Opelika Observer 01-13-2021 E-edition

VOL. 13, NO. 15

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

pelika Observer O

“An award-winning publication for local people, by local people.”

Opelika, Alabama

March 26, 2021

Creekwood Resources responds to concerns about Shady Grove Quarry

COVID-19 vaccine available for Alabamians 75 and older

By Will Fairless Associate Editor Citizens of Beulah have raised concerns about the Shady Grove Quarry, a potential granite quarry in Beulah for which Creekwood Resources, LLC has applied for permits. Some citizens have formed a group called “Protect Buelah, Stop the Quarry.”

Creekwood has been responding to concerns via its Facebook page, and it recently distributed an information sheet addressing some of the most common questions and comments about the quarry. The following is from a post on Dec. 22, 2020, on Creekwood’s Facebook page: “How would the Creekwood operation differ from the two quarries that caused the negative impacts in south Lee county a few years ago?

“Although we are not fully aware of the negative impacts of those

Contributed by the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey

See CREEKWOOD, page A3

Contributed by Creekwood Resources

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced that ADPH will provide COVID-19 vaccinations for people 75 years old or older and first responders, including law enforcement and firefighters, statewide by appointment only, effective Jan. 18. Appointments at locations throughout the state are made first come, first served. The addition of these groups is not a full expansion into the next phase of the vaccine rollout.

“I appreciate the swift work of ADPH to estab-

lish a system to efficiently provide our limited resources of vaccine to as many Alabamians as possible,” Governor Ivey said. “We have previously worked to provide vaccines to our health care workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic, and now, are diligently working to expand access to our seniors, law enforcement officers and various members of our first responders. It is critical for everyone to remain patient; demand is high, and supply is low.

ADPH and their partners are working around the clock to assist as many people as they can.”

See VACCINATION, page A2

Briggs & Stratton to invest $9.4 million in expansion Contributed by David Dorton, Director of Public Affairs for the city of Auburn Briggs & Stratton, LLC announced plans last week to invest approximately $9.4 million in an expansion at its Auburn facility.

The project will create 35 new jobs over the next year.

With more than 100 years of history, Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. The

company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of commercial lithium-ion batteries, power generation, pressure washer, lawn and garden, turf care and job site products.

“After emerging from Chapter 11 restructuring as a new company with

a new owner and a new CEO, Briggs & Stratton has a new beginning, and we are looking forward to 2021 with high expectations,” said Erick Rodriguez, plant manager of the Auburn facility. “As we gear up for this growth, we are looking for responsible, motivat-

ed individuals to join our talented team.

We are confident that we will continue to achieve success here in Auburn.”

Briggs & Stratton is located in the Auburn Technology Park South and remains one of the largest manufacturing employers in East Alabama.

“We want to thank Briggs & Stratton for their continued faith, growth and investment in Auburn,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “For over 25 years, they have been excellent corpo-

rate citizens and an important employer in Auburn. We are excited that the new leadership at Briggs & Stratton continues to see the value of the Briggs team in Auburn and that we can start the year with such a positive outlook.”

Briggs & Stratton is just one example of the positive trajectory many Auburn industries are on as 2021 begins. In a year marked by a global pandemic that brought economic hardship, the latest statistics show that the local industrial sector is

recovering.

“The last quarterly survey of our industries combined showed that Auburn’s employment numbers have recovered and have even surpassed those of the pre-COVID-19 period,” said Phillip Dunlap, director of the city of Auburn’s Economic Development Department. “This is a great indicator for our local economy.”

For more information, contact the city of Auburn’s Economic Development Department at (334) 5017270 or webecondev@ auburnalabama.org.

Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4

SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . . . .A7

POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7

RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A11

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A14

PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . B10

To nd out more and to stay up to date with developments sign up for the mailing list at protectbeulahstopthequarry@gmail.com

A2 January 13, 2021

Elks Lodge makes donation to Christian Care Ministries

Paul Ferrell (left) explaining to Elks Carolyn Coburn and Eddie Ward the work of Christian Care Ministries in the community Photo by John Findley

Christian Care Ministries invited members of the Auburn-Opelika Elks Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 7, to see the food bank’s operation and how the Elks’ donation of a cooler, fryer and griddle have enhanced that operation. “This is a huge blessing; we were so afraid of the other [cooler], every day we’d say prayers over it,” said Paul Ferrell of CCM.

VACCINATION>> FROM A1

Alabama continues to vaccinate more than 326,000 health care workers and nursing home residents who are most at-risk of contracting COVID-19. As the vaccine uptake for this category is satisfied, ADPH is now encouraging sites to vaccinate

persons in the 75-plus age group and those in the law enforcement and firefighter vocations in order to prevent any loss of vaccine due to cold chain storage requirements.

“We recognize that demand for vaccine exceeds supply,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “While there is still an insufficient

pelika Observer

O

Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com

amount of the vaccine supply, we want to maximize our resources to help protect Alabamians at high risk. County health departments are working with their local points of distribution to assess what their vaccination reach has been.

Decisions about the next groups to vaccinate are made at the community level with community

Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editors: Will Fairless and Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Associate Sports Editors: Wil Crews, Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell

www.opelikaobserver.com 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. Opelika Observer is published weekly by Opelika Observer, 216 S 8th St. Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

CORRECTIONS

Volunteers assemble boxed meals to be delivered to people in need Photo by Will Fairless / Associate Editor

engagement. If the very high-risk population has been covered adequately, providers can then begin vaccinating people in the other priority groups.”

Nearly 350,000 people in the state of Alabama would qualify for a vaccine at 75 years old and older.

To schedule an appointment for the

free COVID-19 vaccination, individuals may call the ADPH toll-free phone number at 1-855-566-5333.

Telephone calls are answered from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Vaccination locations can be viewed at this link, go.usa.gov/xARKp and additional specific information, such as

what to bring and what to wear, will be provided when appointments are made.

If wanting to be vaccinated at sites other than a county health department, such as a private provider, individuals should contact those sites directly.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit go.usa.gov/xARKE

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A3 January 13, 2021

Harris Doyle Homes joins forces with fellow Alabama builder Contributed by Harris Doyle Homes Harris Doyle Homes (Harris Doyle), a Berkshire Hathaway company and subsidiary of Clayton Properties Group, announced on Friday that it has acquired Dilworth Homes (Dilworth), a top builder and developer in Auburn and Baldwin County. The acquisition, effective Jan. 4, 2021, will make Harris Doyle one of the largest residential new home builders in Alabama.

Dilworth will continue to operate under the Dilworth Homes brand name in its current communities, with Michael Dilworth, owner, overseeing those operations. Russ Doyle will maintain his role as President of Harris

CREEKWOOD >> FROM A1

operations, we are generally aware of the potential impacts of limestone operations on groundwater. This rock type (limestone/marble) is known to hold and transmit water; and support underground streams, sink holes, aquifers and other karst features. On the other hand, the proposed Shady Grove Quarry is in a granitic type rock. The granite family of rocks is known for being massive, durable, not easily erodible and do not support the presence or transmission of groundwater, aquifers, or any type of karst features. “Will there be sinkholes? “There will be no sinkholes associated with the proposed Shady Grove operation as you have experienced with the noted limestone/marble operations in the area.

The granitic geology of the Shady Grove area does not support the formation or occurrence of sinkholes or other karst features. “What effects would the operation have on the adjacent Halawakee

Doyle, and co-founder Brooks Harris will also continue as chief business development officer. The addition of Dilworth will allow Harris Doyle to expand its footprint in Auburn and provide it (Harris Doyle) entry into the Baldwin County market. “We are proud to welcome Dilworth to the Harris Doyle family,� Harris said. “I know it’s going to be a great fit. From early conversations, it was clear that both companies share very similar core values, cultural alignment and thrive off a team mindset to provide high-level service to our customers.�

Michael Dilworth launched Dilworth Homes in 1999. Dilworth currently builds in seven communities

in Auburn, Alabama, and four communities in Baldwin County.

Harris Doyle currently has 12 communities across Birmingham, Auburn, Pike Road and Lake Martin. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Harris Doyle and join Clayton Properties Group,� Dilworth said. “Joining forces with Harris Doyle just makes sense as we are all working toward common goals: to provide a first-class homebuilding experience for our customers and to provide extraordinary resources and opportunities for our team members to grow and develop, both of which will be enhanced through this partnership.�

Dilworth is widely known for its commit-

ment to quality, outstanding team culture, integrity and customer satisfaction. Customers should continue to expect the same from the union of Dilworth and Harris Doyle. “Michael’s success as a residential builder is an impressive testament to his passion, talent and work ethic.

He has developed an outstanding team that builds well-crafted homes,� Doyle said. “We could not be more excited about the future and the opportunities this will bring our customers and team members.�

creek and Lake Harding? “There will be no adverse impacts to either Halawakee Creek or Lake Harding from the Shady Grove Quarry. Although the permit boundary is adjacent to Halawakee Creek, the nearest point to be quarried is approximately 1,000 feet from the Creek. Furthermore, the granitic geology of the proposed quarry does not support the storage or transmission of groundwater. You can see even many places where Halawakee Creek flows on solid granite.

All stormwater from the Shady Grove operation will be captured in one of several oversized ponds constructed on-site. The water captured in these ponds will be used onsite and recycled. The Shady Grove facility will be monitored and will comply with the stringent permit requirements set forth by ADEM. “How will the dust be controlled? “Water trucks are used on internal roadways regularly to control dust generated by vehicle traffic. Inside the plant, water sprays are used at precise locations for dust control. Permit compliance with ADEM

requires dust control through compliance demonstration, including monitoring, record keeping, testing and reporting. “What effects will blasting at the Shady Grove Quarry have on the Sabal pipeline? “There will be no impacts to the Sabal pipeline from the proposed quarry operation.

In accordance with the Sabal Trail Transmission Guidelines, there will be no blasting within 500 feet of the pipeline. Furthermore, there will be no earthwork, construction, or other encroachment onto the pipeline right-of-way. It is not uncommon for quarries to be in close proximity to natural gas transmission pipelines. “How long has the leadership of CreekWood been involved in the stone industry? “The leadership has been involved in the industry for over 33 years, and worked, in varying capacities on 29 different quarry operations. “How much of the property will be actually be quarried? “Of the 255 acres permitted, only 16% (approximately 40 acres)

will actually be quarried. “What can the property around the quarry be used for? “Properties around quarries have no different land uses than those not around quarries. In our experience there is no limit to the development potential. Within our boundaries, the vast majority of the property will be naturally vegetated buffer. You are encouraged to review to the two aerial photographs provided showing the variety of land uses around quarries in Norcross and Forsythe, GA. Most of the development occurred after the quarries began and while in operation.�

On the information sheet Creekwood distributed, the company makes assurances similar to those above. It also adds that it expects to provide full-time employment to at least 15 members of the local community and makes the following statement: “At CreekWood, we commit to operating in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible manner, while creating good quality jobs and economic opportunity for the local community.�

About Harris Doyle Homes Harris Doyle Homes, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading residential developer and home builder in the Birmingham,

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ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214

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ELDER ABUSE “This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.� The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.�

more information, visit harrisdoyle.com.

Auburn and Pike Road areas. Recognized for its commitment to quality and unique style at an unmatched value, Harris Doyle Homes builds and designs new homes and communities that are meant to enhance the lifestyles of its diverse customer base. Brooks Harris and Russ Doyle founded Harris Doyle Homes in 2008, and the company has built over 1,000 homes since inception. For

Elizabeth Revell, with Creekwood, responded to some questions via an email exchange with the Observer. She emphasized that the Halawakee Creek will be unaffected by the quarry.

She also addressed the issue of quarry-related traffic, saying that the expectation is six to eight customer trucks per hour during the quarry’s business hours. “The possibilities [for granite mining] in this area are indeed very limited,� Revell said. “The Shady Grove site

Dilworth Development Inc. Dilworth Development Inc. is residential builder across Auburn, Opelika and Baldwin County. Dilworth was founded by Michael Dilworth in 1999.

Dilworth is based on a foundation of trust, within the company and with customers.

Dilworth Development currently has seven communities in Auburn, Ala. and four communities in Baldwin County.

For more information, visit dilworthdevelopment.com.

is the best site we have been able to locate in the market area. We are not currently planning additional locations in Lee County or the surrounding counties.�

Creekwood can be reached for question or comment via Facebook Messenger (its page is called CreekWood Resources), email (creekwood@mail.com) or phone (256-577-7341).

For a summary of business regarding the quarry at Monday's Lee County Commission meeting, turn to page B7.

BE MORE. GO BUILD.

A4 January 13, 2021

T

own Characters.

They made small towns what they were.

Every town had them — people whose actions and antics live on in the public consciousness and become part of the folklore of a village long after they are gone from the Earth.

And C.J. was one — not his real name ‘cause Lordy I could get in trouble back home.

Now don’t confuse “characters” with eccentrics. Eccentrics are folks who were a few clicks off plumb and whose idiosyncrasies left solid citizens shaking their heads and wondering how it could be, “She came from such a good family” — like my cousin who had more money than God and to my mother’s embarrassment lived like a bag lady. (She was a big Alabama fan and during the Bear Bryant years took great delight in reminding my daddy

I

love to read. I have random stacks and piles of books all over my house — at the foot of my bed, next to my dresser, nightstand obviously, in my purse, literally everywhere. I keep lists in my head of books to come and I could spend forever in a bookstore.

Words in general are a lifeline for me.

Spoken words, written words, scratchy words and random notes tucked away. Words can speak greatness and breathe fresh sense into us. They teach, lead, love, hold and heal.

But here’s my hang up, I have a hard time being still. Maybe it’s because reading gets me excited or my eagerness gets jumpy.

The actual sitting and staying is work and

I

thought about you this morning, Miss Margaret. When I heard the Carter Family sing “I’ll Fly Away” on the radio, you were in my heart.

The tinny sounds of a 1930s shellac record filled my den. Maybelle Carter played guitar like a twelve-fingered prodigy. Their magnificent Virginian voices sliced through the monotony of life and made me smile.

This particular Carter Family song reminds me of something that happened a few weeks ago.

I was out for a walk when I noticed something on the pavement.

It looked like an insect had been smashed by a passing vehicle. Which

C.J. the town character of how low his beloved Auburn had fallen. To make Daddy feel better, I bought his nemesis a crimson U of A sweatshirt, which she proudly wore on her early-morning dumpster dives collecting cans. Alabama fans were aghast. Daddy was delighted. He put me back in the will.)

But she wasn’t a “character” — at least in the sense that I know the term. My cousin cared little for the conventions of “normal” society and blissfully ignored them.

A “character,” on the other hand, is someone who cares enough about the conventions of society, the niceties of convention and the customs of a community, to wage a not-all-to-subtle war against them and delight in the consternation he creates.

That was C.J. C.J. was a businessman.

For a while he ran the local pool hall, which qualified him for membership in the Chamber of

By Hardy Jackson Commerce and put him near the top of many a prayer list.

He also operated a sawmill, but his real talent was in the filling-station field.

C.J. assembled as fine a collection of shadetree mechanics as you would hope to find, kept them sober enough to tell an alternator from a carburetor and provided customers with the sort of service small towns are famous for.

C.J. was not cheap, but he was convenient.

Your car broke down, C.J. would send someone to take care of it. Or

go himself if no one was available.

And if you complained about the cost of the convenience, he would tell you, as he told one customer, “I’ve got a cabin on the river, a boat, a truck, a 4-wheeler and all this here in town, and you gotta help me pay for it.”

(Rumor has it that when you rolled in to have him check that “funny noise” under the hood, he would jack up the car and take off a tire to keep the customer from hopping in and driving off when presented with the estimate.)

C.J. was a regular fixture at the local café where he and similarly inclined buddies took up a table and discussed the issues of the day — especially the scandals that are so common in small towns and about which good taste demands public ignorance and silence — as if not talking about

it where others can hear will make it go away.

One of those issues, and one discussed with delight at C.J.’s table, was the case of a local minister (male) whose counseling of a member of the church choir (female) had gone beyond scriptural matters, and when their association was exposed (pun intentional), representatives of the congregation asked the minister to leave.

(There was no truth to the rumor, which probably originated at C.J.’s table, that the next Sunday the lady in question sang “He Touched Me” as the offertory solo.)

One morning as C.J. and his crew discussed the details of the matter, some of the very churchmen who had dismissed the minister arrived and tried to inconspicuously slip into a booth on the far side of the room.

C.J. noticed them right off, and after giving them time to get settled and order breakfast, he

ceremoniously rose and crossed to where they were sitting. Then, in a voice loud enough to carry back to his grinning buddies, C.J. spoke those words that secured his place in the “Town Character Hall of Fame.”

“I understand you folks are looking for a new minister?”

There was an awkward silence in the booth.

“Well, I’d like to apply.”

The churchmen fidgeted.

“And I just want you to know that salary isn’t important, so long as I am assured of the fringe benefits.”

No one was in the booth when breakfast arrived.

No one could recall who paid the bill.

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is professor emeritus at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hhjackson43@gmail.com.

2021 To-Read Book List effort, but I know it can be done. I read “Where the Crawdad Sings” in 3.5 days. It’s a longer book, fiction, but the writing and story line pulled me in so close I couldn’t stop.

