The Observer 01-27-2022

Thursday Jan. 27, 2022

Vol. 14, No. 16

Opelika, Alabama

An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'

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STORY BY HANNAH LESTER PHOTOS BY JOSH FISHER

Heritage Gifts and Gourmet, located on 8th Street in downtown Opelika is closing after 28 years.

The shop was the passion project of Barbara Patton, owner of Heritage Gifts. For years, shoppers have been able to browse the walls for estate-sale finds, vintage clothing, Christmas gifts, Jim Shore and more.

“It’s different; it’s got a little bit of everything,” Patton said.

The shop was originally part of the Heritage House bed-and-breakfast, selling

items to guests that they may have forgotten at home — toothpaste and clothes for example. There were collectibles too, such as Department 56 villages and snow babies.

Eventually Heritage House was sold to new owners and the shop was moved to 108 S. 8th St. in 2004.

At one time, the back of Heritage Gifts was used as an artist’s location. Different artists displayed their work there. Too, the shop used to sell a lot of coffee, but when more coffee shops started cropping up, Patton said they didn’t want to encroach on that territory.

So, the business changed

over the years.

The last few years of the shop, Patton worked with individuals to display their goods. One of the artists who used to display her work now brings in items she’s purchased at estate sales.

Some of the more popular items are the gourmet foods, Patton said, and of course, Christmas decor.

The Christmas decor, like the Department 56 Villages, isn’t just popular for the most wonderful time of the year, but all year long.

“People might come in and buy an anniversary gift, or a birthday gift, a wedding gift, sometimes people like

PHOTOS BY JOSH FISHER / FOR THE OBSERVER

to give a church [Department 56 village], get [the couple] started,” Patton said. “Some people have collected a lot of this for a long time, so they’re collected out. And not many people sell these anymore, so I have a lot people coming in saying, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you still sold this.’”

Patton has been the sole owner of the shop, but she has a couple of employees to help her out. Part of the difficulty in running Heritage Gifts comes with the technology side of the business.

However, making a large profit was not her goal, Patton said.

“If I had to make a living out in this shop, I wouldn’t be here,” she said.

The charm of the business is the people, Patton said.

Friends will stop by just to talk.

“I love the people coming in here, visiting with the people and finding out their stories,” she said. “It’s the connections, and the people, and the relationships and staying involved.”

However, Patton decided that it was time to close the business.

"About a year ago and

City of Auburn Awarded Funding for Shug Jordan Parkway Improvements

Last Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) announced that the city of Auburn is one of several Alabama cities to be awarded state transportation funding.

The city of Auburn will receive $1.51 million to assist with the widening and resurfacing of Shug Jordan Parkway between Richland Road and the former Armory location at 1455 Shug Jordan Parkway. The

project will also include the addition of a center turn lane and a culvert extension.

The city has recognized the need for left turn lanes along Shug Jordan Parkway for many years and has partnered with ALDOT in the past to add them on other sections of Shug Jordan, including at Northpoint Drive and near Hickory Dickory Park. This addition is expected to increase safety in the area, minimizing accidents due to vehicles slowing down to turn.

The funding comes from the Alabama Transportation Re-

habilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II), a program created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. Each year, a minimum of $30 million is set aside from ALDOT’s share of the new gas tax revenue for projects on the state highway system. The funding is provided to local governments without a requirement for local governments to commit matching funds.

It is expected that several projects will be under contract during fiscal year 2022, and all projects are required to move forward within two years.

“We’re always grateful for programs like ATRIP that help us stretch our taxpayer’s dollars in bringing improvements to our infrastructure,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “I’d like to extend thanks on behalf of the City of Auburn to Gov. Kay Ivey and our state transportation department for helping us improve Auburn’s roadways.”

CONTENTS OPINION.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 OPINION

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

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A12

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12

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

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B12

Patton however.

"After 28 years in business and enjoying it, it is bittersweet to leave. I will miss all the interactions with my customers. At the same time, I am looking forward to having a little more free time. I have worked almost every Saturday for all those years and having weekends available to make plans more easily will be a welcome change.

"I want to thank all my customers for their support over the years. I have enjoyed working with all my employees and appreciate their love for the store. I hope everyone will continue to shop local and also to support all the downtown businesses."

The last day for Heritage Gifts and Gourmet will be Monday, Jan. 31.

Girl Scouts GIve Back to Hometown Heroes Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Shows Appreciation For The Brave Men And Women Who Keep Us Safe PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

BY DAVID D. DORTON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

thinking about my age, I knew it was probably time to think about deciding on the future of the business," Patton said. " If I closed, I didn’t want to leave an empty building downtown. So at around that time, I told Ken Ward at Opelika Main Street that if someone came along and this building was a fit for their business, I would entertain an offer."

Opelika Main Street decided that the building would be a great fit for its organization and a contract was signed.

Patton said she was excited to see what the future holds for Main Street.

"I am excited for the plans that Opelika Main Street has and look forward to seeing the building after their renovation and move in."

Closing is bittersweet for

CONTRIBUTED BY GSSA

Hometown Heroes makes it possible to ship a package of Girl Scout cookies to our brave military men and women

overseas, returning from deployment, veterans, first responders and local nonprofits.

Through the Cookie Program, the girls are See GIRL, page A2

A2 Jan. 27, 2022 PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Opelika Public Library Hosting Second Caddy Stacks Golfing Event on Jan. 28, 29

Local Santa Seeks Community’s Aid

BY WIL CREWS THE OBSERVER

Lifelong Opelika resident David Cargill, who has served the Lee County area as a Santa Claus for over four decades, is in the fight of his life and the local community can help him.

Cargill is facing an ongoing battle with cancer, speculated to be from an oxygen machine he regularly

GIRL >>

FROM A1

taught five basic skills that are essential to leadership, success and life: goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics. In addition to the five skills, through Hometown Heroes, girls learn how to give back to those who give so much.

To show our appreciation, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) has declared Jan. 28 to 30, Hometown Heroes Weekend.

In 2021, our troops collectively sold 7,440 packages in Hometown Heroes weekend.

Girl Scouts will be collecting Hometown Heroes donations until March 6. Donations are made in $4 increments with a Girl Scout online, with her order card or at a cookie booth.

Girls love helping others and Hometown Heroes does just this.

used when sleeping.

After removing a tumor from his mouth last year, Cargill underwent a successful surgery to remove a malignant tumor in his nose on Jan. 18 at UAB. The result of the procedure, however, has left Cargill without a nose, unable to speak and having to eat through a feeding tube.

Cargill debuted as Santa 45 years ago, and was annually

featured in the Opelika Christmas parade with his wife as Mrs. Claus. Over the years, Cargill heard hundreds of Christmas wishes from hopeful children during his time as Santa; he also kept his community safe serving as an Opelika Police Department officer for 20 years.

“He put his life into that,” said Laura See SANTA, page A3

Investment Group, but other sponsors include: Christie Hill State Farm, Gamotis Dentistry, Butcher Paper BBQ, Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, Rock & Roll Pinball, Circle Y Property Solutions, Pawn Central, CRL Crane & OutDoors, JA Smith C&E, McCain & Co, Neighborhoodtour.com, Wise Guys Moving and Robins & Morton.

“We encourage businesses to be creative with their home decoration, but typically holes are decorated with company swag or products related to their business,” Bush said.

The library is located at 1100 Glenn St. Opelika. For advance tickets, visit www.opelikalibraryfriends.com/ events/caddy-stacks.

Friends. “A chance to experience the new library and enjoy some Mini Golf at the same time. Prizes guaranteed for children.”

Beginning at 9 a.m., all ages can come and play golf through the library until 4 p.m. for $5 a person.

“All purchases support the Opelika Library Friends and tickets purchased are tax-deductible,” Bush said. “The Friends group exists to support and promote the library and to encourage, engage and foster in its members not only a love of reading and education but curiosity about and love for the community that surrounds them.”

Different golf holes on the course are sponsored by local businesses. The presenting sponsor for the event is Railroad

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

“For two days, Opelika Public Library will be turned into a mini-golf course,” said James Bush with the Opelika Library Friends. “Come play 18 holes of fun for a cause.”

The event on Friday Jan. 28 is for the adults in the community. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and involve a mini-golf round in addition to hours d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for a Red Clay Brewing Company after-party for $25 each.

Saturday, however, is for the full family.

“For $5 a person we think it will be a nice offering to families in our community,” said James Bush with the Opelika Library

Help us recognize the sacrifices of all of those serving our communities fearlessly and give them a taste of home.

We are Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs in 30 counties in southern Alabama, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges — whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect or donate, visit girlscoutssa.org.

Sports Editor: Wil Crews Live Lee Editor: Hannah Lester Marketing: Woody Ross

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

Photojournalist: Robert Noles

Publisher: Michelle Key

Rick Lanier, D. Mark Mitchell

Sports Writers:

www.opelikaobserver.com 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved.

The Observer is published weekly by Key Media LLC, 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801.

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

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A3 Jan 27, 2022

City of Auburn Launches Inaugural Citizens’ Academy This Spring

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN

BY DAVID D. DORTON

The city of Auburn invites you to go behind the scenes of city operations and engage with staff as a member of the inaugural class of the city of Auburn Citizens’ Academy.

The annual Citizens’ Academy is a new, free program that will allow Auburn residents to

get a glimpse into the work done by all 19 city departments through tours, presentations and conversations with the staff members who help make Auburn the vibrant community you know it to be.

Ever wonder what goes into the inspections process of new developments, or how the city supplies clean water to its 70,000-plus residents every day? And, what

all goes into keeping our community safe? Get answers to those questions and so many more in the Citizens’ Academy!

Participants will graduate from this program with knowledge of day-to-day operations, the tools to

get more involved and a deeper relationship with fellow community members and city staff.

“The Academy is a program designed for Auburn residents who desire to be more engaged, informed and involved

with their community,” said Allison Blankenship, Citizens’ Academy coordinator. “We hope people graduate from the program feeling more connected to the city they call home.”

Those who apply to be a member of the 2022 Class should be able to commit to attending the majority, if not all, of the seven sessions. Sessions will occur on weekdays, and applicants should re-

ceive approval from their employers to participate in the program.

A full schedule will be announced when applications go live on Feb. 14.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Space is extremely limited.

For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/ neighborhoods. If you have questions, please email Allison Blankenship at ablankenship@ auburnalabama.org.

Lee County DYW Host State Competition

Distinguished Young Women of Lee County is pleased to announce a very successful program for the statewide Alabama Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama.

Mary Helen Miller, local DYW winner and Alabama DYW, was honored for her year with the state title at the statewide competition on Friday and Saturday.

Local participant, Anslee Tatum, competed as Lee County DYW and was awarded overall talent interview winner and 2nd runner up in the state program. Total scholarship awards at AL DYW for Miss Tatum was $2200.

More information on state program: www.alabamanews.net/2022/01/23/meet-julianne-abenoja-distinguished-young-woman-ofalabama-2022/ PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Kiwanis Clubs Hosts Gubernatorial Candidate Lindy Blanchard

FROM A2

Cargill, David’s granddaughter.

Now, Laura hopes the community will hear one wish from her family and grandfather: support via a GoFundMe she created to help with medical and care expenses.

“As one might imagine, medical

expenses of this nature can quickly become insurmountable,” she said. “He’s like the father I never had.”

The fundraiser’s initial goal of $4,000 has been reached, but more donations are of course welcome. Cargill has a long road of recovery ahead.

To donate: www. gofund.me/8f99eaf1

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

SANTA >>

The Opelika Kiwanis Club speaker this past week was Lindy Blanchard. Blanchard has announced her candidacy for governor of Alabama. The speaker scheduled for next Feb. 3 is Ali Rauch with the Opelika Chamber.

A4 Jan. 27, 2022

Good Dog

T

SEAN DIETRICH

he little redheaded boy found his grandfather on the porch swing, late at night. The old man was whittling basswood, listening to a ballgame on the radio. The kid let the screen door slap behind him. The boy wore Evel Knievel pajamas.

“What’re you doing up?” said the old man.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“Had a bad dream.”

The old man patted the swing. “Step into my office, Kemosabe.”

The kid climbed onto the swing and leaned against the old man who smelled like burley tobacco, Old Spice, and sweat. The crickets were singing their aria.

“I’m scared, Granddaddy.”

He resumed carving.

“Hush now. Ain’t nothing to be scared of.

Just a dream.”

The ballgame droned in the background. The Braves were playing the Cardinals and getting shelled.

“What’re you carving?”

The old man held up the block of basswood.

“It’s a dog. Hunting hound. This is Shelby.”

The boy looked at the crude canine figurine.

It looked more like a deranged ferret than a dog.

“I know it ain’t pretty,” said the old man.

“But she ain’t done yet.”

“Who’s Shelby?”

“My old dog. I got her when I was a little older’n you. I found her. She was caught in a mess of barbed wire in our east field. Nobody knowed where she come from so I took her home and kept her.”

“That was a long time ago?”

“You have no idea.”

“Was she a good

dog?”

He inspected his wooden handiwork. “She was.”

“Tell me about her.”

“Well. Old Shelby came ever’ where with me. One time I took her to a church dinner on the grounds. She embarrassed me so bad when she jumped on the table where all the fancy dishes were. Looked like she was surfing.

Broke ever’ piece a china.

“I had to work a custodian job at the church that summer for punishment, sweeping the floors, touching up the pews with wood stain.”

The boy watched the old man man’s hands move like an artist’s with his butter yellow Case XX knife. It was witchery watching him work. “‘Nother time, me and Shelby was walking through town, and I’s talking to this pretty girl, and Shelby—she was a jealous dog—got right up between us and knocked that poor gal down. Got dirt all over her dress, I thought that girl’s mama was gonna gut me. Had to pay for a new dress.”

The old man laughed.

“Shoot, in some ways, that dog didn’t

do nothing but cost me money. But she was a good animal. Best animal you ever saw.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when the hard times came, when ever’ body lost their jobs, when people was standing in breadlines, my family was about to starve. My daddy was dead, we didn’t have no food. Know what Shelby done?”

The boy shook his head.

“Mama would look out the window to that east field in the evenings and see old Shelby come walking up, carrying a rabbit in her jaws, or a raccoon, or a squirrel.

Sometimes even a chicken. Shelby brung it right to the porch.”

The old man pointed his knife at the boy. “She fed us.”

“Are you for real, Granddady?”

“Am I for…?” The old man held his right hand upward like a Boy Scout. “Have I ever been known to lie about anything except fishing and taxes?”

