The Observer 09-29-2022

Crime Activity in Opelika Raises Concerns

BY HANNAH LESTER AND KENDYL HOLLING SWORTH

OPELIKA —

The recent rash of crime activity includ ing gun violence and bomb threats against local schools has left many citizens feeling on edge.

GUN VIOLENCE

Following a string of shootings in Opelika over the past few months, citizens may be concerned, but Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said the best thing is to be is aware.

There have been sever al noted shootings since February, all connected, said Healy and Jonathan Clifton, captain of the detective

division.

“We’ve had shootings that started back in Febru ary and it’s between two juvenile groups, and it’s been escalating over the last few months; we’ve made 14 arrests in those cases and we

have done our best to stop the crime,” Clifton said.

“We’ve met with family members, parents, commu nity leaders, pastors in the community to try and curb some of this violence.”

However, the connections

are not the marks of gangs, Healey said. A group has to have several distinguishable things to be considered a gang, which are not present in this situation.

A better term in Opelika’s case would be a feud.

Preserving Memories

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN—

Crysten Martin Con ner spends evenings in hospital waiting rooms, in funeral homes and in her studio to ensure that she honors children who have passed, and their families, well.

From hand and foot prints of young children on plates, to fingerprint charms of parents who have passed — Conner creates lasting memen tos for families to keep after their loved ones have passed on.

“In 2012, a cousin of one of my very best friends was about 28 weeks pregnant, and she went to the doctor and they found out that her baby didn’t have a heartbeat anymore,” Conner said. “… It was really my first intimate experience with some body that had had a stillborn experience —

not a miscarriage, but a stillborn.”

At that time, Con ner was familiar with children’s photography and the couple asked if she would come take pictures of their baby, Hudson, after he was born. Conner agreed — with hesitation.

“I had about 24 hours to wrap my head around all of it and whether it was a good idea and

was I was doing the right thing,” she said.

Conner said that despite any nerves, she knew she wanted to honor Hudson and his mom.

“She was really the first mother that I’d ever met that would be leaving the hospital with empty arms,” she said.

During the experience, Conner was struck with the idea that she could

take a plate and glaze and capture his foot prints.

This was something she was already familiar with as she was operat ing a handprint/footprint ceramic business.

Later on, Conner was able to add words and a Bible verse that his parents wanted on the plate.

“She told me, if her house were burning down, after all her peo ple were out, that would be the only thing she would want,” Conner said.

A year or so after she captured Hudson’s footprints, 6-yearold Hayden Peacock drowned at Kreher Preserve.

“I was added to an email to take food to the Peacocks,” Conner said. She didn’t know who the family was or what had happened.

After asking some friends, Conner learned

“We believe it started as a fist fight between two kids; one lost and it’s just escalat ed from that,” Healey said.

The recent murder of a 17-year-old earlier in September is believed to be connected to the case, the

captain said.

“We’ve made arrests on that,” Clifton said. “A 20-year-old, Mr. Stinson, from Auburn, and a juvenile suspect. They have been charged with capital mur der.”

However, not every shooting in Opelika is connected. The murder of 53-year-old Jeffery Dowdell on Sept. 17 on Auburn Street is unconnected.

“We’re actively working that case, and we do wish the public to reach out to us if they have any information because we really need some help on that case,” Clifton said.

Crime rises and falls, he added.

“It’s always constantly

Auburn Native Uses Social

to

BY

CREWS SPORTSCREWS@

Jo Ann Williams Walker Presents Program On Journey In Arts

BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

As award-winning artist Jo Ann Williams Walker began selecting paintings to display for her program at the Phalo Study Club meeting, a few of her former students assist ed in getting the beautiful art to the clubhouse at Spring Lakes. When members and guests arrived, the clubhouse had been transformed into an art gallery showcasing Walker’s fine art impression ist paintings.

Walker’s talent and success in fine art impres sionist painting has led to her having 11 books on painting, teaching classes nationally, designing artists’ brushes and developing lines of paints for global markets, as well as having her fine art displayed

among the best in New York.

The artist began her program on her successful journey by explaining how it started in Opelika in the

early 1970s when she and two friends, Martha Ann Scott and Jan Dukes, began painting motifs on denim shirts for their children. They

were so popular that it led to offering fabric painting classes and two books, “Shirt Tales,” which were sold at every Michael’s and Hobby

Lobby in America, as well as other craft shops.

As another book was in the works, Walker met with the largest manufacturer of brushes in the world. She designed a special brush that became popular with hun dreds of thousands in sales, but Walker soon realized a hard lesson. She didn’t ask for royalties.

Her next two books were on painting wooden objects with Desiree and Charles Sherrer in Opelika. After painting the wooden pieces, she dried them in her oven.

Walker told about one of her daughters coming in from school, looking in the oven, saying, “Our oven is full of ducks, chickens and angels. Why can’t we have cookies in the oven like other people?”

After success in these

St. Dun's Buns Continues Giving

projects, Walker knew in her heart that she wanted to expand her art into fine paint ing. After attending national and international workshops, she met artist Milton L. Lenoir, who lived in Phenix City.

When Lenoir was going to sell one of his paintings, Walker talked to him about creating a book with sketches and step-by-step instructions on how to create the paint ing. Lenoir agreed, and the books were printed locally by Craftmasters.

“One thing led to another, as the art books required special brushes that we designed and sold with the Lenoir-Walker name,” Walker said,

From this project, the artists put their designs on

The Observer will correct any errors, omissions or inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be requested by contacting the editor at 334-749-8003.

H O T O B Y E R R Y B A L L A S F O R T H E O B S E R V E R

St. Dun's Buns of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church recently donated to three organizations from donation proceeds of their baked goods. St. Dun's Buns is a baking-for-a-donation group that benefits their community outreach program. Hannah Houde represented Wheelchair Tennis at Auburn University (right); Rob Taylor represented Wheelchair Basketball at Auburn University along with Sam, a team member who has just returned from Thailand playinginternationally (middle); and Tiffany Gibson represented Girls STEPS (left).

EAMC Health & Resource Fair, Fall Festival to Return Oct. 15

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) and True Deliverance Holiness Church are teaming up to bring back the Changing Hearts and Destiny and True Deliverance Health and Resource Fair and Fall Festival. The event is scheduled to be held at the church from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 15. The event is free and open to the public.

“Our last one was 2019 because of COVID,” said event chair Sutricia Johnson, who is partnering with Nolan Torbert, pastor of True Deliv erance Holiness Church, to organize the festival. “… A lot of our parishioners, of course, take advantage of [the event], but I would like to see more

community participation be cause that’s really what it is.

“We try to definitely have some resources out there that can assist the community … we want it to be family friendly, so I say we have something from ages 3 to 103.”

In addition to free food,

games and door prizes, nearly 40 agencies will be on site to provide information and services at this year’s event. Services are also free of charge.

Johnson said some of the highlights include free

See

Opelika SportsPlex To Host Annual Senior Health & Resource Fair Oct. 4

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA —

The Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center is host ing its 10th annual Senior Health and Resource Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon.

This health fair is free and open to the public and will provide access to numerous free services to adults ages 55 and older.

This event brings togeth er service and resource pro viders so that seniors and their caregivers can gather information relevant to their current stage in life or plan for the future as they age. Attendees can shop supple mental insurance providers, meet with doctors and get blood work done all under one roof — instead of mak

ing multiple appointments and traveling to numerous offices over time.

“It is important for adults to feel empowered as they navigate the aging process,” said Valeri White, SportsPlex adult activities coordinator. “We want to give them the knowledge to advocate for their own needs and be aware of the

resources our community has available to them.”

This year’s event will provide a multitude of on-site free services for seniors, including:

• The Southern Union State Community College Nursing Program will be performing blood pressure,

FROM

flowing,” he said. “Some times we’ll have a higher violent crime rate, and our property crimes will go down. Sometimes our property crimes will go up and will stay up for quite a while, and then our violent crime will go down.”

Clifton said in the context, crime has been worse in the past, too. As Opelika grows, things change, including crime.

“But I’m sure my goal, and the chief’s goal, is the lowest crime rate we can get,” he said.

In the meantime, until this issue is fully resolved, there are extra patrols and officers keeping people safe. Many newly hired officers will be in the schools as school resource officers.

Healey encouraged citi zens not to worry too much because these shootings are targeted and related to a specific group.

“They’re not just wil ly-nilly running around just shooting up houses, they’re actually, specifically, look ing for people or places,” Healey said.

However, residents do need to be aware of their surroundings and anything suspicious that may be going on, both Clifton and Healey said.

“We do need the public’s help,” Clifton said. “If they see something, by all means, call. It doesn’t matter if to them it isn’t that suspi cious.”

Clifton said that he often hears people say they “don’t want to bother the police.”

But in this situation and others, the chief and captain encouraged people to call in any suspicious activity.

“People know their neighborhoods, they know what’s normal around where they live, the ways that they travel to places, the stores they frequent,” Healey said. “They know what’s normal for those locations. If they see something that is abnor mal, that is out of place ... they need to let us know.”

The two encouraged resi dents to download the police department's app, which not only is updated with community news but offers opportunities to get in touch with the department, both anonymously or otherwise.

“One of the other ways to stay safe really, is for some

body to stay informed about what’s going on in their community,” Healey said.

Education in the com munity is one aspect of the Together Opelika initiative — a partnership between the city and the Opelika Police Department.

“A very large piece of Together Opelika focuses on that communication,” Healey said. “A lot of it is just having a conversation with somebody when they ask about [things in their community].”

And as communication continues to take place, cit izens become more trusting of their officers, Clifton said.

“I think really the biggest two things is, any time, whether it’s something to do with this rash of shootings, this feud that’s going on, whether it’s something that happens in the future, don’t hesitate to call us,” Healey said. “Reach out some way.”

BOMB THREATS

On Sept. 21, the Ope lika Police Department announced the arrest of a 12-year-old juvenile in the case of two threats made to Opelika Middle School.

According to a statement OPD released about the arrest, the juvenile was

charged with two counts of terroristic threats with additional charges pending. The case will be presented to juvenile court.

The announcement came less than two hours after Healey and Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore answered questions about the incident at a press conference held at the board of education's central office.

Healey said OPD was made aware of the first threat the evening of Sept. 20, and OMS staff notified police of a second threat at about 7:40 a.m. the next day.

The threats were tied to the same username on social media.

“Today’s threat involved the use of a bomb, so un fortunately, we’ve practiced for this and have protocols in place, so we immediate ly — with our SROs and the school staff — enacted those protocols to get the kids out of the school to a secure place where they would be safe,” Healey said at the conference.

Opelika police, with as sistance from the Lee Coun ty Sheriff’s Department, went through the school

searching for suspicious devices and explosives with the help of K-9s trained to detect bombs.

“We did clear the school — didn’t find anything — and at that point, we turned the school back over to Dr. Seymore and the middle school staff, and they had the kids to come back in and start to try to resume a normal day,” Healey said.

Seymore said parents were notified of the situa tion through Opelika City Schools’ public relations department. A number of students checked out after the incident, but those students will be excused for their absence.

“Our goal, number 1, is to provide a safe, secure environment … and have high-quality instruction every day,” Seymore said at the conference. “This is clearly disruptive to that, but safety is something we’re not going to compromise, so that’s why we enacted the plan this morning.”

Healey said the threats did not appear to have “anything to do” with recent shootings or a threat made to the upcoming Lee Coun ty Fair.

Both Seymore and

Healey said threats of this nature are not taken lightly.

“These threats, even though they may just be kind of a general threat put out on social media, we take it extremely seriously, and it is a serious crime,” Healey said. “It falls under what we call ‘terroristic threats.’ It’s a felony, and whether you’re a young person or an adult, you can go to jail for a very long time based on making these kinds of threats.

“This is not something to be taken lightly. People need to understand that. Just because it's easy to get on there and text something behind a screen, maybe nobody knows who you are, [but] we’re going to find out who you are. It’s not that hard for us to do. We’re going to get you, and we’re going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case is still under investigation. Anyone with any information is encour aged to call the OPD De tective Division at 334-7055220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665, or submit a tip through the Opelika Police mobile app. Tips may be made anony mously.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

O

O C O N T R B U T E D T O T H E O B S E R V E R

Photo from last year's health and resource fair.

SEAN DIETRICH

Imet an old friend for lunch today at a neighborhood deli. The portions were gener ous. The food was good. Our sandwich and burger came with complimentary pickles the size of com mercial pontoons.

We found a table in the corner. We ate. We laughed. We talked about olden days. About our age.

He is graying, there are lines on his face and his hair is so thin he now resembles the late great Fred Mertz. It’s too bad everyone can’t avoid aging like me.

And as I sat there, eat ing my monster-pickle, I thought about how lucky I am to have friends.

When I was a kid, I remember a framed piece of embroidery hanging above the toilet in my aunt Eulah’s guest bath room. The embroidery read: FRIENDS ARE OUR CHOSEN FAMILY.

I remember being fascinated with this item when I was 10 years old. I remember sitting and looking at it for long mo ments of powerful reflec tion. And as I flushed the toilet and zipped up my Husky jeans, I pondered

this phrase.

Friend

Friends are our chosen family.

What did it mean? Why would my aunt go to the trouble of embroidering and framing these words?

Then again, my aunt always was a strange bird. Her house was littered in porcelain clown figurines, and her couch was cov ered in plastic. Her guest bathroom smelled like Shalimar bath powder.

Moreover, the whole bathroom was adorned in pink frilly stuff. Pink this. Pink that. Pink bathmat, pink shower curtain, pink decorative soaps shaped like little pieces of fruit. Pink hand towels.

Even the toilet seat had a fluffy pink carpet-cov er perched atop the lid. Carpet toilet-seat covers are never a good idea. Es pecially if your bathroom is visited by 10-year-old boys with bad aim.

Friends are our chosen family.

This phrase mystified me. What is a friend? Why do we have them?

Why are they important? Who were my friends?

My real friends, I mean. Not the fake ones.

Because the world is full of fake friends. I have plenty of fake pals. So do you, probably. They’re not bad people, necessari ly. They mean well.

They smile at you, they tell you what you want to hear but they’re just sort of playacting. They aren’t your authentic friends.

They aren’t family.

Deep in your heart, you’re not even fooled by their acts. Because some how you already know these people are just fair-weather folks. You know that if you were to ever need this person — truly need them — they would be “busy.”

If you ever landed in the emergency room, for example, a fake friend would not sit in the wait ing room, texting your family members, surviv ing on vending machine food, sleeping on vinyl chairs until they knew you were OK.

Your fake friend would never end their Hawaiian vacation early to come home after your father died suddenly.

No. True friends, I believe, are the essence of life itself. Like condi ments on a hotdog. Like paprika on a deviled egg. Like salt peanuts at a baseball game. Have you ever had an unsalted peanut? Because I have. And they’re an affront.

My uncle Tommy Lee used to have blood pres sure issues, so his wife used to make sodium-free roasted peanuts. Her peanuts tasted like eating limestone gravel.

Peanuts without salt have no purpose in this world. Peanuts are salt-delivery vehicles. That’s their reason for being. And what’s life without salt? It’s tasteless. It’s boring. It’s bland. It sucks.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Well, I hope so, because frankly I don’t have a clue.

