Opelika Observer 07-08-2020 E-edition

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

VOL. 12, NO.40

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Opelika, Alabama

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“By local people, for local people.”

Two groups join forces to combat veteran suicide

By Will Fairless Associate Editor From June 25 to 29, the American Military Family (AMF), on a property owned by The Barn Group Land Trust, held a retreat for nearly 20 veterans who had been experiencing severe mental health issues. Held in Chambers County, the retreat consisted of boating on Lake Wedowee, ATV riding, skeet shooting and evening fireside conversations among the veterans and AMF representatives.

The AMF, through its Got Your Six (GY6) program, helps take veterans, as its slogan says, “from suicidal to successful.” AMFGY6 is a team of suicide-certified combat veterans who specialize in reaching veterans who are struggling.

“Struggling,” in this context, almost always refers to veterans who are planning to commit

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

suicide or have survived a suicide attempt. It might mean, as in the case of Tommy Buchholz, “on his third week alone in the woods of Western Washington in November trying

to avoid pneumonia and hypothermia.” It might mean, as in Joey Blackmonʼs story, “just coming off a third suicide attempt, the failure of which he was sure he had prevented.”

City of Opelika receives $28,000 ADECA grant

According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,139 veterans committed suicide in 2017, the most recent year for which that figure is available. That number

is high (an average of about 17 veteran suicides a day), but it is lower than the annual average of the ten year-stretch before and including 2017. It does not count veteransʼ non-military family

members or those who have taken themselves off the grid.

Tommy Buchholz, from Graham, Washington, served See VETERAN, page A8

AUBURN CELEBRATES JULY 4 WITH DRIVE-IN FIREWORKS

Special to the Opelika Observer The City of Opelika is pleased to announce the awarding of a $28,000 grant by Gov. Kay Ivey from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to fund the city’s Youth Incarceration Prevention Project (YIPP) pilot program. This project is a result of the Opelika Commission on Crime and Violence, created in 2018 by Mayor Gary Fuller.

The implementation of

projects such as YIPP will make Opelika and Lee County safer for all of our citizens and will give many in need an opportunity to improve their lives.

“This program is going to make a positive impact in

the lives of youth in our community.

Adolescence is such a period of development between childhood and adulthood. If we can connect with troubled youth and give them other outlets See GRANT, page A3

Photos by Robert Noles. Turn to A10 for more photos of the fireworks.

Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . . . .A9 RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13 COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A16

SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B9 PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . B11

Alabama Statewide COVID-19 statistics as of July 07 45,263 cases / 1007 deaths | 1433 cases in Lee Co. / 37 deaths

A2 July 8, 2020

Our House: a home away from home

By Wil Crews Opelika Observer Our House, located at 619 Bedell Ave. in Auburn, is a nonprofit organization that provides an after school program where children in the community can come to learn and be loved.

Through reading and after school activities, weekly bible studies and other enrichment projects, Our House provides Christ-centered mentorship, encouragement and character-building framework for children in kindergarten through high school.

Our House features two literal houses, equipped with a study hall, nine computers and a library filled with books suited for all reading levels. Both houses have pavilions, equipped with fans that provide shade and a place for outdoor –– socially distanced –– activities.

However, when Alabama schools suspended regular activities on March 19 due to the novel coronavirus, it affected the non-profit’s ability to engage with children in their regular ways.

Normally, anywhere from 65 to 80 kids regularly arrive after school to enjoy a healthy snack and get help on homework or any assignments. That was just no longer an option.

Our House works closely with teachers and local schools to ensure they help students stay abreast of their assignments. However, with no school calendar to follow, and in order to stay engaged with the kids, it was time to innovate.

Knowing that many students –– who are eligible for free or reduced lunches at school –– would be missing meals, Our House’s first action was to start serving grab-n-go lunches.

“The community jumped in to support that,” said Director of Our House René Waldrop. “We are so grateful for the support.”

Our House received donations in the form of homemade meals, monetary contributions

Opelika to accept applications for CARES Act funding once funds are approved Special to the Opelika Observer The City of Opelika has been awarded funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist lowto moderate-income individuals and small businesses who have suffered a loss of income

due to COVID-19.

Assistance will be available to offset the cost or rent or mortgage payments and utilities.

Once the city’s plan for use of funds has been approved by HUD, and funding is received, the Community Development Department will begin accepting applications for assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: An announcement will be made on the city webpage, www.opelikaal.gov., social media outlets, and through local media outlets when the Community Development Department begins taking applications.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

from families and food from local businesses –– namely Auburn University’s catering company Tiger Dining.

Time passed, and the twilight zone sensation that is caused by COVID-19 continued into the summer.

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

Under normal summer circumstances, Our House would have offered themed weekly camps for elementary-school-aged students, and regular activities for kids in 6th-12th grade.

Per the organization’s website, the summer camp’s focuses are financial literacy, character building, career exploration and service See OUR HOUSE, page A3

Brooke Kastner named Sales, Marketing Manager at A-O Tourism with a bachelor's degree in public relations and has been heavily involved in the Auburn-Opelika community since. She has served many organizations including the Junior League of Lee County, Opelika Chamber Women’s Business Council, Opelika Rotary Club, Opelika Main Street, United Way of Lee County and more.

Kastner is also a recent past chair of the board of directors of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Kastner, contact Robyn Bridges at rlbridges@aotourism. com.

About A-O Tourism Auburn-Opelika Tourism is a non-profit service organization driving economic impact and improving the quality of life in our community through tourism and travel.

Special to the Opelika Observer Longtime hospitality professional Brooke Kastner has joined Auburn-Opelika Tourism as sales and marketing manager.

Kastner has more than 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently serving as the director of sales and marketing at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National.

Kastner brings a wealth of sales experience to AuburnOpelika Tourism, where her role will be to continue developing and managing the sales team in their efforts to attract overnight business to the AuburnOpelika community.

“Given the disruptive impacts to our industry as a result of COVID-19, it is more important now than ever that we execute

KASTNER successful sales and marketing strategies to draw visitors back to our community,” said Robyn Bridges, vice president of AuburnOpelika Tourism.

“Brooke’s impressive record of success as a long-time hospitality professional will elevate our sales efforts and further enhance our ability to improve quality of life in our community through the economic impacts of tourism.”

Kastner graduated from Auburn University in 2006

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

Name: Address: Publisher: Michelle Key Associate Editor: Will Fairless Marketing: Woody Ross Photojournalist: Robert Noles Sports Writers: Rick Lanier and D. Mark Mitchell

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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A3 July 8, 2020

JT Screen Printing & More named ‘Business of the Month’

By Morgan Bryce City of Smiths Station JT Screen Printing & More, located at 16541 U.S. Highway 280 Suite D in the Buckeye Acres Shopping Center, is the City of Smiths Station’s July 2020 Business of the Month.

The family-owned business was opened last April, but the father-son operators Tommy Rumph and Justin Riley have a combined 50-plus years of experience in the screen-printing

industry based in the Auburn-Opelika area.

“When deciding to open, the thought was of bringing something that Smiths Station and surrounding area didn’t have,” Riley said.

Riley’s younger brother Scott works part-time at JT’s while his fiancée Sydney handles bookkeeping duties for the business.

Despite the relative newness of his family’s business, Riley said they have developed a consistent wholesale income and have cultivated

meaningful relationships with area companies and organizations to handle their screenprinting needs. They are also capable of printing for smaller clients or for special events or functions.

Riley said JT’s competitive pricing and quality product helps separate the business from their competition.

“Instead of using an automatic method like heat transfer, we use a hand-stenciling technique. After that has been applied, they are run through a

machine that dries that oil-based ink at 307 degrees (Fahrenheit),” Riley said. “It’s a better quality and the print or design lasts longer.”

In front of JT’s is a small retail section showcasing samples of their work.

Hours of operation for the business are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. For more information, call 334-214-4577, follow their Facebook page “JT Screenprinting & More,” send email to jtprinting19@gmail. com or visit jtscreenprint ingandmore.com.

Photo by Morgan Bryce/City of Smiths Station

Why face coverings during COVID-19 are important Special to the Opelika Observer This illustration from EAMC shows the importance of using face coverings in public. If everyone wears a face covering to protect one another, the risk of transmitting the virus should be dramatically decreased. Dr. Roberts states that face coverings, in conjunction

with social distancing and frequent hand washing or use of hand

sanitizer, will be important in limiting the spread of COVID-19 as

we return to our usual activities.

Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council would like to encourage everyone to wear masks when they are in contact with others. We are seeing an increase in cases again. It is now clear, more than ever, that face masks are the best way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing

face coverings in public shows respect for those around you.

According to Dr. Michael Roberts of EAMC, the reason this is important is that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread even before symptoms appear, by such things as coughing, sneezing or even speaking at close range. Cloth face coverings have

been recommended due to their low cost and ready availability.

Using cloth face coverings preserves surgical masks and N-95 masks for healthcare workers who may be involved in direct care of patients with COVID-19.

City officials and employees are going to do their part to wear face coverings.

Please help us by doing yours.

Goodwill Career Centers set to host job fairs in Opelika on July 9 Special to the Opelika Observer As the unemployment rates remain high across the region, Goodwill career centers are continuing to work hard behind the scenes to render much needed assistance to displaced workers and businesses alike. To help those who are unemployed as well as businesses in search of staff, Goodwill career centers across the region

GRANT >> FROM A1

and opportunities, then we may be able to help them turn their lives around for the better.

We are proactively working to address

OUR HOUSE>> FROM A2

to one another and the community. They also usually have cookouts each week and host a Saturday breakfast club, which is a time for whole families to gather for food, fellowship and fun.

All of that has changed.

But don’t worry; Our House is still hosting their summer camps.

However, instead of children coming for the duration of the week, they split the camps into groups.

Now, smaller groups of around 10 kids have their summer camp

will be hosting multiple job fairs on July 9. Due to safety precautions and guidelines, the events will be by appointment only. The Opelika Career Center will be hosting Expert Cleaning Concepts, Inc., which is looking to hire commercial and residential cleaners.

The event will take place on July 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CST, and individuals are asked to call 334275-4815 to schedule

interviews before the day of the event.

Goodwill’s mission is to change lives through the power of work, and it also offers a host of free services through their career centers to support the employment-related needs of the community, funded almost entirely by revenue generated in its retail stores. Individuals who are in need of assistance with their job search, have career questions or need help

with career skills to help them gain employment should call the Goodwill career center nearest you and speak with a career center specialist today. Career center locations and contact information can be found at goodwillsr. org/career-centers. For updates on available services and upcoming programs please visit goodwillsr.org or follow GoodwillSR on Facebook.

About Goodwill

Southern Rivers: Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) is one of 157 independent, community-based Goodwill nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, GoodwillSR serves 50 counties throughout east Alabama and west Georgia. We provide employment readiness training, computer access, educational assistance, skills

workshops and more to spur job placement and economic stability in the communities we serve. We can provide these and other programs thanks to the continued donations of giving patrons. We use the revenue generated in GoodwillSR stores to fund the majority of our community services. For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, visit www.goodwillsr.org.

concerns about how all citizens are treated in Opelika, including our young people. They are our future,” Fuller said.

The Youth Incarceration Prevention Project

(YIPP) is an initiative that will stem the growing tide of youth, predominantly low income and minority, from either going to or returning to prison.

The YIPP program is important because on

average, 83% of youth offenders agge 16 to 24 will return to prison.

YIPP addresses youth offender behavioral health issues such as substance abuse, provides educational training so youth

graduate from high school or earn a GED, and also provides job skills training and an opportunity to get a good paying job in Lee County. YIPP is supported by the Lee County Youth

Court, area nonprofits, colleges and churches.

For more information, please contact Pastor Skip Long 804334-7923 or email pastorskiplong@ gmail.com.

activities for one day a week only. It’s not ideal, but it is the best way to maintain health and safety while still giving the kids the attention and care they need.

“Honestly that has allowed for much more individualized attention for those groups,” Waldrop said. “We could have five or six girls in one house and five or six boys in another, and everybody can still come get a lunch.”

Some of the summer camp themes that have been completed already are: health and nutrition, sports, music and vacation bible school. Camps I-Care, Art and Career

are scheduled for July.

Furthermore, in light of COVID-19, Our House is educating and preparing their kids for the return to school.

Trying to get the students to understand the importance of hand washing, masks and social distancing has been the primary focus.

Like everyone else, Our House has been adjusting their plans on a seemingly day-to-day basis. That is not, however, going to stop them from their main goal –– helping “Our Kids” within the community.

For more information or to donate, visit www. byourloveauburn.org/

Let Me Introduce You To Savings.

Rebecca Masic 766 E Glenn Ave Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 887-8502 rmasic@alfains.com

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A4 July 8, 2020

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The Language of Lilies and Wishes

f you look at a map of Georgia, somewhere in the south central part of the state, you will see a tiny dot that represents the city of Sycamore. What you won’t see just by looking at a map is the oasis of beauty that brings folks from all over the country to that tiny little town – Bell’s Daylily Garden. I could tell you that it is a family-owned business run by a daylily breeder and expert, that is open to the public for viewing and for buying hundreds of varieties of daylilies. What I can’t begin to tell you with mere words is the staggering beauty of every inch of its many acres.

My best friend and I spent a Saturday there recently, and I can

S

easons come and eventually, they must go…

Just over four years ago, as spring was beginning to make her appearance, I helped plant 150 blueberry twigs on our farm. I call them twigs because that’s exactly what they looked like.

No green leaves, no buds or blossoms, just a tiny brown stem with a root.

At the time, I did not think about the luxury of fresh blueberries, I only wondered why in the devil my husband wanted to plant so many. I also know I enjoyed planting them.

I still remember the day.

Every year since then, we have watched and waited for the first, plump berry. The

I

got a letter from a man named Mark.

Mark is 78 and lives alone with his Chihuahua, Boo Boo, who has a very active bladder.

“I’m always taking Boo Boo outside,” says Mark. “Even at three in the morning, I don’t want him going on my rug.”

Mark has been stuck indoors since the COVID-19 outbreak.

His life is a good one.

He gets his groceries delivered. He has a guy cut the lawn once per week. But he feels pretty depressed lately, being stuck in his den.

He was so sad that he wrote to me.

Here’s what’s on his mind: “When I was young,” says Mark, “I always wanted to see Europe, with a backpack, and

state with confidence that I am absolutely addicted to and in love with day lilies.

Up until just a few weeks ago, I’d never really given lilies much thought. I’ve always liked flowers.

Who doesn’t? They all blended together, though, in my mind… just a lot of pretty colors. Turns out I was only seeing them with my eyes, but at Bell’s I opened my heart to these lovely gifts of nature.

When we arrived at the garden, we were given a catalog that lists each variety by name. And the names are like music: Christmas in Oz, Big Boy Butterfly, Biting Pumpkins, Watermelon Summer…. A list of over 900 varieties!

Row after row of lilies stand next to each other, swaying

By Wendy Hodge slightly, like ladies all dressed up at a ball waiting their turn to dance. Walking between the rows, no one moves quickly. In fact, it’s impossible to do so because with every step you are gifted with another dazzling beauty. The colors are layered and vivid, some dark and some pastel, like swirls of candy or spun sugar. There are spider lilies, with “fingers” that spread open. There are frilled lilies, with edges that look like the ruffles

of a petticoat. And there are miniatures and big bloomers and double-flowered lilies…. a seemingly endless combination of colors and shapes and sizes.

On that Saturday, there were a handful of other guests doing the same thing my best friend and I were doing. Every minute or two, we would hear another “Ooohhh, look at that!” or “Wow! That’s gorgeous!” When we passed another visitor on our tour, we’d smile at each other, all of us with the same glazed look of someone trying to absorb so much beauty at once. I held the catalog and marked the ones we liked. Within a few minutes, there were marks all over every page. “We have to mark the ones we

really like… the ones we can’t live without,” my best friend said.

“Okay,” I answered in the tone that means “If you really think that’s even possible, then we’ll give it a shot, but there’s no way we can decide we don’t like a single one of these amazing flowers!”