The little boy shook his head.

“Few years later, along came the big war. Your granddaddy got called up. We all got called up. We had to go fight and…

“Tell you the truth, we

were all real nervous.

The day I boarded the bus to go to Amarillo Air Field, Mama, my brother and Shelby was there at the station to say goodbye. Know what happened?”

“What?”

“Shelby bolted onto the bus with me and sat beside me, she was gonna go with me to basic training. All the fellas were laughing and cheering. But I had to tell her to go on home.

‘Go on, Shel,’ I told her.

‘Go on now, watch over Mama for me.’”

“Then what happened?”

“First time in my whole life that old dog listened. She got off the bus and sat beside Mama, and watched me drive away. Looked to me like that dog was crying. Wouldn’t have blamed her. I know I wanted to.”

The ballgame rose to a crescendo. The crowd roared through the tweed speaker. The old man briefly paid close attention to the radio.

“I was so scared over there in France, you wouldn’t have believed how scared I was. Then I got shot.”

He raised his left arm.

“Took a bullet right here.”

The boy inspected the scar. “Did it hurt?”

“Use your imagination.”

“Did you cry?”

“Well, I sure as hell didn’t laugh, if that’s what you mean.”

“What happened to Shelby?”

The old man smiled.

“When I got home from R-and-R, I’ll never forget it, I’s walking up the drive, I saw Shelby come running toward me. Her big ears looked like wings. She was old.

Her snout was getting white, and she couldn’t see worth a dang, but she was my girl. I got down on the ground and we just rolled around together.”

The old man’s chin began to quiver. This grizzled veteran with the gunshot wound and the soft spot for creatures with collars.

“Shelby died that same year. She went peacefully. It was like she was just waiting for me to get home. I buried her in the east field where I first found her.

“You see, boy, once in every man’s life, he’s lucky enough to find special love. A true love that surpasses life itself.

If he’s real lucky he’ll find that love twice. But once is enough. Don’t ever take it for granted once you lay holt to it.”

But by then I was already fast asleep.

Curtis Glisson Leaves A Lasting Mark Sometimes people find their calling when they least expect it. This was the case for Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Assistant Commissioner Curtis Glisson.

Glisson, who retired from ADRS Jan. 1 after 25 years, experienced chance meetings that eventually launched a career that produced programs and approaches that changed the lives of thousands of Alabamians with disabilities including an expansion of the Business Relations Program leading to millions in sales each year.

During Glisson’s Dec. 17 retirement ceremony, ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw said his absence will be equally hard for his coworkers and consumers.

“Your passionate and devoted leadership made you a strong advocate,” she said. “The contributions you made to your work as a member of (the Executive Leadership Team), your staff, the consumers and the department will never be forgotten. On behalf of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, and for the thousands of Alabamians with disabilities who you have helped reach their maximum potential, thank you for the incredible legacy of compassionate leadership.”

Like many college graduates, Glisson was searching for his true calling. His first indication that a career in vocational rehabilitation might be a good fit came through a simple dance lesson. The mother of his girlfriend at the time was teaching

lessons to residents at MARC with cognitive disabilities and asked Glisson if he’d be willing to help. Though he was nervous at first, he said the experience was extremely rewarding.

“By the time I finished doing that, I thought, ‘these people are having a blast,’” he said. “I’d never seen anyone appreciate what we were doing for them more than them.”

The second inspiration came while Glisson was tending bar. A representative of United Cerebral Palsy was chatting with the staff and happened to mention they were hoping to fill a vacancy in a new program called “supported employment.” Glisson, who had a master’s degree in counseling, was recommended by his coworkers and was offered

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY ADRS

the position; he accepted.

This chance meeting set the wheels in motion for what soon became an incredible career.

After establishing himself with UCP, Glisson was recruited by the Mobile

Poarch. Partners in Alabama’s progress.

We share with our neighbors a common goal—the health, education and well-being of people statewide.

Poarch provides over 9,000 jobs to Alabamians, pays millions in state taxes each year, and makes charitable contributions reaching nearly $9 million annually.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indian’s creates opportunities for Alabamians.

Let’s grow Tomorrow Together.

Association for the Blind to create a supportedemployment program.

He eventually became the program coordinator and was instrumental in adding a deaf services program.

His experience in both the blind and deaf world made him uniquely qualified to assist ADRS rebuild relationships with community-based rehabilitation programs (CRPs). Glisson and Denise Reid split the state and accomplished their goals.

While on this mission, Glisson remained involved with the blind and deaf

community and was recruited by Rita Houston to the VRS office in Montgomery. He continued to offer input and ideas, and eventually rose to the title of assistant commissioner.

The list of successes is substantial for Glisson, whose efforts showed his strong commitment to the programs and their consumers.

For example, working with E.H. Gentry to create Camp SAVI (Seniors Adapting to Visual Impairment) was a game See GLISSON, page A5

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A5 Jan 27, 2022

Auburn University, New Venture Accelerator Awarded Grant to Accelerate High-Quality Job Growth, Create Economic Opportunity in Auburn-Opelika Area CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo recently announced that 50 organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, state government agencies and other entrepreneurshipfocused organizations — from 26 states will receive grants to support programs that will fuel innovation and economic development.

Auburn’s grant, awarded as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale Program and Venture Challenge, is for a combined $657,622 federal share and a $657,622 local match. Auburn Research and Technology Foundation Senior Director Cary Chandler and New Venture

GLISSON >>

FROM A4

changer. During the camps, seniors learn how to adapt to vision loss, and Glisson said it was always rewarding to see those who attended “turn the corner.”

“The ones who came, left saying, ‘This changed my life,’” he said. “It was great.”

A large part of a successful career is the ability to adapt to tough circumstances, and Glisson has been solid as a rock in this capacity. He is known as a great problem solver, which served him well during the implementation of WIOWA and COVID-19 protocols.

Adaptability also served him well when the Business Enterprise Program was placed under his direction.

Glisson said he did not have a great deal of experience with the program at first, but he had always been interested in its operations because it served the blind and low-vision community.

Additionally, Glisson had worked in food service for many years before entering the world of rehab and could offer a unique perspective to BEP’s operations, especially because ADRS’s participating vendors are geared mostly toward food service and vending.

Because of his unique

Accelerator Director Lou Bifano serve as coprincipal investigators on the grant.

The Venture Challenge awards grants to intermediary organizations like accelerators, universities, community colleges and nonprofits to support new business ventures that are scalable by nature, challenge the status quo of markets, commercialize technologies and further job creation.

“Auburn is one of America’s best places to live and to start a business,” Chandler said. “Through its proven entrepreneurial and innovation educational programing and one-on-one business counseling, the New Venture Accelerator and its predecessors have successfully launched over 50 businesses from Auburn University’s student and faculty entrepreneurs.

These businesses have

received over $32.5 million of venture investment and have created over 370 jobs.

“This expertise and track record of success has us well-positioned to foster robust economic growth in the Auburn-Opelika area by utilizing the EDA grant to offer unique tools and programming to the greater community.”

The grant is part of the EDA Build to Scale Program, which aims to accelerate entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to business support and startup capital.

“Working together, the Harbert College of Business, the New Venture Accelerator, the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, the city of Auburn and others have created a vibrant, supportive entrepreneurial environment that is committed to advancing new and growing

businesses,” Bifano said. “Fully funded by the Harbert College of Business, the New Venture Accelerator has a unique combination of resources to offer the local business community including education, skills development, mentoring, collaborative workspace, networking opportunities and consulting expertise.”

The current entrepreneurship ecosystem at Auburn University has allowed students and employees to engage in entrepreneurship education and programming through the New Venture Accelerator. This EDA grant provides opportunity to expand education and programming to include members of the local community.

Bifano said Auburn University and the city of Auburn encourage entrepreneurs to

The New Venture Accelerator, which is jointly managed by the Harbert College of Business and the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, is one element of an overarching strategy to foster entrepreneurship at Auburn University. visit the Start in Auburn website.

Anyone interested in starting a new business in the Auburn-Opelika area or who may need help growing their business is encouraged to reach out to Bifano at loubifano@ auburn.edu, Chandler at carychandler@ auburn.edu or Caitlin

Myers at cmyers@ auburnalabama.org to learn more about the full range of programs and business counseling services that are offered by the Harbert College of Business, the New Venture Accelerator, the Auburn Research Technology Foundation and the City of Auburn.

experiences and successful initiatives in so many areas, it is no surprise that the National Council of the Blind eventually asked him to be on the board and serve as its chairperson.

Part of his duties included hosting conference calls with BEP directors from across the nation, which gave him an appreciation for how impactful Alabama’s program has become.

“There are states that have four or five vendors, and we have 80,” he said.

“There are states that don’t have military dining and we’ve got it all. Every time a soldier in this state eats dinner on the base, that’s on us. All the vending at rest areas around the state, that’s all us.”

Throughout his tenure, Glisson has been known to share credit and avoid the spotlight, which led to unique ways of recognizing employees. He always enjoyed bucking the trend of traditional awards to offer personalized accolades to people for things that made them uniquely effective at their job. An example is the “Jiminy Cricket Award” set aside for someone who built a great work alliance to help a consumer move forward.

“I’ve always believed people need to be reminded of how important the work is that they do,” he said.

Recognizing the great

work of his fellow ADRS employees has been one of his favorite things about the department, and it will be a tough adjustment to leave those daily interactions behind because the ADRS staff has become like a second family.

“There’s something about this profession that attracts

great people; people who have a heart for service to others,” he said. “That same attitude comes out in service to each other as well.

I think that’s why we get so close, which makes it harder to leave and harder to say goodbye. I’ll miss the feeling of making a difference and I’ll miss the people.”

COVID-19 caused a few adjustments to Glisson’s retirement, but he said he was able to visit VRS offices across the state and interact with staff members once more. He said it gave him a chance to reflect on how fortunate he was to have connected with ADRS. “It has been a wonderful

experience,” he said. “I’m so lucky to have found it because it has been so rewarding. People go out and volunteer for things to feel like they make a difference in the world, but if you work here and really understand what’s going on you realize you’re making a difference.”

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Don’t wait. If you have symptoms, find out if you have the virus.

The testing is simple, fast, and effective at identifying COVID-19.

Find testing near you at

AlabamaUnites.com.

A6 Jan. 27, 2022

Area Still Battling COVID-19 CONTRIBUTED BY EAH

As of Jan. 25, for the ninth day in a row, COVID-19 hospitalizations at East Alabama Health are at 90 or above, including an all-time high of 100 on Jan. 18.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 93 COVID-19 patients, with nine on ventilators. Of the 18 in ICU, 14 are unvaccinated.

And those age 50 and older continue to be the ones most affected right now, with 83 percent falling into that age range.

STATE UPDATE MONDAY, JAN. 24 The ADPH Dashboard indicates 5,955 new confirmed COVID-19 cases earlier this week.

New cases are underreported due to home/ self-tests.

Alabama’s statewide COVID-19 test positivity is 44.4% To find the rate for your county, visit: www.alpublichealth. maps.arcgis.com/ apps/dashboards/ 6d2771faa9da4a2 786a509d82c8cf0f7 There were 2,867 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the time of the report. The alltime high is 3,102 on Aug., 29, 2021.

That includes 84 pediatric patients and 29 pregnant women.

Of the 84 pediatric patients, eight are in ICU and three are ventilated.

• 563 confirmed COVID-19 patients are in the ICU. • 39% of all ICU patients are COVID-19 positive • 292 (52%) confirmed COVID-19

patients in the ICU are ventilated • 61% of hospital ventilators are available

There were 31 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Alabama reported on Sunday.

There are 20 hospitalized patients with confirmed influenza (flu).

There

werew five hospitalized patients with confirmed influenza and COVID-19.

Free COVID Testing Available Thursday, Friday

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The Opelika Housing Authority and Southeast Alabama Area Health Education Center are partnering this week to bring free PCR COVID-19 tests to all Opelika and Tallassee Housing Authority Residents. The sites change daily and testing will continue through Friday, Jan. 28. For more information on when and where to get a test: www.opelikaha.org/press-view?id=15

E vents, Food, & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, JAN. 28: SOUND WALL SUPPER CLUB SATURDAY, JAN. 29: ASTRONOMY NIGHT AT KPNC SATURDAY JAN. 29: 10TH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE

Breads, Muffins and More PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern

Hospitality

W

hile meals can seem ho-hum or boring during the winter months, adding freshly baked bread to the menu can make a simple meal special. Whether it is a yeast bread or muffins, the aroma of bread baking in the oven drifts throughout the house, causing everyone to look forward to dinner.

Recently, when bread we ordered for a curbside pickup wasn’t available, it seemed the perfect time to bake bread. During the summer months, I don’t bake bread often since we get scrumptious sourdough and braided French garlic bread from Serenity Farms at the Opelika Farmers

Market. Anna Freeman and Liana Freeman have perfected their bread baking skills.

For now, any freshly baked bread will be prepared in our kitchen. When our children were growing up, I often made Gold Braid Bread.

The recipe was originally given to me by Carolyn Zeanah when she was a home economics teacher at Opelika High School. A few years ago, Gail Swarthout, who was also a home economics teacher, shared the recipe with her two butters, a strawberry and honey butter.

This bread is easier to make than you might think looking at the recipe. The directions are detailed to make it fairly

fail proof. Just don’t overbake it.

Yeast rolls can be easy to make as well, especially the refrigerator roll recipes. You can mix the batter up the day ahead and keep it in the refrigerator to pull out when you are ready to bake.

The Refrigerator Bran Muffins is another recipe I have made for many years. It is great to mix up and have in the refrigerator to bake for breakfast or dinner.

When I first started writing about food over 40 years ago, Imogine Humphrey gave me this recipe, which was called Six Weeks Bran Muffins. The batter never lasted that long at our house, but I would not

Winter Invitational “Down Under” by Alex Bocek on Display at JDCAC CONTRIBUTED BY SARA CUSTER CITY OF AUBURN CULTURAL ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

Thirty-one paintings by artist Alex Bocek are currently featured in the Gallery at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Also on view are a selection of ceramic works by area artists.

Alex Bocek holds degrees in zoology, aquaculture and business.

He has spent 10 years as an aquaculturist and 23 years as a computer program/analyst. He

has traveled widely and has had no formal art instruction. Bocek’s works present the Japanese art of fish printing (gyotaku) combined with acrylic paint in depicting Australian aboriginal symbols, dots and stories.