I thank heaven for friends. For this friend in particular. He met me for lunch today and reminded me that we have been through some tough times together and survived.

He is a friend who once joined me for lunch at this very deli, when we were young men. Young men who both lived on the wrong side of the trailer park. Young men who had no prospects in life.

He sat in this booth and once told me that friends were like stars. Some times you can’t see them, but they’re always there.

He once let me cry in front of him when some one broke my heart. He told me I was going to be OK, although he had no idea whether I would be. And once I was finished crying that day, he even let me eat his pickle.

Because that’s all a friend is, really. A friend is the pickle that comes with your life.

Or you might say they are the salt of the earth.

Spectacular: Part Two

ber Saturday morning. Of course I’ve never been to Madison Square Garden, I own a Samsung phone and Brad Pitt has never been to Opelika, so what do I know?

WENDY HODGE

When last we met, Tim and I and his parents (along with a cou ple hundred other daylily fanatics) were on our feet ready for the annual Spec tacular at Bell’s Garden to begin. If you’ve ever been in line for a music legend to perform at Madison Square Garden or camped out for the latest Apple product release or waited in line to get your picture taken with Brad Pitt, it can’t possibly compare with the buzz of electric ity that rippled in the air under the tent at the end of a dirt road in Sycamore, Georgia, on this Septem

But the energy as the clock struck 8 a.m. was palpable. To our right, rows of tables are set up with small plastic bins lined up like kindergarten cubbies. Each bin has a laminated picture attached to it representing the type of daylily bud resting inside. The pictures are stunning. Each of these daylilies, though they are only buds now, will be a work of art when they bloom next year.

These daylilies range in price from $25 to $100, but for this one magical day they are reduced to as low as $5 each. This is, in essence, the Black Friday of the daylily world. Little old ladies have worn their sneakers and brought their biggest canvas bags in preparation for this event. Their husbands have

brought their wallets and their patience.

We are given the signal that the bargain tables are open, and the line surges forward. It is a first-come, first-served affair, so we maintain the line. But it takes everything in us not to race from bin to bin. The woman in front of me is, I kid you not, stopping to google the specifics of each lily before reaching in to grab one. I bite my tongue so hard I may not taste my complimentary barbecue lunch later.

The chatter around is deafening. Little old la dies are calling out to each other from different sec tions of the line. “Save me one of those,” someone shouts. “Grab one of those for me,” another yells.

We fall into a rhythm, Tim and I. It is what we’ve practiced in an effort to avoid what we did last year. Thinking we could cover more ground if we split up, we had both filled our bags to the brim. When we returned

home and discovered we had reached into the same bin more than once and bought duplicates and even bought varieties we already owned, we vowed to have a better plan. So this year, Tim and I stick together. He calls out the name, I do a quick mental check of our personal catalog of lilies and give the signal to grab one.

“Aunt Ootz,” he yells.

“Yes, take it!” I answer.

“How about Christmas in Oz?” he shouts.

“We have two of those in the front yard,” I re spond.

“Bowtie Affair?” he hollers.

“Bowtie Affair? Yes, grab it quick!” I holler back.

Within minutes we have made our way to the end of the bargain table. It’s time to pay. We dump our beauties on the table and wait for the tally. The adrenaline rush is at its peak — this must be like a runner’s high (it’s been a decade or two since I

did more than sprint to the fridge, so I have only a vague recollection).

Satisfied that we have made the most of our few minutes of bargain table madness, Tim takes our bags to the truck. We meet at the raffle table. There are two large, clear, acryl ic boxes sitting on either end. Beside them are two huge, laminated posters on easels with pictures of a dozen of the most expensive daylily varieties Bell’s has to offer. Two boxes, two posters, two amazing giveaways.

We dig into the cash we buried in our pockets and buy a roll of tickets. Standing in the drizzle, with the noise of those still in line under the tent drifting toward us, we tear our tickets and drop them into the boxes.

“This is our year,” I tell Tim.

“I know,” he responds. “I just dropped the win ning ticket in that box.” He winks at me and says, “Let’s grab a snack.”

Halfway down the hill is a pavilion crowded with picnic tables covered with drinks and food. There are Cokes and Sprites floating in buckets of ice, baskets overflowing with peanuts and granola bars, M&Ms and Snickers, and trays of apples and grapes. Several coffee machines are per colating like crazy while old men with their hands in their pockets stand and wait for the liquid energy they need to make it through the day.

Tim joins the line be hind coffee machine No. 2 while I opt for something chocolate and a Coke. In the midst of the noise and the drizzle and the chaos, I stand apart for a mo ment and do my favorite thing: people-watch and eavesdrop. I have never been disappointed by time spent catching a glimpse of the stories playing out around me.

And today is no excep tion….

TO BE CONTINUED

Monkeying Around: Book Signing Event Oct. 2

BY ABIGAIL MURPHY FOR LIVE LEE MAGAZINE UPDATED BY THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

It only took four hours. At least to write it down. It was already in her head and all she had to do was put pen to paper. So, Angela George, owner of O Town Ice Cream, went up to Lake Martin, found herself a place to sit and started to write. That was the easy part, she said.

George’s newly pub lished children’s book is titled “Monkey Tales: An Adventure in O Town.” It all started when she was looking at a map of Ope lika and thought back to stories like “The Goonies”. She likened the map of Opelika to a treasure map, and her imagination got to work from there.

“When you’re a kid, you are looking for adventure,” George said. “That was the inspiration for me writing this book was to bring children an adventure.”

The book takes readers on a tour of different places around Opelika with the story centering on three monkeys, Fran, Star and Sam, and the boy who set the monkeys loose — Win del. The story begins in Monkey Park, and once the monkeys get loose, they

LEGENDS

FROM A1

Auburn native Joshua Dairen has heard the stories. And he’s using TikTok to inform his followers of the stories and urban legends that may be right in their backyard.

An urban legend, accord ing to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an often lurid story or anecdote that is based on hearsay and wide ly circulated as true.

“I’d like to just remind people these aren’t nec essarily true or false,” he said. “When it comes to the paranormal, there are a lot of believers and a lot of skeptics. At the end of the day it’s a story that has other things tied into it as well.”

Ever since June 1, Dairen, a full-time commu nications specialist by day, TikTok by night, has been sharing popular urban leg ends of Alabama — and the Southeast as a whole — on his account @joshuadairen.

Dairen said he found inspiration for his series through other TikTok users, one of a man who posted in structional lawn care videos, and another of a user who

HEALTH

FROM A3

glucose and cholesterol checks and hemoglobin screenings.

• The East Alabama Med ical Center (EAMC) Cancer Center will be doing men’s Prostrate-Specific Antigen (PSA) bloodwork to screen for prostate cancer.

• Kindred at Home will perform balance tests to assess static balance and postural stability.

• The Lions Club will provide vision screenings to

make their way to Court house Square.

George said the mon keys had been hearing about the ice cream being served at Courthouse Square, and that’s why the Courthouse is where they want to go first. This scene calls back to one of O Town’s flavors, Court house Coffee Crunch, which also alludes to O Town’s early days when they would sell ice cream at the farmer’s market at the Courthouse.

As the monkeys and Windel make their way to the Courthouse, they pass by other landmarks such as Northside School, Smith T’s Hardware and The Museum of East Alabama. The monkeys also go to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which George said holds a special significance to her.

Her mother attended St. Mary’s before passing away unexpectedly in 2012 and George, her self, was also confirmed there. George said she felt growing up around her mom’s imagination rubbed off on her, especially while writing this book.

“I had an incredible mother who blew out holidays, overexaggerated all of them,” George said. “My mother made Hallow een this beautiful, magical

shared informational items about various animals.

“I came across a couple of accounts that were doing really cool stuff,” Dairen said. “I got sucked in and started thinking about if I could do something like that.”

Dairen began to brain storm for a topic he could share that was both fun and informational. He came across the story of Spring Villa in Opelika, a tale about a former slave who killed his master, and after death remains to haunt the area. That story produced the inspiration for Dairen to seek out other urban leg ends in the state and share them with his followers.

“That’s when the light bulb came on,” Dairen said. “If I feel this way about Spring Villa, and don’t know the full story, maybe there are people out there who also don’t know the full story.”

While he previously held a modest following on the app, Dairen’s first post detailing the Ghost Bridge urban legend in Florence, Alabama, received over 8,000 likes.

“I’ve always been a con tent creator; that’s just the

look for potential vision loss and eye disorders.

• Bubba’s Medicine Shop will be providing flu shots.

• Lee Russell Council of Governments will offer dementia screening.

• Lee County Sheriff’s Department will register participants for the Yellow Dot Program.

• Better Bodies Massage will offer chair massages.

This year’s health and re source fair will also provide a wide variety of vendors that will help educate seniors and allow them to shop for

trick-or-treat-pumpkins, and cats, and spiders and creatures everywhere. I think of all of my col lective memories, as an adult, from being a kid just came together to write this book.”

The monkeys wind up in a maple tree at St. Mary’s, which alludes to the ice cream flavor George named after her mother — Manda’s Maple.

However, this isn’t the only place family ties in. George dedicated the book to her children, Sophia Francesca, Stella Lucia and Samuel, who also hap pen to have the monkeys named after them. Her children partly inspired her to write a children’s book, but it was also her way of

nature of being a communi cations major,” Dairen said. “You’re always looking for a way to maximize your skills. It was mostly for fun at first, and it was just super casual.”

The success of that first video has led to Dairen posting numerous different videos explaining Alabama urban legends, and boasting a following of about 70,000 users. He’s also started to branch out with his South ern urban legend series, and his account has more than 920,000 likes as a whole.

“It’s been incredible and kind of scary at times,” Dairen said of his rise to viral status. “The follow ing has been cool, but that wasn’t my initial plan going in. The first video I posted was one of the first with that much engagement. It’s been kind of surreal. There is no real way to be prepared for your following to go up like that.”

Dairen said he gets most of his video ideas from comments users leave on his posts.

“People are always telling me to go research somewhere,” he said. “So, I have a running list of places I want to check out.”

providers at one location.

This year’s health fair will feature:

• Home health providers,

• Assisted living provid ers,

• Hospice care providers,

• Insurance providers,

• Healthcare providers,

• Vision providers,

• Rehabilitation providers,

• Community health resources,

• Advocacy groups and

• Volunteer opportunities.

This year’s health fair is supported by the Opelika City Council.

thanking them for being her “greatest adventure.”

“I think a lot of moms, as they watch their children grow up, this idea of ‘Well, I’d like to write a children’s book one day,’ [comes about],” she said.

George noted her chil dren have also been a big help with the ice cream business, and they don’t even have a flavor named after them. Maybe this is a way to make it up to them a little, she said. However, the ice cream business encouraged George beyond that as well.

The flavors not only gave inspiration to the places the monkeys visit but also some of the characters they meet along the way. During their

Dairen has produced multiple videos detailing the urban legends of the Au burn-Opelika area, includ ing stories about: Spring Villa, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce building, the Auburn University Chapel, Samford Hall, Pine Hill Cemetery, Old Ward Funer al Home and others. “It’s my home area, Auburn, so I am more than happy to help out,” Dairen said.

In all of his videos, Dairen said he tries to be as historically accurate and factual as possible. But, all the stories still need to be taken in with a grain of salt, he added.

“I did a lot of research before I actually started posting,” he said. “I hit the internet and make sure the places I’m trying to cover have had some sort of reputable source covering it. I try not to be a gimmick. Trying to present the infor mation as it is and just let

adventure, they meet a big swamp turtle, which is one of the shop’s flavors, and two cats that are named after the pumpkin-flavored ice cream. The monkeys also meet some honeybees, which allude to the flavor, Beeman’s Blueberry Cheesecake.

The incorporation of O Town’s ice cream flavors was not by accident. Once the book is published in late summer/early fall of this year, George said she hopes to read it during the store’s Storytime event.

O Town has been doing Storytime each Tuesday during the summer as part of regular business practice for several years now.

George said she want ed the ice cream shop to host these kinds of events because growing up, her mother took her to story time at their local library and it was such an import ant part of her childhood.

Originally, the launch party for “Monkey Tales: An Adventure in O Town” was supposed to happen at the first Storytime event for 2020.

“That was the plan 2020 that spring, when school ended, we were going to start off the Storytime as ‘An Adventure in O Town.’ Then everything just fell apart and we didn’t even

the story tell itself is kind of my strategy.”

Dairen typically posts at least one story per day, and has completed over 115 videos on Alabama urban legends, and nearly 150 stories on urban legends in the Southeast in total.

“I want people to feel comfortable coming to my page knowing they are going to have a new story to engage with and see, something they didn’t know,” Dairen said. “It’s more about what people want opposed to me hitting set targets.”

Dairen is asking for Ope lika and the surrounding area’s help in identifying more of the state’s un earthed, mystical stories.

“If there are places in Opelika that people think for sure has something going on, I want to look into it,” he said. “You never know what kind of cool stories can come out of it.”

know if we were still going to be open after all of that,” George said, thinking back to the start of the pandem ic. “There was this initial panic of ‘This is never gon na happen’ to ‘No, this is God’s timing of when this will happen.’”

While George’s writing of the book only took four hours, it still took some time to assemble the book from there, even without the setback of the pandem ic. For one, she needed an illustrator. Luckily, George noted, with owning an ice cream shop you meet all kinds of people.

THE PROCESS: One day, a young wom an walked into O Town. She had recently finished her engineering degree and was still in town as her husband was work ing through his medical degree. She came into the shop and left an illustration for George “as like a little gift.”

George got in contact with her, and Madison Brooks became George’s illustrator. Brooks said she had been trying to grow her illustration work at the time, and she knew a little about George from a mu tual friend. After her and George’s initial meeting, they met for ice cream to

See

page A6

Dairen’s ultimate goal is to unearth every urban legend in the state, and from there, continue his series throughout the South.

“I think over time I will run out of urban legends in Alabama,” he said. “I think I will have uncovered every stone.”

If he does run out urban legends to tell, Dairen said he already has plans to shift his focus to other unique things about his home state, like historical buildings or nature.

For now, Dairen just wants to continue telling the fascinating tales which reside in Alabama and the South.

“I just wanted to do something for my state, something that would pull these stories out of Hallow een and delve into the histo ry and the cool figures that are intertwined with these stories as well,” Dairen said.

about Hayden and reached out to her father to see if they would like Hayden’s prints.

“I emailed him, and it was really one of the hardest emails I’ve ever sent because, again, I was not confident that it was a good thing,” she said.

Hayden’s family did want her prints, howev er, and wanted them in pink.

Conner visited Hayden in the funeral home.

“I had never seen a child in a funeral home, I had never, certainly I had never touched a lifeless child in a funeral home,” Conner said.

“She has the most beau tiful red hair. … Outside of my own child, I think of [Hayden] probably

MONKEYS

FROM A5

discuss George’s book further.

“Once I read the draft, I knew I wasn’t going back,” Brooks said. “I love the balance the story has. It holds a lot of deeper meaning and heart, yet it

more than any other child and I never met her on this earth, but the impact that that experi ence had on me changed everything.

