Opelika Observer 08-14-19 E-edition

pelika Observer O

Vol. 11, No. 45

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019

Opelika, Alabama

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Opelika retailer to receive statewide recognition

Samaritan’s Purse dedicates two new homes, storm shelters in Beauregard last week

Photo special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Samaritan's Purse dedicated two new homes and storm shelters to the Hugley and Sims families last week in Beauregard. Both families lost their homes during the March 3 tornadoes, but all members survived. In addition to a new home, Samaritan's Purse gifted the families with a storm shelter to prepare for future severe weather.

Pictured above are Ronnie and Brenda Hugley in their new home.

Construction of Opelika's new municipal court, police department on schedule to be finished by end of August

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Construction on the future home of the city of Opelika's municipal court and police department is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The previous home of these divisions was constructed in 1967, with the second floor being added 10 years later in 1977. Plans for this new facility were discussed five years ago and construction has been ongoing since last August.

OPD Staff Services Capt. Ed Clark took Observer staff on a tour of the nearly 38,000 square foot structure last Wednesday and discussed the benefits of having this

will continue operating at the Southside Center for the Arts until January or February.

The city council and planning commission are expected to begin holding their meetings at the new facility later in the fall.

An additional attorney-client room Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer has been added and area. Municipal court new facility moving the city's two municijudges and staff will forward. He noted that pal judges Ben Hand have new offices and a and Wes McCollum both divisions will see state-of-the-art courta significant uptick in will have chambers to room where sessions space and accessibilconduct business. will be held. This will ity from their previous Police Department also be the future home location.

According to Clark of Opelika's city coun- and OPD Police Chief Municipal Court cil, planning commisCitizens will be able John McEachern, the sion and other public to access Opelika's new police department meetings and will have will help the city make Municipal Court from the capacity to seat Martin Luther King the leap to the 21st cenmore than 200 people.

Boulevard. tury and accommodate Clark and Mayor Inside, they will be for the city's ever-ingreeted by a large main Gary Fuller confirmed that the municipal court lobby and reception See OPD, page A2

Index

OPINION.....................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A13 CALENDAR..................................A14

SPORTS..................................B1 POLITICS.....................................B9 LEGALS.......................................B11 ENTERTAINMENT........................B14

Jimmy Wright, president of Wright’s Market in Opelika, has been named a 2019 Alabama Retailer of the Year. He will be honored in October at the Alabama Retail Day

awards ceremony in Birmingham.

Opelika Chamber of Commerce President Pam Powers-Smith nominated Wright and his business for the award because of its place in the community.

See Wright’s, page A5

BigHouse Foundation one of 200 national organizations vying for $25,000 grant

By Morgan Bryce Editor Micah Melnick of the BigHouse Foundation is seeking the support of Auburn-Opelika area residents to help her organization place in the top-40 of State Farm's Neighborhood Assist initiative to win a $25,000 grant and help expand its "new-tocare" package program.

Out of the thousands of organizations who submitted their ideas for helpful causes or initiatives, BigHouse is one of two organizations selected in Alabama and 200 across the country vying for this grant funding.

Currently, the new-to-care program provides foster children with clothes, hygiene items inside a duffle bag to help them acclimate to their new surroundings after they are relocated. If BigHouse receives this funding, Melnick explained that they

would be able to offer more services to foster families as they make the adjustment of welcoming a new child into their home.

"We'd like to help with grocery delivery to the family so they're not having to run and do that, give them gift cards to grab needed things that we might not have in stock and making sure that those duffle bags are well stocked of everything that we can think to provide them with," Melnick said.

2019 marks the 10th year of operation for BigHouse, which See BigHouse, page A5

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A2 Aug. 14, 2019

Accounting Today names Auburn-Opelika area's Machen McChesney as one of 100 'Best Accounting Firms to Work For' Special to the Opelika Observer The Auburn-Opelika area based CPA and business advisory firm Machen McChesney was recently named as one Accounting Today’s 100 “Best Accounting Firms to Work For.” This list is made up of 100 firms across the United States. The annual survey and awards program, which is conducted in partnership with Best Companies Group, is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession.

“The firms on this list represent the best workplaces in the accounting profession,” said Accounting Today Editor-in-Chief Daniel Hood. “They are outstanding places to build a career.”

Marty Williams, Machen McChesney’s managing partner, said he was delighted with the news.

“We are proud and honored to receive this

OPD,

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creasing population.

"We (all members of

award that recognizes the value and complexity of creating an environment where each team member feels valued and is provided resources and encouragement to succeed in their career. We appreciate being recognized alongside some of the best firms in the nation and we thank Accounting Today for their hard work developing and presenting the award,” Williams said.

Machen McChesney’s unique ability to consistently return value to their clients, professionals, and community continues to be recognized. The firm has been recently recognized for other accolades including: Business Alabama’s ‘Alabama’s Largest Accounting Firms,” Inside Public Accounting’s “IPA Top 400 Firms” and the OpelikaAuburn News’ “Readers’ Choice Awards.”

“Being recognized with these three independent rankings is humbling and very much appreciated,” Williams added.

About Machen

McChesney: Machen McChesney is a business advisory firm with a history of returning value to its individual and business clients through proactive accounting, audit and assurance, business tax and advisory, business valuation, family and elder care, individual tax planning and consulting and outsourced client accounting services.

From its headquarters in Auburn, the firm is committed to returning value to its clients throughout Alabama and the United States. Machen McChesney is part of a family of services, including FocusPay Solutions focuspaysolutions.com) and Wealth Management Services, and is a member of the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned, high-quality local and regional accounting firms.

For more information, call 334-887-7022 or visit www.machenmcchesney. com. The firm is located at 1820 E. University Drive.

the Opelika Police Department) are tremendously excited about our new facility and are eager to move in! We are very grateful to Mayor Gary Fuller, the city council and

the taxpayers for funding this project and for their support," McEachern said in a statement. "The current facility is no longer capable of our needs … we’ve outgrown our work-

Auburn resident named National ‘Excellence in Care Specialist’ by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Special to the Opelika Observer The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently announced that Christine Browdy of Auburn has been named an Excellence in Care (EIC) specialist.

AFA’s EIC specialists are highly trained professionals with experience in dementia care who evaluate and consult with dementia care settings to make sure they are in compliance with AFA’s nationwide standard of excellence.

“AFA is pleased to welcome Christine as our newest EIC specialist. Her experience working with seniors and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and her commitment to caring for these individuals, will serve her well in this new role as she helps dementia

Browdy care facilities achieve higher national standards,” said AFA’s President and Chief Executive Officer Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. “Christine exemplifies the type of hard-working, skilled dementia care professional, with the proper training, who can use her expertise to enhance dementia care settings.”

Care settings that apply for the voluntary evaluation, and comply with the standards, earn the status of AFA Excellence in Care Dementia Program of

Buying or Selling?

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Lisa Thrift

See Browdy, page A3 for Opelika's Police Department and Municipal Court served this community well for many years ... (but) space has been an issue for several years. As our community has grown, so has our police department," Fuller said. "We have outstanding men and women who deserve a great work space and they will certainly have that in the new facility. We’ve long had a reputation for cutting edge technology in our police department and now these officers and staff will have a state-ofthe-art facility."

For more information or updates, like and follow the city's Facebook page or visit www.opelikaal.gov. The building's address will remain the same: 501 S. 10th St.

amenities are larger detective and staff offices as well as more spacious rooms for evidence retention, lockers, patrol meetings and more. New additions include designated spaces for a break area, classrooms for holding courses for the public like Citizen's Police Academy and training officers, a gym and room overlooking Tenth Street that will be used for media events and press conferences.

After the move is completed in early to mid-September, Clark said the old building will be demolished to clear way for a new departmentonly parkign lot and K-9 facility that will be climate controlled and have larger kennels for service dogs "The existing building

space. The overall effect on all employees will be tremendous. We are very excited, proud and look forward to our pending move!"

Among the structure's

Distinction. AFA’s EIC specialists work with participating settings to enhance their dementia programs by examining crucial facets of care, ranging from staff education to the physical environment, safety procedures, program activities, staff-client interaction and meaningful living and active engagement. An EIC distinction reflects what AFA believes to be essential components of any quality dementia care program at assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, senior care residential communities and adult day programs.

Browdy, MCC, CSA and NBCC, was named an AFA Excellence in Care specialist after completing AFA’s signature training program, as well as a

(334) 444-8099 “I can get you where you want to be...Home” lthrift1984@gmail.com

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pelika Observer

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

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A3 Aug. 14, 2019

EAMC welcomes two new physicians Dr. J. Wesley Cutcliffe, D.O. joins The Surgical Clinic Special to the Opelika Observer J. Wesley Cutcliffe, D.O., has joined the team at The Surgical Clinic. Dr. Cutcliffe earned his medical degree at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Cutcliffe’s mother was an operating room nurse for more than 40 years, which sparked Cutcliffe’s interest in the medical field at a young age. After working as an OR scrub technician at Baptist South in Montgomery and as a multicare technician at

experience as a multicare technician and for the educational and social opportunities of living in the growing community for he and his family.

Originally from Montgomery, Cutcliffe has been married to his wife, Caroline, for five years. They have two children, Mason and John Thomas.

His hobbies include Auburn University sports, hiking, camping and woodworking.

Cutcliffe is practicing at The Surgical Clinic located at 121 N. 20th St. in Opelika.

To schedule an appointment, call 334-7456271.

Cutcliffe EAMC, his interest in practicing was reaffirmed.

Cutcliffe chose to come back to EAMC because of his positive

Dr. Brandon Heape D.M.D., M.D. joins OFS of E. Ala. Special to the Opelika Observer Brannon Heape, D.M.D., M.D. is excited to join the team at Oral and Facial Surgery of East Alabama.

Heape is an Auburn graduate, and received his dental degree from UAB and his medical degree from the University of Louisville. He completed a one-year general surgery internship and his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

Originally from

Heape Troy, Alabama Heape decided to pursue a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery because it provides a unique opportunity

to practice a blend of dentistry, surgery and medicine for patients with a wide range of head and neck-related conditions.

Heape and his wife, Brynne, have been married for seven years. They have a 2-year-old daughter, Ann Kathryn, and are blessed to be expecting a second soon. He enjoys Auburn sports, hunting, golf and spending time with his family.

Heape is practicing at Oral and Facial Surgery of East Alabama, 2971 Corporate Park Drive, Opelika.

To schedule an appointment, call 334749-3436.

Upcoming Events for EAMC

EAMC Medical Records Department has moved to new location off-site

HEALTH CARE AWARENESS Month-Long Recognitions August 2019 • Influenza Awareness Month • Psoriasis Action Month • National Breastfeeding Month • Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month Week-Long Recognitions • World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1 to 7) • Health Unit Coordinator Week (Aug. 23 to 29) September • Groundbreaking Ceremony – The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Freestanding Emergency Department and Ambulatory Surgery Center in the Auburn Research Park will be held on Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m.

New da Vinci Xi Robot added

On Aug. 1, the EAMC Medical Records Department moved to Building 28 in the Medical Arts Center, which is located at 121 N 20th St. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Special to the Opelika Observer Another da Vinci Xi robot was recently added to the ro-

botics program at EAMC. The da Vinci robots turn previously invasive surgeries into minimally invasive surgeries and promise less scarring, less

East Alabama Medical Center

Browdy,

About East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) East Alabama Medical Center is a 340bed regional referral hospital located in Opelika that serves a six- county area. The EAMC organization includes EAMC-Lanier hospital in Valley; between the two hospitals and their collective service lines,

specialized orientation specifically for the EIC specialists, and can now conduct on-site evaluations and collaborate with care settings to meet the requirements.

Browdy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration at Auburn University and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Troy University. Browdy

there are about 3,300 employees in the organization. EAMC is Lee County’s second largest employer.

Among the services that EAMC provides are open-heart surgery and cancer treatment, both of which are highly acclaimed specialties at EAMC. EAMC also operates non- mainstream services, including

RehabWorks, HealthPlus Fitness Center, the Diabetes & Nutrition Center, the Wound Treatment Center and the Auburn University Medical Clinic.

EAMC-Lanier has a nursing home, acute rehab unit, detox unit and offers occupational medicine. For more information, visit www.eamc.org.

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blood loss, less risk of infection and a quicker recovery.

The new machine will be used primarily for gynecologic surgeries.

currently holds a Society of Certified Senior Advisors designation; is a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors; and is a Positive Approach to Care Certified Independent Consultant and Coach.

Browdy is also the Director of REACH (Refresh, Encourage, Activities, Care, Hope), part of Auburn United Methodist Church, a community respite ministry in Auburn offering physical, mental

and emotional interaction with participants and volunteers in a safe and creative environment. Designed for people with early to moderate memory issues. REACH aims to improve the quality of life of those individuals living with dementia and offer support to caregivers.

Professionals interested in becoming an AFA EIC specialist can visit www.alzfdn.org or call 866-232-8484 for more information.

At East Alabama Medical Center, our mission is high quality, compassionate health care, and that statement guides everything we do. We set high standards for customer service, quality, and keeping costs under control. We feel that our patients deserve nothing short of excellence, and we are committed to providing exceptional medical care with respect and compassion.

2000 Pepperell Parkway Opelika, AL 334-749-3411 www.eamc.org

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A4 Aug. 14, 2019

The Office NOTE: If you are an Office fan, you’ll get the oneliners and catch phrases But if you’re not an Office fan, well… As Michael Scott would say, “It’s not a pity party. It’s not a party at all. It’s just sad.” ichael Scott.

Jim and Pam. Dwight. Angela.

Phyllis. Kevin. Oscar.

Stanley. Toby. If these names instantly conjure up images of conference room meetings, fake fire drills that lead to heart attacks, sideways looks at the camera, a wedding in Niagra, Michael’s loathing of Toby and “Pretzel Day,” then you might be a fan of the legendary TV show The Office.

But I doubt you’re as big a fan as I am. For more than ten years now, I have not just watched The Office – I have absorbed it. My kids and I own the entire series on DVD, and it has become our background soundtrack of the past decade. It loops on my TV while I cook or clean; it plays on my laptop while I write; and when I log in to Netflix in search of something new to watch, 95 percent of the time I return to the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin where Michael Scott is the regional manager and Dwight Schrute is the Assistant to the Regional Manager and the camera crew who films their every move for a documentary on ordinary workplaces.

It takes an advanced sense of humor. I don’t expect everybody to understand.

Speaking of offices, I work in one myself. It is a busy doctor’s office with a handful of coworkers, and until just recently I was the sole Office fan in the entire place. I felt so sorry for them all. But over time I introduced them to the show’s catch phrase of “That’s what she said.”

I suggested a pretzel day, which did not catch on

M

I

n recent years, “mission trips” have become a popular summer experience for youth groups in various churches.

The idea is to get a bunch of teenagers to channel their energies into a week or so of traveling somewhere where they can live and work and help people and spread a bit of Christianity by example and The Word.

It is a great idea.

Some groups go far away – Central America – others stay closer to home. A couple of summers ago my baby girl, Anna, then 17, and the Point Washington Methodist Youth went to New Orleans.

“I’ll chaperon” I volunteered when I heard the news.

Anna thought for a minute, then betraying wisdom beyond her years, replied, “My Daddy chaperoning Methodist Youth to New Orleans? What’s wrong

By Wendy Hodge

with management. I have even been caught trying what I thought was a classic Jim face as if a camera crew were actually filming me and my coworkers.

That’s the day someone asked me if I needed the number for a counselor.

My response of “I hate everything about the way you choose to be” was met with a blank stare and an offer of prayers for my well being. I guess they couldn’t hear Michael spitting those words at Toby through clenched teeth.

But I could.

When my son was younger, he once said, “I want to grow up and work in an office just like that one. They all have so much fun.” And I distinctly remember telling him, “Offices like that don’t exist.” But I was wrong.

Of all the office jobs I’ve had in my life, I can honestly say that the one I’ve had for more than two years now is unique. There have been changes made to the staff - lazy workers transferred or let go, and others who have quit.

The end result is a team of hard- working people who are good at what they do.

And more than that, we are friends who have each other’s back and know how to work together to get the job done.

Our physician’s assistant is Kristen. She is in the national guard and loves her horses more than anything else. She gets the job done every day, and her patients love her. She’s also NOT a morning person and gets cranky when she’s hungry.

She complains about being fat, which is a characteristic I detest in anyone who

Texting and Driving

is a size 6 and looks like a model. But she is sweet and intelligent and slightly goofy. I would trust her with my health under any circumstances.

Her brother, Keith, is our medical assistant. He’s a part-time student and full-time Game of Thrones fan. His beard is his pride and joy, as it should be.

Keith is quick to laugh and has a sense of humor on par with Michael Scott’s. He’s a video game connoisseur and knows way more about me than most people on this planet because he’s easy to talk to and makes me laugh until I cry. I am listed in his contacts on his phone as “White Milk Poochie-Poo” and sometimes as “Mom.” Don’t ask.

And then there’s Misty.

Her title is medical receptionist, but really she is the heart and soul of the team.

Misty has a way of speaking quickly with a heavy dose of southern twang.

When she gets really animated and starts talking 90 miles an hour, the sound resembles that of a banjo being played. If you close your eyes and listen to her, you can feel yourself in that movie ‘Deliverance’… but in a good way.

We’ve labeled her dialect ‘Banjonese.’ And we all speak it fluently now.

Misty, like me, is a morning person. She is already there when I arrive. Every day. And she’s smiling and has a cheerful “Good morning” waiting for me. Misty is calm and collected with patients, even when they are rude or even threatening. She does her job so well that the office runs more smoothly than ever before. And all day long, little gems will fall from her lips. Like this one: “That food was so nasty. I can’t believe I ate it to my mouth!”Or this one: “That can’t be true! Is that for real life?” I have a See Hodge, page A5

T

oday, I almost got killed by a teenager driving a Range Rover. He might have been seventeen. Maybe not even that old. He wore a ballcap. Sideways.