This exhibition will be on display until Feb. 18. For more information about the Winter Invitational, please contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at (334) 501-2963 or visit auburnalabama.org/arts.

Muffins are the easiest type of bread to make, and children enjoy helping to make them. A few quick stirs and the batter goes into the oven. Bake several batches to keep in the freezer to pull out to warm for serving at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pictured are Oatmeal Muffins, which are easily made. Double the recipe and freeze half. Photo by Ann Cipperly

want to leave it past a week since it contains eggs and buttermilk.

Muffins are the easiest type of bread to make, and children enjoy helping to make them. A few quick stirs and the batter goes into the oven. Muffins will freeze well. Bake several batches to keep in the freezer to pull out and warm for breakfast, lunch or dinner. On cold morning, warm muffins with breakfast are much more appealing than cold cereals.

Cornbread is also an easy bread to bake.

There are two recipes

to try. One is a traditional recipe from Chef Graham Hage, and the other is from Barbara Renie’s mother, the late Lucile Armstrong, that is different with yeast.

A few of the recipes are very easy using purchased or refrigerated rolls to quickly enhance for a tasty bread. Sherry Freeman’s Cinnamon Roll Bread Pulls uses a purchased sourdough loaf. The bread is sliced almost to the crust, then spread with a yummy cinnamon filling and then drizzled with icing.

The other quick recipe from Terri Neigh-

bors is a dinner roll embellished with Parmesan cheese and rosemary using tubes of refrigerated crescent rolls.

If you have been thinking about making sourdough bread while spending more time at home these days, check out Anita Thompson’s recipe. The starter uses instant potato flakes and yeast.

Look over the recipes and try a couple of freshly baked bread, rolls or muffins his coming week. Whatever you are serving for supper, your family will think it is special.

Sundilla Concert Series & Radio Hour Presents Hiroya Tsukamoto CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA

Sundilla will welcome award-winning guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto to Auburn on Friday, Jan. 28.

Showtime at Pebble Hill (101 S. Debardeleben) is 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are just $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online at sundillamusic.com; admission at the door will be $20.

Hiroya is a one-of-akind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto,

Japan. He began playing the five-string banjo when he was 13 and took up the guitar shortly after.

In 2000, Hiroya received a scholarship to Berklee College See TSUKAMOTO, page A8

VIDEO GAMES • COMICS • POSTERS ART • ANTIQUES • COINS VINTAGE JEWELRY • TOYS POKEMON • MTG • SPORTS CARDS

221 9th St, Opelika • 334.741.0808

A8 Jan. 27, 2022

Making the Grade: Little Italy Pizzeria

T

he last 22 months have been the roughest ones many of us have ever witnessed. During this time, a lot of people have felt isolated, lonely and scared.

However, blessings can come, even in the worst possible times.

For Mike and me, one such blessing was Orion, our new neighbors’ cat. In May of 2020, this snow white cat with beautiful green eyes began trying to come into our garage.

We would shoo him away because: one, I am extremely allergic to cat dander; two, we didn’t want him to get trapped inside our garage; three, he might have fleas.

However, Orion was very persistent, eventually wrapping us around his furry paw.

This handsome feline

I know now that God sent us Orion during the darkest days of the pandemic. Our “grandkitty” filled us with joy, which was an important blessing since we were missing our students and teaching family so much during lockdown.

However, some blessings are meant to be brief ones. June 18, 2021, was the last day we spent with our “grandkitty.” Orion, a fierce hunter and adventurer, disappeared the next day. Although

crazy. However, after I played with Orion, I simply went in the house immediately and washed my hands thoroughly. And sniffed a bit.

Mike and I, along with Orion’s parents, tried desperately to find him, Orion was gone forever.

Mike and I were heartbroken and still

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

began to visit us almost daily, except for when he was on lockdown for bad behavior.

After breakfast, Mike and I would go out to our grilling porch and call Orion. He’d leap over his family’s 6-foot fence and come to be petted, fed a treat and lavished with attention. Orion became our “grandkitty.” Mike was “Pop,” and I was “Nana.” If anyone had told me three years ago that I’d be spoiling my number one allergen, I’d have said they were

miss our “grandkitty” terribly. We’ve even vowed not to lose our hearts to another cat; losing Orion was too painful.

However, Robbie, who is a church family member from Central Baptist of Opelika, has introduced us to Handsome, a stray Siamese cat she took in about a year ago. Robbie named him well; Handsome is a very attractive, blue-eyed cat, who loves to play.

Mike and I have visited with him a couple of times.

TSUKOMOTO >>

FROM A7

of Music and came to the United States.

He formed his own group in Boston “INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic)” which consists of unique musicians from different continents including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records, and Hiroya has released three solo albums. In 2018,

Recently, Mike, Robbie and I decided to dine at Little Italy Pizzeria at 129 E. Magnolia Ave. in Auburn.

Mike chose the antipasto salad with a slice of pizza, which had Canadian bacon, sausage and ground beef. I also chose the antipasto salad with a slice of pizza topped with pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms. These mushrooms were cooked; I don’t eat raw ones.

Last, Robbie ordered a stromboli with peppers, onions, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses.

Everything was really delicious. The hearty antipasto salad, which had generous portions of meats and cheeses, was really a tasty meal by itself. But at a pizza restaurant, this girl wants pizza. I was also very impressed by the restaurant’s 30+ pizza toppings from which to choose.

Besides our delectable choices, Little Italy Pizzeria offers specialty pizzas, some of which include: meat lovers, veggie, alla Romania, Bianca

and Hawaiian. The restaurant also serves a large variety of hot Italian subs, deli subs and calzones. Desserts include: oreo cheesecake, tiramisu, cannoli and chocolate cannoli.

Little Italy Pizzeria is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. (However, this 59-year-old woman can no longer stay up that late, but that’s good to know.) Robbie and Handsome, this review was for you. Love y’all.

Little Italy Pizzeria makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner.

Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

Hiroya won 2nd place in the International Finger Style Guitar Championship.

On stage, Hiroya has been described as “Eclectic, immersive and mesmerizing” and “a one-of-a-kind guitarist and composer.” Hiroya has the unique capability of engaging an audience thru a personable and genuine approach that transfixes his audience and almost transcends his capabilities as a guitarist. In addition

to his prowess on the guitar, he is also a skilled songwriter, a poetic spirit and an engaging story teller.

For more information, including videos, go to www.sundillamusic.com.

Sundilla is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with an all-volunteer staff. Started in 1993 with an outdoor concert on the lawn at Pebble Hill, Sundilla started holding most of their concerts in the AUUF Fellowship Hall in 1996, thanks to the generosity of the AUUF. In 2017 Sundilla became the first, and so far only, venue to be presented with a SERFA Award for Contributions to Folk Music by the SouthEast Regional Folk Alliance.

In 2013 the first episode of The Sundilla Radio Hour was aired on WTSU in Troy. Since that time, the Sundilla Radio Hour has grown into a weekly show that is aired in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, New York, Colorado and Alaska.

A9 Jan 27, 2022

with AAron Diehl

The Knights, New York City’s eclectic and internationally sought-after orchestral collective, returns to Opelika with an electrifying program including Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” and George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue”, featuring acclaimed jazz pianist, Aaron Diehl.

Tuesday, January 25th, At 7:30PM

Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 Lafayette Parkway For Ticket Information, Call East Alabama Arts at 334.749.8105 or Visit eastalabamaarts.org

07 FEB 2022

28 FEB 2022

30

27

MAR 2022

APR 2022

A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN: THE QUEEN OF SOUL

S Y N C O PAT E D LADIES

MNOZIL BRASS

AN AMERICAN I N PA R I S

Damien Sneed’s new multimedia production celebrates the life and career of the most successful female recording artist in history, featuring fourtime Grammy Award-winning gospel legend, Karen Clark Sheard

Take Chloe Arnold’s cross section of today’s most popular music, mix in the swing of syncopation, the thrill of improvisation, and the energy of tap, and you have a recipe for the empowerment of young women ready to take on the world.

Mnozil Brass, the Austrian band known as the Monty Python of the music world, seamlessly combines slapstick comedy with extraordinary musical ability for an over-the-top fun, virtuosic, and laugh-out-loud experience.

With gravity-defying dance, this four Tony Award-winning Broadway production, based on the Academy Award-winning film, soars with youthful optimism and the power of love. Featuring the songs of musical geniuses George and Ira Gershwin - I Got Rhythm, Liza, ‘S Wonderful, But Not for Me, and Stairway to Paradise - who could ask for anything more!

FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL 334-749-8105 OR vISIT www.EASTALABAMAARTS.ORg

A10 Jan. 27, 2022

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> GOLD BRAID BREAD WITH STRAWBERRY AND HONEY BUTTERS

Gail Swarthout is a former home economics teacher at Opelika High School.

5-6 cups all-purpose flour 2 pkg. yeast ½ cup sugar 1 ½ cups very hot tap water 1 ½ tsp. salt 1 stick butter or margarine 2 eggs (room temperature) Measure 2 cups flour into large mixer mixing bowl. Stir in yeast, sugar and salt. Stir well to blend. Add soft butter.

Add tap water to ingredients in bowl all at once and beat with electric mixer about 2 minutes at medium speed. Make sure yeast is dissolved.

Add eggs and 1 cup more flour. Beat at high speed about 1 minute or until the dough is thick and elastic.

At this point take regular beaters out and begin to use wooden spoon. If you have dough hooks on your mixer, turn speed down and continue with them.

Add remaining flour gradually beating well.

Use just enough flour to make a soft dough which leaves sides of bowl.

If using dough hooks, knead about 5 minutes with them. If kneading by hand, turn out onto floured bowl and knead about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.

Turn into a greased bowl, greased with cooking oil. Turn dough over to coat all sides.

Cover with a towel and let rise until about double in bulk.

Punch dough down.

Divide dough into 2 equal portions. For each, roll into a 6x18 inch rectangle on a floured board. Cut lengthwise into 3 equal strips.

Pinch lengthwise edges of each strip together to make an 18inch rope. Braid the 3 ropes together. Begin in center and braid to each end. Place in a greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Braid ends together to form a circle. Grease too slightly to keep dough from drying out.

Let rise until double in bulk.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Bake on lower rack of oven. Remove from pan immediately.

Strawberry Butter 10 oz. pkg. frozen strawberries, thawed ½ lb. sweet butter, softened 1 cup confectioner’s sugar Have all ingredients at room temperature.

Combine ingredients in blender or mixer; blend or beat until completely smooth. It takes a long time to become smoothkeep beating. Chill and spread on your favorite

bread.

Honey Butter ½ cup butter, softened ½ cup honey In a small mixer bowl, beat butter and honey until light and fluffy. Serve with Gold Braid Bread or your favorite.

SOURDOUGH BREAD STARTER

Anita Thompson 1½ cups sugar, divided 6 Tbsp. instant potato flakes, divided 1 envelope dry yeast 2 cups warm water Combine ¾ cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. potato flakes, yeast and 1 cup warm water in large bowl; mix well. Let stand, loosely covered, in warm place for several hours or overnight. Store in refrigerator in loosely covered quart jar for 3 to 5 days.

Remove from refrigerator. To feed, add ½ to ¾ cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. instant potato flakes and 1 cup water; mix well. Keep covered loosely. Let sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours.

Remove 1 cup starter for bread recipe.

Refrigerate remaining starter for 3 to 5 days or until time for another “feeding.”

Sourdough Bread 1 cup sourdough bread starter ½ cup sugar ½ cup corn oil 1 Tbsp. salt 1½ cups warm water 6 cups bread flour Combine starter with sugar, corn oil, salt and warm water in large bowl; mix well.

Add bread flour; mix well. Makes a stiff batter.

Roll batter in corn oil and put into a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and leave on counter overnight to rise.

In the morning, punch down and divide into loaves. Let rise about 8 hours.

Bake on bottom rack at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool 30 minutes and then remove loaves from pans.

May want to butter top when first removed from oven.

1-2 Tbsp. milk Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make filling, whip butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in honey and vanilla.

Set aside.

Cut bread lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread honey butter between slices.

Rotate bread 90 degrees and slice again into 1/2-inch pieces without cutting through bottom.

Spread with honey butter in-between new cuts.

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon; sprinkle generously between all cuts.

Wrap in foil. Place on baking sheet and bake 25-30 minutes.

Combine powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency for icing.

Unwrap bread and place on platter. Drizzle icing over bread and serve.

BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD Chef Grahm Hage 1 cup whole buttermilk ½ cup butter, melted 2 eggs ½ tsp. baking soda 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup flour Salt and pepper ¼ cup oil or butter for skillet Heat a cast iron skillet in a 400-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Combine all wet ingredients a mixing bowl and whisk. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and gently stir.

Pull hot skillet from oven and add ¼ cup oil or butter, swirling to coat pan.

Pour cornbread batter into skillet and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

REFRIGERATOR BRAN MUFFINS An old favorite from years ago.

15 oz. box Raisin Bran cereal 3 cups sugar 5 cups all-purpose flour CINNAMON ROLL 5 tsp. soda BREAD PULLS 1 tsp. salt Slice sourdough 4 eggs, beaten bread almost to bot1 cup oil tom crust, spread with 1 qt. buttermilk honey butter, sprinkle Mix cereal with cinnamon sugar and sugar, flour, soda, drizzle with icing for and salt in very large an easy, delicious bowl. Add eggs, oil treat. and buttermilk. Store Sherry Freeman in covered container.

1 unsliced round Keep in refrigerator loaf sourdough bread and use as desired.

Honey Butter FillTo bake, fill greased ing: HUGE 3-DAY PUBLIC muffinAUCTION pan 2/3 full.

1/225th cupAnnual butter, Farm Equip., Construction & Truck Auction Bake atEq.400 degrees softened Thursday, Jan. for 15 minutes..

27toth20thru 1/4 cup powderedJan. 29th 2022 • 8am Saturday, sugar15594 Highway 431 N • Headland (Dothan), AL 36345 OATMEAL 1/4 honey Equip., Heavy-duty Trucks MUFFINS & Trailers Daycup 1: Construction to double.Row 1Day tsp.2:vanilla Farm Equipment,   All Types ofEasy CropSugar: Equipment Field Equipment 1 egg, beaten Cinnamon Day 3:   All Types of Farm Equipment, Row 1/3 cup butter, 1 cup sugar Crop Equipment, Field Equipment, Bullpen Area softened 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon Deanco Auction ½ cup brown sugar Icing: Phone: 334-693-2540 Fax: 334-693-2551 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup powdered www.deancoauction.com AND ONLINE BIDDING (or 1AVAILABLE cup milk with 1 sugar Auctioneers:ONSITE Donnie W Dean, AL Lic. 907, Wes Dean, AL Lic. 5219

HUGE 3-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION 25th Annual Farm Equip., Construction Equip. & Truck Auction

Tbsp. white vinegar) 1 cup quick-cooking oats 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda ½ tsp. salt Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine egg, butter, brown sugar and buttermilk.