I’ve had a running list of books in my phone notes for years, and I have begun saving my “to read” books on Amazon. This year, however, I've succumbed to a written list. My goal is to see it often in an effort to develop a better habit of sitting still with purpose.

I’m excited to share this list with you too!

I hope it inspires you to dig into what you want to learn more about. Our world and possibilities are endless.

What interests you?

What sparks fun or joy for you? Is there a topic

By Bradley Robertson you want to learn more about?

So many questions to ask ourselves. But stopping and taking the time to assess “us” is vital to happiness and wellbeing. We need to be still in our own minds and know who we are and what we want. Reading is one way to get those

answers.

This list is my “todo” list. I have not read these books but terribly want to. This list is in no particular order and is all non-fiction except one. That’s my favorite, and I stick to it.

So enjoy my list, friends. Look these and the authors up and see if it may be a fit for you.

You can easily see what the book is all about on YouTube, Instagram or other websites.

Love you all and cheers to more diving into life in 2021!

-Bradley 1. “Get out of Your Head,” by Jennie Allen 2. “Educted: A Memoir,” by Tara Westover 3. “Own Your Everyday,” by Jordan Lee Dooley 4. “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room,” by Lydia Fenet

5. “CS Lewis and the Art of Writing,” by Corey Latta 6. “The Great Divorce,” by CS Lewis 7. “The Space Between Us: How Jesus teaches us to Live Together when Politics and Religion Pull us Apart,” by Sarah Bauer Anderson 8. “The Gifts of Imperfection,” by Brene Brown 9. “Dare to Lead,” by Brene Brown 10. “When Breathe Becomes Air,” by Paul Kalanithi & Abraham Verghese 11. “Creative Calling,” by Chase Jarvis 12. “Run Fast, Eat Slow,” by Shalane Flanagan 13. “The Hiding Place,” by Corrie Ten Boom 14. “Rare Bird,” by Anna Whiston-Donald-

son 15. “Barking to the Choir,” by Greg Boyle 16. “The Gospel According to Job,” by Mike Mason 17. “Adorning the Dark,” by Andrew Peterson 18. “The Book of Two Ways,” by Jodi Picoult 19. “The War of Art,”

by Steven Pressfield 20. “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama 21. “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” by Charlie Mackesy 22. “The Happiness Project,” by Gretchen Rubin 23. “The Alchemist,”

by Paulo Coelho 24. “The Gratitude Formula,” by May McCarthy 25. “Think Like a Monk,” by Jay Shetty

I’ll Fly Away is exactly what happened.

It was a butterfly.

She was still alive.

Sort of. Her wings were shredded, but still moving. Her antennae squirmed lazily.

I sat on the highway shoulder and held her broken body in my hands. This creature was suffering, about to expire, and there wasn’t a thing I could do. It was awful. After a few minutes, she finally died. I felt hot tears falling from my eyes.

I don’t mean to be gloomy here, but have you ever noticed how this earth is indifferent to us? It robs us of every wonderful thing, then bills us for the damages. Nothing —

By Sean Dietrich not one thing —lasts, and it stinks.

Show me a beautiful day, and I’ll point to an approaching thunderstorm. Show me a

handsome young man; I’ll show you a guy who will one day keep his dentures in a glass of water. Introduce me to a stunning mountain

range; I’ll show you the future construction site of a T.J. Maxx.

I dug a small hole in the ground with a stick, I buried the but-

terfly, and said a few words. I felt like a fool when I recited the 23rd Psalm to a deceased flying insect, but it had to be done.

Then something happened. Something you will probably think I’m making up, but I’m not.

On my walk home, a colony of butterflies emerged from the nearby woods and filled the sky, fluttering beneath the sunlight like a National Geographic TV special. There must have been a dozen butterflies. But it might as well have been ten times ten thousand.

They were only visible for a brief instant.

See DIETRICH, page A5

A5 January 13, 2021

Gov. Ivey announces Alabama airports contribute $4.9 Billion annually to state and local economies played a vital role in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines to local communities.

“Aviation is a thriving industry in our state and an important part of our economic health,” Ivey added.

The state’s aviation industry rankings place Alabama third in general aviation per-

Contributed by the Office of Gov. Ivey Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday announced that the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Aeronautics Bureau released the summary findings of the 2020 Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study. According to the study, Alabama’s system of 80 public airports are economic engines for their local communities and significant contributors to the overall state economy.

“Our airports are a key asset for Alabama, providing critically important access for

Alabamians, as well as our visitors,” Ivey said.

“The 80 airports across our state also grow businesses, industries and they create well-paying jobs. Alabama airports generate over $4.9 billion in state economic activity each year, support 44,399 jobs and $1.9 billion in payroll.

Additionally, these airports generate almost $268 million in tax revenues to support local communities. We can be proud of our airport system in Alabama and the daily contributions they make to improve the quality of our lives and grow our economy.”

centage growth, eighth in airport operations percentage growth and 11th in air cargo tonnage percentage growth. The ALDOT study analyzed five economic activity categories for each airport, including economic activity generated by general aviation visitor spending, commercial

aviation visitor spending, investment for capital improvements, airport business tenants and airport management.

Complete details of the study results will be available on Feb. 15. More information about the study can be found by visiting www. aldot-airport-study.com.

The study shows that flights to and from Alabama’s public airports reach every state in the United States, as well as 23 countries. Together, commercial and general aviation flights bring over 1.7 million visitors annually to the state and serve as a vital link to national and world economies.

Airports enhance the daily lives of people in Alabama by supporting first responders, creating well-paying jobs, assisting the military and providing recreational opportunities, among many others. Most recently, these airports have

New travel reimbursement system available to veterans, beneficiaries Contributed by the VA The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week that the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System will now use the new Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) to reimburse eligible veterans and beneficiaries for travel to and from VA medi-

DIETRICH >> FROM A4

Then they flew away.

And the thought occurred to me: what if I have death figured all wrong?

I know this is going to sound weird, but what if death is not what we think it is?

What if The End is completely misunderstood by our species?

What if butterflies know something we don’t?

After all, butterflies are polymorphic creatures. A butterfly enters this earth as a microscopic egg, clinging to the backside of a leaf. Then it becomes a chubby little cater-

cal appointments.

The new system will allow users to submit and track transportation reimbursement claims using a secure webbased portal on the Access VA, available 24/7, 365 days a year.

“Thanks to the important innovations and dedication to information technology, we are proud to say we have streamlined this pro-

cess making it easier for users,” said Health System Director Amir Farooqi. “The BTSSS replaces the need for older, manual tracking methods, bringing this process in line with many of our other web applications.”

BTSSS has many advantages; for example, it: • reduces the need for completing hard copy

claim submissions in-person at the facility by replacing and eliminating the previous kiosk method.

• provides an easyto-use, web-based application that allows you to enter your claim over the internet via AccessVA (eauth. va.gov/accessva/).

• ensures timely processing and payment of travel reimbursements

and reduces manual intervention and improper claim payments through automated features.

• authenticates the veteran or beneficiary by either a VA PIV card or an OS Logon Level 2 account.

As BTSSS goes live, the need for a kiosk will be discontinued.

However, in-person and hard-copy claims

submission will still be available. For eligibility information, visit VA’s Travel Pay Reimbursement site (www. va.gov/health-care/getreimbursed-for-travelpay/).

Updates regarding clinic operations will be available at www. centralalabama@ va.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ VACentralAlabama.

pillar. It lives an entire lifetime like this. By the time lesser insects would be ready to die, the caterpillar simply transforms itself.

And do you know what I’ve been wondering? Do caterpillars know they’re about to become butterflies?

Or do they mistakenly think they’re dying?

How do they know what comes next? I promise you, if I had to curl into a coffin-like cocoon, I would not be happy about it.

Boy, what a surprise it must be for a caterpillar to reawaken within a bright universe only to discover, “HOLY COW! I’M ALIVE! WHOA! AND I CAN FLY!” I know what I’m

about to say is not exactly cocktail-party conversation, but I’m terrified of dying.

Sometimes I get frightened merely thinking about all the deaths of loved ones I’ve endured.

I’m a coward of the highest caliber. I avoid pondering the inevitable. And the inevitable is, one day my wife or I will eat supper without the other. One day my loved ones will speak of me in the past tense. I’m ashamed to admit how this scares me.

But, like I said, what if I have death all backwards? What if this earthly life is only a glorified batting practice? What if the real ballgame awaits?

And how about the concept of time? What if within the next realm, time ceases to exist? And if there is no time, this means no future or past, either.

Which means that calendar years won’t matter, now will they?

And IF THIS IS TRUE, then what year is it in heaven right now?

Think about it. I mean, since timelines aren’t a thing up there, how do we know it’s not perpetually 1974, or 12,310 A.D., or 1229, or 9 B.C., or 1620, or 5320? Or maybe all eternity is happening at once?

Maybe in heaven, Chistopher Columbus, sabre-toothed cats, space launches and fly-

ing automobiles are all coexisting at the same time.

If so, then it would stand to reason that since past and future are occurring simultaneously, all your loved ones — past and present — are already there waiting for you.

And if they aren’t already there, hey, time doesn’t exist, remember? You won’t have to wait more than a few minutes to see them. Your whole family will be arriving before you’re even finished checking in.

I realize this all sounds hokey and bizzare, maybe even irreverent, although I hope not. Because what I’m getting at is this. When I heard you

were receiving hospice care, Miss Margaret, I started praying.

In fact, I still am.

I’m praying that we humans are wrong about death, and that it has no sting. I’m praying that when we pass from this life into the next, our left-behind loved ones understand that we are not leaving this universe, but we are unfolding two bright, colorful wings, soaring upward into the undiluted sunlight of Joy. Just like the Carter Family once sang about.

Either way, I’m thinking of you and your family, Miss Margaret. And I will continue to do so until I fly away.

A6 January 13, 2021

Lewis Cooper Jr Memorial Library adds library content streaming service, hoopla digital Contributed by the city of Opelika The popular on-demand film streaming service hoopla digital is now available for free at The Lewis Cooper Jr Memorial Library. Library card holders can access over 950,000 titles (audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies and TV). Content can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the hoopla digital app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku.

Hoopla Digital has pioneered a unique model that allows

patrons to borrow content immediately, removing artificial availability constraints and maximizing the power of digital content and Internet distribution.

Technologically, hoopla digital focuses on the latest browser, phone, tab-

let and TV products to deliver the best possible experience to each user – the public library patron.

“We are so excited to add hoopla digital to our already robust digital services,” says Library Director, Rosanna McGinnis. “My

favorite aspect is how it complements our existing eBook platforms: Overdrive and cloudLibrary.

We know there can sometimes be long wait periods, or we may not have that exact item you are looking for, but the availability of hoopla

digital is fantastic.

In fact, items are not even limited to one user at a time. Your book club or other community group can all borrow and read, listen or watch an item simultaneously! All you need is a library card.”

The hoopla digital collection includes fan favorite movies, newly released albums, New York Times bestselling titles and exclusive STEAM educational content to enhance each user’s experience.

About hoopla digital

Hoopla Digital is a category-creating service that partners with public libraries across North America to provide online and mobile access to thousands of Movies, TV Shows, Music, eBooks, Audiobooks and Comics. With hoopla digital, patrons can borrow, instantly stream and download dynamic content with a valid library card.

All content is accessible via hoopla digital’s mobile app and online at www.hoopladigital.com. hoopla digital is a service of Midwest Tape – a trusted partner to public libraries for over 25 years.

Start planning now for spring gardens

By Mary Leigh Oliver Contributed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System While experiencing the cold winter weather, one of the many things people look forward to are the luscious spring gardens. It is never too early to start planning.

Now is the time for gardeners to begin prepping their gardens for the spring growing season.

Getting Started Before taking any steps toward growing a spring garden, it is essential to first remove all the plants and weeds from the previous season. Starting from a clean slate will give the garden a clean,

organized appearance, as well as healthy, fresh soil.

The most important step when beginning to prep a garden is to conduct a soil test. Based on the results of the soil test, gardeners may have to add nutrients to adjust the pH of the soil in order for it to best suit the plants. Soil that is overly acidic may be harmful to some plants.

It is important to keep a constant eye on soil pH levels to ensure they remain within the 6 to 7 range.

“You might want to plant a cover crop if you have poor soil,” said Rhonda Britton, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System home grounds, gardens and home pests regional

agent. “This will help build up organic matter in the soil.”

Also, it is important to determine whether the proposed garden plot receives at least six hours of full sunlight.

Without the adequate amount of sunlight, the plants would not be able to thrive.

Plan Out the Garden To have a successful spring garden, Britton suggests keeping a notebook for gardeners to plan what they are going to plant. In the same notebook, people can plan the potential layout, dates and times for planting. Getting ahead and staying on top of a gardening routine will ensure a successful, flourishing

garden.

Britton said at the beginning of the planning process, it is important for people to decide whether they want to buy transplants or plant their own seeds inside, starting in the winter.

"Some plants, such as squash, cucumber, corn and beans, do better with direct seeding," Britton said. "Plants that do better as transplants are tomatoes and peppers.”

If people plan to plant seeds, they should begin searching through seed catalogs now to purchase their desired seed. Having the plants or seed planned out before the spring season will allow for a quick and efficient growing season.

Regional Conditions Lastly, depending on the region, it is important to identify and keep note of the different weather conditions. For example, depending on where gardeners live in Alabama, certain areas can begin planting before others. The warm temperatures in south Alabama would allow people to begin planting much sooner than the cooler temperatures in north Alabama do.

Britton recommends downloading the Alabama Extension SOW app. This application includes recommended dates for planting based on the region or county the person is located in.

Knowing the specific conditions for the area is crucial for a long-lasting

spring garden season.

Visit the Alabama Extension content piece SOW–A Planting Companion for more information on downloading the SOW app.

More Information With the dull colors and cold weather dragging on, it is thrilling to get to plan for the warm, bright colors of the season to come. Don’t let the winter blues get you down; start planning for your spring garden before you’re too late.

For more information on planning for spring gardens or other topics, visit the Alabama Extension website, www. aces.edu, or contact your county Extension office.

Opelika E vents, Society & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 15: Auditions for OTC's production of Disney's Descendents 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 16: Auditions continue from 10 a.m. to noon

Serve comforting, hearty Italian dishes on cold January days ANN CIPPERLY

Southern

Hospitality

O

n cold January days, hearty Italian dishes provide comforting meals that everyone in the family will enjoy and savor. Whether it is a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, stuffed shells, manicotti or another pasta dish, it can be prepared ahead and reheated or frozen for another day. It is easy to double most pasta dishes to have one to serve for dinner and another one for the freezer to pull out on hectic days.

During the winter months, we often have a pasta dish for lunch or dinner. I will prepare a big batch of stuffed pasta shells or manicot-

ti and place them on a cookie sheet to freeze.

Once they are frozen, I put them in containers or plastic bags in the freezer. They are ready to pull out for a quick meal on busy days.

When making pasta dishes, I prefer whole grain pasta and sometimes use brown rice pasta. The brown rice pasta is available at local markets in the organic foods aisle. My family can’t tell the difference between brown rice pasta and regular pastas.

If I don’t have much time, I will use a good jarred sauce with the pasta. Now that I have been home more, I have been making more

sauces from scratch.

Lately, I have been making Terry Carmona’s Tomato Gravy, a recipe that belongs to Debbie Sanders, who lives in Birmingham and is a friend of my sister-in-law.

My brother, Rodney, met Debbie in the singles’ class at First Baptist Church of Opelika.

Debbie, who grew up in Garden City, moved here to attend Auburn University. After she graduated, Debbie liked the area so much that she stayed and went to work at a local newspaper. Later, she was the first public relations director for East Alabama Medical Center.

We were so happy

Never fear; the Girl Scout Cookie program is here Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama announces details for the 2021 cookie season Contributed by GSSA Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is excited to kick off the 2020-21 Cookie Program with a new cookie! Joining the lineup this year is the Toast-Yay!, a French toast–inspired cookie dipped in delicious icing and full of flavor in every bite. Also new this year, consumers will be able to order Girl Scout cookies through the Grubhub

app and have them delivered directly to them.

Amid challenging world events and a global pandemic this year, Girl Scouts created moments of joy by donating cookies to thank frontline workers and using the cookie earnings to support their communities. When Girl Scout Cookie season returned on Dec. 27, Toast-Yay! gave consumers a new way to celebrate, along-

side other favorites like Thin Mints® and Caramel deLites®. And though social distancing measures may keep families and friends apart, cookie customers will be able to share a little happiness and stay connected this season through direct ship and contactless delivery options. This means consumers will again be able to get their hands See GIRL SCOUT, page A8

Photo by Ann Cipperly Prepare a comforting hearty Italian dish for family this coming week. Pictured are stuffed pasta shells topped with Terry Carmona’s Tomato Gravy, shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkling of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve pasta dishes with a salad and warm bread.

when Debbie and Rodney purchased a lot to build a house down from us in Collinwood, but then BellSouth promoted and transferred him to Birmingham.

Two years later he was offered another promotion with Bellcore in northern New Jersey.

Rodney was there for several months. Debbie and their children stayed with him part of that time. While they were there, they visited

some of Debbie’s family friends who lived on Staten Island.