Music was blaring.

I was walking my dog when he swerved toward me. I heard tires screech.

I leapt out of the way, hit the dirt and rolled. It was so much fun. I wish I could do it all over again.

I caught a glimpse of the driver through his passenger window. His head was down, looking at something in his hands.

I’m guessing he was either reading a receipt, a check from Publishers Clearing House, the results from a paternity test or looking at a cellphone.

Though, something about the way he was swerving tells me that he was sending a text message. In fact, I am almost certain of this because of the exact way his tires leapt from the pavement.

He was probably sending a very important text message such as: “LOL!” or “ROFL!” Or quite possibly—this would be just my luck—the pile-ofpoop emoji.

Wouldn’t that be a classy way for an average guy like me to die? There I am, out for a walk, a middle-aged man, minding his business, his best years ahead of him, devilishly handsome, when all of a sudden (BAM!) I’m Jello salad on the highway.

All because a teenager was trying to send his buddy the universal emoji for colon health.

When I finally got back home, I was so rattled that I was shaking. So naturally, the first thing I did was hop on the internet and Google how much a Range Rover costs. Here is what I found: $90,000.

That’s U.S. dollars. Not dineros, Euros, Canadian

By Sean Dietrich

dollars, Franks, Monopoly money, or whatever else there is.

So let’s review: 1. I almost died.

2. Certain SUVs cost more than two-bedroom condos with lake views.

3. Poop emojis.

4. Don’t text and drive.

I wish there were something we could do about all the texting and driving.

I have seen too many close calls recently.

Yesterday, I was walking through a parking lot at Target when a Ford Explorer nearly backed over an elderly woman.

The Explorer didn’t even stop. The driver was too busy looking at his phone.

Once the driver realized what had happened, he threw his hands into the air as if to say, “Hey, lady! Watch where you’re going! I’m texting here!”

And just a few days ago, I was in the grocery store. I saw a young woman pushing her shopping cart through the aisles. She was holding a phone so close to her face that it was almost touching her eyebrows.

She ran straight into a young man who was placing a can of Campbell’s soup into his basket. The cart hit the man’s shinbone. I could hear it from across the aisle.

It took a few moments for the woman to realize that the human-sounding thud she felt on the other side of her buggy was a live person.

The young man hollered, “Ow!” Once this familiar sound registered in the woman’s ears, she glanced up from her personal device, and with

A first for Methodist me with this picture?”

She knows me well.

So off they went, and for a week they settled into the fellowship hall of a New Orleans church, slept on the floor, rose early to work with local social service agencies in what was the most violent section of the most violent city in the United States – something which, if I had known it at the time, would have made me think again about sending my “princess” into “darkest N‘awlins.”

However, as many came back as we sent, and a few weeks later the group reported their mission to the congregation assembled.

They told of how they worked with people in nursing homes, helped people with physical and mental disabilities, and in a safe environment brought games and good times to inner city children. It was one of those presentations that gives folks faith in a future populated by such kids.

By Hardy Jackson

When we arrived that Sunday I noticed in the church bulletin that at the end of the youth presentation there would be a baptism.

I like Methodists’ baptisms because they are such a joyous occasion.

The proud parents, grandparents, siblings, Godparents and extended family gather at the alter while the baby is handed over to the preacher who dribbles a little water on its head and presents the child of God to the congregation.

I also like Methodists’ baptisms because they don’t leave much time for anything else so we might get out early – a holdover from my childhood days when longwinded preachers kept me from lunch and my playmates.

In the small town where I grew up, baptisms were important for another reason.

At an age when theology meant little to me, churches could be distinguished by whether you were sprinkled (Methodist) or dunked (Baptist).

We also had a Catholic church in our village, but what went on there was a mystery to Protestant boys, so the MethodistBaptist, sprinkled-dunked distinction was the only one we cared about.

With that memory in mind, I settled in to hear the Methodist youth tell of their adventures in the Crescent City, which they did to the general approval of all.

Then the preacher announced that the baptism would take place down at the bay.

Now our Methodist church is located on the south side, east end of Choctawhatchee Bay. It used to be where loggers stacked the longleaf pine for shipment north to

build the towns and cities of the New South. There is not much there today – the church, the mansion built by the timber baron (now a state park), the elementary school that serves the neighborhoods around there, a public boat ramp and a couple of piers.

Since it was only about 300 yards from the church to the water, everybody walked. When we got there, the preacher and youth minister waded in with the two Methodist Youth who were the object of the excursion.

Before he got started the preacher invited anyone else who wanted Baptism to join them – a good move I learned later for they had done this before and once a woman, moved by the moment, shed her Methodist reserve (but kept everything else on) and waded into the middle of it.

Out on the bay, a lone fisherman watched. Over near the reeds a mullet jumped.

all the emotion of mayonnaise, said: “Oh.” That was all she said.

Not, “OH NO! I’m sorry, sir!”

Not: “OH MY GOODNESS, I’M SORRY! I was sending a very important text to my friend which was not a text at all but a bunch of random emojis, including a female-flamenco-dancer emoji that was not even relevant to my actual text conversation!”

She said, “Oh.” Then she kept shopping.

I guess I worry that something is happening to our society. I wonder if things will keep going like they are with cell phones.

I hope not.

I do a lot of interstate driving throughout the week. I pass people on the highway all the time who are glancing down at their laps while traveling eighty miles per hour in the left lane.

I see vehicles run off the highway and barely avoid collisions with guardrails, telephone poles, and billboards advertising Florida Powerball.

Nobody even has to tell me why these vehicles are running off the road. It’s common knowledge why these things happen.

A few weeks ago, in Atlanta, I saw a woman walking with her son on the sidewalk. Out of nowhere, a truck veered off the highway and rocketed onto the sidewalk. It barely missed the woman and her child.

The truck came to a crashing halt, but not before ramming a sedan in front of it. My wife and I literally saw the truck driver’s cellphone bounce out of his hands upon impact.

Then, the man gunned his engine and left the accident.

See Dietrich, page A5

For a moment I forgot where I was and wished I had my cast net.

Then the two young people were dunked.

And the line I once drew between Methodists and Baptists was washed away.

Now being a Methodist and as such not very excitable, I restrained myself and made no fuss over what was for me a new experience. However, I could not help but wonder what my “former Baptist” wife thought of the whole thing.

On the walk back I asked her.

She considered the question and replied that it was the only time she had ever seen a Baptism outside of a church.

So it was a day of “firsts” for both of us.

I can’t wait to see what will happen next.

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hjackson@cableone.net.

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A5 Aug. 14, 2019

Advantage Chiropractic announces completion of new certifications

By Kelly Daniel For the Opelika Observer On July 17, Advantage Chiropractic announced that both of their doctors had recently completed advanced certifications in chiropractic specialties.

Dr. Brad Adams is now certified as an internist, while Dr. Tom Vrbka has earned a sports medicine certification. The practice’s website explains that these certifications will better enable the practitioners at Advantage to pursue their mission of “offering comprehensive chiropractic care in an inviting and unintimidating communitycentered environment.”

Nationally Recognized Certifications Chiropractors can earn the two certifications following the successful completion of coursework designed to provide additional expertise to address patients’ needs.

Adams’s certification is as Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. This new distinction is the result of a three-year program focusing on diagnostic and holistic health services, as is explained in Advantage Chiropractic’s announcement post on their website.

Wright,

from A1 "The chamber was eager to nominate Wright’s Market, a long-time chamber member, for an Alabama Retailer award. With everything that Jimmy has done for the community as well as running a forward-thinking, well-run business, he’s bound to be a winner," Powers-Smith said in a statement. "And he’ll always be a winner to all of us in Opelika."

Wright is among this year’s 14 Alabama Retailer of the Year winners. He has won either the gold, silver or bronze award in his annual sales category. The exact level of his award will not be revealed until Retail Day. This year’s winners came from a pool of more than 70 nominees. “(Winning this award) is not due to anything I have done, but the people I have the blessing of working with. We usually have between 30-32 employees,” Wright said.

“I have two with over 30 years service that were here before I purchased the store, four over 20

Dietrich,

from A4

The police were called to the scene. We witnesses were standing around, telling the cops what happened. You should have seen the horror on everyone’s faces. Especially the woman and her son who almost got struck. The kid

Dr. Vrbka earned the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians certification (DACBSP). This certification included advanced coursework in sports medicine, focusing on treating injuries and healthcare issues related to sports and physical exercise. The ACBSP website states that the organization has “led the development of sports medicine certification and has managed a world-class credentialing process that ensures certified sports chiropractors meet competency standards to effectively work with and treat athletes and those engaged in athletic activities.”

Local Experts Enhancing Their Ability to Serve Patients Advantage Chiropractic has served patients in East Alabama for many years, and the clinic is committed to staying up-to-date with contemporary best practices through continuing education.

Both doctors expressed their enthusiasm for how the certificates will enable them to serve patients in the area.

The expertise provided by the program will enable Dr. Adams to achieve his objective of helping patients to become em-

Adams powered to achieve their wellness goals.

In an online blog post Adams stated, “I enjoy the opportunity to help our patients regain and take control of their own health. Many times, they have given up hope after exhausting the limits of traditional medications and testing that provides them with few answers.”

For those seeking sports medicine assistance, chiropractic medicine enables individuals to optimize their athletic performance and recover from sportsrelated injuries while proactively working to prevent

years and six over 10 years. Dedicated long term employees that love serving our customers are the reason for our success.

This award is for them.”

The Alabama Retail Association began the Retailer of the Year awards in 1999 to honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities.

The honorees were selected by an independent judging panel, consisting of representatives from chambers of commerce, media, retail developers, academia and past winners. The public chose one of the winners through a poll on the Alabama Retail Association’s Facebook page.

Other Retailers of Year have locations in Anniston, Birmingham, Dora, Dothan, Gardendale, Hueytown, Enterprise, Eufaula, Fairfield, Fairhope, Fultondale, Montgomery, Millbrook, Mountain Brook, Northport, Oxford, Ozark, Pine Level, Prattville, Selma, Troy, Tuscaloosa Vestavia Hills and Wetumpka.

Throughout the month of August, the Alabama Retail Association is

traveling the state visiting the winners to gather information and images to help promote the award winners and the Alabama Retail Day celebration.

The association visited Wright on Aug. 2.

“The Alabama Retail Association is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of these businesses,” said Alabama Retail President Rick Brown. “They exemplify the enormous impact retailers have on their respective communities and the entire state of Alabama.”

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, their 4,200 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living.

For more information about Wright's, call 334749-1333, like and follow the grocery store's Facebook page or visit www. wrightsmarkets.com. The business is located at 603 Pleasant Drive.

was crying. His mother was, too.

A big crowd of onlookers gathered. And I’ll never forget when one female police officer shouted to the large audience lingering nearby.

“Folks!” she said. “Listen to me! Please! Don’t text and drive! Don’t, don’t, don’t!”

It was all she said.

And I suppose that’s all

I’ll say, too.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, the Tallahassee Democrat, Southern Magazine, Yellowhammer News, the Bitter Southerner, the Mobile Press Register and he has authored seven books.

future problems.

Dr. Vrbka said that he is happy about being able to serve athletes in the area in the area of sports medicine.

“I am able to focus on the athlete’s biomechanics, exercise, and training regime to assist them in achieving their goals through directed rehabilitation,” Vrbka said in a separate online blog post. “This helps athletes to compete and excel at the highest level of their sport.”

Reasons for Seeking Out Chiropractic Care While chiropractors are best known for treating problems with the spine,

BigHouse,

from A1

has grown because of local community support and doing well in similar contests in years past, according to Melnick.

Starting on Aug. 14 at 12:01 a.m. E.S.T., voting for the contest will remain open until 11:59:59 p.m.

E.S.T. on Aug. 23. Contest links will be available on State Farm's contest

Hodge,

from A4 collection of her little sayings taped to my computer monitor. They are pure gold.

For Halloween last year, Misty dressed up as Eeyore. She has an adult size onesie that is blue and has big donkey ears and a tail with a pink ribbon. My desk is positioned so that I sit facing her back and the front window where patients sign in. That day, with her Eeyore ears flopping in two different directions, I tried to control my laughter as she told a patient they had a large balance that they needed to pay. She said, “I’m sorry, sir. You owe $324.” And I swear it was Eeyore’s voice I heard… and her donkey ears twitched a bit all by themselves. I took a picture.

Above all else, Misty is genuinely kind. She is generous and open-hearted. Recently, when I was between apartments waiting for a new lease to start, she insisted I stay with

Vrbka they can also address orthopedic issues in other areas of the body. Additionally, they can provide holistic health services such as nutrition and can recommend dietary supplements. Many people are interested in improving their health through holistic medicine, but many are unsure where to start.

Chiropractic care from an internist is one way to begin pursuing naturopathic treatment options.

The American Board of Chiropractic Internists explains on their website that chiropractic internists can guide individuals

seeking to improve their health holistically. The site explains that their diagnostic expertise is particularly useful. Adams’s certificate will enable him to help patients seeking integrative care. “When I explain to them the benefits of functional medicine and how we go about restoring health as opposed to treating the symptoms, it is rewarding to see lost hope restored,” Adams said.

To learn more visit their website www.advantagechiropracticclinic.com or call 334-821-2552. The office is located at 2408 E University Dr. in Auburn.

website www.neighborhoodassist.com or through BigHouse's social media pages or website, www. ourbighouse.org.

Individuals can vote up to 10 times per day. Melnick added that they can request a reminder email which will be sent each morning to remind them to vote.

"It's always so encouraging to see our community get so excited about these voting competitions because it's such an easy way for people to assist us.

It doesn't cost anything and it's really simple to do," Melnick said. "Another great thing is seeing people share what BigHouse is with people who may not know about us. It furthers our reach in that regard as well."

Contest updates will be posted online and through BigHouse's social media pages. For more information about the BigHouse Foundation and services it provides, call 334-3632634.

her and her family in their home. She knew I was reluctant because I don’t want to impose. I knew exactly what to do, but in a much more real sense I had no idea what to do.

But her offer was sincere, and I accepted. The day I took my clothes and a few things to her house, her family met me at the door and led me to the room where I would be staying.

And there were her two sweet daughters waiting with a hand-made poster that said, “Be our guest, Wendy!” They handed me a basket full of goodies and hugged me. I cried.

“They get their hearts from you, Misty,” I told her. And it’s true.

Misty’s son, William, recently joined our staff.

And he’s an Office fan! At last, there is someone who gets it when I say, “We need to have a Branch War with the Columbus office!” or “Bears. Beets.

Battlestar Galactica.”

William is tall and softspoken. His wit is sharp, and his gift of sarcasm is strong. He’s not superstitious, but he’s a little stitious. And his heart is

warm like his mother’s.

He has fit in just perfectly here at our office.

My coworkers and I have found something unique…. a workplace that is another home, office mates that are true, dear friends. At the end of day, when we punch our time cards and leave, we have a way of saying goodbye that sounds a bit like a goat braying… “Baaayyyy!” it echoes through the office as we shout it to each other. I love that sound.

And when we are not at the office, we are group texting and sending pictures of our meals and our kids and our lives. We all go out together and we gather at Misty’s home.

We share our worries and our victories. We give each other a hard time, but we’d also give each other a kidney if one of us needed it.

Andy Bernard once said, in the series finale of The Office, “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them.”

Well, Andy, there is.

And I am.

pelika O Opinion

A6 Aug. 14, 2019

Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership installs series of water quality educational signs around Opelika Special to the Opelika Observer On Aug. 2, the Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership (PBWP) worked with the city of Opelika to install a series of water quality educational signs around Opelika. The signs were designed by the PBWP and installed in partnership with the city of Opelika’s Engineering Department. These signs are part of a larger attempt to raise awareness about water quality in the Opelika area, and can now be found across the city.

The Pepperell Branch Watershed is the natural

area of land that water flows across, through and under the ground on its way to Pepperell Branch creek, and it is located within the city of Opelika. After receiving a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management last year, the PBWP has joined numerous local partners together to make a difference in local water quality. To improve the quality of water in the Pepperell Branch Creek in Opelika, the PBWP has been working over the past year to create a watershed management plan, evaluate the health of the city’s local waterways and develop

strategies for improving them in upcoming years.

One of these strategies is education and outreach on water issues.

The new educational signs introduce the public to general water concepts, including: how watersheds work, why stormwater matters, why cleaning up after pet waste matters, how fertilizers can impact water quality and that storm drains carry stormwater and potential pollution straight to rivers and streams. Three signs were installed on South Railroad Avenue, two signs at Courthouse square, three signs at Municipal Park, three

signs at Shady Park, one sign at each of the dog parks (Stern and Floral) and one sign at each of the three intermediate schools (Morris, Northside and West Forrest).

Everyone can make a difference in the health of their local waterways, the PBWP hopes that these signs will be one step in empowering the community to do so. *This project was fully funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 4.

Photos special to the Opelika Observer

Alfa Awards Honor Researchers, Extension Specialists For Helping Farmers Special to the Opelika Observer The Alabama Farmers Federation honored two Auburn University (AU) and Extension professionals for work tangibly affecting farmers and agriculture with inaugural Alfa Awards, presented before hundreds of growers at the Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga on Aug. 1.

Dr. Kim Mullenix received the Alfa Award For Production Agriculture & Forestry Research, while Dr. Ayanava Majumdar earned the Alfa Award For Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension. They netted $10,000 and $5,000 in program support, respectively.

“Dr. Mullenix and Dr. Majumdar have made a difference for Alabama farmers,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“We’re excited to recognize their research and Extension efforts, which have addressed problems relevant to the state’s $70 billion agriculture industry.”