In another bowl, mix oatmeal, flour, baking powder, soda and salt.

Add dry ingredients to buttermilk mixture; stir just until moistened.

Bake in greased muffin tins about 15 minutes, depending on size of pan.

biscuit cutter and place on greased cookie sheet to rise until size is doubled. Bake on 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen.

LILLIAN’S REFRIGERATOR ROLLS Beverly Corley 1 quart milk or water 1 cup Crisco 1 cup sugar 1 pkg. yeast ¼ cup warm water 8 cups flour 1 Tbsp. salt 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda Scald milk; add Crisco and sugar. Cool to lukewarm. In a cup, mix yeast and ¼ cup warm water. Add yeast mixture to milk mixture and work in 8 cups flour. Let rise until double in bulk.

Punch down and add salt, baking powder and soda. Kneed 10-15 minutes, then put in a covered container. You may store dough in refrigerator for several days. If you plan to use immediately, let rise again until double in bulk; then punch down and make into desired shape. (I dip each roll in melted butter and fold over to make Parker House rolls.)

Let rise 1 to 1 ½ hours in a warm place.

Cook at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. May be frozen after they are slightly brown. Makes 10-12 dozen.

ANGEL CORNBREAD This was a favorite recipe of Barbara Renie’s mother, the late Lucile Armstrong. ½ cup warm buttermilk 1 pkg. yeast (dissolved in warm buttermilk) 2 eggs, beaten 1½ cups buttermilk 1/3 cup oil Combine in a large bowl and then add: 2 cups self-rising cornbread mix ½ cup self-rising flour 1 Tbsp. sugar ¼ tsp. soda Mix and bake in greased muffin pan in preheated 425 oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

Note: Can be frozen and removed as needed. If freezing, do not completely cook.

When removed from freezer, finish baking in preheated 450 oven until lightly brown.

PARMESAN CHEESE DINNER ROLLS Terri Neighbors These taste like fancy dinner rolls and are so easy to throw together.

2 tubes Pillsbury Crescent Rolls 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese or more to taste, plus 2-3 Tbsp. for topping 1 Tbsp. dried or 2 tsp. fresh rosemary 4 Tbsp. butter, divided Kosher salt, omit if you use salted butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place skillet with 2 Tbsp. butter in the oven to melt.

Working with one tube at a time, roll out dough and press seams together to form a sheet. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the Parmesan and 1/2 of the rosemary. Feel free use more cheese if you want it extra cheesy.

Roll up the dough lengthwise and slice into approximately 1” pieces.

Repeat with second tube of dough and remaining cheese and

BUTTERMILK YEAST ROLLS Mary Ann Swanson 1 pkg. dry yeast ½ cup warm water ½ cup shortening, melted 4 ½ cups flour ¼ cup sugar 1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. baking soda 2 cups buttermilk Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. After sitting for 5 minutes, stir in melted shortening. Combine dry ingredients.

Then add dry ingredients and buttermilk to yeast mixture and mix well.

Place dough on well floured surface, gently kneed until easy to handle. Make a large ball and place in a greased bowl and cover with cloth. Place in a warm area until size doubles.

Punch down and pat out to about an inch thick. Cut with a

rosemary. Remove skillet from oven and brush butter around bottom and sides of the skillet.

Arrange dough slices in the skillet (they will fit snugly). Melt remaining 2 Tbsp. of butter in microwave and brush over the top of the rolls. Sprinkle with extra cheese, rosemary and a pinch of kosher salt, if desired.

Bake for 10 to12 minutes or until bread is golden brown. Cool slightly and serve right out of the skillet.

GINELE’S QUICK DINNER MUFFINS 1 cup butter 2 cups flour 1 tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. baking powder 10 oz. sour cream ¾ cup sharp cheddar, grated 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced Freshly ground pepper Mix dry ingredients together; set aside. Melt butter; add sour cream and dry ingredients.

Stir in cheese, garlic and pepper. Spoon into ungreased mini muffin tins. Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 425 degrees.

DILLY BREAD Carol Dillard ¼ cup warm water 1 pkg. yeast 1 cup cottage cheese 2 Tbsp. sugar 2 tsp dill seed 1 Tbsp onion flakes ¼ tsp. soda 1 tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. softened butter 1 egg beaten 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup warm water.

Warm cottage cheese, sugar and butter until butter melts. Let this mixture cool, add egg and then add to yeast (this step is very important as if the mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast). Add dill seed and onion flakes. Sift flour, salt and soda together and add to mixture.

Knead until smooth or put into large mixing bowl and mix with dough hook until dough is elastic in texture.

Put dough into bowl.

Grease top of dough; cover with towel and let rise 40 to 45 minutes.

Punch down and place into greased pans*. Let rise until double in size.

Bake approximately 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Maldon Salt or another finishing salt. *For a variety of shapes, I use loaf pans, regular and mini muffin tins or small round casserole dishes.

HUGE 3-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION

25th Annual Farm Eq., Construction Eq. & Truck Auction

Thursday, January 27th thru Saturday, January 29th • 8am 15594 Hwy 431 N • Headland, AL 36345 Phone: 334-693-2540 Fax: 334-693-2551 Day 1:    Construction Equipment, Heavy-duty Trucks, Trailers, Support Equipment, 1-Ton Trucks, Vehicles & Much More Days 2 & 3:   All Types of Farm Equipment, Row Crop Equipment, Field Equipment, Farm Attachments, Misc. Items

Deanco Auction

www.deancoauction.com

ONSITE & ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE

Auctioneers: Donnie W Dean, #907, Wes Dean AL# 2519

HUGE 3-DAY PUBLIC AUCTION th

A11 Jan 27, 2022

A12 Jan. 27, 2022

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

T

his is the first of a three-part series from Philippians 3:7-11 on what it means to know Christ.

Philippians 3:7-11 is a powerful text because it discusses what it means to know Christ. Jesus said in John 17:3, “Now

Knowing Christ this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

To know Jesus in a relational way (rather than simply knowing about Him) is to possess life in its richest, most abundant sense.

Therefore, knowing Jesus is paramount.

The question then follows — what does it mean to know Jesus?

That’s what Paul discusses in our text.

To set the context, he has been talking to the disciples at Philippi about the dangers of Judaizers and the heresy of their teachings.

The essence of what they were saying was

that a connection with Jesus was not enough — disciples also needed to be connected to Abraham, Moses and essentially the complete Jewish tradition.

Paul dismisses that by making the point that no one was more immersed in Jewish heritage than he had been (v. 4-7; Galatians 1:14), and he gladly left all of it behind (in an elitist sense) for Christ (v. 7). Paul didn’t quit being Jewish, stop loving Israel or have his appreciation for old covenant promises and prophecies diminish, but he no longer based his being and identity on them. They were no longer central to his

status. All of that now came through Christ.

He moves to an even larger sphere in v. 8 with his “what is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” What exactly does Paul have in mind here? We don’t know and it really doesn’t matter because we do know that whatever it was — it was “garbage” compared to knowing Christ.

Is that the way we feel?

My guess is that most of us could do with a good taking out of the trash. We occupy many roles in our lives — spouses,

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN parents, employees, students, etc. It’s a real temptation to derive our status from them.

Paul wanted nothing to do with any of that.

He saw himself in the way he introduced himself and Timothy — “servants of Christ Jesus.” Nothing was in competition for that.

Everything fit underneath that or it was tossed out. There’s real power to be found when we start to think of ourselves in such terms. To know Christ is to find our central identity in Him. You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-tasteof-grace-with-brucegreen.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

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5

DIRECTORY APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc. 28 Sanford Ave., Opelika 334-745-0210 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 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

Was Saul Saved on the Road to Damascus?

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487

Come and Find Out.

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

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE

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

2660 CUNNINGHAM DR., OPELIKA SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. / 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:30 P.M.

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 Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015

Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054 METHODIST

Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

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

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

A13 Jan 27, 2022

Offer Mercy, Not Judgment

WALTER ALBRITTON

A

man came off the street into my study one day, having asked to “see the preacher.” His appearance was so bad I did not ask him to sit down. His smell was unsettling and I was busy with “church

work.” Impatiently I asked, “Can I help you?”

His reply was not what I expected.

“Pastor,” he said wearily, “I hope you can. I am not here to ask for money or food or a place to stay. I can sleep in my old car again tonight. What I need is hope. I am at the end of my rope. I am willing to work if I can find a job. I am desperate to find someone who will believe in me, trust me and help me make a new start.”

The man seemed so genuine that I asked him to sit down. We talked for an hour and I prayed

with him, asking the Lord to give him hope for a new life. I found him a place to spend the night, made a few phone calls and found him a job. Given a chance, he began to earn his keep and slowly made a comeback. We stayed in touch and within a few years the man had become a respected member of the community and a devout Christian.

Four years after his first visit, he came to see me again. He recalled the day we first talked.

“That day, I was so distraught that I had decided to kill myself if you had turned me

away, as so many others had already done,” he said. “But you saved my life by taking an interest in me. You gave me the hope to hold on for another day. And God helped me to make a new life for myself.”

Then he embraced me with a hug I have never forgotten.

My experience with that man led me to reflect on the many times I had failed to offer mercy to strangers who smelled like he did. I thanked God for opening my eyes and asked forgiveness for the times I had offered judgment instead of mercy to

people who needed hope more than a handout.

I began to understand better what Saint Paul meant when he said to his Christian friends in Rome, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” This verse, Romans 15:7, is translated in several ways. Another says, “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Yet another, “Receive one another, then, as Christ has received you.”

How does Christ

accept, or welcome, or receive me? He offers me mercy. Not condemnation or judgment.

When Christ opens His arms to receive me, saying “Come to me,” he is offering me mercy that is clothed in hope for my future.

So how can I reduce the strife in our society, the strife that robs us of the harmony and civility we so desperately need?

By offering my brothers and sisters, in the living of these days, mercy, not judgment. So shall we find our way to live together in peace.

loving help and care throughout the years.

Visitation was held Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika and a graveside Services followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local animal shelters.

very proud of the family that he and his wife had made, and he loved them beyond words.

Jim was the backbone of his family, he was adored, respected, loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Roxanne Riddle and his two daughters, Katherine (Joe) Smith of Naples, and Debra (Warren) Plog of Opelika; his grandchildren, Justin Plog (Brooke Stephens), Jodi Plog, DJ Strickland, Tanner Jensen, Cody Jensen, Lucas Jensen, and his precious great granddaughter, Thea Katherine Strickland; his sister-in-law, Vera Knight, and brother-inlaw, Carroll Morefield, and many cherished family members.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, Ron Knight and his loving aunts, Frances Smith and Katherine Riddle.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika.

Family viewing will be from noon until 1p.m., with public viewing from 1to 3 p.m., with a service starting at 3 p.m.

OBITUARIES ARTHUR C. WARD JR. Mr. Arthur C. Ward, Jr. 88, of Cortland, passed away Jan. 12, 2022, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, in Syracuse, New York. Arthur was born July 22, 1933, in Salem, Alabama.

Arthur was a veteran of the United States Army and a former employee of Cooper Tools in Cortland. Additionally, was a member of Abundant Life UPC of Cortland.

He is survived by his wife; Wilma Jean Ward of Cortland, five children; Frank Ward of the Bronx, Tony Ward of Brooklyn, Sharon Rasdale of the Bronx, Barbara Ward (Ricky) King of Diamond Bar, Calif, and Evelyn Ward of the Bronx. Also surviving are many grandchildren and great grandchildren, five step-children of Cortland, four sisters; Sara Thomas of Salem, Alabama; Gladys Freelon of Maywood, Ill.; Frances Kimber of Phenix City, Alabama and Christine Upshaw of Salem.

Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents; Arthur Ward, Sr. and Maggie Russaw Ward, a son; Arthur Lee Ward; a sister; Mary Ward Cochran and three brothers; Johnny Ward, Bobby Ward and Harry Ward.

Funeral services were conducted on Friday at 6 p.m. from the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home, Cortland with Pastor Brad Dutcher officiating. Burial delayed until spring will be in Cortland Rural Cemetery.

The family was present to receive friends on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel prior to services.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www. riccardifuneralhome. com ––––––– CLINTON F. LEATHERMAN, JR

Clinton F. Leatherman, Jr., 64, of Opelika, passed away Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.

Mr. Leatherman was born May 23, 1957, in Lincolnton, North Carolina, to parents, Clinton and Faye Leatherman. He spent 41 years working with Duke Energy in North Carolina, after which he retired. In July 2019, Mr. Leatherman and his family moved to Opelika. They found a home in First Baptist Church of Opelika.

Mr. Clinton had a strong love for God and family and he worked tirelessly to ensure his family was able to live life to the fullest.

He was the epitome of a righteous man walking with God in humbleness, kindness and generosity.

Mr. Leatherman was preceded in death by his father, Clinton F. Leatherman, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Donna Leatherman; daughters: Anna and Carrie Leatherman, Sarah (Eric) Leatherman Cornwell and Candy Bellflower; his son, James Cortez; grandchildren: Ashton Thompson, Colton Bellflower, Ethan and Eli Leatherman and John Christopher Moore; his mother, Faye Leatherman; and his brothers: Tony (Debbie) Leatherman, Maurice (Penny) Leatherman and Nathan (Elizabeth) Leatherman.

Memorial services for Mr. Clinton F. Leatherman, Jr. were held Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Opelika. A visitation was held a half hour before the service. Dr. Jeff Meyers officiated.

A subsequent memorial service will be held in Lincolnton, North Carolina on Feb. 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. EST at Redeemed Baptist Church 1525 Riverview Road Lincolnton, NC 28092 In lieu of flowers

the family asks that donations be made in his name to Rescue K911 Inc. in Camp Hill, Alabama. www. rescuek911.com/donate or call 256-896-4694.

Also, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Opelika at www.fbcopelika.com/ give or call 334-7455715.