The Carmona family were Italians who loved to cook and share a good meal. Terry made her wonderful tomato gravy recipe for them during that visit. Fortunately, Debbie asked for the recipe and then prepared it for us. We were thankful when Rodney completed his time with Bellcore and returned to Birming-

ham.

While a variety of meats can be used in the tomato gravy, Debbie prepared it with ground turkey, which was delicious after it had simmered two hours. The sauce can be meatless or made with Italian sausage, ground beef or meatballs.

It is an easy sauce to make. Use San MarSee CIPPERLY, page A8

Playing the pandemic

By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

A pandemic has not canceled music classes nor band at Auburn High School.

Deanna Marshall has been teaching at the high school for four years, and before that she was at Drake Middle School.

She teaches five classes, three concert band classes, a jazz band class and marching band.

Changes had to be made to classes that require motion and

musical instruments so as not to spread COVID-19.

In the spring, students had just finished up their spring concert when spring break began. No one came back after that break, thanks to the start of the pandemic.

Just like administrators had to make sure students had laptops and internet access in March, Marshall had to make sure students had instruments.

“Most of the students, at that point, had taken their instruments

home, but some of them left them here so that was one of the obstacles that we had to overcome moving forward into the quarantine was getting those students their instruments so that they could participate in some kind of online or virtual class,” she said.

The classes Marshall teaches are performance based, which makes it difficult to practice and learn virtually. Too, in the spring, students had to audition for band See PANDEMIC, page A9

A8 January 13, 2021

CIPPERLY

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FROM A7

zano canned tomatoes if you can find them.

Most grocery stores carry them now.

Another delectable sauce is Linda Letlow’s Penne alla Vecchia Bettola. It is easy since you bake it instead of cooking it on the stove top.

The recipe is from a famous restaurant in the Hamptons called Nick and Toni’s. Linda often makes it on a weekend when she wants to serve good food but is not in the mood to cook. She uses San Marzano tomatoes.

When Don and I lived in an Italian neighborhood in south Philadelphia for a few years, I could find San Marzano tomatoes and special pastas at the Italian market across the street from our apartment. Every morning, loaves of Italian bread were delivered to the market and placed on shelves without being in a bag

or covered. The bread was gone by the end of the day.

The market was filled with Italian ingredients for creating wonderful dishes.

There was a small butcher shop in back where beef was freshly ground when ordered.

Since then, every time we find an Italian market in an area, we have to go explore. In St. Petersburg, Florida, Mazzaro’s Italian Market is excellent, as is the kitchen shop next door. The spacious market has a fresh pasta section offering raviolis, manicotti and assorted noodles for spaghetti dishes. They also have fresh and frozen meatballs and their house-made sauces in the refrigerated section.

Other sections include a bakery, a display of various flavors of gelato and a cheese room, among others. A restaurant is located on the back of the market.

Florida seems to have a number of Italian markets. Another favorite is Carmine’s

La Trattoria and Gourmet Market in Palm Beach Gardens. This market also has a section filled with assorted fresh pastas and dishes such as eggplant Parmesan. The bakery and dessert section is really nice too.

The market offers two good restaurants, Coal Fired Pizza Ristorante and Trattoria.

At Trattoria, we enjoyed eggplant Parmesan and pasta with vodka sauce.

We brought home jars of their housemade pasta sauce that went quickly once we were home. Hopefully, the next time we visit family in that area we can stock up again. Last time, we didn’t go because of COVID, and we knew the market would be crowded.

Look over the following recipes (A11) and surprise your family this coming week with a hearty, comforting Italian dish.

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com.

Happy New Year

5th Annual MLK Jr. Tribute to be held Jan. 18 Contributed by Carolyn Morton Prophetic Outreach Ministries will hold

GIRL SCOUT

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FROM A7

on the mouthwatering cookies that power unique and amazing experiences for girls with each and every purchase.

In the 2021 season, Girl Scouts in southern Alabama will embrace their entrepreneurial spirit by selling cookies through online platforms and innovative “virtual cookie booths� on social media (with parental supervision).

Many girls will offer socially distant or contactless sales and delivery options. If local guidelines allow, in-person booth sales may also be available in certain areas, keeping girls’ safety top priority.

Consumers will also delight in knowing that

their 5th Annual MLK Jr. Tribute on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. The tribute will consist of poetry about his life their cookie purchase is an investment in girl leadership in their own community. With every sale, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls to think like entrepreneurs as they run their own small businesses and learn skills like goal setting, people skills, and decision-making— which are imperative for any leadership role.

And girls decide how to use their portion of the proceeds for unforgettable leadership experiences and community projects, while GSSA depends on the funds to deliver life-changing Girl Scout programming to more than 5,000 girls in southern Alabama.

To learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and to find

and legacy and will take place at Samford homes. Pastor Carolyn Morton is the event coordinator. out when Girl Scouts will be selling near you, visit girlscoutssa.org.

About Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama serves more than 5,000 girls, ages 5-17 and 2,500 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls for more than 100 years. With programming across 30 counties, GSSA offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join call 800-2396636 or visit www. girlscoutssa.org

Photos contributed by Lindsey Cline

A9 January 13, 2021

Exposing popular food safety myths

By Justin Miller Contributed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System When people think of myths, they think of creatures such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster. However, there are several myths that may be living right in the home kitchen.

Over the years, many myths surrounding food safety have been adopted as facts. While there may be debates on whether Bigfoot and Nessie are real, Alabama Extension professionals are here to expose these food safety myths as frauds.

Alice Moore, an Alabama Extension food safety and quality regional agent, said foodborne illnesses are common, yet preventable when proper steps are taken.

“The CDC estimates that one in six Americans get sick from contaminated foods or beverages,” Moore said.

“Using the proper techniques, such as hand washing and cooking food to the correct temperature, can help people prevent these illnesses.”

The following are 10 of the most popular home food safety myths: Rinsing chicken removes bacteria One of the most popular food safety myths is that rinsing chicken with water will remove bacteria such as salmonella. Moore said this could not be further from the truth.

PANDEMIC

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FROM A7

placements for the fall.

When classes began in the fall, one change was that they were all held outside, she said.

“Everything was done outside,” Marshall said. “We didn’t have any classes inside the band room at all or in the buildings. Even if it rained, we were under awnings and I did that the entire first nine weeks. So it was hot and it was really sunny some days. And some days it rained and we pushed through and we made it happen.”

A group of parent volunteers stepped up to make bell covers for all the instruments, Marshall said, which allowed them to move inside.

A bell cover is almost like a mask that fits over the instrument that helps to contain spread.

“Three or four of our parents got together and we measured all the bells of the instruments and they sat and sewed and sewed and sewed until we had enough for all the marching band and all of our concert, inside

“Rinsing chicken will not only fail to remove bacteria, it will also spread raw juices around the sink, onto counter tops and onto ready-to-eat foods,” Moore said. “Bacteria in raw meat and poultry can only be killed when cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature, which is 165°F for poultry.”

Raw cookie dough and cake batter are safe to eat Contrary to the belief of many, raw cookie dough and cake batter should not be consumed. These items could contain germs that cause illness.

Whether it’s prepackaged or homemade, the heat from baking is required to kill germs that might be in the raw ingredients.

Cross contamination doesn’t happen in refrigerators One myth is that cross contamination doesn’t happen in refrigerators because it is too cold for the germs to survive. In reality, Moore said some bacteria can survive, and even grow, in cool, moist environments.

“Always keep fresh fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs,” she said. “Also, clean the refrigerator regularly with hot water and soap, including the refrigerator walls and undersides of shelves.”

Produce bins don’t need to be cleaned People may believe that because they only put fruit and vegetables

band instruments,” Marshall said.

One of the challenges that Marshall and her classes faced after moving indoors was having students who needed to quarantine.

“At any given football game or any given rehearsal or class time, I could be missing between five and 25 students, which was huge because you rely on that person on the field and especially when it’s one of our student leaders like our drum majors,” she said. “…

Some of the greatest challenges is just with student absences and having to tell a child, ‘I’m so sorry, you can’t come with us to the state championship game because you just got quarantined.’ And it broke a few hearts, I will tell you that.”

Adversity prompts growth and Marshall said it is rewarding to watch students adapt to the new situations.

“The most rewarding things are the first time we marched all the way through the halftime show or when we got to have our jazz band concert in October,” she said.

in the produce bin, that it doesn’t need cleaning. However, there are some naturally occurring bacteria in fresh fruits and vegetables that can cause cross contamination.

“A recent study revealed that the refrigerator produce compartment was one of the places in the kitchen with the most germs,” Moore said.

To prevent the buildup of bacteria, clean the produce bin and other bins in the refrigerator often with hot water and soap. Rinse the bins thoroughly after washing. Dry them with a clean cloth towel or allow them to air dry outside of the refrigerator.

Leftovers are safe to eat until they smell Smell is NOT an indication of whether food is safe to eat. The types of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses do not affect the taste, smell or appearance of food. People should

either freeze or discard refrigerated leftovers within three to four days, even if they smell and look fine.

Melons don’t need to be cleaned Because people only eat the inside of the melon, many think that the outside doesn’t need to be cleaned. Even though people don’t ingest the rind, there are many ways for pathogens to contaminate the edible portion.

“A knife or peeler passing through the rind can carry pathogens from the outside into the flesh of the melon,” Moore said. “Before cutting, rinse the melon under running tap water while rubbing by hand or scrubbing with a clean brush.”

Food poisoning is not an issue when eating a vegetarian diet Even when eating a vegetarian diet, people can get food poisoning.

Fruits and vegetables carry a risk of foodborne illness, just like

any other food. Always rinse produce under running tap water. This includes the fruits and vegetables with skins and rinds that people do not eat. Never use detergent or bleach to wash fresh produce.

Freezing food kills illness-causing bacteria Despite popular belief, bacteria can survive freezing temperatures.

Freezing is not a method of killing bacteria. When frozen food is thawed, bacteria can still be present and may begin to multiply. The best way to kill harmful bacteria is by cooking the food to the proper internal temperature.

Hamburgers are cooked when the middle is brown People cannot rely on visual cues to determine whether food has been cooked to a safe internal temperature. The ONLY way to know that food has been cooked is by using a food thermometer.

Ground meat should be

cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F. Microwaving food makes it automatically safe to eat The heat from microwave ovens will kill the bacteria in foods when heated to a safe internal temperature. However, do not assume that the food is automatically safe to eat.

“Foods can cook unevenly in microwave ovens because they may be shaped irregularly or vary in thickness,” Moore said. “Even microwave ovens that have a turntable can cook food unevenly.

This may leave cold spots in the food, where harmful bacteria can survive.”

Follow all package instructions, rotating and stirring foods during the cooking process, if the instructions call for it.

Also, check the temperature of microwaved foods with a food thermometer in several spots.

More information For more information on proper food safety techniques and procedures, visit the Food Safety section of the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu/go/ foodsafety. The food safety and quality regional agent serving each county is also available by phone or email. Find contact information for each agent in the Alabama Extension personnel directory (ssl.acesag. auburn.edu/directory-new/).

Of course, the challenges are not over. There is another semester to go in the 2020/2021 school year and the pandemic has not ended.

“Second semester is sometimes more busy and typically more busy than first semester, so there are still those challenges

that we have to face of having auditions for our color guard, our drum majors, our drum line, and some of those we had to do virtually last year and so we want to make sure we have a better virtual option for that,” Marshall said.

There may be both virtual and in-person

auditions this upcoming season. All-star auditions will be held via an app, she said, which is something new that will be incorporated into the spring semester.

“The product that has been presented in this first semester, for the virtual students, has been wonderful,”

Marshall said. “And not that the teachers weren’t doing everything before but they really got behind the virtual thing and made it work for those students and so I know Auburn City Schools is working to make us, the teachers, successful and their students.”

A10 January 13, 2021

RECIPES

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TERRY CARMONA’S TOMATO GRAVY Debbie Sanders 4 cloves garlic, minced 1-2 oz. olive oil Two 25-oz. cans whole or diced tomatoes (can sub 1 25-oz. can crushed tomatoes for 1 of these) 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped (can use 2 tsp. dried) 1 tsp. dried basil ½ tsp. dried oregano In a large heavy pot, sauté garlic in olive oil until lightly browned.

Mash or puree tomatoes and add to pot with herbs.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for one and a half to two hours, stirring from time to time.

If adding meat, select one of the following: Italian sausage links that have been pricked with a fork and pressed to release juices 1 lb. meatballs, ground beef or ground turkey Sausage links can be added directly to the sauce to cook. For meatballs, ground beef or turkey, cook until browned; drain.

Add to sauce when it comes to a boil. Simmer for one and a half to two hours.

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI Char Warren My three children love this and request I make it for them when visiting. Make a lot of this, as it is requested for days after it is prepared.

Recipe can be cut in half.

4 lbs. chicken breasts, poached and cooled in broth 8 stalks celery, finely chopped 3 large onions, finely chopped 1½ green peppers, finely chopped 3 cloves minced garlic I often use food processor on pulse to chop the above ingredients. Don’t over chop, as you want some texture to the sauce.

Sauté chopped vegetables until wilted and soft, in enough olive oil to cover bottom of large roaster. This makes a very large amount of sauce, but it freezes well.

Add: 6 cans tomato paste (8 oz. size) 3 14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes, do not

drain 4 cans mushrooms (or use 1 lb. sliced, fresh and sauté with vegetables) 2 quarts chicken broth 1-1½ Tbsp. Cajun seasoning (or to taste) 1 Tbsp. Kosher salt 1 Tbsp. dried basil (If you have fresh basil, add 3-4 Tbsp. at end of cooking as it will darken.)

1 tsp. dried oregano ½ cup red wine ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, sprinkled on top Bone and shred or cut up chicken and add to sauce. Simmer about 2 hours, stirring to prevent sticking.

Makes about 20 cups. Serve over noodles cooked in broth from chicken, with a generous grating of Parmesan on top and fresh basil as garnish.

PASTA MILANO Melanie Constance Copy of dish at Macaroni Grill 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 large garlic clove, minced 2 cups heavy cream 1 beef bouillon cube 1 Tbsp. butter 4 oz. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 1 lb. bowtie (or other wide noodle) cooked according to package directions, drained 6 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste 1-2 chicken breasts, grilled, sliced into thin strips (I slice the chicken in half and then flatten it with the flat side of a meat mallet until it is the same thickness throughout. Then brush it with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cover chicken with plastic wrap to keep chicken juices from spraying everywhere.)

Heat oil in a saucepan and sauté garlic over low heat about 1 minute. Add heavy cream and bouillon cube, salt and pepper; bring to simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Add sun-dried tomatoes and simmer another minute.

Remove from heat; add butter, pasta and Parmesan, mixing well. Serve with grilled chicken.

Note: Half and half may be substituted for heavy cream, but add ½ Tbsp. flour to help thicken. Serves 4-6.

QUICK AND EASY STUFFED SHELLS OR MANICOTTI 1 box jumbo shells or manicotti noodles, cooked following directions on box 1 batch homemade sauce with or without meat or 1 jar pasta sauce of choice 2 15-oz. containers ricotta cheese 2 8-oz. pkg. (4 cups) shredded mozzarella, divided ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 2 tsp. dried basil or parsley, optional Extra Parmesan cheese for topping For filling, blend together ricotta cheese, 3 cups mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, basil and salt to taste. Fill shells.

Cover bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan with a little sauce. Place filled manicotti over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over noodles. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and extra Parmesan cheese over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Note: Can make ahead and store in refrigerator until ready to bake or freeze.

PENNE ALLA VECCHIA BETTOLA Linda Letlow This recipe is from the famous restaurant in the Hamptons called Nick and Toni’s. It’s so easy to make. It is important to use good canned tomatoes. All of the grocery stores carry Sam Marzano tomatoes, which are imported and have an especially good flavor. ¼ cup olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1½ tsp. dried oregano 1 cup vodka 2 28-oz. cans whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained Kosher salt and pepper ¾ lb. penne pasta 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 1 cup heavy cream

½ freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until onions are translucent.

Add red pepper flakes and dried oregano and cook for 1 more minute.

Add vodka and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, until mixture is reduced by half.

Using clean hands, crush each tomato into pan. Do not add liquid from can. Add 2 tsp. salt and ½ tsp. pepper. Cover pan, place in oven, and bake for 1½ hours.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 Tbsp. of salt to water. Cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain and set aside.

Puree tomato mixture either with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. Return tomato mixture to sauté pan. Be careful because handle is hot! Add fresh oregano, cream, 1 tsp. salt and ½ tsp. pepper. Simmer partially covered for 10 minutes. Add pasta to sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.

Stir in ½ cup Parmesan cheese and serve hot with extra Parmesan sprinkled over top.

SUPER TENDER MEATBALLS Kelcie Carpenter 1 lb. ground beef (can use ground turkey) 2 eggs ¼ cup breadcrumbs ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 1 clove garlic, finely chopped) ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley 2 oz. olive oil Combine all ingredients except oil.

Form into 8 compacted balls. Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat and fry meatballs until golden brown, turning every couple of minutes. You may need to do this in 2 or 3 batches. Reserve meatballs and filter oil using a fine mesh strainer.

