthony-Towns was thought of as a bruiser

in the paint during his Kentucky days, but has turned into one of the most efficient threepoint shooting big men in the NBA. Learning under a still-evolving player like AnthonyTowns should motivate Kessler to improve on his weaknesses.

Regardless, the 7-foot1-inch Kessler’s dominate defensive presence should make an immediate year-one impact, and Minnesota has a player worth getting excited about.

“Minnesota, I can’t wait to get there and get to work,” Kessler said on Twitter following the draft. “Excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent the organization. LETS GOOO!”

Vying for Eyes

OHS Basketball Players Give Insight on Recruitment Process

BY JAKE GONZALEZ FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — With summer in full swing, most sports calendars are beginning to wind down or finish up. One part of the college sports calendar that never slows or winds down is the recruiting process. Recruiting happens year round and for high school kids looking to take their game to the college level, it can be a fun or even daunting process.

Opelika High School has a trio of basketball players that are going

OHS >> FROM B1 “We at the SamfordCannon Foundation are extremely happy that you have completed these three weeks,” said Lucinda Samford Cannon, president of the W. James Samford, Jr. Foundation, to the students in attendance. “My heart is filled with pride when I look at you.”

The 14 students donated a combined total of $10,600 spread across nine different nonprofits in the Opelika area.

“I was amazed by these kids,” said Don Shirley, one of the teachers for this class. “They didn’t complain one bit, even when we were chopping down trees in the

NBA >> FROM B1 and JT Thor in 2021.

Chuck Person and Chris Morris were previously Auburn’s highest-ever NBA Draft picks; both were selected at No. 4 in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

Okoro and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley were selected No. 5 in 2020 and 1984, respectively.

through that process.

Knox Chase, Isaiah Knight and Mekhiron Brock are all rising seniors and have begun to hear the first waves of schools reaching out to them.

“It’s been so fun,” Chase said. “As a kid you always want to play in college, and now you know you’re getting there.

Starting to get a taste, and it's been real fun and real exciting.”

Chase plays guard and the small forward position for the Bulldogs, and has just begun to

hear from a few schools.

Auburn University at Montgomery, University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Dallas College and Reinhardt University have all reached out to Chase. Dallas sent him an offer about a month ago.

“It is kind of wishywashy,” Chase said.

“Some days you hear from coaches and they are talking a lot. Then some days you won’t hear from anybody. It’s kind of like a roller coaster.”

Knight is a shooting guard and small forward combo for Opelika.

Knight has been in this process for a year with Huntingdon College reaching out to him in his junior season. Since then, he has been in contact with Southern Union, UAH and Dalton State in Georgia.

Knight has confidence in his game but knows he can improve parts, including his 3-point shot and defense.

“I’ve talked to a couple of schools already,” Knight said. “I just got off the phone with a school from Chicago. I’m ready.

I’m happy. My favorite

part of all of this is when coaches respond to me.”

Mekhiron Brock is a small forward for the Dawgs and has heard from a number of schools as well. One of the most important things that he has heard back from these schools are the ways that he can get better and improve for the next level.

“They're telling me what I need to work and my weakness,” Brock said. “I’m trying to have more fun and let things go that I can’t control.”

The most important thing in Brock’s recruiting

process is being able to meet players, asking how their college lifestyle is and what they go through on a daily basis.

Each one of these athletes is getting ready for next season by doing multiple workouts a day, lifting weights and finding ways to make their game better.

“I’m trying to get two workouts in a day and make like 400 shots a day, like game shots,” Chase said. “For the season, I’m just trying to get to a winning record and then go deep in playoffs.”

heat. These kids were fantastic.”

The nine nonprofits the students donated to were: Miracle League of East Alabama, BigHouse Foundation, The Food Bank of East Alabama, Keep Opelika Beautiful, The Sound Wall, Storybook Farms, OGrows, Recycled Teenagers and Friends of the Library.

The Miracle League of East Alabama allows for special-needs youth to experience the game of baseball regardless of any disability. Opelika Philanthropy students Chas Brewer and Ashley Hilyer both donated to this nonprofit.

“I believe in the promotion of sports,” Hilyer said. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to

compete in a bunch of different sports, but a lot of the kids in Miracle League have never had that chance. To be able to see their faces light up when they run the bases — it was a lot of fun. I want Miracle League to be able to continue to give them that chance.”

“I’ve been heavily impacted by my time in sports,” Brewer said.

“The friendships and memories I have made have changed me for the better. I want everyone to experience that.”

The Food Bank of East Alabama’s goal is to nourish lives through a strong and equitable hunger relief network through a generous community. Ava Parker decided that this was the

nonprofit she wanted to donate to.

“I learned a lot about the food and security issues in our community,” Parker said. “It really broadened my perspective. The passion of the staff inspired me to be more passionate about the work they do.”

The Sound Wall’s goal is to provide funding and support for local musicians. The renovated a house in Opelika into a recording studio and venue. Michael Van Horn donated to that nonprofit due to his love of music.

“Being able to help someone pursue (music), whether that is casually or professionally — just let them be able to do it to their fullest extent was really

heartwarming to me,” Horn said.

Storybook Farms supports youth experiencing serious life-altering circumstances with some serious life-changing help. They do this through animals and books. Maggie Brice and Kenley Jackson both donated to them.

“I’m giving cause I love children,” Brice said. “When we went there I saw the kids there so full of love and joy. The bond they can form with the animals is special and magical.”

“I’m giving because I have personal connections with people that are different,” Jackson said with tears. “Being around them — it changes you. Seeing a child be able to be

around horses and be happy just like I was is special.”

Leah Bethea and Ahmad Walton donated to the BigHouse Foundation, which supports kids in the foster system and their homes.

Elisha Oyola donated to Keep Opelika Beautiful, which works to do just that. Kaylee Traylor donated to OGrows, which fights hunger through community gardens.

Jaleigha Doolittle and Zalen Shaw donated to Recycled Teenagers, which is a senior adult program with Opelika Parks and Recreation.

Natalie Hickman and Kaitlyn Spoon donated to the Friends of the Library, which supports the Opelika Public Library.

Smith will now travel 687 miles from Auburn to Houston and become a focal point of a franchise that is trying to rejuvenate itself. The Rockets last made the playoffs in 2020, when they lost in the Western Conference Semifinals behind the efforts of NBA Superstars Chris Paul and James Harden — both of whom have since departed the franchise.

Smith figures to pair nicely with last year’s No. 2 overall selection, Jalen Green, to form a one-two punch that could position the franchise to be competitive for the next decade-plus.

Green and company led the Rockets to a measly 20-62 record — the worst in the Western Conference.

Of course, in today’s era of the NBA where power lies in the hands

of the players and mobility is prioritized over loyalty to a franchise, Smith could be in different threads after the conclusion of his rookie contract; however, ideally, the Rockets are building a core that will return the franchise to the relevance it has lacked since the days of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in the 2000s.

The NBA is in the midst of a generational

switch, with the last of the superstars from the 2000-2010s giving way to the younger up-andcomers. Smith’s selection at No. 3 provides innumerable benefits to the Auburn basketball program in terms of exposure and recruitment; for Smith, he and the Auburn Family can only hope the Rockets franchise acts as a springboard for a great career.

“You’re getting a hard

worker,” Smith said to the Rockets and their fans on the ESPN NBA Draft broadcast. “You’re getting someone with a chip on their shoulder.

You’re getting somebody who is gonna compete from day one. Somebody who doesn’t care about stats … all I care about is the ‘W’. I want to make the playoffs; obviously I want to go for Rookie of the Year, but I just want to win.”

B3 June 30, 2022

Growing the Game PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika High School baseball staff held its annual baseball camp June 27 through 30. The young campers met at OHS for three hours each day to be taught by coach Zach Blatt, his staff and players in an effort to grow the game in the Opelika community.

Opelika Grows Pickleball Presence PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The pickleball scene in Opelika was bustling this week, with play from the USA Pickleball Atlantic South Diamond Regional taking place at the Opelika Sportsplex. With 12 additional courts added to the facility in June, Opelika continued to establish itself as one of the premier locations to play competitive pickleball in the Southeast. The SportsPlex will host the Alabama Classic Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP)Tour Event, Oct. 6 through 9.