––––––– ONIE DORA BARBREY Onie Dora Barbrey went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. Onie was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, on Feb. 12, 1951, to Henry Benton Worthy and Katie Gray Worthy. She adopted the name “Sue” when her baby brother was unable to say “Sister.”

Sue grew up in the Esto area. After high school, she married Keith Hartzog and went on to work for Van Heusen in Hartford, Alabama.

Sue later went to work for Michelin Tire Company in 1979 where she worked until her retirement in 2007. She enjoyed fishing, putting puzzles together, and traveling to the beach and mountains. Sue loved her four grandchildren immensely; they were the light of her life. She cherished her family and friends.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, George Edward Barbrey of Opelika; beloved son, David Jason Hartzog and his wife, Amy; four grandchildren, Ann-Katherine Hartzog Lovin (Jacob), Gunnar Hartzog, Gray Hartzog and Audrey Hartzog, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home and a graveside service was held Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika.

––––––– PAULA FRIZZELL Born in Greece on Aug. 5, 1926, Paula passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2022, at EAMC in Opelika, Alabama.

Paula was preceded in death by her husband, Henry B Frizzell; sons, Nick and Roger Frizzell.

She is survived by sons, Alex (Karen) and Richard Frizzell.

Other surviving family members include grandsons, Allen (Tasha), Elliot and Nicholas Frizzell; great-grandchildren, Marcus (Makayla), Chyanne and Addyson Frizzell; and greatgreat granddaughter, Ryleigh Frizzell. She loved to hear her greatgrandchildren call her “YaYa” and enjoyed telling them about Greece.

Paula had an infinite love for every living creature. She kept them close to her with a photo of each of her “four-legged” children on her pillowcase. She also loved Auburn and always watched their football games.

Our family wants to say a Special Thank You to Tony and Gloria Carmack for their

––––––– JAMES ROBERT RIDDLE James Robert Riddle, 74, passed away the morning of Jan. 24, 2022.

Jim was born on Nov. 13, 1947, in Opelika, to Marvin Jasper Riddle and Bessie Mae Milner. Jim traveled the country working as a telephone cable splicer before settling in Naples, Florida, where he lived .with his wife and two daughters for 40 years. He also owned Riddle’s Auto Repair in Naples in the 80’s and early 90’s.

He then semi-retired and moved back to his hometown of Opelika.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed riding and traveling on his Harley with his wife, racing cars, riding dirt bikes, air boating, four wheeling, fishing and scuba diving. He was

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

Your Full-Service Funeral Home

A14 Jan. 27, 2022

COMICS

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

S

INSIDE B1 - B8:

S

D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Winter Sports Closing Out, Pushing for AHSAA Playoffs

O

going 4-2 to earn fourth place. Peralta-Fernandez finished with one win and two losses, but did not place in the tournament.

Davis was forced to postpone senior night, scheduled for Jan. 20, due to unknown circumstances. One would guess COVID caused teams not to have enough grapplers to participate. No date was given to recognize the OHS senior wrestlers.

INDOOR TRACK Opelika’s Indoor Track Team travelled to Birmingham last Monday for the “Dr. Martin Luther King Indoor Track Classic” at the Crossplex.

The following is a summary of Opelika’s results.

60 METER DASH 7.58 SB Bailey Williams - 27th 7.62 SB Jakori Thorntan - 30th 7.66 SB Qualik Harry 33rd 400 METER DASH 53.78 SB Kaden Cooper - 7th 55.68 SB Kyrian Moss - 16th 800 METER RUN 2:11.66 SB Kyrian Moss - 10th 2:18.17 SB Charles Brewer - 14th 2:21.35 SB Sam Washburn - 18th 1600 METER RUN 4:39.06 SB Charles Brewer - 2nd See SPORTS, page B3

LEE COUNTY: FEB. 8 AT 6 P.M. AUBURN: FEB. 8 AT 6 P.M. OPELIKA: FEB. 22 AT 4:30 P.M.

Auburn Men’s Basketball Achieves Program’s First-Ever No. 1 National Ranking CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS For the first time in the 116-year history of Auburn Men’s Basketball — the program has achieved its first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll released on Monday.

The Tigers (18-1, 7-0 SEC) received 45 firstplace votes and 1,504 points from the 60-member voting panel comprised of media members across the country.

Gonzaga was No. 2 with 15 first-place votes and 1,475 points.

Last week, Auburn beat Georgia and No. 12-ranked Kentucky at home — where it remains an undefeated

10-0 this season in front of capacity crowds and The Jungle at Auburn Arena. The Wildcats were the highest-ranked opponent to fall victim

to AU on its home court since the opening of the venue in 2010.

Auburn becomes only the eighth all-time SEC school to achieve a No. 1

national ranking. The Tigers are off to their fourth-best start in program history and second See BASKETBALL, page B2

One Night in Pearlville – The Story of Auburn’s Basketball-Crazed Students PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW SHANNON / AU ATHLETICS

WRESTLING pelika’s wrestling team participated in the “Smiths Station Panther Wrestling Invitational” last weekend. Eighteen wrestlers represented the Bulldogs in the meet, featuring 20 teams from Alabama and Georgia.

Four OHS grapplers won their respective weight class. Brady Campbell won the 145lb weight class with a 4-0 record; Jack Pritchard placed second in the 195lb class with a 3-1 record; Brayden Wilson (126lb) and Micah Smith (132lb) finished fourth in their respective weight class with 4-2 records.

The other 14 wrestlers did not finish in the top four, but contributed with enough points for OHS to finish in fourth place as a team. Lee County, Georgia, won the meet, followed by Smiths Station and third place finisher Bob Jones.

Head coach Jim Davis has two female wrestlers on the team: Shy’Kayla Brooks and Heidi PeraltaFernandez. The girls wrestled in the second annual “AHSAA Girls’s State Championship” last weekend.

Brooks made history at OHS, becoming the first female to place in the state wrestling tournament,

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SHANNON

ON THE MARK

• AUBURN UNIVERSITY • COMMUNITY SPORTS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • SUSSC

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

It is no secret that diehard fans of the Auburn basketball program are deeply committed to supporting their team.

This is the group that prides itself on being the loudest roar in the SEC when it comes gametime, the same people who post thousands of “deep-fried” memes on other team’s final score Tweets when Bruce Pearl’s squad claims another victim and a self-proclaimed “mafia” Auburn University students gathered outside Auburn Arena as early as 36 hours prior to which will do anything tip-off in the Auburn versus Kentucky game on Saturday. it takes to show love for the Tigers. tipoff between Auburn forecasts calling for amount of determination On Friday, Jan. 21, the and Kentucky — stusub-freezing temperait was going to require individuals who make dents began pitching tures, the uncertainty of to endure the night in up “The Jungle” showed tents to hold their place an individual’s ability to Pearlville, only a mad their support in historic in line and “Pearlville” actually get in the areman was going to go fashion; at 6:30 a.m. — was born. na — given the crowd through with it. over 29 hours before Between weather size — and the sheer See STUDENTS, page B3

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B2 Jan. 27, 2022

Auburn Keeps 'Rollin'

PHOTOS BY ALEX NEWILL / FOR THE OBSERVER

Students and members of the Auburn community alike flocked to Toomer's Corner Saturday afternoon to canvas the trees with toilet paper in celebration of the Tigers' 80-71 home victory over the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball team — arguably one of the biggest regular-season wins in program history.

BASKETBALL >> FROM B1 7-0 SEC start next to the 1958-59 season.

They are also the winningest SEC men’s

basketball program (112 victories) over the last five years. Sports Illustrated previously tabbed Auburn the No. 1 preseason squad in 1999, but the Tigers had

never been ranked No. 1 in either the AP or USA TODAY/Coaches Top 25 Polls.

Head Coach Bruce Pearl has now led three schools to a No.

1 national ranking — Southern Indiana (NCAA Division II) in 1997, Tennessee in 2008 and Auburn in 2022.

He is just one of three head coaches all-time to

have three schools reach No. 1 in the polls next to Frank McGuire (St. John’s, North Carolina and South Carolina) and John Calipari (UMass, Memphis and

Kentucky).

Pearl is the only head men’s basketball coach in conference history to lead two SEC programs to No. 1 in the land.

B3 Jan. 27, 2022

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

On Tuesday Jan. 18, the Patriots of Southern Christian faced the Trinity Eagles of Opelika. The Pats came in riding a hot streak and were able to maintain the fire burning long enough to keep the Eagles caged and unable to soar. Southern Christian defeated Trinity 45-33 with the help of a dominate performance from Jagger Scott. Scott scored 15 points and pulled down a whopping 23 rebounds in regulation. Parks Myers also had another stellar performance for the hometown fans, scoring 14 points, stealing seven times, adding seven assists and grabbing seven boards. Jedd Scott also had five steals and four assists, helping to continue the streak into Tuscaloosa on Friday.

Southern Christian then headed to T-town to face

SPORTS >> FROM B1 5:15.41 SB Michael Hart - 18th 5:39.30 SB Zalen Shaw 27th 3200 METER RUN 12:22.04 SB Peyton Weston - 17th 13:07.02 SB Patrick Seymore - 20th 60 METER HURDLES 8.93 SB Tykell Thomas - 3rd 9.30 SB JaClarence Perry - 5th 10.14 Theo Hubbard - 9th 4X200 METER RELAY 1:35.55 Relay Team - 2nd 4X400 METER RELAY 3:45.72

STUDENTS >> FROM B1 I suppose that makes me insane.

At 1:30 p.m. on Friday, I left the production studio following my weekly talk show on WEGL 91.1 FM and took a stroll to Auburn Arena both to scope out my group’s chances of getting in line and out of pure curiosity. My recon mission quickly transformed into what felt like intense combat as tent spots had already become scarce.

It was at this point where the founding residents of Pearlville knew we were in for a long adventure.

By 5 p.m. the idea of an available tent site was simply laughable. The preline to get into the gated corral had begun to pose a serious threat to anyone who hoped to witness the biggest game in Auburn basketball history, and individuals who planned on going to support the gymnastics team had — in large — abandoned their itinerary.

From that point forward, organization and common sense went directly out the window.

At 9:30 p.m. anxious fans at the front of the pre-line lost their patience, tearing down the barricades — which were previously serving as a medium

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE SCA

Southern Christian’s Hot Streak Comes to an End streak. The final tally would be 53-27.

“They fought gallantly,” Scott said. “I am very proud of these middle school guys battling so hard and scoring 27 points against a JV squad. It was great! The experience they got here tonight will pay off in spades for these guys in the future.”

Cole Hall led the Patriots with 13 points in the game — knocking down a couple of vital three-pointers to slow the Warriors’ momentum in the third quarter.

Now, Southern Christian will have a busy week playing at the Evangel Lightning, a dominant force in the ACSC Conference, and also rematching with Southern Prep and the Wiregrass Kings from Dothan, which will see the Patriots at home in Covington Rec Center, right here in Opelika. Game time is 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

the Warriors of Tuscaloosa Homeschool Academy. This was the second time these teams faced each other with SCA falling to the Warriors in a very close conference matchup the first time. The JV boys were up first, with Jayden McKee putting up nine from long range to lead the guys of Southern Christian to victory over the THA Warriors. Jagger Scott continued winning the battle in the paint scoring eight points and bringing down seven rebounds. Cole Johnson also helped the Pats under the rim with seven boards. With 7 seconds left in the game, the Patriots were leading 33-32.

Inbounding the ball under the Warrior’s basket, McKee threw a long baseball pass down right side of the court and one of the Warriors comes up with it as the seconds ticked by. Before Tuscaloosa Academy could get it back down court, Jedd

Scott took the ball and converted an easy layup to seal the victory, 35-32, and keep the winning streak alive.

“I love watching these guys play,” said Southern Christian head coach Jason Scott. “This group is a very special group. Very exciting to be part of this team.

Every time they get on the court they seem to get better.

But really by playing better together — playing more unselfishly every time — that’s what I love to see, that’s what the fans love too.”

The hot streak would encounter some cold weather soon after, however, much like the gym in Tuscaloosa where the temperature was 49 degrees at the start of warmups.

The middle school boys of SCA faced up against the Warriors JV squad in the second game in T-Town due to THA not having a middle school team this year. Being quite apropos, playing not

far from the long shadow of Bear Bryant, was very much a “size of the fight in the dog …” scenario unfolding for the boys from Opelika. And fight they did, the Patriots battled courageously for 24 minutes, almost matching

the Warriors in the second and third quarters of regulation. But the Warriors’ first quarter domination and the Pats being unable to get their offense running well in the final quarter led to the icy cold end of the Patriots hot

Relay Team - 1st 4X800 METER RELAY 9:20.04 Relay Team - 3rd HIGH JUMP 6-2 Davian Jones - 1st 5-6 Makai Simpson - 6th LONG JUMP 20-6.5 Davian Jones - 1st 18-9.25 Kaden Cooper - 8th 18-1.75 SB Anthony Edwards - 11th TRIPLE JUMP 41-2.75 Davian Jones - 1st 39-11.75 Kaden Cooper - 4th 37-0.75 Anthony Edwards - 8th POLE VAULT 11-0 Ben (Benjamin) Royal - 5th

9-6 Kylin Fears - 6th 8-6 William Garner - 7th SHOT PUT 42-6.5 Mikeil Heard - 1st 41-9.5 Marquavian Johnson - 3rd 38-8.5 William Garner - 6th The Bulldog runners will travel back to Birmingham on Friday to participate in the “Last Chance Meet”. The AHSAA State Indoor Championship will be at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Feb. 4 through 5.

BASKETBALL The OHS basketball teams lost an area game at Eufaula last week.

Opelika’s Lady Bulldogs trailed by one point with three minutes left in the

game. The girls were whistled for numerous fouls and lost 54-49. Haley Sanders scored a game high 22 points.

Eufaula won the area regular season after beating OHS, and will host the Area tournament. Opelika’s varsity boys' basketball team lost at Eufaula, 90-61, in area play.

The Bulldogs beat the No. 1 ranked Tigers in the Mainstreet gym two weeks ago.

EHS avenged the loss, playing a near perfect game.

Opelika was led offensively by Isaiah Knight (19 points) and Grady Bynum (14 points).

Both teams host rival

Auburn on Feb. 3 in the Mainstreet gym.

You can listen to the AHS/OHS varsity girls' and boys' games on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 am presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. Airtime at 5:25 p.m.

TIDBITS Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller appeared on the “On the Mark” radio show and said the softball fields at West Ridge Park will be turfed one field at a time.

