Opelika Observer 5-29-19 E-edition

pelika Observer O Vol. 11, No. 34

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Opelika, Alabama

“By local people, for local people.”

Community mourns the loss of the ‘Voice of the Tigers’ Rod and Paula Bramblett killed in tragic accident Saturday

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Photo special to the Opelika Observer

By Morgan Bryce Editor The community lost an icon, and two children lost both their father and their mother in a tragic automobile accident Saturday evening.

Rod Bramblett, known as the “Voice of the Auburn Tigers,” along with his wife Paula, suffered

fatal injuries when their Toyota Highlander was struck from the rear by another driver.

The community, still reeling from last weekend’s shooting death of Auburn Police Officer William Buechner, was stunned as word began to circulate of yet another untimely loss.

According to a state-

ment released by Auburn Athletics, a service celebrating the lives of Rod and Paula Bramblett will be held May 30 at 2 p.m. at the Auburn Arena.

Visitation will take place prior to the memorial service from noon to 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Dr. George Mathison will officiate. A private burial service for

New pizzeria ‘Dough’ to open in former home of Jimmy’s Restaurant

family will follow.

Editor’s note: Following is an editorial about Rod, his career and the impact he left on my life.

I hope these bring back happy, sweet memories to the rest of the Auburn faithful.

Picture a late Thanksgiving family gathering in See Bramblett, page A6

Retired Maj. Douglas Barrett speaks at Opelika’s Memorial Day service Monday

By Morgan Bryce Editor Retired Maj. Douglas Barrett was the featured speaker at the city of Opelika’s Memorial Day services on Monday in front of City Hall.

A highly decorated

Army veteran and member of the Auburn University Veterans Association, Barrett’s 16-minute speech covered the highlights of his military career, including his personal view of the Memorial Day holiday.

See Memorial, page A3

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for courthouse annex set for June 3

By Morgan Bryce Editor A new pizzeria is slated to open in downtown Opelika later this year.

Dough, a business venture of Zazu Gastropub Owner Graham Hage, will open in the former home of Jimmy’s Restaurant at 104 S. 8th St. “That name just spoke to me because great pizza is all about the dough. It’s nice, simple and to the point, which is something I hope people like,” Hage said.

Since relocating

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Zazu from Auburn to Opelika in October 2015, Hage said the building at 104 S. 8th St. had always intrigued him as a place to open a second business. Shortly after Jimmy’s closed that same month, however, an Auburn family pur-

chased the property, temporarily closing the window on his idea.

Through months of conversation and discussion on his ideas for the space, Hage was able to sell See Dough, page A3

Index

OPINION.....................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A12 CALENDAR..................................A14

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

By Morgan Bryce Editor Local dignitaries, judges and members

SPORTS................................B1 POLITICS...................................B9 LEGALS.......................................B12 ENTERTAINMENT......................B14

of the Lee County Commission, Revenue Office and Opelika Chamber of Commerce will hold a joint ribbon-

cutting ceremony June 3 at 5 p.m. to commemorate the opening of See Annex, page A10

pelika O Observer.com

pelika O Observer

A2 May 29, 2019

‘Love Lee Day’ event held May 11 at Opelika Sportsplex

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer The inaugural “Love Lee Day” event was held May 11 at the Opelika Sportsplex. Featuring entertainment, food and music, proceeds from the event were donated to East Alabama Medical Center’s MEND program and up to 12 Beauregard children affected by the March 3 tornadoes that passed through Lee County.

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334-364-9993 phone | 334-364-9997 fax 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Ste. A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com

pelika Observer

Publisher: Michelle Key Editor: Morgan Bryce Marketing: Doug Horn and Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Sports Writers: Rick Lanier and Michelle@opelikaobserver.com D. Mark Mitchell

O

w w w. o p e l i k a o b s e r v e r . c o m 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801 Copyright 2009. All right reserved. Opelika Observer is published weekly by Opelika Observer, 216 S 8th St. Opelika, AL 36801. Periodicals postage is paid at Opelika, AL. USPS #025104 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Opelika Observer, 216 S. 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

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Thousands line streets in Auburn to pay final respects to Officer William Buechner

A3 May 29, 2019

Capell & Howard announce firm’s summer associates

Photo special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Thousands of people attended the funeral procession of Auburn Police Officer William Buechner on Friday. He lost his life responding to a domestic disturbance call on May 19. Turn to A15 for more photos.

Dough, from A1 the building’s owners on his vision and sign a contract for the 2,500 square-foot building in early April this year.

Much of the framework and plumbing on the interior is complete, along with a large installed woodburning grill, giving Hage a jumpstart on readying Dough for its planned opening at the start of football season.

The menu is still under development, but Hage said Dough’s focus will be specialty pizzas. One of those

Memorial, from A1 “Memorial Day is about those who give their lives in service to their country. Some of them may have died from sickness, others in training and a large number in fighting for freedom,” Barrett said. “This is

specialty styles is “Napoletana,” a traditional Italian pizza that he and his team will prepare in the woodburning grill.

“With Napoletana pizzas there are limited ingredients (and an) under 90-second cook time (using) a super hot wood fire,” Hage said.

When possible, Hage said he will try to use locally sourced ingredients like he currently does at Zazu. Items like mozzarella cheese will be made in-house at Dough.

Upon opening, Hage said he plans to have 12 beers on-tap, which will mostly be sourced from across-the-tracks

neighbors Red Clay and Resting Pulse breweries.

Instead of traditional images of trains to commemorate the city’s railroad legacy, Hage said the artwork and decor inside Dough will mimic the graffiti that adorn the sides of trains that pass through the town on daily basis, something he has come to admire during his last four years of living and working in Opelika.

“I believe this concept ties into the train theme but just in a different way than it’s been done in other places,” Hage said.

Atmosphere is another important ele-

ment in Hage’s ideas for Dough.

“There’s nothing like this within a good radius and it’s going to be a really fun, relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere with the graffiti and upbeat music that will play in the background,” Hage said.

Dough’s official opening date and time, along with its hours of operation, will be released later this year. Hage said the pizzeria’s social media pages will be launched sometime this summer.

Follow the Observer for updates on Dough and its planned opening.

not a day to discuss why we have wars or why people fight. The politics don’t matter, their righteousness of the actions don’t affect the sacrifice that these people made for us.”

Barrett’s long list of accolades from his military career include the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service medals, four

Army Commendation medals, five Army Achievement medals and a NATO medal, among many others.

Following an introduction from the mayor, there was a laying of the wreath and presentation of colors by the Opelika Fire Department and its Honor Guard, singing of the National Anthem by Opelika

High School student Camille Slaughter, patriotic poem recited

by Danielle Fornea, playing of TAPS by OHS Band Director Neil Sasser and invocation and benediction

by Dr. Rev. George McCulloh of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Proceeding the event was a reception held at the Museum of East Alabama.

Capell & Howard is proud to announce that Caitlin Cobb, William Thomas and Benton Hughes have joined the firm as summer associates. Cobb and Hughes have completed their first year of law studies at The Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law at The University of Alabama and Thomas has completed his second year of law studies at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Both Montgomery natives, Cobb and Hughes graduated from the University of Alabama with degrees in political science, while Thomas received his degree in political science and history from the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The summer associates are part of a sixweek program during which they undertake projects assigned by shareholders and other attorneys, participate in “out-of-office” activities such as client meetings, depositions and hearings, and receive guidance and mentoring from individual attorneys.

“We are pleased to welcome the 2019 summer associates to Capell & Howard,” said Capell & Howard P.C. Managing Director Courtney Williams.

“Our summer program provides a great platform for Capell & Howard to build meaningful opportunities for outstanding law students.

pelika O Opinion

A4 May 29, 2019

I was with God today The Unknown Soldier

I

didn’t go to church today. I’m not good about going to church every Sunday... I never have been. But- I went outside today. I sat in the sun. I watched the bluebirds fly in and out of their box, busy taking care of their babies. I watched my chickens roam the garden and peck for insects. I sat with Jody and laughed as we watched Abigail splash in her little $8 baby pool from Dollar General. I picked blueberries and mulberries and laughed at my purple stained fingers. I tended to my bees and enjoyed a special lesson on work ethic from both of my queens. I looked at the rainbows that were formed in the spray of water from the garden hose as I watered my plants. Every single moment today I enjoyed and cherished and thanked the Lord for.

I may not have been present inside of a building decorated with stained glass and polished pews filled with

By Lucy Fuller

friends.... but I was definitely with God today and he was definitely beside me. I saw him in every single moment of every single hour that I wandered around our little farm.

He was the wind that blew against my hot, sweaty skin while I was too exhausted to move out of my lawn chair. He was the chirp of the bird that drew my attention towards the bluebird family tending to their young. He was the cluck of the hen that ran around proudly with the worm in her mouth, which made me chuckle. He was the ray of sun that made Abigail’s eyes sparkle like little blue stars while she splashed and played in the water. He was the calm nostalgic

memory of my grandfather as I picked each mulberry and placed it in my mouth. He was the sweetness of each bite. He was the calmness that surrounded me while tending to my hives and the confidence I felt whilst doing so. He was in the rainbows I saw while watering my garden which reminded me of his everlasting love. Every single second of the day he was there in some way, whispering in my ear, “I love you and you are my child.”

I always try my best to see what others miss.

Whether it be a moment in nature or a rusty discarded piece of junk on the side of the road, there is beauty in everything.

Sometimes I have to remind myself to look a little harder, but the beauty is always there.

Even though I wanted to shut the world out today, I forced myself outside to look for God’s beauty, and I saw it in everything. Nature has always grounded me, and I am so See Fuller, page A5

Gardening is a Family Affair

I

n the summer in Lee County, farms and gardens dot the landscape everywhere.

I love to think of the intergenerational relationships that blossom in a gardening project between the young and old.

When my mother was living in a retirement village, I learned so much about the benefits of gardening when I would go and visit my senior friends.

I loved seeing senior adults taking care of roses, weeding and growing vegetables in garden plots. Even in the skilled care area of the retirement village under the supervision of the staff, the residents, children and I were allowed to set up a big pot of fertile soil in the early summer, and be guided by the greenthumbs of seniors who showed us by years of wisdom what to plant and where to plant in the big pot.

Summer gardening brings up fond memories of how the greater generation in our community always shared vegetables and fruits with each other.

I’d like to share some “food” for thought on how caregivers can provide ways for seniors to continue gardening. Gardening, whether for individuals, families or groups of senior adults, provide many health benefits.

Health benefits include: - Heart health research shows regular gardening helps lower blood pressure. Gardening also lowers the risks of strokes and heart attacks.

- Research shows

By Beth Pinyerd

that gardening involves thinking things through, learning, solving problems, sensory stimulation and awareness. These processes increase brain health.

This process is so good for the young and old!

- Restorative therapygardening provides opportunities for low-impact exercises such as increased hand dexterity and hand strength. Gardening offers increased levels of physical activity, mobility and flexibility.

The use of fine motor skills is encouraged through gardening skills. Gardening promotes hand-eye coordination. Too, gardening reduces stress levels.

With exercises that gardening provides, relaxation is promoted.

- Gardening truly helps provide emotional stability for the elderly. Research and studies show that elderly people who have been diagnosed with depression or other mental illnesses benefit from gardening activities. Taking care of a garden stimulates the creative aspect of a person. When we are allowed to have creative freedom, it uplifts us with a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

The sights of beautiful colors, the sweet scents of different flowers and textures of soft petals bring back many good memories.

Seniors like to connect with mother nature by growing their own foods.

In our intergenerational garden projects, the children and I joined senior adults in cooking classes where we learned so much about different vegetables, fruits, measurements and of course the yummy, good tastes of fresh vegetables grown in their group gardens.

Caregivers who are caring for seniors in their homes can provide the same benefits that gardening provides for their love ones.

The questions you may ask as a caregiver are “how can I provide a garden environment that is accessible for my loved ones who may have a disability?”

Too, as we age, we may have low stamina and limited mobility.

We have to consider these factors in making a garden accessible for our elderly love ones.

We will look at gardening tools for seniors and different kinds of accessible gardens.

Gardening tools for the elderly: - Keep in mind that arthritis can make it painfully difficult to hold different garden tools. Foam grips are available in stores, which are used to soften the handle as well as add friction and traction for the garden tool to be picked up.

- As the elderly begin to have vision loss due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, etc., it is good for seniors to have brightly colored handles. These handles can be painted, or colorful bike tape or duct See Pinyerd, page A5

H

e was unknown to you. But not to me. We were friends. Sort of.

Ours wasn’t a long lasting friendship, but we rode the school bus together. So I guess that made us friends.

He would save a seat for me; I would board the bus, walk the aisle, and plop on the cushion beside him.

He was funny. We laughed a lot. Some kids are just born to be funny.

He kept a journal of sketches. They were good. He could draw anything. And I remember when he trusted me enough to let me look through his journal. Inside were dozens of bald eagles.

“Why do you draw so many eagles?” I asked. “‘Cause they’re cool, why else?”

He didn’t have many friends because he was shy, and shy people are like that. I was the same way.

Between the two of us, we were so timid we squeaked. And if ever we saw each other outside the confines of the bus, we were even shy around each other.

When he got a part in the school play, nobody was sure how it would go. The kid was so quiet he wouldn’t even raise a hand in class.

He was afraid to play football, he didn’t like baseball. He liked to read and draw instead.

Yet here he was playing Mayor Shinn in the

By Sean Dietrich

Music Man. I was in the musical, too. In fact, I played one of the guys in the barbershop quartet. Our quartet sang a song named “Sincere.”

I still remember the lyrics: “How can there be any sin in sincere?

“Where is the good in goodbye?

“Your apprehensions confuse me dear, “Puzzle and mystify...”

There are some things you don’t forget.

I was the bass singer for the group. Not because I actually sang bass, but because I was chubby. Chubby children were expected to sing bass come hell or high water.

He had a speaking part. And when he took the stage, he brought the house down as Mayor Shinn. Mayor Shinn had all the funny lines.

I was proud of him on that stage, wearing his lambchop sideburns and three-piece suit. I don’t know why I was proud, but I was.

We lost touch a long time ago. He probably wouldn’t have been able to pick the adult-me out of a crowd. I’m certain I would have never recognized him.

He joined the military.

And when he finished his years of service, he considered going to art school, but never did.

He designed a few posters for local bands, illustrated ads for businesses, but that was it.

It was welding that interested him. He found that he could make good money welding. He found it to be satisfying work. Welding is an art.

I know this because I am the son of a lifetime union welder.

But I understand the military helped him get over his shyness. As an adult, he was the main attraction at any party.

Good with a joke. Entertaining. Call it his inner Mayor Shinn coming out.

He was half-Mexican, half-Irish, all American.

Determined, but easygoing. Fair. Honest. Liked soccer. Golf. And books.

He was a music freak.

He loved the the band Phish. And they say in his free time, he would sketch pictures of his children, and portraits of his wife.

We had gone our own ways in life. We had different interests, different worlds. I’ve never been overseas; he toured the entire earth.

But I still remember the kid in the musical.

And I still smile when I remember how he would stand backstage, stick his tongue out, and see if he could make me laugh during my song “SinSee Dietrich, page A5

Keeping an eye on Washington “The South excelled in two things which the French deem essential to civilization: a code of manners and a native cuisine.” - John Peal Bishop his might not be the best time to write about this, what with summer and cookout season upon us, but something is afoot and you need to know.

It’s about barbeque and the federal government.

Got your attention, didn’t I? First a little background.

Did you know that our government – yours and mine – has defined barbecue? No lie. Back in 1952, folks in the U. S. Department of Agriculture declared that for canned or packaged meat to pass as barbecue, it had to be “beef or pork in barbeque sauce.” Oh, they went on to tell us how much meat should be in the sauce and how long the meat should cook (until it loses 30% of its weight), but the essence of the regulation was the beef-pork-sauce part.

Now I don’t say this often, but this time I’m gonna.

Atta-boy Washington.

At last, a rule that makes some sense.

There they were, 1952, up to their bu-

T

By Hardy Jackson

reaucratic briefcases in the Cold War in Europe, the Hot War in Korea, the Red Scare at home and they took time from their busy schedules to say that if you put beef or pork in barbeque sauce you get barbeque.

Minimalism.

Wish that the government do that more often.

I was particularly impressed because as far as defining barbeque is concerned, when you get beyond the minimum you get in trouble.

Follow me now.

It has been said, and I believe it, that Southern barbeque is like French wine. Each region has its own.

Alsace, Champagne, Rhone and Bordeaux.

Black Belt, Sand Hills, branch heads and bayou.

One taste and you know where you are.

I’m not gonna stand up as an expert on barbecue. I have eaten a lot of it and the worst I ever had was pretty good. Though I prefer mine hickory smoked with a hint-of-

peppered-brown-sugar tomato-based sauce, I won’t turn down North Carolina’s vinegar/red pepper coating, South Carolina’s mustard flavored foundation, a Memphis “dry rub,” or that clear concoction they ladle on it up in the north Alabama. The USDA folks were wise just to say “barbecue sauce” and leave it at that. Start defining what the sauce should contain and you got a fight on your hands.

Now, I do sorta take issue with the government’s conclusion that barbeque, even packaged barbeque, must be “beef or pork.” But I’m not going to suggest that Washington expands the list. Beef and pork are broad enough to cover the sausages and bologna they barbeque out in Texas, and I’ll just ignore the fact that chicken and goat were left off. Start adding and someone is gonna bring up barbequed shrimp.