The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation sponsored the prizes, created to honor AU College of Agriculture, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences and Extension staff.

Mullenix is Extension’s beef systems specialist, where she works to improve forage management and expand nutritional efficiency in beef cattle systems. She was nominated by Chambers County Farmers Federation President Jack Robertson.

“It’s exciting to receive this award because it comes from producers,” Mullenix said, who joined extension five years ago. “They value the work we’re doing. It’s

practical, applied research that can help them every day on their farm.”

Majumdar, an entomologist, is team leader for Commercial Horticulture Extension Programs.

Most recently, Majumdar organized the Alabama Beginning Farmer Program — a statewide effort to support new farmers with emphasis on military veterans and underserved communities.

He was nominated by Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) President Taylor Hatchett of Chilton County.

“I’m so proud of the team we have at Extension and the work we are doing together to support the industry,” Majumdar, a 10-year Extension veteran who serves as principal academic adviser to AFVGA’s board of directors said. “I hope the momentum continues.

Photo special to the Opelika Observer The Alabama Farmers Federation honored two Auburn University (AU) and Extension professionals for work tangibly affecting farmers and agriculture with inaugural Alfa Awards, presented before hundreds of growers at the Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga on Aug. 1. Dr. Kim Mullenix received the Alfa Award For Production Agriculture & Forestry Research, while Dr. Ayanava Majumdar earned the Alfa Award For Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension. They netted $10,000 and $5,000 in program support, respectively. The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation sponsored the prizes, created to honor AU College of Agriculture, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences and Extension staff. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Mullenix and Majumdar.

Local farmers win ‘Excellence in Agriculture’ award Special to the Opelika Observer Young farmers cultivated success — and scored more than $80,000 in prizes — during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 47th Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga on Aug. 3.

Luke Smelley won the 2019 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) competition.

Judges visited his Hale County catfish, cattle and hay farm this summer, after finalists were named in March.

Smelley and his wife, Lana have five children — Levi, nine, Violet, seven, Everett, four, Daisy, two and Iris, nine months.

Smelley netted a prize package including $35,000 toward a Ford truck courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 825i Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit and a lease on a John Deere tractor sponsored by AgPro, SunSouth and Tri-

Photo special to the Opelika Observer Three Lee County young farmers placed in statewide contests during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 47th Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga Aug. 3. Daniel and Kim Mullenix of Opelika won the Excellence in Agriculture contest, while Ellie Watson of Auburn was named a finalist during the Discussion Meet. The Mullenixes competed against 12 contestants to win a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience and a computer package from Valcom/CCS Wireless. Participants are involved in agriculture but derive the majority of their income off the farm. They also receive an expense-paid trip to compete nationally during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention in Austin in January 2020. Watson will examine and problem-solve agricultural issues during the final round of Discussion Meet against three other finalists at the Federation’s annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit. As a finalist, Watson received an iPad from the Federation. From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Watson and Kim and Daniel Mullenix.

Green.

OYFF runners-up

were Ben and Bethany Johnson of Randolph

County and Jamie and Lindsey Roberts of

DeKalb County. Each family received $500 provided by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

OYFF competitors must earn more than half their income from production agriculture.

During the conference, young farmers also competed in Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests.

Daniel and Kim Mullenix of Opelika in Lee County won the Excellence in Agriculture competition and will receive a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience and a computer package from Valcom/ CCS Wireless. Participants are involved in agriculture but derive the majority of their income off the farm. Fourteen young farmers competed this year.

Excellence in Agriculture first runner-up was Emmanuel Bankston of Headland in Henry County, while Landon and Lauren Marks of

Leesburg in Cherokee County were second runner-up.

Four discussion meet finalists were named from 19 contestants — Ellie Watson of Auburn in Lee County, Adam Wilson of Jacksonville in Calhoun County, Brad Cox of Fayette in Fayette County and Kyle Morris of Hanceville in Cullman County.

They will examine and problem-solve agricultural issues during the final round of Discussion Meet at the Federation’s annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.

All Young Farmers contest finalists received iPads from the Federation. Smelley, the Mullenixes and the Discussion Meet winner will compete nationally during an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention in Austin, Texas in January 2020.

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: • Aug. 10 - Auburn Football Fan Day • Aug. 16 - ‘A Plot to Murder’ presented by Opelika Theatre Company • Aug. 16-17 - Lanett City Film Festival • Aug. 16 - Summer Shorts - Festival of Short Plays presented by AACT

Burroughs building a fresh start in a new home after tornadoes Ann Cipperly’s

Southern

Hospitality

O

n the Sunday afternoon of March 3, Sandi and Robert Burroughs were planning on relaxing at home, watching movies with their daughter, Ellie.

Suddenly, the alarms went off on their phones, warning of dangerous weather headed for the Lee Road 40 area. Sandi and Robert heard the roaring of the storm as they walked outside. Trees could be seen falling as the storm turned, the roaring getting louder, with darkness heading toward them.

In a rush, they grabbed their daughter with her puppy on the way to their

bedroom closet, praying as they made their way.

The storm hit quickly, shaking the house and taking the roof off, then pulling Robert out. As the house was being lifted and coming apart, Sandi was praying as all the clothes in the closet fell on her and Ellie, surrounding them.

Suddenly, they were pulled away and thrown 260 feet.

Sandi pushed a wall off and removed a wall covering Ellie. They were covered in insulation, but miraculously alright except for cuts and bruises.

They looked for about ten minutes before they

found Robert. He was unconscious and trapped under metal beams covered in glass. Their house and everything in it was gone, as well as the houses that had been around them.

When first responders arrived, Robert was taken to EAMC where he stayed in ICU for a week.

He doesn’t remember being in the closet or the hospital.

While 10-year-old Ellie didn’t have serious injuries, the horrendous experience has left lingering effects. Ellie is in the fifth grade at Samford Elementary School.

“They are prepared for these kids that went

Photo by Ann Cipperly Sandi Burroughs, her husband Robert and their daughter Ellie survived the March 3 tornadoes that completely destroyed their home. They are getting settled in a new house and furnishing it with everything from dishes to furniture. Sandi is pictured with her grandmother’s blue and white platter, which was buried in debris and one of only a few items that survived. through all of this,” Sandi said. “We have been in touch with the counselors.

The school system has been amazing to all of us. During the summer months they have continuously been in contact with us.”

After Robert was released from the hospital, the Burroughs stayed with his brother for about a week. They were then

approached by Julie and Tim McGowin, who had purchased a house they were going to remodel to rent and offered it to them. They lived there for a month and started looking for a house, as they would have to start over.

They found a two-yearold house they liked and moved there in May. They have a new storm shelter.

Robert is the post commander at the Opelika State Troopers office while Sandi is a hair stylist at Two Chic Salon and Boutique in Auburn. She worked for several years at Pompeii in downtown Opelika.

Sandi was out of work for two weeks and then worked half days for another couple of weeks.

See Cipperly, page A11

Opelika meat-and-three restaurant Suzie Americana duo Penny and Sparrow to kick off tour of new album Sept.

K's entering third year of business 6 at John Emerald Distillery

By Morgan Bryce Editor

By Morgan Bryce Editor For the last three years, Opelika’s Suzie K’s Restaurant has been dishing out classic Southern dishes to its customers, and its

owners say they plan to continue that for years to come.

Tim and Suzanne Lowery have owned and operated the business since August 2017, which is located in the former home of

Sara Jay’s at 1801 2nd Ave. With Tim away on a deployment with the Alabama National Guard, Suzanne and her staff have had to adjust their hours of See Susie K’s, page A15

The Texas-based Americana duo Penny and Sparrow will kick off a tour promoting their latest album “Finch” Sept. 6 at downtown Opelika’s John Emerald Distillery.

Consisting of Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke, Penny and Sparrow was started during the duo’s college days at the University of Texas in Austin. The duo’s breakout year was 2017 with

the release of their third studio work “Wendigo,” which resulted in their listing in Rolling Stone as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.”

Finch marks the duo’s first release since Wendigo. The third track on their latest album titled “Eloise” was the primary single off Finch which was released Aug. 2.

In an Associated Press review by Ron Harris, Finch “is an effort thick with gorgeous tales of personal trans-

formation.” Later in the review, Harris noted that the 11-song album has a “smooth and soaring feel to most of (its) tracks, yet each (having) its own distinct energy.”

H.R. Gertner of Americana Highways said Baxter and Jahnke “have a softness to their voice and instrumentations that belies the depth of their content.” He also praised the duo’s openness and rawness as they experience “the growing pains See Finch, page A14

Monday-Saturday 11 AM - 8 PM

pelika O Observer

A8 Aug. 14, 2019

Third annual 'Beulah Family ‘Futral Artifact Show’ held Saturday at Village Day' slated for Sept. 14

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Friends of the Community is hosting the third annual "Beulah Family Day" Sept.

14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the grassy lot across from the Bridge Church located at 1867 Lee Road 270.

During the last three years, the community-oriented, family-friendly event has averaged between 350 to 400 people, according to event co-organizer Lamar Sims.

"At this event, we

try to have something for everyone. I think it's really something that brings the community together for a day to enjoy each other's company," Sims said.

Wristbands are required for admission, costing $1 for individuals and $3 total for families of three or more members.

For children, there will be arts and crafts, balloons, face painting done by Beulah High School cheerleaders, inflatables, train rides provided

by Ballard Party Rentals, tricycle ob-

stacle race and more.

Adults will be able to enjoy a cake walk, car show, live entertainment and enter into a gun raffle, costing $10 for one ticket or $25 for three tickets. Various local vendors will have booths set up during the event.

Beulah High School's band and cheerleading programs will perform their routines at the event. Most of the event proceeds will be donated to those respective programs help cover the costs of equipment, travel

and uniforms.

Those interested in participating in the car show are asked to call Terry Bullock at 706-773-4361 or send email to tbull34@ yahoo.com. The registration fee is $15, and categories that will be judged include "Best Paint", "People's Choice" and "Top 10." Each entry will receive a dash plaque.

For more information about being a vendor, contact Elizabeth Ham at 334319-0697 or sending email to HamProperties@yahoo.com.

Event Center

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

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

REASONS FOR GIVING A desire to be philanthropic, to create a legacy, sense of moral duty Tax minimization, asset management, estate planning Serving Retirees • families • small business Owners • Nonprofits • Individuals

Financial planning for today, for tomorrow, for life.

208 South 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 www.investopelika.com Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Railroad Investment group is not a registered broker dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Inc., member FDIC/SIPC.

Owners, RIG Financial Advisors, RJFS BLAKE HENRY LAUREL CALLAWAY Office - 334-748-9999 Fax - 334-748-9998

Call us today to discuss your charitable giving strategy Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professionals.

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

pelika O Observer

A9 Aug. 14, 2019

Pop-up dance class rocks 1st Avenue Saturday morning

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

pelika Observer O

A10 Aug. 14, 2019

Wine Spectator recognizes Cottonseed Studios to hold musical three area restaurants for celebration for life of local artist their wine selections Roy Schultz Aug. 24 Special to the Opelika Observer

Wine Spectator has uncorked the winners of the 2019 Restaurant Awards, which includes three establishments in the Auburn-Opelika area.

Acre, Amsterdam Cafe and The Depot are among 3,800 dining destinations from all 50 U.S. states and 79 international countries to receive honors from the Restaurant Awards

program.

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are judged on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,447, 124 and 100 winners this year in each respective category.

“We’re pleased to shine a spotlight on the destinations around the world that show devotion to their wine program, while

also creating a comprehensive global dining guide for our readers to enjoy,” said Wine Spectator Editor and Publisher Marvin R. Shanken.

“Both novice wine lovers and seasoned sommeliers alike actively seek and frequent restaurants with exciting, well-curated wine lists. Bravo to all the 2019 recipients—we raise a glass to you.”

All winners are profiled

See Awards, page A14

By Morgan Bryce Editor Cottonseed Studios is hosting a musical celebration of the life of local musician Roy Schultz Aug. 24 from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Railyard in downtown Opelika.

“Royfest” is free and open for the public to attend. There will be live music from an abundance of local musicians and food available for purchase. Donations will be accepted at the door to help pay participating musicians and workers at the event.

Schultz, an Auburn resident, passed away on May 10. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, he and his family relocated to California when he was 14 years old, the start of his musical career.

After years of cutting his teeth in the music business, Schultz was able to perform with a number of old-time country legends including Junior Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Freddie Fender and Loretta Lynn.

Later, he moved to Ho-

Schultz nolulu where he started his own band called “The Electric Rangers” and eventually toured the world.

Later in life, Schultz, his wife Mary and son Jonas relocated to Auburn and began releasing albums under the name “Uncle Roy.” According to his obituary, he spent the last 20 years as a “staple of the Auburn music scene.”

Schultz played drums and guitar, sang and wrote many original songs. Though he enjoyed listening to and performing other genres, Schultz was “an inspiration to countless

young musicians, and he made a major impact on country music along the way.”

In a Facebook event post, Cottonseed Studios’ owner Richard Patton wrote that the concert will feature “real old school country, blues, funk and r&b (as a way) to celebrate and pay homage to the legend that is UNCLE ROY!” For more information or updates, follow the “Royfest” event page on Facebook. The venue is located between Mama Mocha’s Coffee Emporium and John Emerald Distillery along North Railroad Avenue.

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pelika O Observer Cipperly,

from A7

Robert worked light duty in mid-April and started back full time in June.

Along with 10-year-old Ellie, they have another daughter and son. Ashley Martin, lives in Kingsland, Georgia, with her husband, Bryce, who is the Navy. They have a son, Baylor, and are expecting a daughter.

Son Dustin and his wife, Kadie, live in Opelika.

As Sandi looked at the debris in the woods that was once their home, she was grateful her family was alive. She was sad for the loss of photos of their children. While everything was in pieces, someone found Sandi’s

Recipes, Pool Side Dip 1 can corn, drained 1 red pepper, diced 2 jalapeños seeded and diced 1/2 can diced olives, drained 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix 16 oz. cream cheese, softened Mix all ingredients together.

Serve with your choice of crackers or fresh veggies.

Black Bean and Feta Dip 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 2 cans corn, drained 1/2 cup fresh chopped green onion 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 8 oz. feta cheese Mix all ingredients together.

Refrigerate for 1 hour . Serve with your choice of chips.

My favorite is the Tito’s Wheat Scoops.

BLT Pasta 16 oz. pkg. pasta 12 oz. sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce 1 Tbsp. chopped chives Dressing 3/4 cups mayo 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper Cook pasta according to directions, Rinse with cool water and set aside .

Mix dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.

Wisk until combined.

Add bacon, sherry tomatoes, half of the lettuce and cooked pasta and toss gently to combine.

Stir in remaining lettuce.

Garnish with chives and serve.

Summer Chicken Salad 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Red bell pepper Yellow Bell Pepper

grandmother’s blue and white platter. It had survived the tornado.

While all the cookbooks were gone, a box of treasured recipes from Sandi’s mother and grandmother were discovered, but they are covered in insulation. Sandi will have to re-type the recipes, but she is thankful to have them.

Sandi grew up in the Anniston area where her grandmother owned a restaurant called Pete’s Barbecue, located outside the depot. She cooked barbecue and served a meat and three daily. On weekends, she offered catfish. Her mother was a good cook and helped her grandmother at the restaurant, but she was mostly a stay at home mom.

Sandi’s older brothers worked in the restaurant.

Orange bell pepper Red onion 1 cup Duke mayonnaise Boil chicken breast in water until tender.

Cover and let chicken cool in broth.

Chop the bell peppers and onion.

When chicken has cooled, shred the chicken into the mixture of peppers and onion; add mayonnaise to mixture.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Spicy Pimento Cheese 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped 1 cup pimentos, drained 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3/4 tsp. Frank’s hot sauce 1/2 tsp. onion salt 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese Mix all ingredients together, mix well.

Chill until ready to serve.

Serve with favorite crackers or veggies.

Robert’s Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Sandwiches Thin slice boneless skinless chicken breasts Thick cut bacon Fresh sliced pineapple Teriyaki marinade Sliced provolone cheese Whole wheat hamburger buns Dukes mayonnaise Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki, leaving some of the marinade aside.

Cook bacon slices and set aside.

Grill the chicken on your outdoor grill at 400 degrees until done. Drain the pineapple and place each slice on the grill, brushing with the left over teriyaki marinade. Be sure to cook both sides of pineapple lightly.

You may also heat the inside part of the buns on the grill.

Spread mayonnaise on the inside of the bun and add chicken, pineapple, bacon and

She watched her mother cook and set the table. Holidays were special with her mother and grandmother both in the kitchen cooking big meals for the family.

Like her grandmother and mother, Sandi has a love for cooking and entertaining, but it has been slow getting back into normal routines. When entertaining, she prefers to have the food prepared ahead and arranges fresh flowers with hydrangeas being her favorite.

She has been finding new pans and serving dishes. She had a lot of dishes and pans from her mother and grandmother that she is missing. New white dishes look attractive on her new sideboard by the window.

They had just gotten a farmhouse dining table cheese.

Philly Cheese Steak 1 medium size beef roast 1 large bottle A1 sauce 1 onion 1 green bell pepper Slice provolone cheese Sub rolls In slow cooker, add roast and cover with A1 sauce, cook until tender.

Remove from slow cooker and shred, adding A1 sauce to taste.

Cut up onion and pepper and cook on stove top in butter until tender.

Take a sub bun and cut open on the side; then stuff with meat peppers and onion mixture.

Add 2 slices of cheese.

When all buns a filled, place on cookie sheet and heat in oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Cut in half and serve.

Beef Enchiladas 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 cup chunky salsa 8 flour tortillas 8 oz. shredded for cheese Mexican blend cheese 10 oz. can red enchilada sauce Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Cook ground beef over medium heat until done, drain and then add salsa.