Originally, the plan was to have both fields turfed prior to the 2022 season.

The city plans to turf all 11 fields at West Ridge Park. The Billy Hitchcock Miracle Field is currently the only field with sports turf. The turf on the

miracle field allows wheelchairs to be used along with other handicapped equipment.

Opelika head football coach, Erk Speakman confirmed OHS will play Theodore at Bulldog Stadium Sept. 23. This will give the Bulldogs a 10 game schedule, five road games and five home games.

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

to keep students out of the gated corral — and sent the rest of the mob into a frenzy.

Our group of six locked arms, grabbed as many of our belongings as we could and simply held on for dear life. We, along with 3,000 of our closest friends, were at the mercy of the mob for the remainder of the night.

When the mass reached the student-entry doors at the front of the line, the realization began to sink in that we were going to be stuck where we stood for at least another 12 hours.

People began to take halfsteps backwards in hopes of finding small openings in the crowd to unfold lawn chairs, lay down blankets or simply get off their feet.

It was at this point that the residents of Pearlville began to get to know their “neighbors” and where the group of fans transformed from a mob to something that almost resembled a community.

People bonded over songs played on portable speakers, games of cards which took place mostly on the laps of those participating, conversations with new friends and a shared misery regarding a decision that we all decided to make.

Between the hours of 11 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Pearlville was in its prime. A handful

of students who determined the wait was not worth the reward returned home, the remaining mass was able to spread out and spirits were high.

I can recall a conversation between my group of buddies and the group next to us about how — one day — we will all tell our kids how crazy their parents were for camping out for a singular basketball game.

In its “prime,” Pearlville was full of laughter, singing, dancing and certainly a good amount of shenanigans. There was even an individual who was committed to starting the “Bodda Getta” chant every 15 minutes, punctually.

As a resident of the community, we got to know the people around us in a fashion in which you probably never converse with complete strangers.

In a way, we weren’t strangers.

Sure, I had never met the majority of the people who shared their blankets and snacks with us; but we shared a common bond.

None of us could manufacture a good answer as to how or why this insanity was worth it. We just mutually agreed that it was.

That’s what Pearlville was though; a group of genuinely crazy students who love their school and its basketball program.

Around 3 a.m., the newness and excitement had effectively worn off. Citizens of our newly created town had grown cranky and the temperatures had dropped into the high 20s.

Exhaustion plagued our village and goodness was it cold. By this point, half of our group had split off with the intent of sleeping in our tent for an hour then coming back to give the remaining three the same luxury. That rotation never happened.

I will never forget sitting in a Walmart lawn chair — which only had three functioning legs — and sharing no fewer than 10 blankets with the other two guys in our group. We were layered up from head to toe, hand warmers in our pockets and toe warmers in our shoes. It was still bitterly cold.

I can’t be certain that the frigid temperatures were the sole reason the crowd grew quiet but it definitely played a large part in dampening the mood.

People were exhausted.

By 3:45 a.m. the only burrow of Pearlville with any resemblance of life was roughly 50 feet from where my group had hunkered down. Those guys were not going to let the party stop. Their speaker played Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” on loop for a good hour and a half, they

befriended the on-duty police and the now-named “Bodda Getta Guy” had evolved into starting random chants.

When I say random, this guy literally yelled “alright Tiger fans, get your hands up for the Gettysburg Address” and proceeded to read the whole thing to anyone who was willing to listen.

At that point, the group I was surrounded by began making efforts to block out the noise of the rowdy burrow and try to get some shut eye. I think I got a net total of 45 minutes of something that might have remotely resembled sleep.

My broken lawn-chair slumber was disturbed at precisely 6:14 a.m. when I — like so many around me — was awoken in the midst of what can only be described as a stampede.

To this day I still could not tell you why the mob decided it needed to rush the doors at that exact moment; I can tell you that this was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.

People were stepping over and on top of one another. Shoving matches ensued. It’s a miracle nobody was hurt.

The final three-plus hours before doors opened were hell. Everyone was separated from their friends, Pearlville

transformed into something of a can of sardines and all anyone could do was stand still and wait.

Then there was the smell. The godawful gut-wrenching aroma from garbage and body odor was horrific. There were nowhere near enough trash cans for the sheer volume of debris.

We found ways to pass the time. “Let us in” chants were a hit, singing “The Star Spangled Banner” was an act of delirium and sleep-deprived students took turns trying to climb a nearby light pole.

One student took off his shoes and gloves and finally made it to the top.

When 10 a.m. finally rolled around, the doors opened and the citizens of Pearlville fought their way into Auburn Arena at long last. Most of us made it to the floor, unluckier individuals — such as myself — were sent to the standing room.

It didn’t matter. We had followed through on an idea which can only be described as madness. Most of us will likely never see or speak to one another again; we’ll always have the memories from the night that felt like forever.

One night in Pearlville turned a group of insane basketball fans into a family.

B4 Jan. 27, 2022

Auburn Sweeps Away the Tide

PHOTOS BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER

On senior night Saturday and in an early game Sunday, the Auburn Tiger Ice Hockey team handled the D-II Alabama Frozen Tide, defeating their rivals from Tuscaloosa 7-1 and 6-4, respectively.

Lee-Scott Make Strides Toward AISA Playoffs PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER The Lee-Scott varsity boys' and girls' baskebtall teams dominated Springwood Academy on the harwood last week. The girls cruised to a 49-14 win, pushing their record to 9-3, according to maxpreps; the boys emerged victorious, 55-42, pushing their record to 15-6 according to maxpreps.

B5 Jan. 27, 2022

OCS Name Teachers of the Year

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AHS to Present 4th Annual Black History Program

Congratulations to the 2021-22 OCS Teachers of the Year! Pictured (l-r): Meagan Gamble-Southview Primary School, Jessica Battle-Morris Avenue Intermediate School and OCS Elementary Teacher of the Year, Kristen Massey-Northside Intermediate School, Tanishya McTyre-Carver Primary School, Oneika Smith-Opelika High School, and Chad Cunningham-Opelika Middle School and OCS Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Not pictured: Amber Fulford-Jeter Primary School and Lakisha Smith-West Forest Intermediate School.

AHS Earns Win Over Smiths Station

Performers from last year's Black History Program.

PHOTO BY HARRISON TARR / FOR THE OBSERVER

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

maneuver the high-intensity scheme and effectively climb their way back into the ball game.

“They did an excellent job making free throws tonight,” Brandt said. “They didn’t miss many. One of the things I was trying to do was make them shoot the ball and not let them get to the free throw line but they did an excellent job of doing that.”

Despite a late-game comeback generated by the Panthers’ ability to get to the charity stripe, Auburn found a way to fend off its opponents until the final buzzer. Brandt depicted it as a tribute to his team’s ability to fight through any situation.

“The game was close,” Brandt said.

“We were resilient, we kept fighting. It came down to the end and that’s what made the difference.”

Following Tuesday’s win, Auburn finds itself 16-8 on the season (1-2 within the area) and sets itself up with feasible hopes of a late-season tournament run. The Tigers will be back in action on Friday night when the squad travels to Phenix City to take on the Red Devils of Central High School at 7 p.m. CST.

Auburn High School’s Afro-Cultural Education club, also known as ACE, will present its 4th Annual Black History Program on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. The theme for the program is FORWARD: your past does not define you. ACE’s mission is to educate students about Black History and Afro Culture through creative projects. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, openness, representation and opportunity for everyone. We expose students to the rich heritage of African culture and support them in their own academic and personal growth as strong citizens thriving in the global world. ACE encourages positive and healthy lifestyles by emphasizing how the choices we make will affect history and our future generations.

Lady Tigers Steamroll Pathers on Senior Night

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER In the world of high school sports, every game matters.

Beating your rivals is important and taking care of business is a must when it comes to keeping playoff dreams alive; no contest is more important than senior night. It is a priority in the mind of every coach to send the group of athletes who have spent so much of their high school careers giving their all to represent their communities in the best possible fashion.

On Tuesday night, head coach Courtney Pritchett and the Tigers of Auburn high school did just that, steamrolling visiting Smiths Station by a score of 77-23.

Despite Smiths Station posting the game’s first points, the reality of a blowout surfaced early in the contest when Brandt’s squad began to engage the fullcourt press.

“This was senior night, so we gave the

opportunity for some young ladies who didn’t get the chance to start all season to start,” Pritchett said.

“So I think that mix up kind of slowed us down offensively and defensively. When we decided to go back with that first group we kind of got a feel from there.”

Once the blue and white shifted into their brand of a press defense, the contest was all but over. The Tigers went on a 3910 run to close out the half, bringing the halftime score to an eye-opening 41-14.

“We’ve got a bunch of kids that can defend,” Pritchett said.

“We’ve got a bunch of kids that are high energy kids. When we get those kids going and they get in a rhythm we can get a bunch of turnovers… execution was going to be key and big for us.”

To the disappointment of traveling Smiths Station Fans, the second half was another chapter to the same story. Auburn continued to build

upon its upon its lead through winning the battle on the boards, forcing Smiths Station into a slew of turnovers and the hot hand of Carleigh Andrews.

“Carleigh is always, every game, her energy and tempo is there,” Pritchett said.

“She can really shoot the ball well. She gets out in transition, she runs the f loor well.

When she’s going, she’s hard to defend.

I think us being able to settle down our offense gave her a little more energy.”

Andrews’ 19 points — 14 of which came from her fourth-quarter efforts — was good for a team-high on the evening.

The Tigers’ emphatic victory brings their win total to 15 on the season and improves the blue and white to 3-0 in region play.

Pritchett’s squad now turns its attention towards Friday’s matchup with region foe Central Phenix-City as the group continues to make its playoff push.

Tipoff between the two squads is set for 5:30 CST. PHOTO BY HARRISON TARR / FOR THE OBSERVER

When fans piled into the Auburn High School gymnasium on Tuesday evening, there was a tangible buzz in the air. Head coach Chris Brandt’s squad's season has gone according to plan thus far, the Tigers are seemingly a shoo-in for the playoffs and the visiting Smiths Station Panthers entered the contest red-hot. It is little surprise that the stars came out in Auburn’s 70-68 win on senior night.

From opening tipoff on, there was little doubt that both squads wanted to take home a victory and that the highlight reel for the contest was going to be one to write home about as each team took turns throwing down emphatic dunks within the first two minutes.

The up-tempo offense was prominent on both ends of the f loor; when the rim-shattering fireworks died down, it was the hometown Tigers who pulled ahead and developed a consistent rhythm.

“I thought — first half — we played probably the best half we’ve played all year,” Brandt said. “We were moving the ball well,

we were cutting, we were playing great defense, we were talking.”

Although proud of his team’s first-half efforts, the leader of the blue and white praised his opponents’ ability to keep themselves in position to stay in — or win — every game.

“Smiths is the type of team that you can never get too far ahead or behind,” Brandt said. “They’re relentless in their pressure.

They kept double teaming Ja (Carr), making other people step up.”

The Panther defense limited standout junior Carr to just eight points across the contest in its entirety.

In an effort to counter Smith Station’s double teaming of Carr, Brandt claims that his squad attempted to apply the full-court press.

“I thought we did a good job of getting them tired,” Brandt said. “But I do know that they’re so used to working on the press — because that’s what they do — so they don’t get effected by the press. They were breaking it pretty easily.”

The defensive adjustment did not prove fruitful for the Tigers as the silver and black found a way to

CONTRIBUTED BY ALYSSA GENTRY/ ACE SPONSOR

B6 Jan. 27, 2022

Southern Union To Receive Funding From Goodwill For Scholarship Gap Grants CONTRIBUTED BY GOODWILL Initiative Made Possible by $10 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott in 2020 Goodwill Southern Rivers (Goodwill) today announced that it will be awarding $1 million to be divided equally amongst the seven regional technical colleges within its territory.

Through this initiative, technical and community colleges will receive funds to help make up the difference between an individual’s grant for technical training and the cost of tuition.

“This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between existing scholarships and grants and the actual cost of tuition,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jack Warden. “There are several grants and scholarships out there, but in some instances, they fall short of the actual cost of the program.

“Oftentimes this is just a few hundred dollars, but that can be a huge barrier to someone trying to get an education to start their career. This money will be distributed by the individual colleges to cover that difference.”

The seven colleges within the 50-county territory served by Goodwill Southern Rivers are: • Albany Technical

College, Albany, Georgia • Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Phenix City, Alabama • Columbus Technical College, Columbus, Georgia • Southern Regional Technical College, Tifton, Georgia • Southern Union State Community College, Opelika, Alabama • West Georgia Technical College, Carrollton, Georgia Wiregrass Technical College, Valdosta, Georgia.

The gap grants will be managed through the colleges’ foundations, and each college will develop and manage their own selection criteria.

“This gap grant initiative directly aligns with our mission of changing lives through the power of work, and we know this grant will address financial barriers that many individuals face in attending college or completing their degree,” Warden said.

The introduction of the technical college gap grants is one of the first initiatives implemented as a result of the $10 million donation Goodwill received from MacKenzie Scott. While the organization was honored to receive such a donation, there was also a great sense of responsibility.

Goodwill spent the

majority of 2021 meeting internally and with community leaders across the territory to discuss a range of initiatives that would best benefit the community.

Other initiatives will be announced over the course of 2022.

“This initiative aligns directly with our mission at Goodwill,” said Goodwill Vice-President of Mission Services Tricia LlewellynKonan. “As such, we stand ready to support the gap grant recipients post-graduation with job placement services and support.”

Goodwill has long been dedicated to closing the skills gap and eliminating barriers that often stand in the way of securing meaningful employment. With nine career centers and four training centers across their 50-county territory, approximately 30,000 individuals used Goodwill’s career services in 2021, with 4,700 of those individuals being

directly connected to jobs.

These free services have historically been funded almost entirely by the sale of donated goods in its retail stores. As new initiatives are implemented Goodwill looks to continue to expand their services and reach even more individuals in the community.

About Goodwill Southern Rivers: Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) is one of 156 independent, communitybased 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.

Champions Academy Accepting Participants in 7th through 9th grade

JOHNSON, GRANT AND NIX

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS & REC Opelika Parks & Recreation is searching for 20 young men in 7th through 9th grade to participate in its new Champions Academy program.

Champions Academy is a leadership program led

by Corey Grant, Jeremy Edwards, LaDecker Johnson and Bobby Nix. The program hopes to provide an environment that promotes values and character that enables young men to be faithful husbands, loving fathers and productive members of our community.