And so, for over 60 years, the government has stayed out of barbeque defining.

And most people were happy.

Most, but not all.

Word has reached me that a crop of new Washington bureaucrats, spurred on by lobbyists from the National See Jackson, page A5

pelika O Observer

A5 May 29, 2019

Heritage Farms Firearms under new ownership, now located at Gateway Tire and Auto in Opelika

By Morgan Bryce Editor Opelika’s Heritage Farms Firearms has relocated and is now open in its new location inside Gateway Tire and Automotive on Pepperell Parkway.

Originally located at the Sunoco gas station off Exit 64, the nearly six-year-old business was purchased by Gateway Owner Wayne Rogers in April.

Citing its low prices and overall low overhead costs, Rogers said purchasing Heritage and housing it under the same roof as his automotive shop and storm shelter business was a “no-brainer” and a great way “to serve a broader range of people.”

“A lot of folks who are buying firearms are looking for protection for their

Dietrich,

from A4

cere.”

Years ago, an SUV hit his truck, head on. It was nobody’s fault. He was on his way home from work. It was dark.

“These things just happen,” his wife told me. “You just have to look at it like that, or it’ll mess with your mind.”

She tells me he was a funny, happy man. He had the smile of a good ole boy, and the laugh of a kid.

On the right side of his chest, he had a tattoo. One he had designed himself. He had another on his shoulder. A bald eagle.

Today, upon his mantle are his favorite

Pinyerd

from A4 tape can be used.

- Senior gardeners who have patios or gardens outside their apartments can benefit from hoses that are coiled and can be hooked up to a faucet that is close to the garden. Hoses can be hooked up to outside faucets or inside kitchen faucets.

Easy-to-move wheeled garden caddies are a must for seniors in taking care of their gardens. These caddies serve as a container to hold tools, as well as moving plants and heavy objects.

What kind of garden do we want to grow?

Container, boxes, or pots gardening With container gardening, the main point to keep in mind is that the container needs to

families and loved ones so we’re trying to mix up our pot a bit and offer another service to our existing clientele by growing and expanding out,” Rogers said.

Jonathan Smith, nephew of Heritage’s founder, remains as manager of the business. Through his deep insight and knowledge of the market for handguns and long guns, he said he is able to match customer’s wants at an affordable, competitive price.

“Our unofficial motto is that we are the ‘working man’s gun store.’ My ultimate goal is to try to save the customer money,” Smith said.

“If two guns are similar but are different in cost, I’ll do research and read through testing to find out if there is any significant advantage in purchasing the more expensive three colors, folded into a tight triangle, placed beside the photograph of a smiling soldier who remains forever young.

This holiday belongs to him and his millions of brothers.

I only hope they have musicals in Heaven. Because God is going to love the guy who plays Mayor Shinn.

I know I sure did.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, the Tallahassee Democrat, Southern Magazine, Yellowhammer News, the Bitter Southerner, the Mobile Press Register and he has authored seven books. have good drainage with pre-installed holes or holes that the gardener drills. With container or pot gardening, it is important to water the plants according to instructions and requirements of the specific plants you are growing.

Root length of the plant will determine the size and depth of the container.

Consider adequate sunlight for your container gardening.

Moving containers from one location to the next is essential in properly growing plants.

Raised gardens can be made from wood, concrete or bricks. Keep in mind that anything that holds soil and is able to maintain shape is the best way to build a raised garden. When I have visited different state parks in Alabama, I have noticed many parks have the rectangular pattern raised

gun. People that want a gun to protect their family or themselves when they’re out and about don’t have to spend a fortune to do it.”

“Our markup on our guns is very low because we move a higher quantity at bigger volumes.

What we’ll do is find specials on guns we can purchase from a distributor, and if we purchase certain quantities, we can get a discount that can be factored into our overall cost of inventory,” Rogers added.

“Therefore, we can extend that sale price to the customer and that’s how we probably sell every seven out of the 10 guns that we sell.”

In addition to handguns and long guns, Heritage also offers customers ammunition and other accessories.

Smith said their best sellers are the Taurus

Fuller,

from A4 thankful to be surrounded by it. It makes these kind of days a little easier. In a way, nature is my own personal church.

Today I reminded myself of a few things; Life is short. Be who you are.

Shine your light brightly.

Do the best you can and be nice to every living thing.

Be someone to remember when you’re gone from this world.

And always, always, always.... love.

Depression is no fun.

It’s a horrible, horrible thing... but if you can make it through the worst days, you learn to appreciate days like this. The days you almost didn’t make it out of bed. The days you

gardens. Soil preparation for raised gardens consist of existing soil, compost or manure.

Proper location of the raised garden has to be a site that provides the right amount of sunlight and water.

Raised gardens benefit seniors because there is less need to bend or stoop. Raised gardens save on space and allow a variety of crops to grow closer together. This kind of gardening provides many therapeutic benefits.

It’s important to consider physical conditions with our elderly.

Remember that their skin is fragile and thin.

We have to be careful to protect our loved ones from bumps, bruises and sunburn.

Osteoporosis and other skeletal concerns may restrict movement for our loved ones. We have to be very careful

Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer

G2C handgun and ABC Company AR15s.

Currently, Heritage’s hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through

Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Depending on demand, Smith said Saturday’s hours may expand.

For more information, call 334-610-

had to force yourself to walk outside just to get out of the house. The days that all you can do is remind yourself to breathe. And of course, the days you missed church because you couldn’t face the world.

Well, I faced it (in my own little way).... and it was damn near perfect. Thanks be to God for understanding and allowing me to feel his love, even with my mulberry stained hands.

I know tomorrow will be easier; it always is.

If the day gets hard, I’ll just go back outside, to my church.

Lucy Fuller is a lover of nature, animals, gardening, and old houses.

She is a full time mother and wife. She currently resides in Dadeville with her husband, two daughters, 4 dogs, and cat. She may be reached at fullalove2017@gmail.com.

Jackson,

with balance and falls.

It has been my hope that these suggestions encourage you to get

from A4 Seasoning Manufactures Association, are up there claiming that the 1952 definition should be amended because it was “based on an antiquated cooking standard.” And what standard is that, pray tell?

Why the standard that holds that what is put in the can should be up to “the standards of barbequed meats.”

Whoa.

If they don’t want what they are packaging as barbeque held up to “the standards of barbequed meats,” what standards do they want it held up to?

This troubles me. digging. The spiritual garden that is planted in our hearts bear fruits of love, joy, peace,

1736, like and follow “Heritage Farms Firearms” on it social media pages or visit the store, which is located at 2023 Pepperell Parkway.

If the government can start saying that barbeque in a can shouldn’t at least aspire to being like barbeque outside the can then how long will it be before bureaucrats start saying that barbeque outside the can must match that in the can.

They could turn this right back on us. See my point?

So write your congressman and tell them to nip this thing in the bud.

The future of Southern civilization hangs in the balance.

I think.

Harvey H. “Hardy” Jackson, professor emeritus of history at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hjackson@ cableone.net . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control which can be shared with all.

pelika O Opinion

A6 May 29, 2019

Extension office notes: information on pests, plants, pruning and training opportunities Special to the Opelika Observer

By Katie Nichols, Victoria Dee, Justin Miller, Ann Chambliss Women in Ag: Basic Hands-On Training Slated for June 14 The United States is home to more than 1.2 million female farmers. As these numbers climb, the Alabama Extension system is continuing its dedication to providing programming geared specifically toward women.

Brenda Glover, an Alabama Extension animal science and forages regional agent, will host a basic hands-on training session, June 14 at the Black Belt Research and Extension Center in Marion Junction.

This training will highlight topics that are essential to a successful farming operation.

Glover said the training stemmed from a need for knowledge of the basics.

“There are lots of women getting involved on farms for one reason or another,” Glover said. “We would like to help them be more independent, take ownership and be successful.”

Topics will include: • Fencing: Temporary and Permanent from Sutton Gibbs, NRCS • Tractors and Farm Implements: Driving, Checking oil, Tire pressure, Bushhogs, Sprayers from Wendy Yeager, farm owner • Pasture Pests: Measuring, Pest Control from Dr. Kelly Palmer, Auburn University • Trucks and Trailers: Goosenecks, Bumper Pulls from Katie Gantt, farm owner • Forage Yield Estimation and Soil Testing from Caroline Chappell and Katie Mason, Auburn University • Animal Health: Needle/ vaccination selection, Injection sites from Dr. Jessica Rush, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Attendees will have the opportunity to drive and work with equipment, as well as learn to soil sample and administer vaccinations

Bramblett, from A1 November 2003. I’m there with my family, a solid mixture of Auburn and Alabama fans, watching the Iron Bowl. Thankfully, everyone is on their best behavior.

Somehow, we Auburn fans had hijacked the radio and muted the television because we thought the announcers were undercover Alabama fans. As we fine-tuned the knob, Rod Bramblett’s animated descriptions of JordanHare Stadium began to fill the room.

I had just gotten into football the year before, but couldn’t tell you much about the sport, let alone who the broadcaster was.

However, that was soon to change with the first play from scrimmage of this Iron Bowl.

using fruit.

“Hands-on training is important for women who are primary operators, and for those helping someone else on the farm,” Glover said.

Training will be from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Space is limited to 30 participants, and registration is first come, first served.

Before May 31, the cost to register is $40, which includes lunch. After May 31, the cost increases to $50. To register or for more information about the training, contact Glover at glovebs@aces.edu.

There will also be a two-day Women in Ag workshop in October.

Interested parties should watch the ACES calendar for updates.

Pruning Produces Bigger Tomatoes For many, a garden is not complete without tomato plants in it. Whether you are a producer or a backyard gardener, growing the biggest and best tomatoes is often the end goal. Pruning tomato plants can help people achieve this goal.

Dr. Joe Kemble, an Alabama Extension commercial vegetable specialist, offers the following information about pruning tomato plants.

Pruning helps maintain a balance between vegetative and reproductive growth.

If you don’t prune or prune sparingly, your tomato plants will produce excessive vegetative growth with reduced fruit size.

Moderate pruning will leave your plants with shorter vines and larger fruit that will mature earlier. Pruning combined with staking keeps vines and fruit off the ground, helping to manage diseases.

Although pruning requires some effort, the benefits of doing so are more marketable fruit and easier harvesting.

The most common method of pruning is prune to a two-stemmed plant by pinching off lateral branches (suckers) as they develop in the axils of each leaf. To achieve this balance, remove all the suckers up to the one immediately below the first flower

cluster. A single pruning will usually be adequate, although a later pruning may be needed to remove suckers growing from the base of the plant.

Suckers should be removed when small, no more than two to four inches in length. Letting them get large wastes plant energy and provides an entry point for plant pathogens. Prune early in the morning after plants have dried. Ensuring plant health by pruning is an easy proactive way to gain better fruit and manage diseases.

For more information on pruning, visit Alabama Extension online or contact your local extension office.

Beware of Invasive Pests With summer just around the corner, many people will be gearing up to make travel plans.

Unfortunately, people are not the only ones on the move this summer. Spring and summer are critical times when damaging invasive species emerge and are easily spread.

Invasive species include plants, animals and insects.

Marla Faver, an Alabama Extension regional agent and plant diagnostician, said these species can have a negative effect in a new environment.

“Species introduced into a new environment often have negative impacts to the ecosystem,” Faver said.

According to the USDA, invasive species cost the United States $40 billion each year in damages and control efforts.

“Invasive species are spread primarily by humans,” Faver said. “Transportation of these species can be both intentional and unintentional.”

In addition to human movement, some common ways that these species are spread are: - as unsuccessful attempts to control other invasive species - escaped imported animals and plants - international and interstate transportation highways, canals and rivers.

The USDA offers the following tips on preventing introducing invasive

species into a new environment.

When moving to a new home. Check patio furniture, grills, bikes and other outdoor items for insect eggs before moving them.

Before taking an out-ofstate trip, make sure your car, RV or other outdoor vehicle is cleaned first.

Check any hard-to-see areas to make sure they are free of soil, egg masses and insects. When traveling internationally, be aware of returning with unusual plants, souvenirs made from plants or wood or even a piece of fruit. U.S. laws prohibit many of these items from entering the country because they could harbor an invasive pest.

Mailing homegrown plants, fruits and vegetables Be aware when mailing anything from home gardens. If you live in an area quarantined for a specific pest, don’t mail produce or plants from your garden to others.

Some invasive pests burrow inside wood to lay their eggs. Don’t take untreated firewood with you on outdoor outings.

Instead, buy certified, heat-treated firewood or responsibly gather wood at your destination.

When buying garden items, ask the retailer if they comply with federal and state quarantine restrictions. Before buying plants online, check if the seller is in the U.S. If they are in another country, you might need import documents to bring the items into the U.S. There are three plant diagnostic labs throughout the state, located in Auburn, Birmingham and Gulf Shores. These labs offer services related to plant, soil and insect samples.

Samples are examined and control recommendations are provided based on the findings.

For more information on cost and services provided, visit Alabama Extension online or contact your county extension office.

The Auburn Plant Diagnostic Lab in Gulf Shores is the newest lab.

Avoiding Poisonous Plants Warmer weather is sending people in droves to participate in many outdoors activities. In many of these instances, people are in close contact with plants. When camping, hiking, playing in the yard and even working in flower beds and gardens, people should watch for poisonous plants that can cause harm.

Some of the common poisonous plants people see are poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Dr. Nancy Loewenstein, an Alabama Extension specialist of forestry and wildlife sciences, said there are a few more species besides these that can cause rashes.

“While most people don’t react to English ivy (Hedera helix), individuals who are sensitive to it can develop a rash after working or playing around it in the yard.” Loewenstein said. “Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is covered with stinging hairs that cause a painful sting if touched. Skin irritation resembling hives may result.

Spurge nettle, also called tread softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) is another plant with stinging hairs to avoid in the woods.”

Unless someone is severely allergic, generally nothing will happen to a person just touching poison ivy, oak or sumac.

Andrew Baril, an Alabama Extension regional agent of forestry, wildlife and natural resources, said problems occur with these plants when someone crushes the leaves or stem and releases the oils.

“If the oil is allowed to come in contact with skin, a rash will develop for most people,” Baril said.

“If one does come in contact with the oils, it is best to wash the area with warm water and a mild soap.

Don’t scratch the area; just lightly remove as much of the oil as possible.”

Baril said that encountering the oils while burning the plants is worse than touching or crushing them.

“Smoke encountering the eyes, and inhalation into one’s lungs is extremely painful, and could

lead to hospitalization and even death,” Baril said.

Baril offers a few tips on how to identify poisonous plants and precautions to take to avoid them.

Poison ivy and poison oak have leaves with three leaflets, often with a reddish spot where the leaflets attach to the stem.

Always wear long pants and close-toed shoes when in wooded areas.

Consider application of a preventive lotion, such as Ivy Block, before going outdoors. Always wash clothes immediately upon return from walking in wooded areas.

Some plants cause reactions or death in humans, but do not have the same effect on animals. Some animals are deathly affected by some plants, but they do not hurt humans.

“Humans need to look out for poison ivy, poison oak and sumac and don’t touch it,” Baril said.

“Animals don’t normally have a problem with the touching these plants, but if your dog rolls in a patch of poison ivy and you rub the dog, it will get on you.”

According to Baril, dog hair can carry the oils found in these plants.

“They can bring them into a home and the oil can get on carpets, rugs, furniture or wherever they lay,” Baril said. “Oils can remain potent for over a year. Therefore, dogs should be bathed after they have been seen playing in the plants.”

Baril cautioned that touching a poisonous plant can be bad, but eating one can be even worse.

“If you don’t know for sure what plant you are handling, don’t ingest the plant,” Baril said.

Loewenstein said there are some wild plants that are edible but a person should be sure what the plant is before they eat it.

“Unless you’re 100 percent sure you’ve identified a plant correctly and made sure it is edible, don’t eat any wild plants,” Loewenstein said. “Some plants have fruits that look safe to eat, but are not. A few examples are Chinaberry and the Chinese tallowtree.”

Jason Campbell takes the snap, takes two steps back and hands the ball off to Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. With nothing but open, green field in front of him, Rod counted away the yards Williams was covering and aptly described how all Auburn fans felt at that exact moment.

“Go crazy Cadillac! Go crazy!” Followed by a “Touchdowwwwnnnnnnn Auburrrnnnnnn!” of course.

We went on to win that game 28-23 and finish off the season with a 28-14 Music City Bowl win over Wisconsin on New Year’s Eve. I remember listening to Rod’s broadcast of that game amidst the moos of cows my grandfather and I were tending to that day.

There are plenty of great baseball and basketball games I remember hearing Rod call, but the vast majority of my best memories

of him fall in line with the most magical time of year - college football season.

Everyone knows the depth and feeling of the “Prayer in Jordan-Hare” and “Kick Six” calls from the 2013 season. However, that’s merely scratching the surface of the great moments we shared with Rod during the last 16 years.

Tre Smith’s blocked punt v. Florida at home in 2006. Wes Byrum making not one but TWO goals in the final seconds against defending national champion Florida in The Swamp in 2007. The second-half comeback against West Virginia in “The Rain Game” in 2009.

Cam Newton’s electrifying 49-yard TD run and Nick Fairley’s tossing in the air of LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson in 2010.