“I decided at that point that there was something that I could give to an other person that made me matter, something much bigger than a business or a paycheck, bigger than all of it.”

Conner said she related specifically to mothers because she is a mother herself. Her son is a senior at Lee-Scott Academy.

At this point, Conner decided to begin work ing with East Alabama Medical Center (EMAC) to see how she could offer regular services to families.

With permission from parents, the hospital calls Conner to come to EAMC when a baby is

keeps a lighthearted nature — an uplifting story of adventure.”

As part of the prepara tion process, Brooks and George took a tour around Opelika following the same path the monkeys do in the story. They looked around the sites, finding different viewpoints and taking pictures for refer

born stillborn. A nurse will bring the baby to Conner, she will take the prints, at no cost to the parents, and then the nurse returns to the child to the parents.

“When the plates are finished, I give them back to the hospital and the nurse that took care of the momma calls

ence. Brooks said they spent hours at her kitchen table sketching out differ ent illustrations.

Brooks noted what made this process even more enjoyable is they found they have a lot of things in common, and she believes this book is going to bring something positive to the community.

the mom, and it’s kind of like a way that that nurse continues to take care of her patient,” she said.

Conner has been of fering this service in the hospital and in funeral homes for 10 years. And it’s not just babies. Conner said that she has taken finger prints of

“[George] did not set about making this book a reality for the looks of it or the money, but genuinely to honor the stories of local children and to give back to a community that has given her, and me too, so much life,” Brooks said. “She counts every child and every family that has stepped foot in her ice

parents — to give their children something of theirs.

“I have these charms that I can put their thumbprint on that they can put in a graduation diploma and carry with them, or in a bouquet at their wedding,” she said.

Conner had a friend approach her, interested in taking wedding dress es and repurposing them for stillborn babies.

“I spent a lot of time talking with the nurses there, to figure out it’s not just making a baby dress,” she said. “It’s very specific.”

Conner accepts wed ding dresses from the community to use — and has received some from around the country.

But she also wants to preserve the dress in a special way for both the donor and the mother of the baby.

cream shop as her own family, and she loves them like her family, too.”

With Brooks on her team, George still wasn’t quite done with the pub lishing process. They had to figure out how they were going to put the pieces together. One day Emily Littleton, a graphic design er, came into O Town and told George she wanted to be a part of this work. From there, George and Brooks were able to begin the layout process with Littleton’s help.

“I sent so many art files to Emily, so many I started to question how they’re all going to work together,” Brooks said. “And then she thought about totally different details than I did, and sure enough, it turned into one cohesive book.”

After all this time, George is now at the point where, after having received a proof copy and making the final edits, the book is finished and copies

“[From the wedding dress] we make two handkerchiefs and one dress,” she said.

One of the hand kerchiefs goes to the mother, and the other to the donor.

For a while, Conner tried to keep her name on the down low. But she soon realized that this was keeping parents in need from knowing about the services she offers.

Outside of the prints and dresses, Conner aims to support mothers more personally, too. She hosts Art Therapy at her studio, giving moth ers a chance to connect with each other.

“I don’t question whether or not this is what I’m supposed to be doing; I know I am,” Conner said. “And as long as I am able to, I will.”

are available for purchase. As her work for this first book is coming to a close, George couldn’t help but think back to her fifthgrade year, when an author came to visit their school as a guest speaker.

In the elementary school gym, the author was going through some slides on her old-school projector. Then one slide appeared that was a picture of the author swinging on a large maple tree. George said the author then told them, “Here’s the day I finished my book. This is the day that I finally finished it, and it is how I felt. I felt free and childlike again.”

And George said she couldn’t agree more.

George and Brooks are hosting a book reading and signing event at O Town, located at 700 2nd Ave. in Opelika, on Sunday, Oct. 2 from noon until 2 p.m.

Pre-orders of the book can be picked up at O Town.

canvas that were globally distributed.

As Walker’s creative talent became well known, she expanded into commission work of watercolor paintings for the furniture industry, as she continued her fine art. Walker also began presenting classes and workshops across the country.

Some of her paintings reflect her love of travel, the beach and mountains. Before moving back to Opelika three years ago, Walker lived in Bay Point, Florida, and spent her summers painting in Highlands, North Carolina.

While she sometimes

paints from photographs, she prefers fresh flowers for her still life paintings. She will place a light on fresh flowers to show the shadows. As she paints, Walker listens to soothing music.

“I relate my painting to music,” she said. “I feel what I am painting. I feel color, strength and power.”

Walker’s stunning fine art has been on display at Pier One, the Jacob Javits Center and the Art Expo in New York.

One of Walker’s more recent projects was creating a new paint line for FolkArt Pure Artist Pigments, a large distributor of art supplies in a global market. A representa tive came to Opelika to work with Walker at the Art Haus

on testing and formulation of the line, which is for the casual painter or crafter. The acrylic paint is available at leading retailers for custom ers worldwide.

Four galleries carry Walker’s paintings, including The Flower Store in Auburn. Prints of her paintings are available on note cards.

Although she grew up in Dothan, Walker considers Opelika home. In 2010, she married Herman Morris Blagg, who was a successful builder of fine homes and commercial properties until his retirement.

In closing the program for her study club, Walker showed the group a small painting of flowers that she purchased years ago.

“When I held the small flo ral painting, I prayed that one day I would be able to paint this beautifully,” she said.

The answer to the prayer was award-winning paint ings, as well as a journey in art leading to books, classes, creating brushes and lines of paints for global markets. Walker’s life displays a beau tiful picture of dedication and hard work that she enjoys sharing with others.

COVID-19 and flu vac cines, PSA blood tests for prostate cancer and infor mation on breast cancer and overall breast health.

Something new this year is domestic violence infor mation, she added.

“We’ve seen an uptick in that in my line of work,” Johnson said. “I work in the Social Services Department at the hospital, and we’ve seen an uptick of domestic violence, so I would think that having them there and in an open setting to share that information … is going to be very good for the community, so I definitely want people to come out and gather that informa tion.”

The Auburn University Interprofessional Education Department will return to provide comprehensive health screenings such as blood pressure, blood

glucose and cholesterol, but it will also offer hearing screenings for the first time.

Representatives from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind will also be on site to provide informa tion, Johnson added.

Other services and in formation will be available related to autism, diabetes and nutrition, hospice care, child abuse and neglect, mental health care, therapy dogs, aging and disability programs, parent and family resources, voter registration and more.

“We’re just working together to provide this information free of charge to our community at large,” Johnson said.

Attendees will also be able to donate blood to the hospital’s blood bank, which Johnson said is always a need.

True Deliverance Holi ness Church is located at 936 N. Donahue Drive in Auburn. For more informa tion, call 334-502-4700.

Food, ociety& News

vents,

S

Bake Assorted Pound Cakes For Fall Entertaining

Ann Cipperly

SHouthernospitality

When you need a des sert that almost everyone likes and is easy to prepare, a pound cake is ideal. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and the cake mixes up quickly.

Pound cakes can be baked in tube pans for an elegant presentation, or in loaf pans for ease in serving and having an

extra one to share. Since pound cakes freeze well, they are great to make ahead for when you need a dessert for tailgating.

For a classic pound cake, little has changed from recipes over 100 years old. Early recipes called for a pound of each ingredient. Over the years, the amounts vary, but it is basically the same flavor. In re

cent decades, a variety of pound cakes have been created in assorted flavors with glazes and frostings.

Pound cakes can be sliced for creating a trifle with layers of pud ding, fruit and whipped cream. A delicious, simple dessert any time of year is sliced pound cake served with fresh or stewed fruit

Michelle Malone to Perform at Songwriters Festival

CONTRIBUTED BY JEN DE LA OSA

OPELIKA — Singer-songwriter-gui tarist Michelle Malone just released her 16th album, "1977," via SBS Records and distributed by BFD / The Orchard. Malone will perform at the Opelika Songwriters Festival on Oct. 15.

Based in Atlanta, Malone has built herself an award-winning career as a songwriter, road warrior and modern-day guitar hero. Her music is ingrained in the sounds of the South, mixing the rebellious stomp of road house rock 'n' roll with the raw grit of blues, the holy-rolling rasp of gospel, the slow-motion swagger of country-soul and the organic warmth of folk music. Malone’s new album, "1977," is

an organic, strippeddown album. Inspired by artists like Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Fleetwood Mac, "1977" tones down the amplified bombast of her previous albums, focusing instead on a re flective mix of acoustic guitar, timeless melodies and unforced arrange ments.

The New York Times

hailed her as "the kind of singer and songwrit er who can jolt things into overdrive," while Rolling Stone praised her "soulful ballads and rowdy, riffy blasters."

Malone had already spent decades on the road by the time she be gan writing "1977," reg ularly playing more than 200 shows a year. Along See MALONE , page A11

and whipped cream, or served with ice cream and chocolate or caramel sauce.

One year, I baked two pound cakes in a tube pan, stacked them and

placed a Barbie doll in the center. I decorated the cakes as a long, full skirt for a granddaugh ter’s birthday cake. It would have worked with one pound cake, but I

wanted it to be stunning. Pound cakes can also be baked in layers and are especially good filled with sweet, fresh fruit

Extras Needed for Holiday Film in LaGrange

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF LAGRANGE

LAGRANGE —

An independent production company is currently filming a Christmas-themed movie in LaGrange, Georgia, and is seek

ing extras.

The name of the movie will be “A Perfect Christmas Pairing.”

Filming began more than a week ago and will continue for the next several weeks. Most of the

movie scenes are being filmed at Nut wood Winery, as the storyline involves a winery setting. Oth er locations include C’son’s, Café Brulee, Emberglow, Pretty Good Books and other locations in downtown LaGrange.

The community is invited to participate in the filming of the movie. Those interest ed in being an extra in the movie can fill out the following form: www.tinyurl.com/ 369sy4rp.

When production of the movie is com pleted, the production company will then release more informa tion on where viewers can watch the movie.

A classic pound cake is delectable served plain with

coffee or tea any time of day. Pound cakes are versatile and can be baked in assorted pans and used for making scrumptious trifles, or simply served with fruit and whipped cream. Since pound cakes freeze well, keep a couple in the freezer for when you need a dessert but don’t have time to bake.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Making the Grade: On the Road to Orange Beach

that I was FINALLY meeting the former may or of Opelika.

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

Before I write this week’s restaurant re view, I have to tell you about something special, which happened to me on Sunday, Sept. 18, which was my Grand daddy Mac’s birthday.

After breakfast and before Mike and I start ed getting ready to go to Central Baptist Church, I, as usual, was reading aloud the daily column of Sean Dietrich, one of my favorite current-day writers; I’m so glad that The Observer carries his column.

This particular column was about a 10-year-old orphan and the woman who became her moth er. As I’ve mentioned before in this column, Barbara Patton (not the former mayor of Ope lika), my sweet Mama, went to heaven this past May 19.

Grief is a strange emotion. I am fine most days, and then some thing happens, and grief washes over me unex pectedly.

That morning, as I finished reading about the girl and her moth er, tears began to roll because I miss Mama every day, even though God and prayers are helping me a lot.

After I pulled myself together, I got ready for church, as did Mike. The sermon, as usual, lifted me up. After the service, Mike and I headed to Susie K’s Kitchen, my favorite place for Sun day lunch (dinner). Mike stayed in the car while I went in to order a to-go plate.

After placing my order, I sat at an empty table. Beside me, a cou ple was finishing their meal. Being the shy person I am (I’m rolling my eyes), I began dis cussing the food at Susie K’s with this couple, who were really sweet and interesting. All of us agreed that we loved the restaurant’s food. I men tioned that I’d written about Susie K’s Kitchen for The Observer. This kind couple made my day when they said that they enjoyed reading my column, and I thanked them.

As the man got up to pay their bill, I asked the woman her husband’s name. “Bob,” she said.

“And what is your name?” I asked her. With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, she said, “I’m Barbara Patton.”

“That was my Mama’s name!” I exclaimed, thoroughly delighted

We chatted a while longer until Miss Bar bara and Bob left. What a warm, wonderful cou ple! Also, God knew I was sad, missing Mama and needed a smile, so He had me meet Barbara Patton. I thank Him so much for making my day.

Now, on to my re view. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Mike and I traveled to Orange Beach, our favorite beach in the world. On

our first night there, we ate at Luna’s Eat & Drink at 25689 Ca nal Road, Suite B, in Orange Beach. I had previously ordered take out from Luna’s, and it had been really great.

Therefore, I suggested we dine there, and Mike agreed.

I loved the casual, homey atmosphere at Luna’s. Also, I enjoyed reading the signs on the wall: “Be nice or leave” and “No haters allowed.” Now, that’s my kind of place.

T.C., our server, was too wonderful for words. She was sweet, funny, helpful, patient and on the ball. I promised to mail her a copy of this review. Thanks again, T.C.

Mike and I each ordered a cup of seafood gumbo, which we love, and it tasted great. We also ordered an appe tizer we had never seen before: pimento hush puppies, which were served with house-made blueberry pepper jelly. Oh, my three times. That was amazingly deli cious.

For his entrée, Mike ordered a 6-ounce filet, which came with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Mike had groaned when he saw that his meal came with Brussels sprouts; he can’t stand them. However, he even enjoyed the Brussels sprouts; it was a culi nary miracle.

I chose the butter milk fried chicken with

mashed potatoes and collards. I, of course, added hot pepper sauce to my collards, as any properly raised Alabamian would do. You can’t eat naked greens; that’s just WRONG.

That meal was so good, it would make you slap your grandma two times. Again, I’m just kidding. As I’ve men tioned before, I would NEVER have slapped Pearl Coker Patton or Vivian Brooks McEach ern Patton, my sweet grandmothers; that’s just a Southern hyperbole or exaggeration.

Besides our amaz ing seafood gumbo and pimento hushpuppies, Luna’s also serves

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

/ FOR THE OBSERVER

Pepperell Kids Reunite

BY ANN CIPPERLY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

The Pepperell Kids held their annual reunion Saturday, Sept. 24, at the home of Janet and George Crawford at Lake Martin. The reunion has been held yearly since 2005, except during COVID-19. At the first reunion, 32 attended and were mostly ones in George’s class, while an other year over 150 met at the lake. Members of the group lived in the Pep perell Village or attended the original school.

This year, more than 60 members met to reminisce about blissful childhood days in the village and enjoy a barbecue lunch. Since the Pepperell Manufacturing Company closed, the mill has disap peared from the landscape except for a water tower and chimney.

When the Pepperell Manufacturing Company opened the mill, it not only changed the lives of those who came to work there but also the town of Opelika. Bringing the mill

to Opelika was an effort of community leaders. In April 1925, ground was broken in a former cotton field, and construction began on the mill and 100 houses, known as Pepperell Mill Village, became a reality.

The mill was complet ed in 1926. The school opened in September with about 200 students. A church was constructed for Baptist and Methodist congregations. In 1927, a grocery store, barbershop and theatre were built, with the theatre closing a few years later to enlarge the grocery store and add a drug store. A baseball and athletic field was built

in the village in 1930, and the Lady Pepperell Shop was built in 1933.