Cook on medium heat until warm.

Pour half of enchilada sauce into bottom of baking dish.

Warm tortillas as directed on package.

Add about 1/4 of meat mixture to the tortilla and top with 1 heaping tsp. of cheese.

Tightly roll each tortilla and place in backing dish. Pour the remaining sauce and cheese over the top.

Cover tightly with foil.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Serve with a side of sour cream.

Blueberry Crumble

A11 Aug. 14, 2019

from Robert’s aunt’s estate before the storm.

It was special to them because there was a bench on one side that was built for the children. They went to her house on Wednesday’s to do yard work for her. She would fill the table with food.

“My kids found the table,” Sandi said, “and it was in a million pieces.

They picked up the pieces since they knew how special that table was to us.”

The dip recipes she is sharing are often requested by family and friends, as well as her chicken salad and pimento cheese.

She also serves these at the lake and for watching football games.

Her father came up with the idea for the Philly Cheese Steak, which she put together.

This is also a good recipe

for football weekends.

Robert also enjoys cooking. He will grill meats, while she prepares the sides and desserts.

Once in a while, Robert enjoys being in the kitchen creating recipes.

He created the Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Sandwiches that are popular with the family.

Sandi’s Crockpot Mac and Cheese is her son’s favorite. It is easy to assemble and cooks all day. Cooking favorite foods for the family that she has made over the years brings comfort and happy memories before the tornadoes, as well as creating new memories.

Sandi remembers the sound of the tornado roaring toward them was the scariest thing she had ever heard in her life.

“We had become pas-

sive about the warnings and were not prepared,” she said.

After being misplaced for two months, they are glad to be settled in a new home. “The first morning in this house,” says Sandi, “we woke up and realized it was the first time we had slept through the night since the storm. We looked at each other, and said ‘we are home.’”

Sandi had a painting made with scripture to hang on the wall. It is a scripture that now means so much to her and Ellie.

It is a version of Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with His feathers, He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your amour and your protection.”

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@cipperly.com

4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 Tbsp. corn starch 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. lemon zest Topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 8 Tbsp. butter, cold and cubed Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter or spray a 9 x6 inch baking dish.

In a medium size mixing bowl, toss the blueberries in the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and lemon zest.

Pour into the prepared dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon.

Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until pea size form.

Sprinkle mixture over blueberries.

Bake in oven for 3035 minutes or until the juices bubble, and the top is golden brown.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

porated.

Top off with the remaining shredded cheese.

Place lid on crockpot and let cook for 3 hours.

mixing.

Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing as you go.

In a separate bowl, add flour, salt and baking powder. Mix well.

Start adding mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the milk and begin mixing as you go.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

When cake is well mixed pour into a greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

After cake is cooled, flip it onto your favorite cake plate.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni pasta 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided 1 cup Colby cheese, shredded, divided 3 Tbsp. butter 2 & 3/4 cups half and half 15 oz. can cheddar cheese soup 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. paprika Combine the half and half with the cheddar cheese soup and mix until smooth.

Sprinkle the pepper and paprika on mixture and mix.

Pour the elbow macaroni and cheese into the crockpot, half of the shredded cheddar and Colby, the cut butter and half and half and cheddar soup mixture.

Mix until well incor-

Breakfast Casserole 16 oz. container of biscuits 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar/jack cheese 2 cups cut up breakfast sausage Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray.

Open a package of biscuits and cut each into 6 pieces.

Spread the cut biscuits into the bottom of the casserole dish.

Cook sausage according to package directions. Cut into bite-size pieces and spread over top of biscuits.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the sausage.

Beat the 6 eggs with milk and pour over the sausage and biscuits.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and add salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until eggs are set.

Let cool 5 minutes.

Old Fashioned Pound Cake 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup shortening 5 eggs 3 cups granulated sugar 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla In mixing bowl add softened butter and 1/2 cup of shortening; mix well.

Start adding 3 cups sugar just a little at a time while still

Food Ratings S&L Smokehouse 1409 S. College St. Auburn Score: 100 Good Times 750 E. Glenn Ave. Auburn Score: 100 Backyard Barn ‘N Grill 7633 Lee Road 240 Phenix City Score: 97 167 F. Korean BBQ 1660 S. College St. Auburn Score: 96 Waffle House 2167 S. College St. Auburn Score: 96 Fuji Sushi Bar and Japanese Cuisine 1499 S. College St. Auburn Score: 93 Wok ‘N Roll Restaurant and Bar 1703 Columbus Pkwy.

Opelika Score: 75

pelika O Observer

A12 Aug. 14, 2019

Get ready to SHINE! Shine Prom 2019 registration to open Aug. 19 at 8 a.m.

By Michelle Key Publisher Registration for the third annual ‘Shine Prom’ is scheduled to open at 8 a.m. on Aug. 19. Details can be found at www. shineprom.com This year’s event will be held Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Opelika Sportsplex.

This event is a free prom event for teenagers and adults with special needs. Event goers get the full redcarpet treatment upon arrival including a limo ride from the parking area to the entrance where they are met at the red carpet by the paparazzi, local celebrities and their buddy for the event.

More than 100 guests attended the event last year. Space is limited so one must

register in order to attend. Both participants and volunteers need to register.

Sponsors This year’s presenting sponsors are Chick-fil-a Tigertown, Opelika Sportsplex and the Hudson Family Foundation.

More sponsors are needed and those interested should email Lori Fuller at shineprom19@gmail. com. Various levels are sponsorship are available.

Volunteers Volunteers (called the Dream Team) are a vital part of the success of the Shine Prom every year.In order to volunteer: • Dream Team members must be at least 13 years old by the date of the prom which is also the minimum age for our guests. Ages 13 to 15

the group as well as agree to be responsible for the group.

Any parent/guardian is also encouraged to serve with their child and must register separately.

Buddies Buddies for the

must have a parent or guardian that can stay with them for the duration of their volunteer time slot.

• If serving with a group, the adult leading the group is required to register and serve with

Shine Prom participants are another one of the elements that make this event so successful every year.

Those desiring to serve as a buddy for the first time must attend one of two training events that will

be held at the Opelika SportsPlex located at 1001 Andrews Road.

The dates for this mandatory training are: • Oct. 9 from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and • Oct. 13 from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

OBITUARIES Gladys Margaret Langley Gladys Margaret Langley of Opelika was born to the late Grace and Lewis Davis in Selma, Alabama on September 23, 1932 and passed away at Piedmont Healthcare on August 6, 2019. She was 86 years old.

She was a Christian lady who enjoyed spending time with her family whom she dearly loved.

She was very strong in her faith. She enjoyed working in her yard and spending time with her cats. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, as well as an excellent cook.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, William F. Langley; daughter, Tracy K. Langley; grandson, Emmanuel Arnold Manning,

II; four sisters, and two brothers.

She is survived by her children, Lewis A. Langley (Brigitta); Cathy Faye Langley Manning (Arnold), William L. Langley, Lynn Langley Daughtry (Patrick); 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol Martin (Brett), and Judy Owsley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation was held Saturday, August 10, 2019 in the Parlor at FrederickDean Funeral Home Parlor from 12:00 until 1:30 p.m.

A funeral service was held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Brother, Doug Click officiating. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.

Looking Ahead.

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

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

We are proud to be a partner in Alabama’s progress.

ALABAMA NATIVES. ALABAMA NEIGHBORS. PoarchNeighbors.com pci-nsn.gov

Lois Wehunt Stewart Lois Wehunt Stewart was born December 24, 1927 to Luther B. and Frances Everet Wehunt in Cherokee County, Georgia. She grew up in Ball Ground, Georgia in Pickens County.

After graduating from Tate High School, she entered Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

There she earned a BS in English with a Minor in Music. She was a member of the College Concert Choir and the Melody Club, serving a term as president.

She was a member of the Georgian Society and the Drama Club.

After graduating from Berry, she taught elementary school in Trion, Georgia.

She was a Cub Scout leader, president of the

WSCS and member of the choir at Trion Methodist Church. In 1951 she married Robert R. Stewart, Jr. They were blessed with three children.

They moved to Cooleemee, North Carolina where she taught Sunday School, served as president of the WSCS, the Civic Club, and leader of the Senior Citizens Club. She and her husband together served as counselors for the MYF Youth Group.

The family moved to Opelika, Alabama in 1968 where she was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Flewellen Sunday School class, choir member, president of UMW, and Circle Chairman.

She held many of-

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fices as member of the Pepperell Garden Club.

She was president of the Opelika Federation of Garden Clubs, Director of District V Garden Clubs of Alabama, and served on the State Board.

She served several terms as president of Mentor Study Club. She authored three books: Tales of a Country Girl, A Country Girl Goes to College, and A Country Girl’s Empty Nest Years. She wrote many poems and tributes to friends and Sunday School members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five sisters: Lenora Wehunt, Thenia Wehunt, Clora Wehunt Reavis, Grace Wehunt, and Oveda Reavis; four broth-

ers: Herschel Wehunt, Herbert Wehunt, Sam Wehunt and Sherman Wehunt.

She is survived by a brother, Kenneth Wehunt, and children: Robert R. Stewart, III of Pinson, Alabama, Jennifer W. (Jenny) Stewart of Boonville, North Carolina, and John Michel (Mike) Stewart of Auburn.

A graveside service for family was held at West Point, Georgia Marseilles Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. (Central Time) on Friday, August 9. A Memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church at 11:30 with visitation following the service.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or a favorite charity.

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

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ur faith is founded on wonder! The Story isn’t the Story without the creation of the cosmos, Noah’s ark, Isaac's birth, the ten plagues, the Red Sea deliverance, the manna in the wilderness, the spectacle at Mt. Sinai when the law was given (and that’s just two books into the Bible!).

These things and others are not incidental items that we can choose to accept or reject according to their degree of popularity or reception by our culture.

They are part of the very fabric of our faith.

But that’s more than okay with disciples because they understand the wonder of the Biblical witness (which would include but not be limited to miracles) is not something that burdens us like

Opelika

amily &

R

Opening our eyes In the end, too much it boils down baggage, it is to whether or God’s world not we chose to intersecting believe in God. with ours.

If we do, then And we are logically speakabsolutely ing, there’s delighted

By Bruce Green absolutely no and joyous Teaching Minister at reason to be to possess 10th Street Church of surprised by a record Christ in Opelika anything found of how He in Scripture in has interterms of His ability and acted with our world. The power. And while it’s true miracles Elisha does in connection with the widow we are constantly amazed at God’s ways, it’s also and later the Shunamtrue that we’ve come to mite woman (2 Kings 4), expect such things (in Naaman being cured of a healthy sense) in the his leprosy (2 Kings 5), Jonah’s aquatic adventures, way that you would with someone who is good. The God using Peter to bring Dorcas back from the dead more you get to know them as the layers are peeled (Acts 9) or any of Jesus’ away, you’re not surprised miracles—they all fill us with hope that radiates into to find decisions, attitudes and behaviors which reflect the darkest corners of our their goodness. So it is with lives.

• Pepperell Baptist’s youth program meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. This is an evening of prayer, Bible Study, and discussion. For more information, contact youth and children’s pastor Ryno Jones if you need more information at 334-745-3108.

• Aug. 14 -FBCO Fall Kick-Off at 6 p.m. If your child (ages 2 through 6th grade) is planning to participate in Awana or any other activities this fall, this is the night to sign up. Information on Adult Bible Studies will also be available. Food trucks, inflatables, and music.

Join us for a family night of fun and food.

• Aug. 15 - Trinity United Methodist Church will host an open house for its MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program Aug. 15 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This group meets twice a month during the

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

Aug. 14, 2019

eligion

Church calendar

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

A13

school year, enjoying play dates, moms’ nights out and more. Members are mothers from all stages of motherhood, ranging from newborns to middle schoolers. For more information, like and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages. The church is located at 800 2nd Ave. • Aug. 31 - The Mom Tribe: “I Am Enough” Brunch - Join Trinity UMC for brunch and walk away knowing that you are worthy, more beautiful and you are enough and have always been enough. From 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Church, Student Center. Purchase your tickets today at www. themomtribe.eventbrite.com.

Ticket will include food, Childcare for one and a takaway gift.

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

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

Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!

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

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

our Father who is the epitome of goodness. We’re not really surprised to find out that the God who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, also knows the number of hairs on our head, takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.

Neither are we surprised that He finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18) or throws a party when a single sinner repents (Luke 15).

And while it’s true that disciples can’t always connect all of the dots or explain everything to everyone’s satisfaction (including their own), that does not make them any different than those who are skeptics or unbelievers. As humans, we’re all subject to limitations. As humans, we all have to

choose to put our faith in something or Someone.

Disciples have made the choice to put their faith in God rather than the latest scientific understanding, anthropological model or cultural belief system.

Our real challenge is not becoming dull to the wonder in God’s word and in the world around us. Elisha prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant to God’s unseen army (2 Kings 6:17). Alexander MacLaren succinctly observed, “The manifestation, not the presence, of the angel guards was the miracle.” Read the story and think about that. O Lord, open our eyes that we might see!

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

Verse of the Week “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Matthew 6:34

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

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

pelika Observer O

A14 Aug. 14, 2019

Community Calendar: Events around town

• Aug. 15 - 16th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee by the Lee County Literacy Coalition • Aug. 22 - Business Over Breakfast - 7:30 a.m.

• Aug. 22 - Business After Hours Three-Sixty Real Estate - 5 to 7 p.m.

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

• The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee. The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided.

Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256307-1449.

Mondays: • The Lee County Voters League meets the first Mondays of the month at 6 p.m.

Finch,

from A7 felt when the world’s realities conflict with one’s cultural values.”

Cottonseed Studios

Awards,

from A10 at Restaurants.WineSpectator.com and in the Restaurant Awards app.

The app, available free on the App store, allows iPhone and iPad users to find nearby awardwinning restaurants, with maps, plus helpful information about cuisine, wine and pricing.

The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a wellchosen assortment of quality producers. Best of Award of Excellence recipients offer more extensive selections with significant vintage depth and excellent breadth across multiple regions.

The Grand Award is the program’s highest honor. This elite group comprises the world’s best wine programs,

at Bethesda Baptist Church located at 201 S. 4th Street, Opelika • The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary meets the third Monday at 7 p.m. at 910 West Point Parkway in Opelika.

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

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

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

• The fourth Monday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone

is welcome. For more information call 8261899 or 502-0216.

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

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

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

During the presentation, participants can send questions via email.

The webinars also are recorded and stored in the archive on the Beginning Farmer website.

Webinar topics include: trap cropping for reduc-

is presenting the concert, which will also include a performance by the Nashville-based singersongwriter Caroline Spence.

Tickets range in cost from $25 to $60 and can be purchased

through www.eventbrite.com. Showtime is set for 7 p.m.

For more information or to view other concert dates, visit www.pennyandsparrow.com. The distillery is located at 706 N. Railroad Ave.

which deliver serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vantages, excellent harmony with the menu and superior presentation. Wine Spectator carefully assesses each Grand Award candidate, including rigorous independent, on-site inspections of the wine program, cellar, service, ambiance and cuisine of the restaurant.

The full list of award winners is available in print in Wine Spectator’s August issue, on newsstands July 16.

Follow the Restaurant Awards on Twitter and Instagram, with the hashtag #WSRestaurantAward.

Following is the location of each of the local winners: • Acre - 210 E. Glenn Ave. • Amsterdam Cafe 410 S. Gay St. • The Depot - 124

Mitcham Ave. About Wine Spectator Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches nearly three million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 15,000 wines each year.

Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

ing squash insect pests, cowpea curculio updates, nutsedge control, introduction to potting mixes in ornamental container production, dealing with drought in commercial horticulture crops, and many more.

To view the full schedule, please visit www. aces.edu/anr/beginningfarms/webinars.php.

Please send questions during the presentations to Ann Chambliss, thameae@auburn.edu.

For questions regarding the webinar series or for providing suggestions, please email Dr. Ayanava Majumdar at bugdoctor@auburn.edu.

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

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

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

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

• Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard. The event is free and open to the public. Those who play an instrument should bring it and plan to join in. The jam session is held from 6 to 8 p.m.

8685 AL Highway 51.

• A Grief Support Group meets at Oak

Bowery United Methodist Church Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone dealing with the pain of loss and feeling the need for support on their journey as they attempt to bring order and wholeness back into their life. Attendance and participation is strictly voluntary for any and all sessions.

There are no fees or charges involved. The church is located on U.S. Highway 431 – eight miles north from Southern Union State Community College and Opelika High School.

For more information contact Bill Parker at 459-0214 or 706-5189122.

• The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport.

The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization that is Congressionally chartered to be the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force and focuses on three missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. For more information visit www.auburncap.org or find the organization on Facebook.

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

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

Wednesdays: • The second Wednesday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary. For more info call 826-1899 or 502-0216.

• The John Powell American Legion Post

18 and Auxiliary hosts Bingo every Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

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

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

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

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

The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon at various local restaurants.

Please call or email Cheri Paradice at 334737-5215 or cheri. paradice@gmail.com for more information or luncheon location of the month.

• T.O.U.C.H. Cancer Support Group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at EAMC’s Health Resource Center. This is a support group for people living with any type of cancer or their families and friends.

Call 334-528-1076 for more information.

Email editor@opelikaobserver.com to place your community events.

Upcoming Events • Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. Supper Club at the Sound Wall • Aug. 16 - Opelika Theatre Company will stage an Elvis-themed murder-myster dinner theatre event at the Southside Center for the Arts located at 1103 Glenn St. • Aug. 16 - Auburn Area Community Theatre Opens Its 16th Season with Summer Shorts, a Festival of Short Plays • Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. Food Day for United Way at Municipal Park • Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Mark Broussard at the Bottling Plant Events Center • Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. Graham Harper Live at Eight and Rail • Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. The Mix at the Corner Bar

• Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. Elvis Week Show at Bottling Plant Events Center • Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. Griff Gathering at Griff Goods • Aug. 17 at 8:30 p.m.

Muse at Eight and Rail • Aug. 18 at 8 a.m.

Gravel Sunday at James Bros Bike Shop • Aug. 20 - The Aug. meeting of NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will take place at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce which is located at 714 East Glenn Ave. in Auburn. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited.

• Aug. 22 - Circles of Opelika will host its first graduation celebration Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Southside Center for the Arts. Graduates will discuss their favorite experiences or memories. For more information about the event, call Director Regina Meadows at 334203-1860 or send email to rmeadows@myops.net.

The venue is located at 1103 Glenn St. • Oct. 19 - Waverly BBQ - The 28th annual Waverly BBQ will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with food being served starting at 10 a.m.

To preorder a Boston butt call 334-559-8663 or visit their Facebook page.

The Community Center is located at 2075 Patrick St. in Waverly.

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A15 Aug. 14, 2019

#Winning at Back to School: 10 tips to be on top of the Mom game

I

t began again, as it does every year, Back-to-School!

I’m the mom that is not ready at all and 100% ready at the same time. I’m typically not prepared with routines, meals and getting the kids out of bed, but I am eager for a change in Summer pace and a good education for my children.

When my kids were much younger, I was excellent at being on top of my mom game.

I was prompt, made lists, was always prepared and did it all with a smile, picture June Clever in exercise apparell. As my kids got older and I turned into a working mom, my pretty planned days turned into chaos and disorder.

This year, I’m determined to reign it back in. However, I’m not looking for perfection, I’m looking for space and purpose with my kids. I want to get back to the basics. I want a relaxing, grace-filled home for my family and free time to take walks after super.

I’ve got 10 Tips to create an inviting day for our kids and for all us moms too. Tips that can help create order but also allow us to relax into our days and enjoy this year with the

ones we love most! #1 – Meal Plan Sunday: This first appears daunting but helps keep meals organized in the week. Only plan 5 days. Let the weekend treat itself. Sit with your kids and ask what they want for dinner. Then maybe pick your favorite dinner one night too. I look forward to cooking for myself. Include an easy night that is hot-dogs and mac-n-cheese.

Maybe include a pickup Pizza night. Aim to feed your family and enjoy them too, not to be perfect and be the Chef of the neighborhood. #2 – Lay out clothes and shoes the night before: This is a morning savor for me. There’s no “Mom, where are my socks.” Or “Mom, I need my khaki pants.”

This drives me crazy.

Have it ready. No questions, just getting dressed and ready for breakfast. #3 – Lunchboxes: I put them on my counter the night before and I go ahead and put pre-packaged items in them. This takes 5 minutes at night but if I do it in the morning, it seems like it takes forever. It just keeps me calmer with less to think about during the school rush.

Bradley Robertson #4 – Even if your late to school, pretend like you’re not: I play the pretend game A LOT. If I get wordy and worked up over running behind, it stresses my kids out even greater. I’ve learned to keep quiet and say “Good job guys” when we are at our latest. It helps to keep me calm too, which is more pleasant for everyone. #5 – Let one kid pick their favorite song en-route: My kids look forward to this and it holds their interest too.

It makes me laugh to hear their choice and they get super excited! #6 – Morning Prayer:

Opelika Chamber’s ‘Business over Breakfast’ meeting slated for Aug. 22 Special to the Opelika Observer Join the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for the quarterly Business Over Breakfast on Aug. 22 at 7:30 a.m. at the Saugahatchee Country Club as they celebrate Alabama’s 200th birthday. Glynn Smith Chevrolet – BuickGMC is the presenting sponsor for the event.

Steve Murray, a member of the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, is the guest speaker for the event. He is the director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History which serves as the permanent reposi-

tory for state government records, a special collections library and the state’s history museum.

Murray became director in 2012 after serving for six years as assistant director for administration. His prior experience in public history included service as managing editor of the Encyclopedia of Alabama and The Alabama Review, both at Auburn University.

He co-chaired the Alabama World War I Centennial Committee and is past president of the Alabama Historical Association. At the national level, his service includes terms on the Council of

State Archivists and the board of the American Association for State and Local History.

A native of Louisiana, Murray has called Alabama home since he began graduate school at Auburn University in 1993. He and his wife Laura have three children.

The cost for the breakfast is $20 for chamber members and $25 for potential members.

There is limited space, so advanced registration is required. The deadline to register is Aug. 16.

Register online at www. opelikachamber.com. No refunds will be given after the deadline.

We started this tradition when my oldest started Kindergarten.

We pray before we reach carline. If I do carpool, we pray on our porch before they leave. I have friends that pray at breakfast.

They often say nothing, but it’s a peaceful moment for all of us. They will eventually speak up when something is on their mind concerning home or school. #7 – Have food available after school: This seems simple enough right? This took me years to get through my head. I keep ice cream and all the easy snacks at home for them to

joyfully eat after their long day. Some days, I take snacks in the car. It’s an after-school free-for-all. I used to keep it healthy or only have one item.

I learned it’s best for everyone to have many choices they can get on their own. “You want 3 ice cream sandwiches and 100 blueberries?

Go right ahead Shep!” #8 – Alone time, inside or outside: I let my kids go absolutely wild after school. They can choose inside or outside. They can do whatever in the world they want to. They need it. Even if just 2030 minutes. They need time to express and be free before they have to tidy back down for homework or evening activities. They need space for nothingness, to think their own thoughts and be in their own little world. #9 – Begin dinner as early as possible: Some nights are later than others, and that’s ok. But if you have an early evening home, begin dinner at 4:30 or 5:00. You’ll eat early, clean early and have some extra evening time to spend with your kids. These nights have become my favorite! #10 – End the day pointing to Greatness: We have moments of

weakness every day.

I do and my kids do.

Tears will arise, chaos will make its presence, and our order will become disorder.

However, no matter the mess-ups, we end in greatness. I hug them in bed and tell them the things they are great at.

I point out their greatness instead of their weakness. I reminder of grace and how I see them the following day.

I tell Shep at the end of the day, “You are a good, good boy Shep.”

His response is always, “You are a good, good Mommy.”

Mommas, we have a lot of ground to cover with our kids this year.

I encourage to aim for sweet moments and loving space amongst the hardships and unknown. Everyday is a re-start, praise the lord. We are all in this boat together. Let’s meet our kids right where they are, and in the end, they meet up with us too, what a joy that is!

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.

Check Out Our New Tiger Town Location Across from Lowe’s, another convenient location to serve our customers

AuburnBank’s Tiger Town Kroger location has moved to a new, full-service location on Frederick Road in front of Lowe’s. Under the leadership of City

Susie K’s,

from A7

President Eddie Smith, our new location provides three drive-up windows, a drive-up ATM, a night deposit drop, safe deposit boxes, consumer and commercial loans in addition to all our checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts,

Eddie Smith CITY PRESIDENT

certificates of deposit and numerous electronic products and services.

We look forward to serving you at the new Tiger Town Branch.

ICK RD.

FREDER

Kroger

Tiger Town

Our New Location Lowe’s

R.

menu changes, Suzanne said there will be new takeout items available in the near future as well as more promotion of their catering, special orders and meal preparation business also offered at Suzie K’s.

She added that they are looking to include family meals available for order on Sundays, but did not disclose any further details.

For more information, call 334-737-6065 or like and follow their Facebook page. Their hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays and always closed on Monday.

D AY TEW GA

operation and some menu items to accommodate his absence.

When asked about the underlying factor or reason behind their success, Suzanne shared that it was largely because of the feedback and support of their faithful patrons as the restaurant enters its third year of existence.

“We are just blessed to have made it this far into this journey and are excited where year three will be taking us.

During the past year, we have learned a lot

about our customers this past year and have adapted to what they have asked for (and) am always open to customer requests for dishes they want to see,” Suzanne said.

“We would (also) like to thank our faithful customers and our employees, because without them, year three would not be possible. I have really been shown the power and love of the community since Tim deployed with so many customers checking in on me to see if they could help me in any way or just checking to see how he is doing.”

In additions to the

Visit us here: www.auburnbank.com MEMBER FDIC

I-85

1851 Frederick Road Opelika

Equal Housing Lender

334-275-9600

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A16 Aug. 14, 2019

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones to be featured speaker at United Way's Kickoff Campaign Breakfast Aug. 23

By Morgan Bryce Editor The United Way of Lee County's Kickoff Campaign Breakfast will be held Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. at East Alabama Medical Center's Education Center.

According to Executive Director Becky Benton, the event helps raise awareness about her organization and how it gives back to well-known local organizations including

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County, Domestic Violence Intervention Center and Red Cross, among others.

"This community has been through a lot this year and we have families that are in need of our services. Through this breakfast, we hope to raise awareness and ask for people to help us make our campaign successful this year," Benton said.

Lee County Sheriff

Jay Jones will be the featured speaker at this year's breakfast, which is an annual event.

Registration is free, but space is limited.

The deadline is Aug. 15 and those interested in attending can call United Way Campaign Manager Kimberly Myers at 334-745-5540 to reserve a seat.

The education center is located at 2027 Pepperell Parkway.

About United Way: "Based in Alexandria,

Virginia, United Way is a nonprofit organization that works with almost 1,200 local United Way offices throughout the country in a coalition of charitable organizations to pool efforts in fundraising and support.

United Way's focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues and to make measurable changes in communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses,

Homemade refreshments will be served along with ice cream and refreshing Toomer’s lemonade

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood

associations, the faith community and others.

The main areas include education, income and health."

Opelika Schools & Sports

See B8 for more photos from the Tri for Kids event

Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports

On the Mark

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for Opelika Sportsplex’s new pickleball complex

By D. Mark Mitchell

Opelika High School football enters second week of practice

O

pelika high football team started week two of fall practice on Monday.

During an appearance on the “On the Mark” radio last show Friday, Coach Erik Speakman said he was pleased with how the first week of practice was going.

“We have more players practicing that last year. We (are) following practice guidelines from the AHSAA,” Speakman said.

Senior Brody Davis is the starting quarterback, who earned the spot shortly after the end of the 2018-19 season. The Bulldogs have James Dawson anchoring the offensive line but need help controlling the line of scrimmage. The Stinson brothers, Jaylen and Jarrell, are a threat to score any time the football is in their hands.

Defensively, Jaylen is the best defensive back on the team. He is needed to be the defensive quarterback. Opelika continues to prepare for their home opener Aug. 22 against Callaway of LaGrange.

Opelika Softball New Opelika Softball Coach Randy Belyue has announced tryouts for the coming 2020 season. Tryouts will begin

at 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21 at West Ridge Softball Complex. Players must attend both days.

All players trying out must contact Belyue by sending email to randy. belyue@opelikaschools. org Players trying out should provide their own gloves, cleats, bats, softball pants, jersey/T-shirt, socks, etc. The Opelika Softball staff is now complete with two new fulltime assistant coaches: Head Coach - Randy Belyue, Sarah Foreman, Todd Kysor, Jessica Kennessey, Charles Gagliano and OMS Coach Angela Mills.

Sam Mason Track/ Why Did Ocs Name Track after Sam Mason?

To my knowledge there is only one facility that the Opelika City School Board has named in honor of someone, that being the Sam Mason Track.

Sam Mason was born March 16, 1908 and lived until Feb. 19, 1968. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Coach Mason began his coaching career in 1936 at Fairfax High School in Valley, coaching every sport. World War II interrupted his coaching duties See Sports, page B4

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Local dignitaries and members of Opelika’s Parks and Recreation Department held a ribboncutting ceremony for the opening of the SportsPlex’s new pickleball courts. For more information, visit www.opelika-al.gov/341/Parks-Recreation. See more photos from Saturday on page B7.

Andy Burcham named as 'Voice of the Auburn Tigers' on Monday Special to the Opelika Observer Andy Burcham, who has been part of Auburn radio broadcasts for the previous 31 years in various capacities, has been named the lead announcer for Auburn football, men's basketball and baseball, Auburn Sports Properties and Auburn Athletics announced Monday.

Burcham assumes the responsibilities previously held by Rod Bramblett, who passed away along with his wife, Paula, on May 25 in an automobile accident.

Burcham worked

alongside Bramblett for the previous 25 years broadcasting Auburn baseball and served as the play-byplay voice for Auburn women's basketball since 1988. No stranger to Auburn football, Burcham has been the pre and postgame locker room host for Tiger football since 1990 and was the play-by-play announcer on Auburn football pay-per-view and tape-delay broadcasts from 1992-2013.

"I'm thrilled to be selected as the Voice of the Auburn Tigers," Burcham said. "While it's a bittersweet time and I wish the

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

circumstances creating this opportunity were different, I am honored to be following in the footsteps of such legends as Rod Bramblett, Jim Fyffe and others. With this job, you're not just the voice of Auburn foot-

ball, men's basketball and baseball. You're also the voice of Auburn. You represent Auburn every day, and I will never forget that. I have been in this community and See Burcham, page B5

B2 Aug. 14, 2019

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2019 OHS-PAC provide information to State education officials meet parents, students at orientation July 31 with new Beauregard principal

Photo special to the Opelika Observer The 2019-20 OHS-PAC Officers provided pertinent details to the 9th grade parents attending the Freshmen Orientation on July 31st at Opelika High School. The freshmen parents were surveyed for topics of interest to be presented at the first two of four PAC meetings this school term. This year's officers are from right to left: Vice President Lakia W. Marshall Mobley, President Chris Nunn and Secretary Tameka Lockhart. All OHS parents are encouraged to be involved and contributing in ways that provide benefits to the students, faculty, staff and the city’s school system. Contact these officers for more information: cnunn816@gmail.com; lakiamarshall@icloud.com; or tameka.lockhart@joann.com.

Photos special to the Opelika Observer Above, state school officials came by Beauregard High School to greet students and meet with new Princal Richard Brown Jr. Left, Brown Jr. and Alabama State Education Official Jonathan Thompson.

Opelika High School football players ‘snake the field’ during practice

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

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B3 Aug. 14, 2019

Ever call someone ‘Not College Material’? You underestimated them

By Greg Markley For the Opelika Observer

I

t happened more than once: After I taught the first class of a college course at Fort Benning, Georgia one of the new students would come to see me when all others had gone home.

Several times I found myself in the company of a well- decorated soldier, well into his or her career, wearing a uniform with many patches signifying Army accomplishments (Airborne, Pathfinder, etc.).

“Mr. Markley, I am very anxious about this course,” the patriot would say.

“I graduated from high school but tried twice since to succeed

in history courses but could not. And political science classes like this have too many facts and too much writing, so I am concerned how I will do. People back in high school called me ‘Not College Material’ and I am starting to believe it.”

Stories such as the common one above run through my mind on days like last Friday. For eight years, I taught on the adjunct faculty for Central Texas College and occasionally for Vincennes (IN) University.

Friday’s was likely the last graduation I would attend. Most students I taught have left the fort.

I will be thrilled if I see them again, at the PX or gym as I am an Army retiree myself.

Seeing many students graduate who had been called “Not College Material” was remarkable and tear-inducing.

These military personnel and retired soldiers and sailors proudly joined a new world of having college degrees that opened doors for good jobs. The degrees validated their academic skills and intelligence.

And they would never again be derisively called “Not College Material.”

Instructors at Southern Union may have experiences like mine at Central Texas when an underestimated student earns an associates’ degree. Not just soldiers triumph over being called unready for college. What about the

single mother who paid her own way by working two jobs? How about the young man from a bluecollar family who now has an associates? All are heroes, to me.

Oren Cass of the Manhattan Institute, a think-tank, says the U.S. educational system gives too much attention to college-bound students and not nearly enough on those seeking other paths.

“He (the student weak in academics) probably clawed his way through his town’s standard college-oriented curriculum, though it neither targeted his interests and abilities nor prepared him for work force success.

“Looking ahead, he faces a labor market in which he may need to

work harder than his college-bound counterpart for lower pay, with fewer options and slower advancement,” Cass said recently to The New York Times. He points out that the student with strong academic talent benefits from “lavish taxpayer funds” while the not college-directed student gets little help.

Many of the diverse students I taught at Fort Benning were not “natural” scholars; most were practical to a fault.

They did not take easily to my out of the box critical thinking exercises.

Others loved departing from facts and figures for a while, especially in history “survey” courses.

For all students, I hope by attending a 2-or

3-year school they will appreciate reading and open-mindedness more.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry told students in 2006, “If you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” He apologized after much criticism.

Many students graduating last Friday at Fort Benning did indeed go to Iraq. But they are not “stuck” anywhere now, they have horizons that are vast and beckoning.

Greg Markley is a longtime Lee County journalist. He has masters degrees in education and history and has served as an adjunct instructor at Fort Benning and in Montgomery.

SOS as children settle into school

Beth Pinyerd

A

s teachers and parents embark on this second week of school, we begin to assess our class of children with the signal SOS! S - Safe. Do the children in my class feel secure and safe?

O - Open. Are the chil-

dren open to learning?

S - Sensitive. As a child’s teacher, am I being sensitive to a child’s learning needs as well as emotional needs.

As children adjust to their new home away from home in the classroom, parents can help facilitate bonding

and security for their child with teachers. Think of it as a team effort to provide a wonderful learning experience for your child.

Take time to talk to your child about their school day. Keep a positive focus as they talk to you about what they learn, what they do and the friends they have made. As a parent, you can discern if your child doesn’t seem settled in school yet.

Here at the beginning of the year, contact your child’s teacher immediately if you sense that your child is anxious or doesn’t feel good about school.

Teachers will spend extra time and give attention to your child by giving your child a special classroom job so they feel special and connected with the classroom.

I love to see parent love notes in lunch boxes of my

students. Giving your child a little token of encouragement to put in their backpacks or pockets (let the teacher know what you are doing by note or speak to them) enables your child to feel connected to the parents as they are in the classroom.

As a teacher, one tip I recommend to cut down on a child’s anxiety is humor, especially on the way to school. Children love “knock knock" jokes.

An openness to learning requires optimism and encouragement from we adults. I love to observe parents of children encourage their children just to do the best they can with subjects. It’s fun and challenging to break down hard subjects into parts a child can do well with each part.

Having success in small steps encourages the child to know they can do it. For

Help protect your patients against vaccinepreventable diseases.

Send out recall/reminder cards Assess the vaccination status of school-age patients utilizing ImmPRINT’s Vaccine Forecaster or Not-Up-To-Date Report Provide a strong recommendation for vaccinations

VACCINATE Schedule the follow-up appointment Adolescent students not up-to-date on required and ACIP recommended vaccine may be offered those during a school-based vaccine clinic or by a pharmacist

For more information on current vaccine recommendations and scheduling, please scan the QR code for the Back to School flyer or visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization.

instance, in memorizing a week’s spelling word list, etc. truly encourages the joy of learning. In being open to learning, we need to encourage children not to fear rejection or failure.

Giving children hope by praising them when they have worked so hard on their assignments builds their confidence.

Sensitivity is where teachers and parents focus on the individual child and their needs for learning in order to succeed. Children love to be needed and help.

They want to feel significant and to be needed. Significance builds confidence in the learning process of children.

I hope these few general pointers help.

Pinyerd has taught young children in the early childhood classroom for 34 years as well as outreaching to the elderly in inter-

generational settings. She has taught and outreached in the schools in Opelika and Baldwin County. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education as well as a bachelor’s degree in family and child development both from Auburn University. Her husband is the late Carl Pinyerd and she has one son, Gus Pinyerd who has taught her so much about learning. Classroom Observer is here to serve the community in sharing the wonderful teaching programs in our local public schools, private schools, and homeschools.

The column is provided to enrich the education of our children, youth, and families. Classroom Observer welcomes educational news, school news, pictures, and events by e-mailing her at donnapinyerd@charter.net

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B4 Aug. 14, 2019

Opelika Bicycle Advisory Opinion: State leaders should not hand-pick state school board members Committee to hold Special to the Opelika Observer Senate majority leader Del Marsh wants to control public education in Alabama. Yep, the same guy who has shown us repeatedly that he is clueless about how schools really work, what their challenges are and how best to address them, wants to hand pick members of the state school board.

On March 3, 2020 voters in Alabama will say YES or NO to a constitutional amendment to do away with the elected state board of education and replace it with one where the governor appoints nine board members who must then be confirmed by the state senate. The senate Marsh rules with an iron fist.

Never doubt that under this proposal no one would serve on the state school board without Marsh’s approval.

Based on his track record since becoming majority leader in 2011, this is a scary thought.

The state charter school commission in an appointed board. The governor, lt. governor, speaker of the house and senate majority leader nominate people to serve. The state school board makes the final selections. This was done

on Aug. 8.

Look at Marsh’s nominees. He had two slots to fill.

Marsh nominated former House of Representatives member, Jamie Ison of Mobile. His other recommendation for the same position was a young lady from Mobile who had been nominated twice before, but not selected. She worked for charter schools in Houston and Atlanta and had a relationship with Teach for America. No doubt she is a fine person, but with this kind of background, how objective could she be? Her nomination says Marsh was trying to stack the deck.

Jamie Ison was chosen.

The majority leader submitted two names for his other slot. One was incumbent Henry Nelson of Birmingham who has been on the commission since it was created. The other recommendation was a Birmingham businessman who was the founding board chair for Legacy Prep charter in Birmingham. This screams of conflict of interest since charters must be reauthorized every five years by the charter commission.

Again, a questionable choice by Marsh Nelson was picked to retain his seat.

And we want to let Del Marsh tell us who will oversee public education in Alabama?

Can we expect him to look for people who really are objective and have some understanding of the challenges our public schools face--or people already beholding to his agenda which has been anything but beneficial for public schools?

Since rising to power in 2011, Marsh’s signature legislation is no doubt the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. The bill that went to conference committee as one thing–and came out as something entirely different? The bill that no one in education knew about because Marsh said, “They might be against it.”

The bill that has sucked money out of every public school classroom in the state to the tune of $145 million at last count. The bill that promised to help poor kids stuck in struggling schools by their zip code, though six years later such students are damn near impossible to find, especially in the Black Belt.

And he should hand pick state school board members? Marsh is the most powerful legislator in the state. He is at the top of the fund-raising food chain.

Political action committees curry his favor with donations, lots and lots of donations. In the election cycle that ran from October 2017 to the end of 2018, Marsh raised $893,000. Alabama realtors gave $50,000, retailers gave $45,000, automobile dealers gave $47,500, Poarch Band of Creek Indians chipped in $30,000; the medical association gave $30,000.

Who among these groups that fuel Marsh’s political machine know anything about public schools? Who among them will challenge him on who he wants on the state school board?

Del Marsh is a smart man and a helluva politician. He is in a position to do things for our schools that would be meaningful and have lasting impact.

But for reasons I don’t understand, as his track record shows, he chooses a different path.

So long as he insists on doing so, he does not need to hand pick state school board members.

Larry Lee is a publicschool advocate and co-author of the study, Lessons Learned From Rural Schools. He is a former member of the Montgomery County school board.

Email Larrylee133@ gmail.com.

monthly meeting Aug. 15 Special to the Opelika Observer The Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee will hold their monthly meeting on Aug. 15 at Keo’s Restaurant and Bar located at 203 Opelika Road in Auburn.

Newly elected President of the ABC, Bruno Ulrich, will be discussing strategies for synergy like sharing minutes and having more socials.

Upcoming events like the Johnny Ray Century, statewide Complete Streets possibilities and updates on Auburn's Blueway/ Greenway and Opelika's Creekline trail building initiatives will be discussed as well.

Next month Director of Opelika Main Street Ken Ward has promised to speak at our Post-Johnny Ray meeting on Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at James Bros. Bikes.

Fisheries Learning Center Girl Scouts help young ladies unleash their inner will highlight Aug. 20 OLLI Brown Bag Lunch and Learn potential, discover talents Special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer At Girl Scouts, the next opportunity to stand up, speak up, and take the lead is never far away.

With us, she’ll discover the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader) in her, and watch her shine, again and again.

With unparalleled programming proven to unleash girls potential, Girl Scouts is the place for girls! In fact, research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led environment where they’re encouraged to try new things, develop a range of skills, take on leadership roles, and just have fun being themselves.

“Girl Scouts taps into the power of every girl to challenge them to grow and achieve more. In the supportive all-girl environment that Girl Scouts provide, we teach the girls to try new things, learn from failure, and take healthy and courageous risks,” Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer of GSSA Karlyn Edmonds said.

This year, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) is excited to have 42 brand new badges exclusively for girls in grades K–12. The new badges allows girls to make their own choices about how they want to experience and influence the world while preparing them to address some of society’s most pressing needs through hands-on learning and real-life problem-solving in cybersecurity, coding, space exploration, and citizen science.

For the first time ever, girls can choose between two ways of earning outdoor badges—an adventure seeker’s dream come true!

So what are you waiting for? At Girl Scouts, she’ll discover who she is, what she’s passionate about, and what she wants to achieve—both today and in the future.

Discover all she can be and everything she can accomplish when she

has the right tools and a safe space to shine— and work together to change the world. Not a Girl Scout yet? No problem! Troops are forming now— to join or volunteer go to www. girlscoutssa.org/join or text Girl to 33222.

About Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama serves more than 5,000 girls, ages 5-17 and 2,500 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls for more than 100 years.

With programming across 30 counties, GSSA offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success.

To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join call 800239-6636 or visit www. girlscoutssa.org.

Auburn’s Education Director for the Fisheries Learning Center Stanley C Arington and aquaculture specialist from Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University’s School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences David J. Cline, will host OLLI’s Aug. 20 Brown Bag Lunch & Learn at the E. W. Shell Fisheries Learning Center which is located at 2101 N. College St. in Auburn.

The Fisheries Learning Center Programs promote conservation and sustainability through education, research, and outreach.

By increasing public awareness and understanding of Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences and Food Sustainability, the center aspires to represent and serve Alabama’s vast water resources in the hopes to help sustain the most valuable resource on the planet: water.

The program will start with an overview of the E. W. Shell Research Station and the importance of the research that is conducted at the station as well as Auburn University’s role and impact on the

science and research of aquaculture around the world. Next there will a tour of the facilities where guests will get up close and personal with some of the scaly, slimy and wet residents.

The tour will present behind-the-scenes research areas generally not open to the public.

Arington works with schools, civic and community groups and organizations to promote aquatic conservation and sustainability through education, research and outreach.

He is an awardwinning teacher with 21 years of classroom experience. Now retired from Auburn City Schools, Arington was an Aquatic Science and Marine Biology instructor at Auburn High School and Director of the Aquarium at Auburn High outreach program which was named the Best Environmental Education Program in 2016 by the Alabama Environmental Educators Association.

Cline specializes in aquaculture and aquaponics education, freshwater fish production, small-scale marketing, and recreational and ornamental pond management. His involvement for nearly 30 years in both the commercial and educational sectors of

aquaculture give him a broad perspective on the issues and opportunities facing the aquaculture industry. He is passionate about expanding awareness of the importance of the U.S. aquaculture industry and he works to create a favorable environment for industry growth and to promote the development of aquacultureliterate consumers and policy makers.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) hosts its Brown Bag Lunch & Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and there is no charge for attending.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach at Auburn University.

OLLI administrative offices and select classes are held at the historic Sunny Slope property which is located at 1031 S. College St. For more information regarding this event or to learn about becoming a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant or sponsor, call Shawnee McKee in OLLI Administrative Support at 334-844-3146 email olli@auburn.edu, or visit www.olliatauburn.org

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Attorney Gen. Steve Local 4-H team had successful Marshall announces trip to Kansas for National WHEP expansion of Alabama Contest during July ‘Safe Schools Initiative Special to the vides youth develtop individuals and tices unique to the Opelika Observer opment and educaarea. After an educa- teams. tion as a part of the Rankins won the tional morning, stuAwards’ The Lee County Alabama Cooperative individual competidents had the opporSpecial to the Opelika Observer Attorney Gen. Steve Marshall announced that the 2019 Alabama Safe Schools Initiative Awards will be expanded to include three additional awards for excellence in school safety, and special recognition for schools building a culture for school safety. Additionally, the deadline for school applications for the 2019 awards is Sept. 30.

“For many years, the Attorney General’s Office has promoted innovative efforts to improve student safety through the Alabama Safe Schools Initiative,” Marshall said.

“Since I took office, I have sought to transform the awards into a catalyst for greater school safety awareness. Just last year our initiative had more applications than ever, and we sought to build on that engagement by expanding the awards to recognize the successes of more Alabama schools.

“The ultimate goal of the initiative is to help transition Alabama’s schools into safer environments for our children. I look forward to continuing to spotlight the best ideas of our school administrators, resource officers, parents and students as we begin the 2019 school year.”

Under the expanded Alabama Safe Schools Initiative Awards, the new categories, administered by an independent panel of judges, will be as follows: Attorney General’s 2019 Safe School Award of Excellence (Three winners)

Burcham, from B1 broadcasting Auburn games for 31 years. I understand and love Auburn and its tradition. I can't wait to be a part of it moving forward."

A versatile broadcaster, Burcham has done radio and SEC Network+ broadcasts for Auburn soccer since 2001, SEC Network+ broadcasts for Auburn baseball the last five years and locally hosted Auburn Opelika This Morning for 12 years while seving as station manager at WANI. A recipient of 15 Alabama Broadcaster Association awards, Burcham began his career in the AuburnOpelika area as news and sports director for Fuller Broadcasting and Tiger Communications.

"During the very

One public school with the top overall score to be selected from the North Region, Central Region and South Region of the state. Marshall will visit each school to present the award in person. This is a new category beginning in 2019.

Attorney General’s 2019 Safe School Award (Nine winners) One public school with the top score to be selected from each of the eight Alabama State Department of Education School Districts. One private school with the top score will be selected from the entire State of Alabama. Marshall will visit each school to present the award in person.

Attorney General’s 2019 Certificate of Building a Culture for School Safety Schools — both public and private — from across the state that meet certain criteria for forging a culture of school safety as determined by the judges will receive this Certificate from the Office of the Attorney General. This is a new category beginning in 2019.

All schools in Alabama are eligible to participate in the 2019 Attorney General’s Safe Schools Initiative Awards. Deadline for schools to submit applications is Sept. 30. Applications and instructions can be downloaded from the Attorney General’s website: https://ago.alabama. gov/Documents/2019-SSINomination-Form.pdf Completed applications should be submitted in digital form to ssi@ago. state.al.us.

difficult process of replacing Rod, it was very clear that Andy Burcham was the right man to be the new Voice of the Auburn Tigers," Auburn Sports Properties Vice President and General Manager Chris Davis said. "He is well respected not only in his profession, but by his coworkers, Auburn Athletics coaches and administration, and in the community. He understands the importance of this role.

Andy is a consummate professional who puts great preparation, execution and passion into his work. Most importantly, Andy is a man of great character who loves and cares deeply for Auburn and what it represents.

We're very excited for Andy and can't wait for the Auburn Family to embrace him in his new role."

Burcham will cohost Tiger Talk with veteran Auburn broad-

4-H Wildlife Habitat tion, and Alabama as Extension System. tunity to participate Education Program More than 178,000 a team placed fifth. in activities at Rock (WHEP) team recent- Springs, including young people parThe team has ly traveled to Juncticipate or enroll in been studying totrap shooting, aerial tion City, Kansas, to Alabama 4-H acarchery and rock wall gether several times represent Alabama in climbing. a week since the state tivities each year. the National WHEP For more information contest, as well as The third day was Contest. The contest competition day, with putting in hours of about 4-H leadership was held at Rock individual study time. opportunities and the team portion in Springs 4-H Center events, visit www.

Alabama 4-H the morning and the from July 14 to July alabama4h.com.

Alabama 4-H proindividual portion in 16 and was hosted by the afternoon. The Kansas State Extenteam competition sion. Team members involved viewing were Ethan Rankins, property, and then Cale McCormick and giving a written Luke Cooper. evaluation and recDuring the first ommendations for evening, teams incertain species. troduced themselves, The individual shared some fun facts competition includof their state and par- ed the wildlife chalticipated in a "share lenge, which tested fair". Teams brought the ability to idenitems representative tify animal species of their state and and general wildlife other tokens to share. knowledge and wildSeveral schools, life management businesses and state practices. departments generAn awards cerously donated items emony was held that to the Lee County evening, with placteam. They took: ings for first through • peanuts, fifth for both the • Milo's Sweet Tea from Milo's, • pencils, stickers and pins from the Alabama Department of Tourism, • bracelets from Alfa, • magnets from Auburn University Department of Forestry and Wildlife and • pens from Southern Union State Community College.

During the second day, students were introduced to the tall grass praiPhotos special to the Opelika Observer rie ecoregion and Ethan Rankins is pictured top: Bottom is Cale McCormick, Luke Cooper learned about the and Rankins. management prac-

caster Brad Law and work alongside Law on Auburn baseball broadcasts. Law will also serve as pre and postgame locker room host for Auburn football. Brit Bowen will take over broadcasting duties of Auburn women's basketball and Auburn softball.

"Simply put, Andy is unquestionably the right man for the job," said Auburn Athletics Director Allen Greene. "His experience as a broadcaster is extensive and his affinity for Auburn is unrivaled. Having been part of the Auburn Family for over three decades, Andy understands what sets Auburn apart and understands the passion of our loyal fan base.

He deeply respects those who have come before him and will assume this role with a great deal of humility.

Andy is a true Auburn Man." Burcham's four-

decade run in the profession started at Indiana State as an undergraduate student calling Sycamore football, men's and women's basketball and baseball for student radio station WISU. He also called games at Illinois State and Southern Illinois before coming to Auburn in 1988.

A native of Nashville, Illinois, Burcham graduated from Indiana State University in 1983 with a degree in radio, television and film.

Burcham is married to Dr. Jan Gunnels Burcham, a 1984 and 1992 Auburn University graduate, who is the Moselle Fletcher Endowed Chair and Associate Dean for the College of Education and Health Profession at Columbus State University.

This report was written and published Aug. 12 by www.auburntigers.com.

Smiths Station Freshman Center distributes devices to students as part of ‘Oneto One’ program on Monday

Photo special to the Opelika Observer On Monday, faculty at the Smiths Station Freshman Center distributed Chromebooks to students as part of a ‘OnetoOne’ initiative, an effort on the part of Lee County Schools to make sure each student has a device to use for homework or other school assignments. This initiative has been used in other school systems in Alabama and across the country to great success.

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Local business owners Candy Ivey and Iesha Dunn hold ‘Back-to-school Bash’ Aug. 3 at Covington Rec. Center; distribute school supplies to local children

Photos special to the Opelika Observer

Three years ago, local business owners Candy Ivey and Iesha Dunn decided to start giving back to the community throughout the year. Aug 3 was their third annual back-to-school bash. During the event, the duo gave away free school supplies, food and backpacks. Event goers had the opportunity to enjoy sno-cones, a bounce house and a live DJ. The event was held at the Covington Recreation Center.

Local deputy sheriff hosts summer exercise program at Miles Thomas Field

By Robert Noles Photojournalist Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Sheriff Manuel Stone is doing something special for Opelika’s children.

For the last three years, Stone has been inviting parents to bring their children to Miles Thomas Field to spend less time inside using technology, enjoy the great outdoors and learn how to be happier and healthier.