Sauce: 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, fine-

ly chopped 2½ oz. tomato paste 16 oz. canned chopped tomatoes 5 oz. (1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp.) + 1 pint (maybe less) hot water Salt and pepper to taste ½ Tbsp. finely chopped parsley Add filtered oil to a clean frying pan.

(Depending on how much you are able to save, you may or may not want to add all of it.) Add onion and garlic and let sweat for about 2 minutes.

Then add tomato paste and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Then add 5 oz. hot water to pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring.

The gravy is now done. Remove from heat and set aside.

To a large pot, add chopped tomatoes and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Then, add gravy from other pan into pot. Add reserved meatballs and cover with hot water. Add parsley, salt and pepper and stir gently.

Cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes then cover (but leave a slight crack) and let simmer for 2 ½ hours, stirring every 20- 25 minutes. Check for seasoning and serve with noodles or some crusty Italian bread.

CANNELLONI Kellie Blackmon 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup chopped onions 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes ½ cup finely chopped basil 1½ tsp. salt, divided 2 tsp. ground black pepper, divided 1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained 16-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese 15-oz. container whole milk ricotta cheese ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, divided 8-oz. box cannelloni shells (manicotti), cooked according to package directions In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium high heat; add onions and cook for 4 to 6 min-

utes or until tender.

Add tomatoes, basil, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 3½-qt. baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 2 Tbsp.

Parmesan cheese, remaining ½ tsp. salt, remaining ½ tsp. pepper and 4 Tbsp. of sauce mixture. Stuff cannelloni with meat mixture and place in a single layer in prepared baking dish.

Top with remaining sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over sauce.

Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

I add more than 4 Tbsp. sauce to the meat mixture. I also put sauce on top and bottom of the shells.

ROSE GIORDANO’S BAKED ZITI Gina Giordano Fromhold 2 lb. ziti pasta, cooked Large kettle of pasta sauce 2 lbs. ground beef 16 oz. mozzarella 15-oz. container ricotta Parmesan cheese Kettle of Sauce: 4 cans tomatoes 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced Basil, fresh or dried Salt and pepper Garlic powder Sicilian-style sugar Cover bottom of saucepan with olive oil; brown chopped onion and garlic. Add tomatoes (crushed or place in blinder).

Remaining ingredients should be added to taste. Simmer for flavors to blend.

To make ziti, brown ground beef and drain. Cut mozzarella into chunks. Place some of the cooked pasta in a layer on bottom of large baking pan or use two pans.

Place layer of sauce on bottom of pan.

Cover with a layer of pasta. Sprinkle ground beef, mozzarella and scoops of ricotta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

With each layer spoon sauce to cover as well. Repeat until all are used.

Baked covered with foil at 350 degrees about half an hour.

A11 January 13, 2021

T

he grain of wheat has to fall. We are born with two fears: the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. The sensation of falling is uncomfortable. Think of when you’re in an elevator and it drops a little or in an airplane and it does the same thing. We don’t like that, do we? There’s something about the way we’re wired that makes us like having our feet on the ground or at the very least, something to hold on to.

Church Calendar • Church of Christ at Cunningham - meeting at their building at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class, 10:30 a.m. for worship, 5 p.m. for evening worship and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• St. Marys Catholic Church/ St. Michael’s Church SMCC is having Daily Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and on weekends they are distributing holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass is also held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church over in Auburn. For more information people can call the office at 334-749-8359 or go to the parish website: stmarysopelika.org.

• Union Grove Baptist Church In-person gathering with social distancing. Masks are available.

Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p.m.

Services are streamed live on Facebook — the page is UGBChurch • First Baptist Church Opelika The following are held in-person and online on Sundays.

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship and Message at The Worship Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour 11 a.m. Contemporary Service at The 3:16 Center 6 p.m. Evening Worship and Message at The Worship Center 6:30 p.m. Church on Chadwick at Chadwick Lane in Auburn To watch services online, go to fbcopelika.com/media

Falling into Fruitfulness Jesus fell, and He calls on us to do the same. The “falling” that we’re called to do is similar to the trust exercises people

By Bruce Green used to do when they allowed themselves to Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ fall backward knowing in Opelika that there were people behind them who to reign over every would catch them. part of our lives — Only, the falling and our attitudes, actions, dying Jesus spoke of speech, relationships in regard to the grain — everything! of wheat is the equivaFor a lot of people, lent of us falling back- this is scarier than wards into our Father’s physically falling. And arms. But our falling it’s true — the only is more because just as way anyone can do we allow Him to catch this is by fully trusting us, we also allow Him

their Father. It’s the kind of trust we see Jesus display when He refused to ask God to save Him from “this hour” but rather requested that God’s name be glorified.

Trust is the way we fall into the earth and die to all our sinful, misdirected ways. It is the way we allow our life to be used by God. When we do this, to finish the metaphor, we bear much fruit.

One grain of wheat can produce a stalk with up to eight heads — that’s between 300400 kernels of wheat.

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN

That’s fruitful! In the same way, God can take our surrendered lives and produce more fruit than we ever imagined.

When we finally get to see God, that’s what will matter, isn’t it? A lot of things we get all worked up about aren’t going to make any difference but living a fruitful life will. Let’s fall into God’s arms and let Him produce fruit in our lives!

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen. com.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.

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

"I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

— Psalm 104:33

Church Directory APOSTOLIC HOLINESS God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 HIghland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700 BAPTIST Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 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 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD

Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Changing Hearts of Destiny Ministry 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700

Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319

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

PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-7418675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-7495386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-7411006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

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

603 Pleasant Drive Opelika, AL 36801 749-1333 Mon- Sat 7am-8pm Sun 12pm-6pm

Email: editor@opelika observer.com Call: 334-749-8003

A12 January 13, 2021

Religious sign professing love stolen from area faith community Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship responds to the theft of its banner with love Contributed by Rev. Chris Rothbauer On Jan. 9, members of Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship discovered that the

congregation’s social justice banner, which hung outside their sanctuary on Thach Avenue for about two years, was stolen.

The sign includ-

ed phrases about the fellowship’s anti-racist, pro-choice, pro-science and LGBTQIA+-affirming beliefs. The congregation put the sign up in January

2019 as a witness to the values of Unitarian Universalism.

“We believe that our faith calls us to not only recognize but act

on the belief that all people have inherent worth and dignity,” said Rev. Chris Rothbauer, the congregation’s lead minister. “The sign has been a comfort to many

who pass by, reminding them there’s a faith community that loves them as they are. To have the sign stolen like

Cabinet manufacturing business rental property owner and he served 25 years working for the City of Opelika as a Building and Electrical Inspector. Quinton was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Opelika serving as an usher and as a member of the building committee.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Horace Foster and Dwight Foster.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Barbara Breedlove Foster; sons, Paul Foster (Sharon), and Mark Foster (Karan); grandchildren, Brent Foster, Quinton Foster (Abigail), and Cody Foster; brothers, Thomas Foster (Mary Ann), and Lewis Arnold Foster (Sally).

Visitation was held in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Jan. 9, 2021 from noon until 12:45 p.m.

A funeral service followed at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home with Reverend Mike King officiating.

Interment was held at Garden Hills Cemetery.In lieu of flower donation can be made to First Baptist Church Senior Ministry.

volunteer firefighter.

Jim and Colleen settled in Manassas, Virginia where they raised their sons, Jim and Eric, until they moved to Marietta, Georgia in 1990. He retired from IBM and worked several consulting jobs, which gave him the opportunity to spend time in a number of interesting places, including Taiwan, South Africa, and Belgium.

He was a lifelong member of the Republican Party and the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of Golden K Kiwanis Club in Marietta, GA. Jim had a thirst for knowledge that was met with reading, traveling, adventurous eating, collecting, and conversation. In his retirement years, you could often find him visiting grandchildren and supporting dance recitals, show choir performances, cheerleading, football, basketball, and volleyball games. He had a lifelong love of cars and motorcycles. He spent many years traveling to car races and shows throughout the country.

He cherished his 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and his two Buell motorcycles as well as his Kawasaki motorcycle.

On any given Sunday, you could find him riding one of his motorcycles in the North Georgia mountains or hanging out with friends in Suches.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Halverson of Marietta, Georgia; sons and daughters in law, Jim and Brooke Halverson of Dalton, Georgia and Eric and Jennifer Halverson of Opelika; Grandchildren Bowen, Lily and Grant Halverson of Dalton, Georgia and Ann Marie and Hadley Halverson of Opelika; Sister and Brother-in-Law Ann and Sean Kelly of Maryland and Brother and Sister-in-Law Mike and Jane McDonald of Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika, with visitation immediately preceding the service. The family will gather for a graveside service at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Alabama.

The family requests that flowers be omitted in lieu of donations to the American Heart Association.

See RELIGIOUS SIGN, page A13

OBITUARIES Julia J Baker Julia J Baker, of Opelika, Alabama born Feb. 9, 1943, died peacefully on Jan. 6, 2021 at Bethany House.

Julia known as Judy lived in Opelika, retired from Ampex after 37 years. She also worked at Springvilla Store and Sam’s before fully retiring.

She is predeceased by her parents, E.O. and Maudie Leigh Adcock and her late husband of 54 years, Robert Lee Baker of Opelika, Alabama.

Survivors include her children, Anita Baker Strang married to Carl J Strang of Winter Haven, FL and grandchildren Madelyn Ivy Horn and Robert Coleman Horn also of Winter Haven, FL. Kristie Elizabeth Tucker married to John Anthony Tucker of West Point, GA, and grandchildren Meagan Elizabeth Oswald of Columbus, GA., and Chance Anthony Ford of Auburn, AL and great grandchild Victoria Elizabeth Catrett. Robert Rene Baker married to Joyce Baker of Notasulga, Alabama. Judy is also survived by her beloved pet “Puppy”.

Friends and family were invited to attend graveside services at Garden Hill Cemetery Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at 10 a.m. central time.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Bethany House, Auburn, Alabama.

George Mason Johns George Mason Johns was born May 14, 1932 to parents George Malcolm Johns and Mary Agnes (Gilbert) Johns.

George was welcomed into our Heavenly Fathers kingdom on Jan. 5, 2021. For many years, George loved spending Christmas in Texas with family and with each passing year proclaiming it to be his best ever. It was in Texas where he, surrounded by family, was called home.

George started his earthly journey in Washington DC. As a young boy he moved to Charlottesville, VA to live with his maternal grandparents Tommy and Vola Gilbert. By all accounts, he lived an exciting and adven-

turous childhood. At the age of 18, George enlisted in the Army and proudly served for 3 years earning the rank of Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne while stationed at Ft. Benning.

Throughout his life, George would love to tell anyone who would listen about how he jumped out of perfectly good airplanes. He took great pride in his military service and was a true patriot.

While stationed at Ft. Benning, George met the love of his life, Eloise, whom he lovingly took as his bride in 1954. They celebrated 61 years of marriage until The Lord called Eloise home in July 2015. George was amazed at how a man from Charlottesville, VA could ever meet a woman from Langdale, Alabama. George cherished his wife throughout their marriage.

After his discharge from the Army, George took a job at Langdale Mill in Valley, AL. He soon enrolled in Auburn University under the GI bill and finished his 4 year degree in 3 years while at the same time, he worked full time and started a family.

George and Eloise were blessed with four children, nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

George’s children are quick to proclaim him the greatest father with whom any child has ever been blessed.

He was instrumental in instilling Christian values in each of his children leading all of them to accept Christ as their savior. George always preferred spending time with his family over any other activity, his family was his hobby. George and Eloise were faithful members of Lakeview Baptist Church serving many years as usher, choir (Eloise) and food pantry.

George started his post college career as an internal auditor with Shell Oil Company in Atlanta, GA. He was transferred to Houston, Texas in 1973 and joined Tenneco Oil in 1974 and retired in 1990. While at Tenneco Oil, George traveled the world to many faraway places and shared many of these adventures with family and friends.

In retirement, George and Eloise moved back home to settle in Auburn. George was a lifelong Auburn Man.

He loved his Auburn Tigers. During fall Saturdays, George and Eloise enjoyed tailgating with friends and family prior to home games and away games supporting their Auburn Tigers.

George set his retirement aside in 1993 and began a second career with Auburn University. He always loved being outside and what a joy it was for him to have a job working for the Auburn’s athletic department. He proudly served in this new job working under coaches Terry Bowden and Tommy Tubberville.

George was delighted to have the opportunity to mow Pat Dye Field at Jordan Hare Stadium each day, especially after each home game.

He built great relationships with his co-workers supervisors and coaches. Many times, he would tell family that he couldn’t believe they were paying him for something he loved and would do for free.

In 2008, George retired from his dream job to spend more time with and care for his beautiful bride Eloise.

George has always been a kind and loving soul. He will be dearly missed by family and all those that were blessed to have known him. George’s family finds comfort in the knowledge that he is now in his heavenly home, welcomed by our savior and reunited with Eloise. In George’s words, I have lived a great life.

Mr. Johns is survived by sons, Tim Johns (Brenda) of Willis, Texas, Randy (Sandra) Johns of Auburn, Steve Johns (Kim) of the Woodlands, Texas and Joy Mullins of Auburn; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren. George is preceded in death by his loving bride Eloise M Johns, his parents, son-in-law Scooter (Edward) Mullin and great grandson Hudson McCay. Visitation was held at Lakeview Baptist Church at 1 to 2 p.m.

CST on Jan. 11, 2021 followed by funeral service at 2 p.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Al Jackson. Interment followed at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.

Ruth W. Story 1948-2021

Ruth W. Story, age 72, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 6, 2021. She was born on Jan. 12, 1948 to Woodie and Jessie Wilson in Sardis, Alabama.

Ruth was a 1966 graduate of Sardis High School. Ruth retired from the State of Alabama after 32 years of service as the Court Administrator. Ruth took pride in her work but her greatest pride and joy was her family, especially her grandsons.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband Andrew Story, Jr.; children, Michelle Henry of Birmingham, Jodi (Marc) Wells of Opelika, and Rowena Story of Montgomery, grandsons, Andrew Wells, and Lucas Wells; brother, Clark (Charlotte) Wilson of Sardis, as well as several nieces, nephews that she loved dearly.

A family graveside service will be held at Garden Hills Cemetery with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Providence Baptist Church Building Fund or to“Trinity Student Ministries” at Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. Opelika, AL. 36801

Quinton Belvin Foster 1932-2021 Quinton Belvin Foster of Sugar Hill, Georgia formerly of Opelika was born to the late Lewis Allen Foster and Itasta Reynolds Foster on Nov. 28, 1932 and passed away at Northside Gwinnett Medical on Jan. 6, 2021. He was 88 years old.

Quinton Foster was born in Monroe County, Alabama but grew up and went to High School in Beauregard.

He served 2 years in the Army Airborne during the Korean War. In 1956 while selling insurance in the Mobile area he met and married Barbara Breedlove on Baldwin County. Quinton and Barbara moved to Opelika where they lived until Nov. 1, 2018 when he and Barbara moved to Sugar Hill, Georgia to be closer to their sons. While in Opelika Quinton was a Carpenter, Building Contractor, owned a

James Robert Halverson, Jr. James Robert Halverson, Jr., or more affectionately known as Gpa to his five grandchildren, died, Jan. 8, 2021, at Kennestone Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born in Washington DC on June 17, 1948. He was the son of James and Marjorie Halverson.

After graduating from Granby High School in Norfolk, VA, He attended Old Dominion University and then began his career with IBM in Virginia. He married Colleen McCabe in Aug. of 1968. In 1971, he was drafted by the US Army and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas. While in the army, he achieved the rank of Sergeant while working in Adjutant General’s Corps. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to the Washington D.C. area, where he spent the majority of his career with IBM. He was an active member of the community, which included membership in the Jaycees and a

A13 January 13, 2021

Meeting Postponed The quarterly meeting of the Genealogical Society of East Alabama scheduled for Jan. 16 has been postponed to April 17.

Last week we mistakenly ran an ad for Railroad Investment Group that had not been approved.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this caused.

RELIGIOUS SIGN >> FROM A12

this feels like a violation, and many in our congregation are saddened that someone was so upset by a message of love that they choose to take our sign.”

“With the current polarized nature of our world, the theft of our sign is not a surprise,” Rev. Rothbauer added.

“It’s still a shock to realize that it happened.”

“Being a part of a fellowship, which affirms and promotes such principles as the inherent worth and dignity of all people and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, is a source of strength and joy in these uncertain times,” said CJ Marbutt, president of the congregation’s Board of Trustees. “Of course, the loss of a banner is not going to change that, but that banner was a simple way of proclaiming our message right on our very own doorstep: ‘You are important, you are welcome here, and you have a seat at the

table.’ Right now, that message seems more important than ever.”

The theft of the sign at the Auburn fellowship is not a unique occurrence. Around the country, dozens of Unitarian Universalists congregations have seen social justice signs similarly stolen, vandalized or defaced by people who disagree with the message. Rev. Rothbauer said the congregation plans to order a new sign, which will be dedicated and erected after new security measures are put in place.