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B4 June 30, 2022

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Opelika Youth Goes 'Back to the Dawg House'

The annual Back to the Dawg House football camp took place at Opelika High School last Saturday, June 25. This free event featured instruction from current and former college and NFL players, as campers in fourth through seventh grade enjoyed a fun day of learning the game of football.

B5 June 30, 2022

Black Male Summit Builds Up Youth PHOTOS BY ED SIKORA / FOR THE OBSERVER

The fifth annual Black Male Summit in Opelika took place on Sunday, June 25, at Greater Peace Baptist Church. The event, hosted by The Dream Day Foundation, featured over 100 Black middle and high school boys, who heard from keynote speaker Simon T. Bailey, noted success coach, author, television host and philanthropist. Each attendee went home with a copy of Bailey's new book, "Release Your Brilliance".

B6 June 30, 2022

DiChiara, Burkhalter Earn Additional All-America Honors CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

AUBURN — Sonny DiChiara and Blake Burkhalter have been named Second Team All-America by the College Baseball Foundation, and DiChiara also earned second team honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The All-America honors are the fourth and fifth for DiChiara, who was previously named

First Team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Perfect Game and Second Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball. The award is the second for Burkhalter, who earned Second Team AllAmerica honors from the ABCA. The recognition for DiChiara comes after already being named the SEC Co-Player of the Year, First Team AllSEC, a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.

DiChiara finished the season as the league leader in average (.383), on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.777). His on-base clip is second in the country and is 42 points higher than any other SEC player in the last 10 full seasons.

A native of Hoover, Alabama, DiChiara is tied for second among active Division I players with 63 career home runs, four of which came in the NCAA Tournament. His 22 homers this season were good

DiChiara Becomes Third Consensus All-American in Program History CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

AUBURN — Sonny DiChiara has been named First Team All-America by Baseball America and D1 Baseball, making him the third consensus All-American in program history.

DiChiara joins Frank Thomas (1989) and Casey Mize (2018) as the only other consensus AllAmericans in Auburn baseball history.

A native of Hoover, Alabama, DiChiara earned first team honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, D1

Baseball and Perfect Game while earning second team honors from the College Baseball Foundation, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The senior slugger was also named the SEC CoPlayer of the Year, First Team All-SEC and a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.

DiChiara finished the season as the league leader in average (.383), on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.777). His on-base clip was good for second in the country, second to Frank Thomas (.568) in program history and is

42 points higher than any other SEC player in the last 10 full seasons.

DiChiara finished the 2022 season tied for second among active Division I players with 63 career home runs, four of which came in the NCAA Tournament. His 22 homers this season were good for the fourth most in the SEC and the second most in program history, one shy of 2010 SEC Player of the Year Hunter Morris.

DiChiara drew 68 walks this year, the most in the country and the second most in the team’s single-season history, and reached base in all but two games, including multiple times on 49 occasions.

Michigan Softball Standout Annabelle Widra Transfers to Auburn CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

AUBURN –– Head coach Mickey Dean gained a key addition to the Auburn softball roster with former Michigan standout Annabelle Widra, a utility athlete and right-handed pitcher, who will join the program for the 2023 season.

“Annabelle is versatile, athletic and fast,” said Dean. “She ran track in high school, so she has great speed. She is a proven impact player. She is going to be a great addition to our pitching staff along with her ability to be a threat at the plate. We’re excited to have her join our program.”

During her freshman season with the Wolverines, Widra appeared in 48 games, seeing time at second and

third base and as a designated player. Widra posted six multi-hit and two multi-RBI games for Michigan. Of her 27 hits, Widra slugged three doubles, one triple and a home run for 11 RBI and 18 runs scored.

The right-hander made 17 appearances in the circle with one start, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.73 ERA and 116 strikeouts through 32.1 innings of work.

She was named to the 2022 Big Ten AllTournament Team after tossing five scoreless, hitless relief innings against Maryland and No. 10 Northwestern, earning the win over the Wildcats.

A Hoover, Alabama, native, Widra is a graduate of Spain Park High School, where she earned multiple High School All-American

honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Extra Inning Softball and MaxPreps during her decorated career.

Widra was the 2021 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2021 Ms. Softball. She was tabbed to the ASWA All-State Team on four occasions and won the organization’s Pitcher of the Year (2018, 2021) and Player of the Year (2021) honors during her career.

She closed her decorated high school career with a .476 career batting average with 220 runs scored, 165 RBI, 41 doubles, 15 triples, 31 home runs and 132 stolen bases. Widra also posted a 120-24 career pitching record with a 1.39 ERA and 1211 strikeouts, 60 shutouts and eight perfect games

for the fourth most in the SEC and the second most in program history, one shy of 2010 SEC Player of the Year Hunter Morris.

DiChiara drew 68 walks this season, the most in the country and the second most in the team’s single-season history, and reached base in all but two games, including multiple times on 49 occasions.

Burkhalter, who was named Second Team All-SEC and a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award, leads

the conference and ranks second in the country with 16 saves, tied for the second most in program history and the most since 2003.

The junior righty recorded the final six outs of Auburn’s regional championship against UCLA and notched a pair of saves in the Corvallis Super Regional against Oregon State, retiring all eight batters he faced. Burkhalter then recorded the last seven out of Auburn’s College World Series win against

Samford to record his 16th save.

Burkhalter has posted a 4-2 record with a 3.89 ERA and has struck out 71 batters to go along with issuing only seven walks in 46.1 innings.

A native of Dothan, Alabama, Burkhalter earned three saves in as many appearances during the team’s sweep of South Carolina, becoming the first player in program history and the first in the league since 2017 to accomplish the feat.

Auburn Soccer Announces 2022 Schedule CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

AUBURN — Auburn soccer and 24th-year head coach Karen Hoppa announced the team’s schedule for the 2022 season Tuesday.

The fall slate will mark the 30th season of Auburn’s program.

“We are excited to announce our 2022 schedule,” Hoppa said.

“It is extraordinarily challenging with eight opponents who made last year’s NCAA tournament. Each matchup is going to show us exactly what we’re made of. We feel our veteran team is up for the challenge, and we cannot wait to kick-off the season in August.”

The schedule consists of a pair of exhibition games followed by 18 regular season matches, including 10 against Southeastern Conference opponents.

The Auburn Soccer Complex will play host to 11 of the 20 contests.

The Tigers will begin exhibition play at home on Monday, Aug. 8 against Georgia Southern before making the trip to the University of Memphis on Saturday, Aug. 13 for one final tune up prior to the start of the regular season.

Auburn’s regular

season opponents feature eight NCAA Tournament participants from a year ago, including last year’s College Cup Champions. The field produced a 209-109-25 record during the 2021 campaign.

The season will begin at home against the reigning C-USA Tournament champions Old Dominion on Thursday, August 18, followed by a bout against C-USA runner up Southern Miss the following Sunday, Aug. 21.

The Tigers will then hit the road for their first away games of the season at the home of the defending national champions, Florida State, on Thursday, Aug. 25 before squaring off against a second Atlantic Coast Conference opponent at Wake Forest on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Returning to Auburn for a three-game homestand, the Tigers will then battle West Virginia on Thursday, September 1, Army on Sunday, Sept. 4 and UMass Lowell on Thursday, Sept. 8.

To wrap up nonconference competition, the Orange and Blue will trek to Birmingham for a matchup against eighttime and defending Southern Conference champions Samford on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Conference action will begin on the road for the Tigers, first at Missouri on Friday, Sept. 16, followed by a game at Arkansas, last year’s SEC regular season champions, on Thursday, Sept. 22.

The Auburn Soccer Complex will welcome its first SEC opponent, Ole Miss, on Sunday, September 25 before rounding out the month with Vanderbilt at home on Friday, Sept 30.

In the month of October, the Tigers will square off at Kentucky (Oct. 6), versus Mississippi State (Oct. 9), at Texas A&M (Oct. 14), versus Tennessee (Oct. 20) and at LSU (Oct. 23). The team will conclude the regular season by hosting the Iron Bowl of soccer on Thursday, Oct. 27.

Postseason play will begin with the SEC Tournament in Pensacola, Florida from October 30 through Nov. 6. The NCAA Tournament will follow, running from Nov. 11 through Dec. 4. The first round through quarterfinals will be held at host sites and the College Cup will take place in Cary, North Carolina.