In the years that fol lowed, the mill village was home to hundreds of families and countless children who grew up playing with friends after school and meeting at the drugstore for a cold drink.

The mill closed in 2007.

On the night of March 12, 2013, the remains of the mill burned. After the mill was destroyed, the Pepperell Kids decided to preserve the dragon plaque. They raised $4,500, with the city council and Opelika His toric Preservation Society

donating the remaining amount needed.

The plaque was trans ported to its new home outside the Museum of East Alabama, which is on the former site of the Clement Hotel in downtown Opelika. The cement dragon plaque that had hung over the door to the bleachery was enclosed with bricks from the mill.

Pepperell Kid Jane Worthington wrote books on the history of the mill and village, preserving a part of Opelika history and leaving a legacy for those families who will always remember their home in the Mill Village.

WALLACE >>

FROM A8

diners a great selection of other appetizers, some of which include: crab claws, beer cheese dip, fried pork skins, tomato pie and Creole BBQ Gulf

shrimp.

Luna’s also offers dinner salads, burgers and sandwiches, oysters and snow crab legs. In addition, some entrees include: the fresh catch, shrimp & grits, Jam balaya mac-n-cheese,

spaghetti and meatballs and grillades and grits.

Trust me: run and do not walk to Luna’s Eat & Drink. Mike and I can’t wait to dine there again.

Miss Barbara Patton, former mayor of Opelika, this review was for you.

As I told you on Sunday, “All Barbara Pattons are fabulous.”

Luna’s Eat & Drink is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Luna’s Eat & Drink makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remem ber, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food.

Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wal lace, who retired from

teaching language arts for 30 years, is a profes sional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Sta cey may be reached at retiredlangartsteach er2020@gmail.com.

Pictured on the bottom left are Fay Faulkner Summers, the oldest Pepperell Kid; Sue Ridley Lacy, Mike (Mickey) Jones and Don Summers; Janet and George Crawford (bottom right) have held the annual Pepperell Kids Reunion at their home since 2005. Pictured top right are Martha Jolly Hillyer, Mike Bell and Sandra Moore Branson, and in the center right are Fay Fortin, Barbara Galimore Roberts and Cindy Prince.

CIPPERLY

FROM A7

and frosted with whipped cream.

Chocolate pound cakes are popular as well. They can be served plain or frosted. They also make a yummy trifle layered with chocolate pudding and whipped cream. While I had made my mother’s chocolate pound cake for years, recently I tried experimenting with a moist whipping cream pound cake by substi tuting cocoa for some of the flour, which gave the cake a light chocolate fla vor. It worked well with

CIPPERLY RECIPES

CLASSIC VANILLA OR CHOCOLATE WHIPPING CREAM POUND CAKE

Serve plain or with chocolate or caramel frosting.

2 sticks unsalted but ter, room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whipping cream

2 to 3 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and cream alternately. Stir in va nilla.

Pour into a wellgreased tube or two loaf pans. Bake at 300 de grees and test at 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ovens and pans vary. May take 1 1/2 hours.

For Chocolate Pound Cake:

In above recipe, use 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup cocoa. Prepare as directed.

Fudge Icing:

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 stick butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredi ents except vanilla in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes, stirring constantly. Re move from heat; add vanilla. Beat until icing thickens. Quickly pour over cake.

Caramel Frosting: Use Caramel Icing on Jane Walker’s recipe or the frosting recipe on Peggy Dyar’s recipe for Nan’s Caramel Pound Cake.

JANE WALKER’S

CARAMEL CAKE

Years ago at a ban quet for the Boys and Girls Club, Jane Walk er and her beloved cook Ruth Wallace made enough of these delicious cakes to serve to over 200 people.

Opelika was blessed by Jane’s dedication to community service. For her pound cakes, Jane used Martha Grady’s (another lady dedicated to service) cake recipe, which belonged to Mar tha’s mother.

the cooked chocolate icing that had a deeper chocolate flavor.

Pound cakes are so popular that many fam ilies have recipes that have been passed down.

Esther Williams remem bers that her mother Vir ginia Whatley would take a sour cream pound cake to people when they were celebrating or grieving. She also gave her friends a pound cake at Christ mas.

The late Jane Walker and her beloved cook Ruth Wallace made many pound cakes with old-fashioned caramel icing for parties and events. I remember one

3 sticks butter, room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

1 cup milk

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp.

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Have all ingredients at room temperature. Measure flour before sifting. Cream the butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time. Add dry in gredients, which have been sifted together, alternating with milk. Add vanilla. Pour into greased and floured tube pan. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (check for doneness before the full baking time).

Caramel Icing: 3 cups sugar

1/2 cup sugar to brown

3 Tbsp. flour

2 sticks butter

1 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix 3 cups sugar, flour, salt, butter and milk. Cook stirring until the butter is melted. In the mean time, brown the 1/2 cup of sugar in a small iron skillet stir ring constantly. When the sugar melts and is a light brown color pour into first mix ture. Cook to the soft ball stage.

Remove from heat; add one teaspoon vanilla; beat until creamy and the right consistency to spread on cake. Should your filling get too thick, add a few drops of milk.

VIRGINIA WHATLEY’S

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

Esther Williams

My mother (Virgin ia Whatley) believed that a pound cake makes everything better. She carried pound cakes all over Lee County to peo ple celebrating and grieving. Now that she is gone this has become my tribute to her. All of her friends receive a pound cake at Christmas and I always keep a pound cake in the freezer in case there is a death in the community. When I bake, I spend the day baking and

year helping Jane with a banquet for the Boys and Girls Club. Jane was a founder of the organization, as well as co-founder of the Youth Development Center. For the banquet, we served slices of her pound cakes for dessert to over 200.

Jane’s pound cakes were always a hit at Trinity Methodist’s bake sales. After she passed away, Ruth made the cakes in honor of Jane for many years. Ruth had worked for the Walkers for over 25 years.

Peggy Dyar’s recipe for her Nana’s Cara mel Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting has

fill the freezer. When you get everything out, you may as well keep baking.

3 cups sugar

2 sticks butter, room temperature

6 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. soda

8 oz. sour cream

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, mixing between each egg. Sift dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream, blending well between each addi tion. Start and end with dry ingredient.

Pour in tube cake pan that has been coated with nonstick spray. Bake in pre heated oven at 300 de grees for 1 1/2 hours or until tests done. Cake should spring back when done.

MAPLE WALNUT POUND CAKE

Teresa Ogletree Recipe from Mil dred (Ogie’s Aunt Merrie)

2 cups sifted un bleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking pow der

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 sticks butter, soft ened

1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 Tbsp. maple fla voring

1 tsp. vanilla

4 large eggs

1 cup walnuts or pecans

On wax paper stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. In large bowl, cream butter, sugar and fla vorings.

At medium speed, beat in eggs one at a time, beating 1 min ute after each. At low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture until barely blended. With a wooden spoon, fold in walnuts.

Turn into lightly 2-quart tube pan. Bake in preheated 350-de gree oven until a cake tester inserted in cen ter comes out clean, about 50 minutes. With a small metal spatula, loosen sides; turn out on a wire rack, cool completely.

a delicious, rich flavor made with brown sugar that only cooks for two minutes. I made this cake to take to the lake, and it was a hit. The caramel frosting is also good on a vanilla pound cake. Be sure to beat the frosting a few minutes until it is thick before pouring over the cake.

As I looked over files for pound cake recipes, there were many good ones in a variety of fla vors. Teresa Ogletree’s Maple Walnut Pound Cake recipe is from her husband’s aunt Leigh Whatley’s recipe for Granny’s Pound Cake has three flavorings, and Star

GRANNY'S POUND

CAKE

Leigh Whatley

2 sticks butter, softened

2 1/2 cups sugar Cream butter and sugar.

6 eggs

Add to cream mixture in a mixer.

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. rum flavoring

1/2 tsp. lemon flavoring

1/4 tsp. almond flavoring

1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg

Add flavorings to above mixture.

3 cups sifted cake flour

1/4 tsp. soda

1 cup sour cream

Mix flour and soda; add to batter slowly alternating with sour cream.

Pour into greased and floured 10-inch tube pan in a 250-degree oven preheated for about 30 minutes until rises; then cook 1 hour at 325 degrees. Test with cake tester after 45 to 50 minutes.

NANA’S CARAMEL POUND CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

Peggy Dyar

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter or mar garine, softened 1/2 cup vegetable oil

5 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla ex tract

Caramel Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Beat sugars and butter at medium speed until blended. Add oil, and beat un til blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow dis appears.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low

la Haynes shared Betty’s Kahlua Chocolate Pound Cake made easy with a cake mix.

When making pound cakes, I generally use un salted butter. If the recipe calls for milk or cream to add alternately with flour, begin and end with flour. While most recipes call for a teaspoon of vanilla, I generally use two or three teaspoons for a plain pound cake. Coat the baking pan with nonstick spray with flour when you are ready to pour in the batter. Start testing pound cakes be fore the full cooking time using a toothpick inserted in the center to see if it

speed just until blend ed after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour batter into a greased and floured tube pan.

Bake at 325 de grees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, remove from pan, and cool on wire rack. Drizzle with Caramel Frosting.

Caramel Frosting:

1 box light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

5 oz. evaporated milk

Dash of salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. vanilla ex tract

Bring first four in gredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring often. Boil, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; add baking powder and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Drizzle quickly over cake.

CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE WITH PECANS

Dinah Motley

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 8 oz. package cream cheese, soft ened

3 cups sugar 6 eggs 3 cups sifted cake flour

Dash of salt

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans in greased and floured Bundt pan.

Cream butter and cream cheese: add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat well.

Add flour and salt; stir well. Add vanilla and nuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or un til center is done.

BETTY’S KAHLUA CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

Starla Haynes

1 box yellow cake mix

½ cup sugar

comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans about 10 minutes before removing.

In the South, pound cake is relished for des sert any time of day. I have heard friends say they like to toast pound cake to serve with a cup of coffee in the morning. I have also heard of peo ple making pound cake French toast, but I have not tried that yet.

Look over the follow ing recipes and clip them all for making pound cakes throughout the year. Don’t forget to put a couple in the freezer for times when you need a dessert but don’t have time to bake.

1 large box instant chocolate pudding

2 /3 cup oil

4 eggs ¼ cup vodka

¼ cup Kahlua

1 cup water

Glaze: ¼ cup Kahlua ¾ cup powdered sugar

Grease and flour Bundt pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pour all cake liquids into combined dry in gredients at one time and beat for 3 minutes.

Pour mixture into pre pared pan. Bake 45-50 minutes (check for do neness at 45 minutes). Cool and invert on cake plate.

Glaze when cake is almost completely cooled.

To make glaze, grad ually add 1/4 cup Kah lua to 3/4 cup powdered sugar, mixing until de sired consistency (You might not use all of the Kahlua). I like mine a little thicker. Drizzle glaze over cake.

OLD FASHIONED POUND CAKE

From the origin of the name “pound” cake, this recipe calls for a pound each of butter, sugar, flour and eggs.

A dense cake, with no leavener, just relies on the air whipped into the batter.

Idoline Graves and Carolyn G. Stubbs

2 cups butter, soft ened

2 ½ cups sugar 4 cups flour

10 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Alternate flour and eggs, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla. Place in a tube pan that has been greased and floured.

Bake at 325 degrees for 75-90 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

POUND CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Deidra Bell

3 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. baking soda 2 ½ cups sugar 1 cup (2 sticks) but ter, softened 6 eggs

1 1/3 cup sour cream 1 tsp. vanilla 12 oz. pkg. semi-

Veteran News Anchor Writes New Book

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

ALABAMA — Auburn native, graduate of Auburn High School and recently retired Alabama television news anchor Vanessa Echols has released her first book, “We’re in Heaven, and I Have Some Questions.”

People of faith always have ques tions about heaven.

A book, journal and daily devotional all in one, “We’re in Heaven, and I Have Some Questions” takes a humorous look at the conversa tions and questions the author imag ines having with 40 Biblical characters.

At the end of each conversation is a final question, scrip tural references and a page for readers to write their own ques tions or thoughts.

Echols spent 40 years as a television anchor at stations in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. She is

CIPPERLY RECIPES

from A10

>>

sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease two loaf pans. Combine flour, salt and soda in a medium bowl.

In a large mixer bowl, combine sugar and butter; beat on me dium speed until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Gradually blend in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks 15 minutes; remove from pans. Freezes well.

MOM C’S NEW YORK

POUND CAKE

1 cup butter, softened

1 2/3 cups sugar

5 eggs

a three-time win ner of the Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards and an award-winning pod cast host. Echols is also a breast cancer survivor and served as the founder of an organization that provided financial assistance to breast cancer patients in Central Florida,

2 cups cake flour

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. mace, op tional

Cream butter, beat in sugar and eggs one at a time until light. Combine flour, salt and mace if using.

Fold in flour gradual ly. Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes or un til tests done.

ELMIRA’S 7 UP POUND CAKE

Margaret Whittelsey Elmira was my fam ily’s cook growing up

3 sticks butter, soft ened

6 eggs

3 cups flour

3 cups sugar

8 oz. (1 cup) 7 Up

1 tsp. vanilla or lemon extract

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time. Add 7 Up and mix. Stir in flour and

before she retired to Alabama with her ag ing parents.

“We’re in Heaven, and I Have Some Questions” is pub lished by Archway Publishing. For more information, Echols can be reached at vanessaecholswrit er@gmail.com or at www.vanessaechols writer.com.

vanilla or lemon.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Check for doneness after 1 hour. Cool on wire rack.

MALONE

FROM A7

>>

the way, she turned a number of heroes into genuine fans, from music industry legend

Clive Davis (who per sonally signed Malone to her major-label record deal with Arista, years before she launched her own label and kickstart ed her journey as a do-it-

yourself independent) to collaborators like Gregg Allman, Shawn Mullins and the Indigo Girls.

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.

Located in beautiful downtown Opelika 223 S. 8th St. | 334-749-8003

www.opelikaobserver.com

TODAY

$34

www.opelikaobserver. com/subscribe-today/

Our New Home Is Built on a Solid Foundation... Just Like Our Bank.

What's Happening in Lee County

UPCOMING EVENTS:

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.

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

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 ev ery Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m., June 2 through Oct. 20, rain or shine, at Mount Lovely Baptist Church at 21900 Senator Claude Pepper Drive, Camp Hill (AL Hwy 50). Potential vendors contact Sharon at 256-749-5100 to apply to join.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

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

MOPS International encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church. Preschool mothers learn to take time out for motherhood during MOPS meetings around a theme and discussion. MOPS helps moms share their experiences and learn more about children’s unique needs from infants to kindergarten.

During MOPS’ meetings, a Moppets program is available for children. This program is taught and facilitated by volunteer childcare teach ers. This program allows little ones to work on lessons, activities, arts, crafts, and play. While the mothers are making friends, their children are too.

Auburn/Opelika MOPS meets twice a month on the first and third Thursday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at Pepperell Baptist Church at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika. MOPS’ autumn schedule is Sept. 15; Oct. 6, 20; Nov. 3, 17 and Dec. 1 and 15.