“Though I am angry with what has happened, I want whoever stole our sign to know that we love them, too,” Rev. Rothbauer said. “If I met them, I would let them know that I honor and respect their worth and dignity and will work to build a community where they are loved and supported as well. Our vision is for a world where everyone, including them, can have what they need to not just survive, but thrive.”

“That’s the ultimate

meaning of Beloved Community: we all need one another, and we will not let thoughtless actions destroy our feeling of love for the community of Auburn,” Rev. Rothbauer said.

About Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship was founded in 1961 as a liberal religious congregation in Lee County, Alabama.

Though Unitarian Universalism is an offshoot of Protestant Christianity, our members come from a variety of different religious backgrounds identities, and life experiences, united by our desire to build a world where all people are valued for who they are. The fellowship and its minister and members have been leaders in local social justice issues, organizing climate change actions, in racial justice protests and initiatives, and for the local LGBTQIA+ community. Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is a member of the Unitarian Uni-

versalist Association of Congregations, a liberal religious organi-

zation based in Boston, Massachusetts representing over a thousand

Unitarian Universalist congregations in all fifty states.

A14 January 13, 2021

COMICS

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

S

S

Inside • Opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

Southern Christian shows promise, struggles on the road

By Wil Crews

On the Mark

By D. Mark Mitchell

OHS falls to rival

R

ival Auburn High School swept the Opelika High School girls’ and boys’ basketball teams in Auburn last week. The girls’ game was close from start to end. Opelika led 23-21 at halftime and 38-35 after three quarters but was outscored by six points in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 58-55 loss.

Two Lady Tiger players, Olivia Porter (27 points) and Syriah Daniels (18 points), combined to score 45 points. Opelika was led

by Kaitlyn Bryant with 19 points, Haley Sanders with 16 and LaDajah Hugley with 10.

The game was not decided until the final seconds. Auburn high, leading 55-54, missed a free throw with 15 seconds left in the game. Opelika missed a shot and fouled an AHS player on the rebound, which resulted in two free throws. The Lady Tigers hit two free throws, and OHS missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer, giving Auburn a 58-55 win.

The AHS boys (10-2) beat Opelika (0-5) 74-55 in the second game of the night in Auburn last week. This was the first game after first-year head coach Emmanuel Brown resigned after a 0-4 start. Brown was

hired last summer to replace John Wadsworth, who left to coach basketball at Enterprise High School. Wesley Button was named interim head coach after spending six seasons as Wadsworth’s top assistant coach.

The Tigers’ Jae Baker scored 17 points in the first half to help Auburn lead by 11 at intermission. AHS extended the lead to 57-45 heading to the final quarter. Auburn expanded the lead in the fourth quarter, winning 74-55.

Baker was followed

by Carter Davis’s 11 points and Chandler Alexander’s 9 points for the Tigers. The Dogs Brandon Howard scored 10 points while Grady Bynum and Ja’Keith Carr added 9 points apiece.

The OHS varsity boys beat Russell County, 7468, last Friday in Seale for their first win of the season. This was their first win in the season and in the area.

Coach Wesley Button was pleased with the win.

“I was really proud of the effort by our guys.

We pressed full court the entire game. We played extremely hard and more importantly … we played as a team,” said Button.

See SPORTS , page B5

School Board meetings Lee County: Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at 2410 Society Hill Road Opelika: Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m. at 700 Jeter Ave.

sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

It was another tough week for the Southern Christian Patriots as the varsity boys fell to 0-4.

On Tuesday, the Patriots traveled to face the First Assembly Lions in Ashland, Alabama. The JV boys were up first and managed to cage the Lions by a score of 31-27 behind Levi Marchio’s 12 points and team-high six assists. Jedd Scott matched Marchio’s 12 points, and his backto-back three pointers just before the half gave the Patriots momentum heading into the break.

While Marchio was dishing out dimes left and right, Jagger Scott was giving the Patriots crucial extra possessions on offense, pulling down a team-high 15 rebounds.

The JV Girls played

next and, despite playing a tough defensive game, never got the offense rolling. The inexperienced Patriots struggled with turnovers and failed to find any consistency as the game went along. The Lady Patriots fell to the Lady Lions 25-8.

The last game of the evening was reserved for the Varsity Boys.

The Patriots were led by senior Luke Humes with 8 points and five steals. Jagger Scott added 5 points and again dominated the boards, pulling down double digit rebounds for the second game in a row.

Silas Frick was battling in the paint alongside him and finished with eight rebounds himself. However, in the end, the high-powered Lions’ offense was too much for the Patriots to handle as they lost 49-23, bringing their

record to 0-3.

On Saturday, Southern Christian traveled to LaGrange, Georgia, to play the LaGrange Academy Warriors. The Patriots split the evening 2-2.

The middle school boys played first and won 34-21 behind Jed Scott’s team-leading 15 points and six steals. Harris Adams finished with 8 points and helped the Patriots get off to a hot start with 6 points in the first three minutes. Jagger Scott owned the paint with six blocks and 15 rebounds.

The JV girls played next and made it backto-back wins for the Patriots when they won a defensive showcase, 10-4. Rehma Creel led the way for Southern Christian with 6 points and seven rebounds.

After losing the first two games on the

night, LaGrange came out fighting in its JV Boys game against the Patriots. The JV Warriors led the Patriots 9-0 after the first quarter. Southern Christian scrapped their way back into the game, but a few crucial turnovers in the game’s waning minutes was the difference as the Patriots fell 28-22.

The Varsity Boys were up next for the night’s finale. But the Warriors came to play, dominating the Patriots 37-26 at half time. The Warriors employed a deep rotation to keep guys fresh and were rewarded with 12 of their 14 rostered players contributing to the scoresheet. The Patriots were led by Jagger’s 11 point, 12 rebound double-double, but ultimately fell 46-32.

See SOUTHERN, page B5

Trinity rings in the new year, drops home opener

By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

After ending 2020 with a strong performance, Trinity Christian’s Varsity Boys basketball team began the new year with two tough losses but bounced back for a win on Friday.

The first game of 2021 was against Conecuh Springs Christian School in Union Springs on Jan. 5. Trinity lost a game that was closer than

the 47-38 scoreline suggested. Brandon Riddle led the way for Trinity with 24 points, and Daniel Adams added 8.

Two days later on Jan. 7, Trinity played its first home game in the newly renovated Covington Rec Center. Ultimately, Trinity lost a close contest, 73-71, to The Oaks. Adams had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Trinity, and Riddle led the

way with a team-high 25 points. Conner Hammett added 9 points, Lewis Reeves scored 15 and Brady Streetman also pulled down six rebounds in the tough loss. The Oaks were able to secure the win thanks in part to some clutch play from Christian Allen, who led all scorers with 35.

“He played a great game and ultimately put the team on his shoulders at the end,” said Trinity Head

Coach Paul Stith.

Trinity was back in action the next day as Lagrange Christian Academy came to town. The JV Boys played first and battled throughout the game but ultimately fell just short of earning their first win, losing 33-31.

Turnovers were a killer for the Eagles as Lagrange capitalized on Trinity’s mistakes to the tune See TRINITY, page B3

B2 January 13, 2021

Auburn Football: Derek Mason and Mike Bobo an ideal pairing for Bryan Harsin’s coaching staff

By JD McCarthy Opelika Observer

Brian Harsin used extreme versatility to build Boise State into a program that not only competed above its weight class but enjoyed great success doing so.

With the hirings of Mike Bobo and Derek Mason as his offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, he is building Auburn the same way.

Mason was considered one of the top defensive

coordinators in football while at Stanford before he parlayed his success into becoming the head coach at Vanderbilt.

“Derek Mason is one of the best defensive minds in college football, and his track record speaks for itself,” Harsin said. “I’ve always admired his ability to prepare his defenses, and his approach with players on and off the field is outstanding. Having experience as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference is invaluable, and

he will bring a lot to our program. We’re fired up to have Coach Mason join the Auburn family.”

While at Stanford, Mason ran a 3-4 defense that helped power the Cardinals to consecutive Rose Bowl appearances. However, football has changed a lot in the past few seasons, and Mason made sure to change with the times. In 2019, Vanderbilt opened with a 4-3 defense before going back to a 3-4 in 2020.

This demonstrates the

versatility that Mason demands from his players and himself; defensive ends will line up at tackle and inside linebackers have to be able drop back into coverage and rush the passer.

The goal of this is to be unpredictable and to prevent any weaknesses from being exploited.

The personnel may stay the same, but with each player being capable of blitzing or dropping into coverage, fewer substitutions are required, which

helps disguise what the defense is planning to do.

It isn’t just the front seven that is expected to be flexible either. Mason, a former corner, consistently switches between man and zone coverages in the secondary and expects his corners to help in run support.

This is why Mason was an obvious fit for the opening under Harsin; both want to attack their opponent any way they can and prevent them from developing any sort of rhythm.

This is also a trait Bobo will bring as the offensive coordinator.

“I’ve wanted to work with Mike now for quite some time as he complements the many things we want to do with our offense,” Harsin said.

“We are going to be very versatile in what we do, and Mike’s offensive background speaks for itself. I’m really excited to combine forces with Mike as we create the Auburn See FOOTBALL, page B5

Cooper Uncaged

By Wil Crews sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com

Sharife Cooper made his debut for Auburn against Alabama on Jan. 9, and he did not disappoint.

The former five-star recruit looked rusty in the early stages of the game but was electric in the second half before missing a potential game-tying three in the final minute to give Alabama the 94-90 win in Auburn Arena.

“The first couple minutes, I knew I was going to be a little rusty,” Cooper said.

“I haven’t played in a long time, so I didn’t want to force anything.

I knew once I settled down, things would get to flowing. The offense would look better.”

After sitting out the first 11 games of the season and missing over two months of practice, Cooper slowly found his rhythm and finished with a game-high 26 points and a team-high nine assists in his college debut. Despite losing the game, the arrival of Cooper was exactly the remedy that the youthful Tigers needed.

Coming into the season, Auburn had

just two scholarship point guards on the roster. Tyrell “Turbo” Jones quickly fell out of Bruce Pearl’s favor and announced his intentions to transfer to South Alabama, and Cooper was out due to an NCAA investigation.

Without those two, freshman playmakerturned-point-guard Justin Powell has handled the bulk of the playmaking duties – with Allen Flanigan chipping in out of necessity. Powell has the vision to make any pass along with all the moves to get his own bucket. Similarly, Flanigan can get his shot at almost any time and is a decent – but unrefined – playmaker.

The two have performed admirably; but they are in no way natural point guards. By that virtue, the Tigers have struggled initiating offense in halfcourt sets and lacked the composure needed to secure quality shots at the end of close games. Cooper immediately addressed those issues.

With Powell out against the Tide, the spotlight was wholly on Cooper. The cult following that he’s built almost exclusively through YouTube

highlights eagerly anticipated his debut with skyscraper-sized expectations.

Again… He. Did. Not. Disappoint.

Bringing along his own game slowly, Cooper’s impact was more quickly felt by the other Tigers who were on the floor. Guys like Devan Cambridge, Jamal Johnson and JT Thor must have thought they were playing an early-season cupcake with the open looks they were getting. In actuality, Auburn was playing the undefeated-in-the-SEC (3-0 at the time) Crimson Tide.

Still, all three of the aforementioned Tigers shot well above their season averages thanks in large part to Cooper penetrating the lane, drawing in multiple defenders and picking out the correct pass.

The alley-oop lobs that Cooper threw, and the subsequent “yams” that Thor and Cambridge threw down, were straight out of the NBA Jam video game.

As the second half went along, Cooper became comfortable scoring the ball. He led Auburn’s comeback charge by getting in the lane – either scoring or getting fouled – and with tenacious defense that earned him

Photo courtesy of Shanna Lockwood / AU Athletics

three steals, tied for a team-best.

His confidence off the dribble was second to none and his decision making was prophetic. That was until the last couple minutes, when he had back-to-back turnovers and airmailed a three as Auburn’s last meaningful shot of the game.

Chalk that one up to inexperience. As the Tigers continue to gel and more clearly define their roles, confidence will grow and they will improve in those late game situations.

What Cooper contributes to that process cannot be understated.

Every single player will get more open shots. Cooper will force defensive switches with his clever ball handling, allowing the versatile Thor and

Powell to exploit any mismatches and operate more freely in the offense with less defensive attention shrouding their movements. Flanigan can play within himself and stop pulling up from the logo. He could be Auburn’s best allaround player as a defensive stalwart, offensive slasher, rebounder and playmaker. Then, and only then, can we live with the occasional logo pull up. The bigs, Jaylin Williams and Dylan Cardwell, should benefit from Cooper’s precise pick-and-roll game and feast on second chance opportunities when Cooper draws multiple defenders for a shot contest.

All of this is already coming to fruition after just one game. The insurgence of Cooper

looks to have unlocked a dynamic and potential for Auburn that was becoming more and more inconceivable with each passing game: The Tigers can be exceptional this year. Postseason or no postseason. Cooper has been let out of the NCAA’s cage and is coming for the SEC – step-back threes, mouthwatering passes and highlight dunks aplenty.

“You could tell how hard Sharife has worked to stay right and stay ready and what a dynamic player he is,” Pearl said.

“We obviously have been working to try and build the program around him the last couple years knowing he would be coming in.

It’s great to have him back.”

B3 January 13, 2021

Melting the Winter Blues With Wintertime Fun

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

I

warmly remember this winter experience as if it were yesterday. As a younger teacher at Carver Primary in Opelika, back in the early 1980s, I started class on a winter morning and looked out my classroom window with the January sun beaming brightly on the cold ground.

I thought to myself, “Maybe my little class could go out quickly for a brisk winter walk around the school. We could even include a science lesson in our midmorning walk by blowing our breath and watching a foggy water

vapor form with each breath.”

In art class we had done the magic of cutting out snowflakes from circles and squares and the students decorated their desks with an array of falling paper snowflakes. Child-made snowmen/snowwomen displayed on the classroom bulletin board seem ready to dance around on snow. Too, I can remember our class went outside for physical education and recess and enjoyed a pretend snowball fight by substituting paper wads for snowballs as

we freely and safely ran around and threw paper snowballs.

Personally, I had rarely seen it snow growing up in Opelika.

As I was teaching midmorning math lesson, our principal spoke over the speaker that snow was on its way and that we would have early dismissal. From bright sunshine in the early morning to snow?

As we started boarding buses and meeting carpool line, snow began to fall. Lessons taught on winter snow became a visible application for the children to see and feel.

Even if it doesn’t snow, we can still capture the wonder of winter by bundling up as families and taking a winter sensory field trip. Nature’s handiwork can still be observed during its dormant state as well. You can divide your family winter adventure into four mini field trips.

Let’s grab our coats, hat, gloves, pencil and paper to record our findings.

A listening field trip is done simply by walking quietly and listening for the wind blowing through the trees, birds chirping, squirrels scurrying, leaves rustling

and crunching under foot, ice breaking, rain falling, sleet falling or any other sounds.

A seeing field trip is a lot of fun, as you can make many observations, for instance: shapes of clouds against the majestic blue sky, colors of nature during the winter, angles the sun is peeping through, a variety of animals and birds, the many bright stars in the winter night sky, how the moon changes shape, what trees retain their leaves and which ones don’t, buds that have not yet opened.

Your feeling field trip — of course with safety in mind — can include feeling: moss on a tree or rock, snow, ice, rocks, soft sand or soil, rough tree bark, smooth stones, sun shining on your face, wind and precipitation blowing on your face, prickly pine needles, pine cones and leaves.

Your smelling field trip includes fire burning in a fireplace, pine trees, cedar trees or wood, mulch — all the different smells that the winds blows in.

On those icy, cold winter days or even if it’s yucky outside, call all your little chefs to the kitchen. Families,

Mary Helen Miller to represent Lee County in Distinguished Young Women Program next week Contributed by Distinguished Young Women of Lee County

High school senior girls from across Alabama will join together virtually for the Distinguished Young Women of Alabama program to be held Jan. 22 and 23. While traditionally, participants are together in Montgomery, this year for the first time all participants will compete virtually. Participants will compete for in college scholarships and the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of AL for 2021.

Mary Helen Miller, high school senior at Lee Scott Academy, will represent Lee County as the 2021 participant in the competition. Miller will compete in all categories and for the talent portion playing Canzonetta Op. 19 by Bagriel Pierne on her clarinet.

The competition will be available at www. distinguishedalabama. com site where the 2021 virtual state program will be held on Jan. 22 and 23.

The young women competing will be evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following

categories: Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and SelfExpression (15%). The participant selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of AL will advance to the national level at the 63rd Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Ala., in June 2021 where she will join with 50 other representatives from across the country in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.

take time with your child to have them prepare special treats, like chili, spaghetti, pizza, cookies or any concoction you want to come up with. Let your youngest of children have a part in preparing the meal. Cooking lessons in the kitchen can teach math lessons on measurements and lessons on health and safe cooking habits, and cleanup time can be a learning experience.

All young children love to wave a bubble wand and watch bubbles travel everywhere.

Cold temperatures enable the bubbles to stay longer and are harder to pop. This is such a fun and inexpensive activity.

Throwing pieces of bread out to the birds can create a bird sanctuary right in your yard.