TV broadcast information will be released closer to the start of the season.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/

files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20 P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-50811-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 6329992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1.mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2.fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 6907442; or 3.email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

05/05/2022

B7 June 30, 2022

Auburn Alumni Basketball Team ‘War Ready’ Prepares for ‘The Basketball Tournament’ Annual, open tournament pays out $1 million to winning team

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM AUBURN –– For the third year running, a group of Auburn basketball alumni are coming together to compete for the $1 million grand prize in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

TBT is a winner-takeall, single-elimination basketball tournament featuring 64 teams across eight different regions, beginning on July 16 at New York City’s historic Rucker Park. The competition has been

running since 2014.

The team in the tournament getting most Auburn fans excited is “War Ready”. A version of the team has competed the previous two years, but were handily eliminated in the first round on both attempts.

War Ready hopes to reverse those fortunes this year with what appears to be its strongest roster yet.

Former Auburn players included on this year’s War Ready team include: Danjel Purifoy (2015-20), Malik Dunbar (201719), Mustapha Heron (2016-18), Quantez

Robinson (2005-09),

T.J. Dunans (2015-17)

and — the headliner — Bryce Brown (2015-19). Other players included on the team include: Chris Cokley (UAB), Isaiah Williams (Samford & Georgia State), Lewis Sullivan (UAB), Liam O’Reilly (Gardner-Webb) and Tim Quarterman (LSU).

The strength of this team figure to be its backcourt, with Williams and Brown possessing NBA experience on their resume. Heron (a former five-star recruit) and Dunans (a standout from the second and third year of the Bruce Pearl era at Auburn) bolster the

backcourt as key, former Auburn players as well. LSU’s Quarteman, Robinson and O’Reilly give team War Ready further guard depth to run teams off the floor with small ball lineups.

Purifoy, Dunbar, Cokley and Sullivan will provide the size and athleticism in the paint.

It’s a make-or-break year for team War Ready in all honesty.

Generating loads of buzz in year one and two of participating in TBT, Auburn’s mostly-alumni team had two See WAR READY, page B8

Troy University Announces Free Online Summer Courses CONTRIBUTED BY TROY UNIVERSITY TROY –– Whether you’re interested in building valuable leadership skills to propel your career or are interested in learning principles to protect and grow your wealth, Troy University aims to help those who want to make a commitment to their future by offering two free courses this summer.

Troy’s online courses

have been ranked among the country’s best by U.S. News and World Report.

The university is known for emphasizing the importance of developing strong leaders, and its leadership program is one of the best in the nation. Beginning July 11, Troy will offer a free four-week course online called “Introduction to Leadership.” This course presents a rare opportunity for participants to learn how to lead from a global

perspective while incorporating self-evaluation to gain a better understanding of how to lead effectively.

“We believe that universities are responsible for building the leaders of tomorrow, and that is a commitment we do not take lightly,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor of the university. “Our mission is to develop leaders who are well equipped to meet the challenges of today’s

world. These two free courses are an excellent introduction to all we offer at Troy University while giving participants the chance to learn valuable life skills.”

New for 2022, Troy is also offering a free personal finance course called “Your Life, Your Success — Money Management and Financial Wellness.” The course is designed to give students an overview of financial principles that will

set-back.

I know Stallings does not like attention, but after checking on him several days in a row, I realized current Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and longtime friend Jimmy Rane needed to know about coach's health set-back.

I reached out to all three men the following day. The next day I called Stallings for an update on how he was feeling. After giving me his normal, "I am good and no need to worry," Stallings told me that Saban, Swinney and Rane had reached out to check on him.

Having figured out

I was the one that notified each, Stallings told me, "thank you."

Please continue to pray for coach Gene Stallings to have a speedy recovery!

You can hear Stallings onThursday's at 7 a.m. on "On the Mark", airing on FOX Sports the Game 9101310, the iHeartRadio app or online at www. foxsportsthegame. com.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — 3D Elite has the mission of teaching, training and developing boys and girls in the fundamentals of sports with an emphasis on preparation for life. The goal is to provide an atmosphere where children have fun, make new friends, build their confidence and learn valuable lessons that youth sports can teach them. It is a 501c3 not for profit organization.

We are so proud of

SPORTS >> FROM B1 Gary Fuller, Opelika City Council President Eddie Smith and other guests will participate in opening ceremonies, Friday at 6 p.m.

COACH GENE STALLINGS HEALTH SCARE Former Alabama head football coach Gene Stallings suffered a stroke two weeks ago on his ranch in Powderly, Texas. Stallings spent a few nights in the hospital before returning to his home on the ranch. Stallings has been a weekly guest on my sports radio show, “On the Mark”, appearing every Thursday at 7

our The company said it is proud of its 9th grade boys' basketball team on their victory in the YBOA Nationals tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The team is comprised of students from both Auburn and Opelika high schools.

These young men joined together to represent the area in the best way possible.

Both their character off the court and skills on the court were complimented by all.

For more information concerning 3D Elite, visit the website www.3dyda.com.

a.m., presented by Jimmy Rane and Great Southern Wood.

Unfortunately, this is not the first health scare for Stallings.

The 87-year-old Junction man suffered a heart attack and stroke several years ago. Despite the health scares, Stallings has not missed a beat. If I call one minute past 7 a.m. on Thursday, coach will answer with a slight chuckle ... “D.Mark, you are late and can't start today.”

The stroke seemed to cause Stallings to take a step back, rest and stay out of the heat. Only a few people outside of his immediate family knew about his latest

can earn three credit hours for each course as a general elective or minor course.

The courses run for four weeks and end on Aug. 8.

To earn academic credit, students must pass a challenge exam at the end of the courses. Current Troy students who participate must have less than 15 hours of university credit to receive academic credit for passing the challenge exam. Register at troy.edu/ freeclass.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

3D Elite 9th Grade Team Finishes 2nd in the Nation

help them succeed. Students will learn about budgeting, filing taxes, different types of loans and insurance products and an overview of investment options. This course will be offered in two tracks beginning July 11: one for a general audience and one for young adults.

The courses are open to anyone and do not require enrollment in Troy to participate. Participants who enroll at Troy University

B8 June 30, 2022

Planting Seeds with Your Child

E

BETH PINYERD

cclesiastes 3:1,2 states, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.”

I hope this article can help young families, as you might be planting seeds with your young children at this time.

This past week at summer school at Trinity United Methodist

Preschool, I had the joy of reading “The Sunflower Parable” by Liz Curtis Higgs to the preschoolers. It is a wonderful book to read to your children and grandchildren. It’s a story about a young gardener who hopes to grow sunflowers that reach all the way to heaven. The father, the farmer in the story, guides the young gardener to realize that it is right to plant seeds in

the ground, but it is also valuable to plant seeds in the hearts of family, friends and neighbors.

Summer does bring in that good old planting fever of things coming up new. What better time to ask your little one to be your gardening buddy? Young children can learn so very much about our beautiful world when you include them in a timewell-spent lesson. Also, in a few weeks they will be able to see the results of their digging and planting efforts, so let’s get ready to not only nurture our yards and gardens but to nurture our young children with time well spent.

Simply explaining photosynthesis — that it takes soil, sun, water and seeds for plants to grow — can be done before planting. You can draw this on a piece of paper or poster so young children can visualize what is going to happen after they plant their seeds.

I love to plant rye grass because it comes up so quick

Alabama Medical Student Honored

The Alabama Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is proud to announce that Natalie Simpkins was elected to represent Alabama as a delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians at the National Conference this summer in Kansas City. She was selected from 42 medical students from the state who attended the Alabama Chapter conference.

Simpkins, a 2021 Neuroscience graduate of UAB from Opelika, attends the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and plans to pursue primary care of underserved populations in the state.

and is such a beautiful green. Children can see the results of their planting quickly. Use a Styrofoam cup or empty a half-pint or pint-sized milk carton. You can make an animal face on the cup or carton.

Children can choose to draw and do a craft for a ladybug, butterfly, rabbit, dog, etc. They can use googly eyes, construction paper ears, mouth, etc. Let your child be the creative one. With July 4th right around the corner, they can also make a patriotic pot.

In showing how seeds germinate and grow, try to pick up some large butterbean seeds.