Each meeting will consist of a meal, an activity,

an inspirational message by a local community leader and instructions on a useful skill (like changing a tire or writing a thank you note).

At the conclusion of the 10-week program, participants will complete a service project and enjoy a fun trip.

Champions Academy already has commitments to speak from leaders like Lt. Colonel Rich Peace, an F-16 fighter pilot, and the Operations Support Squadron Commander for the Tuskegee Airmen and Opelika’s own State representative Jeremy Gray.

If you would like to participate in Champions Academy please email bnix@opelika-al.gov.

Refund Anticipation Loans are now available. Schedule an appointment for a free evaluation.

1 The Refund Advance is an optional tax-refund related loan provided by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC (it is not the actual tax refund) at participating locations.

Program availability and loan amounts may vary based on state and software provider. The amount of the loan and applicable interest will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. Tax returns may be fi led electronically without applying for this loan. Loans off ered in amounts of $250 (where available), $500, $1,000, 25%, 50%, or 75% of your expected tax refund from $250 - $6,000. Loans in the amounts of $250, $500, and $1,000 have an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 0.00%. Loans in the amounts of 25%, 50% or 75% of your expected tax refund have an APR of 36.0% with a minimum loan of $1,250. For example, $2,500 loan representing 50% of expected refund borrowed over 29 day term, total amount payable in a single payment is $2,571.51 including interest. Availability is subject to satisfaction of identity verifi cation, eligibility criteria, and underwriting standards.

2 Certain Refund Advance Loans are available at no cost to taxpayers, however other options include a consumer fee.

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B8 Jan. 27, 2022

Let’s Celebrate Creativity with Young Children

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

H

ere we are at the end of January. But, before January slips away, I want to mention that this month is recognized as “International Creativity Month”. The early childhood classroom invites young children to celebrate creativity each day of this month. Many creative ideas can be adopted

for young children within families.

During these winter months, in waking up your young children, why not awaken them with a positive greeting? This can be done with the days of the week like: good morning “Marvelous Mondays; Terrific Tuesdays; Wonderful Wednesdays; Tremendous

Thursdays; and Fantastic Fridays.” Your young children will catch on to the positive morning greetings and start to make up greetings themselves. On the funny side from the teacher’s corner, after doing lesson plans, teaching or grading papers, we at times may be a little tired

by Thursday. We teachers may encourage each other as Thursday being our “Friday Eve”.

In working with young children, I cease to be amazed that I can give children a construction paper shape and they can draw houses, people, cars, rockets etc. Every early childhood teacher can tell you they have quite an array of Kleenex flowers, masterpieces full of glue and different odds and ends made with love and many teacher portraits signed or scribbled “I love you”.

When we think of children expressing their creativity, it’s just not drawing, cutting and gluing. Creativity is a foundation block for a child in solving problems, expressing their thoughts,

using critical thinking skills as well as “thinking out of the box” or divergent thinking.

The seed of creativity begins when a child is an infant. When rocking a baby, one can notice how their eyes are constantly looking around, exploring a person’s face or a room, grabbing a parent’s finger or object. When a child is a toddler, twos, threes, fours, they explore their environment by touching, handling and looking at things. Free play is a wonderful avenue for children to express their creative skills. Children are not taught to be creative, this is expressed naturally. Children are already creative. We as teachers and parents have to provide materials, resources, time and encourage young children to express their creative skills.

Creative freedom in childhood leads to creativity in adulthood. A person expresses creativity in areas they have interests and strengths in. A young child may lean toward music, language expression, art, math, etc. If these strengths are encouraged, nourished and nurtured in childhood, then this same creativity is enhanced as an adult.

Tips that I have learned over the years as a teacher and mom, as well as from other teachers are: You cannot force creativity in a young child. When I give young children coloring sheets, if one asks me if they can turn their page over and draw and color their own picture, I do not stop them from doing this. Creativity is not coloring within the lines of prepared pictures. Coloring prepared pictures comes under “can my child follow directions?” When an adult tells a child what to do step-by-step in coloring, cutting or gluing, that is not letting a child be creative. This cramps creativity from a young child because they are dependent upon your directions and instructions.

Creativity is reinforced when a child is allowed to “link” or make connections from their bodies touching, seeing or feeling things.

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Drawing skills are developmental. When your toddler scribbles and loves to use different colors with lines, this is their way of expressing themselves. Sometimes we may find masterpieces on our wall or furniture, so be sure you have washable crayons, markers around the house. As children turn ages three, four, five, encourage them to explain and tell stories of their pictures. Of course, keep in mind that children develop at different rates.

Again, I want to express that for children to build creativity, free play needs to be encouraged. Too, as parents and grandparents, we need to get down on the floor to play with our young child. Do pretend tea parties, roll cars, trains around a track, zoom off into the air with an airplane or rocket or just lay flat on your back, look up at the sky and see pictures out of different cloud formations.

Always keep a supply of markers, crayons, paper, scraps of cloth, toilet tissue tubes, string, buttons, beans, seeds, old gift wrap, empty egg cartons, dress up clothes or old items around the house that children can safely take apart and put back together, such as old engines, radios, toasters.

Spending time with your children and talking to them ignites that spark of creativity. Don’t criticize or evaluate a child’s free creation. Let them freely express themselves with creativity; children are allowed to make mistakes.

Have a spot in the corner of your house where children are allowed to make a mess. You can even title it “Kids’ Corner”!

Friday, Jan. 28, is recognized as International Lego Day. Children love to build different projects out of Legos. It amazes me as an early childhood teacher what young children can build. A Lego family project is a good creative “together celebration”.

Saturday, Jan. 29, is National Puzzle Day. With winter cold driving us to be inside, planning family puzzle “get togethers” invites

creativity in solving puzzles as a family.

The Winter Olympics are just around the corner which start in Beijing, China. This is a wonderful time for families to come together to view the competitions. Many early childhood classroom teachers get so creative in making pretend paper torches which light the cauldrons to begin the Olympics. Too, they craftily make Olympic rings, make flags of different countries, do classroom parades, etc. Families can glean from the early childhood classroom.

This is a time where young children and families can research and learn about different countries. It is bringing the world to your own back door! Young children love to focus on the different sports such as ice skating, snow skiing, ice hockey, etc.

We have seen snow here in Lee County recently, but usually in our county, we don’t see a lot of snow. Families can still have snowball contests by making and wadding up white paper into pretend snow balls, or rolling up white socks to do a snowball toss.

These white socks can be used to do pretend ice skating on floors of wood or tile. I know with older children pretend ice skating on wax paper has been fun. Families be sure to establish SAFETY RULES when enjoying these activities.

When I was growing up in Opelika and we had snow events, the neighborhood would flatten out carboard boxes to make homemade sleds to slide down hills in our yards. This is a fun activity for children under the supervision of adults.

Engaging in creative conversations about the Olympics, like what is your child’s favorite winter Olympic sport and why, will bring delight and insight into how your young child is thinking.

As we creatively wrap up January, I hope these few simple suggestions will give you a running start of enjoying family creativity.

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

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L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022

Inside the Statehouse Will Gambling Be Addressed in 2022?

A

STEVE FLOWERS

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA The city of Opelika is pleased to announce Jerry Scott has been hired as the new ADA coordinator.

Scott has been brought on to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act on all city projects.

“We look forward to working with Jerry as Opelika’s new ADA coordinator," said Scott Parker.

"Jerry has extensive experience with quality control that will serve him well as he manages and monitors the ADA compliance efforts within the City of Opelika.”

Scott worked at West Point Pepperell after graduating from Auburn with a degree in textile management. After, that he went on

to work for Hyundai Motors America in quality control.

“I look forward to serving the city of Opelika and its great citizens in this capacity," Scott said. "We have many ongoing projects and upgrades underway throughout the city that are being brought into ADA compliance which will benefit not only those with disabilities but to all of our citizens.”

The city’s ADA coordinator will oversee, recommend, monitor and coordinate the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan as related to facilities management, private development and public access. Additionally, the ADA coordinator is responsible for overseeing

SCOTT ADA building inspections, ADA building codes and ordinance compliance, reviewing building plans, customer service, related clerical functions and reporting on events and activities to senior management.

For more information, please contact Scott, ADA coordinator at jscott@opelika-al.gov.

CAVHCS CLC Rated 5-Stars For 10 Consecutive Quarters PHOTO BY ROBIN JOHNSON, CAVHCS PUBLIC AFFAIRS

s the final regular legislative session of the quadrennium evolves, it is apparent that the legislature will not touch any substantive or controversial issues, but simply pass the budgets and go home to campaign. It is election year in the Heart of Dixie.

If legislators are listening to their constituents, they are hearing one thing — Alabamians want their legislators to allow them the right to vote on receiving their fair share of the money from gambling in Alabama. They are simply sick and tired of their money going to Georgia, Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee while Alabamians are paying for those states’ schools, roads and bridges.

You can bet your bottom dollar that if a clean lottery/sports betting referendum were to be placed on this November’s ballot, it would pass in a New York minute. Even the most conservative folks in our state would vote for it, if for only one reason — they want their money to stay in state. Every time there is one of these high dollar powerball national drawings, every convenience store on our border in the aforementioned bordering sister states’ parking lots are jammed with Alabamians clamoring to buy a lottery ticket.

Gove. Kay Ivey has had a very accomplished five-year reign as Governor.

The Rebuild Alabama road, bridge and infrastructure program was big and much needed. Most of her successes have been housekeeping chores that required a governor, who was willing to put the state first and get these necessary projects accomplished instead of kicking the can down the road like some of her predecessors. However, these accomplishments will not give her a legacy issue that 50 to 100 years from now folks can point to and say Ivey has a legacy.

The legacy awaiting Ivey is the creation of a Constitutional Amendment that garners the tremendous amount of money spent on gambling in Alabama and also a Gambling Regulatory Commission to monitor and police gaming. You are talking about some real money for

Alabama. Conservative estimates are $700 million a year to the state. In addition, there would be 12,000 new jobs.

The legislature and governor by themselves cannot achieve this reaping of the gambling gold mine. It would have to be approved by you – the voters of Alabama – in a Constitutional Amendment. If polling is correct, it would pass 65-35.

With it being a constitutional amendment, it needs a three-fifths vote in the legislature to place the initiative on the ballot. The issue was discussed, extensively, and voted on in the 2021 session.

It passed in the Senate but never was never put to a vote in the House.

The Senate would pass it again. There were 23 votes for the Constitutional Amendment and only 21 were needed for passage. There needs to be 63 votes in the 105 member House to place the amendment on the ballot in this year’s November General Election.

Therefore, the question is will it be placed on the ballot this year for Alabamians to vote to reap this financial bonanza? In order to pass the Constitutional Amendment to allow Alabamians to vote on a lottery and expanded gambling, Ivey probably will need to weigh in with both feet and promote the issue in a Special Session.

Because it is an election year, the legislature probably will not want to deal with the issue until after the elections.

The primary election is May 24. The current regular session will end in April, so gambling probably will not be dealt with in this regular session. Therefore, the best way to get the amendment on the ballot is a special session during the month of June because it has to be done by the first of July to get on the November ballot. However, with most legislators being unopposed they may take the bull by the horns and pass the constitutional amendment for you to vote on in November without the need for a special session.

In observing the legislature, it is bittersweet seeing Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon presiding over probably his last session as Speaker. He has done an excellent job as speaker. He is a kind, even tempered gentleman, who exudes integrity. He is decisive and fair, and you can tell he is a man of faith who truly cares about the House members, both Republicans and Democrats.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Opelika Hires New ADA Coordinator

CONTRIBUTED BY TRAMEL GARRETT, CAVHCS PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The New Horizon Community Living Center (CLC) continues to set the standard for every nursing home to emulate.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our health care professionals

NOW OPEN

must perform at a high level to ensure the safety and comfort of our most vulnerable veterans.

Our expert staff continues to give the best care possible.

New Horizon CLC was recently named a 5-star facility for the 10th consecutive quarter. This performance

rating places CAVHCS’ community living center among the top-performing Veterans Health Administration and the country.

A recent Long Term Care Institute survey indicated there were no clinical findings with no medication See CAVHCS, page B10

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

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B10 Jan. 27, 2022

An Identity in a Word — Air Force Now Allows Gender Pronouns

GREG MARKLEY

L

ast week, I stayed at Lackland Air Force Base, where AF recruits go for basic training. The newspaper JBSA Legacy had a curious headline: “Signature block pronouns now allowed for Airmen, Guardians.”

The Air Force writing guide now allows personnel to include gender pronouns in signature blocks. To some this may be pure political correctness but I regard it as another instance of the Air Force “aiming high.”

The civilian world has adapted, why can’t the military?

“An inclusive force is a mission-ready force, and I’m thankful to

CAVHCS >> FROM B9 errors.

“Through the various surveys, our CLC has demonstrated that they deserve the 5-star status they have to date,” said Amir Farooqi, CAVHCS director. “Maintaining this level and continuing to improve are significant steps in the journey to becoming a high-reliability organization.”

Caring for senior veterans is not just a job to the CLC staff.

On numerous occasions, they have gone above and beyond for the well-being of our veterans. For example, because of COVID-19 protocols, a CLC resident Marine Veteran Jessie Barnes Sr. could not attend

the LGBTQ Initiatives Team for helping us realize this opportunity to be a more inclusive force,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones. She is co-leader of the LIT Transgender Policy Team.

I know there are those who will mark this as another indicator that conservative values are being sidelined. But parents can still have a huge say in whether their children use gender pronouns in later life. As a matter of communication and identity, these simple changes have merit.

Master Sgt. Jamie Hash, the other LIT Transgender Policy Team co-lead, said the explicit permission to use pronouns, a practice already common in the civilian sector, gets the DAF further along in “explicitly acknowledging the existence and dignity of non-binary military members and civilians.”

This modification also makes things less confusing for

those with non-Anglo/ Western or gender-neutral names. Pronouns such as he/him, she/ her, they/them are now authorized but not required. (Nonbinary is a term covering a wide category of functions rather than a single separate term for gender identities that are neither male nor female; or for ‌identities outside the gender binary.)

“It’s not just about one person it’s about thousands of people,” said Caitlyn Jenner upon receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2015. “It’s not just about me it’s about all of us accepting one another. We’re all different.”

Jenner, a gold medalist in the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, is now a prominent trans.

Intolerance and hate reared their ugly heads last week.