Phillip Lutzenkirchen recovering his own fumble for a TD in the endzone against South Carolina in

2011. I could go on and on.

Each time I think of those wonderful moments of Auburn football lore, I hear his voice shining through, somehow perfectly summarizing our emotions and how we were all feeling at that exact moment.

And the same went for the low moments, too.

If there was an injured player on the field, his voice went somber, regardless if they wore the burnt orange and navy blue or not. There were plenty of blowouts, missed calls and tight losses that we suffered with him through.

The 49-0 beating we took against Alabama in 2012. Coming seconds away from a second national championship in four years against Florida State in 2013. Fumbling away a loss to Texas A&M in the waning seconds of a 2014 contest.

But through it all, win

or lose, he found a way to make things feel okay.

No matter the outcome, he always seemed to find a way to galvanize us as a fan base and help us love our Tigers even more.

If I were to sit down and write all of my memories of Rod down, it’d take me days to compile them.

I can truthfully say I never met the man, but I know plenty who did and who were his friends. And they always said good things, particularly about his vivaciousness for life and passion for others, which shone through the airwaves to listeners like me.

Many have said the same thing, but with football season fewer than 100 days away, I can’t imagine that opening game against Oregon without Rod’s presence and interpretation of events. I have spent the majority of my life listening to him calling games

for the team I was born rooting for.

There will be many tears shed between now and then. Much more importantly than Auburn athletics and sports is the family that he and Paula leave behind, as well as the 16-year-old driver who was involved and is recovering from his injuries.

2019 has been a roller coaster of mostly negative emotions for us as a county. But as we’ve done time and time again the last few months, let us come together and stand with tenacity in the face of utmost adversity.

On behalf of the Observer, I extend my most heartfelt and sincere thoughts and prayers to the Bramblett family during this challenging time.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

-2 Timothy 4:7

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: • May 31 - Callaghan at Sundilla • June 1 - Burger Wars/Touch-a-Truck • June 1 - Puzzle Palooza • June 7 - Summernight Downtown Art Walk in Auburn • June 8 - National Get Outdoors Day • June 15 - Brent Cobb at Standard Deluxe

Local winners announced in annual Heritage Cooking Contest Ann Cipperly’s

Southern

Hospitality

O

n a recent sunny afternoon at the Mt. Olive Church on Society Hill Road, participants in the annual Heritage Cooking Contest were busy adding last minute touches to their dishes for judging. This year, appetizer recipes were featured in the competition, sponsored by the Lee County Women’s Leadership Committee, a division of Alabama Farmers Federation.

Winners were Barbara Whatley, first place, gouda and bacon dip; Mary Richburg, second place, savory pumpkin dip; and Jackie Henderson, third place, festive bacon and

cheese dip.

For her winning recipe, Whatley combined shredded gouda with a creamy combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream embellished with bacon and green onions. The dip was baked in a pie plate and garnished with additional bacon and onions. Sliced French bread accompanied the hot dip for a tasty appetizer or party dish.

Mary’s savory pumpkin dip enhances pumpkin puree with cheddar and cream cheeses, pecans, bacon and green onion laced with a hint of cinnamon.

The festive bacon and cheese dip in third place combined colby-jack and cream cheese with crumbled bacon. Henderson seasoned the mixture with mustard, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce and a dash of hot pepper sauce. The dip was served in a slow cooker with crusty bread and assorted raw vegetables.

Other dishes included collards, queso and sausage dip by Brenda Reese and salmon dip prepared

by Carole Clements.

A different category is selected every year for the contest, which spotlights Alabama

Photo by Ann Cipperly Winners in the recent Heritage Cooking Contest are, from left, Barbara Whatley, first place, Gouda and Bacon Dip; Mary Richburg, second place, Savory Pumpkin Dip and Jackie Henderson, third place, Festive Bacon and Cheese Dip. As the first-place winner, Barbara will compete in the state contest in September.

comodities and agricultural products. As first place winner, Whatley will compete in the state contest in September.

While Whatley has been a member of the women’s group for 25 years, this is the first time she has received first place in the cooking contest. She has won first for tablescapes in the past.

Over the years, she has enjoyed cooking countrystyle dishes on their farm in the Beauregard community. She found the recipe for the gouda and

bacon dip, and adapted the recipe, adding her own touches.

The recipe is quick and easy, and she likes that she can bake and serve the dip in the same dish.

The freshly baked French Bread accompanies the dish.

Whatley and her husband, Gaines, have two daughters and two granddaughters, with a third granddaughter expected in a couple of weeks.

The Women’s Division was organized to promote agricultural

products and commodities, as well as to provide an opportunity for women to actively participate in policy making.

Jamie Lazenby is president of the local Women’s Leadership Group that donates to various charities. At the cooking contest, they collected towels for Big House.

“We meet about every other month,” Lazenby said. “We also donate to the Battered Women See Cipperly, page A9

Scouts to honor former MLB Eleanor’s Restaurant to All-Star player Tim Hudson hold soft opening June 15 Special to the Opelika Observer The Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America will recognize former Major League Baseball All-Star player Tim Hudson at its annual Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner.

The event will be June 11 at the Bottling Plant Event Center in Opelika.

“It has become tradition that each year we honor local leaders for their contributions to our communities,” said Chattahoochee Council Scout Executive/ CEO Juan Osorio.

Hudson is a former MLB

All-Star pitcher. During his career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants. He attended Chattahoochee Valley Community College and Auburn University. He has recently returned to Auburn University to complete his degree. Hudson and his wife, Kim, started the Hudson Family Foundation to give back to those in need across our communities.

“In both his professional and personal life, Tim served as positive role models for our youth,” Osorio said. “We are proud to present him with this

honor as he represents the core values of scouting.”

Proceeds from the dinner go directly to the local scouting program that serves more than 5,000 youth in 15 counties. The Boy Scouts of America instills a strong sense of responsibility and character in today’s youth, and encourages them to become leaders in their communities.

The event is open to the public and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on the event or to register to attend, email Osorio at josorio@bsamail.org.

By Morgan Bryce Editor Quality food at affordable prices will be the mainstay of Eleanor’s, the second phase of a development led by Warehouse Bistro Executive Chef Paul Diaz.

Since reopening the bistro last fall, Diaz said he has been eyeing the possibility of pursuing another venture under the same roof.

Located directly next to the bistro, Elea-

Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer

nor’s patrons will be able to walk through wrought-iron gates into a restaurant that will boast a “warm, relaxing and fam-

ily-friendly atmosphere,” according to Diaz.

“This side will be See Eleanor’s, page A9

Monday-Saturday 11 AM - 8 PM

A8 May 29, 2019

pelika Observer O

East Alabama Old Car Club hosts show at USA Town Center May 18

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

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pelika O Observer

A9 May 29, 2019

ADRS, Lee Co. Achievement Center to host free ‘School’s Out Bash 2019’ on May 31 Special to the Opelika Observer The 2019 School’s Out Bash for children, youth and young adults with special health care needs will once again feature a full morning of family fun.

Cipperly,

and water fun. Everyone is encouraged to bring a towel.

The bash is sponsored by the Children’s Rehabilitation Service, Vocational Rehabilitation Service and Computer Services divisions of the Alabama Depart-

The free event will be May 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Children’s Rehabilitation Service (CRS) office at 516 W. Thomason Circle in Opelika. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

Planned activities include games, food

Eleanor’s,

from A7

Shelter and the Veterans’ Association. We keep a project going all the time.”

Following are the recipes from the recent local Heritage Cooking Contest and sampling of the state-wide winners and entries from last year’s contest. Clip and save the recipes for upcoming events when you need a scrumptious appetizer or party dish.

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@cipperly.com See Recipes, page A11

from A7

more of the anchor for Warehouse Bistro because it will be more casual and more of an everyday place for people who want to stop by and get a burger or a big steak. It will also be fast paced, with people coming in and probably staying for 30 to 45 minutes instead of the couple of hours you would need to experience a meal at the bistro,” Diaz said.

Diaz named the restaurant in honor of his grandmother, who was known for her bak-

ing and cooking skills.

Items like her signature lemon cake which will be served at Eleanor’s.

“She loved spending her time in the kitchen baking and cooking. I have a lot of her recipes in a Rolodex, and a lot of her desserts will be on our menu,” Diaz said.

Once renovations are complete, Diaz said he expects Eleanor’s to seat approximately 65 to 75 people, be equipped with bar seating and televisions to watch live entertainment and sports and four to five servers at its busiest times.

Though the menu is deeply rooted in

ment of Rehabilitation Services, along with the Lee County Achievement Center.

CRS Parent Consultant Sharon Henderson said the School’s Out Bash is a chance to celebrate kids with special needs and their suptraditional American cuisine, Diaz said Eleanor’s will copy the bistro and utilize locally sourced ingredients to be used in their dishes.

Still under development, he said there will be options for all ages and tastes, including a full children’s menu.

Eleanor’s will hold a soft opening June 15 starting at 5 p.m., what Diaz is calling a “preFather’s Day” meal.

There will be onenight-only specials and other activities to celebrate fathers that evening.

“It’s going to be the perfect time for people to come out and see what this place is all

porters.

“They work hard all school year, sometimes through sickness and pain,” Henerson said. “We also celebrate our parents who juggle work, medical needs, Individualized Education Program about,” Diaz said.

Permanent hours of operation have yet to be finalized. Diaz said he expects to be open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. Once established, he added that he will consider breakfast or brunch dining options as well.

The third and final phase of Diaz’s

meetings, and other children to make it through another school year.”

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is the state agency serving Alabama’s children and adults with disabilities. planned development will be a bakery and coffee shop in the frontmost portion of the building, the former home of the “Brass Brassiere” antique shop.

For more information or updates, follow “Eleanor’s Opelika” on Instagram or call 334745-6353. The restaurant will be located at 105 Rocket Ave.

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Opelika Charitable Giving Facts As the economy improves and confidence grows, charitable giving is making a comeback. Now could be a good time to evaluate giving and consider new ways to support the causes that you care about.

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pelika Observer O

A10 May 29, 2019

Annex,

from A1 the new Lee County Courthouse annex.

Closing for two days last month to finish their move from the courthouse’s first floor to the annex, Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price and her staff have been operating out of their new offices since April 15.

County Administrator Roger Rendleman said the annex’s opening is the fruition of a promise he made to Price shortly after she took office in 2003.

“I remember standing against of those modular units and talking to (Price) ... her workspace and the entire office staff was just completely on top of each other.

I told her that this problem was only temporary ... I just didn’t qualify how long temporary was,” Rendleman said laughingly.

A seamless segue Rendleman said the first phase of enlarging and expanding the county administration’s work space began with the completion of the Bennie Adkins Meeting Center (previously known as the Lee County Meeting Center) in 2015, which currently houses the appraisal department and board of registrars.

Next for Rendleman and his team was concocting a vision for what the courthouse annex would look like, desiring to create a space modern in function but traditional in its appearance and design.

Local architect John Randall Wilson has done previous projects for the county, always with a priority on making sure the project fit the surroundings, Rendleman said. With approval from the county commission, Wilson was hired for the project.

Following two years of planning, construction began in summer 2017 and was finished earlier this year.

From the building’s brickwork to its facade, Rendleman said he believes Wilson helped capture the essence of the original courthouse and make the annex a beautiful addition to the downtown Opelika skyline.

“I’m really pleased that we met the goal of building something a little more modern with space to grow, all the while respecting the past, which is something that Wilson did really well. Some people think that the back of the building is actually the front, which tells me that he did a great job of tying it all together,” Rendleman said.

“This is a huge thing

for downtown Opelika.

In less than five years, we’ve built a new fire department, we’ve done these improvements to help the county catch up to the 21st century and we’re going to have a new police department completed soon,” Price added. “Paired with the entertainment district that has been created and being added onto, downtown Opelika is a beautiful place and a destination for many.”

Trading spaces The annex consists of two stories and a streetlevel parking deck for county employees only, with the revenue office occupying the entirety of its first floor.

This provides “much needed” elbow room for the county’s revenue office and underlying departments, according to Price.

Lee County Probate Judge Bill English and his staff will fill some of the void left behind on the courthouse’s first floor by the revenue office, leaving space for their department or others to grow, Rendleman said. He added that there will be renovations to improve overall lighting and installation of storefront glass in the hallways to create a “better, lighter atmosphere.”

The county’s human resources and information technology departments, along with the

Lee County Commission and its offices, comprise the courthouse’s second floor.

Commission meetings are now held in the recently refurbished chambers once used by Judge J.L. Tyner and the Lee County Board of Education.

With the addition of a new parking lot off Tenth Street, the public will now have two main entrances to use to enter the courthouse.

Enhanced security measures including ID badges and the presence of a court security officer during the courthouse’s hours of operation are a few of the ways the county aims to modernize its systems and maintain a safe environment.

Celebration of history The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled take place on the steps of the new Tenth Street entrance to the courthouse, but may be moved indoors if it rains.

Following the ceremony will be a “Business After Hours” event in the annex, sponsored by the Auburn Industrial Development Board and the Opelika Industrial Development Authority.

For more information or updates, call 334737-3656 or visit www. leeco.us.

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

pelika O Observer Recipes,

from A9 Gouda and Bacon Dip Barbara Whatley First Place 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated French Bread 8 oz. Gouda cheese (I like Smoked), shredded, about 2 cups 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup sour cream 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 cup chopped, cooked bacon, divided ¼ cup sliced green onions, divided Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake French loaf as directed on can; cool before slicing.

Spray pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Gouda cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and crushed red pepper. Mix on low speed with electric mixer until well mixed. Reserve 2 Tbsp. bacon; set aside. Stir in remaining bacon and 3 Tbsp. green onion.

Transfer mixture to pie plate. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until dip is heated through. Top with remaining bacon and green onion. Serve hot dip with the sliced French bread.

Savory Pumpkin Dip Mary Richburg Second Place 1 (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans 4-6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled 3 green onions, thinly sliced 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon Stir cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pumpkin, pecans, bacon crumbles, onions, seasoned salt and cinnamon together using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until combined.

Serve garnished with extra bacon, pecans, and/or green onions, if desired, or cover and refrigerate until use.

Serve with crackers of choice.

Festive Bacon and Cheese Dip Jackie Henderson Third Place 2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes 4 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese 1 cup half-and-half 2 Tbsp. prepared mustard 1 Tbsp. chopped onion 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. hot pepper sauce 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled In a slow cooker, place cream cheese,

Colby-Jack cheese, half-and-half, mustard, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and hot pepper sauce. Cover; cook on low 1 hour or until cheese melts, stirring occasionally.

Stir in bacon; adjust seasonings, if desired. Serve with crusty bread or fruit and vegetable dippers. Makes about 1 quart.

Salmon Dip Carole Clements 14 oz. can salmon, drained, deboned and flaked 2 Tbsp. minced onions 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 3 drops hot sauce 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley 1/2 cup chopped black olives 4 Tbsp. horseradish Blend all ingredients together and chill. Serve with assorted crackers.

Collards, Queso and Sausage Dip Brenda Reese 4 cups chopped, fresh cooked down collards or 1 pkg. frozen collards or 1 big can collards, drained 1 lb. ground sausage, browned 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 16 oz. pkg.

Velveeta 1 cup whole milk 1 can Mexicorn, drained Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 to 4 hours or high for 1 to 2 hours.

Serve with crackers of choice.

Following Recipes From Last Year’s State Contest Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Anne Lanier, Choctaw County First Place State Winner 2018 2 pkg. 15 count Athens mini filo shells 15 bacon slices, cooked crispy and crumbled 3/4 cup prepared pimento cheese ½ cup Captain Rodney’s Boucan Glaze Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill each mini filo shell with 1 tsp. pimento cheese. Make a well in each filled shell and add ½ tsp.

Captain Rodney’s Boucan Glaze. Top with bacon crumbles.

Transfer to baking sheet and bake 5-8 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 30 appetizers. Tip: the filo shells are easier to work with if left in pkg. while adding filling and then remove from pkg. and place on baking

sheet.

Bacon Tomato Cups Ann Harrison, Clarke County 1 (10 oz.) can Hungry Jack flaky biscuits 1 tomato, chopped ½ - 1 bunch green onions, chopped 6-7 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled ½ cup mozzarella cheese ½ cup mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray mini muffin pans with pam. Divide biscuits into 3 equal parts.

Press dough into muffin tins. Mix all other ingredients together and season to taste.

Spoon cups 2/3 full. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Mini BLTs Beatrice Reichert, Coosa County Second Place State Contest 2018 2 pkg. mini filo shells (Athens with 15 shells per package) 10 slices crisp applewood bacon, chopped 10 grape tomatoes, diced 1½ cups finely chopped Fresh Express lettuce trio Scant 1/4 cup Blue Plate sandwich spread 2 Tbsp. chopped chives Combine bacon, tomatoes and lettuce in a bowl. Slowly add sandwich spread and stir until coated.

Spoon mixture into shells and sprinkle chives over the tops.

Bacon Mushroom Tartlets Emily Taylor, St. Clair County Pastry: 3 oz. cream cheese, softened ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup flour Mix together and refrigerate 30 minutes to overnight.

Filling: 1 pkg. cream cheese, softened ½ cup bacon bits 1 Tbsp. chopped green onion ¼ tsp. garlic salt 3 Tbsp. chopped mushrooms Mix together.

Place a tsp. of dough into each mini muffin cup. Add a tsp. of filling in each.

Place in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove from oven. Let cool on wire rack briefly. Lift pastries out with a sharp knife. Serve or freeze. Makes 30-36 mini muffin sized tartlets.

Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Pinwheels Teresa Ellis, Marshall County

1 (16 oz.) pkg. bacon 1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese 1 (8 oz.) tub sour cream 1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix 6-7 large Roma tomatoes 2 cups shredded cheese Salt and pepper to taste 8 count 1-inch flour tortillas Cook bacon until crisp. Cool, then chop into small pieces.

Mix together cream cheese, sour cream and dry ranch dressing mix in a large mixing bowl.

Cut tomatoes in half and remove seeds and juice. Chop into small (about 1/4”) pieces.

Add shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon to cream cheese mixture by hand with a spoon. Salt and pepper to taste.

Place equal amounts of mixture on the flour tortillas.

Roll tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Using a sharp knife, slice into ½ inch slices, discarding the end pieces.

Sweet and Savory Bacon Crackers Dora Rider, Monroe County - Third Place State Winner 2018 36 country clubstyled crackers 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 lb. bacon (not thick sliced) Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Put the crackers flat on two wire baking racks (leave a little space between the crackers), then set the racks on two rimmed 13x11 baking sheets.

Place a tbsp. of grated Parmesan cheese on half of the crackers. Place a tbsp. of brown sugar on the other half.

Slice the bacon in half. Wrap each cracker with a halfpiece of bacon, tucking the endo the bacon underneath the crackers.

Bake the crackers for about 2 hours.

The bacon will cook slowly and start to wrap tightly around the crackers, the excess grease will drip onto the baking sheets. Serve warm and enjoy.

Sweet Bacon Pork Shots Sharon Hataway, Montgomery County 1 lb. bacon 2 pkg. Kielbasa cut into 1” pieces 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp. chili powder Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top of the pan. Spray rack with

A11 May 29, 2019 cooking spray.

Cut the Kielbasa into 1-inch pieces.

Cut each slice of bacon in half. Wrap each piece of bacon around the Kielbasa, leaving a little room at to be filled.

Secure with a toothpick and place on baking sheet. Combine brown sugar and chili powder.

Place a half tsp. on top of each piece of Kielbasa. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is brown and crispy.

Allow to cool.

White Cheddar and Bacon Dip Shirley Lumsden, Cherokee County 1 cup Vermont white cheddar cheese, shredded 1½ cup cheddar jack cheese (or your choice), shredded 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 8 slices bacon 2 Tbsp. green onion, chopped 1 Tbsp. jalapeno peppers, diced (optional) 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped Red pepper jelly (optional) 1 round loaf of bread, hollowed out for serving (optional) Cook bacon on stove top, once cooked, place bacon on paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Once cooled, chop bacon into small pieces.

Reserve 1/3 of the bacon pieces for topping.

Mix white cheddar, cream cheese, sour cream, green onions and 2/3 of crumbled bacon.

Then place in an oven safe casserole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until heated through and edges start to bubble. You can also do this on your grill by placing the over safe dish directly on the grill over medium high heat. If cooking over grill, make sure to give the dip a stir every 2 minutes or so to evenly melt all the cheeses.

Once the cheese in the dip is fully melted and the dip begins to bubble, remove and (transfer to bread bowl, optional) top with remaining bacon and cheddar jack cheeses.

Finish with fresh parsley and red pepper jelly drizzle, if desired. Serve with your favorite crackers or flatbread.

Brown Sugar Bacon and Shrimp Bites Donna Anders, Tuscaloosa County Bacon: 12 slices pork

bacon, cut in half lengthwise 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1 tsp. ground black pepper 3/4 tsp. salt Mix brown sugar, pepper, and salt in a rectangular glass bowl with a wire whisk.

Turn bacon to coat both sides; set coated slices aside on large cookie sheet.

Shrimp: 12 large (U.S. wild caught) shrimp, uncooked, peeled, deveined, tail removed and cut in half 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. minced garlic ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. paprika Mix olive oil, lime juice, lemon juice, garlic, salt and paprika in a rectangular glass bowl with a wire whisk. Turn shrimp to coat. Let marinate in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil; place a greased cooling rack on the baking pan.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While oven is heating, put a halfshrimp and a halfbacon slice and roll up; secure each bite with a wooden toothpick.

Place each bite on the rack with space between. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 20 minutes.

Remove with tongs and place on serving platter.

Food Ratings China Garden 1888 Ogletree Road Auburn Score: 99 Buffalo Wild Wings 2257 Tigertown Pkwy Opelika Score: 98 Moe’s Southwest Grill 2574 Enterprise Drive Opelika Score: 97 Best Wingz and Thingz 1515 2nd Ave. Opelika Score: 96 Sushi Bene LLC 1888 Ogletree Road Auburn Score: 95 Amsterdam Cafe 410 S. Gay St. Auburn Score: 95 Veggies To Go 2701 Frederick Road Opelika Score: 94 Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe 2119 Interstate Drive Opelika Score: 91

Opelika

A12

Family & Religion

May 29, 2019

Big stories and little stories

T

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

here are big stories and little stories.

The little stories are about us. They are about where we were born, the family we grew up in, and other significant events in our life. They are rich, wonderful and engaging—but they are also profoundly lacking. Why? Because they have a beginning and an end. We are born, we live, we die and not many years later it's as if we never existed.

We want to believe that our life has some grander, deeper meaning. We want to believe that life does not end at the grave.

Bertrand Russell was a prominent English philosopher of the last century. He was an atheist and should be credited for having the courage of his convictions in that he understood what that meant. In a Free Man’s Worship he wrote: That Man is the product

nearly cerof cause tain, that no which had no philosophy prevision of which rejects the end they them can were achievhope to stand. ing; that his Only within origin, his

By Bruce Green the scaffoldgrowth, his Teaching Minister at ing of these hope and fears, his loves 10th Street Church of truths, only Christ in Opelika on the firm and beliefs, foundation are but the of unyielding despair, outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that can the soul's habitation henceforth be safely built. no fire, no heroism, no Yikes! Suffice it to say intensity of thought and that most of us aren’t feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the Bertrand Russell. We want to believe there is grave; that all the labours something more to life of the ages, all the devothan building our lives "on tion, all the inspiration, the foundation of unyieldall the noonday brightness of human genius, are ing despair."

That’s where the big destined to extinction in stories come in. Cultures the vast death of the solar of every kind have always system, and the whole had stories that sought temple of Man's achieveto stitch together all the ment must inevitably be little stories and produce buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins—all a meaningful, coherent narrative in much the these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so same way that a patch-

Church calendar

• Pepperell Baptist’s youth program meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m.

This is an evening of prayer, Bible Study, and discussion.

For more information, contact youth and children’s pastor Ryno Jones if you need more information at 334-745-3108.

• Registration for Farmville Baptist Church’s First Steps Preschool program for fall 2019 is now open to the public. For more information or to register, call 334-887-7361 or visit them at 3607 Alabama Highway 147 N. in Auburn.

•Tenth Street Church of Christ will be holding their Vacation Bible School June 2 to 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is Marooned

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

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 1311 Second Ave. #758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta #742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy #749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. #749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. #745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy #749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B #7064421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. #745-6670 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave #742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. #745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd #745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. #745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. #745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. #742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr #749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. #887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika

- Steady Faith in Shifting Sands. Children from ages 4 to sixth grade are welcome to attend. For more information, call 334-745-5181. The church is located at 500 N. 10th St. •First Baptist Church of Opelika will hold their Vacation Bible School June 10 to 13. This year’s theme is “In the Wild: Amazing Encounters with Jesus” which is taken from John 20:31. Children from ages 4 to sixth grade are welcome to attend. For more information, call 334-7455715. The church is located at 301 S. 8th St.

Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!

603 Pleasant Pleasant Drive 603 Drive Opelika, AL Opelika, AL 36801 749-1333 Mon- Sat7am 7am-8pm Mon-Sat - 8pm Sun 12pm-6pm Sun 12pm - 6pm

there one God as opposed to many gods, but He created man to image Him and calls him to that higher purpose. The big stories that humans gave us created their gods and goddesses in man’s image with the result being that rather than liberating, they enslaved. Rather than calling humanity to something nobler, the were the vehicles for oppression, suffering and even death.

This is exactly what we see in Exodus where Egypt's big story leads to slave labor, babies being put to death and ethnic cleansing. This is exactly why God sends the plagues—to show Israel and Egypt that there is one God and one story that brings joy, life and liberation (Exodus 12:12).

Bruce has written an entry level book on Revelation called The Thrill of Hope. It is available through Amazon.

Verse of the Week

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Events can be emailed to the Observer at editor@opelikaobserver.com.

314 S. 9th St. #745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. #745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact 709 Avenue E #741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. #703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue #742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. #749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. #363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Liberty Baptist Church 2701 West Point Pkwy #749-9632 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. #745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 #334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy #745-5340 Pepperell Baptist Church 2702 2nd Ave. #745-3108 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd #749-2773 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Rd 166 #745-0807 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. #745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd #741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. #821-7238

work quilt brings unity to small, different pieces of fabric. The stories sought to provide people with overarching, transcendent truths that brought harmony and purpose to their lives. For the Greeks it was their stories about Zeus and the other gods and goddesses of Olympus. It was the same thing for the Romans; they merely co-opted the Greek stories and gave the same gods Roman names.

Egypt was much the same way, but their pantheon of gods was home grown. In all of this they were doing the same thing—creating a story big enough to embrace everyone and everything.

Yet ultimately there can only be one big story and it is not created by man; it is given to us by God. That’s what makes the biblical story so radically different from all the other big stories. Not only is

CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. #749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy #742-9721 10th Street Church of Christ 500 N. 10th St. #745-5181 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. #745-6015 Church of Christ 2660 Cunningham Drive #745-6377 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd #749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place #7496432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court #745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene 1500 Bruce Ave. #749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. #745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 Opelika, Ala. 36804 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. #826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. #742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A #745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 #745-0460

Psalm 46:10 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 #749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. #745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. #745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy #745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 #741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd #745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. #745-3421 Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Rd #745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. #749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. #749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd #749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 #745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. #745-0832 Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd #745-2247 Church at Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy #705-0505 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. #737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. #745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy #707-3922

Family Life Christian Center 601 S. 7th St. #741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. #749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd #749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. #745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. #749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad #749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. #737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd #749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd #741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy #749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy #741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy #737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy #745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy #745-7770

pelika O Observer

A13 May 29, 2019

OBITUARIES Joan Wheeler DeLoach Joan Wheeler DeLoach, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Oak Park Nursing Home. She is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior where she is healed and there is no more pain and suffering.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 24, 2019 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, officiated

by Sean Rezek with visitation at 1:00 pm prior to the service.

Joan was born November 9, 1931 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late William Britton Wheeler, Sr. and the late Evelyn Davis Wheeler Royal.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Eugene DeLoach, her parents and her brother, William Britton (Billy) Wheeler, Jr. She and Gene lived most of their lives in Pepperell Village. They both worked and retired from Ampex/ Quantegy Corporation after many years of service.

You never saw one without the other until Joan got sick.

They loved each other dearly and deeply and are now together again.

She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and friend to many.

She loved Jesus, her family and her friends. She was a member of Pepperell Baptist Church

Myrtie Parks Huff Myrtie Parks Huff, formerly of Opelika, was born to the late James Wesley and Claudia Parmer on August 23, 1916 and passed away in Montgomery, Alabama on May 23, 2019. She was 102 years old.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands Harmon “Bud” Parks and Ira Huff.

She is survived by her children, Patsy(Carl) Johnson of Talbott, TN, Lowell(Frances)Parks of Auburn, AL and Betty Sue(Jim) Moore of Wetumpka, AL; grandchildren, Susan(Richard)Thomas,

for many years where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.

She is currently a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika where she and Gene enjoyed helping with the bulletins each Wednesday and she loved singing in the choir until her health prevented her from participating.

She is survived by her sons: Randy DeLoach of Salem, Russell DeLoach (Lesa) of Alabaster, Billy DeLoach (Joni) of Salem; 4 grandchildren: Chris DeLoach (Stacy), Brandon DeLoach (Kristin), Monica Bateman (Jared), Jason DeLoach; and 5 greatgrandchildren: Bailey, Cullen, Madison, Kyrie and

Cathie (Steve) Jordan, Cindy (Jimmy) Wampler, Debbie (Keith) Hiett, Teresa Decker, Dawn (Kenny) Hicks, Vicki (Kevin) Maddox and Jay Johnson; 12 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation was held May 28, 2019 at 10 a.m. in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

Graveside service was held May 28, 2019 at 11 a.m. in Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverend Mike Northcutt officiating.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Charity of your choice.

Carter.

The family would like to thank Oak Park Nursing Home Staff for caring for our Mother for the last several years. A special thanks to Christine Perry for the love, kindness and care she gave to our Mom. We would also like to thank Paige Moeller for being a wonderful friend to our Mom and for being so faithful in making a special trip to Oak Park each month to make sure our Mom always looked beautiful.

Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.

William Ausby

Funeral service for William Ausby, 71, of Opelika, Alabama (Beauregard Community), will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 2255 Wrights Mill Road, Auburn, Alabama 36830, followed by a Fellowship and Repast. The interment will be in Garden Hills Cemetery, Reverend Bernard Anderson will officiate.

Mr. Ausby, who passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019 at his home in Opelika, AL, was born Sep-

A Tribute to Puddin

By Martha Leonard Special to the Opelika Observer To love and be loved by an animal (a dog in my case) is the ultimate agape love. No matter where you go, they want to be right there with you.

If I leave him, he might pout a little - just to let me know he wanted to be with me. No questions asked upon return.

I had Puddin 14 years.

He was my beloved companion and everybody who came in contact with him love him and he loved them and other animals

also.

If you are not an animal lover, this is not for you, but for hte ones that are I’m sure you can rebate to the hurt, void and emptiness left without them. To look deep into his eyes and watch him wag his tail was priceless - especially when his little friends came to see him off.

I couldn’t let him go on that long dark, one way journey of no return, alone, so I held him in my arms for the last time, then took his body to the home place and buried him in his happy hunting ground, with Mr. Raccoon his stuff

animal.

Thanks to all who loved puddin and Country Side Vet. I was known as Puddin’s mom - an honor.

A pastor said, “lock your dog and wife in the trunk of your car, go back 3 or 4 days later and open the trunk, and see which one is glad to see you.” Hey! It’s a joke!

I received the following message: “A contribution has been made in memory of Puddin to the Broadcast Ministry of Faith Radio by his friends Lankey, Mattie (cats) and Master Steph.

Thank you - He is missed, my hero.

William “Will” Ray Buechner, Jr. William “Will” Ray Buechner, Jr., of Opelika, Alabama was born on August 27, 1981 in Montgomery, Alabama to William Ray Buechner, Sr. and Suzanne Plyler Buechner. He passed away on May 19, 2019.

Will graduated from Auburn University in 2005 and received a Bachelor of Criminology Degree. Will served the City of Auburn Police Department for 13 years.

He was a full patch member of the Gunners Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club for five and one-half years.

Along with his parents, Will is survived by his wife of three years, Sara Buechner; son, Henry, step-daughter, Mckenna, whom he loved as his very own; sister, Brigitte (John) Huling; mother-inlaw, Mildred Hardison; father-in-law, Murray tember 3, 1947 in Russell County, Alabama.

Public viewing will be Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ausby will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to the service.

Precious memories will be forever cherished by: his devoted wife of 44 years, Minnie P. Ausby of Beauregard, AL; daughter, Karen Temple (William Walker) of Brunswick, GA; sister, Constance Lewis of Phenix City, AL; brother, Herman Ausby of Phenix City, AL; niece, LaCrease Lewis-White of Phenix

Dutchie Sarah Sumner Mrs. Dutchie Sarah Sumner, 72 of Opelika passed away Sunday, May the 26, 2019 at East Alabama Medical Center. Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Providence Baptist Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service beginning at 1:00 pm until 2:00pm, burial will follow in the church cemetery. Dr. Rusty Sowell, and Reverend Ronald Sumner will be officiating.

Mrs. Sumner was a member of the Quechan Indian Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reserva-

Hardison; sister-in-law, Bethany (Teddy) Lopez; uncle, Irving (Jane) Buechner; aunt, Amy (Bill) Johnson; nieces, Hannah Huling, Sadie Anne Huling, Rachel Huling and Hensley Lopez; and nephew, Seth Huling.

Visitation was held at the Auburn University Arena on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Funeral service was held at Auburn University Arena on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Interment followed at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn, Alabama immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through the Auburn University Credit Union or via Go Fund Me – Buechner Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme. com/buechner-memorialfund Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

City, AL; great-niece, Kristen White of Phenix City, AL; two devoted brothers-in-law, Willie James (Julia) Threat and Willie Frank (Pastor Linda) Threat; a special daughter, Sheila (Charles) Threat; a special son, Timothy (April) Jones; two god-daughters, Vanessa Welch and Sonjia (Joseph) Thomas; two god-sons, Reaco (Connie) Echols and Paul (Margie) Godfrey; a lifetime friend as a brother, Frank Askew; devoted friend, Jacob Frazier; devoted lodge brother, Lenell Harris; a host of other relatives and friends.

tion in Winterhaven, California. Mrs. Sumner was ¼ Indian and loved her Indian heritage.

Mrs. Dutchie Sarah Sumner is preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Frank DeGrande.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years Orby Sumner, her two sons Christopher Sumner and Mark (Tammy) Sumner, 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and numerous brothers and sisters. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing. www.jeffcoattrant.com

pelika Observer O

A14 May 29, 2019

Community Calendar: Events around town

• June 3 - Ribbon Cutting and Business after Hours • June 14 - Ribbon Cutting - Whistle Stop Brew Shop 4 p.m.

• June 19 - U.S. Chamber Update Noon to 1 p.m.

• June 24 - Legislative Reception 5 to 7 p.m.

• July 10 - 78th Annual Meeting 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ongoing: • Village Friends/Village Values is a nonprofit organization that supports seniors who prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older. For info or to schedule a presentation to your group, call 334-209-4641. For the website, Google “village friends village values.”

• The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee.

The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided. Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256-307-1449.

Mondays: • The Lee County Voters League meets the first Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church located at 201 S. 4th Street, Opelika • The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary meets the third Monday at 7 p.m. at 910 West Point Parkway in Opelika.

• The Opelika Community Band practices

from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Auburn High School band room. Everyone is welcome, amateurs and professionals alike.

• Smiths Station Military Chapter of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) meets weekly at Mike & Ed’s at 5 p.m. For more information, call 297-5581 or visit www.nonukesforiran.org.

• The Touched by Suicide Support Group meets the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the East Alabama Medical Center Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway. For more information, contact Deborah Owen, EAMC’s director of Psychiatric Services at 334-528-4197 or deborahowen@eamc.org.

• The fourth Monday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone is welcome. For more information call 826-1899 or 502-0216.

• T.O.P.S (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss support group, meets every Monday night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave., Opelika. For more info contact Mary Johnson, 749-1584.

• The Lee County Commission meets the second and last Mondays of each month at the courthouse beginning at 5 p.m.

• The Commercial Horticulture Extension

Team organizes webinars to provide quick updates for producers on various topics of interest. Whether you are interested in the proper way to plant fruit trees or have questions in turf management, these webinars cover a wide range of subjects. Webinars are streamed live via Panopto on the last Monday of every month starting in January and ending in November.

During the presentation, participants can send questions via email. The webinars also are recorded and stored in the archive on the Beginning Farmer website. Webinar topics include: trap cropping for reducing squash insect pests, cowpea curculio updates, nutsedge control, introduction to potting mixes in ornamental container production, dealing with drought in commercial horticulture crops, and many more.

To view the full schedule, please visit www.aces. edu/anr/beginningfarms/ webinars.php. Please send questions during the presentations to Ann Chambliss, thameae@auburn. edu. For questions regarding the webinar series or for providing suggestions, please email Dr. Ayanava Majumdar at bugdoctor@ auburn.edu.

Tuesdays: • Ballroom Dance Classes at the Opelika Sportsplex from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. Instructor is Cody Wayne Foote. For more info call Diane at 749-6320.

Upcoming Events • May 29 - Noon Tumes at Courthouse Square from noon to 1 p.m.

• June 1 - Burger Wars/ Touch-a-Truck.

Touch-a-Truck is freeand visitors to Burger Wars can purchase tasting tickets for $2 each to sample burgers and give back to the East Alabama Food Banks’s Backpack Program for food-insecure children.

• June 1 - Puzzle Palooza at Spring Villa Park from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.

• June 3 - Lee County Voters League meeting will meet at 6 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church which is located at 201 South 4th St.in Opelika.

President Bickerstaff will address issues taken before the Lee County Commission on behalf on the Voters League in May and

follow-up exchanges with commissioners and county representatives.

• June 4 - Summer Swing at Municipal Part at 7 p.m.

• June 5 - Master Gardeners June Meeting - Planting ‘Summer Containers’ will be held June 5 at the Kiesel Park Pavilion. The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m. and the public is invited. The speaker this month is Jane Farr, director of the Plant Science Research Center at Auburn University. Visit LeeMG. org.

• June 7 - Summernight Downtown Art Walk in downtown Auburn.

• June 8 - National Get Outdoors Day. • June 11 - Summer Swing at Municipal Part at 7 p.m.

• June 15 - Brent Cobb at Standard Deluxe.

• The East Alabama Old Car Club meets every first Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Monarch Estates Clubhouse, located at 1550 East University Drive, Auburn. A program of interest to the old car enthusiast is presented. Car ownership is not required.

• The Opelika City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m.

Meetings are preceded by non-voting work sessions that typically begin about 6:30 to 6:45 p.m.

• Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who play an instrument should bring it and plan to join in. The jam session is held from 6 to 8 p.m. 8685 AL Highway 51.

• A Grief Support Group meets at Oak Bowery United Methodist Church Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone dealing with the pain of loss and feeling the need for support on their journey as they attempt to bring order and wholeness back into their life. Attendance and participation is strictly voluntary for any and all sessions. There are no fees or charges involved. The church is located on U.S. Highway 431 – eight miles north from Southern Union State Community College and Opelika High School.

For more information contact Bill Parker at 4590214 or 706-518-9122.

• The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization that is Congressionally chartered to be the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and focuses on three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency

services. For more information visit www.auburncap.org or find the organization on Facebook.

• East Alabama Gem & Mineral Society meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 5:45 p.m.

Meetings are held at the Covington Rec. Center located at 213 Carver Ave. in Opelika.

Wednesdays: • The second Wednesday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center.

No reservations are necessary. For more info call 826-1899 or 502-0216.

• The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary hosts Bingo every Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

• Every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at the Bottling Plant Event Center from 5 to 8 p.m.

Thursdays: • American Legion Auxiliary Unit 152 meets the first Thursday of every month at 11 a.m. at Niffer’s Place, 917 S. Railroad Ave. in Opelika.

• The Teal Magnolias Gynecological Cancer Support Group meets the second Thursday of every third month at 6 p.m. at EAMC Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway. For more information on the Teal Magnolias, email tealmagnoliasAL@yahoo.com or find them on Facebook.

• Opelika-Auburn Newcomers’ Club provides a variety of programs for the betterment of the Auburn/Opelika community to assist women transitioning into the area or to help women adjust to recent lifestyle changes.

The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon at various local restaurants. Please call or email Cheri Paradice at 334-737-5215 or cheri. paradice@gmail.com for more information or luncheon location of the month.

• T.O.U.C.H. Cancer

Support Group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at EAMC’s Health Resource Center. This is a support group for people living with any type of cancer or their families and friends.

Call 334-528-1076 for more information.

•After School Art Classes for Children & Youth Weekly Studio Classes featuring Drawing, Painting & More.. *beginners are welcome *all fine art supplies are always provided The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art A Center for Cultural Arts - Enroll Today- 334-480-2008 •Afternoon Art Classes for Adults featuring Studio Drawing, Painting & More.. *beginners are welcome *all fine art supplies are always provided Thursdays at 3 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, A Center for Cultural Arts - Enroll Today- 334-480-2008 • Evening Art Classes for Adults Fundamental Drawing Studio - Every Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. *beginners are welcome *all fine art supplies are always provided The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, A Center for Cultural Arts - Enroll Today- 334-480-2008 • Portrait Drawing Studio - portrait drawing classes for beginners, Every Wednesday 2 p.m.

EST *all fine art supplies are provided The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, A Center for Cultural Arts - Enroll Today- 334-480-2008 • Senior Studio Art Classes Every Wednesday 11 a.m. EST *beginners are welcome *all fine art supplies are always provided - Enroll Today- 334-480-2008 Email editor@opelikaobserver.com to place your community events.

pelika Observer O

A15 May 29, 2019

U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative to visit Opelika June 19 Special to the Opelika Observer Join the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for an update from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce June 19 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Southern Union State Community College Southern Room.

Brince Manning, a

Manning

manager of the Southeast Region for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be the speaker.

Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber, Manning served as the Manager of Government Affairs for the JAX Chamber in Jacksonville, Florida. He has also managed a campaign for Congressman

Lynn Westmoreland.

Manning supports the congressional and public affairs for eight Southeastern states, including Alabama.

The mission of the Southeastern Regional Office is to develop and maintain the region’s legislative, political and grassroots resources to achieve the U.S. Cham-

ber’s public policy goals.

The U.S. Chamber is the leading advocate for business issues at the federal level. As an active member of the U.S. Chamber, we rely on them for information and resources to connect us with the federal issues that matter to business.

The luncheon is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for potential members. There is limited space, so advance registration is required.

The deadline to register is June 14 at 5 p.m. and can be found online at www.opelikachamber. com. No refunds will be given after the deadline.

Buechner photos from A3

Check Out Our New Tiger Town Location Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Across from Lowe’s, another convenient location to serve our customers

AuburnBank’s Tiger Town Kroger location has moved to a new, full-service location on Frederick Road in front of Lowe’s. Under the leadership of City President Eddie Smith, our new location provides three drive-up windows, a drive-up ATM, a night deposit drop, safe deposit boxes, consumer and commercial loans in addition to all our checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts,

Eddie Smith CITY PRESIDENT

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Opelika Schools & Sports Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

Turn to B8 for photos from Opelika’s and Beauregard’s graduation festivities last week.

Opelika City Schools wraps up successful school year, reception held to honor staff, students

On the Mark

By D. Mark Mitchell

Opelika City Schools conclude 2018-19 school year during last Friday’s graduation ceremonies

O

pelika City Schools officially completed the 2018-19 school year with the completion of graduation ceremonies at Bulldog Stadium last Friday night.

Congratulations to OHS senior Jaylin Cummings!

The senior signed a basketball scholarship with Central Alabama-North in Monroeville last week.

Opelika basketball coach John Wadsworth said he was very proud and happy for Jaylen.

“This is an incredible person with an incredible story. He tore his knee prior to the season,” Wadsworth said. “Instead of having surgery, he opted to play with a leg brace!

Jaylen will go a long way in life. I am blessed to have coached him.”

SPRING FOOTBALL OHS Coach Erik Speakman said he was appearing was pleased with the 10 days of spring practice during an interview an on my sports talk show “On the Mark” last week. The Bulldogs scrimmaged Valley, capping off the 10-day period.

Speakman mentioned that rising senior Brody Davis won the starting

quarterback job over (junior) Malik Finley and (sophomore) Jackson Baites. Finley will play other positions when not taking snaps.

James Dawson moved to center, played well and appears to be adjusting to playing center. The second year coach mentioned his big defensive front.

“We are very big up front on defense. This is the biggest group in a while,” Speakman said.

“The Stinson brothers, Jalen and Jarrell, continue to dominate and improve.

Placekicker Marshall Meyers punted during the spring and the game, hoping to spare returning punter Jalen Stinson.”

If Meyers continues to improve, that’s one less position for Jalen Stinson.

Speakman gave his team two weeks off after school ended, hoping to rejuvenate the kids with some time off. Opelika will open the 2019 season at Bulldog Stadium against Callaway (LaGrange) Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.

This is one of six Opelika home games in 2019.

GIRLS SOCCER The OHS girls soccer See Sports, page B2

Photo by Becky Brown/Opelika City Schools

By Beth Pinyerd Opelika Observer On May 21, a wonderful reception and recognition was held at Jeter Primary School to honor the teachers and personnel who have given their lives to the students and families of the Opelika community.

Each Opelika staff

person who retired was honored by the Opelika School Board with recognition of the many years served by the presentation of a beautiful silver plate and each was honored by the many years served.

After the reception, the school board held their regular meeting. During the meet-

ing the following awards and recognition were presented.

The Opelika High School “Perspectives” magazine was presented at the beginning of the school board meeting.

“Perspectives” is an annual publication of Opelika High School dedicated to providing high school writers and artists the

thrill of submitting their work for publication. Pieces included in “Perspectives” are chosen by the magazine staff and are based on merit, rather than theme.

The following student awards were presented at the school board meeting: 2019 SuperintenSee School, page B5

Lee County School system sees increases in local revenues during first six months of fiscal year

By Michelle Key Publisher The Lee County School Board held their scheduled meeting on May 14.

During the meeting Chief School Financial Officer Ken Roberts delivered the financial reports for the six-month period ending March 31. This represents 50% of the budgeted school year

and Roberts reported that the collected local revenues have exceeded the projected amounts by 6% while the expenditures have been slightly under budget (.7%) giving the school system a surplus of nearly $1.5 million ahead of last year’s pace in terms of general fund reserves.

In other business, the board:

• approved to award the iPad and Chromebook Surplus RFP Bid to secure recycling for a total of $257,200 • approved out-ofstate or overnight field trips for the following school organziations - Beulah High School track team - Beauregard High School cheerleaders - Beauregard High School track team

- Beauregard High School wrestling team - Smiths Station Freshman Center’s band - Smiths Station High School basketball team - Smiths Station High School baseball team - Smiths Station High School wrestling team - Loachapoka High School track team.

pelika Observer O

B2 May 29, 2019

Fifty-one Opelika Middle School students earn PowerPoint certification Special to the Opelika Observer Fifty-one students in Mrs. Clarinda JonesLockhart's 8th grade Microsoft Imagine Academy class at Opelika Middle School have earned their PowerPoint certification.

The students are the only 8th graders in the southeast to take this high school level course and certify. Pictured: 1st Row (Bottom): Karlie Smith, Cherdi Daniels, Janiyah Webb, Cheyanne Kleinhofffer, La'Miracle Nobles, Keyanna Johnson, Susannah Couey, Ashley Hilyer, Morgan Cooper, Darsh Patel, Jaleigha Doolittle and QuNique Harry 2nd Row: Morgan Watts, Kylin Fears, Harsh Patel, Lindsey Boies, Adja Brown,

Rileigh McBride, Ashleigh Pitts and Trinity Rooks 3rd Row: Xarian McKinney, Keon Brazier, Karla Guerra, Leah Bales, Ann Marie Halverson, Kelly Rider, Ally Kinser, Mariska Chambers and Emma Brown 4th Row: Logan Richardson,Trent Henderson, Stanley King, Cade Morgan, Norah King, Zameah Foote, Kalie Strickland, Takeria Smith, Matthew Awbrey, Paola Torres-Morales and Ka'Aja Lee 5th Row (Top Row): Zayne Lackey, Ajaden Parham, Tristan Hart, Ja'Keith Carr, Mary Hughley, Thomas Hardegree, Justin McKemie, Tyson Randall, Kason Martichuski, Leah Bethea. Not pictured is N'zahri Fanning.

Photo special to the Opelika Observer

Lee County Special Olympic athletes bring home gold, silver and bronze medals at state summer games May 17-19

Photos special to the Opelika Observer On May 17-19, more than 1,200 athletes traveled to Troy University for the Special Olympics State Summer Games. Lee County brought 45 of their athletes to compete in aquatics, bowling, golf and track and field. Lee County athletes brought home multiple gold, silver and bronze medals in all sports. The weekend included watching local law enforcement run the Special Olympics torch into the stadium, opening and closing ceremonies, and a victory dance featuring music by Scot Bruce to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.

Sports,

from B1

team, 12-7-1, won the area title for the sixth consecutive year, advancing to the playoffs seven years in a row and finishing among the top-8 teams in class 6A. The Lady Bulldogs scored 89 goals, led by Amiya Brown’s 36 goals and 10 assists. Erica Mathews (14 goals and 13 assist), Estefany Alba (13 goals and six assists) and Megan Noon scored eight goals and added eight assists, respectively.

Congratulations to Coach Jaclyn Button.

DIXIE YOUTH ALLSTARS

Opelika Dixie Youth President Kurt Branch and Past President Benn Bugg, announced the 2019 All-Star teams.

PEE-WEE ALLSTARS Jack Branch, Layton Caldwell, Brady Capps, Brock Danford, Erick Fernandez, Rhyon Hardnett, Hunter Harreslson, Dax McCracken, Weston Rice, Grant Speigner, Turner Underwood and Smith Young.

Manager Mac McCracken, Coaches Lupe Fernandez, Lou Harrelson and Blake Rice. The District Tournament will be held June 21 in Smiths Station.

MINOR ALLSTARS Jack Branch, Will

Financing Available Now serving Tallapoosa County

Brandon, Logan Childree, Carson HolceyBillngsley, Carter Neese, Camden Pilate, Tyson Prince, Landon Rudd, John Sanders, Tre Stone, Troy Tidwell and Fuller Young. Manager Kurt Branch, Coaches Adam Pilate and Tommy Prince.

The District Tournament will be held June 14 in Valley.

MAJOR ALL-STARS TJ Arnold, Noah Childree, Camden Dunson, Chris Floyd, Carter Green, Evan Henderson, Jackson Lee, Warner McDonald, Jordan Rowell, Xavier Thomas. Bryce Turnham and Gabriel White. Manager-Mathew Turnham. CoachesRobbie Henderson and

James Thrift. The District Tournamen will be held June 14 in Auburn. Each tournament is double elimination, with the winner advancing to the the state tournament.

Congratulations Opelika Dixie All-Stars!

ON THE MARKRADIO STATION CHANGE Beginning July 1, my Local Sports radio show, “On the Mark” will move to WZMG 910AM (Lee County) and 1310AM, (West Point-ValleyLanett). On the Mark will add an additional hour, airing 6 to 9 a.m. simulcasting on both stations.

The format will change too - FOX SPORTS, 24/7.

WZMG 910/1310 “The

Game” will begin July 1.

WTLM 1520 will return to gospel music with longtime radio personality Richard LaGrand hosting his morning show at his regularly scheduled hours.

IheartRadio Opelika-Auburn hopes you will enjoy the new changes.

The OHS Mainstreet gym renovations were scheduled to begin this week. Among the upgrades, a new hardwood floor, new sound system, two competition goalsrims and backboards, four practice goals-rims and backboards, new scorers table, one new scoreboard, sideline chairs and additional seats in some areas.

The hardwood floor cost $147,123, the sound

system nearly $28,000 and OCS paid David Payne Design group $10,500 for the project.

No cost was provided for the goals, backboards, rims or any additional seating.

The renovations to Mainstreet will give OHS basketball teams a nice gym with plenty of space for family, friends and supporters can attend and park in the front parking lot and enter through the front door. The gym should be completed in July.

D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.

pelika O Observer

B3 May 29, 2019

Farm to Table | Texas Flavor, Alabama Chef Pt.I

S

pring showers drip through the greening canopy as the car glides lazily around the curvaceous landscaped urban lanes near East Samford. A stone façade pays homage to a drier climate, it tells tale of influence from a western terrain. Timber and rock serve as visual compliment to aroma’s that drift beyond the curb. Hot and savory are the flavors in the air.

You can almost taste it. We stand in line surrounded by pictorial hunting stories shared from far and near, we bask in anticipation with little concern for the growing line, an expected continuum. We’re all here for the same reason. Food unites people.

House-made tortilla’s cascade from the press. A window provides patrons with a process exhibit.

From conveyor, they are rolled and stacked in heated pans. From the oven, yields fresh baked loaves, Texas sized. Wood crackles as the heat is managed o’er a fire, a chandelier of sorts

By Sarah West displays brisket, shoulder and various selections of smoked and roasted game.

Today, I forego my usual favorite, pulled pork shoulder accompanied by slaw and tortillas. This I often pair with Alabama White Sauce, salsas and sweet pickles. Chef David Bancroft has appeared in an instant from the kitchen, catching me by surprise to say, “we have only two specials left.”

Scrolled out on a butcher paper menu, the special reads “BBQ Molcajette.”

I have never had this dish, so I’m inclined to try it.

After David’s exuberant

descriptive, no persuasion is needed. A dish made for sharing, fortunately, the rest of my party is up for the adventure. It is late afternoon. This luncheon turned casual supper calls for margaritas, blood orange with salted rim.

The early evening light pours through industrial doors, casting streaks across the table. The room of white washed walls, interesting artifacts and impressive mounts reflect roots, heritage, husbandry and legacies of land stewardship and farm-raised cuisine.

Chef David arrives at our table curating the anticipated new mammoth sized dish. A volcanic mortar filled to the brim with barbeque brisket, St. Louis ribs, spicy chorizo and some of the best baked beans, he explains he spent hours perfecting. And they are the best I’ve ever had. Complete with all the appropriate garnishes, and flourished with tortillas.

We savor all that we can. Admittedly, there was

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plenty left. This is a quintessential family meal with flavors of southwest and comfort that is universally southern.

Sarah West serves the Opelika Observer as a contributing columnist, with written works of Cultural Arts relevance and prose.

She is a preservation, and conservation advocate, activist, and visual artist of American Illustration with a focus on Regional Narrative Painting. She is founder of the Sarah West

Gallery of Fine Art, A Center for Cultural Arts, Smiths Station, Alabama’s premier fine arts destination. She is the appointed Official Artist to the City of Smiths Station, a Lee County syndicated columnist, the director of her art center’s Cultural Arts Outreach Initiative which partners with local schools to make the arts accessible to all. She also serves a chief curator to the City of Smiths Station, City Hall Art Galleries. She is a founding member of

the Smith Station Historic Commission. She is a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Board- Cary Center, Auburn University College of Human Science.

She is an elected member of the Society of IllustratorsNYC. She mentors art students of every age through weekly classes at her studio located in the heart of Smiths Station, Alabama.

To learn more about her work and activism visit, www.thesarahwestgalleryoffineart.com.

Sweet dreams for children

Beth Pinyerd The Classroom Observer

T

he hot temperatures of summer have arrived! I remember as a child when polio was prevalent, parents would make their children rest and take naps, especially during the hot summer months.

When I have worked in the church nursery or other early childhood settings, I have always admired the teachers and caregivers of infants and toddlers who seemed to have a true magic and loving touch of rocking children to sleep.

In teaching in early childhood classrooms I have used soft music, rewarding them with stickers when they awoke.

My favorites were playing

“sandman” as I pretended to put sleep in their eyes.

Too, I am gently reminded that our father in heaven neither slumbers nor sleeps as we rest in his care. Young children fresh from heaven seem to rest soundly in this truth.

Psalm 121:4 gives us this reassurance.

As parents and early childhood teachers, we know first-hand the abundant amount of energy these children have! I love to look through their eyes because they don’t want to miss a thing. But when they finally wind down and drift off to sleep, it is so good all the way around.

Getting enough sleep al-

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lows the body to rest and relax, prevents illnesses and refuels our bodies for the next day. As a mother of a very active young son, I used to look forward to his naps so that I could also get a “cat nap” before he awoke.

When you are parents or work with young children, it is so important that we rest. Our father in heaven, after creating the world, rested as we see in Genesis 2:2.

What are the sleep needs of each age? Even though schedules are irregular during the summer months, it is good for children to get enough sleep.

Iowa State University’s report on children and sleep states that babies in the first year sleep a lot. The New Hampshire Extension’s report “Helping Young Children Sleep Better” gives excellent suggestions to parents of babies six-to-12-months old. I would like to quickly list these to help families and children.

1. Prepare your infant for bedtime by rocking your child, playing soft music, hugging your child and keeping events lowkey right before bedtime.

Sing about Jesus to your child. How safe they feel when you sing “Jesus loves me” or “All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord.”

Whispering Bible verses to your precious gift from heaven instills the word in their hearts and gives them a peace. When you are young parents or grandparents, it is so warm to your spirit as you pick up your infant child or grandchild and hear the child’s caregiver singing to your infant. Children love to be softly sung to.

2. Follow the same schedule or routine so your child knows bedtime is on its way. They adjust to this.

3. Develop a “going to bed” nightly tradition to set the sleep mood like lining up their toys, reading to your child a good bedtime story, or singing or playing soft music.

4. When you slip out of the room, if your baby cries, you can reassure them by softly talking to them.

5. Make sure noise disturbances are kept at a minimum from families and friends.

6. Check the room tem-

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perature and make sure it is not too cold or hot.

7. Of course, check on needed diaper changes or other physical needs during the night.

With toddlers, this same report from the University of New Hampshire Extension states toddlers at two sleep about 10 to 13 hours out of the 24-hour day.

Their naps become shorter. The same suggestions of infants were passed on as suggestions to toddlers ages one to two.

There may be more night awakenings because your toddler is teething and not feeling well. oo, toddlers are more aware of their surroundings and might be afraid of the dark or being alone.

Putting a soft night light in your child’s room will help this problem. As a mother, I can remember I didn’t venture far from the house without my child’s pacifier.

Place your child’s pacifier close to them at night.

Too, put that nightly cup or glass of water nearby.

If your toddler is resistant to an afternoon nap, just encourage them to rest and do quiet activities. Try to encourage a “quiet time.”

From the Ohio State University Extension Report, children three and older need less sleep, about nine to 11 hours.

During these years, a lot of growth takes place. It amazes me as an early childhood teacher the growth spurt that occurs when a child turns four or five years old. Again, your child at this age may just need a “quiet time” rather than a “deep sleep” nap. With this age “bad dreams” might become an issue in your family.

Following previous suggestions of comforting your young child can be applied here. If a child is scared gently guide them to control their fears by guiding what they view on television and reading books that are not scary.

We need to guide our little ones to dwell on things that are true and pure.

There are children’s Christian videos and books that will help you and your child “laugh” and realize that bad dreams aren’t real. “Veggie Tales” is excellent in this area.

I hope all of this helps you and your child to get a good night’s sleep.

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Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law ARPC 7.2.(e) “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

pelika Observer O

B4 May 29, 2019

3rd Annual ‘O’Day in the Village’ held Saturday at Covington Park

Dr. James “Mac” McCoy Superintendent 334-705-6000 Fax: 334-745-9822 Toll Free: 1-800-652-9770

ee County Board of Education 10 Society Hill Road pelika, AL 36804-4830

A Tradition of Excellence – A Vision for Tomorrow

Special Called Board Meeting For the Approval of

Personnel Recommendations Notice is hereby given to all

citizens, press, and any interested parties that

Lee County Board of Education will meet

Thursday, May 30, 2019 6:00 P.M. CST at the Central Office 2410 Society Hill Road Opelika, AL 36804-4830

This notice is posted on May 22, 2019

by Dr. James E. McCoy, Superintendent of Lee County Schools All Schools Accredited by SACS CASI

Photos by Tanisha Stephens/Intown Imagery

pelika O Observer

B5 May 29, 2019

Photos by Beth Pinyerd/Opelika Observer

OCS,

from B1

dent Art Show First Place Winners Addison Young, grades K-2 Gianna Jimmerson, grades 3-5 Kiley Brooks, 6th grade Jane Stephens, grades 7-8 Xaria Madden, grades 9-10 Angel Geyrozaga, grades 11-12 Second Place Axel Ortiz Montealvo, grades K-2 Lily Williams, grades 3-5 Yan Si Gabriel Perez, 6th grade Violet Alcorn, grades 7-8 Romina Arevalo, grades 9-10 Angel Geyrozaga, grades 11-12 Third place Joshua Hernandez Felix, grades K-2 Mirella Lopez, grades 3-5 Alondro Alfaro, grades 7-8 Aiden Neman, grades 11-12 Honorable Mention Alexa Kadletz, grades 7-8 Dawson Rush,

grades 11-12 Bicentennial Winner Tyjah Porter, West Forest, grades 3-5 Claire Richmond, Morris Avenues, grades 3-5 2019 Congressional District Art Competition Angel Geyrozaga, 2nd place All State Band 2019 Caroline Hawkins - Alabama Bandmasters Association AllState Band Festival Blue Band Nathan Hunter - Alabama Bandmasters Association All-State Band Festival White Band All State Honor Choir 2019 Xaria Madden Rashaad Chislom Ryan Johnston Destiny Wilson Hope Bearden Rebecca Wilson 2018 State Trumbauer Theatre Competition Awards Davis Samuels - All Star Cast Member 2018 State Trumbauer Competition Daniel Gay - 1st Place Male Contemporary Dramatic Monologue-Varsity 2018 State Trumbauer competition Caleb Eason and

Matthew Johnson- 1st Place Duet Readers Theater ComedicVarsity 2018 State Trumbauer Competition Caleb Eason - 2nd Place Playwriting Novice 2018 State Trumbauer Competition Breckin Gould and Brylee Gregory - 3rd Place Female Duet Pantomime- Novice 2018 State Trumbauer Competition Beaux Williams - 3rd Place Male Pantomime-Varsity 2018 State Trumbauer Competition 2019 Quiz Bowl State champions Opelika Middle School - 6th Grade Quiz Bowl Team: Zavier Dowdell Tyler Ellis Henry Evans Marley Golden Taylor Morgan Zane Sexton 2019 Quiz Bowl MVP presented to Henry Evans-Opelika Middle School State Swimming 2018 AHSAA Class 6A-7A Swimming Bradi Jones, 100-meter breaststroke, Bronze Medal OHS boys Track team-2019 AHSAA 6A Track and Field Jayen Stinson, Jav-

elin, State Champion Jaylen Stinson, 400-meter dash, Bronze Medal Jarell Stinson, 400-meter dash, Silver Medal Eric Watts, Long Jump, Silver Medal 4x100 Meter Relay Omar Holloway Eric Watts Dalen Torbert Brantan Barnett Silver Medal 2019 AHSAA6A Track and Field

OHS Boys Track Team, Bronze Medal After the award ceremony the school board met on new business, which included: • approvals of the Revised Dual Enrollment Policy • Digital Literacy/ Computer Science Textbook Adoption List and the Digital Literacy/Computer Science Comprehensive State Approved

Textbook Adoption List • Opelika High School Bus Loop Improvements • Patsy Parker and Kevin Royal were reelected by the school board to serve as Chairman and Vice Chair. The next school board meeting will be June 25 at the school board office which is located at 300 Simmons St. in Opelika.

pelika O Observer

B6 May 29, 2019

SUSCC holds commencement ceremonies earlier Southern Union Music Department members this month; local students recognized

perform at Carnegie Hall for Memorial Day event Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) celebrated its 96th Commencement on May 9.

Originally chartered by the Southern Christian Convention of Congregational Christian Churches, SUSCC was established in 1922 and welcomed its first class of 51 students in 1923.

The college’s 2019

enrollment is 4,800 students, and 203 students participated in this year’s graduation ceremony.

“Graduation is the most important day on our annual calendar because we recognize our students for their commitment and hard work in reaching their goals,” said SUSCC President Todd Shackett.

“We are honored that these students chose to be a part of the Southern Union family and wish them all the best in the

future.”

Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker served as the ceremony keynote speaker.

Alexis Jackson of Opelika and Katie Hill of Woodland each received the award for the Most Outstanding Students in the academic division. Hunter Bowling of Beulah was named Most Outstanding Student in the technical division and Wendy Weimer of Au-

burn was named the Most Outstanding Student in the health sciences division.

With campuses in Wadley, Opelika and Valley, Southern Union is the second oldest twoyear college in the state of Alabama.

Pictured with SUSCC President Todd Shackett (far left) and ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker (far right) are the 2019 most outstanding students Weiner, Jackson, Bowling and Hill.

Members of the Southern Union Music Department performed on the renowned stage of New York City’s Carnegie Hall as the choir was again invited to be part of Carnegie Hall’s Memorial Day concert.

This is the 14th time since 1993 that the Southern Union Sound has been invited to perform at the prestigious venue.

The choir performed under the direction of renowned composer John Rutter, who conducted his first U.S. performances of selections from Sacred Choruses, his newly published anthology.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Southern Union

Music Director Dr. Trey Rayfield.

“John Rutter is included on the list of the greatest composers of all time, and to sing on the stage at Carnegie Hall is an experience these students will never forget.”

The trip was open to all students in SU’s Fine Arts Department.

Students from the Dance and Theater disciplines had the opportunity to enroll in master classes while in New York, studying under instructors who have trained celebrities and Broadway performers.

The New York trip was sanctioned by Southern Union State Community College and was intended to provide an educational and cultural experience for students.

OHS’s Jaylin Cummins Opelika’s Kayln Yountz receives dual enrollment signs with Coastal Alabama last Thursday scholarship

Photo by Becky Brown/Opelika City Schools The Southern Union Foundation recently recognized the recipients of this year’s dual enrollment scholarships. Made possible by funds raised at this fall’s Foundation Gala, a total of 60 scholarships were awarded to students throughout Southern Union’s service area who are enrolled in the college’s dual enrollment program. Among them were 12 sponsored scholarships. Presenting the City of Opelika Dual Enrollment Scholarship to Kayln Yountz is Leigh Krehling.

Claudia Martin honored during Troy University honors convocation May 3 Special to the Opelika Observer Claudia Darela Martin of Opelika was among the students recognized for outstanding achievements in academics, leadership and service during the honors convocation for students at the Phenix City campus.

Martin received the award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Human Services.

The ceremony was held on May 3 in Phenix City.

About Troy University Troy University is a

public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni.

Students choose Troy for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City as well as at locations around the world and online.

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Front row, pictured left to right are Stan Watson, Jaylin Cumins, Kaliegha Watson, Latoya Cumin-Watson Back. Back row, pictured left to right are Coach Wesley Button, Coach John Wadsworth and OHS Principal Dr. Farrell Seymore.

Caroline Hawkins receives first-ever Educational Scholarship from National Village Ladies Club Photo special to the Opelika Observer The National Village Ladies Club of Opelika awarded their first Educational Scholarship totaling $3,000.

Caroline Hawkins is a graduate of Opelika High School and was first in her class of 308 students. She is an amazing young lady who demonstrated academic excellence, great leadership skills, school and community involvement and a desire for higher learning during her high school career. We wish her the very best as she continues her hard work to reach her goals. Congratulations, Caroline.

Pictured: Linda and Kevin Forbus, mother and stepfather; Caroline Hawkins and Amy McAllister, President, National Village Ladies Club.

Not pictured: Gary and Bridgette Hawkins, father and stepmother.

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Nuria Iturrioz of Spain wins the Zimmer Biomet Championship – Nancy Lopez – Symetra Tour

By Robert Noles Opelika Observer Opelika Grand National RTJ course was the site of the Symetra Tour – Zimmer Biomet Championship hosted

by Nancy Lopez last week, a qualifying event of the LPGA Tour.

This tournament had the largest purse on the

2019 Symetra Tour with $300,000. After two days of play, the field was narrowed down to final field of 69 to play two rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Nuria Iturrioz of Spain was the winner, shooting -12 on the Lakes Course at RTJ Grand National. Her take home was $45,000 and she is currently no.

2 on the Symetra Tour.

After her win, she thanked Nancy Lopez, Biomet, Grand National, volunteers, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and all others that assisted in the tour. Others that placed in top-4 were Maddie Szeryk, Perrine Delacour, Linnea Johans-

son. The United States’ top performer was Ree Robynn, who tied for fifth with three others at -6 and took home $10,101.

Speaking with RTJ Bill Lang, he said they had picked up several tours this year for the RTJ Trail and was hoping to bring more LPGA tours to the RTJ

Trail and Opelika.

Following is a list of the other top-20 finishers: T5 - Amy Boulden T5 - Fatima Fernandez Cano T5 - Min Seo Kwak 9 - Rachel Rohanna T10 - Ji Eun Baik T10 - Karen Chung T10 - Mind Muangjhumsakul

14 - Paula HurtadoRestrepo T15 - Katja Pogacar T15 - Samantha Troyanovich T17 - Ssu-Chia Cheng T17 - Laetitia Beck T17 - Mia Landegren T17 - Liv Cheng.

Full results of the tour can be found at www. symetratour.com.

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika Theatre Company June 14 at 6 p.m.

June 15 at 2p.m. & 6 p.m. www.opelikatheatrecompany.com

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Opelika, Beauregard high schools hold graduation ceremonies

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Inside the Statehouse City officials provide update on

An act of Congress

A

good many people wonder why simple, straightforward, no nonsense, good-government legislation fails to pass even though it appears to have universal and overwhelming support and appeal for many voters and legislators.

You will recall old sayings that you heard from your elders when you were young. Old bits of wisdom spouted from the lips of your grandparents and older folks, which went in one ear and out the other. Sayings like, “If you’ve got your health you’ve got everything” and “If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it”; and, if you are a golfer there is no truer euphuism than, “You drive for show and putt for dough,” and “it ain’t how you drive its how you arrive.” The older you get, it occurs to you how wise these old adages are in actual life. They are golden facts.

One of the sage morsels pertains to getting something accomplished. You say, “It takes an act of Congress to get that done.” In politics, there is no clearer truism. It is really hard to pass a piece of legislation through Congress and it is just as equally difficult to channel a bill through the labyrinth of legislative ap-

By Steve Flowers proval in Alabama.

Ask any successful lobbyist or legislator which side they would rather be on in legislative wars.

They much prefer to be against something than trying to pass a bill. It is probably 100 times harder to steer a bill through legislative approval than it is to kill a bill.

The Alabama Senate Rules or such that if a handful of the 35 Senators are adamantly opposed to something then they can kill the bill.

If the right Senator is against it, if for example he is Chairman of the Rules Committee and he wants it killed, it is dead.

It does not matter if the proposed legislation is as all American as a proposal or legislation saying the legislature is in favor of apple pie and motherhood. The bill has to go before both House and Senate committees, win approval, and not get an amendment put on it. If an amendment on is added, the bill basically has to start all over again. Then it has to get placed on the

special order calendar set by the Rules Committee. There are hundreds of bills waiting to get on this calendar but only a few bills make it on the calendar each day.

There are only 30 legislative days in the session. If a bill gets on the calendar, it then has to pass both houses. Then, hopefully, the governor is also for apple pie and motherhood, because if she vetoes the bill, it has to start all over again.

Let me give you an example of a piece of apple pie and motherhood legislation I was asked to sponsor when I was a freshman legislator. There was a quirk in Alabama Criminal Law that allowed the family of a criminal defendant to be in the court room in a criminal trial and sit behind the criminal and observe and cry on behalf of their relative. However, unbelievably the family of the crime victim could not be in the court room. The Victims of Crime Leniency (VOCAL) sought to correct this injustice.

VOCAL asked me to sponsor its bill and work for its passage.

I worked diligently on the bill. The press gave me and the bill glowing editorials for its fairness. We got the bill out of the House. It passed overwhelmingly.

See Flowers, page B13

‘Commission on Crime and Violence’

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Representatives from the city of Opelika provided updates on the Commission on Crime and Violence in a press conference last Thursday morning.

Following a rash of crime and violence last summer, Mayor Gary Fuller said he knew it was the right timing for the city to start brainstorming solutions to combat those problems.

“There were a couple of homicides in a very short time frame and all of us were very concerned. We talked

Photo by Morgan Bryce/Opelika Observer

about what we could do that would be different from what we’ve done in the past,” Fuller said. “And ultimately, those conversations led us to creating this commission.”

Fuller serves as the commission’s head, and under him are four sub-committees,

chaired by four city officials: Education (Ward 1 Councilwoman Patsy Jones), Family (Opelika Police Department Chief John McEachern), Resources (City Council President Eddie Smith) and Youth (Ward 2 Councilwoman Tiffany See Commission, page B11

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, city council recognize scholarship winners

By Michelle Key Publisher Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council honored several scholarship recipients during last week’s city council meeting.

The OPS/AMEA scholarship winners were: Katherine Ann Dudley (Lee-Scott Academy), Caroline Hawkins, Whitt Krehling and Jacob Walker.

The Killgore scholarship winners were: Adam

Photo by Becky Brown/Opelika City Schools

Cason, Caroline Hawkins and Jacob Walker.

See Council, page B15

Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline W. Price and the Lee County Commission cordially invite you to attend the Ribbon Cutting of the new Revenue Commissioner’s Office in the Lee County Courthouse Annex adjacent to the Lee County Courthouse 215 S. 9th Street • Opelika, AL Monday, June 3, 2019 5:00 p.m.

Business After Hours sponsored by Auburn Industrial Development Board and Opelika Industrial Development Authority will immediately follow the event For information contact 334-737-3656

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Sen. Doug Jones updates constituents with press releases Special to the Opelika Observer Maternal Care Act: U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) cosponsored new legislation in Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies (Maternal CARE) Act last week to improve health outcomes for all women during pregnancy and address the persistent biases in our nation’s medical system that have contributed to the ongoing black maternal mortality crisis.

“The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world – and the statistics are even worse for women of color and women in rural areas. It’s appalling that black women in Alabama are five times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy than white women,” Senator Jones said, who is a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. “This bill is a step in the right direction towards addressing the racial disparities that exist in maternal care and towards expanding access to the health care women need during and after pregnancy.”

The Maternal CARE Act would: - Allocate $125 million to identify high-risk pregnancies, and provide mothers with the culturally competent care and resources they need. The new grant program will help states develop and carry out pregnancy medical home programs. These programs improve care by incentivizing maternal health care providers to deliver integrated health care services to pregnant women and new moth-

ers and reduce adverse maternal health outcomes, maternal deaths, and racial health disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity.

- Create a new $25 million program to address racial bias in maternal health care. The new grant program will be directed to medical schools, nursing schools, and other health professional training programs to support evidence-based implicit training that will improve care for black women by reducing bias in judgment or behavior resulting from implicit attitudes or stereotypes.

- Help medical schools incorporate bias recognition in clinical skills testing by directing the National Academy of Medicine to study and make recommendations.

This legislation is the latest in a series of legislation Senator Jones is introducing to strengthen families and improve health outcomes for women and children. He has also introduced the Foster Care Tax Credit Act recently to ensure that financial reasons don’t prevent loving families from opening their homes to foster children, and the Healthy MOM Act last week to help women access affordable health care during and after pregnancy.

Healthy MOM Act Jones has cosponsored legislation to ensure that pregnant women can access affordable health coverage during and after their pregnancies. This bill is the first in a series of legislation Senator Jones will be introducing in the coming months to

strengthen families and improve health outcomes for women and children.

The Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act would establish a special enrollment period for expectant mothers to sign up for health insurance. Currently, marriage, divorce, having a baby, adoption and changing jobs are considered qualifying life events that trigger a special enrollment period – although becoming pregnant is not considered a qualifying event. The bill would also guarantee 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women, thus removing key barriers that often prevent mothers from getting the care they need after birth.

“As a society, we need to focus on policies that strengthen families and provide the best health care possible for women and children,” Senator Jones said, who is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“This legislation would ensure women have the resources and the health care that they need during this important time.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 700 women die each year in the United States from pregnancy-related complications. Black women are about three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.

The Healthy MOM Act will work to improve these outcomes by expanding quality access to care, which data demonstrates could help prevent 3-in-5

Elliott & Associates Insurance Agency Opelika - (334)745-0888 elliottinsuranceagents.com

pregnancy related deaths.

Specifically, the Healthy MOM Act would: - Create a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals, so that they can enroll in or change their healthcare plan - Enable the director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish a special enrollment period for pregnancy, for those eligible to receive coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and clarify that the enrollment shall be available for families even during a lapse in appropriation or government shutdown - Ensure comprehensive coverage of maternity care – including labor and delivery – for dependent children covered by group health plans and other forms of employer-sponsored coverage - Protect against threats to Medicaid income eligibility and maintain the highest standard of care for low-income pregnant individuals and infants, and - Guarantee 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women.

Gold Star Families Tax Relief Act Senator Jones announced last week that the Gold Star Families Tax Relief Act has passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support. Senator Jones and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), alongside a bipartisan group of senators, introduced the legislation earlier this month to provide tax relief for survivor benefits received by children who have lost a parent as a result of their service in the military. A provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly raised the taxes on these survivor benefits to rates as high as 37%.

“Gold Star families have sacrificed so much for our nation, and passing this legislation to remove the exorbitant tax on surviving children’s benefits is the least we can do,” Senator Jones said, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We can never truly thank these families enough for the sacrifices that they have made, but we can do everything in our power to honor and care for them.

I am proud to have the bipartisan, unanimous support of the entire Senate in passing this bill.”

Gold Star families who received a surprise tax hike on their children’s benefits in their 2018 tax bills are facing this “Kiddie Tax” because they are also subject to what’s called the “Widow’s Tax.” Senator Jones recently introduced a separate piece of legislation to repeal the “Widow’s Tax,” a law that prevents as many as 65,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving their full survivor benefits from both the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). As a direct result of the Widow’s Tax, Gold Star parents often put their DoD benefits in their children’s names in

order to collect the full survivor benefits they are due and have also paid for in the form of annuities for a voluntary DoD life insurance program. Senator Jones’ Military Widow’s Tax Elimination Act has earned an unprecedented 68 sponsors, which means it has veto-proof level of support in the Senate.

Senate Armed Services Committee approves FY20 National Defense Authorization Act “In addition to a 3.1 % pay raise for our troops— the largest in a decade— this bill will benefit communities across the state, from Huntsville and Anniston to Montgomery and Mobile,” said Alabama Sen. Doug Jones.

The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with numerous provisions and Alabama priorities secured by Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.). The annual legislation authorizes national defense objectives for the next fiscal year. The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

“The fact that this bill authorizes so many Alabama priorities is a testament to the importance of Alabama’s role in our national security and the quality of our servicemen and women. I am proud that my requests for Alabama were included with bipartisan support, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see that Congress passes this bill as soon as possible.”

Following are highlights or key provisions Senator Jones championed in the annual national defense bill: Funding for Shipbuilding, Helicopter Construction, and Combat Vehicle Upgrades - $75 million in additional funding to accelerate the Army’s Future Vertical Lift Helicopter Modernization Program to accelerate the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program to align with its goal of having the First Unit Equipped (FUE) by 2028.

- $1.281 billion for the award of one Guided Missile Frigate FFG(X) contract. Austal USA in Mobile is competing for this work, and keeping the program on schedule is very important to its local workforce and suppliers.

- $49 million to convert the Austal EPF-14 into a medical transport ship - $249.2 million for Stryker Combat Vehicle Lethality Upgrades to increase standoff distance, improve survivability, and retain our Army’s superiority, as directed by the National Defense Strategy.

Stryker production begins and ends in Anniston, with more than 300 employees involved in production.

Ensuring Strong American Space Defense Programs - Authorizes a U.S. Space Force under the Department of the Air Force - Ensures access to space by reaffirming

the 2022 Congressional deadline for ending U.S. reliance on Russian rocket engines for national security space launches by supporting the Air Force’s National Security Space Launch Program and Rocket Systems Launch Program Acquisition Strategy.

Support for Military Families and Children $40 million for impact aid to schools serving military children to address challenges from frequent deployments, security requirements, higher accountability rules and concentrations of children with disabilities. The Daleville City Board of Education, Enterprise City Schools and Madison City Schools educate 1,481 children of active duty military personnel and depend upon these resources to help address the unique challenges faced by these children.

- $4 million to facilitate interstate licensing compacts for military spouses to make it easier for spouses to transition their careers to new locations as they frequently move to new posts.

- An assessment of the adequacy of child care facilities for military families - $2 million for a historic black college aerospace, education, research and innovation center - $15 million for the STARBASE K-12 STEM education program - $10 million for aid to children with disabilities in military families Improving Military Housing and Facilities - Reforms and increases oversight of military privatized housing - $38 million for aircraft & flight equipment building at Redstone Arsenal to consolidate towed artillery repair and overhaul from four separate buildings into one.

Support for Military Readiness and Training - $12 million for a National Guard Readiness Center in Foley to enhance training, administration, automation, communications and logistical readiness for the Alabama Army National Guard.

- $34 million for the construction of an enlisted transient training barracks at Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center, additional primary facilities for the battalion headquarters building and transient training and company supply/administrative buildings.

Strengthening Research and Development - $2 million for cybersecurity threat simulation research to model emerging and proliferating threats to weapons systems and networks. These funds would be available to research universities to assist the U.S. Army’s Threat Systems Management Office and will help produce the next generation cyber workforce.

- $10 million for the Department of Defense experimental program to stimulate competiSee Jones, page B11

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Congressman Rogers addresses Border Crisis at hearing Special to the Opelika Observer Rep. Mike Rogers (RAla.), House Homeland Security Committee ranking member, delivered an opening statement at Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget hearing with Acting Secretary McAleenan last week.

Rogers’s statement on Border Crisis “There is a national security and humanitarian crisis at the border. That is why I supported the president’s February national emergency declaration.

The facts on the border prove it: CBP detained more than 109,000 immigrants along the southwest border last month. That’s a 591% increase compared to April 2017. On May 4th of this year, CBP apprehended 5,235 migrants at the southwest border.

That’s the highest number ever recorded. In the first six months of FY19, over 150 groups of 100 or more migrants reached the southwest border. That’s a 7,400% increase over the entirety of FY17. CBP apprehensions between ports of entry are on track to reach a 12-year high. CBP has already uncovered more than 3,000 fraudulent cases this year alone where adults posing as a biological parent or legal guardian. If this isn’t I crisis, I’m not sure what this committee deems one.”

“Actually, we do.

(Recently) the Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing entitled: ‘The TSA Workforce Crisis: A Homeland Security Risk.’

I appreciate the fact that the TSA workforce has issues, but I would say that thousands of migrants per day overrunning and breaking our immigration system is the actual crisis and the true homeland security risk. This will be the committee’s sixth hearing in five months focused on the border. How many hearings before we see solutions coming from this majority? Six hearings.

Zero solutions. This committee has heard testimony that transnational criminal organizations are exploiting our immigration laws for financial gain. Worse, these TCOs abuse women and children during their journey here, then dump them in the desert in poor health without food or water. Men, women and children are dying because of this dangerous journey human smugglers profit off of. I know no one on this committee finds that acceptable. So why won’t this committee address it? In April, DHS requested legislation to address this abhorrent practice. Yet, here we are in another hearing and I don’t understand why this committee won’t act.

Maybe it’s because this committee is spending too much time on Twitter.

Since the Democrats were

sworn into office in January, they have tweeted 316 times about the border.

Six hearings. 316 tweets.

Zero solutions. On May 1, the administration sent to Congress a request for emergency humanitarian appropriations to address the crisis at the southwest border. This request of $4.5 billion would feed and shelter migrant families and unaccompanied children. It would provide urgent medical care and transportation services to sick migrants. It also would have supported the men and women of DHS who are working overtime on the front lines of the crisis. Yet, the majority on this committee sent out a press release refusing to consider the request. When I drafted this emergency humanitarian request as an amendment to the supplemental, the Democratic majority on the Rules Committee voted it down nine to four when Rep. Lesko offered it at their markup. Six hearings. 316 tweets. One amendment denied. Zero results. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will use this opportunity today to ask Acting Secretary McAleenan what resources his department needs to fulfill its lawful mission on the southwest border. The Republicans on this committee are ready to work with anyone on the other side to solve this grow-

ing humanitarian crisis.

Hearings, tweets (and) press releases won’t solve it. Hatred for the president won’t solve it, either. We can’t wait another two years to address our southwest border crisis. We must act now.”

Rogers Applauds New DHS Initiative Focused on Preventing Violence at Religious Institutions Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, applauded Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin McAleenan’s announcement of a Homeland Security Advisory Council Subcommittee (HSAC) last week focused on threats to places of worship and religious institutions. Rogers called on McAleenan to create the council last month.

“The ability to worship freely and without fear of prosecution is a bedrock American principle,” Rogers said. “Unfortunately, attacks on churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship have become far too common. I applaud Acting Secretary McAleenan for creating an initiative focused on how DHS can work with religious institutions to protect against acts of violence. We must continue this progress against international and domestic terrorists fueled by hateful ideology.”

Auburn resident Taylor Dobson visits with Mike Rogers

Photo special to the Opelika Observer Taylor Dobson of Auburn visited with Rep Mike Rogers in his Washington office today. Dobson is in town with the Alabama Small Business Capital.

Jones,

from B10 tive research to provide defense-related science and engineering research funding to colleges and universities in historically underrepresented states, including Alabama.

More than $100 million in additional funding for hypersonics research and testing to advance technology so that it is competitive with Russian and Chinese advances in hypersonic technology have outstripped those of the United States. Redstone Arsenal and many businesses in the Huntsville area are engaged in this cutting-edge work, and the substantial funding in this bill will both enhance existing efforts and open the door for new programs.

Improving Diversity in Servicemember Recruitment and Retention Support for expanding programs to recruit women and minority pilots to expand the Air

Force’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Flight Academy and its use as a model by the other services. Senator Jones introduced a similar initiative with the bipartisan CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) Act earlier this year with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

A report on the condition of ROTC facilities at minority-serving institutions to include a description of the current condition of these facilities and an assessment of whether the condition of the facilities has an adverse impact on the recruitment and retention of participants in such units.

The Promoting Readiness in Education to Prevent Additional Remediation and Expense (PREPARE) Act U.S. Sens. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced legislation last week to help reduce the need for students to take remedial courses when pursuing post-secondary education and to improve degree completion rates.

The Promoting Readiness in Education to Prevent Additional Remediation and Expense (PREPARE) Act would better align high school graduation requirements with entrance requirements for creditbearing post-secondary coursework, and would provide resources to schools to strengthen their remedial programs and improve outcomes.

The nation’s high school graduation rate is at an all-time high of 84% of students. Yet, many of these graduates are unprepared for college.

More than one-third of all first-year college students take some type of remedial coursework in English or math, but this figure can be as high as 60 or 70% of students in some cases. While the goal of remedial education is to help students attain the skills they need to succeed in college, it can also be a deterrent to completion by adding to the cost and the time it takes to finish a degree. The PREPARE Act aims to address this issue by reducing rates of post-secondary reme-

diation and increasing postsecondary completion rates.

“College is already costly for students and their families, and every remedial course that a student has to take increases the price of his or her education and delays the completion of a degree.

Students shouldn’t have to spend their precious tuition and financial aid dollars on coursework that doesn’t count towards their degree,” Senator Jones said, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

“Every student should have the opportunity to pursue higher education, and we must equip them with the necessary skills to succeed,” Senator Klobuchar said. “The PREPARE Act will help more students get through school by making sure they are prepared for the rigor of higher education while also offering courses to those who need additional support once enrolled. All students deserve access to the educational foundation

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Opelika,

Gibson-Pitts).

Each committee head shared their group’s respective goals, tasks and what they hoped to accomplish.

Praising Opelika’s City Schools systems, Jones said she and her committee will work to maintain that standard of educational excellence and work to extend preschool access and availability to families.

“We are excited to be a part of this group and of course, our purpose is to continue to support the Opelika City Schools. And we thought one of the most proactive ways is to include preschool,” Jones said. “Statistics are there that will support that data that when children are able to have the privilege of being able to attend pre-K, there (is less discipline needed) and afford them the opportunity to do things differently.”

Observing the numbers of children that come from broken homes, McEachern said some of his committee’s primary goals are to help strengthen each unique family unit and create a stronger sense of community citywide through events, neighborhood initiatives and engagement in the large number of churches across the city.

“In summary, we’re hoping to come up with a common unity or a thread that keeps or binds us all together. In order to do that, we’ll be drawing upon a number of different resources locally that we do have available,” McEachern.

Smith’s commit-

tee is primarily concerned with engaging and seeking out grant funding for initiatives or projects under the commission’s umbrella. They also hope to create a student-job program for students who live and attend Opelika City Schools to learn and improve their interviewing, resume writing and overall job skills. Applications for the program can be found at www. opelika-al.gov.

Through her committee’s work, GibsonPitts said she hopes to engage the city’s youth and help them find a voice. Shortterm goals include the formation of youth employment fairs as well as a teen planning board and police academy. In the long term, she added that she wants to create an Opelika youth activity and resources website along with improving the relationship between youth and members of the Opelika Police Department.

While some of these goals may be tangible or intangible, Fuller acknowledged that his commission’s goals will take time to achieve. However, he said he believes that its work will leave a lasting impact on the city for decades to come.

“We’re better today than we were a year ago, and we’ll be better a year or five years from now. However, we can’t rest on our laurels … we’re going to have to keep working at this,” Fuller said. “Maybe we’ll reach a point one day where it’s not as intense or urgent as it is today, but we can’t predict when that will be. I anticipate us continuing to be vigilant and to continue working to become better as a city.”

required for academic achievement.”

“Too many high school graduates enter higher education under-prepared and are forced to spend their financial aid dollars and time on remedial courses that don’t count toward their degree,” Senator Hassan said.

“These students are held back and often do not end up completing their degree. These grant funds would help states improve alignment between K-12 and higher education and provide additional support so that more high school graduates enter higher education prepared and on track to complete college on time.”

The PREPARE Act authorizes five-year, competitive grants to states to align high school and post-secondary education.

States are required, among other things, to: • align high school graduation requirements with entrance requirements for credit-bearing coursework in State institutions of higher education; • develop statewide standards for placement

in remedial coursework based on multiple indicators; • develop statewide articulation agreements between high schools and public institutions of higher education; and • develop statewide articulation agreements among public institutions of higher education in the State.

The bill is endorsed by the Achievers Foundation, Advance CTE, Alliance for Excellent Education, Bard College, Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning, Colorado Community College System, Education Northwest, Education Reform Now Advocacy, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Knowledge Alliance, National Alliance for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, National Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National College Access Network, National Urban League, Teach Plus, Third Way and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

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LEGALS STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY- CASE NO. 2019-A-218 - RE: ESTATE OF ELIZABETH B. ANDRESS, DECEASED: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of May, 2019, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Leigh McCulloh Andress, Executor Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr.,Esq. Attorney for Executor Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Legal Run 5/15, 5/22 & 5/29/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA - CASE NO. 2019-A-181 - IN RE: The Estate of Felicia Renee Woodall, Deceased: March 3, 2019 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to AMY ASKEW SANDERSON, as Administratix of the Estate of Felicia Renee Woodall, deceased, on the 30th day of April, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

AMY ASKEW SANDERSON Administratix of the Estate of Felicia Renee Woodall, deceased Legal Run 5/15, 5/22 & 5/29/2019

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA - CASE NO. 2019-A-222 IN RE: The Estate of Julia Claire Gullage, Deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Lisa G. Gunter, as Executirx of the Estate of Julia Claire Gullage, deceased, on the 6th day of May, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

LISA G. GUNTER Executrix of the Estate of Julia Claire Gullage, deceased Legal Run 5/15, 5/22 & 5/29/2019

Notice to General Contractors Bids for Beauregard Park Opelika, Alabama The Beauregard Athletic Park Development will be located at 0 Lee Road 400, Opelika, AL 36804.

The new park development will include three (3) new natural turf baseball/ softball fields, one (1) new natural turf rectangle multi-purpose field, a concrete plaza and sidewalks, associated sports field lighting, landscaping and site furnishings. Site work generally includes clearing and grubbing of approximately 21 acres, mass grading of the site, site utilities, paving landscaping and irrigation for the sports fields.

There will be a Pre-Bid Conference on June 4, 2019 at 2PM CST. Meet adjacent the proposed site at the Beauregard Elementary School parking lot, 300 Lee Rd 431, Opelika, AL 36804. All bidders should attend and inspect existing conditions.

Consideration of existing conditions is crucial in submitting a responsible bid.

All Questions are due by 4PM CST on June 11, 2019 to Foresite Group at GSbids@fg-inc.net or by phone at 770-368-1399.

Sealed bids must be received in the Lee County Commission Office in the County Courthouse at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 by 2:00 PM CST on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Bid documents will be available for review in the Lee County Commission Office or can be obtained from Auburn Reprographics starting Monday, May 20, 2019.

(Bidders have the option to purchase a CD in pdf format to read or print the drawings and specifications. Adobe Acrobat reader software is required to read and print electronic bid documents).

Bid Documents may be viewed online by going to: www.auburnrepro.com and selecting Digital Plan Room.

Options for obtaining Bid Documents are as follows: Electronic (CD): Make check payable to Auburn Reprographics & Supply in the amount of $25. This amount is non-refundable.

Shipping arrangements shall be by the Contractor.

Hardcopy: Contact Auburn Reprographics, 660 North Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830; (334) 501-8235; Attn: Greg Sellers; (E-mail greg@auburnrepro.com) to obtain bid documents. Hardcopy sets are non-refundable.

A Bid Bond of 5% of the bid up to $10,000. in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama will be required with submission of the bid. A Performance Bond of 100% and Payment Bond of 50% will be required from the successful bidder in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama.

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.

Lee County Commission: Roger H Rendleman County Administrator Consultant Project Manager: Anthony Pappas, Landscape Architect (770) 368 -1399 Legal Run 5/22/2019 & 5/29/19

INVITATION TO BID 19020 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 Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 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. No bid will be accepted from anyone except a qualified Contractor licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Drawings and Specifications may be examined at the Office of the City Engineer located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama.

Phone number: 334-7055450 Bid documents may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer at no charge as an electronic file if the bidder supplies a storage drive or as an email attachment or electronic drop box.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

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

Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The

right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope lika, Alabama, 36803-0390. Attn: Removal of Dead, Dying, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps with Tree Pruning LILLIE FINLEY- PURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 5/22/2019, 5/29/19 and 06/05/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, CASE NO. 2019-A-224 IN RE: The Estate of Shirley A. Scoggins, Deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to, Melissa Karen Gatlin, as Executrix of the Estate of Shirley A. Scoggins, deceased, on the 7th day of May, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

MELISSA KAREN GATLIN Executrix of the Estate of Shirley A. Scoggins, deceased Legal Run 5/22, 5/29 and 06/05/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of Elizabeth Ann Harper, Deceased NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO BE PUBLISHED Letters of Administration on said deceased having been granted to ALEXIS HARPER, Administrator on this the 8th day of May, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BY: James E. Hall, Attorney for Administrator.

Legal Run 5/22, 5/29 & 6/5/19

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SHIRLEY F. WATSON , DECEASED. IN THE

PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 14th day of May, 2019, 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.

MICHAEL P. WATSON Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 5/22/2019, 5/29/19 and 06/05/19

Lee County Commission Lee County, Alabama Request for Proposals for a Communications Tower Replacement The Lee County Commission (County) is requesting proposals for the replacement of a primary communications tower on a location known as Salem Hill.

Please submit three sealed (3) copies of the proposal to: Lee County Commission RE: Salem Hill Communications Tower Replacement Lee County Courthouse 215 South 9th Street Opelika, Alabama 36801 No later than 4:00 PM CST on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

General Conditions All proposals shall be valid for a minimum of forty-five (45) days and state so in the submitted proposal.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for the County to reimburse responding companies for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals and participating in response to this request.

The County reserves the right to waive informalities and irregularities and to accept or reject any or all proposals, if doing so is in the best interest of citizens of Lee County, Alabama. Additional information may be requested from one and/or all the companies that submit a proposal.

All submitted proposals will become property of the County and are subject to inspection as public records upon the completion of the proposal review process.

The County will consider innovative solutions including public/private partnerships; therefore, any company may submit more than one proposal for consideration.

Requested Services The Lee County Commission “County” is receiving proposals for the replacement of one of the

County’s main communications tower. The tower is located off Lee Road 252 on a location know as Salem Hill. The tower is approximately 118 feet on a site elevation of approximately 284 feet with an overall height of 402 feet. The existing tower is a guyed structure. The location is a repeater station with three repeaters and an antenna combiner at the base of the tower with a transmit and a receiving antenna near the top of the existing tower.

Lee County is requesting proposals for the following: At a Minimum • All public safety communication equipment must remain operational during the project.

• Removal of the current tower • Lee County’s public safety repeater requires an overall height of 340 feet.

• The tower is constructed to meet all applicable regulatory requirements, including but not limited to, FCC and FAA regulations Proposals will be accepted for the minimum services.

Please provide a total price for the tower replacement, completion of a fully operational tower as found acceptable by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Commission, and removal of the existing tower.

In addition, the County will consider any public/ private partnership proposals granting exclusive rights and access for the site if the minimum objectives above are met. Any public/private partnership proposal should also address the following terms or expectations: • Guarantee of public safety communication’s priority over any other proposed or potential additional communication systems use of the tower.

(Provide details how those guarantees will be met, especially protection against any inference with the public safety frequencies) • Length of a partnership agreement • Ownership of the new tower (The County would prefer to retain ownership) • Maintenance of tower  Maintenance and responsibility of other equipment • Liability • Revenue sharing or potential revenue sharing A Bid Bond of 5% of the bid up to $10,000 in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama will be required with submission of the bid. A Performance Bond of 100% and Payment Bond of 50% will be required from the successful bidder in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama.

See County Website Current Bids at www.leeco. us for Additional Requirements or contact Wendy Swann (334) 737-3674 Legal Run 5/29 & 6/5/19

City of Opelika working to make city ADA compliant Special to Opelika Observer From the City of Opelika Beginning late this week, crews will begin implementing American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance work on sidewalks and intersections in the downtown area. They will start with improvements at South 9th

Street and Avenue B. About a year ago, the City of Opelika began working on a long-term ADA selfevaluation/transition plan. We set out to become the safest, most business and family-friendly city in America by 2023. As a part of this plan, all city sidewalks, buildings, programs and services must become ADA compliant.

This work will continue during the next few months.

There will be some road closures in the process. We appreciate your patience while we make ADA improvements around the city. For more information, contact City of Opelika ADA Compliance Officer Kevin Rice at 334705-2083 or krice@ opelika-al.gov.

pelika O Observer

Shelley Tufts speaks at Opelika Lions Club meeting last month

Special to the Opelika Observer Shelley Tufts, co-founder and director of The Exodus Ranch, was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club, where she gave an update on activities at the Ranch. The Exodus Ranch in Opelika, works to provide children with not only a home, but an extended family who loves and cares for them. Shelley Tufts started the non-profit five years ago with her husband Joe to help children in difficult life situations gain the confidence they need to become a well-rounded adult. She was introduced by Lion Glenn Stokes, left.

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Opelika Observer Would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring one or more of our newspaper boxes or racks around Lee County

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B13 May 29, 2019

Flowers,

from B9

However, when it got to the Senate it was assigned, rightfully so, to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Earl Hilliard from Jefferson County.

He was opposed to the bill and as Chairman of the Committee, he deep sixed it and would not let it out. No amount of haranguing from the VOCAL people or bad press would budge Earl. However, one day I was on the floor of the House and the VOCAL leader, Miriam Shehane, called me out to the lobby.

She said Earl was sick and would not be in Montgomery

today and the Senate Judiciary Committee was meeting and the vice chairman will bring our bill up out of order. We quickly went to the 6th floor and whisked our bill out of order of the Judiciary Committee and it won final approval in the Senate a few weeks later and it became law.

Remember old truisms like, “It will take an act of Congress to get something done,” is very accurate, especially in politics.

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.

HUGE

YARD SALE

SATURDAY, JUNE 22 Airport Plaza (323 Airport Rd) Parking Lot All proceeds from the yard sale on June 22 will go towards adoption expenses for a local family.

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED Volunteers Needed Alacare Hospice is seeking volunteers to help provide neighborly love & support to patients in their final days. All training provided free of charge.

Do you have the gift of time? Please call Katie Spotswood 334-741-9918”

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pelika Observer O

Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku?

Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

Last week’s answers:

05-22 Scramblers Answers: 1.Utmost, 2.Simper, 3. Curse, 4. Debris Solution: CREDIT

pelika O Observer Council,

from B9

The council also recognized students from Opelika Middle School for their recognition as Duke TIP students: Vanessa Bell, Anita Duncan (state and grand recognition), Patrick Seymore and Nolen Wilson.

The council also approved an architectural agreement for renovations to the Covington Recreation Center.

Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. will provide architectural, consulting and related services in connection with the project.

In other business, the council: • issued a proclammation for Family Fun Day on June 1 to be held by the Lion Tamers Social and Civic Club • approved a request for a temporary street closure for Memorial Day City event which was held Monday • approved a request

2019 Collinwood Christmas Luminaries on Dec. 13 • held public hearings and then approved resolutions to assess cost of demolition at 9 Ave. B, 206 Byrd Ave. and 1003 Alton Court • approved a resolution for emergency repairs for truck #764 for Opelika Power Services • approved a resolution to purchase exercise equipment for the Opelika Police Department’s new facility • approved a resolu-

B15 May 29, 2019

tion for new playground equipment for Ray Ward Park • approved a resolution to purchase one 2019 Altec Articulating Telescopic Aerial Device for public works • approved a resolution for a request from Verizon for a SUP for their cell tower located at 20 Veterans Parkway • approved a resolution for subdivision and roadway acceptance for several new roadways

• approved a resolution for a service agreement with Motorola Solutions for the police department • approved a special appropriation to Boy Scouts of America for their upcoming Distinguished Citizen of the Year banquet • approved a resolution to implement a summer youth employment program which will provide young people with the opportunity to earn money and gain mean-

ingful work experience.

The program will allow 20 high school students between the ages of 16 to 19 the opportunity to work with various City of Opelika departments.

The program will run for eight weeks beginning June 3 and ending Aug. 2.

The Opelika City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday nights of every month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

Real Estate Needs?

Residential, Commercial, Land, Lots, Farms, Recreational Properties Steve Alberts is the Full-Time Real Estate Professional for you!

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COMICS

A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. — Madeleine L’Engle