An hour or two later, we made our way to the gazebo where the owners, Tim and Linda Bell, conduct their business. Linda takes the orders while Tim and their children help dig the blooms and carefully wrap the roots so they can be taken home. We sat at a picnic table and made our eliminations, finally settling on six lilies we just absolutely had to have. The family cat sat next to me with his head in my lap while we filled out our order form.

Tim Bell took our list and his shovel and headed straight for the blooms we wanted. While we walked down to the pond to wait, I asked my best friend in the world “What must it be like to be a daylily farmer?” “Heaven,” he answered right away.

And as we stood there listening to the water ripple and the distant delighted lily lovers as they found the blooms they themselves just couldn’t live without, I had to agree.

“I wish we could do this; live here and breed lilies, and have a cat and a pond,” I said.

“But then where we would go on a Saturday like this?” he asked. “That would ruin the special of it.”

I thought about that the whole way home, with our treasures in

ed to leave one lone berry hanging.

It has become an odd obsession for me, a simple matter of “no berry left behind.” I pick every bush till it’s clean and I have found myself giggling over blueberry hide-n-seek; a simple delight in finding berries hidden in the middle of the bush or clumped together under leaves.

My personal joy of finding one more berry to keep; for I could not fathom the idea that just one tiny berry would not get used for its goodness.

This past week, I picked the last half gallon of berries for a friend. After having spent hours in the sun over the last six weeks, checking every bush and enjoying every

second, my soul began to sink as I realized blueberry season was over.

I seriously cried.

And not just a few silly tears, I mean weeping.

Having to catch my breath and not being able to stop. The thought of not returning and it being “finished” was too overwhelming.

Why? I began to wonder. Why in the world be so upset over a blueberry plant? It sounds absurd just writing it.

Then I began to think. I thought of picking them with my children. I thought of all the loving farm hands that tended to them. I thought of the children selling them and eating them. I thought of when Sissy and I were

See HODGE, page A5

Blueberry season Farmer has kept them clean and fine like a vineyard and we, as a family, have spent a handful of days together hoeing, fertilizing and mulching the tiny plants, loving them year to year, in hopes of a good return one day.

Just weeks ago, the day came to pick the very first berry. It was May 24, the day before the Memorial Day. I remember it because we were headed to the Tallapoosa River to kayak and I picked a half-gallon basket for our friend and host, Sandy.

Since the first day we picked, we have been in blueberry heaven. My children and I have enjoyed anything and everything you can cook

or bake blueberry. I have made at least 12 cobblers, quite a few pans of muffins and we have gobbled them up like candy.

Sissy and Shep even picked and packaged their own one day, learning the skill of entrepreneurship. The kids picked their own berries, then placed them in their own clear containers and wrote prices on them with a Sharpie. The two of them even got into a quarrel on who could sell theirs first and where exactly each was allowed to stand in the store. Of course, they both sold out in a matter of minutes.

I believe it was their charm and eagerness to sell. For who can say no to a young salesman like Shep?

By Bradley Robertson “Would you like to buy my blueberries?” he asked.

“Why yes sir, I’ll take two.” And the deal was done, as easy as that, along with tip money and a handshake.

I have picked every single bush this year, returning to some bushes time and time again. I have not want-

See ROBERTSON, page A5

LIFE ITSELF just live my life, but I never did it, I guess it’s too late now. Isn’t that silly?”

Silly? No. In fact, I got to thinking about all the bucket-list things that I have wanted to do but probably never will. Such as rope a steer, win the lottery, or figure out how to make beer.

Also, I have always wanted to hang glide.

One time, I actually got a chance to hang glide with a professional.

He gave me a call one morning and asked if I wanted to come. Free of charge. I told him I was busy.

I realized a valuable lesson that day; I do not want to leap off a cliff.

Although I did go bungee jumping once.

I do not recommend it.

The reason this happened was: My wife

By Sean Dietrich called me a wuss in public.

My wife was only taunting me. I am a cautious guy who has a hard time paying a hundred bucks at an amusement park to throw himself off a building. Which is basically what bungee jumping is.

“I am not a wuss,” I

insisted.

“Are too,” she said.

The next thing I knew, a few teenage experts were leading me upstairs to the top of an enormous themeworld building. They fit me into a harness and made me sign release forms which all pretty much said the same thing: “Don’t

blame us if you die.”

I stood on a ledge, looking downward hundreds of feet. I don’t know if you’ve ever been on the ledge of a tall building, but trust me, jumping is not the first thought that comes to your mind.

After about ten minutes one expert finally said, “You want me to push you? Sometimes people want us to push them.”

I kindly told him to stay the hell away.

I jumped. And when it was all said and done I had proven to my wife that I was not a wuss. Then I went home and changed my pants.

Also, I have always wanted to visit Canada.

I want to taste a dish they call “poutine,” which is French fries

with cheese and brown gravy.

And I’ve always wanted to ride a passenger train. I used to be obsessed with trains as a kid. But when you get older, it just doesn’t make good financial sense to mortgage your kidneys to ride Amtrak.

I have always wanted to see a ballgame at Fenway Park, built in 1912, the oldest ballpark in the U.S. This is a major bucket-list thing for me. This year my wife and I had planned on visiting Boston to do exactly this.

But then the coronavirus happened.

I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to eat oysters from Chesapeake Bay. I know that sounds dumb. But when I was See DIETRICH, page A5

A5 July 8, 2020

ADAH recognized for excellence by state and national organizations Special to the Opelika Observer The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) is proud to announce that it is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History for its bicentennial exhibition, We the People: Alabama’s Defining Documents.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in their 75th year, are the most prestigious recognitions for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

We the People: Alabama’s Defining Documents featured all

HODGE >> FROM A4

the back floorboard of the truck, the colors shockingly vivid against the gray interior. Every few minutes, I turned and looked at the ‘Shakespeare’s Red’ and the ‘Mean Joe Green,’ the ‘Native American’ and the ‘Circle of Darkness,’ the ‘You’re the Reason I Smile’ and the ‘Christmas in Oz.’ My best friend was

ROBERTSON >> FROM A4

in the kitchen baking cobbler.

I thought of Shep and his smallness reaching into every bush. I thought of the morning he and I spent alone there, talking and smiling under warm sun and lush green fields, and the wind blowing

DIETRICH>> FROM A4 a boy, one of the first true novels I ever read was James Michener’s “Chesapeake.” I read it to impress my father. I wanted him to think I was a smart kid since this book was about the size of a queen mattress.

Midway through the novel I fell in love with reading. But I’ve never tried Chesapeake oysters.

The truth is, I haven’t been many places or done many things.

And this has always made me feel embarrassed. Sometimes, I hear about my friends’ adventures and I feel about as well-traveled as a tub of margarine.

I haven’t crossed the Atlantic, I’ve never visited Spain. For crying out loud, I haven’t even seen Nebraska.

six of Alabama’s constitutions, along with the 1861 ordinance of secession, which declared Alabama’s separation from the Union on the eve of the Civil War. This exhibition explored how these documents, some of the most important in state history, reflect their framers’ values, hopes and fears. The exhibition was curated and designed by the staff of the ADAH, where the documents permanently reside. In preparation for the celebration of Alabama’s bicentennial year, extensive conservation work was conducted on the documents by the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover, Massachu-

setts.

Todd Groce, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society, called We the People “a model of how primary sources, supplemented and contextualized by scholarly history, can be presented and made available to the public…By taking an unblinking look at the past, this exhibit helped the people of Alabama to better understand what happened and why, how the world they live in came to be and how the law and our political system are stronger when more citizens participate in the process of self-government.”

A website created by the ADAH for We the

People, featuring expanded content, teacher resources, video clips and a virtual tour of the exhibit, won the Alabama Historical Association’s Digital History Award. Sponsored by the oldest statewide historical society in Alabama, the award recognizes excellence for digital history projects that make contributions to promulgating state and local history. The website is wethepeoplealabama.org.

Becky Hebert, the ADAH’s state and local records coordinator, is the recipient of a Council of State Archivists’ Rising Star Award in recognition of her leadership in rebuilding the Records Management program

over the past several years. The award also recognizes Hebert’s contributions to the grant-funded Alabama State Electronic Records Project, a partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office and several other projects within the ADAH. Earlier this month, the ADAH was awarded a CARES Act grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund the digitization of archival material documenting its archaeological collections. The grant will ensure the continuation of an ongoing project to research, organize and record documentation on 170,000 funerary objects in the ADAH’s collection

and to provide access to tribes and researchers, in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is the state’s government-records repository, a special-collections library and research facility and home to the Museum of Alabama, the state history museum.

It is located in downtown Montgomery, directly across the street from the State Capitol.

The ADAH is currently closed to the public.

Visit archives.alabama.gov for the latest information about the agency’s status during the COVID-19 pandemic.

right, as he usually is. There’s a reason the fair only comes to town for a few days and then leaves, a reason Christmas isn’t celebrated year-round, and a reason daylilies bloom for one glorious day and then wither and drop to the ground. The human heart needs something to wish for and to wait for. Our souls need a bright spot to yearn for. Because it’s fleeting, it’s so much more

precious.

I hear myself so many times a day starting a sentence with “I wish.” How much happier would I be if I replaced those words with “I’m so grateful for…”

“I wish it wasn’t so hot” would become “I’m so glad it’s summer!” and “I wish this work day would end” would become “I’m so thankful I have a job.” I’m human, so it won’t be easy, but

that’s my promise to myself – to try every day to speak the language of lilies more often than the language of wishes.

Just this morning, I stood in the front yard and took a picture of the latest bloom on our Mean Joe Green.

This one is my best friend’s favorite, and it is spectacular.

Truly. The edges are purple, and the throat of the bloom is a vibrant green. There’s

a huge bloom open and facing the sun this morning. “There are only a few more blooms left for the season,” I said as we walked together in the yard. “I wish it would bloom all year long.”

“But look how beautiful today is,” my best friend said and squeezed my hand. I’m so thankful for that hand and for our Mean Joe Green.

And for so many things.

Hodge is an Opelika native, an empty nester and lover of all things Opelika.

Wendy Hodge is an Opelika native, an empty nester and lover of all things Opelika. She previously had a column titled A Word or Ten, which was featured in the Tennessee Star Journal and is currently awaiting release of her first novel with Harper Collins Publishing Company

his strawberry hair.

I thought of Braxton, his skill of driving the tractor to keep the grass around the berries mowed. Watching him do big things always brings joy to my step along with a choke in my chest. He is growing into a man. We now see eye to eye and when we hug, my chin rests on his shoulder.

I soon realized it

had nothing to do with actual berries, but with the people who had been placed in my hands. For my season with them at home is nearing an end, a season I am not yet ready to let go of.

I have loved quarantine with my kids.

I am not joking. They have been here, with me. They have been present for me to see

and watch and observe and care for. We have not been separated and scattered; we have all been here, together.

They will go back to school Aug. 11, and I’m secretly wishing they weren’t. I just counted the weeks till then and it’s six. Six more weeks to have them home.

We have these moments, friends. Mo-

ments where we want time to stand still, and the marvelous thing is, it did. My tears are proof I soaked it up.

Proof I sat in moments so sweet I don’t want to let them go.

Time and people are all that matters and seasons come in their own time. The joy is finding the sweetness in each and every one.

Blueberry season will

come again, along with another season of life that will be just as sweet.

Bradley Robertson is a local mother, wife and creative. She’s an Auburn University graduate, loves good food and getting outside with her family.

Bradley enjoys feature writing, as well as southern culture and lifestyle writing.

But then I start to think of all the meaningful things I HAVE done.

Once, for instance, I facilitated the birth of six newborn puppies.

You’ve never known joy until you’ve seen a mama dog whelping on a September evening.

And one time I was in a Methodist church lobby where a hobo walked through the doors and asked an usher for a handout.

Several people in the lobby reached into their pockets and gave the old man close to $800.

Once, I held the hand of a dying woman in the hospital who asked me to sing to her. I sang “Mona Lisa,”

by Nat Cole. She squeezed when I sang.

She died an hour later.

Joanne was her name.

And once, a 78-yearold man sent me a let-

ter. A man who wished he could tour Europe, but doesn’t think he’ll ever get the chance.

A man whose letter reminds me that even though my own life hasn’t been glamorous, adventurous, dazzling, or noteworthy, it doesn’t mean that my life hasn’t been rich, colorful, surprising, or sweet. And it doesn’t mean that guys like us haven’t truly lived, or breathed the thrilling air of summer. It just means that we haven’t done those things in Europe.

I'm sure Europe is great. But who needs Europe when you have a Chihuahua named Boo Boo? A dog who just left a very special gift on your rug.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life on the American South.

A6 July 8, 2020

Does COVID-19 Affect Food Security?

By Brittney Kimber Special to the Opelika Observer A study is currently underway to assess the effects that COVID-19 is having on food security in Alabama.

Researchers from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery are launching an online survey to collect data

on food security and food access.

Alabama Extension specialist Katie Funderburk said food buying and food access have been impacted due to the coronavirus. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed lives,� said Funderburk, who is also a registered dietitian with SNAP-Ed at Auburn University. “We would like to understand how it has affected Alabamians when it comes

to food purchasing behaviors, including access and availability of foods.�

Specialists are gathering information about household purchases and food assistance program needs through the survey. It can be found at aub.ie/coronavirus-survey.

The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

Due to the broad-reaching impacts on the availability of food, the survey may be longer

than typical surveys.

However, Funderburk says the gathering of as much accurate information as possible is essential to food security in the future.

Those wishing to participate should use the following guidelines: • Must be age 18 or older • Complete the survey only one time per household • Submit survey by July 15 Results will help

inform future program and resource development as they relate to food access and food security. “We are encouraging as many people as possible to take this survey,� Funderburk said. “The results will help us be better prepared in future emergencies.�

In addition, participants who choose to provide their email addresses at the end of the survey may be entered in a raffle to receive one

of twenty $50 gift cards to Walmart.

Food insecurity is defined as limited access, at times, to nutritious food to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 17% of Alabamians are food insecure as compared to 11.5% in the United States overall last year.

For more information, contact Katie Funderburk at kem0017@auburn.edu.

Paragon Industrial offers perspective on COVID-19

By Will Fairless Associate Editor Opelika’s Paragon Industrial specializes in indoor air quality and is owned by Rick and Susan Bolt. They also sell commercial-grade disinfectant products in their store, and they have had quite a time negotiating these past few months. “Probably the biggest issue was the shortage of disinfectants,â€? Rick said, “WeĘźre told by our suppliers that the base ingredients that they use – a lot of it comes from China.â€? They

also explained that there was a shortage of the protective gear they use for the air quality work they do, and the prices they paid for almost all of their products were fluctuating as a result of COVID-19.

They had a lot to say about the mask question as two who are familiar with the use of masks because of their industry. “Everybody thinks the N95 is the be all and end all,� Rick said before explaining that the “95� only means the mask prevents 95% of particles of a certain size, from getting through. Paragon uses

N100 masks, which Rick said prevent all particles of that same size from passing through.

They also use disinfectant products that kill the coronavirus.

At least thatĘźs what the productsĘź manufacturers and a sign outside Paragon Industrial claim. “They have to go through rigid testing with the federal government to verify that this product will kill specific viruses,â€? Rick said.

Susan added, “Most of our products are commercial strength.

COVID-19 is new, but [coronaviruses aren’t].�

The Bolts are grateful that their business has not had to close, and they feel especially fortunate to be able to provide an important service to their customers. “We feel very grateful to have our customers and that weĘźve been able to help our customers,â€? Susan said. They said that it became particularly important to have supplies in stock when businesses started opening back up because those businesses needed products to make their environments safe for reopening. “I feel really bad because we see peo-

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ple come in that are petrified,� Susan said, “With us being a small business, we can spend a little bit more time talking to people.� Part of that talking, they said, is reeducating their customers on what is helpful during this time. It is helpful, they say, to have Lysol disinfectant, but they inform their patrons that any disinfectant of the same grade in a spray bottle set to “mist� will work as well. It is not helpful to buy an amount of concentrated disinfectant that would last months in a small office and use

it all, undiluted, in a couple of weeks.