For 90 on minutes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays this summer, Stone worked with 25 to 30 children to help them improve their speed and dexterity. Children as young as four up to high school juniors participate.

“Stone is doing this out of the goodness of his heart. He doesn’t ask for money; he just wants kids to get out and exercise and try to help them.

My son loves it and it brings him to tears to see

his passion for working with the kids this way,” said one of the parents whose child participates in Stone’s program. “The parent when on to say that “seeing an adult & police officer do something like this, it’s such a large impact in these kid’s lives. They could be home playing video games but instead they are out working hard and running around to get better.”

Stone said he plans to

hold this program again for a fourth year next summer, and encour-

ages people to follow social media for updates.

Parents are also invited

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Sports, from B1

Attention Community Champions:

$15,000

CHALLENGE

The Davison Bruce Foundation has offered a community challenge: Match their $15,000 with an additional $15,000 by midnight, August 31, 2019

In celebration of 22 years of faithful service as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, the Davison Bruce Foundation has joined efforts with Wanda J. Lewis to challenge the Lee County Community to match or exceed a $15,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County.

“Mrs. Wanda Lewis has been the face of this organization for 22 years. With sincere appreciation for her tireless and dedicated service to our area youth, we challenge our local advocates for kids to join us in this campaign. Please help us launch a new season in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County as we work together to ensure that our area youth have every chance to succeed.”

- Carolyn Reid, Davison Bruce Foundation

“Do your little bit of good where you are: it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

-Desmond Tutu "It is with this same sentiment that I have tried to conduct myself over the course of my tenure with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County. Our clubs serve one of our nation’s greatest and most precious assets, our youth. Recognizing the importance of the youth as our future, I have supported programs and initiatives that would prepare the young people entrusted in our care to develop their own strengths, explore their dreams, and nurture their positive decision-making. As I prepare to transition to the next juncture of my life’s journey, I am excited to join the Davison Bruce Foundation in urging our community to support this campaign and help ensure the future of our community’s youth. If I can leave any legacy at the end of my tenure, it would be to inspire others to do the good that you can do while you can do it."

- Wanda J. Lewis

to bring their children on those days next summer and join in on the fun.

at Fairfax. In 1945, after the war, Mason landed in Opelika where he assumed the coaching duties at Clift High School until 1959.

The first game, against Alexander City, ended up being a 13-6 Opelika victory. That team finished 9-0, his only undefeated season. In 1952, his team finished 5-2-2, earning an invite to the Azalea Bowl in Mobile. The game against McGill ended in a 0-0 tie.

Sam Mason won the “Rogers Trophy” signifying best all-around athlete status at Auburn University. His coaching and teaching career covered 26 years. Coach Mason started Opelika High School’s track program.

Despite the school not having track in the beginning, Mason lined the football field at Moore Stadium and encouraged the students to try the sport. In 1973, when the track was completed on the OHS Campus, the

citizens honored him by naming the “Coach Sam Mason Track”.

Then Opelika City School Board Chairman Winston Smith T honored Mason during pre-game ceremonies of a Friday night game against Valley by announcing it would be called the Sam Mason Track.

Chairman Smith T added that the “the citizens of Opelika owe Coach Mason a debt of gratitude for his many years of dedicated service to the youth of Opelika.”

Opelika won that meet 17-0.

I remember seeing the track’s name on a sign from 1974 until the track was renovated three years ago. The new Sam Mason sign is much smaller, located on the front of the press box and concession stand. History is important and when something is named in their honor, we should honor their wishes.

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

Davison Bruce Foundation & Wanda J. Lewis Appreciation $15,000.00 Match Grant

For more information, go to www.bgcleeco.org/donate or call 334-502-1311

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

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Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Bee on Purpose for Literacy 16TH ANNUAL THE GREAT

Grown-Up Spelling Bee August 15, 2019

5:00 – 9:00 PM Auburn Alumni Center 317 S College Street Auburn, AL

Door prizes, delicious hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and fun!

Tickets $40 Proceeds Benefit

For Team Sponsorship, Program Ads & Tickets, call 334-705-0001 or visit www.leecountyliteracy.org/spelling-bee

A United Way Agency

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Opelika Sportsplex holds ‘Tri for Kids’ on Aug. 3

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019

The story of Floyd Mann Opelika City Council votes to Inside the Statehouse waive building, construction permit fees for homes being O built by Fuller Center

ne of the legendary figures in Alabama political lore is Floyd Mann.

Colonel Mann was public safety director for two governors.

His lifetime friend, John Patterson, made him his public safety director while he was governor from 1958-1962 and Governor Albert Brewer chose Mann to be his director while he was governor from 1968-1970.

The Public Safety Director in those days was referred to as the “Head of the State Troopers.” It was during the Patterson administration that Mann made his mark in Alabama history.

The hot winds of segregation began to blow after the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. They had reached a crescendo inferno in the Heart of Dixie by 1958.

There were buses of freedom riders who bravely traveled to Alabama and other Deep South states advocating for integration in the state and region.

They first arrived in Anniston and were met by a horde of Calhoun County Kluxers and would have been beaten to death if they had not hurriedly escaped before even departing their bus. The state troopers and every police system in the state were alerted that the Freedom Riders narrowly

By Steve Flowers avoided death and that their bus was headed to Montgomery and that they needed protection.

Not surprisingly, Governor Patterson and all the white law enforcement communities ignored the plea for help and security.

When the Freedom Riders arrived at the old Greyhound Bus Station behind the Federal Court House in Montgomery, they were met and surrounded by 50 to 75 white citizens who had baseball bats ready to welcome the Freedom Riders to the Cradle of the Confederacy. There was not one Montgomery policeman anywhere in sight.

Mann got word of the scenario. He immediately jumped into the head of public safety trooper car and drove 90 miles an hour down Dexter Avenue with his siren blaring.

He wheeled into the parking lot and pulled his revolver out of his gun belt and placed it into the temple of the biggest, meanest, slicked backed, undershirted, baseball bat holder who was waiting at the

door of the bus for the Freedom Riders.

He said, “I’ll give ya folks five minutes to all clear out of here or I’ll start shooting with this fellow and we will take names later for families.”

Mann saved about a dozen Freedom Riders lives that day.

They decided to not even exit their bus and to get the hell out of Alabama.

Let me share a great story that Mann personally shared with me.

Mann was destined to be a legendary lawman. He became chief of police of Opelika at an amazingly young age.

Opelika is not a small town and he was only 30. One day, one of his officers approached him and said, “Chief we’ve got a problem you need to know about.” He continued, “You know officer ‘Big Un’? About midnight every Saturday night, he comes into the station with some little scrawny hobo he has arrested down at the depot. They are always badly beaten up. Big Un weighs about 285 pounds and I just don’t believe these hobos are fool enough to give him any resistance.

Big Un is beating these folks up for the fun of it.”

Mann agreed that if that was happening he would handle it. The following Saturday night about 30 minutes before See Flowers, page B12

By Michelle Key Publisher The Opelika City Council approved a resolution to waive all building and construction permit fees for houses being constructed by the Fuller Center for Housing during last week’s council meeting.

The Fuller Center for Housing is a nonprofit organization that seeks to eradicate poverty housing by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need.

Mayor Gary Fuller also recognized student employees that participated in the city’s YES program this summer.

A celebration was held on Aug. 2 to honor the students and to present them with backpacks filled with school supplies and more.

In other business, the council: • approved a street closure request by First Baptist Church for Aug. 14 • approved a street closure request for a United Way event on Aug. 16 • approved a request

from B and B Bartending for a special events alcohol retail license • approved a request from 280 Marathon for a retail wine & beer off premise license • held public hearings and voted to approve weed abatement assessments for the following locations: • 411 S. 4th St. • 504 S. 4th St • approved a bid for the Anand Street Improvements and Extension for $356,980 • approved a resolution pertaining to expense reports from See Council, page B10

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller honors summer youth employees

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

By Samantha Bullinger For the Opelika Observer Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller honored 18

youth as the Opelika Youth-EmploymentSuccess Program drew to a close on Aug. 2. A special graduation ceremony was held to thank the

young city employees for completing the summer program.

During the past 7 weeks, the youth participated in job skills See YES, page B12

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Community organizations share recent activities

Achievement Center - Easter Mend, Lee County chapter of American Red Cross receive Seals representative visits donations from Altria Opelika Kiwanis Club

Photo special to the Opelika Observer Chuck Goodwin with the Achievement Center-Easter Seals spoke to the Opelika Kiwanis Club about the many things that the local Achievement Center is doing for Lee County and beyond. Pictured above are Joanne Camp, Chuck Goodwin and Bob Harris.

Local Eastern Star group distributes school supplies

Special to the Opelika Observer Pictured are members of The Sisters of Promise #442 Order of the Eastern Star distributed supplies to children in Opelika’s Samford Court community on Aug. 3.

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

Special to the Opelika Observer Last week, Altria donated $15,000 to Mend and $25,000 to the East Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured from left to right are Altria’s Sr. Director of Federal Government Affairs Cindy Hayden, EAMC Chaplain Laura Eason, Director of Pharmacy Services and Government Relations Chuck Beams, U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers, Alabama State Senator Randy Price and Executive Director for the East Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross Hunter Smart.

Council, from B9 various departments • approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and authorized disposal of said property • approved a resolution for the purchase of cameras for new Opelika Police Department from Vision Security Technologies not to exceed $113,934.91 • approved a refund of building permit fees • approved the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) PY2019 Action Plan.

The CDBG PY2019 allocation from HUD will be $255,632. This is a 1% reduction from FY2018. There are no new activities proposed and this is the final program year of the Community Development 5-year consolidated plan • approved a threeyear contract extension with Advance Disposal Services Alabama LLC • approved an agreement pertaining to thesettlement of the David M. Forker charitable remainder Unitrust which will make a final

distribution of monies to the city of Opelika. That the monies received by the city from the trust distribution shall be used exclusively for the operation and maintenance of the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park • approved a special appropriation to the Opelika Learning Center to assist in covering the expenses for their positive behavior “Dog Pound Program” for their students for $5,000 • approved a resolution to authorize a higher salary for the Municipal Court Clerk position in the amount of no more than $55,000 which is within the allowable range of pay for this position • approved City Ordinance 018-19 to amend zoning Ordinance and map to rezone 47.3 acres located in the 1300 block of Fox Run Parkway. This property will be zoned as a planned unit development with a planned construction of nearly 350 units • approved the mayor’s request to reappoint Margaret Mayfield to the Historic Preservation

Commission for an additional four-year term • approved the mayor’s request to reappoint Mark Grantham to the Historic Preservation Commission for an additional four-year term.

Before the meeting was adjourned, the mayor reminded everyone that the ‘Character Trait’ for the month of August is ‘Committment.’

The City of Opelika became an official “City of Character” on April 3, 2007. The Opelika Character Council is a team of concerned citizens with a commitment of promoting monthly character traits throughout the schools and the city of Opelika.

City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday nights of every month with meetings starting at 7 p.m.

Meetings including the work session meetings are open to the public and agendas and minutes of the meetings can be found on the city’s website www. opelikaal.gov.

The next scheduled city council meeting will be held on Aug. 20. Meetings are held at City Hall, which is located at 204 S. 7th St.

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LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: The Estate of James Webb Carlisle, Deceased Case No.: 2019-B-120 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters of Administration of said deceased, JAMES WEBB CARLISLE, having been granted to SYNETTA SMITH on July 22, 2019, by Hon. Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Dated on this 22nd day of July, 2019.

HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 7/31/19, 08/07/19 & 08/15/19

STATE OF ALABAMA CASE NO. 2019-B-126 LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF FURREL W. BAILEY, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said Furrel W. Bailey, deceased, having been granted to Regina D. Parker, this 25th day of July, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Regina D. Parker, Personal Representative 334-745-2564 Jeffery A. Hilyer Attorney at Law P.O. Box 30 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0030 Legal Run 7/31/19, 08/07/19 & 08/15/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE ESTATE OF HENRY LEE WALTERS, JR., DECEASED PETITION TO PROBATE WILL NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION TO: Any unknown heirs of Henry Lee Walters, Jr., deceased, and: Derek Lamar Walters address unknown (adult son of Henry Lee Walters, Jr., deceased) Eric Walters address unknown (adult son of Henry Lee Walters, Jr., deceased) Please take notice that a Petition to Probate the Will of Henry Lee Walters Jr., in the above stayled matter has been filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Petitioner LaSonta Reeves and that on the 18th day of September, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time), has been set for a hearing on the same in said Court located at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please be advised that if you intend to contest this Petition to Probate the Will of Henry Lee Walters, Jr., that you must file a written response within thirty (30) days hereof with the Clerk of said Probate Court and with counsel for said Petitioner, and/or your must appear at hearing scheduled in this matter.

Attorney for Petitioner: Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. Attorney at Law PO Box 3575 Auburn, AL 36831-3575 (334) 991-3143 Petitioner: LaSonta Reeves 495 Freestone Drive Newnan, Georgia 30265 Done this the 29th day of July 2019. s/Bill English/ PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 7/31/19, 8/7/19, 8/14/19 and 8/21/19

IN RE THE ESTATE OF: RUTH WEST KIDD, Deceased.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2019-B-129 FILED IN OFFICE THIS JUL 25, 2019 BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF

PROBATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th day of July, 2019, by Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

KATHY KIDD BARNES Executrix Legal Run 7/31/19, 08/07/19 & 08/15/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF WALTER H. GRIMES, DECEASED CASE NO. 2019-B-122 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Dorothy R. Grimes as Personal Representative of the Estate of Walter H. Grimes, deceased, on July 23, 2019 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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

Dorothy R. Grimes Personal Representative of the Estate of Walter H. Grimes, Deceased Legal Run 8/7/19, 8/14/19 & 8/21/19

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 204 S. 7th Street, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 124-91 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. _______ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a R-3 District (Low Density Residential District) to an I-1 District (Institutional District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: From the Northwest Corner of Section 18, Township 19 North, Range 27 East; run thence South 2, 704.27 feet to a point; run thence East 2,762.26 feet to a point located at the intersection of the Southeast margin of a 30 foot wide drainage easement and the Southerly margin of Carver Avenue, which point of Intersection is the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel of land herein described and conveyed: FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING run thence South 60° 54’ 0”; East along the South margin of the right-of-way of Carver Avenue for 69.80 feet to the point of intersection of the South margin of Carver Avenue and the West margin of the right-ofway of Toomer Street; run

thence in a Southerly direction along the West margin of the right-of-way of Toomer Street along a curve bearing a radius of 321.90 feet for a distance of 114.41 feet; continue thence South 06° 01’32” East along the West margin of the rightof-way of Toomer Street for 72.30 feet; thence run North 82° 01’ 00” West for 206.60 feet; thence run North 00° 46’ 34” East for 41.86 feet to a point on the Southeast margin of a 30 foot wide drainage easement; run thence. North 44° 0’ 57” East. along the Southeast margin of said drainage easement for 206.91 feet to the point of beginning containing 0.668 acres The above-described property is located at 1600 Toomer Street, 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.

WITNESS my hand this the 14th day of August, 2019. /s/ R. G. Shuman CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 08/14/19

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HORACE GREELY JAMES, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 6th day of August, 2019, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

INGRID CARMEN JAMES Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 08/14/19, 08/21/19 & 08/28/19

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARVIN DALTON HENDERSON, DECEASED, IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to DONNA ELAINE HENDERSON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Marvin Dalton Henderson, deceased, on the 5th day of August, 2019, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

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.

PREPARED BY: Matthew W. White Adams White & Oliver, LLP 205 S. 9th Street P.O. Box 2069 Opelika, AL 36803-2069 (334) 745-6466 Legal Run 08/14/19, 08/21/19 & 08/28/19

INVITATION FOR BIDS 19035 Sealed bids, subject to the conditions contained herein, will be received by the City of Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., Local Time, Wednesday, September 4, 2019, and then publicly opened and read at the Office of the Purchasing Agent of the City of Opelika for furnishing all labor and materials and equipment necessary to provide: Right-of-Way Vegetation Management within the city limits of Opelika, Alabama. This project consists principally of the following items: The bidder is required to attend the Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting to be held at 2:00 PM on August 21, 2019 the

Opelika Power Service Building at 600 Fox Run Pkwy. No bids will be accepted by a company or vendor that does not attend the meeting.

All Contracts are to be signed and returned to the City of Opelika Purchasing Department within 10 days of the contract being awarded by City Council. A Contractor’s ability to perform all of the work within the required time shall be a primary consideration in the awarding of the Bid. Copies of the Proposal Documents may be requested from the City of Opelika Purchasing Department, which is located at 204 South 7th Street. Please contact Lillie Finley at (334) 705-5121 for information on obtaining these specifications. Technical questions regarding the proposal may be directed to Mr. Brent Poteet, Opelika Power Services Asst Director, City of Opelika, P.O. Box 390, Opelika, Alabama 36803. Phone: (334) 7055570.

Guarantee will be required with each bid as follows: At least five (5) percent of the amount of bid in the form of a certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama. A Contract Bond and Labor and Material Bond shall be required when the Contract is awarded. A copy of the State of Alabama General Contractor license for ADM: NEW ADMINISTRATIVE, HS: HIGHWAYS AND STREETS, MU: MUNICIPAL AND UTILITY The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received.

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

Attn.: Right-of-Way Vegetation Management.

Attention of bidders is called to the License required by Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as last amended, relating to the licensing of General Contractors. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number.

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

LILLIE FINLEY PURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER - CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 08/14/19 & 08/21/19

Whatley Construction LLC Post Office Box 137 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0137 (334) 745-2583 Fax (334) 749-3504 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 Construction of the Renovations at Student Center- Suite 2334, Chick-fil-A Dining Venue for the State of Alabama and Auburn University, owners, 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 Hill Foley Rossi and Associates, LLC. Vicky Jones Office Manager Whatley Construction LLC Post Office Box 137 Opelika, Alabama 368030137 Note: This notice must be run once a week for four successive weeks for projects exceeding $50,000.00.