Use a small Ziploc bag, wet paper towel and tape. Tape the seeds inside the bag and put the wet paper towel to the back of the taped seeds. Tape the bag up on a window where the sun shines in. Over a two-week period observe how the sprouts begin to grow. Have your child record his or her observations by drawing what they see.

By this experiment children are able to see a root grow, which pushes the leaf up to the top. Your young scientist will be fascinated by this experiment.

“Planting a Rainbow” for ages 2 to 6 is a colorful book you will want to check out at the library or buy at a local bookstore. This book is like a guide with child-appropriate pictures on the whole planting process from buying seeds, arranging a garden, seeing a garden grow and learning different flowers by their colors. You can follow up this book by visiting a garden center or nursery to see the different flowers and identify them by touching and smelling.

Going to the store to buy the seeds can be a learning experience as well as you and your child look and choose seeds appropriate for our region of the country. Go to the dollar store to pick up an inexpensive plastic shovel, bucket and water pail.

If an indoor garden is

chosen by you and your child, a bag of soil will need to be picked up.

You and your child choose the kind of garden you want to plant. It may be out in the yard, in small pots or an indoor garden. Carefully read the directions on the seed packets to know how deep each seed must be planted. The seed packets will also tell you when and where to plant and how much sunshine is needed as well as water. Children can learn about measuring when planting seeds.

In planting your seeds, take time with your child in teaching and talking about the seeds they can plant in their little hearts: the seed of kindness, the seed of helping others, the seed of self-control, the seed of patience and the seed of love will help them to grow to be a beautiful flower of a person that will be adored by all.

I hope this article helps during this week’s theme of gardening.

Classroom Observer

WAR READY >>

well — brothers Ausar and Amen Thompson — both of whom are projected to be lottery picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Former NBA players Omari Spellman and C.J. Miles are two other notable names that make up a field of 71 players with NBA experience.

War Ready enters this year’s TBT as the No. 6 seed in the Charleston, West Virginia, regional.

Its first game will be against WoCo Showtime, a Wofford University Alumni team. 2021 team War Ready player Fletcher Magee — one of college basketball’s most prolific 3-point shooters of the last decade — headlines the team. War Ready begins its TBT journey on July 24 at 2 p.m.

Last year’s champions Boeheim’s Army — the Syracuse University Alumni Team — returns to the field as early favorites alongside Fredette’s Overtime Elite.

While TBT appeals to all basketball fans — especially those with a soft spot in their heart for nostalgia and reliving the ‘good-ole days’ — the casual viewer might be

confused if they tune in and witness the end of a game.

TBT doesn’t complete games like traditional basketball games are completed. In fact, the tournament rules dictate an ending that turns the running clock off altogether. TBT calls it the “Elam Ending”. Instead of calling the game complete when the game clock hits 0:00, TBT pauses the game when the game clock has expired, adds eight points to the leading team’s score and then the first team to reach that target score (without the pressure of a game clock), is declared the winner.

The point of the endof-game style is to reduce time-wasting schemes and force teams to focus on getting stops. The result is a higher-level of end-ofgame intensity and anan emphasis on shot making.

The revised way to end a game has generated so much popularity that the NBA implemented the Elam Ending in its all-star game in 2020.

TBT will conclude on Aug. 2, 2022, in Dayton, Ohio, at 8 p.m. CT. All games will be shown on ESPN.

FROM B7 unimpressive showings.

Excitement started off slowly when the team announced its return in 2022, but has risen with more additions like Heron and Brown joining the team. Brown was announced as a player late in 2021, but was a scratch from the playing roster just before the tournament.

Former Auburn player Frankie Sullivan returns as the team’s head coach, and last-year player and former Tiger Laron Smith moves to the bench as assistant coach. Jeremy Calzone rounds off the coaching staff and Matt Moschella is the general manger for the third year running.

This year, TBT features a plethora of recognizable names from college and NBA days of old. 33-yearold Jimmer Fredette – former BYU National Player of the Year and the 10th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft — headlines the talent.

Joining Fredette on team Overtime Elite is some new basketball talent as

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L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Inside the Statehouse Hovey vs. Whatley Still Undecided Bill Baxley

T

STEVE FLOWERS

he 1970 governor’s race between George Wallace and Albert Brewer overshadowed every other political race in the state that year. However, one of Alabama’s legendary political figures burst on the scene in 1970, when Bill Baxley was elected attorney general of Alabama. The attorney general’s race was below the radar screen of the titanic war waged by Brewer and Wallace.

Baxley’s victory was a major upset.

Baxley was a 28-year-old district attorney from the Wiregrass. He beat veteran Attorney Gen. MacDonald Gallion in a close race. Baxley became the youngest attorney general in the nation when he was sworn in at the January Inauguration. He had just turned 29. His historic rise at such a young age made him fodder for national publications like Time Magazine, who featured him as one of the brightest rising stars in the nation.

His brilliance gave new meaning to the word prodigy.

It was not immediately apparent to the voters of Alabama that they had elected a true progressive liberal as their attorney general. They soon did when Baxley began aggressively attacking the Big Mules in Birmingham and throughout the state and consistently fought for the downtrodden in the state. He sued every Big Mule in sight, including U.S. Steel, for pollution and other environmental concerns during his 20-year career in state politics. Baxley never deviated or backed down from his progressive Democratic ideology, even when it might have been politically expedient to do so. He could not be bought. He was his own man and a true Alabama political statesman.

When Baxley won the 1970 attorney general’s race over MacDonald Gallion, he openly and unashamedly courted liberals, labor and Blacks to win the race. He did not do it for expediency, but because his heart was in it. Baxley was a true progressive

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Southern Democrat. He openly courted, embraced and built an overt friendship with labor leaders and black leaders such as Joe Reed.

Baxley was certainly a contrast to our race-baiting Gov. George Wallace. Ironically, Wallace loved Baxley. Deep down Wallace was a hardcore progressive who had lived through the Depression. He cut his teeth as a New Deal Democrat.

Baxley forged a political career with epic historical milestones in Alabama politics. He was elected attorney egneral in 1970 and again in 1974. He ran second for governor in 1978 when Fob James came out of the blue to upset the “Three B’s” — Baxley, Brewer and Jere Beasley in the governor’s race.

Baxley came back in 1982 and was elected lieutenant governor. He served closely with Wallace, who was serving his fourth and final term as governor. They had a special friendship and spoke on the phone constantly. I think Wallace admired Baxley for being true to his principles. He also respected Baxley’s understanding of some of the golden rules of politics and that is “your word is your bond” and also “you dance with the ones who brung you.”

Baxley was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1986. He was upset by Guy Hunt, who became the first Republican governor since Reconstruction that year. Baxley left politics after that race and did what he really loved. He became one of the most prominent trial lawyers in Alabama. He loves the practice of law. He was born for it. For the last 36 years, he has been one of Alabama’s top lawyers and probably one of the most expensive. Baxley now resides in Birmingham and takes prominent cases all over the state.

Baxley was born and raised in Dothan. His daddy, Keener Baxley, was a well-respected circuit judge in Dothan. The Baxleys were a prominent family and among the earliest settlers of Houston County. Young Baxey grew up loving the law, politics and baseball. He grew up in his daddy’s courtroom in Dothan and learned to love the law. There was never any doubt in his mind that he would be a lawyer by profession because he probably was not going to be a major league baseball player, which was See FLOWERS, page B10

I

LEE COUNTY –– f you’re confused on the Hovey vs.

Whatley Senate District 27 race, you’re not alone.

The primary election was held May 24. A week later, provisional votes were counted and it appeared that Jay Hovey beat incumbent Tom Whatley by one vote.

Whatley, however, contested the results and hearings were held June 25. During those hearings, “The Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee determined during Saturday’s election

contest hearing that an uncounted provisional ballot in favor of Senator Tom Whatley was improperly excluded from the vote totals,” the ALGOP said in a statement.

When this provisional ballot was included in the vote totals, the race between Hovey and Whatley became tied.

The ALGOP Candidate Committee voted in favor of having Chairman John Wahl resolve this tie by lot, the method used for such situations in a general election, as outlined in Alabama Code 17-12-23.

Monday morning the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) released a statement regarding an investigation into the uncounted provisional

ballot.