Looking, observing and comparing birds is a science lesson that could last for several hours. Too, grabbing up pinecones (be careful of the sharp pricks), putting small spoonfuls of peanut butter in between the small cone leaves and sprinkling bird seed in the peanut butter makes a bird feeder that your child will enjoy all winter.

Just hang the pinecone

TRINITY >> FROM B1 of 21 points off turnovers. Still, Trinity had the ball for one final possession but just didn’t have the time to get a good look at the basket.

Drew Cason led all scorers with 14, and Cole Middleton pulled down a teamhigh nine rebounds to go with his two points.

Next, the Varsity Boys played and got their second win of the season when they topped Lagrange 38-32 in what was a sloppy shooting performance from both teams. Trinity was led by Lewis Reeves and Brandon Riddle, who each finished with 11 points.

Daniel Adams scored

birdfeeder by a piece of yarn or string and observe the birds flying in over time.

Too, even though it may be cold outside, don’t forget the car picnic. Children love to enjoy their favorite foods and visit their favorite sights. Talking to your children during these special picnics about what they like most about winter offers opportunities to learn how your young child sees winter.

Don’t forget to visit the library and grab books on winter animals like polar bears, penquins, etc. Explain that animals hibernate, which means to sleep during the winter, and some birds migrate, fly south, to warmer temperatures during the winter. I deeply appreciate the librarians at Lewis Cooper Library in Opelika always helping us teachers and families gather books for seasonal reading for our children.

Teach that no two snowflakes are alike and that no two children are alike. Each child is unique and so very special in their own way!

Happy Winter!

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd 10 and was joined by Brady Streetman in doing the dirty work of solid defense and rebounding.

According to their online schedule, Trinity will next be in action on Jan. 14 at home versus LaFayette Christian Academy.

“The greatest thing about this group of guys, though, is their attitude,” Stith said. “They don’t quit even when they are getting pounded. They don’t lose their temper while playing. They respect their opponents and the game on the whole. I’m thankful to be associated with them. They’ve put up with a lot as I’ve been learning alongside them and I hope they are learning to love and appreciate the game.”

B4 January 13, 2021

Schofill invited to USGA Ryan Bliss tabbed Perfect Game Curtis Cup practice session Preseason All-America with teammate Rankin Woley in the category.

A native of LaGrange, Georgia, Bliss ranked second in the SEC and sixth in the country in hits (29) in 2020. He also appeared in the top 10 in the league in runs (21), doubles (seven),

Auburn’s Megan Schofill.

Contributed by Gregory Ostendorf/AU Athletics

Auburn’s Megan Schofill is one of twelve players invited by the USGA’s International Team Selection Committee to attend a practice session in advance of the 41st Curtis Cup Match, the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced this week.

The session will be held Jan. 29-30, 2021, at Lake Golf & Country Club in Orlando.

The 41st Curtis Cup Match was originally scheduled for June 12-14, 2020, at Conwy Golf Club in Caernarvonshire, Wales, before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The match will now be held at Conwy Golf Club on Aug. 26-28, 2021.

Schofill, ranked No. 15 nationally by Golfstat, shot par or better in five of the six rounds she played in this past fall. She capped the fall slate with an individual win at the Liz Murphey

Photo courtesy of Chamberlain Smith/UGA Athletics

Fall Collegiate Classic, where she finished at 3-under par to share medalist honors. It was her second individual victory at the collegiate level.

As a freshman last year, Schofill earned First Team All-SEC honors and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after a season in which she had four top-10 finishes and tied for the team lead with an average score of 71.95 per round.

In December, Schofill was named the 2020 Florida Women's Amateur Player of the Year.

Schofill will be joined at the practice session

by Allisen Corpuz (Southern California), Lauren Hartlage (Louisville), Auston Kim (Vanderbilt), Gina Kim (Duke), Rachel Kuehn (Wake Forest), Brooke Matthews (Arkansas), Emilia Migliaccio (Wake Forest), Kaitlyn Papp (Texas), Aneka Seumanutafa (Ohio State), Kennedy Swann (Ole Miss) and Rose

Zhang.

Invitation to the Curtis Cup practice session does not guarantee selection to the eight-player USA Team that will compete in August. Players not invited will also be considered for inclusion on the team. As of 2018, the USGA provides automatic selections to the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, along with the McCormack Medal winner and the top three players in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (date TBD), if eligible.

The Curtis Cup Match is contested by two teams of eight female amateur players, one from the United States of America and one from Great Britain and Ireland, which is composed of England, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The USGA’s International Team Selection Committee selects the USA team, while the R&A selects the GB&I team.

triples (two) and total bases (46).

Making the move Photo courtesy of Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics from second base to Contributed by George shortstop prior to the season, Bliss started Nunnelley/AU Athletics in all 18 games and Team All-America by Auburn shortstop Collegiate Baseball last didn't commit an erRyan Bliss has been ror in 58 chances en named Perfect Game/ month. route to earning Third Bliss has accounted Rawlings Preseason Team All-America for 99 hits since the Third Team Allstart of the 2019 season, honors from Collegiate America, the publication announced last marking the sixth most Baseball at the position. He was also in the Southeastern Tuesday. a threat on the base Conference during that The recognition paths as he tied for the time and the second comes after Bliss team lead with five stomost among active was also named len bases. players.

He is tied Preseason Third

AGA names O’Berry 2020 Alabama Player of the Year Contributed by Gregory Ostendorf/AU Athletics

Auburn junior Mychael O’Berry was selected by the Alabama Golf Association (AGA) as the 2020 Women’s Amateur Player of the Year, the organization announced last Wednesday.

O’Berry earned the honor for her performance in the preceding tournament season and was chosen by the AGA as the number one golfer based on a season-long ranking system.

“This means a lot to me, especially considering the year we've all had,” O’Berry said.

“I’m thankful that I had the chance to play golf this summer. The AGA has always been so fun to play in, and I've met some of my best friends through it.

I'm just super grateful.”

The highlight for O’Berry came in June when the Hoover native finished first at the 30th Alabama Women’s Stroke Play Championship. She shot 2-under (70-70-71=211) to win the event by two strokes and made 10 birdies over the three rounds.

O’Berry also advanced to the Round of 64 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in August after finishing tied for eighth

overall through two rounds of stroke play.

In the fall, O’Berry placed 22nd or better in all three tournaments she played in for Auburn and capped the campaign with a fourth-place individual finish at the Liz Murphey Fall Collegiate Classic.

Twice the junior shot under 70, firing a career-low 68 (-4) in the third round of The Ally at Old Waverly and following that with a 69 (-3) at the Liz Murphey.

Auburn teammate Megan Schofill earned a similar honor in December when she was named the 2020 Florida Women’s Amateur Player.

SEC updates format for 2021 S&D Championships Auburn wins dual meet over Georgia Tech Contributed by Gregory Ostendorf/AU Athletics with contributions by Wil Crews

The Southeastern Conference has established a new format for the 2021 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships, the league announced Wednesday.

The championships will now feature three separate events.

• Men’s and Women’s Diving: Feb. 17-20 at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Missouri.

• Women’s Swimming: Feb. 17-20 at the Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Georgia.

• Men’s Swimming: Feb. 23-26 at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia,

Missouri.

The SEC regular season will conclude no later than Jan. 25 with regionalized competition permitted upon the adherence of opponents to SEC Medical Guidance Task Force Requirements for COVID-19 Management. Contests are limited to a dual-meet format unless alternative strategies are identified to limit the overall number of participants to ensure appropriate distancing.

The number of events is at the discretion of each institution.

Auburn is scheduled to take part in four dual meets in January, which began Friday with a trip to Georgia Tech. The Tigers earned victories for both the women’s and

men’s teams. It was the second straight year the Tigers have swept Georgia Tech on the road.

Women The women, who rank No. 19 nationally, won the 200 medley relay to open the meet and cruised to a 178-81 victory over Tech.

Senior Carly Cummings earned a victory in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. Junior Emily Hetzer was also a double-event winner with first place marks in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

While the upperclassmen shone, two freshmen Tigers would not be outdone.

Meghan Lee swept the See SEC, page B5

B5 January 13, 2021

Goodwill and Southern Union State Community College partner to provide manufacturing industry training and certification Contributed by Goodwill Industries

Goodwill and Southern Union State Community College (Southern Union State) today announced that they have partnered together to provide a much-needed job skills training and certification program at no cost to the community.

Goodwill and Southern Union State, beginning in January and running through late spring, will be facilitating a virtual manufacturing skills training program known as Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0 through the Goodwill Career Center in Opelika.

According to the program developer, the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, the training and certification program is “an industry-led training, assessment and certification system focused on the core

SOUTHERN >> FROM B1 After back to back losses, Southern Christian Head Coach Jason Scott told his players to keep their heads held high.

“I need everyone to remember who we are and where we have come from,” he said.

“Most of you never even played basketball before. We are getting better each practice and every game.”

It’s been tough sledding for the Patriots in their program’s first

skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s front-line production and material handling workers.”

“Through this partnership with Goodwill, we are excited and proud to be able to provide this much-needed training and certification program to our community at no cost,” Southern Union State Community College President Todd Shackett stated. “Not only are we helping individuals in our community earn an industry-recognized credential in the manufacturing field, but we are also helping top employers in our area fill much needed positions.”

Through this program job seekers interested in the manufacturing industry will be able to earn an industry-recognized credential, meet with top ready-to-hire employers and increase their take home pay

upon completion of the program.

The program will be offered monthly through June 2021 and an information session will be held on Jan. 20 and then on the third Wednesday of each month at the Goodwill Career Center in Opelika located on Pepperell Parkway. The training is virtual, but in-person information session attendance is required to register. Safety precautions such as social distancing, frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas, temperature scans and wearing of masks will be in place.

“We are delighted to partner with Southern Union State Community College to make this training available to the community,” Goodwill President and CEO Jack Warden stated. “At Goodwill we strive to uphold our mission of helping change lives through the

power of work in any way that we can and through this program we are able to continue putting America back to work by helping local job seekers and local businesses.”

Goodwill’s mission is to change lives through the power of work, and it offers a host of free services to support the employment-related needs of the community, funded almost entirely by revenue generated in its retail stores.

The non-profit also partners with many colleges, universities and community-based programs across their 50-county territory in east Alabama and west Georgia. Through these partnerships Goodwill is able to provide much needed skills training, career services, and GED preparedness and testing to the community all at no cost to the individual. Individuals

who are in need of assistance with their job search, have career questions or need help with career skills to help them gain employment should call the Goodwill Career Center nearest you and speak with a career center specialist today or visit goodwillsr.org/ career-centers.

About Goodwill Southern Rivers: Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) is one of 157 independent, community-based Goodwill nonprofits across the United States and Canada.

Headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, GoodwillSR serves 50 counties throughout east Alabama and west Georgia. We provide employment readiness training, computer access, educational assistance, skills workshops and more to spur job placement and economic stability in the communities we serve.

We can provide these and other programs thanks to the continued donations of giving patrons.

We use the revenue generated in GoodwillSR stores to fund the majority of our community services. For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, visit www. goodwillsr.org.

About Southern Union State Community College: Southern Union State Community College, an open admission, public two-year college and member of the Alabama Community College System, provides quality and relevant teaching and learning in academic, technical and health science programs that are affordable, accessible, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of its students, community, business, industry and government.

ever basketball season.

But Scott believes better things are ahead.

The promising middle school boys team with a 2-1 record will traveled to face Southern Prep on Tuesday while all other SCA Patriots will be preparing to face the East Central Patriots on Saturday in their home opener at the newly renovated Covington Rec Center in Opelika.

Tuesday night’s results were not available at the time of press.

Stay tuned weekly for updates on the Patriots’ season.

FOOTBALL >> offense, a high-powered, attacking and physical unit that will come at you in many ways.”

Much like Harsin, Bobo utilizes tight ends and running backs in the passing game, has developed quarterbacks and tries to keep the defense off balance by changing tempo, personnel and formations.

While Bobo has more questions surrounding him than Mason, South Carolina was 10th in the SEC in both points per game (23.5) and yards per play

(5.6) in his lone season there. That was an improvement for the Gamecocks, and they did fire their head coach during the season.

Bobo enjoyed the most success at Georgia, where he played quarterback from 1994-97, coached quarterbacks from 2001-06 and was offensive coordinator from 2007-14.

The Bulldogs had topfive scoring offenses in the SEC every season from 2010-14, and he also coached some of the best quarterbacks in the SEC in that stretch.

Aaron Murray, the SEC’s all-time passing

leader, started for the Bulldogs from 2010-2013 and threw for at least 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns every year. Matthew Stafford, who is still having success in the NFL, threw for 3,459 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008.

While Harsin and Bobo have track records of developing quarterbacks, Bobo has something Harsin does not: extensive recruiting ties to the South.

Bobo is from Thomasville, Georgia, and he played and coached for Georgia and South Carolina.

He has used these connections to land several

elite recruits, including Matthew Stafford, Sony Michel, Aaron Murray, Nick Chubb and more.

He was also the primary recruiter for Gunner Stockton, the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2022 class, who is currently committed to South Carolina.

While neither Mason nor Bobo has ever worked with Harsin, they all three rely on versatility and being unpredictable to get the most out of their players, and fans should expect both sides of the ball to look quite different from how they did under the previous staff.

“I’m really proud of our men,” Taylor said. “In a lot of events where Georgia Tech won, we went 2-3-4.

And when we got our wins, we really took advantage and had some 1-2-3 finishes to separate ourselves.”

The Tigers will next travel to Alabama on Jan. 15, where the divers are expected to make their season debut. Auburn will

then host dual meets against Florida State on Jan. 20 and Florida on Jan. 23.

The SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force continues to meet on policies and procedures for the safe return of student-athletes to competition, building on the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines.

The NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships is scheduled for March 17-20 and will be followed by the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships on March 24-27. Both meets will be held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.

ing and running back coach and assistant basketball coach at Rehobeth. Brown hired his brother and two close friends after taking the Opelika job. Brown’s brother left OHS in the fall to take another job.

Perhaps the most intriguing fact is that

Coach Brown’s family did not move to Opelika and continued living in South Alabama. It will be interesting to see if Opelika hires interim coach Wesley Button as permanent head coach or if they will conduct another search after the season.

The student athletes playing basketball deserve to have a coach committed to making the OHS boys’ basketball program the best in Alabama. It appears Wesley Button is the person for the job.

Time will tell…. Stay tuned!

FROM B2

FROM B4

and really dominated the meet from start to finish.”

backstroke events, and Emma Steckiel earned victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

“On paper, our women were the better team and they lived up to that expectation,” said Auburn S&D coach Gary Taylor. “I thought they brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm

Men On the men’s side, the No. 22 ranked Tigers showcased their depth more than individual talent. Despite not winning as many single-swimmer awards, the Tigers earned a 145-117 victory over No. 17 Georgia Tech.

Auburn earned two 1-2-3 finishes, meaning only Tigers medaled. Nick Eberly, Matthew Yish and Logan Tirheimer took the top three spots in the 50 freestyle, and Lleyton Smith, Aidan Stoff le and Elliot Jones swept the 200 backstroke. Michael Bonson won the individual 500 freestyle and the 1,000 freestyle.

SPORTS >>

10.

The girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams played area foe Eufaula Tuesday night on the road. The results were not available at press time. The two teams play at Valley Thursday in another area game and host LaFayette Fri-

day in the Mainstreet gym at OHS. The resignation of first year head coach Emannuel Brown last week put OHS in a tough position. Opelika Athletics Director Mike Pugh hired Brown, who was the football team’s strength and condition-

SEC>>

FROM B1 The Dogs hit 12 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter to help secure the win. Tay Hardnett’s 17 points led Opelika, followed by Jayvontay Conner’s 12, Ja Carr’s 11 and Grady Bynum’s

B6 January 13, 2021

OHS Girls fall to Auburn 55 to 58

Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

Auburn rolls over OHS Boys 74 to 55

Photos by Robert Noles / Opelika Observer

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics

B7

January 13, 2021

Wednesday, January 13, 2020

I

Alabama May Lose A Congressional Seat, but Maybe Not

t has been speculated for several years that Alabama could lose a congressional seat after the 2020 Census. It was thought to be a foregone conclusion.

However, in recent days, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that we might dodge that bullet.

They say we are on the cusp and if we have had a good count, we could keep our current seven seats in congress.

This will be extremely beneficial for Alabama if this miracle occurs. We have a very Republican-heavy congressional delegation. We have six Republicans and one lone Democrat. We have two freshmen Republican congressmen, Jerry Carl in the 1st District and Barry Moore in the 2nd District.

Both of these men will be reliably Republican votes.

Congressman Robert Aderholt is our most powerful and senior member of congress. He is entering his 25th year in the House of Representatives and is the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee.

Congressman Mike Rogers is beginning his 17th year in the House and has just become the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee. If the Republicans win the majority in the House in the 2022 elections, then Aderholt and Rogers will become the chairmen of these two prestigious and important committees.

Our lone Democrat Terri Sewell could be our most important member as we enter 2021. She is in the House leadership and is widely admired and respected within the Democratic caucus.

The Democrats hold the majority in congress as well as the White House, which puts her in the catbird seat.

If we do lose a seat, it will be a difficult task to reshape the state’s

STEVE FLOWERS districts. If that occurs, this is how I see it shaking out.