TheyĘźve tried to keep their prices reasonable despite the fluctuating costs they’ve had to deal with. “I expect thereĘźs gonna be some people prosecuted for [profiteering] when this is all over. We have avoided that,â€?

Rick said. “ItĘźs kind of interesting because I just donĘźt feel like everybodyĘźs getting a good clear picture of whatĘźs going on,â€? Susan said, “WeĘźve been in business 45 years, and weĘźve never seen anything like this go on with our products at all.â€?

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A7 July 8, 2020

Habitat for Humanity 20K Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH)

By Robert Noles Opelika Observer In October 2019, the Dumas family of Opelika received the keys to a new home that was built by Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity. This year, as part of the Habitat/20k-ZERH project, the home has reached a new level in its electrical savings and energy performance. With the partnership of Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architec-

ture, the McWhorter School of Building Science and AU’s Rural Studio program, the home is a (ZERH) Zero Energy Ready Home.

What makes the ZERH home different?

The home was built to be energy efficient and to be resistant of damage by severe storms. Under the leadership of Auburn University Professor David Hinson, solar panels were installed to provide electrical energy to the home.

Behind the house, a building was erected

to house the batteries, then the solar panels were placed on the roof. AOHFH Executive Director Mark Grantham stated that with the help of Hinson and Opelika Power Services, the home is able to use the solar panels on sunny days, and when it is cloudy, the home switches over to electrical service provided by OPS. Grantham said that Derick Lee and OPS were helpful in installing the switching process equipment for the home.

It was designed to be resistant of damage caused by hail and high winds with a continuous roof-to-foundation super-insulated envelope construction, high performance windows and a sealed roof deck. With this special construction, the home was made airtight so a smaller air conditioner (called a mini-split) unit and dehumidifier could be used to keep the family comfortable.

Furthermore, the appliances, water heater and household lighting with the highest efficiency

possible were used.

These modifications allow the homeowner to manage their energy budget and keep it affordable, and with the storm resistant modifications, the insurance cost is lower than average.

This home was made possible by the partnership with Auburn University’s team of more than 30 students, Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity volunteers, the homeowner and the assistance of more than 20 local manufacturers and na-

Full humidor, Full Bar, Indoor Smoking Lounge, Covered Patio

tional organizations.

According to Grantham there will be a Habitat for Humanity annual fund drive later this year, but because of COVID-19, additional planning is required. He urges everyone to make plans to participate when the event details are announced. For more information about the Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity or to make a donation, contact Grantham at mark.a.grantham310@ gmail.com or call 334745-2123.

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

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Chelsea Johnson, D.D.S. recently joined the team at Oral and Facial Surgery of East Alabama. Dr. Johnson earned her dental degree at the University of Maryland, and completed her internship and residency, where she was administrative chief resident, at Emory University.

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A8 July 8, 2020

VETERAN >> FROM A1 in the Marines for five years, from 2003 to 2008, after which he worked for the FAA for ten years; he was then medically retired. “I couldn’t deal with all the mental health issues plus performing that high-functioning job,” Buchholz said. As he put it, “I got lost in [my head], I didnʼt know what to do, I didnʼt know who to turn to or even what questions to start asking. [I thought,] ʻI guess nobodyʼs gonna help me.ʼ” He set out into the woods by himself to resolve the cognitive dissonance resultant from feeling lost and alone while not being physically lost and alone.

Eventually, the AMF got an anonymous call from one of Buchholzʼs friends or family, disproving his aloneand-nobody-will- help theory. The AMF tracked him down, put him up in a hotel and helped him find a job.

“I know that if they had not come along, it wouldnʼt have been much longer and I would have been another one of those veterans you read about,” Buchholz said, “Iʼve made multiple suicide attempts in the past.”

Now he works on a 120-acre farm in Washington that was donated for use by veterans. Those working there use permaculture methods to sustainably farm the land; “It literally grounds vets,” Buchholz said, “[It] gets your energy out into

something good and healthy.”

Joey Blackmon joined the Army when he was 17 years old, and his unit was activated just after completing basic training. He spent two tours in Iraq as a combat engineer re-tasked to do route security clearance (removing IEDs and other manmade impediments). In the course of that work, the truck in which he was riding hit a roadside bomb, and Blackmon was essentially folded in half inside. “I could eat my bootlaces,” Blackmon said. He added, “That wore a toll on me, but I didnʼt say anything. We were in the army, we were soldiers . . . nothing hurt me.”

After completing a tour and spending less than a month back in the US, he volunteered to go again to Iraq as part of a special 12-man team accompanying the National Guard. His PTSD, which he did not know he had, kicked in during this stint in the Middle East. He was first sent to Germany for treatment, then to Fort Bragg, where he was placed on medical hold, then was eventually sent back to Iraq. It had been only three months since he was last there.

He intentionally overdosed on the medication he had been prescribed and had to be medically evacuated.

That was the end of his military career. “I wanted to be a 20-year veteran,” Blackmon said, “At that age, what the hell was I going to do with my life?

Life was over for me.”

He tried everything short of taking his own

life to drown out that question, a question ringing in his ears with the volume of a roadside explosive, mangling his mind as violently as an actual bomb had his body. When drugs and alcohol failed, Blackmon attempted suicide by overdose a second time.

At the retreat, he told the story of his third suicide attempt: “I was sitting on a bridge in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the country because the first two times I had failed, and I wasnʼt going to fail this time. You canʼt stop a train, and I was waiting on that train to come. I knew their schedules, and it wasnʼt but a half a mile from where I was. The train was coming, and I was out in the middle of nowhere. The next thing I heard was, ʻYou look hungry.ʼ It didnʼt click with me. I was out in the country . . . nowhere.

I said, ʻWhat the hell are you talking about?ʼ which literally stopped the train of thought . . . and he says, ʻLook, letʼs talk, go for a ride.ʼ I took him up on his offer, started to walk out in front of his truck, and I naturally looked back at his window. And I saw that he was a Vietnam vet, and I lost it. For him to come to me, out of nowhere, it was divine intervention. God had a totally different plan for me and smacked me in the face. Iʼm horrible at killing myself.”

Blackmon now works for AMF-GY6 seeking out veterans who are “struggling” and getting them help. “They canʼt go to the VA,” he said, “because the VA [often

has] a 6- to 8- month waiting period, and the guys walk out into the parking lot and kill themselves.”

Retreats like the one in Chambers County help veterans realize that they are not alone and they are not crazy for thinking the way they do, according to Buchholz. “Itʼs a little intense. Talking and getting your story out there a little more, and whatʼs eating you, it ainʼt easy; thereʼs a barrier to get past,” he said, “The first thing you realize is youʼre not alone . . . and the second immediate follow-up on that is realizing there are people who care.”

He added that he and other veterans in similar situations form the habit of bottling up their emotions inside—or of turning to a different bottle to quiet them.

A controlled release of those bottled-up demons, made possible by the company of other veterans, prevents the explosions that occur when neither bottle does the trick anymore.

Blackmon said that the veterans who go on these retreats get freedom to open up, and their emotions start coming out. “My team is qualified to actually target whatever trigger point is bothering them, take them to the side, in front of everybody, and work on them,” he said.

His most valuable teammate, in his work with AMF and in every other endeavor, is his wife, Erin. They have been together for 13 years and have two children. She went through her own struggle when Joey came back for

good. “I was putting her through hell,” Joey said, “My PTSD was the main cause of her alcoholism.”

Erin’s mission is to bring attention to the mental health needs of veterans’ family members. She plans to finish school soon and earn a psychology degree so she can work with the VA to that end. “I don’t think people understand how this affects the family,” she said, “It affects our daughter, she picks up on it.... It’s still a struggle every single day.” On an AMF retreat, military wives and husbands experience the same benefits that veterans do. Just as veterans realize they are not alone in their battle, their spouses discover that their struggle is not unique either. “The wives don’t always understand or know what do to in a certain situation, and they feel alone,” Erin said, “‘Well, my vet does this, my vet does that,’ ‘Well so does mine! He does the same thing, and here’s what I do to help him.’”

Joey sang his wife’s praises: “Anybody that can deal with us is powerful. She holds a lot of weight in her story, and she changes lives, and she helps families, and she’s amazing.”

Joey and Erin hope to continue, while fighting their own battles, to help other veterans and their spouses find healing through these retreats.

Scott Smith, President and CEO of The Barn Group, makes his land available for large retreats such as this and has used it for individuals who AMF tells him are in dire need of a mental

reset. “We help those that want to help themselves,” Smith said.

Smithʼs contribution, besides the land, is knowing how to use nature to get a person to a point of emotional release, then deferring to AMF-GY6 to take it from there. He admits that he does not know anything about what a military spouse has gone through or what any of the veterans went through by serving, but that he does know how it feels to be needing help and not wanting it.

“Weʼre ATV riding and boating because ... you will fail at it eventually.

So youʼve gotta accept failure,” Smith said, “Theyʼve gotta accept defeat because someoneʼs gotta help them get out of the water or get out of that mud. Thatʼs the key.”

The lesson, according to Smith, is that itʼs okay to fail; itʼs okay to get stuck in the mud; itʼs okay to need and accept help.

Itʼs okay to be horrible at killing yourself.

“Our goal is to do one of these – a big one like this – every three months,” Smith said, “Eventually, we want to do one every month, but this one is gonna cost $20,000 to $22,000.” It is not for a lack of The Barn Group’s generosity or willingness to help that they cannot hold more frequent retreats, nor is it for lack of veterans in desperate need; the limiting factor is funding. For more information about The Barn Group or to donate, go to thebarngroup. org/donate. To do the same for AMF, go to americanmilitaryfamily. org/donate.

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

UPCOMING EVENTS

• OTC Summertime Showcase - Aug. 15

Heritage Cooking Contest features candy category for annual event

Southern

Hospitality

T

he Mt. Olive Church was the setting for this year’s Heritage Cooking Contest sponsored by the Lee County Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. The annual contest spotlights Alabama commodities and agricultural products.

Each year the Women’s division selects a different category for the contest. Homemade candy was the featured theme this year.

Carole Clements won first place for her Butterscotch Drops, while Mary Richburg received second place for Darcey’s Delights.

Carole’s winning Butterscotch Drops are prepared by melting butterscotch chips and mixing with pecans and shoestring potato sticks,

a surprise ingredient.

They are then dropped on wax paper to cool.

Carole has enjoyed cooking for her family over the years. Her husband Bill was a veterinarian, and they always had horses at their War Eagle Farm. When their daughters, Cheryl and Cynthia, were growing up, they rode show horses and received many awards.

After the girls were grown, Carole and Bill began racing thoroughbred horses. Their horses raced in Texas, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Florida and at Churchill Downs in Louisville, but not in the Kentucky Derby.

The Clements hired trainers to work with the horses until they were two years old. The trainers then hired a

jockey and started racing. They raced horses until 2005. Now, there are just a few horses at the farm.

Carole worked at Auburn University in the animal science department for 36 years. She has been active in the Lee County Women's Leadership Committee and at Farmville Baptist Church. She also volunteers at East Alabama Medical Center and the Community Church soup kitchen.

Mary Richburg’s entry was a favorite dessert she created for her daughter-in-law, Darcey, who has celiac disease.

“After our son and Darcey started dating,” says Mary, “I converted my kitchen to a shared gluten free cooking space with dedicated gluten-free prep area,

Summer Arts and Crafts Day: Loachapoka Date: July 11 Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Pioneer Park, 6500 Stage Rd, Loachapoka, AL 36865 Cost: FREE Description: The Lee County Historical Society and the Town of Loachapoka are sponsoring a free event open to the public on July 11. It will be a ‘Summer Arts and Crafts Day’ featuring local vendors that were rained-out on Pio-

neer Day last October.

Dozens of vendors will set up under the shade trees at Pioneer Park to sell their hand-made crafts and food vendors

will offer their traditional delicacies. Volunteers of the Lee County Historical Society will open the Cook House for their famous sweet potato biscuits and fritters. The Trade Center Museum and 10 other historic venues will be open and free to the public. Come and learn a little about local history. Visit the period gardens at Pioneer Park to see what crops, See SUMMER ARTS, page A12

Photo special to the Observer Carole Clements, pictured on the right, won first place for her Butterscotch Drops, and Mary Richburg received second place for Darcey’s Delights at the annual Heritage Cooking Contest sponsored by the Lee County Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. Carole will compete in the state contest this fall.

dishes and cookware.

I began experimenting with recipes from a variety of sources to adapt dishes to gluten free.

“My goal was to prepare gluten-free meals we all would enjoy,” she adds. “After tweaking a candy recipe seven years

ago, I made Darcey’s Delights for a family event. Every piece was eaten and enjoyed!

See CIPPERLY, page A11

Lee County Historical Society to host Dr. Heather Puckett July 12 Special to the Opelika Observer The summer meeting of the Lee County Historical Society will be held July 12, at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka, at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be outdoors under the pavilion so social

distancing can be observed. The program will feature guest speaker, Dr. Heather R. Puckett, who is a registered professional archaeologist and the cultural resources manager of the Alabama National Guard.

Puckett will be speaking on Camp McClellan and WWI.

Alabama National Guard’s Cultural Resources Management Team has been conducting research on the WWI era Camp McClellana near Anniston, Alabama.

Their work includes an examination of archival documents and images, See SOCIETY, page A14

A10 July 8, 2020

A11 July 8, 2020

CIPPERLY>> FROM A9 When I began selecting foods to prepare their gluten free rehearsal dinner, I knew Darcey’s Delight would be one of the dessert choices.”

The yummy candy is created by combining chopped white almond bark with peanut butter, and then adding Chex corn or rice cereal or a

RECIPES BUTTERSCOTCH DROPS Carole Clements First Place 1 cup (6 oz. pkg.) Toll House butterscotch chips 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup shoestring potato sticks, broken Melt chips in microwave for about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn chips. If more time is need, microwave for 15 seconds at a time.

Stir in pecans and potato sticks.

Drop by teaspoons on wax paper. Cool and enjoy!

Note: Shoestring potato sticks can be found in a bag on grocery aisle where potato chips are sold.

DARCEY’S DELIGHTS Mary Richburg Second Place 1 lb. pkg. (16 oz.) white almond bark, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 cups Chex corn or rice cereal or similar gluten-free crispy rice cereal 1 cup peanuts 1 cup miniature marshmallows Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment or wax paper; set aside.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine almond bark and peanut butter. Heat on high power for 1 minute to melt. Stop and stir.

As necessary, heat in 15-second intervals until mixture can be stirred smooth. Be careful not to overheat the mixture because white chocolate is notorious for scorching and seizing up.

To the melted white chocolate-peanut butter mixture, add cereal, peanuts, and marshmallows. Stir to coat.

Mixture will be runny. If your mixture is extremely runny and would benefit from extra bulk, add a tablespoon or two of extra peanuts or marshmallows.

Using a two tablespoon scoop or a spoon, drop mounds onto prepared baking sheets (I made 36). Allow candy to firm up for about 2 hours at room temperature, or quick set by placing trays in the refrigerator or freezer for 30 minutes to one hour.

Candy will keep airtight at room tem-

gluten-free crispy rice cereal, peanuts and miniature marshmallows.

The confection will keep two weeks at room temperature in an airtight container, a month in the refrigerator or frozen for six months. (If you can hide them from your family!)

Mary is chairman of the Women’s Leadership Committee and has been a member for more than 15 years. She and

her husband, Mahlon, have a hay production and registered Angus and SimAngus cattle operation. Mary enjoys canning and freezing vegetables in the summer months.

Mary and Mahlon both taught in Auburn City Schools for 40 years. Mahlon taught agriscience at Auburn Junior High and Auburn High School, while Mary was an elemen-

perature for at least 2 weeks, in the refrigerator for a month, or in the freezer for at least 6 months.

In a medium bowl, toss blueberries in 2 Tbsp. flour and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together butter, granulated sugar, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and eggs.

Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour and milk alternately to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour.

Fold in lemon zest, pecans and blueberries.

Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in pan, then turn out onto a wire rack.

KEY LIME CUPCAKES 2012 Lee County Winner Carole Clements 1 box lemon cake mix 3 oz. box lime gelatin ½ cup orange juice ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice ¾ cup vegetable oil 5 eggs 6 Tbsp. zest of lime Combine orange and lime juice. Beat cake mix, gelatin, combined juices, oil and eggs in a large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

Fold in zest.

Pour into cupcake baking cups. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool, then frost.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Frosting ½ cup butter, softened 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 3 Tbsp. fresh key lime juice (regular lime juice may be substituted) 5 cups confectioners’ sugar 6 Tbsp. lime zest 2 drops green food coloring Garnish with lime zest, optional

LEMON BLUEBERRY BREAD Brenda Reese received third place for this bread in 2016.

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. sifted all-purpose flour 1/3 cup butter, melted 1 cup granulated sugar 3 Tbsp. lemon juice 2 large eggs 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1/2 cup milk 2 Tbsp. grated lemon zest 1/2 cup chopped pecans Glaze: 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 4 x 8 x 2-inch loaf pan.

BLUEBERRY BANANA POUND CAKE 2014 Lee County Winner Jamie Lazenby 1½ cups canola oil 2½ cups sugar 3 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup oat flour 1 tsp. baking soda ¾ tsp. salt ½ cup buttermilk 2 bananas, mashed 1½ cups walnuts or pecans ¾ cup blueberries Mix oil, sugar and egg. Add flours, baking soda, salt and mix together.

Add buttermilk, bananas and vanilla. Toss in nuts and blueberries.

Bake in greased tube pan at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. Check for doneness.

BROCCOLI CORNBREAD 2013 Lee County Winner Jackie Henderson-Long 2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix 4 eggs, well beaten 1½ sticks margarine, melted 10 oz. frozen broccoli 12 oz. cottage cheese 1 medium onion, chopped 1 small can Mexican corn Grease 9 by 13inch baking pan. Mix all ingredients; stir

tary school teacher and guidance counselor.

They have two children, George and Katie.

A wreath contest was part of the event this year. Winners were Carole Clements, first place; Jackie Henderson Long, second place; Barbara Whatley, third place, and Cynthia Atkinson, fourth place.

The Women’s Division was organized to promote agricultural well. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Let cool in pan.

MINI FRIED APPLE PIES Ann Whatley won second place in 2015 for these yummy fried pies.

1 pkg. (5 oz.) dried apples ½ cup sugar (white) Water Pie crusts: Use recipe of your choice or may use refrigerated prepared crust that you can buy.

Put dried apples in a pan filled with water.

Bring to a low boil and turn down to a simmer.

Simmer for approximately 8 hours or until apples are cooked to a consistency where you can pull a spoon through the apples and a division in the apples will remain.

At this time, add ½ cup sugar to apples and cook until sugar is absorbed by apples.

Put apples in refrigerator to chill. Apples may be kept for several days before using or may be used as soon as they are chilled.

Roll out pie dough and cut out using a cutter size of your choice. I use a cutter 3-inch in diameter and put about a teaspoon of cooked apples on cut out dough.

Also, after cutting out pie dough, I roll the cut out shape so that the pastry is very thin.

Put apple mixture on lower half of dough. Moisten edges of lower dough with water. Fold over top half of dough and use a fork to press edges of dough together.

In a skillet, heat oil ½-inch deep. Cook pies until crust is a golden brown.

Drain on brown bag or paper towels.

Remember our grandmothers used Crisco to fry and brown bag to drain.

May serve as a finger food or place on a dessert plate and serve with Crème Anglaise.

Pastry 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. salt ½ cup shortening 4 to 5 Tbsp. cold water Mix flour and salt.

Cut in shortening until pieces are the size of small peas.

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

The Women’s Leadership Group donates to various charities. They have collected towels for Big House, donate to the Battered Women Shelter and the Veterans’ Association. They generally keep a project going all the time.

Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. at a time into flour mixture until all is moistened. Form into a disc and put in refrigerator to chill.

Take out of refrigerator for about 10 minutes before rolling out.

Crème Anglaise 1 cup heavy cream 2 tsp. flavoring of choice (I used 1 tsp. almond flavoring) 4 egg yolks 1/3 cup white sugar In a small heavy saucepan, heat cream and vanilla until bubbles form at edges.

While cream is heating, whisk together egg yolks and cream until smooth.

Slowly pour ½ cup hot cream mixture into egg yolks, whisking constantly.

Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly.

Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.

SMOKED GOUDA AND BACON DIP Barbara Whatley, Lee County First Place State Winner 2019 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated French bread 8 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, shredded (about 2 cups) 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup sour cream 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 cup cooked chopped bacon ¼ cup sliced green onion Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake French loaf as directed on can, cool before slicing. Spray pie plate with 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. and set aside.

Stir in remaining bacon and 3 Tbsp. of green onion.

Transfer mixture to pie plate. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until dip is heated through. Top with remaining bacon and

Ann Whatley is secretary for the Lee County group and is on the board as a member at large for the Alabama Farmers Federation State Women's Leadership Committee.

Following are Carole’s and Mary’s winning recipes along with others from Heritage Contests over the years.

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@ cipperly.com. green onions. Serve hot dip with sliced French bread.

CRACKER AND PECAN CRUST CHERRY PIE 2010 Lee County Winner Brenda Reese 3 egg whites 1 cup sugar ¼ tsp. cream of tartar 1 cup pecans, chopped 1 cup crumbled butter crackers 8 oz. Cool Whip 1 can cherry pie filling Beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually fold in 1 cup sugar and ¼ tsp. cream of tartar. Add 1 cup pecans and 1 cup crumbled butter crackers. Mix well.

Bake in a buttered 8-inch pie pan for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

Cool. Top with 8 oz. Cool Whip followed by cherry pie filling. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

WHIPPING CREAM POUND CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING 1991 Lee County Winner Lorene McCall 3 sticks butter, softened 2 heaping cups sugar 6 eggs 3½ cups sifted cake flour 1 cup whipping cream 2 tsp. vanilla Cream butter and sugar by beating until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat 2 minutes more.

Add flour first, alternating with whipping cream, and end with flour. Add flavoring and stir until blended.

Bake in a 10-inch greased and floured tube pan at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Test for doneness before time is up. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Caramel Icing ½ cup sugar for browning 2 cups sugar 1 cup butter 1 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla Brown 1/2 cup sugar in a cast iron skillet.

Combine remaining ingredients except vanilla.

Bring to a boil. Add a little boiling mixture to the browned sugar and stir. Then add browned sugar to boiling mixture. Boil about 18 minutes or less. Test until a small amount forms a soft ball when dropped in cold water.

A12 July 8, 2020

OBITUARIES

Charlotte Anne Ward Charlotte Anne Ward, of Opelika, passed away in her home under hospice care on June 25,2020. She was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina 84 years ago on Valentine’s Day. She was the widow of Bobby J. Ward to whom she was married for 52 years. She is survived by her daughter Vikki Hendricks, two grandchildren Kelly and Libby Hendricks, and 2 great grandchildren.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Opelika and wanted the church family to know how much she truly appreciated the prayers, cards, flowers and outpouring of love she received.

She also wanted to thank Encompass Hospice for their great care and dedication in her time of need.

She was a member of the United Methodists Women’s group, sang a short while in the choir, and was involved in

SUMMER ARTS >> FROM A9 herbs, flowers and vegetables Lee County settlers may have grown on their summer homesteads 150 years ago.

Everyone who visits is

the church’s Prison Ministry Outreach.

Additionally she volunteered twice a month in the EAMC hospital surgical waiting.

There will be a celebration of life later in the year to remember her and reminisce with old friends.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to First United Methodist Church of Opelika.

a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews from the Richbourg and Carter families.

Rick’s lifelong passion was hunting and fishing that he learned at a young age from his Grandfather Pasco Richbourg (Papa) at the family cabin his grandfather built at Lake Martin. He was an avid reader that was encouraged by his Grandmother Jessie Richbourg (Nangie).

He shared his love Kenneth G. (Rick) of the outdoors with Richbourg his special fishing Kenneth G. (Rick) friends, Paul Oliver, Richbourg passed Lloyd Holland and away peacefully at Mack Bell.

Bethany House on Rick retired June 26, 2020. from Associated Rick was born in Mechanical Selma, Alabama on Contractors in Nov. 28, 1947.

Montgomery as He is predeceased an On-Site Project by his parents, Joyce Manager.

Ziegler Richbourg We ask that and Kenneth G. everyday be a Richbourg and his celebration of son, Kenneth David Rick’s life. As his Richbourg. family and friends He is survived by walk through his wife, Debbie nature’s pathways, Carter Richbourg fish the waters of and his sister the Gulf of Mexico Shanny Sansom or Lake Martin; and brother-intake in all the law, Billy Sansom sights and sounds , Grady, Alabama, of nature and revel Janice Richbourg, in celebration of Montgomery, the things that Rick Alabama, daughter, dearly loved.

Olivia Richbourg A private memorial McClure of will be held to Grayson,Georgia and follow Rick’s final his granddaughter, request.

Alyx Aultman The family of Greer, South gratefully Carolina. Rick acknowledges also was loved by the staff of

asked to social distance, wear a facemask and use hand sanitizer to protect everyone. Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and shade.

More Information: www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/ Share: www.facebook.com/events/260972991865224

The Lee County Historical Society is a non-profit, 503C organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of local history.

Volunteers maintain 11 historic structures at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka that date back to 1830 and six period gardens.

Compassus Hospice who provided compassionate care with tender support and loving hearts.

Donations can be made in Rick’s name to: Bethany House 1171 Gatewood Drive Auburn AL. 36830.

Terry Wayne Skinner Terry Wayne Skinner peacefully left this world to be with Jesus Christ on June 24, 2020.

He was a husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, nephew, soldier, teacher, mentor, friend and all around special man. We will all miss him dearly.

One of his requests was that no one is to cry tears of sadness but tears of joy because he is with the LORD. He is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Dana, son and daughter in law John and Dixie, grandsons Raley, Brett, and Layne, granddaughter in law Presley, great grandson Emerson, and sisters Louise, Gail and Sue. He is preceded in death by his mother Agnes and father James.

A memorial service was held on July 5 at 2:30pm at Purpose Baptist Church in Opelika. In lieu of

flowers, the family respectfully asks that people either donate to Purpose Baptist Church or help someone in need. He was ready to fly! Amen.

Ann Pruitt Lisenby Ann was born on May 5, 1941 in Alabama to the late Samuel Young Pruitt and Frances May Taylor. She passed away on July 3, 2020 at EAMC in Opelika, Alabama.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Samuel Rudolph, sister, Rosalind Pruitt Hodges and son, Michael Keith Lisenby.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William Wayne Lisenby; son, Alan Ross Lisenby; one grandchild, Bradley Wayne Lisenby; one great grandchild Michael Landen Lisenby; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation was July 6, 2020 in the parlor of Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

Funeral service was held on July 7, 2020 in the chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jim Dykes officiating.

A private graveside burial was held at

Fort Mitchell.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

John Robert Ruffner John Robert Ruffner, 67 of Opelika, went to be with the Lord on July 2, 2020.

He is survived by his three daughters: Barbara Bonner of Mobile, Alabama; Chrystal (Tomario) Dumas of Cusseta, Alabama; Nonnie (Jeff) Ware of Sweetwater, Tennessee; a son Rob (Amanda) Clark of Albany, Ohio; seven grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, as well as special friends Susan Ratledge, Wayne Bonner, and Randall Lankford.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Basil Ruffner and Alice Coombs.

He was an avid rider with the Lee county Charity Riders and played Santa for toys for tots. He loved to hunt and go to the race track.

The funeral home Jeffcoat-Trant will handle his cremation.

A celebration of life service was held at Jack's restaurant on Pepperell Parkway in Opelika on July 5, 2020 at 12 pm. www. jeffcoattrant.com

A13 July 8, 2020

I

Rescue from the heart of darkness

n the model prayer, we are told to pray that God will “lead us not into temptation.”

This strikes many people as a little strange because it seems to suggest that without this petition, God would lead us into temptation—a conclusion that is clearly out of sync with God’s character (1 John 1:6).

Moreover, James tells us, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He goes on to tell us what sensitive disciples are already painfully aware of—temptation comes from the unchecked impulses within us (v.

14-15). Whatever the petition in the model prayer means, it’s clear what it doesn’t mean— God doesn’t actively or personally lead anyone into temptation!

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

• First Baptist Church Of Opelika - continuing online streaming services; “FBCO will be deliberate but diligent as we begin to meet in person again.”

“I would project that a FBCO’s return to corporate worship and ministry opportunities will be strategic.”

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

• Trinity United Methodist Church Opelika Trinity UMC has online worship at 10 a.m. streaming on Facebook, YouTube and their website, www.tumcopelika. org.

• First United Methodist Church Of Opelika - The, bishop has asked for all United Methodist churches in our conference to suspend in-person gatherings through June 1. There is a COVID-19 task force that will help make decisions about June/July and work out those logistics.

While God doesn’t personally tempt us, He does allow us to be tempted. Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Jesus wasn’t tempted by the Spirit for the same reason that God doesn’t tempt anyone, but He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was to be tempted

by Satan. Satan did the tempting, but God allowed it. This might make some uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t.

What God did is no different than what we do as parents when we send our sons and daughters off to college, a job, or even other countries. We realize they will face temptation there, but we also understand it is a necessary part of their growth and development. They cannot reach maturity without it.

By Bruce Green Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

But notice that, strictly speaking, the petition isn’t about asking God to keep us from being tempted—we’re asking Him to keep us from being led into temptation.

That seems to suggest something more sinister than just being tempted—it’s being led into the heart of darkness where Satan is. That’s why the parallelism says, “But deliver us from the evil one.” What we are praying for is deliverance from Satan! We’re asking God to keep us out of the enemy’s camp.

When Cain’s sacrifice was rejected, he “was very angry, and his face was downcast” (Genesis 4:5). “The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it’” (v.

6-7). “Lead us not into temptation” corresponds not with Cain’s initial temptation (offering an unacceptable sacrifice) but with the larger temptation that God’s warned him about—falling into the enemy’s clutches.

This seems to be very much the kind of thing Jesus prayed about regarding His apostles (John 17:15).

Finally, I think we are to understand the word lead not in the primary sense of causing, but

in the secondary sense of allowing something. We are to asking God not to allow us to get caught up in temptation (Psalm 119:133). And we pray this prayer not because we lack confidence in Him, but because we know where we are headed if left to our own devices. We’ve experienced the crushing power of the evil one in our lives and know we must have divine assistance if we are to overcome. It is precisely because we trust God (and distrust ourselves) that we pray this prayer and ask Him to intervene.

The One who conquered sin prayed this prayer!

Bruce has written a book on the model pray called Praying in the Reign. It is available through 21st Century Christian.

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

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

Verse of the Week “O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me...”

Psalm 7:1

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

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D 334-758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta 334-742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy 334-749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. 334-749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. 334-745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy 334-749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B 706-4421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. 334-444-5148 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave 334-742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. 334-745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd 334-745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. 334-745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. 334-745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. 334-742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr 334-749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. 334-887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika 314 S. 9th St. 334-745-6143 First Baptist Church 301 S. 8th St. 334-745-5715 First Baptist Church Impact

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608

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

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

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley

709 Avenue E 334-741-0624 First Freewill Baptist Church 103 19th St. 334-703-3333 Friendship Missionary Baptist 432 Maple Avenue 334-742-0105 Greater Peace Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave. 334-749-9487 Heritage Baptist Church 1103 Glenn St. 334-363-8943 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 Love Freewill Baptist Church 1113 Frederick Ave. 334-745-2905 Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church 1098 Lee Road 155 - 334-745-3600 Northside Baptist Church 3001 Lafayette Hwy 334-745-5340 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Uniroyal Rd 334-749-2773 Purpose Baptist Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy #704-0302 St. James Baptist Church 1335 Auburn St. 334-745-3224 Union Grove Missionary Baptist 908 Huguley Rd 334-741-7770 BUDDHIST Buddha Heart Village 3170 Sandhill Rd. 334-821-7238 CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1000 4th Ave. 334-749-8359 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy 334-742-9721 Southside Church of Christ 405 Carver Ave. 334-745-6015 CHURCH OF GOD Airview Church of God 3015 Old Opelika Rd 334-749-9112 Church of God 114 17th Place 334-749-6432 Tabernacle Church of God 3 Oak Court 334-745-7979 CHURCH OF NAZARENE Opelika Church of Nazarene

1500 Bruce Ave. 334-749-1302 EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave. 334-745-2054 HOLINESS Eastside Emmanuel Holiness Church 86 Lee Road 186 JEWISH Beth Shalom Congregation 134 S. Cary Dr. 334-826-1050 LATTERDAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 510 Groce St. 334-742-9981 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Opelika 702 Avenue A 334-745-7604 Hopewell United Methodist 1993 Lee Rd 136 334-745-0460 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 8685 AL Hwy. 51 334-749-4469 Pepperell United Methodist 200 26th St. 334-745-9334 Trinity United Methodist Church 800 Second Ave. 334-745-2632 Wesley Memorial United Methodist 2506 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-2841 PENTECOSTAL Full Gospel Pentecostal Church Hwy. 29, PO Box 1691 334-741-8675 Gateway Community Church 2715 Frederick Rd 334-745-6926 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Opelika 900 2nd Ave. 334-745-3421 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Outreach Seventh-Day Adventist 1808 S. Long St. 334-749-3151 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Apostolic Holiness Church 610 Canton St. 334-749-6759 Auburn Opelika Korean Church 1800 Rocky Brook Rd 334-749-5386 Beauregard Full Gospel Revival 2089 Lee Road 42 334-745-0455 Christ Church International 1311 2nd Ave. 334-745-0832

334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889

Church of the Harvest 2520 Society Hill Rd 334-745-2247 East Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance 207 S. Railroad Ave. 334-745-6430 Faith Alliance Church 3211 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-9516 Faith Christian Center 600 S. 8th St. Faith Church 3920 Marvyn Pkwy 334-707-3922 Family Life Christian Center 601 S. 7th St. 334-741-7013 Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris Ave. 334-749-1070 Fellowship Bible Church 2202 Hamilton Rd 334-749-1445 Ferguson Chapel Church 310 S. 4th St. 334-745-2913 First Assembly of God Church 510 Simmons St. 334- 749-3722 Garden of Gethsemane Fellowship 915 Old Columbus Rd #745-2686 Grace Heritage Church Opelika #559-0846 Holy Deliverance Church 831 S. Railroad 334-749-5682 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1250 McCoy St. 334-737-1488 Living Way Ministries 1100 Old Columbus Rd 334-749-6241 Move of God Fellowship Church 1119 Old Columbus Rd 334-741-1006 Connect Church 2900 Waverly Pkwy 334-749-3916 New Life Christian Center 2051 West Point Pkwy 334-741-7373 New Life Independent Church 10 Meadowview Estates Trailer 334-741-9001 Opelika’s First Seventh Day 2011 Columbus Pkwy 334-737-3222 Power of Praise, Inc. Church 3811 Marvyn Pkwy 334-745-6136 Shady Grove Christian Church West Point Hwy 334-745-7770

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

A14 July 8, 2020

Out of town guests enjoy picnic at Opelika’s Wood Duck Heritage Preserve last month Special to the Opelika Observer Members of the Friends of the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park were out last Saturday tending the pollinator garden, when a couple with their two young daughters arrived at the park for a picnic in the pavilion.

The young family was traveling from Florida to Indiana.

Before leaving Florida and after

having searched for parks in Opelika, they had decided this would be the perfect place to stop for lunch. Not knowing anything about Opelika before, they left with a very favorable impression, and a photo to share with their friends.

Friends of the Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park is currently engaged in a signage improvement plan and raised funds during the recent

Opelika Giving Day that will help them make the improvements. When pandemic precautions eventually permit, they plan to resume their monthly educational programs on native plants, birding and other nature-themed activities for families and children. For more information about the Preserve contact Gene Hunter (hunters56@ earthlink.net or call Jim Graham at 334749-9170 .

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Dr. Heather Puckett, a Registered Professional Archaeologist and the Cultural Resources Manager of the Alabama National Guard, studies an excavation site at Ft. McClellan.

SOCIETY

>>

FROM A9 historical maps and the archaeological remains of the former training camp. In 2018, the Team completed an excavation of an Infantry Brigade Headquarters Camp and had plans to

conduct investigations of WWI era training trenches this month until the COVID-19 pandemic interfered.

The archival materials present a glimpse of daily life at the camp that is overlooked in the histories of WWI. Dr. Puckett will discuss camp life at

the summer meeting of the Lee County Historical Society.

The public is invited to attend this free event. The Lee County Historical Society is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose purpose is to preserve and present local history.

The Denson Group Real Estate & Design of Opelika is excited to announce that Tinker McCain has joined their team.

If you are looking to list or buy a home in the area please call with your real estate needs.

Tinker 334-748-0183

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A16 July 8, 2020

COMICS

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

S

By D. Mark Mitchell

Sports and schools adapt to COVID-19 restrictions

U

Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

Community Foundation of East Alabama distributes $25,500 in scholarships Special to the Opelika Observer

On the Mark

sually, after the Fourth of July Major League Baseball moves to the second half of the season, Dixie Youth, Dixie Boys and softball are in the middle of all-star tournaments and high school and college football are preparing to start

S

• JULY 14 - Lee County School Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

Meetings are held at 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika.

practicing.

However, things are different in 2020. The COVID-19 virus has caused us to change many things, including sports. Youth sports, high school sports, college sports and professional sports have either stopped or See SPORTS, page B4

The Community Foundation of East Alabama has distributed $25,500 in community scholarships to 11 area students from donor funds established through the foundation.

“The Community Foundation of East Alabama is thankful to our generous donors who make these scholarship awards possible,” said President of the Community Foundation of East Alabama Barbara Patton. “Their investment in the education of our young people has impacted each student’s future. The process of choosing who will be awarded each of these scholarships is undertaken with

Johnny Adrian Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Kaye McDonaugh, Harper McGowan and Shirley Lazenby. dedication and discipline by a committee of volunteer leaders.

We are grateful for their hard work and dedication in doing this. The process is never easy because our students are outstanding.”

Johnny Adrian Memorial Scholarship is an

annual one-time award established in 2018 by the friends and family of Johnny Adrian for a student at Auburn High School.

He passed away at age 43 after battling a brain tumor for nine years. Adrian had a successful career in insurance and loved sports – in particular

high school and recreational sports. The $2,000 scholarship was awarded to Harper McGowan, a graduate of Auburn High School.

Kelleigh McConnell Meredith Memorial Scholarship is an See SCHOLARSHIPS, page B5

Intown Imagery Not Your Average Music Camp Introduces: Kamp Kesi Wil Crews Opelika Observer

By Wil Crews For the Opelika Observer

During COVID-19 lockdowns, Tanisha Stephens, owner of Intown Imagery in Opelika, wanted to find

a way to give teenage girls –– with an interest in photography –– something to do.

That’s when she came up with the idea for Kamp Kesi, See KAMP KESI, page B4

July 13 – 17, Rock Camp Pro, hosted by Spicer’s Music at the Bottling Plant Event Center in Opelika, wants to help kids find their inner rock star.

Located at 2140 E University Drive in Auburn, Spicer’s Music LLC was established in 2012 and upholds the slogan, “not your average music store.”

The goal with Rock Camp Pro is similar: this will not be an average kids’ music camp.

Per Spicer’s music camp brochure, students will receive expert individual and

group instruction on the instrument of their choice by the highly trained and experienced camp staff. They will be divided into groups of bands where they will have the opportunity to choose their own name, design a logo and create their own “brand merch.”

Furthermore, during the course of the weeklong session, students will learn songs of their choosing and have the chance to write their own with their respective band. Each session will conclude with an on-stage performance complete with professional sound and lighting.

Instruction in singing, song-writing and performing on stage are key components of the camp. Along with this, lessons on self-esteem, communication and problem-solving are woven into each session.

The brochure continues to say that due to COVID-19, Rock Camp Pro will have adjusted measures to ensure the safety of campers as social distancing will be a focal point for their summer camps this year.

Rock Camp Pro is $375, or $350 for returning campers.

Session 1: July 13 – 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Session 2: July 13 – 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Angus Young, lead guitarist of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, once said “I think that’s what it is with rock music. It helps you hang tough, I guess.”

Young might have been onto something.

With the current state of the world, hanging tough –– and rock music –– is as important now as ever.

For more information or to register visit spicersmusic.com/ camps The Bottling Plant Event Center is located at 614 N. Railroad Ave. in Opelika.

B2 July 8, 2020

Girl's softball teams hit the field running

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

B3 July 8, 2020

Reflections From The Moon

M

y little preschool class was running out to the playground in the brightness of a summer day. All of a sudden one of my little girls stopped, looked up, pointed and said, “Moon, Moon!”

I thought to myself, “I will need to correct her and say ‘Sun,’ but then I followed her little finger as she pointed out the full moon in a bright blue sky. This month includes Moon Day, July 20, when we celebrate the 51st Anniversary

of U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. landing on the Moon in 1969. We remember Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” During the weeks leading up to this historic day, so many family-friendly lessons can be enjoyed, as an evening summer sky is a wonderful hands-on observation experience.

Where does the light come from that lights up the Moon? The

Moon doesn’t shine by itself. One experiment that is a fun learning experience in a classroom, summer camp, or church group is to have the children work in groups of three and give one child a flashlight, which represents the Sun; another a ball or globe, which represents the Earth; and the third a mirror, which represents the Moon. Go into a room and ask the children to observe the ball or globe as the Earth. Turn off the lights, and have one shine the flashlight (Sun) into the mirror (Moon), then show the light on the ball or globe (Earth). The children will see that the moonlight we observe from Earth comes from the Sun. Children love to pretend that they see “The Man in the Moon”.

Explain to young children that the Moon has craters, mountains and valleys that probably make the Moon surface look like a face of a man. As the wind is blowing on a summer evening as you and your children are sky-gazing,

explain to your children the Moon has no atmosphere, so it has no weather. Explain to them that the footprints made on the Moon’s surface in 1969 are still on the Moon’s surface today, that the footprints don’t blow away.

As you and your children observe the Moon each night, you will see that it goes through phases. On a circle that you’ve drawn, the children can record what they see each night by coloring or shading what they observe in the circle.

The new moon is not visible to our naked eyes. It’s when the Moon is directly between the Sun and Earth.

The waxing crescent resembles a crescent, or as one young observer told me, it looks like a toenail. You know children are very literal in describing what they see!

The first quarter moon is referred to as a half moon. A fraction lesson on “half” can be incorporated in the picture record.

Waxing Gibbous is

past the first quarter but is not yet a full moon. This is a good observation time; children love to see it grow into a full moon. A full moon, occurring once a month, is beautiful and truly lights up the night sky.

After the full moon you and your children can see the moon size decreasing through the Waning Gibbous, third quarter, then Waning Crescent.

I love to read “Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown.

The book colorfully illustrates the night sky with the Moon and the stars. Your younger children will love pointing to the Moon and stars. A craft activity with Moon, stars, and glitter can follow the reading of this book.

Another intergenerational book I adore and always read to the young and old is by Eric Carle, titled “Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me.” This is a wonderful book to act out with your family.

Families, there are so many creative snacks that you can make and enjoy on phases of the Moon with Moon Pies and Oreo Cookie Lunar

Cycle. Take a look at the many creative snacks offered on the web. The time you spend creating fun snacks with your children enhances relationships and creates fun memories. Children really enjoy the summer treat of Red, White and Blue Rocket Popsicles.

Another intergenerational family activity to create memories and experience some auditory enjoyment is singing songs like “Moon River” by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer; “Shine On Harvest Moon” by Nora Bayes; and “Fly Me to the Moon” by Bart Howard.

One really fun activity that family and friends can enjoy is shooting off rockets and seeing how high they go. Many simple, inexpensive rocket models can be bought and made. I have done this with my classes, church groups, scouts, etc., and it is truly a blast of fun on an evening of moon gazing.

I hope the Classroom Observer has encouraged families to truly engage and enjoy moon gazing.

Classroom Observer, Beth Pinyerd

AORTA TO HOST VIRTUAL Opelika City Schools to 5k/10k THROUGH JULY 11 require use of face masks

Special to the Opelika Observer

The Auburn-Opelika Running and Track Association (AORTA) is hosting a virtual 5K and 10K from July 4 to 11. Registration is free and includes an option

_______________

urs

t

to print a race bib and enter your finishing time at the end of the race.

You can run, walk or bike your way through the miles while choosing your own route.

Participants can purchase t-shirts and tank

tops for $12 and $15, respectively. AORTA will be accepting donations from the race and shirt sales. Proceeds will go to Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is a non-profit program that encourages exercise, develops social skills and promotes an overall healthy life style for pre-teen girls in the Auburn community.

To register, go to www.runsignup. com/Race/AL/Auburn/ AORTAVirtual5k10k.

To find out more information about the race, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ events/890205948145717/ For more information, contact Anthony Terling at anthony@aotourism. com.

has an appointment on :

Gynecology & Wellness Center (334) 502-9888

A.M. ___ at _________________________________ P.M.

Laser

Dr. Sharma

when students return

Statement from Dr. Mark Neighbors, Superintendent Opelika City Schools

In assessing the current circumstances regarding COVID-19 in Lee County and in planning for the upcoming school year, we have been monitoring and reviewing data from our local medical professionals to determine best practices to start school in August.

In addition to providing a safe and clean environment for our students, our priority is to have face to face instruction as long as possible in order to best serve our students. Therefore, we believe that all persons should wear face coverings while on campus.

Beginning with back to school activities involving students and teachers, the Opelika City Schools will require all persons on campus to wear appropriate face coverings

NEIGHBORS when social distancing is not feasible. OCS will provide students reusable face coverings at the beginning of the school year as long as the supply chain is not disrupted and we are able to purchase them.

We will have additional disposable masks for emergencies.

We ask that parents discuss with their children the importance of our mission of maximizing safety in order to maximize academics for them. We will

be patient in working with our students in following these guidelines and we understand that this will be difficult to implement with the youngest of our children. We are all in this together and promise that we will continue to do our best for your children and our community of Opelika.

Sincerely, Mark Neighbors Superintendent, Opelika City Schools

B4 July 8, 2020

Sen. Doug Jones introduces bipartisan bill to help Alabama schools safely reopen The Reopen Schools Safely Act will help schools with the costs required to keep students and educators safe

Special to the Opelika Observer

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in introducing a bill to help Alabama schools and colleges cover the costs of protecting students and educators from COVID-19.

The Reopen Schools Safely Act will establish a new federal grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to help school districts and colleges reopen this

fall.

“With school systems and universities across the country and in Alabama announcing their plans to bring back in-person learning this fall, we need to make sure schools can keep students, teachers and other education staff safe and healthy.

School budgets are already being cut due to the economic impacts of the pandemic, leaving schools with complex changes and adjustments to make without much

funding to do it. It’s time for Congress to step up to fill the gap so students can safely get back to the classroom and parents can return to work with some peace of mind,” Jones said.

Jones is a member of the Senate Education Committee.

“We appreciate very much the bipartisan sponsorship of this bill which strives to keep students safe at such a crucial time in their lives and college careers. Sens. Jones, Stabenow and Cassidy

are to be commended for their efforts. We are deeply grateful for their support through this bipartisan legislation,” President of the University of Montevallo Dr. John W. Stewart III said.

Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama Ryan Hollingsworth said, “Superintendents support the efforts of Jones, Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Cassidy to pass legislation to help our schools open and operate safely in August. Alabama recently released guidance on the reopening of schools and one of the highest priorities is to provide a safe environment for

Megan Schofill named WGCA All-American Scholar

season was cut short due to COVID-19.