“The inquiry discovered the individual in question possesses a driver’s license issued by the state of Georgia,” the statement said. “It also revealed the individual visited the ALEA Driver’s License Office in Opelika, to obtain an Alabama Driver’s License. However, she did not complete an issuance transaction and was never issued an Alabama Driver’s License. The individual still holds a current Georgia Driver’s License.”

At this time, The ALGOP is currently working with both candidates to determine a date and location for the tie-breaker. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Commission Discusses Waste, Broadband

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Commission updated its bulk waste pickup rules during its meeting Monday night.

“This would allow, in addition to the weekly curbside carts, two pickups included at no additional price, up to five cubic yards per pickup in bulk waste,” said Environmental Services Director John McDonald.

“And then, also option for the white goods to include the ones that contain freon.”

This was approved by the commission and will hopefully be implemented in August, McDonald said.

District 3 Commissioner Gary Long asked McDonald

NOW OPEN

to look at the regulations and adjust the specification that requires the bulk waste be placed 3 feet from the curb.

“Living on 280, 3 feet would be awfully close to the road,” Long said. “Can we split that up or back that up for everybody?”

McDonald said that 3 feet allows the trucks to reach the waste, but he said that he and his team will look at that.

EMS The commission heard a request to increase East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) EMS funding Monday night. There was no action taken as this will be determined during the county’s budgeting process.

EMS Manager Austin Bayles approached the commission for consideration, not an immediate vote.

“It’s been several years since we’ve done an increase in the subsidy,” Bayles said. “In 2019, we did increase, helping cover the cost of purchasing new ambulances and raises for the employees.

That increase took place for two years. After two years, it returned to the regular contractual amount. Since 2019, our operating expense increased by 17%, along with our capital expense increasing each year.

“With the increase in volumes, we had to increase the number of staff, along with the ambulances operating each day.”

In 2019, there were five 24-hour ambulances, one 12-hour ambulance and one eight-hour ambulance. That has increased to six 24-hour ambulances, one 12-hour See COMMISSION, page B12

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

B10 June 30, 2022

Maryon Pittman Allen: Outgoing, Outspoken and Quickly Out of Politics

GREG MARKLEY

I

Senate to replace her late husband Jim. She took on Gov. George Wallace and his second wife Cornelia.

“The worst thing a person can do is be a bore,” Allen told interviewer Sally Quinn.

“That’s a cardinal sin.

And they don’t know they’re bores. How can they not know? The Wallaces should shut up. It would be the Christian thing to do.

Everybody in Alabama is getting tired of seeing those old dirty sheets flapping around on Perry Street.”

Allen was born in 1925 in Meridian, Mississippi, and had three siblings.

Her family moved to Birmingham the next year and her father John founded a tractor dealership. At the University of Alabama (1944-47) she

FLOWERS >>

for Houston and Henry counties at the ripe old age of 25. Three years later he was elected attorney general of Alabama.

The rest is history.

Baxley has a place in Alabama history. It is hard to believe that young Baxley turns 81 this month.

See you next week.

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

FROM B9 every young boy’s dream at that time.

He was always brilliant, academically, and was gifted with a photographic memory. He skipped a grade in school and finished high school at age 15. He entered the University of Alabama at age 16. He graduated from college at age 19 and the University of Alabama Law School at age 22. After law school, he returned to Dothan to practice law. He was elected district attorney

supporters and pundits by declining to seek the Democratic nomination.

This made Allen the favorite to gain a full six-year term. But her indiscreet remarks to media put a pox on her chances.

According to a WomenInCongress profile, “Allen later claimed the interviewer had distorted her comments, but the reaction in Alabama damaged her chances for

2018, more than 40 years after her troubled campaign for a full term. She was 92 years old.

“I’m hardly Phyllis Schlafly’s biggest fan,” Allen said in 1978 of the conservative firebrand.

“When she grabbed Jim’s arm and said to me, ‘You don’t mind if I take your husband off do you? I have things to talk to him about that you wouldn’t understand.’

She insulted me several times, in front of my husband. Finally, I left, after pretty much telling her she was a ‘B….’

She’s supposed to be so feminine and all. Well, she’s as feminine as a sidewalk drill.”

Why not update the lyrics for the 1972 song that made Jim Croce a rock star? How about: “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind; you don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don’t mess around with the legend that was Maryon Pittmann Allen.”

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history.

He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 13 years. gm.markley@charter. net .

supported GOP nominee James Martin, a U.S. congressman and close friend of her husband Jim. Stewart defeated Martin, 55-43%. Allen left the Senate on Nov. 8, 1978, the day after the election.

After losing the election runoff, Allen was disappointed and depressed, so she missed Senate roll calls at a high rate. From June to Ocober 1978, she missed

ALLEN election. Nevertheless, Senator Allen remained confident. She concentrated on her Senate duties and campaigned little before the Democratic primary of Sept. 5.”

Allen led the primary voting with 44%, but fell short of the outright majority needed. In the run-off with State Sen. Donald Stewart, Allen lost by more than 120,000 votes. In the general election Allen

155 of 356 roll call votes, for 43.5%. The median for senators serving that year was 12.1%, way lower that Allen’s absences.

After her Senate career, Allen worked as an award winning columnist for the Washington Post. She later worked as a public relations and advertising director for an antique and auction company in Birmingham.

She died on July 23,

OPD Chief Shane Healey Visits Opelika Kiwanis Club

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPINION — n 1972, singer Jim Croce had a hit single called “You don’t mess around with Jim.” Lyrics were: “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind; you don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger, and you don’t mess around with Jim.” The song recounts the fate of Big Jim Walker and Willie Slim McCoy, an Alabamian, after a fight.

I thought of this song when I read about how Maryon Pittman Allen, the second woman to serve as a U.S. senator from Alabama, had her career short-circuited.

It resulted from a too frank interview with a Washington Post writer she made shortly after her appointment to the

studied journalism and married Joshua Mullins; they raised three children but got divorced in 1959.

Soon, she worked as an insurance agent. Later, she became a journalist and was women’s section editor for five local weeklies in Alabama.

The Washington post described Allen as “always, always feminine, sweet, and above all unthreatening.” Small and fragile looking, very elegant, she looks like a proper Southern lady, the account said.

Although Allen spent fewer than five months as U.S. senator, she was actively engaged there.

Her most important vote in the Senate came in October 1978. She backed a proposal of Sen. Jake Garn (R.-UT) to allow any of the 35 states that had ratified the Equal Rights Amendment since it passed in 1972 to rescind their approval.

The Senate was also debating an extension of the ERA deadline to March 1979 to make available more time to approve the Act. Garn’s proposal failed by 54-44 and the extension for the ERA was successful.

Allen attempted to carry out her husband’s legislative priorities and conservative approach.

Pundits expected that Gov. Wallace, term-limited, would challenge Allen for the Senate seat.

Yet in 1978 he shocked

This past Thursday, the speaker during the Opelika Kiwanis meeting was Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey. He came and gave an update on the Opelika Police Department and its community goals.

Next week on July 7, the speaker will be Jordan Roberts, who is in charge of AU off road racing program.

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B11 June 30, 2022

Two Tier justice in Auburn?

OPINION — The city of Auburn started in December 2021, issuing citations to property owners who operated a short term rental(STR) on their private property that was located in zones arbitrarily excluded by city council’s passage of ordinance 3288 in March 2021. Yet in May of 2022, the city deviated their citation protocol and issued a citation to a Louisiana family who was visiting Auburn, instead of issuing it to the property owner. Can you imagine the surprise and distain this out-of-state visitor now has for the City of Auburn? But why was the property owner not cited?

According to requested documents provided to me by the City of Auburn in conjunction with public

records, the house is listed as belonging to a person known/believed to be Mayor Ander’s campaign manager. I presented my question to the Mayor at the June 21 council meeting asking, “Why was there a deviation in the citation process?”

“Why was the property owner not cited?”

“Is there a two-tier justice system in the City of Auburn?”

I got NO answer. I didn’t even get a “I’ll get back to you on that”. It seems like a perfectly reasonable question to ask a Mayor running for re-election. So maybe I will just ask my fellow citizens in Auburn. “Is there a two tier justice system in Auburn?”

Susan Bolt Auburn, Alabama

Ivey Speaks on Roe v.