Let us begin with our Democratic district held by Congresswoman Sewell. Our state population is over 30% African American. Therefore, the U.S. Justice Department will not allow you to terminate our dedicated Democratic African American district. In fact, they would like to see two, but it cannot be accomplished.

Sewell’s 7th District will become the 6th District and will encompass a large portion of the state. It will begin with Birmingham and get the metro African American areas of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery and will also have to pick up the rural counties north of Mobile, which have traditionally been in the 1st District. She will represent the entire Black Belt and will pick up the counties of Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Monroe, Escambia and Butler.

The Black Belt is losing population. The population of the State of Alabama is moving northward toward Huntsville. The current 6th District, held by Republican See FLOWERS, page B9

Lee County citizens continue to fight potential quarry

By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver. com

Three Lee County residents attended the first Lee County Commission meeting of 2021 to ask the commission for help opposing the potential Shady Grove Quarry.

The quarry in question would be located in Beulah (Lee Road 177, off Halawakee Creek) and owned by Creekwood Resources, LLC. Tara Brumfield and Danielle Ritch have been fighting this quarry since the very beginning, months ago, when they held community meetings in August and September.

“Two entities have come into this county and have played havoc on the people of this community,” Brum-

Opelika City Council reverses decision on alcohol license for Cracker Barrel

field said. “The two entities are Creekwood Resources, represented by Jeff Major, and Warehouser.”

The group has tried to obtain signatures from community members for a zoning petition against the quarry.

They have sent letters to legislators, attended city council meetings in Auburn and Opelika and have asked the commission for help.

City Council governments, along with the County Commission, have passed formal resolutions opposing the quarry, but the residents said they need more help.

The zoning petition needs 15% of registered voters for that zone, Ritch said, which would be 396 signatures.

However, there are only 862 people who are both landowners and registered voters in the area.

This means they need roughly 46% of that population to sign the petition. It has been hard to receive signatures, Ritch said, because of COVID-19.

Ritch asked the commissioners Monday night if they would consider hiring legal counsel and ask ADEM for a public hearing for the quarry.

“The citizens of Lee County have worked hard to do everything we can to fight for our own land,” she said.

“We’re limited in what we can do.”

Commissioner Robert Ham asked the commission if they could consider hiring the legal counsel Opelika used when it was fighting another potential Creekwood quarry in early 2020.

Probate Judge Bill English See COUNTY, page B11

Photo contributed by the city of Opelika Jimmy and John Sharp were honored by Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council during last week’s meeting for their outstanding achievements and recognition at the 2020 PR%F Awards.

By Michelle Key Publisher

In a 4:1 vote with the nay vote coming from Ward 3 Councilman Robert Lofton, the Opelika

City Council approved an alcohol license application for Cracker Barrel.

During the Dec. 15 meeting, the council had voted 2:2 resulting in a denial of the

application for the restaurant. Lofton stated that residents in Ward 3 had responded to him in a 10-to-1 ratio against See BARREL, page B9

A new traffic light and a new school Auburn City Council holds first meeting of the new year

By Hannah Lester hlester@opelikaobserver.com

Auburn City Council’s first meeting of the new year was short, but it approved the authorization of future expenditures for Auburn City Schools — in short, expect a new elementary school in the future.

“The city of Auburn issues debt for the benefit of Auburn City Schools (ACS),” the city’s e-packet said.

“This debt is repaid with legally restricted ad valorem taxes that are collected by the city.”

The city approved future expenditures that are not allowed to exceed $20.75 million.

“In 2018, the ACS Board of Education approved a 10-year facilities master plan.

Although the timing, nature and cost of projects in this plan have been revised based on updated enrollment projections and increased construction costs, the plan as a whole remains on track,” the e-packet said. “The next phase of projects includes construction of a new elementary school on the north side of Auburn, renovations at East Samford School and possibly the purchase of

land for future use.”

The city’s e-packet said that ACS plans will cost the school system $31 million.

The future expenditures the city approved will cover $20.75 million of that cost and the e-packet said the school system plans to utilize $10.3 million from the Investing in Alabama’s Future Act. Traffic Light: The council approved a contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation for a traffic light at Martin Luther King Drive and Solamere Lane.

The traffic light still needs approval from ALDOT to be complete.

“Should ALDOT agree that the signal meets their warrant requirements for a signaled intersection on state roads, they will approve the construction plans and return an executed agreement for the signal installation, operation, and maintenance,” said the city’s e-packet. “The approved permit would then be valid for one year.”

The proposal was brought forth by the Plainsman Lake Development. In order for the development to move forward, the traffic light must be

installed, as must a turn lane.

“We have reviewed the plans and communicated with ALDOT concerning the improvements which will not only benefit the proposed development but will benefit the Solamere Subdivision residents as well,” the e-packet said.

One resident from the Solamere Subdivision attended the Zoom meeting Tuesday night to voice concerns.

“While we appreciate the possibility of a light to improve the safety of the ingress and egress to our neighborhood, we do have some questions and concerns about it,” said Kristen Malinchovich, who lives in Solamere Subdivision.

She said that she and others were concerned about how the proposal will affect traffic and construction crews’ access.

Buston said that the concerns will not affect residents until further in the Plainsman Lake Development process.

“What we’re talking about tonight is simply the first step in getting the Alabama Department of Transportation to consider See COUNCIL, page B9

B8 January 13, 2021

A 1981 poli-sci major’s dream—Reagan takes office and hostages released F our years after I attended Jimmy Carter’s inauguration, things were changing. I graduated from college with a bachelor’s in political science (which in that economy could get you a good job with a lot of luck and abundant prayer.) After working as a security guard for nine months, I said what-the-heck why don’t I save money for two months and go to Reagan’s inauguration?

On the Amtrak train heading to the nation’s capital, I talked with fellow passengers. This was before the onslaught of personal electronic devices which have much utility but do separate people a lot. I came across a young man adorn in the Ivy League style that I was familiar with from attending lectures at Brown University, near my own college in RI. “Are you headed to Washington for the Inauguration?” I asked.

“Yes, I have never liked flying so I take the train.

I am a cousin of George (Herbert Walker) Bush).”

He showed me his ID from Yale for proof. We parted in DC. I reflected how nice it was for Reagan/Bush to appeal to a union electrician’s son like me, as well as a privileged young man as he was.

Reagan’s inauguration as 40th president of the United States was the first such event to be held on the West Front of the Capitol. At 69 years, 349 days of age on Inauguration Day, Reagan was the oldest person to assume the presidency until Donald Trump at 70 years, 220 days, in 2017. Next week, Joe Biden becomes the oldest, at 78 years, 61 days.

Days before the Inauguration, it was announced that the 52 hostages being held in Iran for 444 days would be released. People listened closely to their AM transistor radios and some Sony Walkman recently made available. Television did not have “split-screens” but showed alternating pictures from Tehran and Washington, DC. It was

website to make sure you meet the income and willingness to partner guidelines.

- This meeting occurs only once a year. There are two meetings but you are required to attend only one.

a very big-news day, indeed.

I was lucky to have been there in 1977, the most recent year in which the Capitol’s East Portico was used.

Inaugurations were conducted there, with few exceptions, since 1837.

In 1980, a congressional committee decided to head west for cost-cutting, as the West Front terraces could be used as a platform, so a new one did not need always to be built.

Parade Magazine, two days before the inauguration called Reagan’s moving the ceremonies “an important symbol for a man who sought to change direction and for a nation that always looked to the West for opportunity.” I heard statements like those at the 1st Reagan Inaugural; it’s good to know the committee was respected but that Reagan started the tradition with the new vista as he was a man of the West.

After reciting the Oath, Reagan gave his speech.

He was loudly cheered with this: “In this present

By Greg Markley crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” He laid down a marker for foreign affairs: “As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people.

We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it, now or ever.”

After the ceremony, the new President was told that the plane carrying the 52 hostages had left Iranian airspace. In a rarity, the press had held off on the announcement because it was a challenge to discuss

this delightful news and the unfolding ceremony at the same time.

Today people would have learned about the Germany-bound hostages’ plane’s departure already.

I still have a photo of the Reagans, with First Lady Nancy in a red dress with a red hat. I photographed her from the high steps of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Security was extensive, with city and state police, Secret Service, and military guards. This predated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by almost 20 years.

In December 2008, the United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) officially opened. It has a large underground addition to the Capitol Complex serving as a meet-up point for as many as 4,000 tourists. That is a sign of the times, of needed protections, but a less formal visit I made in December 1993 was more fun.

With today’s polarization, it is mostly supporters of the incoming president who view

Inauguration broadcasts.

But all Americans, from losing parties to non-voters, should pay attention to our grand 4-year ritual. Ex-presidents have wistfully looked back and figured their Inauguration Day was the best day of their term.

“Mandates are rarely won on election night,” contends Ron Fournier, a top political writer.

“They are earned after Inauguration Day by leaders who spend their political capital wisely, taking advantage of events without overreaching.” The man I saw sworn-in in 1977, named Carter, did not appreciate that much. The new man in 1981, named Reagan, took that theme to heart.

The rest is history.

Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for 21 years, on and off. He has Masters’ in education and history.

He taught politics as an adjunct inn Georgia and Alabama. He was U.S. Army Europe for his articles from Croatia, Germany, and Macedonia.

B9 January 13, 2021

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COUNCIL>> FROM B7 putting a traffic light there should that development take place,” said City Manager Jim Buston. “The Alabama Department of Transportation will not even consider design or anything like that until they have assurance from the council that we are willing to take over the maintenance of the light should they agree to put one there.”

Ward 1 Council Member Connie Fitch Taylor asked how the traffic light could affect traffic on Shug Jordan Parkway.

“If I’m envisioning it, it seems like it’s going to be pretty congested right there if you put a

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traffic light there,” she said.

City Engineer Alison Frazier said that the traffic light will be located right at the entrance to Solamere and doesn’t see it causing problems to the traffic off the ramp.

Other Business: Buston gave a report on the expenditures for the Rebuild Alabama Act. The council approved a tax abatement for Briggs and Stratton, LLC. The council approved a contract with Dell EMC Corporation for two Dell EMC Isilon H400 nodes, along with support and maintenance for roughly $40,000.

The council ap-

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proved a contract with Donohoo Chevrolet for the purchase for 14 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Units for the police division for over $437,000.

The council approved a contract with Stivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a 2021 Dodge Durango SSV for the police division for almost $27,000.

The council approved an easement for Broadway — Auburn Properties, LLC for a property on 364 South Gay Street as part of the Project No. STOP — 4116.

The council approved an easement for property located on 2120 Lee Road 137 as part of the Project No. HSIP — 4119.

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BARREL>>

Jimmy Sharp, brought home two Gold Awards and three Silver Awards. “[JED] are another reason Opelika is a destination location,” said Director of Economic Development Lori Huguley.

“We have bragged on y’all, all over the world and we have carried gifts from John Emerald all over the world,” Fuller said. “We are so proud of y’all.”

Fuller also presented a proclamation

declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Opelika, and an “Atta Boy Award” to Opelika Police Officer Chase Higgins for his work with the OPD. In other business, the council voted to approve the purchase of equipment for police vehicles. approve a change order for the Industrial Boulevard Improvements Project. approve the East Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional

Hazard Mitigation Plan: Phase One 2020, which identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property in the City of Opelika from the impacts of future hazards and disasters. reprogram unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from program years 2018 and 2019 to the same activities for program year 2020. approve the

construction of a subdivision sign in the right-of-way of Wyndham Village Drive for Wyndham Village Subdivision Phase One. authorize an engagement letter with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP to represent the city of Opelika in a lawsuit that was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama by 280 Land Company, LLC against the city of Opelika on Dec. 17, 2020.

approve an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 6.23 acres of land located in the 2000 Block of Cunningham Drive.

City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday nights of every month in the municipal court building, which is located at 300 Martin Luther King Blvd. Meetings start promptly at 7 p.m. following work sessions, which are also open to the public.

essentially be a Huntsville/Madison County, Limestone County, Morgan County and GOP district.

Our Senior Congressman Robert Aderholt will retain his northwest and north central Alabama core constituency, including Walker, Cullman, Marshall Counties and all the Sand Mountain area.

He may go into Huntsville. He may also like to retain his 4th District number.

Mike Rogers’ 3rd District will become the new 2nd District.

It will keep his home area of Anniston and Calhoun County, as well as the growth areas of Auburn, Opelika and Lee County.

This is where you start dissecting the current 2nd District.

The populous counties of Elmore and Autauga, along with the suburbs of East Montgomery/Pike Road, must go northward to Mike Rogers’ new 2nd District. The

1st District of Mobile and Baldwin remain the 1st District.

Baldwin has grown extensively, and these two counties make up a congressional district. Therefore, new Congressman Jerry Carl will be safe.

I guess you folks in the Wiregrass, and especially Barry Moore, are wondering where you go. The counties of Houston, Dale, Coffee and Covington either go into the new 2nd District by drawing an arrow through

Henry, Barbour, Macon, and Russell and making a super east Alabama district; or, depending on the census count, you draw an arrow through Escambia and pull Dothan and the Wiregrass into the Mobile/Baldwin 1st District.

Wherever the Wiregrass goes, it will make that district even more super Republican. It is the most conservative Republican area of the state. It will be interesting to see.

This, of course, is just my prognostication. The state legislature will draw the lines next year after all the census figures are counted and revealed.

See you next week.

FROM B7 the application.

Also during the meeting, Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council recognized John Emerald Distillery for their recent awards at the PR%F (“proof”) Awards, which is an international spirits, wine and mixers competition. John Emerald Distillery, owned by father and son team John and

FLOWERS>> FROM B7 Gary Palmer, will become the new 5th District. It will basically remain unaltered, as the strongholds of Jefferson and Shelby Counties have kept pace with the national population growth.

The Huntsville 5th District of Republican Mo Brooks is where the growth is in the state. It will shrink geographically to

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years on the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

B10 January 13, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SANDRA D. MCCORMICK, Deceased CASE NO. 2020-440 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 4th day of November, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

CONNOR DAVID MCCORMICK Legal Run 12/30/2020, 01/06/2021 & 01/13/2021 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: CAROL MOLAND AMOS, Deceased Case No.: 2020- 520 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Carol A. Crowley, Personal Representative on the 22nd day of December, 2020,

by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Carol A. Crowley Legal Run 12/30/20, 01/06/21 & 01/13/2021 -------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRIAN CHIJIOKE ANYADIKE, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of December, 2020, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

NJIDEKA C. OBIEKWE Administrator N. Riley Murphy Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 12/30/20, 01/06/2021, 01/13/2021 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SANDRA D. MCCORMICK, Deceased CASE NO. 2020-440 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 4th day of November, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the

same will be barred.

CONNOR DAVID MCCORMICK Legal Run 12/30/20, 01/06/2021 & 01/13/2021 -------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 02/15/2021 at 10:00 a.m. at 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 36801-5441, pursuant to subsection 32-13-3 of the Alabama Statutes.

GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1G1PCSSH8C7355069 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE (BLACK) JM1BL1SF1Al254920 2010 MAZDA 3i SPORT (WHITE) GATEWAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE 2023 PEPPERELL PKWY OPELIKA, AL 368015441 Legal Run 01/06/2021 & 01/13/2021 -------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: Valerie Hawkins, an alleged incapacitated person TO: Any interested party: Lee County DHR has filed a Petition to appoint a Legal Guardian and Conservator for the person of Valerie Hawkins. It is ordered that the 4th day of February, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. be appointed a day on which to hear such petition, at the Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9th St. Opelika, AL at which time all persons interested can appear and contest the said petition if they deem it proper. Said hearing will be held electronically.

Done this the 30 day of December, 2020/ Bill English Probate Judge Margaret A. Mayfield Attorney for Lee County DHR Post Office Box 809 Opelika, AL 36803 (334) 745-0333 Legal Run 01/06/2021, 01/13/2021, & 01/20/2021 -------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF SHIRLEY GENE HUEY, Deceased PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2020-515 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the-Estate of SHIRLEY GENE HUEY are hereby granted to Linda H-.

Ledbetter on the 18th day of December, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Com1 of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

LINDA H. LEDBETTER Legal Run 01/06/2021, 01/13/2021, & 01/20/2021

TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama.

A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: A public hearing on a request by Builders Professional Group, authorized representative for Opelika Gateway Properties, LLC, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Wyndham Gates Pod 3 subdivision plat consisting of 64 lots accessed from Emory Lane.

A request by Robert F. Rolader and Mike Maher, authorized representatives for Chimney Rock Properties LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of The Chimneys Sections 4 & 5 subdivision plat consisting of 35 lots accessed from 1009 Westpoint Parkway.

A public hearing on a request by Ferren Morgan, authorized representative for Auburn Equities, LLC, (Matthew and Cheri Falconer) property owners, for conditional use approval for a lounge (Level 1 Bar & Lounge) at 2800 Pepperell Parkway.

A public hearing on a request by BigHouse Foundation (Micah Melnick), authorized representative for Katie Crain Zimmerman, property owner, for conditional use approval for a non-profit organization that supports and serves foster care children and their families at 1400 Grand National Parkway.

A public hearing on a request by Lacarris Jackson, authorized representative for O & J Investments, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a bar and restaurant at 2000 Marvyn Parkway, Suite 1.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-5132 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 01/13/2021 --------------

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (VILLAGE OF WATERFORD PUD)

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on

Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the Development Plan for Village of Waterford PUD. The Development Plan for Village of Waterford PUD was approved by the City Council as required

by Section 8.18(n) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR VILLAGE OF WATERFORD PUD (PHASES 3, 4 AND 5) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) Highland Hills, LLC and Scott Land Company heretofore submitted to the City a Development Plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Village of Waterford PUD” consisting of approximately 80 acres. (b) Pursuant to Ordinance No. 115-05, adopted on July 5, 2005, the City Council approved said Development Plan for Village of Waterford PUD and amended the Official Zoning Map of the City to designate the zoning classification of Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) for approximately 80 acres. (c) Village of Waterford PUD is located northeast of Alabama Highway 169 and south of Old Columbus Road. (d) Village of Waterford PUD is a mixed use development consisting of single-family detached homes, multi-family homes (apartments) and neighborhood commercial uses. (e) Roger W. Fleming and Dawn Fleming, the owners of all of the property located within Phases 3, 4 and 5 of Village of Waterford PUD have heretofore submitted to the City a proposed Amended Development Plan for Phases 3, 4 and 5. (f) The current Development Plan for Phase 5 of Village of Waterford provides for multi-family residential homes (apartments) located on 18.4 acres. (g) The proposed Amended Development Plan for Phase 5 of Village of Waterford PUD provides for single-family home lots instead of apartments. (h) The proposed Amended Development Plan for Village of Waterford PUD provides for a total of 199 single-family lots for Phases 3, 4 and 5. Some lots will be smaller than

originally proposed. The minimum residential lot size will be 4,900 square feet and the minimum lot width will be 36 feet.

The minimum building setbacks will be 18 feet for front and rear lots and 5 feet on side yards. (i) The Planning Commission of the City of Opelika heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed amended Development Plan for Phases 3, 4 and 5. (j) The Planning Commission recommended approval of the amended Development Plan for Village of Waterford PUD (Phases 3, 4 and 5). (k) It is advisable and in interest of the City and the public interest that the Amended Development Plan be approved.

Section 2. Approval of Amended Development Plan. The amended Development Plan for Phases 3, 4 and 5 of Village of Waterford PUD as submitted for review is hereby approved and confirmed as required

by Section 8.18(n) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3. Retention of Copies of the Amended Development Plan. Copies of the Amended Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer, and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 4. Repealer. That any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 5. Effective Date.

This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 6. Publication.

This Ordinance is to be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the _____ day of _____, 2021.

PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the _____day of ___, 2021.

CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the _____day of _________, 2021.

MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK END: All interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and be heard.

Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the Public Hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and Public Hearing.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7052083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 13th day of January, 2021.

/s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 01/13/2021 -------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA FAMILY COURT: DOMESTIC RELATIONS IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: JOHN MARSHALL, JR, Plaintiff vs. NELLIE MARSHALL, Defendant.

Civil Action Number DR2020-900209 NOTICE OF DIVORCE NELLIE KATE MARSHALL, Defendant, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer JOHN MARSHALL, JR'S complaint for divorce and other relief by March 05, 2021 or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him/her in Case No. DR"2020•900209, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama.2021'.

Done the 7th Day of January, 2021 Mary B. Roberson, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lee County.

Margaret Y. Brown Attorney for Plaintiff 214 North College Street Auburn, Alabama 36830 (334) 821-6944 Legal Run 01/13/21, 01/20/21, 01/27/21 & 02/03/21 -------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a R-4 District (Medium Density Residential District) to a C-2 District (Office/ Retail District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: That certain property consisting of 21.20 acres of land at terminus of Center Point Subdivision and designated for future development on that certain plat of Center

B11 January 13, 2021

COUNTY>> FROM B7 said he has already reached out to that attorney to ask what the county’s chances are in opposing the quarry.

“I think the first thing we need to find out, what are our chances, what are our prospects,” he said. “If somebody that’s professional, that knows this business and looks at this and says, ‘Ya’ll don’t have a prayer,’ then let’s not waste a bunch of money. And on the other hand, if they think we’ve got reasonable chances of success, let’s do what it takes.”

Both Ham and Commissioner Gary Long said they believe the county should consider legal counsel.

“We understand that a lawyer would be very expensive,” Ritch said. “But if we allow this quarry to proceed then we will have to use that money on repairs to our road and lost revenue to our homesteads.”

Ritch also asked the commission to ask other legislators to help fight the quarry.

Brumfield spoke after Ritch and questioned the help that Ham has given the community members so far.

“We have asked our local commissioner for help,” she said. “He has done little or nothing to help the very community that helped elect him to the very position he currently fills.”

Brumfield said that he did not provide much advice and he did not go door to door with them for petition signatures. Additionally, she said that he has provided

information from Major.

“Several questions have come up from the community on the ‘Protect Beulah’ page and need to have the opportunity to be addressed,” she said. “‘Why is Mr. Ham speaking with Jeff Majors?’ ‘Why is it Mr. Ham knows so much about the quarry?’ ‘Why does it seem he plays the role of a liaison for Jeff Majors?’

“Why would anyone call him when all he has to say is negative things about our cause?’”

English gave Ham a chance to respond to the accusations.

“Would everybody in the room who has put at least $1,000 or more into helping this cause raise your hand?”

Ham asked, and both he and Brumfield raised their hands. “Well, I guess we’re the only two. Young lady, you’re a hard person to help.”

Brumfield interrupted Ham and said he has never called her. English ended the discussion and said there would not be an active debate.

Lynne Abernathy spoke last for the group and brought each commissioner both a map and bag of cookies.

She told the commissioners that the cookies were made by her neighbor, the best chocolate chip cookie maker.

“But do you believe it?” she asked. “Are you going to open up that bag and stick your hand in there and chew on a cookie? I’m giving you a choice. We weren’t given a choice … as demonstrat-

ed with the cookies, we are skeptical when presented with new foods, companies, people, etc. especially if we don’t know anything about them.”

Abernathy said she was told by Major that the quarry would only operate during business hours of the work week. She said the website now says the quarry will work on weekends with the potential for 24/7 work hours. “[Major] doesn’t tell the truth,” she said. “And his company is the same way.”

The commission made no formal action during the meeting, but the ‘Protect Beulah Stop the Quarry’ Facebook page later said that the commission decided to hire legal counsel, ask ADEM for a public hearing and request help from other legislators.

“We are not just up here for us, but we are the voice for the hundreds and thousands of people who live in that community,” Brumfield said.

Other Business: The commission heard an Environmental Services Holiday Update.

The commission heard a Rebuild Alabama Fund Annual Report.

The commission voted for final approval of the Eddins Creek Subdivision.

The commission heard concerns of fraud at EAMC by a resident, Peter Byrd.

The commission approved a professional services agreement for Beulah parks projects.

The commission approved educational reimbursement requests.

Secretary Merrill condemns violence in D.C. Contributed by the office of John H. Merrill

The following is a direct statement from Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill in response to the protests that resulted from the Electoral College Certification ceremony of Jan. 6 (statement made on Jan. 6): “Today, Members of Congress gathered in our Nation’s Capitol to certify the state’s electoral votes and offer rejections, comments, and speculations.

“As members of the Senate and House of Representatives began debating the legitimacy of certain votes, protestors violently stormed the Capitol and attempted to overthrow our country’s democratic process.

“Although protestors have the constitutional right to have their voice heard, they do not have the right to be disruptive during the certification process that was put in place by our Founding Fathers in 1789 and has

since survived the history of our Republic.

“We are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world – a nation that allows for a difference of opinion. With this freedom comes the responsibility to follow the systematic process to have your opinion voiced, heard, and understood, without disrespecting others or putting lives at risk.

“We are a nation of laws. These laws must be strictly followed and enforced. It is time for America to support the law enforcement officers who serve to protect our personal freedoms – including that to protest.

“There is an appropriate time and method to express one’s displeasure with the outcome of an election, whether that is through voting in the next election or through introducing information during the legislative process.

The answer, however, is never physical violence.

“The people who are currently occupying the

Capitol are anarchists and should be treated as such by law enforcement.

“The type of behavior witnessed today in Washington, D.C. should never be encouraged or allowed.

“Human life is far more important than pandering to any politician or political group. President Trump should call on his supporters, who claim to support ‘law and order’, to stand down, follow the law, and unite behind our democratic process.

“Now is the time for Congress, not violent protestors, to either certify or reject the state’s electoral votes as required by our Constitution.

“Full faith and confidence in our elections must be restored. In order for that to happen, our Nation’s leaders must promote unity, understanding, and the willingness to work with those who may see things differently.

This process begins with the actions of our Commander in Chief.”

OPELIKA CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY

LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP MAINTAIN A SAFE COMMUNITY The Opelika Police Department invites Opelika citizens to join them for an eight week hands on learning course.

Each week will cover various aspects of police work within the City of Opelika.

EVERY THURSDAY MARCH 25 TO MAY 13 6-8 P.M.

FREE 8 WEEK PROGRAM TOPICS COVERED • PATROL DIVISION • INVESTIGATIONS • TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT • K9 UNIT • SWAT TEAM • FIRE ARMS TRAINING SYSTEM

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 19

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OPELIKAPD.ORG

B12 January 13, 2021

Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku?

Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

B13 January 13, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES Point Subdivision First Revisions and First Addition recorded in Plat Book 14, at Page 152, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

LESS AND EXCEPT, all of the portion of the above-described property that is currently zoned R-4.

The above-described property is located at the terminus of Enterprise Drive and Center Hills Drive and contains approximately 14.3 acres.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

END: All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-705-2083 two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 13th day of January, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 01/13/2021 -------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (FOX RUN EXTENSION PUD) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1.

FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) The City of Opelika and Opelika Industrial Authority hereto-

fore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) on approximately 38.4 acres, designated as “Fox Run Extension PUD”. (b) The proposed development is located at the terminus of Fox Run Avenue and on each side of Douglas Street. (c) The proposed development is a residential development consisting of 51 single-family home lots and 3 undeveloped common area lots. Residential lots will range in size from 10,700 square feet to 24,470 square feet. The minimum lot width will be 70 feet. (d) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing of the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development. (e) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the proposed property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcels of land shall be changed from a R-3 District (Low-Density Residential District), a M-2 District (Industrial District) and a I-1 District (Institutional District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City.

PARCEL A Commencing at the southwest corner of Section 4, T-19-N, R-27-E in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; thence N87 0 16 1 38”E, 1402.86 feet; thence N89 0 22 146”E, 500.03 feet; thence N89 0 22 1 36 1 ‘E, 387.76 feet to a 1” open-top iron pin; thence N19 005 1 12”W, 457.42 feet to a 1/2” rebar and the True Point of Beginning of the Parcel of Land herein described; thence N19 0 52’48”W, 43.93 feet to a 1” open-top iron pin; thence N47 0 11’28”W, 461.61 feet to a 1” open-top iron pin; thence N7 0 38’45”W, 131.23 feet to a 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS26956; thence N8 0 26’13 11 W, 74.94 feet to a 1/2 11 rebar with cap marked LS26956; thence N8 0 18’23”W, 75.15 feet to a 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS26956; thence N8 0 12’10”W, 74.85 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence N8 021’38”W, 147.44 feet to a 1/2” rebar with an unreadable cap; thence N81 044 1 34”E, 73.55 feet to a 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” angle iron; thence N81 0 32’08 tl E, 73.09 feet to a 11/2” x 2-1/2” angle iron; thence N81 0 31 1 48”E, 51.52 feet to a 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” angle iron; thence N69 0 38 1 21”E, 71.03 feet

to a 1/2” rebar with cap marked LSI 1232; thence N69 035’40”E, 115.00 feet to a 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS11232; thence N69 D 35 140”E, 89.96 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence N89 003’19”E, 75.72 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677 and the westerly R/W line of Douglas Street; thence, along said R/W line, southwesterly along a curve concave northwesterly and having a radius of 270.00 feet, an arc length of 23.17 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S7 045’11”W, 23.16 feet to a 5” square concrete monument; thence S10 0 13’14”W, 198.80 feet to a 5 11 square concrete monument; thence southeasterly along a curve concave northeasterly and having a radius of 330.00 feet, an arc length of 380.10 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S22 048 t 01”E, 359.43 feet to a 5” square concrete monument; thence S55 04T35”E, 460.72 feet to a 5” square concrete monument; thence southeasterly along a curve concave southwesterly and having a radius of 270.00 feet, an arc length of 198.84 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S34 046 1 37”E, 194.38 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677; thence, leaving said R/W line, S89 0 05 1 29”W, 698.38 feet to the True Point of Beginning.

Containing 12.252 Acres, more or less.

PARCEL B Commencing at the southwest corner of Section 4, T-19-N, R-27-E in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; thence N87 0 16’38 11 E, 1402.86 feet; thence N89 0 22 146”E, 500.03 feet; thence N89 0 22’36 1’E, 387.76 feet to a 1” open-top iron pin; thence N19 0 05 t 12”W, 457.42 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence N89 0 05 1 29”E, 698.38 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677 on the westerly R/W line of Douglas Street; thence, leaving said R/W line, N89 005’29”E, 60.75 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677 on the easterly R/W line of Douglas Street and the True Point of Beginning of the Parcel of Land herein described; thence, along said R/W line, northwesterly along a curve concave southwesterly and having a radius of 330.00 feet, an arc length of 256.42 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N33 0 31B9”W, 250.02 feet to a damaged 5” square concrete monument; thence N55 047’20”W, 460.48 feet to a 5” square concrete monument; thence northwesterly along a curve concave northeasterly and having a radius of 270.00 feet, an arc length of 311.25 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N22 0 45’54”W, 294.30 feet to a 5” square concrete monument; thence N10 0 12’01”E, 198.81 feet to a damaged 5” square concrete monument; thence northeasterly along a curve concave northwesterly and having a radius of 330.00 feet, an arc length of 63.97 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N4 049 1 04”E, 63.87 feet to a damaged 5 1 ‘ square concrete monument; thence N1 0 12’58”W, 58.22 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677; thence northwesterly along a

curve concave southwesterly and having a radius of 430.00 feet, an arc length of 34.39 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of N3 0 12’42”W, 34.38 feet to a 1/2” rebar, bent; thence, leaving said R/W line, N84 0 29’20”E, 145.32 feet to a 1/2” rebar, bent; thence N75 0 19’29”E, 119.26 feet to a point in the center of a branch; thence, leaving said branch, N89 0 01’04”E, 90.53 feet to a 1/2” rebar with an unreadable cap; thence N88 057’24”E, 79.96 feet to a 1/2” rebar with an unreadable cap; thence N89 0 02 1 26”E, 79.97 feet to a 1/2” rebar with an unreadable cap; thence N89 0 03 1 21”E, 79.85 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence S0 0 56 1 33”E, 730.96 feet to a 1/2” rebar; thence N61 0 23’24”E, 200.00 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677; thence S0 0 56 1 33”E, 502.46 feet to a set 1/2” rebar with cap marked LS18677; thence S89 0 05’29”W, 191.11 feet to the True Point of Beginning.

Containing 13.304 Acres, more or less.

ALSO: Lots 13 and 14 of A Re-subdivision of Lot-6 & a Portion of Lot-8 Fox Run Industrial Park First Revision First Addition as recorded in Plat Book 13, Page 60, Probate Office, Lee County, Alabama.

LESS & EXCEPT that area dedicated for Douglas Street through the middle of said lots.

Containing 16.23 Acres, more or less.

The above-described property, containing approximately 38.4 acres, is located at the terminus of Fox Run Parkway and lies on each side of Douglas Street.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the _____ day of ______, 2021.

PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the _____day of _ ____, 2021.

CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the _____day of _____, 2021.

MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK END:

All interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and be heard.

Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at City Hall, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the Public Hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and Public Hearing.

Please contact Kevin Rice, the City’s ADA Coordinator, at 334-7052083 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 13th day of January, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 01/13/2021 Legal Run 01/13/2021 -------------ORDINANCE NO. 001-21 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a R-4 District (Medium Density Residential District) to a C-3 District (General Commercial District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: Parcel Subdivision of the property of W P Properties Opelika, LLC, according to and as shown by that certain map or plat of record in Town Plat Book 36, at Page 144, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

The above-described property contains 6.2 acres, more or less, and is located in the 2000 Block of Cunningham Drive, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 5th day of January, 2021.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 5th day of January, 2021. /s/ Eddie SMITH PRESIDENT OF THE CITY

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 6th day of January, 2021. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 6th day of January, 2021. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 01/13/2021 -------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. ANGELENE JORDAN IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of ANGELENE JORDAN, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Angela Kindred on January 6, 2021 pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 01/13/ 2021 -------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO. MICHAEL HERVERT SANFORD IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of MICHAEL HERBERT SANFORD, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Marilyn Sanford on January 8, 2021 pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 01/13/21 -------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO: 2021-012 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of HEIDY PATRICIA HOWARD, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by James Brainard Howard, Jr. on January 11, 2021 pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 01/13/2021

B14 January 13, 2021

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This week’s puzzle answers: