Community Thursday, January 23, 2014
A6 ThePlainsman.com
Community
Trailer fire, family survives
Pierce Ostwalt Community Writer
On Jan. 10, at the Tiger Trailer Park in Auburn, the home of Anginette Tinsley caught fire, destroying everything she and her family owned. It began when her daughter, Wrenisha Hann, 18, was at the stove making dinner for the family. Some of the grease caught fire and started a chain reaction that led to the uncontrollable blaze that ultimatly destroyed the family’s home. “I kept smelling something, and I asked my son, ‘What are you doing, Chris?’” said Tinsley. Her son Christopher Tinsley, 28, said he was ironing. Anginette then simply returned to what she was doing and thought nothing more of it. However, the smell persisted and by the time any of the family members realized what was happening, it was too late. In a mutual effort from different departments within the Auburn Fire Division, the fire was put out. However, the damage was immense. “Nothing was able to be salvaged; total loss,” Tinsley said. “Everything was gone.” With her property left to ash, Tinsley and her family hope help from the community will allow them to rebuild their lives. “I chose to live in Auburn because of the community values that are here and the people that have shown up to help [Tinsley],” said Kizzy Hamilton, a friend of Tinsley’s. “It just really made me know that this is a wonderful place to stay whether you’re doing good or bad because people really do reach out and help one another. That’s what it is all about; helping one another.” The city of Auburn is helping the family. Tinsley said the city said they would pay for rent, but they cannot make a down payment on a home. Tinsley said she needs anything from food to personal care items to home furnishings so when her family finds a new home they can easily refurbish it and make it their own. “We need help in all kinds of ways,” says Tinsley. Tinsley believes she has played a role in helping others in her community for many years and has been a Samaritan to many in rough times. “At some of my worst times, during rough times with my children and what not, she has been there for me and been a rock in
Anna gRafton / Photo Editor
Auburn’s Jim ‘N Nick’s opens Feb. 2.
Chandler Jones / Community Editor
Anginette Tinsley stands on the front porch of her daughter’s home where she’s staying for the time being.
my life,” Hamilton said. “She would give me the shirt off of her back if I needed it. Before she even knew me, she would help me. If she saw I was having a bad day, she would say something or do something to pick me up. She has always been an uplifting person to me and my heart just went out to her in her time of need.” Hamilton plans to be just as solid of a rock for Tinsley as Tinsley has been for her. “I know that if it was someone else, she would be just as adamant and vigorous to help them as we are trying to now,” Hamilton said. If anyone is able to help the Tinsley family, they can be reached at 334-707-0201. Any items that would assist are more than welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Here comes the bridal show Ashtyne Cole
Community Reporter
For the past 20 years, Qantum of Auburn has presented a unique bridal show for the city with the goal of helping a bride plan her special day while being there every step of the way down the aisle. Qantum of Auburn is the local provider of radio stations, such as Mix 96.7 and The Bull 100.9. The bridal show will be held at the Hotel at Auburn University Jan. 26. John Bodiford, the market manager for Qantum, has been planning the annual event since 1996. Throughout the years, the venues for the show have varied, but the show stayed the same. “It’s a one-stop shop for a bride,” Bodiford said. “We have 35 vendors coming, and we’re going to have a little bit of everything that a bride could want.” Vendors will include Arch Photography, Jim Massey, Joseph A. Bank, Dinner for Two and many more. Tents and other special arrangements will also be on display. When brides first arrive, they are pinned with a red ribbon to distinguish them as a bride-to-be. They will be able
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It’s gonna be a lot of fun, kinda crowded and brides are going to be able to find prices a lot cheaper this way.” —John Bodiford
market manager for Qantum
to peruse different vendors and will have the chance to compare prices and connect with the company they want to help with their special day. “We want the brides to jive with the vendor they choose,” Bodiford said. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun, kinda crowded and brides are going to be able to find prices a lot cheaper this way.” Vendors will also be giving away thousands of prizes, varying from a one-night stay in a hotel to a dinner for two. Hilary Mills is an on-air talent with Qantum of Auburn and was recently married on Dec. 28 at Moore’s Mill Country Club. “I went to the bridal show last year after I got engaged,” Mills said. “It was great
because you actually get to meet the vendors and see their portfolios. You don’t know what all you need until you get there.” Mills said the show “plants a good seed” for brides and helps them plan their wedding in just one afternoon. Along with the vendors and the food provided, there will also be a fashion show courtesy of Joseph A. Banks. Brides and guests will be able to see the newest wedding dresses and formal wear they could feature in their own weddings. “A mother from Birmingham called me up after the show last year and could not believe how much they saved on her daughter’s wedding,” Bodiford said. “She said it was the best thing she had ever seen and the show was a must for all brides. I love getting calls like that.” Brides of all ages are welcome to come, as well as their families. “It’s just a really fun experience,” Mills said. “It gives you so many ideas you would never even think of.” The show takes place on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1–5 p.m. Tickets cost $15 at the door, and the prizes are drawn during the last hour of the show.