The MOPS theme this year is "coming together as friends." You can contact Coordinators Rachel Elrod at 706-244-5620 and Kaela Sexton at 719-351-8093, or you can email auburnopelikamops@gmail.com.

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

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

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

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

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

Come Throw With Us!

When?

How?

CHRISTMAS MARKET 2022

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

Auburn United Methodist Church 137 S. Gay St. in Auburn from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There is no admission to attend. Park ing is available in the church lots on Magnolia and on Gay streets.

Shop local arts, crafts, food, traditional baked goods, frozen soups and casseroles.

For more than 50 years the United Women of Faith at Auburn United Meth odist Church have used all proceeds from their annual Christmas Market to support local area missions.

PEPPERELL BAPTIST TO CELEBRATE 96 YEARS

The community is invited to Pepperell Baptist Church on Oct. 2 to celebrate its organization 96 years ago.

The homecoming worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Jamie Baldwin bringing the message. Music will be under the direction of the Rev. David Willis. Kelley Turner, the church pianist, will be the accom panist for the special occasion.

A covered-dish meal will be served after the worship service.

Pepperell Baptist Church is located at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika.

AUBURN/OPELIKA MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS) UNITE FOR A NEW YEAR!

A Faithful Friend You Can Depend On

await my arrival in heaven, perhaps wondering if I went somewhere else since I haven’t joined them yet:

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Songs are such a blessing. One of my favorites is “Faithful Friend” by Steven Curtis Chapman and Twila Parish. This recurring phrase blinds me with tears of joy as I recall the faithful friends who now

I will be an open door you can count on Anywhere you are, anywhere you’ve been I will be an honest heart you can depend on I will be a faithful friend

In the meantime, until I walk through the Pearly Gates, I shall continue to praise God daily for the faithful friends He has put in my life. Many, whom I can depend on, still walk the sod serving God. Their friendship is the sacred treasure of my life. They are the men and women

who stay in touch, calling or writing to express their love and cheer me on. Their encouragement is the soul food that keeps my spirit strong. My heart skips a beat when I recognize the voice of a faithful friend on the line. If He had done nothing else for me, I could gladly say “God is good” because of the friends He has given me.

In his letters, Saint Paul echoes this same love for his friends. In Corinth, he was blessed with the friendship of Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who became Paul’s beloved helpers in the work of Christ. They opened their

hearts and home to Paul. There Paul found refuge, rest, encouragement and companionship.

Aquila and Priscilla accompanied Paul to other towns in his missionary work, and he left them in charge of the ministry in Ephesus. There they opened their home as a worship center for believers — an example for us in our day. Many nonbelievers will accept an invitation to fellowship in a home quicker than an invitation to a church building. In a family room we can tell people about the family of God — and offer them the precious gift of faithful

OBITUARIES

JOHN MARCUS MITCHELL

John Marcus Mitchell, 55, of Opelika, entered his eternal home on Sept. 21, 2022, following an extended illness.

A native of Opelika, John was born on Feb. 23, 1967, and was a 1985 graduate of Opelika High School. At the tender age of 12, he began helping in his family’s business, Mitchell’s TV & Appliance, where he worked until 1991 when he founded Protech Electronic Manufacturing Co., manufacturer of electronic circuit boards. In 2005, John became a licensed commercial real estate agent.

John was a self-proclaimed trouble-starter and trendsetter. He instilled in his daughters the importance of taking “mental pictures” of the beauty around them, never missing the opportunity to point out a spectacular sunset and other sights. When his girls were in school, he took pride in always packing the perfect lunchbox and he cherished the years he coached Maria and her friends in softball. He also enjoyed time on the family farm, especially fishing.

John was preceded in death by his father, Claude “Boots” Mitchell, his paternal and maternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles.

John, who had a nickname for all his girls, is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 32 years, Kathy “Cadillac” Gentle Mitchell; his three beautiful daughters, Maria “Rue” Mitchell of San Jose, California, Elise “Bubblegum” Walker and

her husband, John Michael of Auburn, and Julia “Shorty” Washburn and her husband, Mitchell, of Charleston, South Carolina.

He is also survived by his mother, Claire Mitchell of Opelika, sister Angela (Porter) Calhoun of Franklin, Tennessee and brothers, Grady (Arlene) of Bakersfield, Californina and Jeff of Auburn; one niece and one nephew.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Royal of Opelika for his continuous care of John throughout his illness and John and Kathy’s neighbors and friends, Chris and Kathy Niswender of Opelika.

Contributions can be made in John’s name to the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF) at nadf.us or P.O. Box 95149, Newton, MA 02495.

Visitation with the family was at St. Michael’s Church in Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

A Funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika. After burial, the family invited family and friends to join them for lunch back at St. Michael's. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory handled the arrangements.

VONCILE COLE BIRCHFIELD

Voncile Cole Birchfield’s hope was made complete on Sept. 15, 2022. Voncile was a loving mother, maw-maw, sister, aunt and friend to

many. Voncile was born on Aug. 25, 1936, in Opelika, Alabama, the daughter of Blanche Hardy Cooper and Leonard and Lucille Cole. She was a graduate of Opelika High School. After graduation she married the love of her life Teddy “Ted” Ray Birchfield whom she was married to for 63 years.

Voncile was a loyal and loving secretary to Dr. Ken neth Strother and Dr. Hiren Patel for more than 20 years.

Voncile loved the Lord, her family and was a faithful member of Trinity Presbyteri an Church.

Voncile is survived by her son, Steve (Dory) Birchfield of Moody, Alabama; seven grandchildren: Tara Petar, Mi chael (Khanh) Nguyen Couto Birchfield, Jamie (Dalton) Pridmore, Chase Birchfield, Matthew Gaught, Kathryn Birchfield and Jennifer Birchfield; four great-grand children: Gage Petar, Evelyn Pridmore, Harper Pridmore and Teagan Birchfield; sib lings: Charlotte Cole, Gordon Cooper and Gail Cole Gunn; sisters-in-law: Nancy Birch field and Sue Birchfield and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Teddy (Ted) Birchfield, daughter Sherry Birchfield Gaught, son-in-law Rick Gaught, sister, Geraldine Cole Pitchford and brothersin-law Burt Pitchford, Jesse Gunn, Harold Birchfield and Fred Birchfield.

A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Opelika, Alabama. Dr. Chris Duncan officiated.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Trinity Presbyterian Church in memory of Voncile Cole Birchfield will be appre ciated.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

LOUISE WHITLOW FREEMAN

Funeral services for Louise Whitlow Freeman, 85, will be Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Fred erick-Dean Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be at 1:30 p.m. with a service following at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will follow at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Mrs. Freeman, with her husband of 58 years (Dallas Freeman), owned and oper ated Freeman's Plant Shack in Opelika for more than 21 years.

Mrs. Freeman was preced ed in death, by her husband, Dallas Freeman, her parents, Omer and Ella Fay Whit low, 4 sisters, Shirley Rush (Dean), Gloria (Bobby) Brad shaw, Mary Frances (Donald) Gilbreth, and Glenda (Gene) Jenkins.

She is survived by her daughters, Angie (Rob) Shuman and Mona Freeman, her sister June (Ellis) Jenkins, two grandchildren, Bobby (Emily) Shuman and Ricky (Kelly) Shuman, five great grandchildren, Maddie and Lyla Shuman in Auburn and Robert, Elizabeth and Wilson Shuman in Atlanta, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Chattahooch ee Hospice.

friendship. It was such a friendship Aquila and Priscilla had with Paul, who paid them this tender tribute: “My fellow workers in Christ Jesus . . . (who) risked their lives for the gospel” (Romans 16:3).

As great a man as Paul was, he recognized his need for the help of friends. When we read about his ministry in the Bible, repeatedly the name of a faithful friend is included: “Paul and Barnabas,” or “Paul and Silas.” As I look back over my days of ministry, my eyes quickly fill with tears as I remember the devoted “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” that God in

His mercy gave me. Today, I salute with gratitude those dear saints, both the “quick” and the dead, who stood by my side as faithful friends in the work of Christ Jesus. To borrow words Paul used in expressing his love for the saints in Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” And to each dear friend who reads this, I say in the words of the song:

You’ve always taken time to be my brother

And I’ll be standing by you in the end

I will be an honest heart you can depend on I will be a faithful friend.

Betty Faye McClendon Fuller, born July 1, 1928, passed away on Sept. 24, 2022. She lived a life of love, service and sacrifice. A love for life from her early years growing up in Ridge Grove, Alabama, she found delight in the simple form of clouds, rocks, flowers and streams. She and her best friend, MN, created a lifelong friendship filled with escapades and adventures. The retelling of such stories always enter tained her family and friends through the years and offered a glimpse into her fun-loving nature.

After graduating from LaFayette High School in 1946, she attended the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing in Birmingham, and received her degree in nursing. Thus began her life of service to others. She had a true passion for helping others from man aging a health department in Dadeville, Alabama, to run ning a nursing home facility at the same time, while also helping her husband, Hugh Dean Sr., open a Ford deal ership in an old gas station on Main Street in Dadeville. With the birth of her two children, Freita and Hugh Dean, she found her true calling as a mother. Nothing was more important to her than her children. Their needs and their desires always came before her own.

She and her husband of more than 50 years, Hugh Dean Fuller Sr. (deceased), built a wonderful life togeth er. As a couple, they loved to

dance and would often take over a dance floor with their energetic steps to the beat of the music. From humble beginnings in that very first gas station on a street corner in Dadeville, she and Hugh Dean built a successful busi ness, Fuller Ford Company, which eventually moved to Opelika, in 1965. They embraced their community by attending Trinity United Methodist Church and be coming involved in numerous organizations. They never took their success for granted and generously shared with others, always with a charita ble heart.

Betty's influence and im pact, and the essence of who she was are not easily cap tured in words. She provided for so many while asking for little in return. She loved with a very big heart and in doing so, taught those around her how to love unconditionally.

While she will be deeply missed, her love and com passion live on through her children, her seven grandchil dren, Allie, Reynolds, Camer on, Colton, Jaislee, Dean and Reagan, and her five great grandchildren who all knew her best as Bebe. We are all blessed to have known her up-close and personal. Thank you, Bebe. We love you and shall always hold you close in our hearts.

A private graveside service is planned. Memorial donations in memory of Betty may be made to Compassus Living Foundation’s Bethany House at compassusliv ingfoundation.org or to the charity of your choice.

BETTY FAYE MCCLENDON FULLER

The Disciple and Opportunity

—

Aman had fallen into an old, dry well and was stuck at the bottom. He called out for help, and finally someone came by. The person lowered a rope down to the man. The man grabbed the rope, looked at it and asked, “What happens if this rope breaks?”

Fortunately, the person

on top had enough rope, so they doubled it and dropped it back down. Then the man in the bottom of the well asked, “What happens if the rope rubbing against the stone frays it and it breaks?” So, the person got a blanket and laid it between the top stone of the well and the rope. Finally, the man said, “What happens if you’re not strong enough to get me out?” He heard a sigh of exasperation from the person on top and then this question: “Let me ask you this, what happens if you stay where you are?”

When it’s time for action, sometimes we can get paralysis from analysis. The future belongs to the bold, or as Paul told Timothy, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,

but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

There’s quite a bit in Proverbs about boldly taking initiative and being industrious. From the ambitious ant (6:6ff), to the worthy woman of chapter 31:10ff, the book is full of exhortations and examples of being proactive rather than passive in our lives. But just as generosity in Proverbs is most often spoken of under the guise of materially assisting others, industriousness is generally addressed under the topic of work.

In Proverbs, it’s work connected with livelihood, but in principle we should think about any kind of work in our lives — what we do at a job, in school, at home, in relationships

and especially the work of faith involved in being disciples of Jesus. Anytime there is a task that needs to be done, Proverbs challenges us to get after it.

The ant is singled out as an example for the lazy person in 6:6-8. Have you ever seen an ant that wasn’t on the go? If so, it was probably dead. Ants are known for their activity. Yet, they have “no commander, no overseer or ruler” (v. 7). They do this on their own.

On the subject of slackness, Proverbs does not mince words. “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys” (18:9). We’ve all been dismayed when there’s a natural disaster or social uprising of some kind and a few people

use the occasion to loot and destroy property. It’s senseless and sad. Here we’re told the person who fails to give their best at whatever work they do is related to the person who destroys. The message is clear: Approaching something halfway is more destructive than productive. After all, do you want to drive a car, live in a house or buy any product that someone did a halfway job of making?

There’s no call in any of these texts to worship work, but rather to be industrious and selfinitiating in regard to the opportunities that God sets before us.

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

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4

CHURCH DIRECTORY

334-705-0538

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

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

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

Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

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

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

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

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

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

Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166,

Opelika 334-745-4608

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika

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

Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721

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

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

METHODIST Auburn United

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

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

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 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

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

COMICS

“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”

― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

D. MARK MITCHELL

Rivalry Week for OHS

OPELIKA —

The Theodore Bobcats (6-0) defeated Opelika (4-2, R 3-1) 34-24 at Bulldog Stadium last Friday night. The Bobcats generated 384 yards on offense, includ ing 237 rushing yards from Brayden Jenkins, and 85 receiving yards from Tevarius Jackson. Opelika was led by quarterback Roman Gagliano's 286 passing yards.

The loss hurt the re cord but does not play a factor when it comes to winning the region or making the playoffs. The biggest concern for head coach Eric Speakman is the status of line backers Tae Gay and Benton Williams; both left the game with what appeared to be injuries.

Like always, no update has been provided at this time.

Opelika and Auburn High will play each other for the 96th time Friday night at Duck Samford Stadium in Auburn. The Bulldogs hold a onegame lead in the series, 47-46-3, but have lost four out of the last five, including two in a row.

Auburn enters the game with a perfect 6-0 record under second-year head coach Keith Etheredge. AHS has

scored 221 points and al lowed 77, many of those coming late in games.

The Tigers opened the season with a 1714 win over Hoover in the Kickoff Classic at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl, and defeat ed region opponents Enterprise (31-21), Dothan (42-14), Jeff Davis (31-0) and RE Lee (58-0). AHS beat Ramsey (42-21) in a non-region game last Friday night.

The winner of the Opelika/Auburn game will move one step closer to a region champion ship. Although OHS has one region loss, the Dogs will be region champs if they win the remaining region games.

Opelika has lost two straight games after upsetting Central in overtime. The Bulldogs always play Auburn close, and I believe we will see the same from OHS Friday night. This will be a low-scoring game that will be won in the fourth quarter.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Auburn's Duck Samford Stadium. Tickets must be pur chased online at gofan. co; please buy OPELIKA tickets if you want to sit on the visiting side. You

AUBURN: OCT. 11 AT 6:30

COUNTY: OCT. 11 AT 6

OCT. 25 AT 4:30

Bulldogs Tripped Up by Theodore, Suffer Second Straight Loss

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Two weeks ago, Opelika was 4-0, fresh off a win over the then No. 1-ranked school in 7A, the Central Phenix City Red Devils.

Now, the Bulldogs are suf ferers of two straight defeats, the most recent coming in a 34-24 loss to non-region Theodore (6A) at home in Bulldog Stadium last Friday night.