Wade Decision

Governor Kay Ivey

Pe

d

coaching career more than 40 years ago, I never dreamed that I would ever run for the U.S. Senate. But I wanted to help people and give back to our great country that gave so much to me.

As with coaching, success requires a game plan, hard work and a talented team. That’s why I immediately began putting together an experienced team who cares about helping our state.

We opened five offices across the state to be accessible to Alabamians: Mobile, Montgomery, Hoover, Dothan and Huntsville. Members of our state team are available at these locations to assist with casework issues such as passports, veterans’ benefits and other federal government-related matters. The team visits every single county of our state at least four times a year and hosts satellite office hours in small communities farther away from our permanent offices. Additionally, our state team has a fulltime Grants & Special Projects coordinator who tracks local projects and advocates within the federal government on

behalf of Alabama towns, cities and other groups applying for federal grant programs. Her efforts have helped secure more than $30 million in grants to further communities across Alabama.

I was fortunate to secure a spot on four committees that allow me to advocate for Alabamians’ best interests: Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

After listening to folks across Alabama, our team developed a legislative plan to begin addressing their needs and concerns on various issues.

As part of the Armed Services Committee, which oversees issues related to our national security and armed forces, our office secured significant wins for Alabama’s defense industry as part of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is legislation that lays out the military’s priorities and policies each year.

Our wins included securing funding for hypersonic development and testing, repairs and maintenance for Dannelly Field in Montgomery, barracks improvements at Fort Rucker and two Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessels in Mobile.

Additionally, our office is focused on identifying targeted and meaningful changes to improve how the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) delivers benefits and care to America’s veterans and servicemembers. We’ve introduced four pieces of legislation that will hopefully make a difference for our veterans and their families.

I also heard from many folks at home who said it’s time for the federal government to permanently adopt daylight saving time (DST) and do away with adjusting our clocks twice a year. I cosponsored the Sunshine Protection Act to permanently adopt DST and give Americans longer days year round. Additionally, as we look toward the next Farm Bill, my priority is to listen to the needs of Alabama’s

farmers. My office will focus on ways to support Alabama’s top commodities, drive forward key initiatives like rural development and broadband internet and promote conservation efforts and forestry programs that benefit Alabama’s rural communities.

Finally, the past two years have shown us the power of the unelected and largely unaccountable director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a member of the HELP Committee, I introduced the Restoring Trust in Public Health Act to make the CDC director a Senateconfirmed position, which gives the American people a voice in the process.

My team and I are proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but we’re just getting started. We want to continue to be accessible and work hard for the people we proudly represent. If we can ever be of help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4124.

Tommy Tuberville

We Can't Wait Another Decade: It's Time for Alabama to Expand Medicaid

BY ROBYN HYDEN OPINION — It’s been a decade of missed opportunity. On June 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in NFIB v. Sebelius that Alabama and other states were not required to implement the Affordable Care Act fully. The decision declared that states could opt out of expanding Medicaid to provide health coverage to adults who have low incomes and could not otherwise afford insurance.

Despite the ruling, a generous offer remained on the table: The federal government would fund Medicaid expansion in its entirety for the first three years and cover 90% of the cost thereafter. Still, Alabama sat by and did little even as 17 of our hospitals have closed since 2010.

We watched with no

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OPINION — Following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe, Governor Ivey issued the following statement last week.

“Today is a giant step forward for our country as, after decades, Roe is finally overturned. Folks, after almost 50 years of standing up for unborn babies, our prayers have been answered.

“The fight continues, though. Here in Alabama, we have been preparing for this day when the decision-making authority on abortion is rightfully returned to the states. In 2019, I was proud to sign into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, which is one of the strongest bans on abortion in the country. Currently, there is a halt by a federal judge on the enforcement of that law, but now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law. As I noted when I signed the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, every life is precious and a sacred gift from God. We will not relent in our efforts.

Ensuring this 2019 law can be enforced is the next and very critical step to protecting our

babies.

“This is a historic day, and I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned.” – Governor Kay Ivey Following up on the governor’s statement last week regarding Roe being overturned and following Judge Myron Thompson’s decision to dissolve the preliminary injunction on the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, Ivey issued the following reaction: “As I said, this is a historic day, and I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned. This afternoon, the federal court did for the state of Alabama what the U.S. Supreme Court did for the entire nation: It returned the decision-making authority to the proper body.

I am pleased to see the process move forward so that we can now enforce the Alabama Human Life Protection Act here in our state, which honors both the constitution and the rule of law. Alabama will continue standing up for our unborn babies, our mothers and our families.”

OPINION — W hen I began my

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CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. KAY IVEY

Greeting from Sen. Tommy Tuberville

ia t ri

CELEBRATING OUR

FIRST BIRTHDAY!

Saturday July 9th 8-11AM Sunshine Pediatrics

response as more than 300,000 of our friends and neighbors – folks who make too little to afford private insurance but too much to qualify for our bare-bones Medicaid program – struggled to afford needed health treatments or simply went without care. We waited for help to come as major health indicators – including labor force participation rates, maternal mortality rates, substance use disorders and mental health outcomes – continued to languish.

During those 10 years, we witnessed 38 of our neighboring states take the deal that we did not.

The results speak for themselves.

While many of Alabama’s rural hospitals closed, Arkansas expanded Medicaid back in 2014 and retained their rural hospitals and providers. While more than 600 Alabamians die every year due to lack of health coverage, Louisiana expanded Medicaid back in 2016 and saw a reduction in premature deaths.

And while Alabama

lost out on more than $1 billion in additional tax revenues that would have strengthened our economy and supported our long-term economic success, our federal tax dollars went to fund health care in other expansion states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Virginia.

The good news is this: A new Medicaid expansion deal is now on the table, and it is even better financially than before. The American Rescue Plan Act offers additional incentives to states that have yet to expand Medicaid to ensure we don’t miss out. With these incentives, Alabama could more than afford to provide coverage for those 300,000 friends and neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet and pay for health care.

Evidence is strong that states that build a strong social safety net, including more expansive Medicaid programs, enjoy faster economic recovery from recessions than those that don’t. And these federal

funds will provide the most benefit to those most harmed during the COVID-19 recession.

Medicaid expansion also will help K-12 schools and universities across Alabama by generating significant increases in income and sales tax revenues – the funding sources most at risk of decline in times of economic instability.

When we look back on this moment 10 years from now, I’d like for the story of Medicaid expansion to be one of an embraced opportunity. Let us say Alabama’s leaders brought billions of dollars back home to invest in our health care, our economy and our people. Let us say we weathered the ups and downs of economic instability and came out stronger. And let us say we did it all because of leaders who had the courage, the vision and the foresight to invest today in the Alabama of 2032.

Robyn Hyden is executive director of Alabama Arise, a statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arise’s membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama.

Email: robyn@alarise.org.

B12 June 30, 2022

COMISSION >> FROM B9 ambulance and two 8-hour ambulances.

“We had to increase this a little over a year ago due to our high-call volumes, just to be able to keep up with all the volumes in the county,” Bayles said. “We’re requesting an increase in operational of 10% and an increase of 4% in capital each year for the next three years.”

When Smiths Station stopped its ambulance

service, EAMC’s EMS services increased, Bayles said.

Call volumes have substantially increased in the county, outside of just Lee County, which Bayles said there isn’t a solid answer for.

BROADBAND District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham added an item to the agenda to have representatives from Point Broadband speak to the commission.

“I think we all recognize that broadband has become pretty much

an essential part of our life,” said David Ficken, vice president of strategic growth at Point Broadband.

The commission voted at the first June meeting to designate 58% of Lee County’s American Rescue Plan Act funding toward broadband in Lee County.

“As you all go down this journey of how can we get more broadband in Lee County, I thought it was important to really talk about what’s going on there today already so we can begin to isolate

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the areas that need to work,” Ficken said.

Ficken provided a map to the commissioners with areas covered by Point and other companies, showing where needs are and the lack of coverage.

“You all need to decide, really, the first three things,” he said. “Decide what you want to do, decide where we need to do it and decide how we can help you.”

Then, Point will look with the county at money and funding to see how those projects can be completed, Ficken said.

“My recommendation is, start now,” he said.