Legal Run 08/14/19, 08/21/19, 08/28/19 & 09/04/19

THE STATE OF ALA-

BAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE #: 2019-B-123 In the Matter of: The Estate of Donnie Clayton Barber, deceased ORDER FIXING DAY FOR HEARING ON PROBATE OF WILL In the matter of the Application of Charles Barber to Admit the Last Will and Testament of Donnie Clayton Barber to Probate: This day came Charles Barber and filed his petition in writing and under oath, praying for an order of this Court admitting to probate an instrument purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Donnie Clayton Barber, deceased.

It is Ordered, Adjudged and Decreed by the Court that the 29th day of August, 2019, 10:00 o’clock a.m., be, and the same hereby is fixed by the Court as the day and time for the hearing on the said petition.

Witness my hand this the 25th day of July 2019.

Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 08/07/19, 08/14/19 & 08/21/19

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers in the Public Works Administrative Building located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session begins at 2:30 PM. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: 1. A public hearing on a request by James McCrory, authorized representative of East Alabama ENT Properties, LLC and Adams Family Properties, LLC, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Medical Plaza Fourth Revision subdivision consisting of 2 lots accessed at 1969 First Avenue.

2. A public hearing on a request by James McCrory, authorized representative of Carolyn Maloy, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of Maloy Subdivision consisting of 2 lots accessed at 8901 Highway 29 North.

3. A public hearing on a request by Mike Maher, authorized representative of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the National Village Phase G-5 subdivision consisting of 3 lots accessed from Turkey Hill Circle.

4. A request by Mike Maher, authorized representative for Retirement Systems of Alabama, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the National Village Phase 6A subdivision consisting of 23 lots accessed from Robert Trent Jones Trail.

5. A public hearing on a request by Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc., authorized representative of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, property owners, for preliminary plat approval of the National Village Plat 1-D subdivision consisting of 25 lots accessed from Turkey Hill Circle.

6. A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for John M. Dudley, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of Kensington Subdivision consisting of 89 lots accessed at 3811 South Uniroyal Road.

7. A request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for SMB Land, LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of Trillium, Phase 2-B subdivision consisting of 35 lots accessed from Morning Glory

Drive.

8. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Phoenix Senior Living, LLC, property owners, for a minor revision to the independent senior living & assisted living facilities portion of The Springs at Mill Lakes PUD Master Plan at 1270 Willow View Drive.

9. A public hearing on a request by Jack Johnson, authorized representative for Marcia and John M. Powell, property owners, for conditional use approval for a climate control miniwarehouse facility accessed at the 300 block of Samford Avenue.

10. A public hearing on a request by Tyler Maloney, authorized representative for Marsh Real Estate Investments, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a retail store in a M-1 zoning district (manufacturing) at 1011 Avenue C. 11. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a rezoning request by Jason A. Forbus, authorized representative for Broad Metro, LLC, property owner, Will Kadish, manager, to rezone 32.45 acres accessed at 2899 Gateway Drive from a C-2, GC-P zone to a PUD zoning district.

12. The following additional agenda items are included for review at the August 27th Planning Commission meeting: a. A petition from Darcy Gibbs, adjacent property owner, requesting the City Council to vacate a 1.06acre portion of Waverly Parkway. The Planning Commission provides a recommendation to City Council.

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

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

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

PLANNING DIRECTOR Legal Run 08/14/19

NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE SALE To be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Best 4 Less at 2509 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801.

3FAHP07Z87R174434 2007 FORD FUSION 3A4GY5F92AT168599 - 2010 CHRYLSER PT CRUISER 1G3AG54N6P6361890 - 1993 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERRA 4T1BF22K0YU112783 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY Legal Run 08/14/19 & 08/21/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA - BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE Case No. 2019-B-094 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Fred Douglas Jones, Deceased NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to Benjamin H. Parr, Personal Representative on the 8th day of August, 2019, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Benjamin H. Parr Legal Run 08/14/19, 08/21/19 & 08/28/19

pelika O Observer

B12 Aug. 14, 2019

Letter to the Editor: A response to ‘Medicare for all will cripple doctors, hospitals’ published July 31 Dear Editor, The first thing I noted about the above named article is that it cited no sources for any of the assertions that were made. In only one case did the article mention “One study estimates”, but with no specific citation.

Per the National Center for Health Statistics, total yearly healthcare spending for the US is $3.3 trillion. Several studies, such as one by UMass, have shown that Medicare for All, as described in HR 676: The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, would save as much as $597 Billion per

year, mostly from the bargaining power over pharmaceutical and hospital corporations of a single payer, and elimination of the 15% private insurance overhead (to pay people who’s job is to deny you healthcare).

Medicare overhead is about 2%.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), also known as the 1st world industrialized countries of the world, the US spends 17% of GDP on healthcare, the highest of any OECD country. We also have the 11th worst outcomes (only ahead of countries like Esto-

nia, Turkey, Poland) and 3rd highest child mortality rate (after Turkey and Mexico).

We spend 2.5 times as much per capita as the average of all OECD countries, and 40% more than the next most expensive country (Switzerland).

Currently doctors offices are burdened with dozens of different private insurance company forms in order to get reimbursed – all with different sets of network providers, deductibles, co-pays, procedures not covered, maximum payout limits, etc. These are all bureaucratic tasks forced on doctors and their staffs by private in-

progressive income and wealth tax – the rich pay the bulk of the costs because they can afford to, unlike current tax policy where the middle class pays all the taxes and the rich get all the tax breaks.

Oh, and one other fact about the current US healthcare system: we are the only OECD nation that does not have some form of government subsidized basic healthcare plan for all.

We are also the only OECD nation where people have to take up collections at the check out line, or have to ‘go fund me’ because family finances are

surance corporations.

No wonder they report high burnout rates!

With Medicare For All there is only one form, and yet the Pipes article states that it would “smother doctors in new bureaucratic tasks,” just the opposite of what is proposed in the bill.

With Medicare for All, insurance premiums and all out of pocket expenses are eliminated. Your health care is not dependent on your job.

You will not lose it if you decide to change jobs. Everyone is covered. If you get sick, you go to the doctor and get treated.

Medicare For All is funded by a steeply

decimated after a catastrophic medical event. We are the only OECD country where up to 50% of bankruptcies are due to catastrophic medical expenses, even for folks who thought they had medical insurance. In the other OECD countries this is eliminated.

Next time you talk to your Congressperson, ask them why you can’t have the same health plan they do.

Claude Crider Auburn, Alabama Publisher’s Note: Links to articles referenced can be requested by emailing editor@opelikaobserver.com.

ADOR launches online option for filing local fuel taxes; taxpayers can start using voluntary system on Nov. 1 Special to the Opelika Observer Beginning Sept. 3, taxpayers who are required to file and remit payment for local gasoline and diesel fuel excise taxes may gain access to a new online service pro-

Flowers, from B9 the freight train was due in, Mann drove down near the railroad station, parked his car some distance away and then hid in the shadows. Sure enough, minutes before the train was to arrive, a police car pulled up and out stepped Big Un with

vided by the Alabama Department of Revenue: the voluntary Motor Fuel Single Point System.

The Motor Fuel Single Point System will be available on My Alabama Taxes (MAT) at https:// myalabamataxes.

alabama.gov/. Account registration begins in September, and taxpayers will be able to use the system to file returns and remit payments beginning Nov. 1. To help taxpayers learn the system before then, video tutorials

his billy club in his hand.

When the train came to a stop, Big Un began walking alongside the freight cars, sliding the doors open looking for hobos. He opened a door and lying right in front of him was a man. Big Un slapped him across the head and ordered him out of the car.

The hobo turned ever so slowly and as he

did, he laid the barrel of a pistol between the eyes of Big Un. The policeman froze in terror.

“Mr. Policeman the hobo said slowly, I’ve got a momma in heaven, a papa in hell, and a sick sister in Columbus, Georgia. I aim to see one of them tonight.”

Big Un barely got the words out of his mouth and responded as he retreated, “You

are available on the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website at https://revenue. alabama.gov/businesslicense/single-pointvideo-tutorials/.

Any local gasoline and diesel fuel excise taxpayer that would like to use the volun-

tary system must register for a Motor Fuel Single Point account.

Returns must be filed along with payment of the taxes due by the 20th of the month.

Delinquent returns and payments must be submitted via the method authorized by the local

YES,

tell yo sister I hope she gets to feeling better.”

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

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

from B9 training, mentorship, weekly evaluations and resume workshops to help prepare them for college and entering the workforce.

After each participant received their Certificate of Completion, Fuller surprised the employees

authority.

For more information read ADOR’s notice on the Motor Fuel Single Point System at www.revenue.alabama. gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/190805 _SinglePointAccountRegistrstionNotice. pdf. with new backpacks containing every item on the Opelika High School supply list.

The youth were also recognized at last night’s city council meeting for their hard work and commitment to the city of Opelika.

Fuller hopes to partner with local businesses to extend this opportunity to 50 young citizens in 2020.

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We would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring one or more of our newspaper boxes or racks around Lee County

• Better Bodies Massage Institute • Interim HomeCare • Opelika Theatre Company • Point-Broadband • Three Keys Properties, LLC

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS Job Opening Assistant Property Manager Provide assistance and clerical support to property manager in the day-to day operation of assigned property. Collect and record rent and other charges, and assist with evictions.

Receive requests for repairs, generate and close work orders. Assist and encourage residents to become self-sufficient by referring to programs directed toward self-sufficiency. Make interim adjustments based on information from residents.

Assist in conducting annual re-examinations to verify continued program eligibility, and with various types of inspections. Attend staff meetings and training Minimum Qualifications • Associate Degree in

business or social services field plus two years of experience in dealing with the public and accounting for money, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience handling and accounting for money and involving public contact preferred.

Other:Valid Driving License Ability to be insured under the Authority’s vehicle policy Please visit our website to apply: www.opelikaha.org For more info and to submit resume and application with qualifications in writing to: ravery@ opelikaha.org or via mail: Human Resources Opelika Housing Authority P.O. Box 786 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0786

Yard Sale

For those of you in this area, I am having a downsizing, hopefully moving sale this Friday 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at 708 Third Ave. Lots of things will be for sale including a dining room table, 6 chairs, coffee table, some tools, books, clothes, lamps and pictures, etc. Please come, prices are right!

pelika O Observer

B13 Aug. 21, 2019

Lee Co. Commission approves ‘County Transportation Plan’ for $1.16 million in road repairs as part of Rebuild Alabama

By Michelle Key Publisher The Lee County Commission approved a ‘County Transportation Plan’ (CTP) for the upcoming fiscal year utilizing anticipated funds from the Rebuild Alabama Act Producing this plan is a requirement for the RAA that the Alabama legislature passed earlier this year increasing the gasoline tax across the state.

According to City Engineer Justin Hardee, the plan outlines projects the county plans to construct utilizing the funds for the RAA and also funds from the Federal Aid Exchange program funds. The total amount of planned road repairs included in the CTP is $1.161,430.

Lee County EMA Director Kathy Carson addressed the commission with information regarding a grant received from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security for $24,968.70, which was used to purchase a

2019 Polaris Ranger with trailer. The emergency vehicle is equipped with: - reinforced front and rear bumpers and a steel roof, - a 6,000 pound capacity winch - a medical rescue skid that has the capability of carrying medical personnel, a patient, equipment such as a stokes basket, spine board and medical bags, - 360-degree scene and emergency lighting - all terrain tires, power steering, automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

The vehicle will be maintained by LCEMA and will be available at any time as needed for emergency events.

Carson indicated that a vehicle like this will be a great asset for the county to have in the event of future events such as the March 3 tornadoes.

In other business, the commission: • approved a motion to ratify and approved July claims and procurement

card transactions • approved a request from County Administrator Roger Rendleman to approve a resolution to authorize Frazier Lanier to prepare documents and to position the county to possibly refinance the 2010 Bridge Bond which has approximately 10 years left for its debt service schedule and an approximately balance of $4.7 million. Refinancing the bond issue has the potential to save the county more than $300,000 during the next 10 years. Per the approved resolution, should conditions or other factors change so that refinancing is not longer advantageous to the county, the county can discontinue the process and will not be charged any fees to Frazier Lanier.

• approved the low bid of $3,060,000 from Sports Turf Company, Inc. from Whitesburg, Georgia for phase I of the recreation park in Beulah • approved a request from Rendleman to authorize execution of a

Sec. John Merrill administers Absentee Voting Law updates Special to the Opelika Observer Alabama Act 2019-507 became effective Aug. 1, 2019, establishing new requirements for voters casting absentee ballots.

A copy of the voters’ valid photo identification must now be submitted along with the absentee ballot application. This will ensure that only eligible voters receive ballots for the election in which they are qualified to vote.

Prior to Aug. 1, voters requesting an absentee ballot were not required to present a valid form of photo identification with their application, making it more difficult for Absentee Election Managers to verify the voters’ identity.

“Now more than ever, we are making it easier

to vote and harder to cheat! By streamlining the process to verify absentee voters, we are making the submission of an absentee application easier and more efficient for all who are eligible,” Merrill said.

Absentee Election Managers are no longer required to publish the list of absentee voters, their addresses, and their polling places in the county courthouse. This law protects voter privacy and keeps information from being compromised by those looking to influence elections.

This law introduces two new instances for voters to submit an absentee ballot: if a voter is the caregiver to an immediate family member or if a voter has been incarcerated but has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony.

Further, Act 2019-507 provides that a voter may apply for an emergency absentee ballot while serving as the caregiver to someone who requires medical treatment or if an immediate family member has passed away within five days of an election.

In order to ensure absentee ballots are returned in a timely manner in a way that is convenient, voters now have the option to return ballots by commercial carrier in addition to U.S. mail.

All updates are reflected in the information provided by the Secretary of State’s website.

“In the Office of the Secretary of State, we are working to make the electoral process more efficient and accommodating for the people of Alabama!” Merrill said.

loan for the amount of $2 million to supplement the $5 million bond financing in order to complete both the Beauregard and Beulah recreation projects • approved a bid from Hornsby Striping Company, Inc for the amount of $283,256.80 for the installation of traffic stripe and reflective markers on a combined 181 miles of county roads.

The next commission

Photo by Michelle Key/Opelika Observer

meeting will be on Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. and will be held in the commission chambers in the court-

house. which is located at 215 S. 9th St. in Opelika.

For more information, visit www.leeco.us.

INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS FOOD

TONS OF FUN

BRING CASH FOR FOOD & FUN!

FOOD DAY FOR UNITED WAY MUNICIPAL PARK AUGUST 16 • 5-7 P.M.

Food Trucks & Local Restaurants • Kids games duck race • DJ Silky tone Music train rides • Childrens Art T-shirts for sale Special Guests like Sparky, AUBIE & OHS Cheerleaders/Mascots Live Bull: Bulls, Bands & Barrels Proceeds will go to the United Way of Lee County.

NOW OPEN

Indoor shooting range is open to the public

2195 FIRST AVENUE • OPELIKA

pelika Observer O

B14 Aug. 14, 2019

Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku?

Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

This week’s Scramblers Answers: 1.Secure 2. Market 3.Declare 4. Snake - Solution:Resume

Even Exchange Answers 1. Borrow, Burrow 2. Roast, Roust 3. Thing, Think 4. Purse. Purge 5. Welder, Wilder

6. Oasis, Basis 7. Track, Trace 8. Stitch, Snitch 9. Cellar, Collar 10. Plate, Slate

pelika O Observer

B15 Aug. 14, 2019

COMICS

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

pelika Observer O

B16 Aug. 14, 2019

Sen. Doug Jones: Final Medicare Wage Index Rule will provide long-overdue relief for struggling Alabama hospitals Special to the Opelika Observer U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) applauded a final rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week saying that it will update the Medicare Wage Index reimbursement formula.

The formula has disadvantaged hospitals in Alabama for decades and left them to cover significant costs for uncompen-

sated care.

Last fall, Jones met with CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) to share his serious concerns about the unfair rate and to ask for CMS to take steps to address it. This spring, he also joined the full Alabama congressional delegation in sending a bipartisan letter to Verma urging her agency to provide relief for

Alabama hospitals by increasing the reimbursement rate.

“Today’s final rule will provide muchneeded relief for Alabama’s struggling hospitals by fixing the Medicare Wage Index formula. For two decades, Alabama has been fighting the unfair Medicare reimbursements and today receives a rate that is just 67% of the national average,” Jones said, who is a member of the Senate Health,

Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“I am grateful that after meeting with Administrator Verma, Senator Shelby, and Congresswoman Sewell last year, CMS finally heard our concerns and took action to find a solution that better serves our hospitals and rural communities. This was a top priority for me when I came to the Senate last year, and I am proud that we were able to make this long-overdue

change a reality,” Jones said.

Alabama currently has the lowest wage index according to the Alabama Hospital Association, and approximately 88 percent of Alabama hospitals are currently operating in the red and cannot cover the cost of delivering care. Thirteen hospitals in Alabama have closed their doors since 2011, seven of which were in rural areas.

Senator Jones has

been a vocal advocate in favor of reforming the Medicare Wage Index formula as well as expanding Medicaid, both of which would help shore up Alabama hospitals that are facing serious financial challenges.

Medicaid expansion would bring an estimated $2 billion of Alabamians’ tax dollars back to the state in just the first year after expanding and provide health coverage to 326,000 Alabamians.

This week’s puzzle answers:

Renée Fleming tuesday, september 24 7:30 p.m.

Join us for our 2019-20 inaugural season opening night performance.

Tickets available now!

334.844.TIXS (8497) • GOGUECENTER.AUBURN.EDU