First, in a small city near Dallas, 11 hostages luckily were freed and not hurt after a 12-hour standoff. A hostage rescue

the funeral of his son Jessie Barnes Jr., an Army Veteran.

The team jumped into action and arranged for a private virtual viewing of the funeral service and stayed by his side during the very emotional time.

“We arranged a quiet and serene location for the resident with the staff surrounding him for comfort,” said Dr. Audrey Hodge, associate chief of staff (ACOS) for Geriatrics and Extended Care.

Although our CLC continues achieving a 5-star rating, staff push the envelope to reach higher goals such as modernization of the health care provided at our facilities.

New Horizon is the first CLC in Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 7 to

implement the teledermatology program.

Residents rotated as part of our academic affiliation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

"This aligns with the CAVHCS strategic vision through innovation as well as enhancing our academic learning and training environment,” Farooqi said. “This latest 5-star rating of our CLC solidifies the great work they have done every single day to take care of our CLC Residents.

The U.S. Army’s premier big band, Jazz Ambassadors, performed New Orleansstyle jazz to our New Horizon Community Living Center veterans to celebrate Veterans Day.

team intervened at the Jewish house of prayer and the suspect is dead. He had been demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who tried to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

It was likely a case of Antisemitism.

Second, in New York City, a 40-year old Chinese woman was pushed to her death in front of an oncoming train. She was shoved onto the tracks and struck by a southbound R train, a police spokesperson said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The assailant turned himself in. It was not immediately known if the woman was targeted for her Chinese identity.

In a Bush/Kerry presidential debate in October 2004, the moderator asked “Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?”

Senator Kerry said being gay is not a choice, people are born with it. President Bush said: “I don’t know, I just don’t know.” Bush’s

answer was not a dodge — it was appropriate and politically astute. It made people realize that some “culture war” issues are not as complex as others.

Without gender pronouns, sometimes people make mistakes. For instance, in writing to a person unknown to you, it is embarrassing if you see the name Carol and address the individual as Madam and it’s instead a he who spells his name the same way as female Carols do. I have seen monikers such as Gail and Taylor as first names for both men and women.

Accidental comments on identity with gender, race, nationality and personal characteristics are trouble enough in today’s America. An Asian student is met by, “you are Asian, so you must be an excellent student.”

It is noted when a very tall African American man is told, “I’ll bet 8-1 that you are a basketball

player.” Not everyone very tall and African American plays competitive basketball — there are many others who do not play hoops.

Soon the Chinese and the Russians may mock our use of gender pronouns. Yet, will the next war be against our fellow Americans?

Won’t we join together as before to stop our rampaging foes and fears? If we need to adjust signature blocks in correspondence, let’s do it. Lackland AFB and Joint Base San Antonio are as good as anywhere to combat confusion about gender identity of persons who send you a letter, email or Tweet. (I myself go by he/him.)

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 12 years. gm.markley@charter.net

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B11 Jan. 27, 2022

Lindy Blanchard Visits Opelika, Campaigns One candidate for Alabama governor — Lindy Blanchard — held a meet and greet visit at the Opelika Public Library Tuesday to meet constituents and share her views.

Blanchard grew up in Wetumpka, Alabama, in a trailer with her family. She attended both Auburn University at Montgomery and Auburn University and started a business with her husband managing apartment complexes.

After the death of her oldest son, Blanchard said she stepped back from everything she was focused on and reevaluated.

“God just focused me on helping kids,” she said on Tuesday.

“Helping kids in our state. How could I do better for the children of the state. And I just started focusing on orphan care, adoption policies … foster care and how I could just jump in and help.”

She then “co-founded the 100X Development Foundation in 2004 to foster creative solutions

to fight poverty and improve the lives of children around the world,” her official candidate website said.

“She served as CEO of 100X and was actively involved in shaping and approving the goals and priorities of the Foundation.”

In the same vein of the organization, Blanchard adopted six children with her husband. They also have two biological children.

“Then our church said, ‘well we’re going to do a group to Africa,’” she said. “So we started also engaging with orphans and foster care policies across the world. We ended up working in 15 different countries.”

This led to Blanchard working with representatives in Washington, D.C. and her resume was circulating around.

Blanchard said that the First Lady liked her resume and she was asked to apply for a position — USA Idea Administrator.

However, the position went to another candidate.

She was then asked to apply to serve as Ambassador to

PHOTO BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Slovenia, which she did under the Trump administration. “[God] was preparing me for what role I’m in today and that’s to come back from ambassador and serve, continue to serve, for the state of Alabama,” she said.

Blanchard listed four main views: constitutional carry and the second amendment; improving education and supporting school choice; immigration and amnesty; improving election security.

For more on her stances: www. blanchardforgovernor.

com/issues/.

She took questions from the audience Tuesday as well.

Blanchard was asked how she plans to wean America off of being economically dependent.

“It’s all about who you choose as your trading partner,” she said.

“Port to port. You want to pick a port that’s not all controlled by China as well because they’ve managed to do that.

So, Europe and Canada used to be the top trade partners for Alabama. A lot of it was agriculture.

I plan to reach back out

to those areas.”

Blanchard said, in response to a question about pandemic response, that Alabama can do a better job in being more self-sufficient.

“The governor is the first line of defense against the federal government,” she said. “I think as a state, we’ve learned that … we need to up our health system and have our health system prepared and ready.”

Along the same line of question, Blanchard was asked if she would require businesses to close should another big surge happen — whether businesses would be able to decide for themselves if they were ‘essential’.

“Anybody who puts food in their mouth with the money they make is an essential business,” she said.

She said she also plans to do away with common core and CRT. “When Lindy returned home and began traveling across the state, she was welcomed

by Alabamians who shared with her their desires for new leadership in Montgomery,”

the site said. “People from all different parts of Alabama echoed the same thing, and Lindy listened.

“Lindy has been motivated by every event of her life — growing up in Alabama in humble conditions with faith at the center of her world, working hard to make ends meet for her family while earning a college degree and later building a family business, helping children and families across the world achieve happier and healthier lives, and most recently serving as a U.S. Ambassador overseas — to arrive where she stands now.

Every moment of Lindy’s life has been leading to this opportunity of serving and fighting for the people of Alabama.”

More of Blanchard’s background can be found here: www. blanchardforgovernor. com/meet-lindy/.

“I’m up here asking you for your vote, to believe in me, to believe I’ll be that conservative vote for you,” she said.

“I am the only outsider in the race that cannot be bought and will not be bought.”

Alabama Arise Conducts Poll on Use of ARPA Funds CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA ARISE Alabama’s likely voters overwhelmingly support using federal COVID-19 relief funds to increase funding for mental health and rural hospitals, according to a new Alabama Arise poll released Monday.

More than four in five respondents (81.1%) supported using a portion of Alabama’s funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to invest in rural hospitals and increase rural Alabamians’

access to health care.

And nearly three in four likely voters (73.6%) said lawmakers should boost mental health funding to increase access to services across Alabama. Among Republican voters, 80.1% supported investments in rural hospitals and 67.7% supported more mental health care funding.

“Alabamians are loud and clear that they want our lawmakers to use federal relief money to strengthen our state’s health care system,” Alabama Arise executive

director Robyn Hyden said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health care workers like nothing before in our lifetimes. And it has exposed and worsened our state’s persistent racial and geographic health disparities.

“ARPA offers an unprecedented chance to protect rural hospitals and increase access to mental health care and other services. We must seize this opportunity to build a healthier future for Alabama.”

Child care, housing,

public transportation also enjoy strong public support Sizable majorities also approved of other potential uses of ARPA money to improve living conditions for Alabama’s children and families. Those proposals include: - Expanding access to subsidized child care for working families.

- Establishing a state child tax credit to lower costs for working families.

- Expanding access to affordable housing throughout the state.

- Investing in public transportation, particularly in rural areas.

Alabama will receive a total of more than $2 billion in ARPA funds.

Lawmakers last year appropriated $400 million of that amount toward prison

construction and $80 million to hospitals and nursing homes. This week, the Legislature will vote on a plan to spend another $772 million of ARPA funds.

Most of that money would go toward broadband internet expansion, water and sewer improvements, and additional funding for hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The state expects to receive the remaining $1 billion in ARPA funds later this year. Arise’s poll shows the public wants legislators to use that money to ease economic stress on Alabama households, Hyden said.

“The pandemic has made it harder for people across our state to find child care, keep a roof overhead and get where

they need to go,” Hyden said. “We should use ARPA funding to ease families’ suffering and provide the supports needed to help every Alabamian succeed. It’s time for our lawmakers to meet this moment and ensure Alabama’s post-pandemic future is a bright and inclusive one.”

ABOUT THE SURVEY Alabama Arise commissioned the poll, which the Montgomery-based firm Cygnal conducted Jan. 13-14. The poll surveyed 631 likely voters across Alabama and has a margin of error of +/- 3.85%.

Interviews of known registered voters occurred via live phone calls, online panel, texts and email invitation.

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B12 Jan. 27, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: CV-2022-900005 HATTIE HENDERSON HALL Plaintiff, V. A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, to wit:Approximately Thirteen (13) acres near Lee Road 121, and More particularly described as Lee County tax parcel #4317-08-34-0-000-006.000, & Unknown heirs or assigns of: William Henderson, Etta Robinson, Roena Beasey, Edith Darby, Pearlie Edwards, Sallie Wilson, Nellie Reid, and Abraham Henderson.

Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 7th day of January 2022, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: approximately thirteen (13) acres near Lee Road 121, and more particularly described as Lee County tax parcel #43-1708-34-0-000-006.000.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 12th day of January 2022.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-7496999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 1/20/2022, 1/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KENNETH ESPY VANN, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2021-646 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 11th day of January, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

SARAH BUCHANAN VANN, DANNY BRADFORD, and LESLIE LAZROVITCH Co-Personal Representatives Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345

Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 1/20/22, 1/27/22 & 2/03/22 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of: Sherry Lynn Gay, deceased Probate Court, Lee County Case No.: 2022-005 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTMENT ARY of Sherry Lynn Gay deceased having been granted to Ronald Jerome Gay on the 7th day of January 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Ronald Jerome Gay James M. Ivins, Attorney for Ronald Jerome Gay 1408 Broad Street Phenix City, AL 36867 Phone: 334-298-0607 Legal Run 01/20/22, 01/27/22 & 02/03/2022 ------------NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF JESS EUGENE GUNN, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2022-017 COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 13th day of January, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand and seal this the 13th day of January, 2022.

MILDRED GUNN Legal Run 01/20/2022, 01/27/2022 & 02/03/2022 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 10:00AM Unit I 109 Unit S 340 Unit Y 410 The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 1/27/2022 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE PROBATE COURT

CASE NO.: 2021-647 LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of MARK MCGUIRE, deceased, having been granted to KAREN MCGUIRE on the 6th day of January 2022, by the Honorable Judge Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Dated this the 6th day of January, 2022 /s/Alyssa L. Hawkins. Esq Jones, Hawkins, & Associates, LLC 320 N Hull St Montgomery.AL 36104 334-676-2133 Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF STELLA M. PATTERSON, Deceased CASE NO. 2021-627 NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary, having been granted to George L. Patterson, as Executor of the Estate of Stella M. Patterson, deceased, on the 14th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be George L. Patterson Executor of the Estate of Stella M. Patterson, deceased Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF RUBY KNIGHT WOOTEN, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2022-014 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of RUBY KNIGHT WOOTEN are hereby granted to William Lee Wooten, Jr. on the 12th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

William Lee Wooten, Jr. Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL AARON MASSINGILL, DECEASED TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Delilah Marshall. as Executrix of the Estate of Samuel Aaron Massingill. deceased, on the 6th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

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that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by la\\’ or the same be barred.

Delilah Marshall. Executrix Of the Estate of Samuel Aaron Massingill, Deceased Ma1Tell J. McNeal. Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika. AL 36803 334-745-7033 ------------INVITATION TO BID 22003 Sealed bids for the construction of the Removal of Dead, Dying, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps with Tree Pruning shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Monday, February 21, 2022 and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor.

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq.

(1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted. The general contractor must be a certified arborist or have a certified arborist on staff.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

A certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00

must accompany the bidder’s sealed proposal - refer also to Instructions to Bidders.

Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder at the signing of the Contract.

Bid documents may be obtained from the city’s website at https://www.opelika-al.gov/ Bids or from the Purchasing Department at 204 S.7th St, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at no charge.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama, 36803-0390.

Attn: Removal of Dead, Dying, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps with Tree Pruning LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 1/27/2022 & 02/03/2022 ------------INVITATION TO BID 22009 Sealed bids for the construction of the West Ridge Softball Field shall be received at the 2nd Floor Opelika City Hall Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor.

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq.

(1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License and be certified with FieldTurf to install FieldTurf products.

All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of

the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

Potential Bidders must attend a Mandatory Pre-bid meeting on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. at the Opelika City Hall 2nd floor Conference Room, 204 S 7th Steet. Bids will not be accepted from a vendor or contractor that does not attend the meeting.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule, or regulation for the performance of the work.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika.

All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

Bid documents may be obtained from the city’s website at https://www. opelika-al.gov/Bids or from the Purchasing Department at 204 S.7th St, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at no charge.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid.

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

As a condition for award, the business entity and its subcontractors shall not knowingly employ or hire an unauthorized alien within the State of Alabama. The awarded business entity must provide documentation of enrollment in the E-Verify program. The business must participate in the E-Verify program for the length of the contract.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama 36803-0390. Attn: West Ridge Softball Field LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 01/27/2022 & 02/03/2022

Hanwha Solutions, the “green energy” division of Hanwha, has acquired Cimarron Composites of Huntsville and as a result, is building a new manufacturing facility right here in Opelika, AL! Hanwha Cimarron designs, manufactures, and tests composite pressure vessels for a variety of aerospace and industrial uses – including rockets (for NASA and SpaceX).

Here in Opelika we’ll build all types of fuel tanks for hydrogen powered cars/trucks, inground storage tanks for hydrogen re-fueling stations, and other uses.

We need good people to be a part of the team! Come join us as we get ready for an exciting new adventure! We’re currently hiring for multiple production roles on all three shifts through the Alabama Industrial Development Training group, or AIDT, as follows: Composite Technician – $18.00 - $23.00 per hour starting pay, depending on experience Logistics Oper (Forklift) – $18.00 - $23.00 per hour starting pay, depending on experience Quality Technician - $18.00 - $23.00 per hour starting pay, depending on experience

B13 Jan. 27, 2022

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B14 Jan. 27, 2022

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