“Start now. Start this whole process, invite us back, get a working committee, but let’s start to isolate and identify the areas where we have no service, that we need to go get fiber to them. We’ll come back and tell you how much it costs, we’ll look at the funds that are available. If you choose to move forward — great, we have a project, we can go change lives right

now.”

District 2 Commissioner Ross Morris said that he feels the county and commission need the help from someone like Point to help reached under-served areas.

Probate Judge Bill English said that the commission wants to know where the state is going to spend money on broadband before the commission makes any decisions regarding where to spend broadband money.

He also said that the commission is interested in spending the ARPA money in areas that won’t turn the same kind of profit that Point is used to.

Chad Walker, with Point, said that he believes Point makes a good ally and partner and is willing to work with the county to reach those areas.

Ficken said that the unserved and then the underserved would be the priority.

The commission made no vote on the

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OTHER BUSINESS: - EMA Director Rita Smith recognized Michael Holden for his Basic EM Certification.

- The commission announced two open positions for the East Alabama Health Care Authority Board and two open positions for the Lee County Communications District Board.

- The commission approved county levies for two new ABC License types.

- The commission approved the final plat approval for the Creecy Subdivision.

- The commission approved the final plat approval for Broken Rock Subdivision, Phase II. - The commission approved the final plat approval for Broken Rock Subdivision, Phase III. - The commission approved an Adopt-AMile Application for Lee Road 86.

- The commission approved an Adopt-A-Mile Application for Lee Road 240.

B13 June 30, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA HARDWOOD, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CV-2022-900172 A tract or parcel of land designated as Parcel “C” containing 1.500 acres, as shown on a plat of survey of part of Section 5, Township 17 N, Range 29 E, Lee County, Alabama, prepared by F. Wayne Allen, Registered Land Surveyor, Ala. Reg. No. 9534, dated 12/26/96, and being more particularly described as follows: COMMENCE at the northeastern corner of the NW ¼ of said Section 5 and run thence South 70 deg. 08 min. 59 sec. East a distance of 146.69 feet to an iron stake found; run thence South 56 deg. 56 min. 08. sec. West to a distance of 14.72 feet to an iron stake found; run thence South 56 deg. 56 min. 08.sec. West for distance of 135.30 feet to an iron stake found; run thence South 42 deg. 43 min. 47 sec. East a distance of 390.63 feet to an iron stake found; run thence South 42 deg.

43 min. 57 sec. East a distance of 283. 66 feet to an iron stake set; run thence South 42 deg. 43 min. 51 sec, East a distance of 489.87 feet to an iron stake set which marks the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING run thence South 42 deg. 43 min.

51 sec. East a distance of 494.43 feet to an iron stake found; run thence North 43 deg. 20 min. 53 sec. East a distance of 133.70 feet to an iron stake found; run thence North 42 deg. 43 min. 52 sec. West a distance of 485.29 feet to an iron stake set; run thence South 47 deg. 16 min. 08 sec. West a distance of 133.38 feet to the iron stake set which marks the Point of Beginning.

AND ALSO AN EASEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF INGRESS AND EGRESS: COMMENCE at the northeast corner of the NW ¼ of said Section 5 and run thence South 70 deg. 08 min. 59 sec. East a distance of 146.69 feet to an iron stake found; run thence South 56 deg. 56 min. 08 sec. West a distance of 14.72 feet to an iron stake found located on the easternmost right-ofway of Lee Road 425 which marks the POINT OF BEGINNING: FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING run South 56 deg. 56 min. 08 sec. West a distance of 15.00 feet to a point; run thence 42 deg. 43 min. 52 sec.

East a distance of 1626.73 feet to a point; run thence North 43 deg. 20 min. 50 sec. East a distance of 15.00 feet to an iron stake found; run thence North 42 deg. 43 min. 52 sec. West a distance of 1627.73 feet to the iron stake found which marks the Point of Beginning.

And Bonnie A. Bonner, and/or the unknown Heirs of Bonnie A. Bonner, And OneMain Financial Group, LLC Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 23rd day of May, 2022, a Complaint to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; A Parcel of Real Property, described below, as Defendant; Bonnie A. Bonner, and/or the unknown Heirs of Bonnie A. Bonner, as Defendant; OneMain Financial Group, LLC, as successor in interest to American General Finance, Inc.; and unknown persons or entities who cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which

are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described herein.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them, it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 14th day of June, 2022. /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Of Counsel, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 324 East Magnolia Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 06/23/2022, 06/30/2022, 07/07/2022 & 07/14/2022 --------------[ADVERTISEMENT] NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS ALDOT PROJECT NO. IAR—041-000-019 CITY BID NO. 22027 CITY OF OPELIKA LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Sealed bids will be received by the City of Opelika Purchasing Department (Attn. Lillie Finley) at Opelika City Hall located at 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36803, until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July, 12, 2022, and at that time publicly opened for constructing the following: Construction of Grade, Drain, Base & Pave, Opelika North Park Industrial Access Road for the City of Opelika, Project No. IAR-041-000-019.

The bracket estimate on this project is from $1,100,000.00 to $1,300,000.00. The principal items of work are approximately as follows: 360 Superpave Bituminous Concrete Wearing Surface Layer, per ton 719 Superpave Bituminous Concrete Upper Binder Layer, per ton 719 Superpave Bituminous Concrete Lower Binder Layer, per ton 5,554 Crushed Aggregate Base, Type B, Plant Mixed, per square yard 7,025 Unclassified Excavation, per cubic yard 2,098 Solid Yellow, Class 2, Type A Traffic Stripe (5” Wide), per linear foot The entire project shall be completed in SEVENTY-FIVE (75) working days.

Bidding documents for a unit price contract may be obtained from the office of CDG, Inc., 197 East University Drive, Suite #1, Auburn, Al 36832, (334) 466-9431. Paper copies are available upon receipt of a non-refundable deposit in the amount of $100 for one set. PDF electronic copies are available via email at no cost to the bidder, or on a CD for $25. No bid documents will be distributed later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled opening of bids.

A cashier’s check (drawn on an Alabama Bank) or bid bond for 5% of the amount bid (maximum - $10,000.00) and made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith.

In accordance with Section 34-8-8, Code of Alabama, as amended, “all owners, architects, and engineers receiving bids pursuant to this chapter shall require the person,

firm or corporation to include his or her current license number on the bid.” It also states that “…It will be necessary for him or her to show evidence of license before his or her bid is considered.”

ALDOT prequalification is required on this project. Further details and definitions regarding this provision are included in Section 102 of Special Provision 22-LPA001 and ALDOT’S 2022 Standard Specifications.

Proof of insurance coverages of the types and amounts as set forth in the project specifications will be required of the contractor, and any and all subcontractors, prior to beginning work. The contractor will be required to perform work amounting to at least 30% of the total contract cost with his own organization.

This is a State-funded project through ALDOT. The proposed work shall be performed in conformity with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

The right to reject any or all bids and to disregard any minor irregularities is reserved by the owner.

Honorable Gary Fuller, Mayor Legal Run 06/23/2022, 06/30/2022 & 07/07/2022 --------------INVITATION TO BID 22026 Sealed bids for the construction of the South Long Street Sidewalk and Drainage Upgrades shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m. local time on July 12, 2022, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

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

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama, and phone number: 334-705-5450. Bid

documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: South Long Street Drainage and Sidewalk Upgrades LILLIE FINLEY- PURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (368030390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 06/23/22, 06/30/22 & 07/07/22 --------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of CAROL FIELDS are hereby granted to Holly Elizabeth Fields Eaton and Sidney Lewis Fields, III, as Co-Personal Representatives on the 1st day of June, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred (Lee Co. Probate Case No. 2022-299).

Legal Run 6/16/2022, 6/23/2022 & 6/30/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of DARIUS S. SLUSHER, Deceased Case Number 2022-335 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to DARIUS NICHOLAS STUTZMAN, as Executor of the Estate of DARIUS S. SLUSHER, deceased, on the 10th day of June, 2022, 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.

DARIUS NICHOLAS STUTZMAN, Executor of the Estate of DARIUS S. SLUSHER Legal Run 06/23/22, 06/30/22 & 07/07/22 ---------------

VEHICLE AUCTION 6335 LEE ROAD 166 OPELIKA, AL 36804 334-728-8249 Date: 07/08/2022 1993 FORD RANGER PICKUP (WHITE) OVER 100,00 MILES DOES NOT RUN, NEEDS A LOT OF WORK 1FTCR10AXPTA62435 Legal Run 06/23/22 & 06/30/22 --------------CORNERSTONE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, LLC NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that Cornerstone Transportation Company, LLC (an Alabama limited liability company) was dissolved on June 23, 2022, with said Articles of Dissolution filed in the Office of the Alabama Secretary of State. Persons with claims against Cornerstone Transportation Company, LLC are requested to present such claims to Cornerstone Transportation Company, LLC, c/o Daniel Bryant, 4485 Lee Road 179, Salem, Alabama 36874-1827.

Included in such claim should be any and all documentation to determine the amount of and the validity of the claim. A claim against Cornerstone Transportation Company, LLC will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within two years after the publication of this notice pursuant to 1975 Code of Alabama Section 10A-1-9.22.

Legal Run 06/30/2022 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 015-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE THAT A DUPLEX IS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE R-4 AND R-4M DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE THAT MAUSOLEUMS, COLUMBARIUMS AND CREMATORIUMS ARE CONDITIONAL USES IN THE GC-P AND THE GC-S OVERLAY DISTRICTS PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: lSection 1. Amendment of Section 7.3C of the Zoning Ordinance. That Section 7.3C (“Uses”) of the Zoning Ordinance is amended as follows: (a) That the use categories of “Duplex”, “Mausoleum”, “Columbarium” and “Crematorium” in the pertinent portion of the matrix table be and the same are hereby amended to read as follows: SEE TABLE INSERTED BELOW (b)That footnotes 7, 8 and 9 are added at the end of the matrix table to read as follows:p 7On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a mausoleum shall be considered a conditional use only as an

accessory use to a cemetery. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use.

8On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary or Secondary designation, a columbarium shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a cemetery or church. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P or GC-S as a primary use or accessory to another use.

9On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a crematory shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a funeral home. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use.

Section 2. Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not effect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance which is not in or of itself invalid or unconstitutional.

Section 3. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 5. Publication. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama Section 6. Codification.

Codification of this Ordinance in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 21st day of June, 2022. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 22nd day of June, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 22nd day of June, 2022. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 06/30/2022 --------------Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:00AM Unit X398 Unit D67 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 06/30/22 ---------------

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B14 June 30, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES should attend this hearing. If you do not attend, the relief sought may be granted in your absence.

Legal Run 06/30/22, 07/07/22, 07/14/22 & 07/21/22 ---------------

PUBLIC NOTICE >> FROM B13 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF AIKEN IN THE FAMILY COURT SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Case No. 22-DR-02-54 South Carolina Department of Social Services, Plaintiff Vs. Keith Bishop, Defendants.

SUMMONS, NOTICE AND PETITION FOR CENTRAL REGISTRY ENTRY TO: Keith Bishop YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Summons, Notice an Petition for Central Registry in this action, the original of which has been filed in the Aiken County Office of the Clerk of Court at 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801, on February 17,2022, a copy of which will be delivered to you upon request; and to serve a copy of your answer to the complaint upon the attorney, Susanna M. Ringler, for the Plaintiff at Post Office Drawer 1268 , Aiken,SC 29801, within thirty (30) days following the date of service upon you, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to answer the complaint within the time stated, the Plaintiff will apply for judgment by default against the Defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have the right to be present and represented by an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. It is your responsibility to contact the Aiken County Clerk of Court’s Office, 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801, to apply for appointment of an attorney to represent you if you cannot afford an attorney (take all of these papers with you if you apply). YOU MUST APPLY FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU DO NOT APPLY FOR AN ATTORNEY WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT, AN ATTORNEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED FOR YOU. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that a hearing will be held in this matter on August 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.. at the Aiken County Courthouse located at 109 Park Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. You

CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.

July 12, 2022 TIME: 9:00 AM0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES B. VARIANCE 1. RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc., 1107 Columbus Parkway, Requesting a 40 foot height variance from the maximum 20-foot sign height requirement for a freestanding sign.

“In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City of Opelika will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at (334) 705-2083. “ Legal Run 06/30/2022 --------------Opelika Self Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location and time indicated: 710 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika AL 36801 Friday, July 15, 2022 at 1:00PM CST Jakacia Smith - Unit 1222 3300 Boromville Rd Hurtsboro, AL 36860 couches, beds, bed frames, dressers, misc furniture Mervin Quentin Ingram, Jr – Unit 1423 108 S 3rd St Opelika, AL 36801 Bags, boxes, misc The auction will be listed and advertised on www.lockerfox. com. Purchases must be made with credit card only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction.

Opelika Self Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Legal Run 06/30/2022 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of MILLIE

HELEN STUTZMAN, Deceased Case No.: 2022-360 Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Carol Ann Bragga on June 23,2022, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 06/30/2022 --------------MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the terms and payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by JAMES HOLLEY GRESHAM AND SUSAN MARIE GRESHAM, A MARRIED COUPLE, to DONNA MONTGOMERY on SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, said mortgage being recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of LEE County, Alabama, Mortgage Book 3270, Page 526, the undersigned DONNA MONTGOMERY, as mortgagee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, at the entrance of the Lee County Courthouse, located at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama, 36801, on July 29, 2022, between the legal hours of sale of 8:30 to 4:30 local time, the following described real estate situated in LEE County, Alabama, to wit: A tract or parcel of land lying in Section 31, Township 20 North, Range 29 East, Lee County, Alabama, being known and designated as PARCEL "A", according to a plat of survey prepared by Jack B. Shay, R.L.S. Ala. Reg. No. 15457, dated January 4, 2000, and being more particularly described as follows: COMMENCING at the Southeast corner of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, run thence South 01 degree 11 minutes 32 seconds West a distance of 99.40 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 86 degrees 37 minutes 21 seconds West a distance of 278.12 feet to an iron pin located on the West right of way margin of Old Chattahoochee Valley Railway; thence run South 86 degrees 37 minutes 21 seconds West a distance of 505.00 feet to

LOKAL CLASSIFIEDS INDUST ENGR Pharmavite LLC has an oppty in Opelika, AL for an Oprtnl Excllnce Spclst. Email resume w/Ref# OPETBH to PHVjobs@pharmavite.com. Must be legally auth to work in the US w/o spnsrshp. EOE

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an iron pin marking the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence run South 86 degrees 37 minutes 21 seconds West a distance of 984.14 feet to an iron pin; thence run North 21 degrees 23 minutes 36 seconds West a distance of 698.74 feet to an iron pin located on the centerline of Lee Road 357 "Murphy Drive"; thence run along said Lee Road No. 357 "Murphy Drive" along a curve having a radius of 401.46 feet for an arc distance of 169.66 feet to an iron pin; thence continue along said Lee Road No. 357 "Murphy Drive" North 09 degrees 58 minutes 33 seconds East a distance of 74.44 feet to an iron pin which marks the centerline of a creek; thence continue along said Lee Road No. 357 "Murphy Drive" along a curve having a radius of 231.77 feet for an arc distance of 82.13 feet to an iron pin; thence run South 51 degrees 34 minutes 42 seconds East distance of 1446.14 feet to an iron pin and Point of Beginning.

Situated in Lee County, Alabama.

ALSO SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS, OR RIGHTS OF WAY WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE OF RECORD Subject to all zoning, easements, restrictions, restrictive covenants and reservations appearing of record. Said sale will also be made subject to any Federal Tax Liens, Ad Valorem Real Estate Taxes and\or Special Assessments of any nature, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the property.

The property is being sold "as is, where is". Said property is sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use, enjoyment or condition. The mortgagee or transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate.

All bidders will be required to execute a bidding agreement prior to sale. Copies of the bidding

agreement may be obtained prior to the sale. The successful bidder will be required to pay the bid amount at the time of sale in cash.

Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances.

Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.

This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure. This sale is subject to cancellation or postponement.

DONNA MONTGOMERY, Mortgagee-Transferee Donna Montgomery 1004 Lee Road 357, Valley, AL 36854.

706-905-5999 Legal Run 06/30/2022, 07/07/2022, 07/14/2022

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B15 June 30, 2022

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B16 June 30, 2022

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Auburn, AL 36830

213 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801

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334-749-5167

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

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