Bringing arts and entertainment to Opelika Adam Wolnski
INTRIGUE WRITER
Arts and entertainment will be discussed in Opelika, Monday, when the Envision Opelika 2025 focus group gets together to brainstorm. The focus group has had meetings on economic development, neighborhood restoration, crime and safety, education and more and was the group that spearheaded the building of the Opelika Sportsplex. “That’s probably our crown jewel.” Dora James, a member of the focus group said, “We got the ball rolling
thinking about that and got a group of citizens together that kind of sat down and started developing some plans of what they would like. One thing led to the next and finally it ended up where we got everything lined up and the building of the Sportsplex happened.” Envision Opelika 2025 started in 2001 and has been positively influencing the community for 13 years. James continues to serve Opelika with the focus group’s meeting on Arts and Entertainment. “It’s time to kind of bring some new blood, some younger people because the
future of Opelika is going to be theirs.” James said, “We have performing arts, visual arts, we have the dance, we have literary arts; we’re trying to get people from all these different groups together to just talk, ‘Okay, what would be some neat things for us to develop in Opelika?’” The meeting is open to the public and will take place at the Cultural Arts Center in Opelika, Jan. 27, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The center is a few blocks down from The Overall Company on 1103 Glenn Ave.
Auburn’s new Jim ‘N Nick’s owner David Gadilhe talks about his mission to give it that “hometown feel” Ashtyne Cole
Community Reporter
It was surprising to walk into the new restaurant, with its classic Jim ‘N Nick’s style and twinkle lights on the patio and see it completely deserted inside. Usually the restaurants are packed to the brim with customers and the smell of delicious barbecue. Instead, it smelled of fresh wood and new paint. The new restaurant is almost complete and ready for the Feb. 4 opening. Even more surprising was seeing the owner at his desk in the restaurant. His “desk” was a table for four, and on it was his computer, multiple building plans and coffee. Gadilhe was switching between pacing around the restaurant, constantly on the phone and sitting at his chair typing away. When we sat down with him, Gadilhe revealed why he loves Jim ‘N Nick’s so much and why their food is so good. Q: What made you think Auburn was the place to open a new Jim ‘N Nick’s? A: I own Jim ‘N Nick’s in Montgomery and Prattville, and we—myself and co-owner and creator of the restaurant, Nick Pihakais—thought Auburn was a great community. We believe the brand will do well here since it is a growing community and we are a growing service. I am a local owner, which means I live near the businesses. I live outside Montgomery and constantly visit the restaurants. That way I can be involved in the communities. Q: How did you get involved in this business? A: I grew up in the food and beverage industry. My parents were involved and took me with them. When I was in high school, I was a bus boy for Jim ‘N Nick’s. Then I worked my way up to assistant manager, then general manager. I love to cook, so I love being anywhere
in the kitchen. I’m supposed to be out there being the face of Jim ‘N Nick’s at the meet and greets, but you’ll usually find me in the kitchen with an apron on cooking the food. Q: Tell me about the personality of a Jim ‘N Nick’s restaurant. A: I just really love the whole concept of the restaurant, the southern food and comfort culture. It’s a comfortable, family atmosphere. We want it to be a home away from home for people. It’s something I’m passionate about. I have a wife, Trisha, and two kids, Callen and Adeline; so the family aspect is important to me. We also don’t have any freezers here. Everything is brought in daily, so it’s fresh. We try to purchase from local farmers so the food is as fresh as it can be. Q: What’s your favorite item on the menu? A: I really love the barbecue, of course. We take our barbecue seriously, trying to keep it in that southern style. We even have pictures of pit masters up on our walls. Barbecue is a way of life, and we’re not competing with anyone. Everyone is unique when it comes to cooking it. I also really like the southern chopped veggie salad from the new menu. You can add smoked chicken to it. The new menu has only been out for about four months. Q: What do you like to cook when you’re at home? A: I just like being on the grill, and what comes along with that. It’s not about grilling, but being outside and around people and having a nice cold beverage. We smoked a whole pig for ESPN when they were down here for Gameday. We got up at 4:30 a.m. and served it for lunch. I just like being around people, and it’s rewarding after you cook something on the grill for that long.
Auburn Activities Monday
Sunday 26 2014 Quantum of Auburn Bridal Show. Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. 1 p.m. Call 334.745.4656 for more information
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Leglislative Forum with the The League of Women Voters of East Alabama. Auburn City Council Chambers. 7–9 p.m. For more email president@ lwv-eastalabama.org
Tuesday 28
Catechist Meeting. St. Michael’s Catholic Church. 5:30-8 pm Karaoke. SkyBar. 9 p.m.
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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$4 Dinner. Wesley Foundation. 7– 8 p.m.
Freshman Community. Wesley Foundation. 6– 8 p.m.
MISS USED. War Eagle Supper Club
CRASHING BROADWAY. War Eagle Supper Club
URI Band and Charlie Muncaster. SkyBar. Drink Specials 7 p.m.
Family Night Dinner. Auburn First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. 05:15 p.m.
Chandler’s Birthday. Everywhere. All Day. For more information email community@theplainsman. com
Blackberry Breeze and Rocky Devotie. SkyBar 8 p.m.