Opelika began the game against Theodore in op portunistic fashion. In the first quarter, senior safety Andre Smiley recovered a fumble and then intercept ed Theodore quarterback Cameron Rigby, and the Bulldogs converted the

Beauregard Volleyball Wins Area

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

BEAUREGARD —

In her sixth year as head coach of the Beauregard varsity volleyball team, Kathy McDonald and the Lady Hornets have won the regular season Class 5A Area 5 title.

The No. 1 finish in the area — which con sists of the Hornets, Eufaula and Valley — is the highest Beauregard has seen since McDonald's sec ond year, where her team finished second in the area and advanced to regionals.

This season, the Lady Hornets have just one senior in their squad. Despite a lack of expe rience at the high school level, McDonald saw

the potential in her team early on.

“I had hoped [we] would have a good sea son,” she said. “This was the first time that I have had multiple play ers play club volleyball

in the offseason, and I definitely think that helped lead our team.”

McDonald gleaned the contributions of everyone on her team but said the squad has leaned on a trio of

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

junior standouts: Katie Wilkerson, Ashlyn Watson and Cooper Watson.

Wilkerson has 191 kills thus far this sea son, and Ashlyn and

The varsity Beauregard volleyball team is pictured (L-R): No. 21 Katie Wilkerson (JR), No. 20 Berkley Wilson (JR), No. 1 Cooper Watson (JR), No. 14 Ashlyn atson (JR), No. 5 Keely Kirby (JR), No. 32 Hannah Parham (JR), No. 3 Carlee Craft (JR), No. 2 Kara Hall (JR), No. 18 Abby Jones (SO) and No. 12 Erica Harman (SR).

turnovers into two scores. The first score came when junior quarterback Roman Gagliano connected with

receiver Jamari Miller on a 14-yard pass. The second score arrived when Gagliano found receiver Jakai

Simpson for a 49 yards. The third and final Opelika touchdown came from

See OPELIKA, page B5

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Junior Opelika quarterback Roman Gagliano scrambles in the games against Theodore.

PLAYERS OF THE

SR. QB CLYDE PITTMAN

9-OF-11 PASSING FOR 111 YARDS, 2 TD BECAME AUBURN HIGH'S ALL-TIME PASSING TOUCHDOWN LEADER WITH 39 FOR HIS CAREER.

SO. RB DEMARION FOREMAN 18 CARRIES, 135 YARDS, 2 TD

BYE WEEK

SR. RB GEORGE MEYERS

13 CARRIES, 131 YARDS, 3 TD

BYE WEEK

JR. RB JOSIAH FRICK 25 CARRIES, 215 YARDS, 3 TD

SR. WR DEVYN PEARMAN 3 RECEPTIONS, 60 YARDS, 1 TD

1500 Frederick Road, Opelika ~ 334-749-8700

Area Football Roundup: Week 6

BY WIL CREWS

LEE COUNTY —

Another week of high school football has passed as teams continue their quest for end-ofseason glory. Can the season be halfway over already? Area teams Beauregard, Loachapoka and Glenwood were all on bye; Auburn and LeeScott remained undefeat ed; and Beulah, Smiths Station and Opelika all lost to non-region opponents.

The following is a breakdown of how area teams fared in week six of the 2022 high school football season. All stats were compiled firsthand, by school sources or by Maxpreps.com.

AHSAA

AUBURN 42 | RAMSAY 21

Auburn High (6-0, R4-0) quarterback Clyde Pittman became the

program’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns Friday as the Tigers de feated 5A Ramsay (4-2, R3-0) at home, 42-21. It was homecoming night for Auburn and Pittman looked comfortable all game, tossing two passing touchdowns — raising his total to 39 for his ca reer — against the Rams. Pittman, while splitting time with backup quar terback Davis Harsin, finished his night 9-of-11 passing for 111 yards and two TD’s. The Tigers as a whole racked up 310 yards (158 passing, 152 rushing) and three turnovers (one fumble and two intercep tions). Auburn, the No. 1 team in 7A, plays host rival Opelika (4-2, R31) in a regional contest on Friday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. at Duck-Samford Stadium.

SMITHS STATION 28 | BENJAMIN RUSSELL 46

The varsity Smiths Station Panthers fell to

1-5 (R1-3) on the season Friday night, losing to non-region 6A Benjamin Russell (4-1, R1-1), by a score of 46-28. The top performers for the Panthers were senior quarterback Jackson Greer, senior wide re ceiver Devyn Pearman and junior wide receiver Jaylen Bibbs. Greer completed 52.2% of his passes for 76 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Pearman was the leading tar get-getter for Smiths Station, hauling in three passes for 60 yards and one TD. Bibbs caught four passes and one TD. The Panthers return to the field Friday, Oct. 7 for a regional matchup against Opelika High School (4-2, R3-1).

BEULAH 21 | PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN 35

The winless Beulah Bobcats (0-5, R0-2)

Patriots Come Up Short Versus Wildcats

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

The boys from Southern Christian Academy traveled to Lanett on Friday to face off with the Springwood Wildcats. The youthful Pats had defeated the JV Cats earlier in the week, 48-0, at SCA’s JV home field in Ladonia, Alabama.

“Boasting a No. 8 spot in Alabama 8-man foot ball standings, and with 11 seniors on their roster, we knew Springwood would be very tough,” said Patriots head coach Jason Scott. “We don’t have any seniors that hold starting positions, two of our five upper classmen were injured coming in, so I knew I was going to have to lean on a couple guys pretty hard.”

The Patriots would go

back and forth with the Wildcats all night, keeping the pressure on those se niors. A late fourth quarter interception, followed by a quick score by the Cats, would give Springwood the edge it needed.

Southern Christian’s ensuing onside kick was awarded to the Cats after a long discussion.

“Up to that point we still had a real chance to beat them,” Scott said. “It was a tough call, but you can’t hang onto the things you can’t control.”

The Cats would run the ball and the clock with their big senior Kaden Cook until it was all over.

Patriots would ultimately lose the nail-biter to the Wildcats, 31-40. Leading the Patriots was Josiah Frick, who had 25 carries for 215 yards and three of the five SCA touchdowns.

Auron Tanguma caught a 33-yard pass from Frick for one score, and fresh man Jagger Scott added

a rushing touchdown for the Pats. Freshman Aiden Hahn kicked the first-ever successful PAT for SCA, and Cameron Carswell picked up 50 important yards on kickoff returns.

Defensively, Elliot French had four QB hurries, while Scott led SCA with 11 tackles. Freshmen Lawton Curran and Carswell also had seven tackles each, respectively.

“Our objectives as coaching staff were to walk away without further injury to our guys, and secondly to earn some respect from a great team like Springwood, and we got what we came for,” Scott said.

The Southern Christian Patriots will play their conference rivals, the East Central Patriots, on Friday in Pelham, Alabama.

“We just have a really tough and gritty group of young men,” Scott said.

is a proud sponsor of local sports and will be drawing for a free photo shoot (one per school) at the end of the season.

Bulldogs Drop Second Straight Game

Lady Bulldogs Prepping for Postseason

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

Opelika fell to Theodore, 34-24, Friday night at Bulldog Stadium in Opelika. The Bulldogs now sit at 5-2 (R3-1), with a matchup against rival Auburn High School, the No. 1-ranked team in 7A. For more information about the game, read "Bulldogs Tripped Up by Theodore, Suffer Second Straight Loss," on B1.

The varsity Opelika volleyball defeated Benjamin Russell on Thursday, Sept. 22. The varsity team's record sits at 3-16 as of Sept. 26. The AHSAA area tournaments are scheduled to begin Oct. 12.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES/THE OBSERVER

Tigers Tame the Rams

can listen to the game on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM, online at kickerfm.com or watch the LIVE stream on NFHSnetwork.com.

Pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m. with Van Riggs.

OHS CROSS COUNTRY

Opelika's cross coun try team will run in the "Skyhawk Valley Invitational" Oct. 1 at the Valley/Shawmut Airport at the end of 12th Avenue in Valley. The meet in cludes college divisions (women/men) starting at 7:45 a.m., and high school teams (women and men) starting at 9:35 a.m.

The course is all flat, all grass, with a few, light gravel crossover points.

It’s located around an old airfield right next to the Chattahoochee River. Large, open field makes it very spectator-friendly and easy to get around. The course is wide with few turns. Its flat, straight sections provide a good opportunity to PR.

I will post the results next week.

OHS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

The Lady Bulldog flag football team (7-2) lost to rival Auburn High School (15-7), but defeated Valley (47-0) to finish the week 1-1.

Cheridi Daniels scored the touchdown against Auburn and threw a pass to KayKay Dowdell for the two-point conversion.

Opelika crushed Valley, 47-0, to secure first place in the area. Several

bulldog players scored touchdowns and con verted extra points, in cluding: Daniels, Ashley Hilyer, "Z" Fanning, Jasmin McCloud, Karly Phatsadavong and Amiya Brown.

The Lady Dogs travel to Loachapoka Monday, Oct. 3 for a 5:30 p.m. start; they then go to Phenix City Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. and host Smiths Station and Dothan Thursday, Oct. 6, at Bulldog Stadium.

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

another Miller score, this time an 11-yard rush result ing in a 21-7 lead for the Bulldogs after one quarter.

From there, the most Opelika would only be able muster a field goal in the second quarter, as Theodore shut out its host in the second half.

“We did nothing in the second half right,” said Opelika head coach Eric Speakman.

While Opelika’s rushing attack was neutralized for most of the contest, Gagliano continued to air the ball in the second half. He completed 73.2% of his passes as the junior finished with 285 yard, two touchdowns and one interception. Gagliano’s

favorite targets on the night were Miller — who finished with seven catch es for 34 yards and two touchdowns — and senior Caden Cooper, who fin ished with 10 receptions for 93 yards.

Leading 24-20 at half, Opelika’s down fall ultimately came via Theodore’s rushing attack. Running back Brayden Jenkins tallied 237 total rush yards and four touchdowns on just 13 carries in the game. In total, Theodore out gained Opelika in total yards on the night, 408 to 346. The Bobcats racked up 292 rushing yards to Opelika’s 61.

“We didn’t stop the run, we didn’t stop the big plays … we had holding penalties on offense and we didn’t block the perimeter,”

Speakman said.

To make matters worse, Opelika saw two key defensive playmakers — linebacker Tae Gay and defensive end Brenton Williams — exit the game Friday night due to injury. Gay finished second on the team on the team in tackles with six, and line backer Will Garner led the Bulldogs with eight.

Opelika now has its sights set on cross-town rival Auburn High School. The teams meet Friday, Sept. 30, in a powerhouse 7A clash. With a win, the Bulldogs put themselves in pole position to finish as the No. 1-ranked team in the 7A Region 2.

“We are going to do a little soul searching and get this thing right as we head into Auburn week,” Speakman said.

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS

/ FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity Auburn High School Tigers defeated non-region opponent, the Ramsay Rams, by a score of 42-21 last Friday night. The No. 1-ranked team in 7A, Auburn plays host to rival Opelika Friday, Sept. 30. For more

information about the game against Ramsay, read "Area Football Roundup: Week 6" page B2.

What to Make of Auburn’s Narrow, 17-14 Victory Over Missouri

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Despite nearly losing the game on multiple occasions, the Auburn Tigers hung around long enough to de feat Missouri in overtime Saturday, as head coach Bryan Harsin survived an other week on the hot seat.

The Tigers prevailed in Saturday’s SEC opener by nothing short of Jordan-Hare Stadium magic.

The opposing Tigers had all but won the game near the end of regulation as junior placekicker Harrison Mevis lined up to attempt a potential game-winning field goal from 26 yards out.

Amazingly, the career 79% kicker — who had also never missed from within 30 yards — swung the kick wide right, and the two teams headed to overtime.

Auburn opened the extra period by going -2 yards on three plays before Anders

Carlson drilled a 39-yard field goal to give his team the advantage. On the second play of Missouri’s ensuing drive, running back Nathaniel Peat broke a run down the left sideline and looked poised to rush in the game-winning touch down. Miraculously, Peat dropped the ball — as if he was spooked by the lore of previous Auburn comebacks — just before crossing the goal line, allowing Auburn players to fall on the pigskin in the end zone, ending the game.

It wasn’t pretty; but his tory remembers the score board, not what got you there. Overall, however, it was another subpar perfor mance from Auburn.

After scoring on their opening two possessions, the Tigers from the Plains went scoreless for the remainder of regulation.

Anders Carlson missed a field goal just before the half, and the Tigers ended the game with six punts and one

turnover on downs where running back Tank Bigsby was stuffed at the line on a fourth-and-one.

In total. Auburn managed just 97 yards of offense in the second half against Mizzou. The offensive line was again manhan dled at the point of attack, restricting running lanes for Auburn’s backs and allowing pressure to get to the quarterback almost immediately. Due to that, much of Auburn’s offense — with starting quarterback T.J. Finley inactive with a shoulder injury — was pred icated on quarterback Robby

Ashford using his elite speed to make something out of nothing on broken plays.

The silver linings of the game can be found in the fact that no Auburn quar terback — true freshman Holden Geriner got snaps after Ashford missed time in the game due to a wrist injury — threw an intercep tion. Through three games, turnovers were one of the biggest, correctible mistakes plaguing the Tigers. That wasn’t not the case Saturday.

On the flip side, another issue Auburn has had in the early part of the season has been the inability of

the defense to generate sacks and turnovers. Well, Auburn’s defense stepped up Saturday to the tune of four sacks, seven tackles for loss and one interception — courtesy of defensive end Derrick Hall in the first quarter.

Besides Bigsby gar nering a season-high 19 carries, that is about it when it comes to looking for the positives in Auburn’s performance.

After the game, Harsin’s press conference carried the same uninspired, defensive tone as many of his recent media sessions. Harsin was “happy” with his team’s effort but wants his team to “execute” better.

It’s the same script he has said after each contest this season, win or loss. Harsin continued to say that if his team is repeatedly getting behind the down-anddistance, he and his staff begin to consider what they are doing schematically.

Unfortunately, his team

has often been behind the down-and-distance in games this year, yet the offense has remained the same — even through an opportunity to make adjustments at halftime.

Ultimately, Saturday provided an opportunity for Harsin, his staff and the players to turn a corner on the 2022 season against what was, on paper, an in ferior team. The result: the same poor play and disjoint ed feeling that has loomed over the program since the opener against Mercer.

Auburn looks stuck. The fans, boosters and media are continuously getting pushed toward one solution: moving on from Harsin and his staff.

The head coach will have at least one more opportunity to win over supporters into his camp when LSU comes to town this Saturday. It could be a season-defining matchup for both teams — and a career (at least at Auburn) definer for Harsin.

PHOTOS

BY TODD VAN EMST AU ATHLETICS

Feels Like Coming Home

came as close to a win as they have all season Friday night, ultimately falling to the Prattville Christian Academy Panthers (3-2, R1-1) on the road, 35-21. The Bobcats posted a sea son-high in points behind a prolific rushing attack from sophomore running back Demarion Foreman, who totaled 135 yards and two touchdowns on the ground through 18 car ries. Foreman also caught three of his four targets for 32 yards. Beulah scored a touchdown in each of the final three quarters of last Friday’s contest, but failed to

overcome a 13-0 first quarter deficit largely due to turnovers. The Bobcats fumbled the ball over to the opponent four times during the contest — and quarterback Noah Higdon threw one interception.