She secured her first collegiate title

with an individual victory at the Lake Oconee Invitational in February, and she shot 10 of 19 rounds at par or better for the season, matching junior Kaleigh Telfer with a team-low average score of 71.95 per round.

In May, Schofill was named First Team All-SEC and was also selected to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team.

The last Auburn player to make the WGCA’s All-American Scholar Team was Kelli Murphy in 2018.

Murphy, a four-time selection, was also the program’s last freshman to be recognized for the honor. Auburn has now had a WGCA All-American Scholar in 12 of the last 13 years.

really sure what I was going to do,” Stephens said. Four weeks later, it looks like she figured it out.

For $100, the camp was advertised to girls ages 13 to 17 and was held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during June.

To attend Kamp Kesi, no photography experience was required; nor a camera. Tuition assistance was available and through generous donations from various community members, each camp attendee received a camera to call her own.

The first two weeks, the girls were limited to their IPhones; that’s when Stephens taught them basics –– how to have the proper exposure, composition, the rule of thirds, etc.

After a comprehensive basics course, the girls were finally ready for the big-time. Lights,

camera, action!

Among other things, the girls took portraits, did scavenger hunts and took pictures of some models for an Auburn University student’s up-and-coming apparel brand.

In an act of gratitude, Kamp Kesi also invited the same community members who donated the cameras to come have a photoshoot courtesy of the campers. “I was just blown away at how good the pictures were,” said Stephens.

“They are lightyears ahead of people I know who shoot.”

The closing ceremony of Kamp Kesi was last Friday; the girls displayed their work and the community members who attended the photoshoot were given framed giveaways with the various portraits shot by the campers.

Stephens says she has definite plans to

hold another camp, maybe even for boys; but with COVID-19 cases increasing, she is unsure of when it could happen. However, she is planning an advanced camp for the girls who attended Kamp Kesi this year and hopes they can continue to build on their skills.

“What I hope most is, by training these girls, not only do they get a new creative outlet that they might not have had, but they will also possibly be able to join the workforce,” Stephens said.

“If they keep up what they’re doing and stick with it, they could be employable.”

Intown Imagery is a portrait studio located at 1220 Fox Run Ave at the USA Town Center in Opelika and has been open since 2012. For more information visit www.intownimagery. com/site/

By Auburn Athletics Special to the Opelika Observer

Auburn freshman Megan Schofill was recognized by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association as a member of the 2019-20 All-American Scholar Team, the WGCA announced last week.

Schofill, who is studying in the College of Liberal Arts, completed her first year at Auburn with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Golfers are required to have a minimum 3.50 GPA to be considered.

On the course, Schofill was one of the top freshmen nationally, with four top-10 finishes in seven tournaments before the

KAMP KESI >> FROM B1 (pronounced Kee-see) named after Stephen’s childhood nickname.

Stephens, who was born and raised in Opelika, received her first camera from her father at 8 years old. She then studied photography at the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turner Falls, Massachusetts.

Normally –– worldwide pandemic aside –– her summer work would consist of taking photos for a variety of children’s camps. Well, without those summer camps being held, Stephens decided to do her own.

Stephens had some experience with one-day photography classes but admits to being somewhat timid about running her own camp.

“When I started thinking about it, I wasn’t

Photo by Cat Wofford/AU Athletics

learning. To provide safe classrooms and school environments, during this pandemic, our schools will have a tremendous increase in costs and at the same time, we are experiencing a loss in local revenue.

This proposal would go a long way in providing the resources for keeping students, teachers, classrooms and schools safe.”

With the grant funding from this bill, school districts and colleges will have f lexibility to use these funds for any expense needed to meet CDC, state and local guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. These expenses include

SPORTS >> FROM B1 made changes to their schedules.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller allowed most sports to play after Gov. Lay Ivey opened up the state. Fuller opened up West Ridge and most Parks and Recreation venues. His decision has been a breath of fresh air. Kids and parents are flocking to West Ridge Park, The W. James Samford Soccer Complex, Calhoun Tennis Center, Floral Park, Stern Park and Municipal Park. I am proud to see Opelika learning to live with COVID-19 instead of letting it dictate how we should live.

Opelika City Schools Superintendent Mark Neighbors announced school will start as scheduled instead of following Alabama State Superintendent Erik Mackey’s request to open in late August or early September.

OCS released a statement last week pertaining to masks/facial coverings at school.

In other school news, Opelika High sent a letter to season tickets holders about the upcoming football season. The letter

personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, temperature-screening equipment, certified COVID-19 tests and more. A conservative analysis by the School Superintendents Association found that an average school district needs up to $1.8 million to reopen safely. Governors who will apply for the funding will will have the f lexibility to determine the distribution of funds to local school districts, colleges and universities based on the needs of their states. The program is intended to be temporary and includes a sunset provision for 2023. explained that all seats will be general admission instead of reserved tickets unless drastic changes happen prior to the season. Season ticket holders are encouraged to buy tickets and continue to support OHS athletics.

All football games will air live on 97.7 Kicker FM and YouTube Live at no charge. The radio broadcast will be aired on YouTube with the radio broadcast. I will continue to give you updates on fall athletics in my column and my morning sports show, ‘On the Mark’ on WTLM. Opelika schools did not release any news on cross country, volleyball or swimming.

OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS The Opelika Dixie Boys program will host the 13U and 14U State Tournaments at West Park from July 17 to 21. The two tournaments will be played at the same time on the two fields located off of Ridge Road beside the softball field.

The two winners will advance to the World Series in Sterlington, Louisiana, which is scheduled for Aug. 1 to 5.

B5 July 8, 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS >> FROM B1 annual one-time scholarship established in the memory of Kelleigh Meredith, a native of Opelika and a teacher at AHS. The Kelleigh McConnel Meredith Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students in the communities of East Alabama, more specifically for graduates from Auburn, Beauregard, Smiths Station or Opelika High Schools. The $500 scholarship was awarded to Julia Bush, a graduate of Opelika High School.

The National Village Ladies Club Scholarship is an annual award to one female Opelika high school senior. The student must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, school and community involvement and a desire for higher learning. The award is to be used for tuition, fees, books and any other legitimate educational expense.

The $3,000 scholarship was awarded to Kaitlyn Goodman, a graduate of Opelika High School.

The Peggy & Bill Lazenby Memorial Scholarship is an annual four-year scholarship established in the memory of Peggy and Bill Lazenby, natives of Opelika and leaders in the community. The Peggy & Bill Lazenby Scholarship is awarded to Opelika High School students who are majoring in a STEM field and exhibit leadership, sportsmanship and good citizenship. The scholarship ($1000 a year for four years) was awarded to Alex Rice, Jaylon Rowland and Dozier Smith T., all graduates of Opelika High School.

The Rachel Branch Meadows Memorial Scholarship is an annual one-time music/ art scholarship established in the memory of Rachel Meadows, a native of Dadeville, Alabama, and an active member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where she served as the pianist for over 50 years.

The Rachel Branch Meadows Scholarship is awarded yearly to a potential student within the Alabama Tallapoosa County School System with plans on earning a major or a minor in Art or Music. The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Lydia Ballard, a graduate of BenjaminRussell High School.

The Tom Woodward Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship is an annual one-time scholarship award to students who are attending a technical school, art school or college and are studying any visual arts medium, including drawing, painting, ceramics, intermedia and digital art as a part of their curriculum.

The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Elise Markle, a graduate of Auburn High School.

The Lee-Macon Workforce Scholarship is an annual one-time scholarship established

by Katherine and Howard Porter. The Lee-Macon Workforce Scholarship is awarded to a student at Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, Alabama, who is seeking a degree in the technical field at either Southern Union State Community College or Central Alabama

Kelleigh McConnell Meredith Memorial Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Steve Meredith, Lauran Meredith, Julia Bush and Shirley Lazenby.

Rachel Branch Meadows Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Lydia Ballard and Shirley Lazenby.

National Villiage Ladies Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Becky Jones, Kaitlyn Goodman, Shirley Lazenby and Amy McAllister.

Peggy & Bill Lazenby Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Dozier Smith T and Shirley Lazenby

Wayne Murphy Scholarship Recipients Together - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Taylor Goodwin, Dontavious Thomas and Shirley Lazenby.

Lee-Macon Workforce Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Alex Rice and Shirley Lazenby.

Peggy & Bill Lazenby Memorial Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Alex Rice, Jaylon Rowland and Shirley Lazenby.

Peggy & Bill Lazenby Memorial Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Barbara Patton, Alex Rice and Shirley Lazenby.

Community College.

The $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Keyanna Davis, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School.

The Wayne Murphy Memorial Scholarships are awarded to one female and one male Auburn High School athlete each year and are based on each athlete’s character, academic record, sportsmanship and need. The $500 Scholarships were awarded to Dontavious Thomas and Taylor Goodwin, both graduates of Auburn High School.

The Community Foundation is working to ensure that every child in East Alabama has an opportunity to further his/her education.

For more information about the Community

Foundation of East Alabama’s Scholarships, contact Patton at info@ cfeastalabama.org or visit www.cfeastalabama.org.

About the CFEA The Community

Foundation of East Alabama was incorporated in 2007 as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. As a local center for philanthropy, the Community Foundation works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and nonprofit organizations to help them carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community

issues. Donors to the Community Foundation also benefit from the Foundation’s combined assets, which greatly reduce investment and administrative fees. The five-county region includes Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell, and Tallapoosa Counties.

The Community Foundation is administered by a governing body of East Alabama

citizens committed to building a vibrant community foundation. Through the generosity of people in East Alabama, the foundation will continue to grow. Through grant-making, they look forward to a brighter future by giving back to the place called home. Visit www.cfeastalabama. org for additional information.

Tom Woodward Visual Arts Scholarship - Pictured left to right: Todd Rauch, Barbara Patton, Elise Markle and Shirley Lazenby.

B6 July 8, 2020

Gov. Kay Ivey Awards $48 Million to Alabama Department of Education From the Office of the Governor Special to the Opelika Observer

Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday awarded $48 million of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEERF) to the Alabama State Department of Education in response to challenges related to COVID-19. This allocation will enable schools to enact policies established in the Alabama State Department of Education’s Roadmap to Reopening Schools.

As schools across Alabama are navigating increased challenges related to COVID-19, this initial investment will assist by providing budget stability, enable distance learning for any student who seeks it and get additional resources to students most in need.

The allocation will be used as follows:

$10 million to equip all school buses with WiFi capabilities to increase internet connectivity and help bridge the digital divide $4 million to improve remote learning opportunities by providing digital textbook and library resources for all students $26 million to provide additional academic support to bridge learning and achievement gaps $9 million to support intensive before and after school tutoring resources for learning and remediation in schools Additionally, Alabama institutions of higher education will be able to submit requests for a combined reimbursement of up to $50 million of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of CARES Act funding to respond to

and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.

Alabama Act 2020199 designated up to $118.3 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for any lawful purpose as provided by the United States Congress, the United States Treasury department or any other federal entity of competent jurisdiction.“I am pleased to invest in our state’s greatest asset – our students,” Ivey said. “As we respond and adapt to COVID-19, we must ensure that our local school districts and institutions of higher education receive necessary support and provide our students full access to their educational opportunities.

Closing school during the pandemic disproportionately impacts students who are already struggling, and it is our obligation to provide as much stability and access possible in these uncertain times.”

B7 July 8, 2020

Smitty goes on the prowl

Photos by Morgan Bryce/City of Smith Station The City of Smiths Station held its inaugural “Smitty’s Panther Prowl” event last week. Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, Smiths Station High School cheerleaders and mascot Smitty and Smiths Station Fire & Rescue mascot Sparky rode in several subdivisions throughout the city. They were led by Code Enforcement Officer Ed Adams. According to Copeland, the goal of the event was to spread cheer and Panther Pride “during these challenging times.” A similar event is being planned for later this year.

B8 July 8, 2020

Dixie Youth Ozone Baseball

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Inside the Statehouse

Senate and congressional runoffs next week

B

elieve or not, coronavirus notwithstanding, we have three important GOP runoffs next Tuesday. You will go back to the polls to elect two congressmen and a United States senator. That is assuming that you go vote and are not afraid of germs.

It will be interesting to see how the turnout is on July 14. Mostly older folks, like me, are the ones who vote in all elections and we have been told for four months not to congregate or get around other people. There could be some concern among older voters about getting out and going to the polls. Also, most of the poll workers are retired volunteers.

There is an open Congressional Seat in District 2. Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman is the favorite.

He garnered close to 40% of the vote against a large field of candidates including former Attorney General Troy King, who finished fourth. Former Enterprise State Representative Barry Moore finished second with 20% and will face Coleman in the runoff next week. This seat is comprised of the Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore River Region area coupled with the Wiregrass. The seat has been held

by Montgomery Republican Martha Roby for 10 years. She chose not to seek reelection. It is surprising that the two combatants who made the runoff, Jeff Coleman and Barry Moore, hail from the Wiregrass and most of the people are in the River Region.

Coleman has had a substantial

STEVE FLOWERS campaign dollar advantage over Moore and the entire field running for this open seat. However, Moore has received a $500,000 gift from a Washington political action committee that has pummeled Coleman with negative ads. This contribution may make this race close.

The 1st District Mobile/Baldwin area seat is also up for grabs, literally.

This is the seat open by the departure of Bradley Byrne, who opted to run for the U.S. Senate. The two aspirants who wound up in the runoff are veteran Mobile County Commissioner and businessman Jerry Carl and former Mobile State Sen. Bill Hightower.

They finished in a dead heat with Carl getting 39% and Hightower 38% of the vote on March 3. This one will be close and interesting. My guess is that Carl wins this runoff. He received See FLOWERS, page B12

Chuck Adams announces run for Ward 5 seat Pastor looking to keep Opelika safe, healthy and prosperous

By Will Fairless Associate Editor

Chuck Adams, student minister and associate pastor at Providence Baptist Church, has announced that he is running for the Opelika City Council Ward 5 seat. “[Opelika is] just an all-around great city, and I want to be a part of helping it stay that way for future generations,” Adams said.

Adams graduated from Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry and a minor in Biblical Studies. He later acquired a master’s degree in Theological Studies.

Adams has lived in Opelika his entire life, save for a short period in high school when he lived just a couple of miles outside the city limits. He and his wife Karesa have

Alabama Primary Runoff election is July 14

By Will Fairless Associate Editor

The Alabama Primary Runoff election will be held on July 14 and Lee County has two races on the Republican ballot.

Senate Race The runoff election for the Republican primary in the Senate race is between former senator Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville. The winner of the runoff will take on democratic senator Doug Jones on Nov. 3.

The runoff election is the result of no candidate getting a majority of votes in the March 3 primary election; the top two vote-getters, Sessions and Tuberville, have advanced to a runoff.

Alabama is one of

two daughters and two grandchildren, all of whom also live in Opelika. “Both of my granddaughters, at this point, will be going through the Opelika school system and living in Opelika growing up,” Adams said, “My wife owns a dual business in Opelika; I’m vested in Opelika.”

He said that this investment is the biggest thing he has going for him, and that even though he’ll be a

“newbie” (his word) if elected, he would immediately try to assess Ward 5’s needs. “I think Ward 5 is in pretty good shape,” Adams said, “I think David Canon’s done a fairly good job in his years as city councilman.”

He is relentless in his praise of Opelika, calling it “one of the safest” and “one of the most inclusive” towns there is. He notes the city’s See ADAMS, page B10

to know why Iʼm doing this. They say, ʻyou donʼt need the moneyʼ or ʻyou donʼt need the hassleʼ or ʻitʼs a thankless jobʼ ... but Iʼm doing it for the people, not myself.”

He added: “One of the main, if not the most important, issues brought up to me by people on the campaign trail is education.

Itʼs something Iʼve done for 40 years and Iʼm very concerned by what Iʼm seeing. The secret to freedom is education. If people receive a true education, they learn civics and learn what this country is about – how and why we started and how we got to this point.”

Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place No. 2 Also on the ballot See ELECTION, page B10

Todd Rauch qualifies as candidate for Opelika City Council Ward 5 Wounded veteran dedicated to Opelika’s future launches campaign to overwhelming support.

Special to the Opelika Observer

Today, U.S. Army veteran and proud Opelikian, Todd Rauch, has qualified as a candidate for Opelika City Council in Ward 5.

Upon his announcement, Rauch said, “our campaign is built around dedication and hard work.” He continued, “I believe the most See RAUCH, page B13

ADAMS

ten states that conduct primary runoff elections. During a January campaign stop at the Opelika Rotary Club, he said: “Thereʼs going to be a lot of Republican votes cast in this area. Itʼs doing so well economically, Auburn University is just this engine of strength financially, but there are a lot of other things out there. A lot of businesses attracting real growth ... Auburn and Opelika have become a key part of Alabama.” He added, “Thank you for allowing me to serve. Iʼll do my best to be worthy of the confidence if you allow me to return.”

Both Sessions quotes were previously published in the Observer.

In an interview with the Observer last year, Tuberville said, “Everybody is wanting

RAUCH

B10 July 8, 2020

Protests are as American as apple pie; but violence is bad news

By Greg Markley For the Opelika Observer

For the first time since I traveled to Boston as a sixth-grader, I saw again the place in Boston harbor where the original “Tea Party” happened, on December 16, 1773.

Close by is Quincy Market, another national treasure. Referred to as “the Cradle of Liberty,” this 1743 building is temporarily closed. No one was inside the hall in late June when I walked by, another inanimate casualty of COVID-19.

Two nights in a row there were marches and speeches. They started out as anti-police events, calling the death of George Floyd a murder most foul. But then it became a potpourri of Leftist sentiment, radical ideas and advocacy of socialism. University students, blue-collar workers and others were exercising their right to assemble and speak freely without the government shutting them up. Boston rebel Samuel Adams, who spoke here in favor of Independence in the 1770s, would be

MARKLEY proud of this peaceful protest.

“The (2020) protests in America’s big cities and tiny towns far from the coasts, may be the most widespread in the country’s long history of marching,” reflected The Economist. “What began as a protest against police violence against AfricanAmericans has led to an examination of racism in all its forms….When enough citizens march against an injustice, they can prevail. That is the power of protest.”

As undergraduates in the late 1970s, we were living in what was nicknamed the Me Decade. This was based on an essay by American author Tom Wolfe. He argued that America was

much different from the activist 1960s. The individual was now the focus, not saving the world or joining communes or marching.

In fall 1975 I was a freshman studying political science at Rhode Island College. The 1960s advocacy and civic engagement approach was still present. Our student newspaper had many announcements and accounts of protests and marches people could or did attend. Was climate change a hot issue? No, not really. How about the controversial Vietnam War? Of course not, that had ended on April 30, 1975.

The campaign drawing students to California dealt with--Drum Roll-grapes! People felt farmworkers were underpaid.

They were, given the demanding hours and work conditions. The 1960s fight was wineries vs. the United Farm Workers (UFW). By 1976, when my classmates drove out West to help, it was unions versus illegal immigrants. I respected my classmates for showing See MARKLEY, page B12

Rebecca Rice Cell: 334-703-0801 rebecca@johnrice.info

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

ADAMS >> FROM B9 prosperity and says the Opelika police force is the greatest of any town this size. He then retracts that to say it is the greatest of any town of any size. “I can’t say enough good about the city of Opelika. [My family] stayed here because we love Opelika,” A specific project on which Adams would

ELECTION >> FROM B9 for the runoff election are Beth Kellum and William Smith, who were the top contenders for the Criminal Appeals Judge, Place No. 2. Vellum is seeking her third term on

like to make some progress is connector roads between where the Sportsplex is and Morris Avenue. “I think there needs to be some kind of traffic alleviation to do that,” Adams said, “It can’t be done where there are big trucks running those roads. That would be unsafe for our students, our young people.”

Adams plans on campaigning by mail, on Facebook and with yard

signs, despite his reluctance to put himself out there in that way– he predicted it will be “a little awkward.”

“If it’s standing out in the street throwing pebbles at the window to get people to come out, I want people to know I’m running,” Adams said. “I want to see the city of Opelika grow in a healthy way... it stays safe, stays healthy, and stays prosperous.”

the court in Place 2.

Kellum served as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and appellate court staff attorney prior to her 2008 election to the Criminal Appeals Court.

Smith is a Florence, Alabama,

attorney and former Lauderdale County Commissioner. There was a six point margin between Kellum and Smith during the primary election on March 3.

There is no Democratic nominee for this position.

B11 July 8, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICES ORDINANCE NO. 012-20 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CANNON GATE PUD (PHASE III) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) Mae’s Pasture, LLC heretofore submitted to the City a Development Plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Cannon Gate PUD” consisting of approximately 163.77 acres. (b) Pursuant to Ordinance No. 101-07, the City Council approved said Development Plan for Cannon Gate PUD and amended the Official Zoning Map of the City to designate the zoning classification of Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) for approximately 163.77 acres located on the west side of Oakbowery Road and north of Blackhawk Drive. (c) Cannon Timber & Land, LLC, the owner of all of the property located within Phase III of Cannon Gate PUD, has heretofore submitted to the City a proposed Amended Development Plan for Phase III. (d) Phase III of Cannon Gate PUD consists of approximately 64 acres and is located at the terminus of Live Oak Circle. The current Development Plan as approved by the City Council provides for the construction of approximately 67 single-family homes in Phase III. (e) The Amended Development Plan for Phase III provides for 81 single-family residential lots and approximately 24.4 acres of open space. Lots will range in size from 10,358 square feet to 36,272 square feet.

The overall density for the development is 1.25 units per acre. An amenity area will include a playground and pool. The residential units in Phase III will be of similar size and construction as those located in Phases I and II. (f) The Planning Commission of the City of Opelika heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed amended Development Plan for Phase III. (g) The Planning Commission recommended approval of the amended Development Plan for Phase III of Cannon Gate PUD. (h) It is advisable and in interest of the City and the public interest that the amended Development Plan be approved.

Section 2. Approval of Amended Development Plan for Phase III. The amended Development Plan for Phase III of Cannon Gate PUD as submitted for review is hereby approved and confirmed as required by Section 8.18(n) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

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

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

Section 5. Effective Date.

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

Section 6. Publication.

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

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith ___________________

PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ______________ CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller ___________________ MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ______________ CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 013-20 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From an R-5M District (High Density Residential District) to a C-3 District (General Commercial District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: Commencing at the Northwest corner of the Northeast quarter of Section 15, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, run thence South 3 degrees 42 minutes East, a distance of 2317 feet to a point on the Southerly margin of Dale Avenue, which is the point of beginning of the property herein to be described. From said last mentioned beginning point, continue South 3 degrees 42 minutes East, a distance of 884 feet; run thence North 87 degrees, 44 minutes East, a distance of 266 feet to a point on the Westerly margin of King Lake Road; run thence North 29 degrees, 48 minutes East, along the Westerly margin of King Lake Road, a distance of 850 feet to the intersection of the Westerly margin of King Lake Road with the Southerly margin of Dale Avenue; run thence North 61 degrees, 35 minutes West, a distance of 660 feet along the Southerly margin of Dale Avenue to the point of beginning: said parcel contains 6.6 acres, more or less.

The above-described property is located at 3417 Dale Avenue, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith ___________________ PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ______________ CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller ___________________

MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ______________ CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 015-20 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From an M-1 District (Industrial District) to an R-4 District (Medium Density Residential District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: Commence at the southeast corner of Section 21, Township 19 North, Range 27 East in Lee County, Alabama; thence run West for 420.0 feet to the point of beginning of the parcel or tract of land here to be described and herein conveyed; from said point of beginning thence run North 79 deg. 40 min.

West for 221.0 feet; thence run North 73 deg. 00 min.

West for 237.5 feet; thence run South 01 deg. 50 min.

East for 114.0 feet; thence run South 89 deg. 21 min.

East for 441.5 feet to the said point of beginning; said parcel contains 0.7 acres, more or less.

The above-described property is located at 1801 and 1813 Old Columbus Road, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith ___________________ PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ______________ CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller ___________________ MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones _______________ CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------CITY OF OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT JULY 14, 2020 9:00 A.M. MEETING CHAMBERS OPELIKA MUNICIPAL COURT 300 MLK BOULEVARD A. VARIANCE 1. Larry Heath Hoffman, 1706 Rocky Brook Road, Requesting to exceed the 40% maximum limit for an accessory structure(s) from 40% to 52.7%; accessory structure(s) are limited to 40% of the principal structure.

NOTE: 1. The City of Opelika complies with the American with Disabilities Acts.

2. The City of Opelika will make reasonable arrange-

ments to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

3. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator 72 hours prior to the meeting at ADA@opelika-al.gov or (334)705-2083.

Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 014-20 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From an R-2 District (Low Density Residential District) to a C-2 District (Office/Retail District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: Commence at a point at the intersection of the North right of way for Fitzpatrick Avenue and the West line of the East half of Section 12, Township 19 North, Range 26 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, thence North 76 041 ‘East, 531.5 feet to a point in the North right of way of Fitzpatrick Avenue and the Southwest corner of the parcel of hand to be rezoned and more fully described herein: from this POINT OF BEGINNING, thence leaving said right of way and follow the East line of part ofL0t 9, Block 206, Tottens Map of Opelika North 01 02700” west, a distance of 212.29 feet; thence along the east line of Lot 1, Autumn Chase Subdivision North 000 36’57” East, a distance of 165.95 feet; thence along the East line of the C C Torbert Jr property North 01 0 03 1 09” East, a distance of 267.62 feet; thence along the North portion of this rezoning parcel South 88 0 56’51 “ East, a distance of 183.76 feet to a point at the Northwest corner of Lot 2, Hunter Street Subdivision; thence along the West line of Lots 1 and 2, Hunter Street Subdivision South 00 05400” East, a distance of 200.00 feet; thence along the West line of Lots 3-B, 2-B, I-A, Rudd Subdivision South 02043’50” East, a distance of 416.29 feet to a point in the North right of way of Fitzpatrick Avenue; thence along the North right of way of Fitzpatrick Avenue South 80033’57” West, a distance of 53.98 feet to the beginning of a curve tangent to said line; thence westerly an arc distance of 155.85 feet along the curve concave to the north, having a radius of 1538.30 feet and a chord of South 83 028’06” West, 155.79 feet to the point of beginning.

Said parcel contains 2.87 acres, more or less.

The above-described property is located at 1402 Fitzpatrick Avenue, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith ____________________ PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones ___________________ CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------ORDINANCE NO. 011-20 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TOWNE LAKE SUBDIVISION PUD (PHASE 5) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) W.S. Newell & Sons, Inc., heretofore submitted to the City a Development Plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Towne Lake Subdivision PUD” consisting of approximately 170.658 acres. (b) Pursuant to Ordinance No. 100-00, the City Council approved said Development Plan for Towne Lake Subdivision PUD and amended the Official Zoning Map of the City to designate the zoning classification of Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) for approximately 170.658 acres located north of U.S. Highway No. 280 & 431 (Columbus Parkway), west of North Uniroyal Road and east of Interstate Highway No. 85. (c) W.S. Newell & Sons, the owner of all of the property located within Phase 5 of Towne Lake Subdivision PUD, has heretofore submitted to the City a proposed amended Development Plan for Phase 5. (e) Phase 5 of Towne Lake Subdivision PUD consists of approximately 59 acres and is located at the terminus of Bush Creek Road.

The current development plan for Phase 5 as approved by the City Council consists of 17 commercial lots. (f) The amended Development Plan for Phase 5 of Town Lake Subdivision PUD provides for 97 single-family residential lots and two commercial lots with access to Columbus Parkway. The minimum residential lot size will be 8,400 square feet. Phase 5 is located adjacent to existing single-family homes within Towne Lake Subdivision PUD of similar size and finished quality. (g) The Planning Commission of the City of Opelika heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed amended Development Plan. (h) The Planning Commission recommended approval of the amended Development Plan for Phase 5 of Towne Lake Subdivision PUD. (i) It is advisable and in interest of the City and the public interest that the amended Development Plan be approved.

Section 2. Approval of Amended Development Plan. The amended Development Plan for Phase 5 of Towne Lake Subdivision PUD as submitted for review is hereby approved and confirmed as required

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

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

open for public inspection.

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

Section 5. Effective Date.

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

Section 6. Publication.

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

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of July, 2020. /s/ Eddie Smith ___________________ PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones _________________ CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Russell A. Jones _______________ CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 8th day of July, 2020. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK Legal Run 07/08/2020 --------------PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, AL IN THE MATTER OF: THOMAS E. POLLARD, an incapacitated person NOTICE OF FILING OF PARTIAL SETTLEMENT INTERESTED PERSONS TAKE NOTICE that BIRDIE P. PETERSON, as Conservator of THOMAS E. POLLARD, an incapacitated person, has filed her accounting requesting approval of a partial settlement of said Estate.

30 day of July, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. has been set the time to review said accounting. Done this the 23 day of June, 2020.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 07/01/20, 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 --------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of DOROTHY JEAN KINSER, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Daniel E. Kinser on June 22, 2020 pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent..

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE LEGAL RUN 07/01/20, 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 --------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID SCOTT DARNELL, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2020-2 1.BUDGE OF PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION have been granted to Jill R. Darnell on the 24th day of June, 2020 by the Honorable Bill English.

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

JILL R. DARNELL Legal Run 07/08/20, 07/15/20 & 07/22/2020

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B12

B12 July 8, 2020

Sen. Doug Jones calls for more federal funding, support for states Special to the Opelika Observer

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) is urging Senate leadership for additional federal funding and support for state departments of labor, which have been overwhelmed by the wave of unemployment insurance claims. This also comes as disturbing reports emerge out of Montgomery, where Alabamians have been camping out overnight outside of an unemployment claims center in search of help with their claims.

“As the nation continues to struggle with the health and economic repercussions

FLOWERS >> FROM B9 some late important endorsements in the waning days.

The marquee event will be the GOP runoff for the U.S. Senate between former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who sat in this seat for 20 years, and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville. This one will also be close. The two conservative gentlemen finished in a virtual tie on March 3.

The winner may be the one who took the best advantage of the three-and-a-halfmonth hiatus. They each could have and should have simply used the phone to call every single potential Republican voter in the state.

They could have taken a page from the playbook of the most prolific politician in Alabama history, one George C. Wallace.

He would keep the telephone glued to his ear. Wallace would constantly call people

of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress must do more to help those who are suffering from unemployment as a result. Alabama’s unemployment rate in May was 9.9%, and my home state is facing a 70% increase in the evictions of renters,” Jones wrote. “This hardship is sadly not unique to Alabama, and Americans across the country are struggling to pay their bills, to keep the lights on and to put food on their tables.

A recent article in the Montgomery Advertiser detailed a line of unemployed Alabamians that has formed for weeks in a parking lot on the phone 8 to 10 hours a day. He would call you at all hours of the day and night. Tuberville and Sessions should have used this method of campaigning without getting out of quarantine mode. One-on-one old-fashioned campaigning and asking people for their vote goes a long way in Alabama politics. It always has and it always will. Folks like to be asked for their vote.

Tuberville has outworked Sessions in old-fashioned oneon-one campaigning.

Although Tuberville is a novice to Alabama geographically and politically, he has traversed the state and met a lot of folks in a grassroots campaign style. He is a very likeable fellow and sells well personally. He did well in the rural areas in the first primary. It helped him immensely, probably more than he realized, with the endorsement and full support of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

If Tuberville

outside an Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) claim processing center, with many sleeping outside overnight in the rain or participating in a “black market” system of selling spots in the line.

“While the ADOL has noted that an in-person presence is not required to file or resolve unemployment claims, technical glitches and difficulties reaching ADOL staff have so frustrated claimants that for many, traveling to Montgomery seems to be the only remaining option. These claimants seek such urgent relief that they have been camping wins, he needs to ask for a seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. We have not had a senator on the Ag Committee since the late Howell Heflin, who was chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. By the way, this seat that Sessions held for 20 years and is running for again and Tuberville is aspiring to, is the seat held by the late Senator Heflin for 18 years.

This runoff has the potential to have a low turnout due to trepidation from older voters and because it will be hot as blazes in mid-July.

Y’all vote.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature.

Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

out overnight in the hopes that their claims will be resolved. To make matters worse, Alabama’s unemployment fund is on track to become insolvent within the next month or two,” Jones continued.

“As we continue to observe the grave status of unemployment and its repercussions on our nation, I urge the leadership of the Senate to consider including language that addresses unemployment issues in the next pandemic relief legislation in July. I respectfully urge the inclusion of language providing greater availability of federal funds for state

Departments of Labor, to ensure that hardworking Americans can rely on temporary monetary aid to help feed their families and keep a roof over their heads during these trying times,” the letter concluded.

Jones has been a strong advocate for support for working Alabamians throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

He has introduced legislation to cover the wages and benefits of employees of affected businesses and non-profits until the economic and public health crisis is resolved, and during the negotiations for the CARES Act, he proposed the

Small Business Lifeline fund to direct financial assistance to workers through payroll processing companies.

Senator Jones has also called for the Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration to allow payroll processing companies to disburse the CARES Act small business loans to reduce complications and expedite salaries to workers who have been impacted by the coronavirus.

Full text of the letter can be found at www. jones.senate.gov/imo/ media/doc/Increase%20 Funding%20to%20 state%20DOLs%20letter%20.pdf.

MARKLEY >>

The real “too good to be true” Ponzi scheme is socialism. Protestors say “all is free under socialism, health-care, college education, etc.”

How silly! Middle-class people will get a tax increase under socialism.

Job-creators will hand much of the costs to you. CNN.Money noted that Denmark, at 60% in 2012, had the highest top personal income tax rate among 34 countries.

Plus, that 60% applied to income over $55,000. Is it “too good to be true” to get something “free” that you actually end up paying for?

“Ronald Reagan said that freedom is always one generation away from extinction,” said U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). “He said that freedom is not passed along in the bloodstream—it has to be taught.” Sasse sees a corollation between U.S. teenagers not knowing civics and the fact that polls suggest nearly 40% of Americans under age 30 believe the First Amendment might be harmful.

That amendment, part

of the Bill of Rights, protects, among others, the right to peaceably assemble without government interfering.

There is no reason for politicians or police to disrupt peaceful protesters. The police I talked to in Boston were delighted that a riot did not erupt, as happened in Atlanta and Washington DC. Politicians often try to gain “law and order cred” (credibility) by labeling a peaceful protest as a riot. Don’t be gullible to that scam. On my first visit to Faneuil Hall I never imagined it would draw protests 50 years later. Especially not with a pandemic in place! I couldn’t imagine the Hall’s name would change because Peter Faneuil had slaves. I am delighted that free speech is strong and that we are rectifying past errors.

Greg Markley has lived in Lee County for19 of the past 24 years. An award-winning journalist, he has Master’s degrees in education and history. He taught political science as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama.

final judgment may be rendered in the Family Courtroom of Lee County, AL terminating your parental rights and placing said child for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Legal Run 06/17/20, 06/24/20, 07/01/20 & 07/08/20

Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Telephone Legal Run 06/24/20, 07/01/20 & 07/08/20

FROM B10 how effective peaceful protesting can be. But I myself skipped the activism route.

Who among our readers has not had the following happen, in one job or another? You take a position based on benefits, rather than liking the potential of the job for your career, or because you know some coworkers already and like them. Then you realize the benefits may be “too good to be true.”

This happened to several retiring students I taught at Fort Benning, Georgia.

One was a single-parent with two teenage boys; he was told he would have most weekends off, as a truck driver. That didn’t happen, so he lacked quality time with his sons. Another former soldier was attracted by “promotion potential” the civilian job recruiter said was a benefit. But promotion looked far off for this woman.

Four workers were hired at the same time, and not one supervisor planned to retire or quit for years.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B11 --------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE DIVISION J.D.R. a minor child (DOB: 11/23/2005), Case No. JU 15-175.03 NOTICE OF PETITION & SERVICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Christopher Darez Washington, father of J. D. R, a minor child, born at The Medical Center in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia on 11/23/2005 to Dominic Rudd.. The legal Custody of J. D. R. was vested in the Lee County Department of Human Resources on December 23, 2018.

Christopher Darez Washington must answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Christopher Darez Washington filed in the Juvenile Court of Lee County, Alabama within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Clerk of Court located at the Lee County Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered in

Case JU 15-175.03 terminating his parental rights and placing the child for adoption.

Mary Roberson, CIRCUIT CLERK Hon. Harold S. Patrick Attorney for Lee County DHR 2108-D Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 741-0809 MARY B. ROBERSON CIRCUIT CLERK Legal Run 07/01/20, 07/08/20, 07/15/20 & 07/22/20

Lanett, AL 36863 boxes and small furniture The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

LEGAL RUN 07/01/20 & 07/08/2020

--------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION ONE FACILITY – MULTIPLE UNITS Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 10:00AM Adrieene Barnett Unit 229 1807 York Ave Opelika , AL 36801 3 bedroom home Refridgerator, dryer, desk , mattresses, boxes and household items Leah Edwards Unit N165 3027 Veterans Memorial Parkway

--------------FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter I, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Whatley Construction LLC, Contractor, has completed the Contract for T.K. Davis Justice Center Courtroom Finish-Out, located at 2311 Gateway Drive Opelika, AL 36801 for the Lee County Commission, owner, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify John Randall

Wilson, 900 Janet Drive Auburn, AL 36801.

Whatley Construction LLC Post Office Box 137 Opelika, Alabama 368030137 Legal Run 06/24/20, 07/01/20, 07/08/20 & 07/15/20 --------------IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JUVENILE - JU-2019-180.02 A.S.L.W. - BORN 11/14/2017 NOTICE TO: Any unknown father of A.S.L.W. born on 11/14/2017 to Haley Sabrina Taylor at University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, AL. Custody of the minor child was vested with the Lee County DHR on 5/13/19. Any unknown father must answer the Petition of Termination of Parental Rights filed in the Family Court of Lee County, AL by Lee County DHR,within fourteen (14) days from the last date of Publication of this notice with the Circuit Clerk located at 2311 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 and with Hon. Margaret Mayfield, P.O. Box 809, Opelika, AL 36803 - (334)745-0333 or thereafter a

--------------STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY DOCKET NO. 2020-220 RE: ESTATE OF JAIME H. RILEY, Deceased: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of June, 2020, 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.

Mancil L. Riley, Jr., Administrator Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr. Attorney for Administrator Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201

--------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF HELEN BAILEY MURPHY,DECEASED. TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Raymond Lamar Murphy, Sr., as Executor of the Estate of Helen Bailey Murphy, deceased, on the 25th day ofJune, 2020, by the Honorable Bill English.

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

Raymond Lamar Murphy, Sr., Executor Of the Estate of Helen Bailey Murphy, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal 07/08/20, 07/15/20, 07/22/2020

B13 July 8, 2020

Congressman Mike Rogers issues statement on passage of NDAA Special to the Opelika Observer

Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement last week after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2021 passed the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).

“I am pleased the NDAA passed the House Armed Services Committee with my support. This is not the bill I would have written, but I appreciate the hard work of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry to get us to this place. I have particular concerns about the shortsighted change to the national emergency authority. I shared my strong opposition with this provision because it would upend the progress President Trump has made to help secure our border. I am also disappointed congressional turf battles

prevented my amendment to establish a task force to address China’s targeting of our leading research institutions from being considered. I will continue to work on this important issue.

I was pleased the bill included several provisions to support the further set up of the Space Force, as well as language to further the use of commercial satellite capabilities and to prioritize the hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking space sensor. The NDAA also includes a 3% pay raise for our men and women in uniform and continues to support the vital work done by the men and women at the Anniston Army Depot,” Rogers said.

Rogers serves as Ranking Member on the Committee on Homeland Security and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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RAUCH >>

Psychology from Auburn University FROM B9 and later worked as an Intelligence Specialist for the U.S. Army effective way to run for office is to connect Aviation & Missile Command (AMCOM) with the voter, faceat Redstone Arsenal in to-face, by knocking Huntsville, Alabama. on their door and askAfter returning to ing for their vote. I’m Opelika, Rauch’s folooking forward to cus turned to using doing just that in the his passion for helping coming weeks.” others, which he does Rauch began his in his current role as career of service the Vice President when he enlisted in of the Community the United States Army at the age of 17, Foundation of East Alabama. as a Military Police Rauch said his camOfficer. In 2003, paign is focused on Rauch’s unit was talking to voters in deployed to Kuwait, Ward 5 about these and then Iraq. On key areas of focus: August 21, 2003, Accessibility. “I while on patrol, Rauch believe it is a responand his crew were sibility of elected ofambushed, where a ficials to continually 120mm mortar was engage those that remotely detonated. elected them. Your Suffering life-threatcity council member ening injuries to should be the person his right hand and you can turn to should shoulder, as well as a you have questions or gunshot wound to his concerns. I want the right leg, Rauch was residents of Ward 5 to medevaced to Walter know I will be availReed Army Medical Center in Washington, able to help overcome unexpected challengD.C., where he unes, acknowledge their derwent 12 surgeries efforts, and provide to save his arm and additional guidance hand. Commenting when asked.” on his years of dedCommunication. icated service to his “I want to build a country and commudialogue with the resinity Rauch said, “The dents in Ward 5. I plan Army taught me how to be an effective lead- to use social media to our advantage to give er, and I believe the residents a convenient best way to illustrate avenue to learn more the city of Opelika’s ‘Vets Choose Opelika’ about what is happening, but also to cominitiative, is to have a veteran serving on the municate directly with Opelika City Council.” me. I plan to use it as a tool to host forums, Rauch went on which will happen in to earn a bachaddition to in-person elor’s degree in

quarterly meetings for residents to have their voices be heard. Our residents can count on me to listen and take action on their behalf.”

Transparency. “I am committed to complete transparency on all things that come before the city council.

I believe that problems can be solved faster, and more efficiently if we are all open and honest. It is important for residents to understand that with me as their city councilman, I will represent them and their best interests to the city of Opelika, and not the other way around. All too often elected officials forget that it is their job to represent the people that elected them, and not just the government’s best interest.”

Additionally, Rauch believes the following issues should be a priority for the city council in Ward 5: • Expand and diversify industry in the Opelika Industrial Park • Focus on workforce development through recruitment and training programs • Provide resources to Opelika city schools, students and teachers • Support essential community services and emergency personnel • Prioritize infrastructure improvements including waterways, roads and bridges • Improve and

advance the recycling program throughout the city of Opelika Rauch is incredibly active in the Opelika community, where he serves on the board of directors for the Opelika Kiwanis Club, a board member and programming chairman for Opelika’s Top 20 Under Forty Leadership Program, and a board member and secretary for the Museum of East Alabama. Rauch is a graduate of Opelika’s Top 20 Under Forty Leadership Program, Leadership Lee County, Opelika Citizens Police Academy (CPA) and Lee County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Rauch also serves as a representative for the City of Opelika on the Metropolitan Planning Organization – Citizens Advisory Committee (MPOCAC) with the LeeRussell Council of Governments.

Todd and his wife Ali have called Opelika home for 11 years. They have one furbaby, Forrest. They are passionate about their country, Auburn Football and enjoying this community they have chosen to call home.

For more information, visit www.

ToddRauch4Opelika. com, www. facebook.com/ ToddRauch4Opelika, or call 334-610-1750.

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Education: · High school or equivalent (Required) License or certification: · Driver’s License (Required) · HVAC Certification (Not required, but preferred) To apply please visit our office, located at 1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL 36801 or complete an application online at http://www.opelikaha. org/Default.asp?ID=123&pg= Employment+Opportunities

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LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS Opelika Housing 3.Review and process Development, Inc. is contractor payment requests currently seeking highly on a weekly basis motivated, experienced, and 4 Resolve discrepancies trustworthy candidates to in invoices, charges, and fill the Full-time position of payments by contacting Accounting Assistant. Duties vendors, employees, or other will include, but not be appropriate means limited to: 5.Process credit rent •Maintain fiscal records, utility reimbursements in generate payments, prepare accordance with established periodic/special reports, procedures operating statements, etc.

6. Prepare Housing Choice HUGE 2-DAY 1. Process invoices for PUBLIC VoucherAUCTION (HCV) landlord Huge Contractors Equipment & Truck Auction payment in accordance with payments and utility Wednesday, July 15th & in established procedures, i.e. payments for participants th code, verify that needed accordance with•established Thursday, July 16 9am documentation is present, 1042 Holland Ave procedures • Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350 enter Dump data into system 7. Assist Senior Accountant Day 1: Selling Trucks, Truck Tractors, Specialty Trucks, Trailers, Farm Misc.

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B14 July 8, 2020

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B15 July 8, 2020

B16 July 8, 2020

On this Independence Day, recalling the Founders’ views of a free press

By Dean Ridings Special to the Opelika Observer

America’s Founders regarded a free press as so vital to the new nation that they took care to include that right in the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Founders spoke glowingly about the press as a pillar of democracy and guarantor of liberty.

Thomas Jefferson, for instance, famously wrote in 1787 that “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without

newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

George Washington framed the issue of free expression in almost apocalyptic terms: “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

Yet discussing the free press of their day, the Founders also could often sound like those who are decrying “fake news” in 2020.

Under a barrage of criticism from

newspapers published by his political opponents, Washington painted journalists as “infamous scribblers.” Benjamin Franklin, himself a very successful newspaper publisher, described the press of his time as a resentful, vicious institution comparable to the Spanish Inquisition.

Jefferson frequently condemned the press as passionately as he had advanced their right to publish freely. “I deplore ... the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed and

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the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of those who write for them,” he wrote in 1814.

“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper,” he complained in a letter to another friend.

For good measure he wrote to his ally in Congress, the Massachusetts politician Barnabas Bidwell: “As for what is not true, you will always find abundance in the newspapers.”

On this Independence Day 244 years later, it’s worth reflecting on the lessons the Founders have for us as we assess the role and the practices of the news media today.

The first lesson is that while the nation’s leaders and institutions may chafe under the public criticism that accompanies reporting of their shortcomings, the role of the press in holding those leaders and institutions accountable is indispensable to the workings of a democratic society.

Most importantly, the press’s proper role must be recognized by the leaders and institutions being held accountable.

As abused as he was by the partisan press, Jefferson nevertheless declared, “I am ... for freedom of the press, and against all violations

of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents.”

Among those slinging partisan, unjust criticisms was the newspaper co-founded by James Madison, who reasoned that “some degree of abuse is inseparable from the proper use of everything, and in no instance is this more true than in that of the press.”

Yet, he went on to argue that trying to regulate the “abuse” of the press threatens to strangle its vitality and utility to a free people: “To the press alone, checkered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.”

And therein lies the most fundamental lesson the Founders have for us in 2020: The press and the government may often have an adversarial relationship — but the government must not attempt to delegitimize the press and its work because they are essential to a free society.

Would any of us want to live in a country where the news media isn’t freely allowed to report on the actions of its government?

Any harm done by

This week’s puzzle answers:

an overreaching press would be nothing compared to a government left unchecked. As much as the news media may rub some the wrong way, it is frightening to think of a society with no free press.

Tarred and slandered by the press of his time — often by newspapers owned or financed by fellow Founders — Thomas Jefferson stayed true to that principle to the day he died on the Fourth of July, 1826.

On this Independence Day, all Americans should renew our commitment to Jefferson’s description of the United States as “a country which is afraid to read nothing, and which may be trusted with anything, so long as its reason remains unfettered by law.”

Dean Ridings is CEO of America’s Newspapers On behalf of its approximately 1,500 newspaper and associate member companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. We put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: www.newspapers.org