Higdon had a solid game otherwise, throwing for 75 yards on 7-of-13 passes, rushing for 38 yards on 13 carries and seven tackles on defense.

Beulah totaled 263 total yards and committed nine penalties for 77 yards.

The Bobcats are on the road again Friday, Sept. 30, searching for their first win against undefeat ed region foe Dadeville (5-0, R3-0).

LEE-SCOTT 42 | MACON

EAST 7

The Lee-Scott varsi ty Warriors remained perfect Friday night, defeating Macon East (41, R1-0) 42-7 to move to 5-0 (R3-0) on the 2022 season. Lee-Scott totaled 340 yards of offense in the home, non-region matchup. The Warriors’ defense continued their trend of dominance over the course of this season, holding the Knights to just 167 total yards and one score in the fourth quarter. On offense, se nior running back George Meyers led the way once again, tallying 131 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Junior backup running back Jonathan Meyers (of no relation

to George) carried the ball five times for 63 yards and one touch down; junior running back Andrew Hahn converted his 10 carries into 67 yards and two touchdowns. Missing starting quarterback Ryan Dearing, sopho more Pelzer Reaves took the majority of the snaps behind center, complet ing 5-of-9 passes for 50 yards. Junior Jake White led the Warriors receiv ing, hauling in four of his five targets from Reaves for a total of 48 yards. Lee-Scott returns home Friday, Sept. 30 for a home conference game against Autauga Academy (3-1, 2-1).

VOLLEYBALL

FROM B1

Cooper both sit at 148 kills apiece.

“Obviously it takes the whole team to be success ful, but I have three hit ters who have contributed for decent kills when we needed them,” McDonald said.

Furthermore, defen sively, sophomore Abby Jones led the team in digs with 218.

As the Lady Hornets now turn their attention to post-season area and regional tournaments, McDonald is trying to continue to build momen tum with her squad.

One instance in a recent tournament at

Don’t Wait To Protect Them.

Central Phenix City con firmed to the head coach that her team is still head ed in the right direction.

“All I did was ask them to play better, and they did,” McDonald said. “I want them pushing and giving everything they have, not holding back, not having any regrets and knowing they put it all out on the table.”

The Lady Hornets have three remaining regular-season matchups to play before the area tournament begins on Oct. 12. Make no mis take, Beauregard aims to win it.

“We are hoping for first place to be a little bit better seed for region als,” McDonald said.

AISA

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES THE OBSERVER

The Auburn University Homecoming parade was held in downtown Auburn Friday, Sept. 23. To kick off the homecoming football game versus Missouri, community and campus groups paraded down College Street. A pep rally for the football team ensued on Samford Lawn following the parade.

New Traffic Pattern for Dismissal at Southview Primary Begins Oct. 3

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS

OPELIKA —

In an effort to improve the safety of the traffic flow on Marvyn Parkway/ Highway 51 during af ternoon dismissal from Southview Primary School, a new traffic pattern has been created.

Opelika City Schools worked with the city of Opelika and the Opelika Police Department to de vise the plan.

Beginning Oct. 3, 2022, cars will no longer be allowed to line up on Marvyn Parkway past the turn lane into Southview or block the intersection at Gateway Drive. All cars

SUSCC Enrollment Sees Comeback

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC

OPELIKA —

Enrollment at Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) has climbed 8% as the area begins to emerge from the pandemic.

The increase came af ter two years of decline as safety concerns and other challenges associ ated with the pandemic weighed on enrollment. The growth is consistent

with other two-year col leges in Alabama, as the Alabama Community College System reports an overall enrollment increase of 4%.

“The pandemic was unlike any challenge we have faced before,” said Todd Shackett, Southern Union president. “But higher education plays a critical role in achieving a good job and good life. As people begin to map their post-pandemic paths, Southern Union is

poised to have a signif icant impact on provid ing opportunity for our communities.”

The college hopes to add to its enrollment numbers as the start of mini-term II approach es. A mini-term is a condensed course with in a full-term semester. Mini-term II begins Oct. 10. For a list of available courses, visit suscc.edu. Registration for mini-term II is now open.

in the pick-up line will be routed to Hall Avenue to wait for dismissal at 2:45 p.m. The Opelika Police Department will have one officer at the intersec tion of Hall Avenue and Highway 51 and another at the Southview entrance/ exit on Highway 51 to di rect traffic during dismiss al. All cars will be direct ed to park on the right side of Hall Avenue and wait

for dismissal. Citizens are asked not to block drive ways. Following student pickup, cars will still be allowed to exit on Marvyn Parkway or Gateway Drive.

Parents of Southview Primary School stu dents or residents of Hall Avenue who have questions are encouraged to email questions@ opelikaschools.org. If

citizens have immediate safety concerns, please call the Opelika Police Department on the nonemergency dispatch num ber at 334-705-5260.

A detailed map of the traffic pattern and additional information can be found on the Southview Primary Website at www.bit.ly/ SouthviewTrafficRoute..

PHOTOS BY BECKY BROWN

OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS

The Opelika High Theatre Society performed its first three shows of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" last week. The next shows will be Sept. 29, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

L labama Politics ee County & A

Inside the Statehouse New Fiscal Year Begins

Education Association (“AEA”), and her chief lobbyist ally, Ashley McLain, deserve ku dos for garnering a 4% teacher pay raise. Once again, the AEA has become a power to be reckoned with on Goat Hill.

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

The new state fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and the two state budgets are flush. Both the General Fund and the State Special Education budgets will be the largest in state history.

The General Fund Budget is a re cord-breaking $2.7 billion. It increases the revenue to mental health and prisons. Medicaid continues to be a money-eating monster. State employ ees are getting a 4% cost of living raise. This is the third time in recent history that state workers have gotten back-to-back pay raises. In addition, retired state employees will get a bonus. State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) and Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark), the budget chairmen, deserve accolades.

Veteran Alabama State Employees Association Executive Director Mac McArthur deserves a lot of credit for state employees getting a 4% pay increase this year and 2% last year. McArthur has put to gether four raises in five years for his folks.

Amy Marlowe, head of the Alabama

The legislature passed a record-break ing $8.17 billion Education Budget. The historic spending plan increases educa tion funding by about $502 million over the current year. It drew praise from all corners of education for its in creases, which include teachers’ salaries and workforce develop ment. There will be more money for class room materials, the hiring of technology coordinators and read ing coaches and $20 million to implement the K-5 math instruc tion bill.

The budget includes a 4% raise for teachers and lump-sum bonuses for retirees. There is also about a $33 mil lion bonus to increase teacher longevity. Other states have been giving similar salary adjustments. One of the budget allotments that has gotten the most accolades is the increase from $700 to $900 per classroom in supply money.

The story that has been building the past several years is the resurgence of the AEA as a power player on Goat Hill. The fruits of their labor emerged immensely during the regular session. It is apparent that AEA was instrumental in crafting the Education Budget with the 4% pay increase for teach ers and the money

that is going into the classroom. You would have thought that Dr. Paul Hubbert was still sitting in the gallery directing legislators’ votes with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. They have built AEA into a power to be reckoned with at the statehouse.

The new leader ship of Marlowe and McLain have reor ganized by acknowl edging that Alabama, and especially the Alabama Legislature, is very Republican. They understand the rule that “money is the mother’s milk of politics,” and “you win more bees with honey.”

The AEA has gen erously donated to house Republicans like nobody’s busi ness, and no other Special Interest en tity. It is no longer taboo or heresy for a Republican legis lator or state senator to accept teacher union money. They have made $10,000 to $15,000 contributions to house members on both sides of the aisle. In reviewing campaign disclosure statements, AEA is the only entity writ ing checks that large. Checks to senator’s coffers are $25,000 or more.

AEA lobbyists, es pecially McLain, have earned the friendship and respect of the Republican house members and sena tors. She and her team have gone out to their districts all over the state and gotten to know them and their families. They have

Opelika Suspends Enforcement of Rental Ordinance

CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA —

The city of Opelika is aware of and evaluating the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision in a case involving a chal lenge to a rental ordi nance enacted by Center Point, Alabama. The city is also presently involved in litigation over its own rental or dinance. While the city evaluates the changing legal landscape, it has suspended enforcement of its rental ordinance.

“The city of Opelika will begin determining the best way to move

forward in the coming weeks,” said Opelika City Attorney Guy Gunter.

On Sept. 21, 2021, the city of Opelika ap proved an ordinance adopting a registration and inspection program for residential proper ties being rented within the city of Opelika. The city of Opelika’s Residential Rental Property Registration and Inspection Ordinance was intended to keep residents of the city of Opelika in safe and comfortable resi dential rental dwelling units.

“We are extremely

disappointed and have deep concerns for the tenants in some of our rental properties,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “We are grateful that we do have many landlords who do the right thing.”

Of the inspections processed during the time the ordinance was in effect, city inspectors were able to catch many housing errors, such as windows being nailed shut, lack of smoke and carbon monoxide de tectors and improperly maintained natural gas fixtures. Most rentals passed after the first inspection.

Lee County Commission Approves Fiscal Year Budgets

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Commission approved the fiscal year 202223 budget Monday night.

Six items were were frequented by the county and pro posed by District 4 Commissioner Robert Ham related to the budget and approved.

The budget has a to tal proposed budgeted revenue of just over $58,338,000 — an in crease of 9.35%. The total expenditures are just over $66,830,000 — an increase of 11.61%.

In addition to ap proving the total budget, the county ap proved a 5.75% cost of living pay increase for county employees.

“We have wonderful

employees and I’d like to keep them all,” Ham said.

The increase will go into effect Oct. 8.

Also benefiting county employees was the approved merit raises of 2, 3 and 4%, based on performance.

The coroners salary was raised to $36,000 and the deputy chief deputy coroner’s pay to $18,000.

“It’s way overdue and thank you for stepping up to take that job,” Ham said to Daniel Sexton, who was appointed special coroner following Coroner Bill Harris’ death in July.

A major expenditure approved by the coun ty was the funding for the Auburn University Airport Safety Zone Expansion Project that Lee County agreed to help with, along with the city of Auburn,

the city of Opelika and the Indian Pines Golf Course.

“With the way the airport is expanding, we definitely need to do this,” said District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand.

The commission ap proved $500,000 to be paid over 5 years for that project.

Twenty-three new positions were ap proved for the county as well.

The county ap proved $1.45 million in appropriations and services contracts that were listed by the county, all of which can be found on the county’s website in the budget. They al so approved action carry into the next year actions that will allow the county to appropriate that $1.45

Sherri Reese: Retired Soldier Pursues New Role in State Senate

teams and more. A cap tain leading in human resources, as Reese later was, has a job with depth.

“That was my thing, taking care of people,” Reese said. “People are my passion, and serving them is what I did as a human resources officer in the U.S. Army. My years as a drill sergeant, assistant inspector gen eral, recruiter and com munity leader prepared me for this moment. I have all the skills, train ing and time necessary to excel as your senator in Montgomery.”

told Ballotpedia. “These skills may prove to be very useful in working past divisive politics and placing the focus back on the concerns of my constituents in District 27. A victory for me may not deliver immediate and decisive change in policy but nothing changes unless we have a seat at the table.”

senate, Reese would re place Thomas Whatley, a retired colonel in Al abama’s Army National Guard.

A National Council of State Legislatures analysis after the 2020 elections identified at least 911 military veter ans currently serving in legislatures of 50 states and five U.S. territories.

children deserve bet ter.”

OPINION —

Like our most effective teachers in public schools, Army drill sergeants are of ten undervalued by us while teaching math or marching us to Hell. Yet, when we are no longer with those teach ers and drill instructors, we fondly recall them. Tough, but emphatic; demanding, but impact ful. We didn’t recog nize their worth to us until too late.

That’s what I thought after lunching in down town Opelika recently with Sherri Reese. She is the Democratic candidate for the state senate in District 27.

In a 24-year Army ca reer, she held key roles not fully understood by people unfamiliar with the Army. Drill sergeants have chal lenging jobs with long hours and many duties.

Inspector generals have meaningful jobs dealing with personnel, work

Reese graduated from Opelika High School in 1991. A Tuskegee native, she served in the Army from 1992 to 2016. In 2009, she became an officer and retired seven years later as a captain. She has a bachelor's degree from Touro University (Cal ifornia) in 2003 and a master’s degree from Webster University (Missouri) in 2018.

“My interpersonal and reasoning skills are combat-tested and battle approved,” Reese

Steve Marshall Visits Opelika Kiwanis Club

When military vet erans run for office, they don’t usually win unless they have prior government experience (aside from the mili tary), are competitive in campaign funding, face a weak candidate or gain office due to one party’s “wave election.” Still, these candidates usually work hard in meeting plenty of voters; that certainly helps a victory become possible.

In 2020, of the 535 seats in the U.S. House and Senate, 90 members have served in the mil itary, with almost half (42 out of 90) of them in the Army. That is ac cording to Axios, a top politics website. In the

They comprise approx imately 12% of the 7,383 state legislators in the United States.

Since retiring from the Army, Reese has volunteered as a mem ber of the Lee-Russell Transportation Board, community liaison for the Opelika Police De partment and assistant track and field coach at Opelika High School (As a junior in high school, Reese was state champion runner.).

“For decades, Ala bama has deprioritized public school invest ment,” Reese wrote in her education statement.

“The result? We are pe rennially ranked among the bottom five academ ically performing states. We can do better; our

Healthcare and crim inal justice are also big campaign issues for Reese. She pledged to fight for Medicaid ex pansion, increase rural medicine funding and help reform the state’s justice system. She would do so by decrim inalizing cannabis use, releasing nonviolent offenders and treating addiction as a public health problem.

“Create jobs, not more prisons,” she said.

The key aspect of a campaign such as Re ese is waging is she offers an alternative interpretation of the issues and, win or lose, 'shows the flag' for the Democrats. That party has only eight members in the senate, while Re publicans have 27 (A positive note: This year the Libertarian Party of Alabama has many candidates signed up on various ballots.).

Reese’s opponent, Jay Hovey, will be spot lighted here in October.

Lee County Fair to Host Veterans Appreciation Night

Veterans Appreciation Night Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022

Dependent children of veterans under 12 years of age receive free admission when accompanied by the veteran. Veterans must show a valid ID or DD214

Sponsored by: VFW Post 5404 and the Opelika Exchange Club

Representatives from Auburn University Veterans Resources Center and Student Veterans Association will be available to share information about available resources.

Veteran Services Officers from Russell County will be available to answer questions about the recently passed PACT act affecting benefits to Veterans.

THANKS TO ALL VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE!

Marching for Against Violence

GREG MARKLEY

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (right) spoke to the Opelika Kiwanis Club on Sept. 22.

Pastor Carolyn Morton and the Samford Community Outreach Fellowship group held the 5th annual Youth Nonviolence Peace March & Rally in honor of the late Otis Gray Sr. of Opelika. The event was held on Sept. 24 at Christian Care Ministries located in the Samford community in Opelika. The Samford community and the Youth Non-violence Peace Group participated in a march through the neighborhood with family and friends from the Opelika-Auburn Moms Demand Action group, Opelika Fire Department, Oscar Penn from the Concerned Citizens of Opelika group and Dr. Herbert Denmark Jr.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION STATE OF ALABAMA

OPINION — Alabama physicians are taking action to reduce the number and potency of opioid prescriptions and to increase access to med ication that rapidly re verses opioid overdos es, according to a new report released Thurs day from the American Medical Association.

The report shows:

• Opioid prescriptions in Alabama decreased 41.6% from 2012 to 2021. From 2020 to 2021, opioid prescrip tions in the state de clined 1.6%, marking the eighth consecutive year the number of opi oid prescriptions in Al abama has dropped.

• The dosage strength of opioid prescriptions fell 52.7% from 2012 to 2021 and dropped 6.5% between 2020 to 2021.

• Prescriptions of nal oxone to treat patients at risk of an opioid overdose rose 851% between 2012 to 2021 and 35.4% from 2020 to 2021.

• Physicians and other healthcare profession als accessed the state’s Prescription Drug Mon itoring Program more than 5.5 million times in 2021, an increase of

FLOWERS

FROM B11

3% from 2020. Health care providers who dispense opioids in Alabama must report the information to the Prescription Drug Mon itoring Program to help physicians detect the abuse and misuse of prescriptions.

The Medical Asso ciation of the state of Alabama was one of the first medical associa tions in the country to offer a continuing ed ucation course to train physicians on safely and effectively pre scribing opioids. Since 2009, more than 8,000 prescribers in Alabama have completed the course.

“Alabama physicians are advancing the fight against the opioid cri sis by continuing to reduce the number and potency of prescribed opioids in our state, and by furthering our education on opioids,” said Dr. Julia Boothe, president of the Medical Association of the state of Alabama. “While we are making good prog ress in these areas under a physician’s control, Alabama is in a worsen ing overdose epidemic due primarily to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is found in more than 75% of counterfeit pills and other substanc es. No community is

safe from this poison.”

Fentanyl overdose deaths in Alabama in creased a staggering 135.9% from 2020 to 2021, (453 deaths in 2020 to 1,069 in 2021).

Dr. Bobby Muk kamala, chair of the American Medical As sociation’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, said fentanyl is “supercharging” the increase in fatal drug overdoses.

“What is becoming painfully evident is that there are limits to what physicians can do,” Mukkamala said. “We have dramatically increased training and changed our prescribing habits, reducing the number of opioids pre scribed while increas ing access to naloxone, buprenorphine and methadone. But illicitly manufactured fentanyl is supercharging this epidemic.”

RESOURCES FOR HELP: Alabamians looking for a list of substance abuse treatment services can go online to druguse. alabama.gov.

To read the full re port: www.end-over dose-epidemic. org/wp-content/ uploads/2022/09/ AMA-Advoca cy-2022-Overdose-Epi demic-Report_090622. pdf.

OPD's Capt. Tony Amerson Graduates from FBI National Academy

>>

connected the legislator with key educators in their hometowns who are respected centers of influence and can orchestrate a field or army of teachers to work the districts for their legislative friends. This footwork and shoe leather, coupled with large campaign checks, hits home with

legislators of both parties.

The telling blow that resonated and echoed off the walls of the statehouse was the defeat of the so-called School Choice Bill.

Sen. Del Marsh made it his final mission to place state education dollars into private, parochial and charter schools. His school choice was given a stinging defeat by none

other than the AEA. Folks, make no doubt about it — the AEA is back in Alabama politics.

See you next week.

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

FROM B11

million.

Other appro priations will be approved as they come up.

The commission set two work-sessions to discuss appropri ations. One for Oct. 11 at the Lee County Commission meet ings and a second, if-needed, meeting for Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.

The county can ask outside agen cies to appear and provide more in formation if neces sary, said County Administrator Holly Leverette.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- LaGrand provid ed an update on the park benches at the Loachapoka park, which have now been installed.

- The Jefferson County EMA attend ed and recognized the help the Lee County EMA pro vided to Jefferson County during the 2022 World Games in Birmingham.

turning 100, and any other Lee County who turn 100.

- The county approved to resolu tions relating to the American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Firstly, they approved a resolution to allo cate funding in the form of grants to nonprofit entities. Secondly, they ap proved the adoption of implementation policies and proce dures for providing assistance.

- The commission approved the EMA Building Change Order, with needed expenditure of over $37,300 to com plete the new EMA building.

requests for the Sheriff’s Department.

- The commission heard from Heath Corbett on a public nuisance complaint.

- The commission approved a list of in solvents for business licensing agreements.

- The commission approved the FY 2022-2023 Highway Maintenance Bids and Extensions.

- The commission heard information from John McDonald on garbage billing fees.

- The commission approved an Animal control Services Agreement for an imal impoundment with a price increase per animal of $19.90.

FROM

It is an important con test because for the first time in 12 years there will be a new senator for District 27. Hovey has been an Auburn city councilman since 2018.

Reese plugs along. If there is an upset and she secures this seat, she might hit Goat Hill in Montgomery like the drill sergeant she was. Her favorite phrase from her Army years is:

“Boots on the ground.” That’s a common mil itary expression, but since our interview I cannot but think she will do as she says, if she becomes a state senator.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has master’s de grees in education and history. He taught pol itics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.

An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has con

tributed to the Observer since 2011. He is a member of the national Education Writers As sociation (focus-Higher Education). gm.mark ley@charter.net.

- Ham added an item to the agenda and the commission approved providing a certificate to Mary Newman, who is

- The commission heard an update from John McDonald on the county’s trash plan. The county has now phased out the north-east side of the county’s trash collec tion sites. More will follow — on Oct. 11 the sites on Highway 51, 039, 166 and 175 will close. On Nov. 7 the Smiths Station sites will close on Lee Road 240 and Highway 280 at Lee Road 249.

- The commission approved education al reimbursement

- The commission approved the sign ing of the Safety Incentive Verification Form to participate in the Safety Incentive Discount Program with the ACCA.

The Lee County Commission meets on the second and last Monday nights of every month. Meetings are held in the courthouse annex at 5 p.m. in the com mission chambers on the second floor.

Opelika Police Capt. Tony Amerson recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI National Academy is a program for active U.S. law enforcement personnel. This 10-week program is held four times a year and attendees are by invitation only through a nomination process. Pictured above are Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller (left), Amerson (center) and Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey (right). Fuller and Healey traveled to Quantico to attend Amerson's graduation ceremony.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

SERVICES

SELLING a RV, Tractor or Golf Cart? ADVERTISE STATEWIDE or by region in over 100 Newspapers, reaching over 1 million readers each week! Run your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week! Make one call to this newspaper (participating AlaSCAN newspaper) or call 1-800264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide!

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY!

Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime war ranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833-449-1307.

BECOME A PUBLISHED

AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work interna tionally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780

LONG DISTANCE MOVING:

Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America's Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534

EDUCATION

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

HEALTH/BEAUTY

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper al ternative to high drugstore pric es! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed.

TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS

ALASCAN CLASSIFIEDS

CALL NOW: 866-505-0828.

FOR SALE

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108

NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call Today! 1-888-381-0916.

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home esti mates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free con sultation: 844-809-9165. Ask about our specials!

ELIMINATE ROACHES

GUARANTEED! Buy Harris Roach Tablets. Odorless, Long Lasting. Available: Publix, Hardware

Stores, Home Centers.

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-323-5516

Landowners – Leasing Your Land To Hunters? Double your income with Base Camp Leasing’s hunt ers & reduce risk with FREE $5M liability insurance. Call for a free quote 888-871-1982

AUTOMOTIVE

SUPPORT THE BLIND! Donate a car to the American

Council of the Blind. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24-hour response. Running or not. maximum tax deduction and no emission test required! Call 24/7: 844-601-1342.

AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance provid ers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866-450-0943

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS

NOW HIRING

Do you have a passion for animals? Want to make a difference in the community? We are looking for individ uals to join our animal care team! We have multiple part time positions* available: Morning Shifts (7am-1pm)*: 1 position available for Sunday-Wednesday

1 position available for Thursday-Saturday

*These can be alternating days or a set schedule if you prefer.* Afternoon Shifts (12pm6pm)*:

2 positions available for Sunday-Wednesday

2 positions available for Thursday-Saturday

*These can be alternating days or a set schedule if you prefer.*

Starting pay is $10.50 per hour and we do have full time positions as well! (Full time positions do come with health benefits.) If interested, please send your resumes to re sume@leecountyhumane.org. No phone calls please!

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF WILLIE RUTH BEDELL, Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO.: 2022-401 LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH THE WILL ANNEXED of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of September, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to pres ent the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Benjamin H. Parr, Administrator Legal Run 09/15/22, 09/22/22 & 09/29/22

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: The estate of Katherine Irene Welborn, Deceased. Case No. 343

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Melissa Easterwood as Administratrix of the Estate of Katherine Irene Welborn, de ceased, on the 17th day of June, 2022.

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

Melissa Easterwood, Administratrix of the Estate of Katherine Irene Welborn, Deceased

Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033

Legal Run 09/22/22, 09/29/22 & 10/6/22

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROBERT O. BAXTER, DECEASED.

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Peggy Diane Baxter Cibulsky, as Executrix of the Estate of Robert O. Baxter, deceased, on the 13th day of September, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

Peggy Diane Baxter Cibulsky, Executrix Of the Estate of Robert

O. Baxter, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033

Legal Run 09/22/22, 09/29/22 & 10/06/22

CASE NO. 2022-531 STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF JOHN HENRY ASKEW, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said John Henry Askew, deceased, having been granted to Carol White Askew this 14th day of September 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Carol White Askew, Personal Representative Legal Run 09/22/2022, 09/29/2022 & 10/06/2022

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DARRELL JULIUS MCCOY A/K/ DARRELL J. MCCOY, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2022-517

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of DARRELL JULIUS MCCOY A/KIA DARRELL J. MCCOY are hereby granted to Tammy Henderson f/k/a Tammy Lorraine Watson on the 6th day of September, 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 pres ent the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Tammy Henderson f/k/a Tammy Lorraine Watson Legal Run 09/22/2022, 09/29/2022 & 10/06/2022

--------------NOTICE OF AUCTION OF ABANDONED VEHICLE

Notice of Auction of Abandoned Motor Vehicle is hereby given to Owner, Secured Party or Lienholder, on the following vehicle:

2015 Dodge Ram 1500 VIN #:1C6RR6FT6FS523433

Color:White

Tag No.:4451AJ2

Tag State:Alabama Sale Date/ Time:October 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. (CST) Place: Wayne’s Marine 13040 US 280 W., Waverly, Alabama 36879 Legal Run Date 09/22/2022 & 09/29/2022

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LILA JO KENT EDWARDS, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2022-540 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of September, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby re quired to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

JAMIE LEE EDWARDS

CONDON

Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345

Legal Run 09/22/2022, 09/29/2022 & 10/06/2022

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOYCE FORD GIVHAN, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2022-536

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of September, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby re quired to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

JOYCE GIVHAN BEDSOLE

Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504

Legal Run 09/22/2022, 09/29/2022 & 10/06/2022

STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belong ing to those individuals listed

below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 10:00AM

Unit 79 Unit 97

Unit 558

The auction will be listed and ad vertised 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 pos session of the personal property.

Legal Run 09/29/2022

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

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given the L&K Contracting Co., Inc. has completed the work on Proposed Booster Pump Station and Water Line Improvements project for the Smiths Water & Sewer Authority; GMC Project No. CMGM190165(2). Any person(s) having a claim against the project should notify Wheeler Crook, P.E., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC, 2660 EastChase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117. All claims should be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this notice. L&K Contracting Co., Inc., 4506 Hartford Hwy., Taylor, AL 36305, AL License# 21631.

Legal Run 09/29/2022, 10/06/22, 10/13/2022 & 10/20/2022

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY CIVIL ACTION NO: CV-2022-900189.00

VIOLA REID, Plaintiff, vs. From the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 19, Range 25, Lee County, Alabama, run north along the west line of saidSection 33 for 571.5 feet to the point of beginning of the property to be here described and conveyed; from said point of beginning run north along said western section line 295 feet; thence east 295 feet; thence south 295 feet; thence west 295 feet to the point of beginning containing 2 acres, more or less, and being a part of the property conveyed to the said Josh Mathews, Jr., deceased, by warranty deed from William Baggett and wife, Miriah Baggett, dated December 4, 1913, recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Deed Book 108 at Page 45. AND

MARGARET PRUITTE, KELVIN MATHEWS AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES, including any persons claiming any present interest therein and including any persons claiming any future, contingent, reversionary, remainder, or other interest therein, who may claim any interest in the above described property, Defendants.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Publisher, The Opelika Observer - Upon consideration of the Request for Service by Publication hereto filed by the Plaintiff in the above-styled cause of action, it is therefore ORDERED that service of process upon the following Defendants: KELVIN MATHEWS AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES, including any persons claiming any present interest therein and including any persons claiming any future, contingent, reversionary, remainder, or other interest therein, who may claim any interest in the above described property, shall be affected by publication.

Therefore, you are hereby com manded to publish the following Notice of Action in accordance with Rule 4.3(d) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure for four (4) successive weeks in The Opelika Observer. DONE this the 26th day of September, 2022.

/s/MARY B. ROBERSON CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 09/29/2022, 10/06/2022, 10/13/2022 & 10/20/2022

INVITATION FOR BIDS 22047

Sealed bids will be received, opened, and read aloud in public session for furnishing all labor and materials and performing all work required by the City of Opelika for DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL, for the City of Opelika until 2:00 p.m., Local Time, Monday, October 24, 2022, at Opelika City Hall Conference Room 1st floor at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika, Alabama. Qualified con tractors are invited to bid.

The bidder expressly acknowl edges, to and for the benefit of the CITY, that this Agreement may be funded with federal monies and, therefore bidder expressly warrants and agrees that it shall at times comply with all applicable federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations. For more information about the Federal regulations visit

the website http://gpoaccess.gov/ index.htm

Emergency Debris Removal

The City of Opelika is soliciting bids to provide Disaster Debris Removal and Disposal Services following an event within the city limits and some rights-of-way that may be outside the corporate limits of Opelika, Alabama.

Plans, Specifications, Invitation to Bid, addenda, and other related documents may be obtained from the City of Purchasing Department located at 204 S 7th St., Opelika, Alabama, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., or downloaded from the City’s web site at www.opelika-al.gov/292/ Purchasing. Questions or com ments pertaining to this proposal must be sent to the Public Works

Director, Mike Hilyer before October 10th at 4:00 p.m.

Guarantee will be required with each bid as follows: At least five (5) percent of the amount of bid in the form of a certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama. Contractor may be required to provide the following bonds: Payment and Performance, Labor and Material Bond.

The right is reserved, as the inter est of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803. Attn.: Emergency Debris Removal

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 promul gated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. All bidders must submit with their pro posal, 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 must be documented on the outside of the envelope of the sealed bid.

LILLIE FINLEY PURCHASING-REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA,