pelika O Observer
Vol. 10, No. 45
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Opelika, Alabama
Aug. 17 - The Velcro Pygmies in Opelika! Aug. 21 - Wine Tasting Aug. 23 - Four Corners Ministries Annual Banquet Aug. 24 - James Gregory “The Funniest Man in America”
“By local people, for local people.”
Wine Down Wednesday is week 5 - 8 p.m. www.bottlingplanteventcenter.com • every 334-705-5466
‘Grow with Google’ tour makes 15th annual ‘Great stop in Opelika last Wednesday Grown-Up Spelling
Bee’ held Thursday
Photo by Michelle Key/Editor By Michelle Key Editor Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Representatives from Google made a stop in Opelika last Wednesday as a part of the company’s “Grow with Google” tour. Held at the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, the event featured free, day-long workshops and 1-on-1 training sessions led by experts in the fields of computer coding, marketing, search engine optimization, use of platform-specific tools including Gmail, Google Drive, spreadsheets and more. Opelika residents Anna Dob-
bel, Jerry Katz and Brooke Watson shared their thoughts on the “Using Date to Drive Growth” course that they attended. “I attended the class with the intentions of learning how to better utilize the data that Google has for businesses and how Google can help us grow. The class brought to light real ways to interpret their data and how to utilize it for growth,” Dobbel said. “There were several (free) Google features that I didn’t know anything about. That’s going to help me and the work I do for the company I represent,” Katz said.
Watson added that she learned valuable ways to help boost her company’s presence and visibility throughout the OpelikaAuburn area. “I’m so grateful to live in a wonderful community that is rich in opportunity and can draw companies like Google to the area to help improve our local small businesses. I learned a lot of creative ways to help my business increase its exposure and revenue,” Watson said. Dozens participated, and the event included appearances from Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Congressman Mike See Google, page A3
Alec Harvey and Jennifer Robinson from the Auburn Rotary Club team “Bee Afraid, Bee Very Afraid” took home the coveted trophy at last week’s 15th annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee, hosted by the Lee County Literacy Coalition. Team Bee Afraid outspelled 18 other teams, including last year’s winners from the Auburn University Libraries. The LCLC provides 1-on-1 tutoring as well as outreach programs to help individuals learn
how to manage money, prepare for the drivers license exams, as well as help young adults planning to take the military entrance exam. The mission statement The mission of the Lee County Literacy Coalition is to help adults learn to read, write and use mathematics at a level necessary to succeed and thrive in society. The event This year’s event marked the 15th year of the spelling bee. Unlike traditional spelling bees where contestants can take their time and See Bee, page B11
O Town Ice Cream, Scoops Real St. Paul and the Broken Bones to Italian Ice announce partnership headline ‘concourse/south’ Aug. 25 By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor O Town Ice Cream and Scoops Real Italian Ice will be partnering together to provide an even sweeter experience for their customers in the Opelika-Auburn area. According to O Town coowner Angela George and Scoops owner Jeff Jerkins, the partnership will allow both businesses to expand their menus and sell their products together begin-
By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor
ning in September. This will include the launch of the “O Town Ice and Cream” food truck, as well as sales through O Town’s mobile cart, pop-up shops at Cyberzone, J&M Bookstore in Auburn as “Sani Freeze,” “Float Boat” on Lake Martin and new brick-and-mortar storefront at 700 2nd Ave. “We’re real excited about it. It makes perfect sense for us, putting a mobile business like Scoops together with O See O Town, page A2
The Birminghambased soul group “St. Paul and the Broken Bones” will serve as the headlining act for the third annual “concourse/ south” event Aug. 25 in downtown Opelika. Organized by Cottonseed Studios, the arts and music festival has been condensed to Photo special to the Opelika Observer
Index OPINION.....................................A4 COUNTY NEWS............................A5 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 CALENDAR................................A10
SPORTS.......................................B1 RELIGION..............................B3 LEGALS ......................................B4 ENTERTAINMENT......................B12
See St. Paul, page A11
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A2 August 15, 2018
New cancer center to be named after E.L. Spencer Jr., wife Ruth
Special to the Opelika Observer Former East Alabama Medical Center board chairman E.L. Spencer Jr. and his wife Ruth will be the namesakes of the hospital’s new cancer center slated to open next spring. At a naming reception held July 23 at AuburnBank, EAMC President and CEO Terry Andrus explained to Spencer family members and guests the rationale for honoring the couple in this manner. “This got started about six months ago when the AuburnBank Board of Directors decided to make a donation in honor of the Spencers for the new Cancer Center. That was followed by a magnanimous donation by the Spencer family,” Andrus said. Andrus added that the Spencers’ involvement with the project has provided an easier way of requesting donations. “The great thing is when you go and reach out to people and say ‘we’ve got this great stateof-the-art cancer center that we are building and we are going to name it for the Spencers, would you like to help?’ We’ve just had great response,” Andrus said. “That is because of the great legacy the Spencers have in this community.” Laura Grill, who will replace An-
drus as president and hospital CEO on Oct. 1, also spoke at the ceremony while presenting a resolution signed by the EAMC Board of Directors last month that officially names the Cancer Center in honor of the Spencers. “I echo what Terry said in thanking you for everything you have done for this community and for this hospital … when you drive by the front of the center, it will say the Spencer Cancer Center. And, as you enter the front doors, it will say the E.L. Spencer, Jr. and Ruth Priester Spencer Cancer Center,” Grill said. “We are very, very excited to name this facility for you - thank you for all you have done.” From 1982-2008, E.L. served on the EAMC Board of Directors, including as chairman from 19902008, the longest in board history. The new center will be located at 2501 Village Professional Drive in Opelika. Nearly 60,000 sq. ft. in size, it will be four times larger than the size of the current Cancer Center of East Alabama, which opened in 1992. Among the amenities at the new facility will be two linear accelerators, 28 regular infusion therapy chairs, 18 exam rooms, a pharmacy, a boutique, four conference rooms, a resource library and a chapel. For more information or updates, visit www.eamc.org.
O Town,
from A1
Town which has and (will have) a brickand-mortar storefront,” Jerkins said. “This will help both of us to increase our reach in the community, and Angela has great ideas for social media and marketing … it’s just a great situation for both (businesses).” The Georges’ new storefront, also slated to open next month, will be in the former home of the Jerkins’ other business, Bub-
ba’s Medicine Shop. George said it will retain the same feel and atmosphere as their downtown shop did, including an area for children to play with sidewalk chalk, rocking chairs Opelika-themed ice cream flavors and new features like covered outdoor seating and drive-up ordering system. “Closing the shop this summer was one of the hardest things (we’ve) ever been through, and some things didn’t go the way we were hoping. But as a small business owner and
entrepreneur, a good friend of mine told me that you just have to stop in your tracks and pivot,” George said. “And once you turn around and see what’s a little bit behind you, it’s okay to go back there and regroup. We did that and prayed, and it’s just all worked out.” Once launched, the food truck and cart will be available for rental for social functions or events. For more information or updates, like and follow both of the businesses on Facebook or Instagram.
Photos special to the Opelika Observer
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A3 August 15, 2018
‘Barber Cuts and Styles’ offers old-school straightrazor shaves, hot towel treatments to customers By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Similar to Floyd’s barbershop on “Andy Griffith,” Opelika’s “Barber Cuts and Styles” offers straight-razor shaves, hot towel treatments and a place for community and conversation. “This is a traditional, old-school barbershop. With the straight razors and hot towel treatments, we’re offering something very few others do,” said co-owner Paul Brumett. Paul, along with his brother and barber David, opened the barbershop in early 2016 in the Tiger Square Shopping
Google,
from A1 Rogers, who spoke of their excitement for Google’s visit. “For those of you that live here, you know that the Auburn-Opelika area is a real economic force, not only in this district, but in the state. There’s a great quality of life and workforce here,” Rogers said. “But what you’re realizing and what I’m realizing (here) is that we have to have 21st century skills. This is the first campaign cycle that I’ll be using digital analytics ... it’s the future, and just
Center. David, a certified, professionally trained barber, said he has spent the last three years honing his craft. “The key to being a great or master barber is being able to clean up a mess. It’s not just being a barber,” David said. “I’ve been doing this for a little while now, and I’ve learned this: ‘whether it’s your messup or somebody else’s mess-up, if you can fix it to where it looks good, you’re going to do well in this business.’” Following is a full list of services that the shop provides:
- “Edge Up” for $10 - “Classic Haircut” for $16 “Straight Razor Hot Shave” for $16 “Beard Trim” for $25 “Haircut and Beard Trim” for $24 “Haircut and Shave”
for $30. According to David, each day at the barbershop provides him an opportunity connect with his customers and strengthen his community ties. “I just love people. It’s
like you all, I’m still in a learning curve (with all this).” Grow with Google’s Alabama tour concluded last Friday in Scottsboro. For more information or to read more about the nationwide initiative, visit www.grow.google.
been an awesome experience, and I just love (what I do),” David said. The barbershop is located at 2701 Frederick Road, and is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 9
a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, visit www.barbercutsandstyles.com, like and follow the business’s Facebook and Instagram pages or call (334) 3298774.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM LETS YOU EARN WHILE YOU LEARN!
Visit your local Career Center and ask about the On-the-Job Training Program! Earn a salary while learning a skilled trade
JOBLINK.ALABAMA.GOV Robert Noles/Opelika Observer
Funding provided by the USDOL, ETA, Federal WIOA. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
we need your help Getting on the road to good health
Helping others is what we do in Opelika. The City of Opelika, East Alabama Medical Center, Auburn University and the Casey Family Programs are partnering to provide a mobile wellness clinic for under-served citizens in Opelika. In order to make this dream a reality, we need to raise funds to convert the bus into a clinic. Our goal is to provide free preventative, supportive services to those in need. To help us get on the road to good health, call 334-705-5150, or visit www.eamcfoundation.org and click the donate button. DONATE TODAY! Our mobile wellness clinic will: • Offer easy-access healthcare • Identity needs in the community • Improve social & health outcomes • Build relationships • Reduce need for foster care • Support children and families • Promote disease prevention
CITY OF
OPELIKA
labam
ADMINISTRATION 334-705-5150 www.opelika-al.gov
pelika O Opinion Follow Preston Brooks Her Own Woman A4
August 15, 2018
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Which he did. ccording to my Yessir. Brooks took buddy John, the his brass-knobbed GuttaPreston Brooks percha cane to Sumner Society (of which he is right there in the Senate. founder and, until he adBroke it over his head. mitted me, the sole memThe northern press ber) has declared Sept. 20 had a field day. Called as “a South-wide day of mourning and self-exami- By Hardy Jackson Southerners barbarians and all that. nation.” However, the Richmond newsWhy Sept. 20? paper praised what Brooks did It was on this date back in 1975, as “good in conception, better in that an Anniston lay preacher and execution, and best of all in consemember of the Alabama state legisquences.” lature met his maker. South Carolinians sent him a The tragic story began when his fellow legislators learned the preach- bunch of replacements for the cane he broke. er was packing heat in the halls of Sumner was out of commission that August assembly. for three years. Word from MasWhen called to explain, he told sachusetts was that he was gravely his colleagues that he carried a gun wounded. Southerners said he was because his life was “a gift of God scared to return, “fraid of another and God gave me the ingenuity to whupping.” protect that gift.” Sumner’s friends in the House That ingenuity extended to his family. He made sure they were also tried to get Brooks expelled and failed, but he resigned anyway. He armed. went home, and his constituents sent Which turned out not to be a good him back. He died a year later of idea, for a few months later, after a what was described as the croup. “domestic squabble,” the preacher/ Now, the thoughtful among you legislator’s armed wife shot him in might be having a little trouble recthe head. onciling a society named for Preston He spent eight weeks in a coma, Brooks with a call for “mourning then died. and self-examination,” especially It was ruled an accident. on the day selected. Brooks did not Not long after that, the reverend’s seem much inclined to do either. legislative colleagues passed a Neither did the pistol-toting preachresolution praising the deceased as er. someone who “contributed immeaBut let me suggest to you that surably to the enrichment of our cultural, economic and everyday lives.” maybe we have missed the point by looking at what Brooks did to SumLike Preston Brooks. (You wondered when, or if, I’d get ner and not considering what he did afterward. to Brooks, didn’t you? Well now I True, he probably shouldn’t have have.) done what he did, but his conduct in For those of you who were asleep the wake of the incident may well be in history class, I will fill you in. worthy of emulation. It all started back in 1856. Sen. After the vote to expel him failed. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts And after he resigned and was remade a speech in the U. S. Senate elected. Brooks was asked how he in which he said some not-so-nice planned to deal with the representhings about Sen. Andrew Butler of tatives who felt he did not belong South Carolina. Butler, by all reamong them? ports, was a kindly old gentleman. And he replied, “Sir, they have Even his slaves were said to like written me down upon the history him, though the slaves themselves might have told it differently, if they of the country as worthy of expulsion, and in no unkindness I must had been asked, privately, which I tell them that for all future time my doubt they were. self-respect requires that I shall pass Well, Butler was not present to them as strangers.” defend himself, but his nephew, And he did. Preston Brooks, was across the hall And there were no more incidents. in the House of Representatives. And today, if politicians who are Learning what the Yankee had so bent on raising partisanship to a said about his uncle, Representative Brooks decided to challenge Sumner new low would follow the example of Preston Brooks and simply pass to a duel. But a colleague from South Caroli- each other as strangers, we would all na pulled Brooks aside and reminded be the better for it. Dont’cha think? him that dueling was a way gentleHarvey H. (Hardy) Jackson is Proman settled their differences. Since fessor Emeritus of History at Jackthey agreed that Sumner was no sonville State University. He can be gentleman, Brooks decided to whup reached at hjackson@cableone.net. him instead.
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he sun was shining bright. It was a beautiful day. Jody and I had nothing planned for the first weekend in months. We had nothing but time, so we decided to do what we love best; we spent the day outside. We started out with a walk down to our creek with the dogs. Jody was pushing Abby in the stroller and I was looking down at the ground, like my grandfather taught me, on a desperate search for an arrowhead. I’ve never found one before. We live near Horseshoe Bend, so it’s prime territory for Native American artifacts. I was determined to find
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a man in the military. ’m just an old womShe married him. He an who raises pigs,” carried her all over the said Miss Wanda. world—Japan, Ger“You’d be crazy to many, Florida. wanna write about me.” “He was abusive,” Maybe I am crazy. she says. “First time But right now, I am on he smacked me, he Miss Wanda’s sprawlBy Sean Dietrich blamed it on whiskey. ing farm in Central The second time, he was sober.” Alabama, and there are pigs One night, he lost his mind and everywhere, roaming, making tried to kill her. She left him, and deposits. took her 10-year-old daughter One pig—named Twiggy—is with her. She came here. brushing against my leg like a She arrived at two in the lovesick house cat. She is sniffmorning. Her father met her on ing my hand. Twiggy weighs more than a commercial washing the porch. And it was here that they had a good life. Her father machine. played his fiddle for his beautiful “Twiggy loves cookies,” Miss Wanda tells me. “She thinks you girls until he passed. So that’s her story. She raised have cookies in your hand.” her daughter here, by herself. Miss Wanda is 76, and a pig And she is still here because she lover. Her love affair with pigs loves it. started innocently just like any “After my daughter got marhobby. She bought a pig that was sup- ried,” she adds. “Things started to get pretty lonely.” posed to be a “teacup pig,” from So she bought a pig. a breeder in Georgia. And pigs became her friends. They named the tiny pig They’re too big to come indoors “Cream Puff.” like dogs. But you ought to see “Cream Puff used to be small their snouts light up when she enough to fit in your pocket,” comes around. says Wanda. “Used to let him “My daughter thinks I’ve lost sleep in my bed and everything. my mind,” she says. “But after Thought he’d stay that small.” But Cream Puff kept eating his years of trying to be somebody Wheaties, and soon he was about I’m not, I’ve finally learned to be me. Maybe I am crazy. I don’t the size of a defensive lineman know.” for the Dallas Cowboys. She looked up her ex-husband Miss Wanda explains: “I found on Facebook a few years ago. out there ain’t no such thing as She emailed him for the first a ‘teacup pig.’ People oughta time in 30 years. It was someknow that going into their first thing she wanted to do. pig purchase.” She flew to California to forCheck. give him in a Mexican restaurant Cream Puff turned out to be a big old boy. He eats eight pounds over a margarita. “Ten years ago, I coulda never of feed each day and frequently makes six-pound contributions to done that. I think I’m finally done healing inside. Healing the Barnyard of Life. takes time.” Miss Wanda is her own womOur meeting is over. She an. She is a vegetarian, a musihugs me and bids me farewell. cian, a quilter and a dedicated She sends me away with vegan granny. And she loves pigs. Wanda takes me into her home. chocolate chip cookies. Twiggy is waiting beside my truck in It’s a place that smells like cincase I’d like to donate my cooknamon and fresh bread. There is sheet music everywhere, and fab- ies to a needy hog. Before I leave, she says: “You ric bolts, and porcelain figurines. ain’t really gonna write about She removes a violin from an some old woman with pet pigs, old case. She plays “Flop Eared are you?” Mule” and “Amazing Grace.” I might, Miss Wanda. I just She holds the fiddle low on her might. arm. Her fingers are arthritic. Her spirit is not. Sean Dietrich is a columnist, Her father taught her to play. and novelist, known for his comLong ago, he was a millworker, a mentary on life in the American farmer. She remembers watching South. His work has appeared in him play his fiddle in the kitchen Southern Living, the Tallahassee while her mother cooked supper. Democrat, Southern Magazine, She was close to him. After her Yellowhammer News, the Bitter mother had a horrible nervous Southerner, the Mobile Press breakdown, he raised her. Register and he has authored When she got older, she met seven books.
Frozen in Time one. No luck. I didn’t find any, but I returned to the house with a warm heart and a smile on my face. We always have a good time on our daily walks. We talk, we laugh, we observe the world around us, and count our many blessings. We always try to thank God for where we are in our lives no matter what obstacles we may be facing. Upon returning to Terrapin Slide, the Fuller family homeplace, we decided to drive over to a nearby cemetery to visit Jody’s grandparents, Mawmaw and Pawpaw Fuller. We owed them a visit. After all,
By Lucy Fuller
we are living in their home. It only seems fitting that we pay our respects and thank them for leaving not only a legacy to live up to but a beautiful home full of warm memories and rich history. We took a road, literally less traveled, named Punkin Hill Road. Yes, you read that correctly… “Punkin” Hill. Along this glorious dirt road, we stumbled across a cemetery. It was
small, overgrown, and in the middle of nowhere. I was immediately in love. We walked around and read the names and dates on the tombstones. There were many Fullers, Knights and Colleys, but there was one unique name on a headstone that sat to the back of the property all by itself. The person was born in 1792 on Christmas day. I longed to know his story. Why was he alone? Where was his family? I solemnly made my way back to the car where Jody, Abby, and my trusty Jack Russell were waiting for me. We then drove to Lebanon Cemetery.
Upon arrival, we went directly to the final resting place of Mawmaw and Pawpaw Fuller. While Jody told me brief stories of their life, I placed my hand upon their headstone and quietly introduced myself. I whispered well wishes and thanks. Although I received no reply, I know that they were obliged to meet me. I noticed a slight breeze in the air. As I looked up from their headstone, suddenly I felt as if that was their way of welcoming me to their community and their home. I smiled as I traced my finger along the goosebumps on my arm. Jody and Abigail
were walking around looking for his relatives that were long laid to rest. I found myself wandering around also. I always like to go to the oldest part of the cemetery. I walked slowly and carefully to the very back of the graveyard looking down as usual. I never want to miss anything and I didn’t. I took in all that I saw. I listened to every single story that each epitaph whispered into my heart which was growing quite heavy. I saw numerous unmarked graves—graves with sandstone rocks for headstones. I paid respects to the stones See Fuller, page A10
pelika O Observer
Around Lee County
Opelika City Council tackles full agenda during last Tuesday’s meeting By Michelle Key Editor During last week's city council meeting, council members voted to approve a special appropriation of $25,000 to the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation to help defray the cost of the new cancer center that is currently under construction. The council also
held a public hearing was held on the demolition of the structures located at 207 Ave. A in Opelika. The property has been in disrepair and notice of the hearing was sent in June to owner and Valley resident Maurice Ward. Ward addressed the council, requesting more time to seek advice of the Historic Commission and to
develop plans for renovation. According to remarks made by Jeff Kappelman, Building Official for the City of Opelika, this is the second time that this property has been brought before the council for demolition. There was a order of demolition for this property in 2011. The current resolution See Council, page A12
Popular food delivery service expands to Auburn-Opelika Special to the Opelika Observer Waitr’s widespread appeal in Alabama – and throughout the Southeast – has triggered the restaurant on-demand
platform to expand its service to Auburn and Opelika. The delivery service officially launched in the area last Thursday. The Waitr app lets customers order See Waitr, page B11
Women’s Hope celebrates 35 Years of Ministry Special to the Opelika Observer From humble beginnings to today, Women’s Hope Medical Clinic, is celebrating 35 years of life-saving ministry this month. The nonprofit is thankful to the community for the support over these many years. “There are so many lives in Lee County and beyond that have been positively impacting by the services rendered
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at Women’s Hope,” said Executive Director Daria Monroe. “It is with joy that we share this celebration with our community to display the way the Lord has used supporters for the good of thousands through the last thirtyfive years.” On Aug. 28 from 6-8 p.m., Women’s Hope will celebrate during their annual fall fundraising banquet to be held at the Hotel at Auburn University and
Dixon Conference Center. Former executive director Kirk Walden will be the featured speaker. Women’s Hope started in Auburn at the home of founders Janet and Tom Wadsworth to meet the needs of women facing crisis pregnancies as Sav-A-Life Auburn/ Opelika. As one of the first pregnancy resource centers in the country to See Hope, page B11
August 15, 2018
Local Eagle Scout candidate to restore grave shelter
Photos special to the Opelika Observer By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Local Eagle Scout candidate Ryan Ketring is working to restore a vandalized structure in Opelika’s County Line Cemetery. In 2013, vandals set fire to a grave shelter for an unknown child, with only a few charred pieces remaining after the blaze. While searching for a community project to earn his Eagle Scout Badge, Ketring said he learned of the incident from a conversation with Auburn University professor Dr. Robert Bubb, an active leader in the cemetery’s restoration. “Dr. Bubb (told me) that a child's grave shed was burned down by vandals. I thought that (re)building (it) would be a meaningful service to the community,” Ketring said. Cemetery history The cemetery occupies land that once belonged to County Line Church, which no longer exists. According to research conducted by local historian Billy Page, five acres of land that the church and cemetery occupied were given by deed June 26, 1843, from Reuben Aldridge to Clark Aldridge and Wiley Davis. Located next to the church was the cemetery, which contains more than 30 confirmed graves. According to a press release from Lee
County Cemetery Preservation Commission member Edna Ward, the cemetery is a site of major historical importance for Lee County residents. “The earliest engraved death date is May 30, 1833, for Saluda Aldridge. Reuben Aldridge’s stone has a death date of Oct. 23, 1847,” Ward said. “Other than the graves with markers there are many that remain unknown. Most were marked with rocks.” Two graves marked by stacked rocks could denote the importance of the people buried there, which Ward and fellow LCCPC members believe to be former pastors of the church. Moving to completion Ketring said he expects to have the project finished later this month or by early September. Because of the cemetery’s remote location and lack of water or electricity, Ketring will have to prepare and partially assemble the materials elsewhere before finishing the project on-site. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he and his staff are proud of Ketring’s efforts, and are working diligently to protect local cemeteries from future acts of vandalism. “Unfortunately, some people took it upon themselves to destroy (the shelter), and it’s just a real shame that people See Cemetery, page B11
Opelika’s Target one of 1,000 locations to be remodeled Special to the Opelika Observer
Target’s Opelika store is one of more than 1,000 other Target locations that are being remodeled, part of a nationwide initiative by the company to rebrand and advance its stores to the next generation of store design by the year 2020. No two remodels will look exactly alike. Target officials said that they are approaching each one with a customized combination of the lat-
est enhancements from their next generation of store design, to meet the unique needs of the store and the neighborhood around it. Two of Target’s top experts—Joe Contrucci, senior vice president of stores, and Joe Perdew, vice president of store design weighed in and shared details of the rebranding. Following is a list of general questions and answers regarding the rebranding: How do you approach
a store remodel, and what determines which enhancements each store gets? Contrucci: There are a lot of factors at play, like where each store is located and what the neighborhood around it needs most. For example, is it near other retailers, coffee shops and restaurants? Do guests usually come on foot or drive their cars? Which products or services are most popular or in-demand? We count on our local See Target, page B11
BEAUREGARD DRUGS
Let Tucker Simmons and the staff at Beauregard Drugs help you manage your seasonal allergies.
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A6 August 15, 2018
Southeast Boy Scout representatives visit with Opelika Rotary Submitted to the Opelika Observer Sara Banks and Juan Osorio, executives with the Chattahoochee Council of Boy Scouts of America, shared information about Boy Scouting in the East Alabama area at a recent Opelika Rotary meeting. They also discussed recent developments in scouting. The Saugahatchee District of BSA encompasses Lee and Chambers counties. Nearly 620 youth are served by scouting in the district. Membership in the area is growing. This week saw the inclusion of girls in the Cub Scout program for the first time. Pictured (from left) are: Osorio, Walter Dorsey (club member) and Banks.
Check Out Our New Tiger Town Location Across from Lowe’s, another convenient location to serve our customers
Located in Historic Downtown Opelika
334-745-4618
We protect it. You live it.
AuburnBank’s Tiger Town Kroger location has moved to a new, full-service location on Frederick Road in front of Lowe’s. Under the leadership of City President Eddie Smith, our new location provides three drive-up windows, a drive-up ATM, a night deposit drop, safe deposit boxes, consumer and commercial loans in addition to all our checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts,
Eddie Smith CITY PRESIDENT
Drake Martin, Agent 907 2nd Avenue Suite A Opelika, AL 36801 Bus: 334-745-6304 www.drakemartin.net
certificates of deposit and numerous electronic products and services. We look forward to serving you at the new Tiger Town Branch. ICK RD.
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334-275-9600
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Opelika E vents, Society, & Food
U PC OM I NG EVENT S: • FARMER’S MARKETS •THE GREAT AFFAIRS • ODD ALICE •BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH •SILENT SKY •EXTERRA AUBURN
Nealey Dozier Thompson has dream job working with Atlanta chefs Ann Cipperly’s
Southern
Hospitality
W
hen I walked into an Atlanta shop recently for a cooking class on Vietnamese kitchen techniques, I was pleasantly surprised to find former Opelikan Nealey Dozier Thompson as the head chef. Over the years, I had heard wonderful things about Thompson in her career. Shortly after the fun cooking class, Thompson was recruited by the Cooks Warehouse to design teaching menus, create catalogues and work with Atlanta chefs. Thompson was born in Opelika where she grew up and attended Lee-Scott Academy. Her parents, Cathy and Jim Dozier, had both
attended Auburn University. They met when Jim was a Delta pilot, and Cathy was working as a flight attendant. After marrying, they remembered how much they loved this area. They decided to raise their children in Opelika instead of Atlanta. Cathy is a good cook and enjoys entertaining. I have written about her love of cooking in this column and also years ago in another food column called Southern Gourmet. Thompson’s favorite memory of her mother in the kitchen was when she made a wedding cake from scratch. She found a Martha Stewart recipe for a three-tiered cake with
Italian buttercream. She piped dots all over it and placed pansies on top. “It took over the entire refrigerator,” Thompson remembers. “Mom was so exhausted. She said she would never do it again.” When she was growing up, Thompson was a picky eater. Her parents would take her out to dine, and she would order chicken fingers. She had no interest in cooking. After graduating from Lee-Scott, she attended Appalachian State College in North Carolina but missed her parents and football. She came home her junior year to attend Auburn University. While in college, she
Photo special to the Observer Nealey Dozier Thompson, who grew up in Opelika, has enjoyed an interesting career in foods, including working for the Cooking Channel. She is currently working with chefs at the Cook's Warehouse in Atlanta. Thompson is sharing a variety of her favorite recipes. worked at Hamilton’s in Auburn. She began trying different dishes besides chicken fingers. She also enjoyed being in a restaurant. After graduating from Auburn, she followed her older sisters, Tinsley and Deanna, to California. One sister lived in LA, while the other one resided in San Francisco. Thompson went to work with a famous wedding planner, Yifat Oren, who plans weddings and
parties for celebrities. She told Yifat that her mother taught her all about weddings. Later, Yifat said she hired Thompson because she had never met a Southern girl and thought it would be cute to have her answering the phone, saying “y’all.” Regardless of the reason, Thompson traveled with Yifat all over the country, assisting her with parties. “That is when I started doing the tastings for weddings,” she says.
“I began meeting chefs and doing wine pairings. Then a light bulb went off, as I realized I just wanted to go to tastings all day.” After working for the famous wedding planner for two years, Thompson knew she wanted to learn how to cook. She quit her job and attended the New School of Cooking in Los Angeles for a year. While living in L.A., she met her future husSee Cipperly, page A9
Bottling Plant to host James Gregory, Velcro Pygmies Aug. 17, 18 By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor The Bottling Plant Event Center will hold two major events later this month at their downtown Opelika entertainment venue. Following is a breakdown of both events, with ticketing options for each: Aug. 17 - “The Velcro Pygmies” Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, “The Velcro Pygmies” are an 80s and 90s hair metal cover band that perform classic hits from a wide array of bands from that era, including KISS, Poison and Van Halen. Established in 1990,
the group has toured extensively throughout the country, building a name for itself because of its highenergy, fan-engaging performances. “The Velcro Pygmies travel the country year round, from the Gulf Shores to the Great Lakes, to See Music, page A8
Local restaurants receive national recognition By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Auburn’s Acre and Chicken Salad Chick were recognized as two of the South’s go-to culinary destination in recent national publications. OpenTable.com, a San Francisco-based online restaurant reservation company, compiled a list of the South’s most popular restaurants based on user votes. Acre was one of 50 selected, and was also named
as the “Best Restaurant in Alabama,” according to the article. Opened in 2013 by Chef David Bancroft, the restaurant was built with the idea of being a “restaurant
with sophisticated charm and repurposed architectural details serving stylishly modern food with roots deep in Southern See Restaurants, page A11
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A8 August 15, 2018
City of Opelika to host ‘Food Pettis to perform at Sundilla Aug. 24 Day for United Way’ Aug. 18 By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor The City of Opelika will hold a “Food Day for United Way” Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Courthouse Square. The event will feature food from local food truck vendors and several downtown Opelika restaurants, games for children and adults, live deejay and a playing of “Pie Face” with several city department heads. Beyond a time of fun and fellowship is the chance to give back to
an organization that does so much good for its community, according to a post on the City of Opelika’s Facebook page. “We know that the local United Way agencies do great work in our community. There are four main impact areas that (the organization) focuses on: strengthening families and community; crisis, education; and health.” All monies collected from the event will be donated to the United Way of Lee County, lo-
cated at 2133 Executive Park Drive in Opelika. Following is a list of participating food trucks and restaurants: • Butcher Paper BBQ • Scoops Real Italian Ice • The Icey Girl • Kona Ice • O Town Ice Cream • Drive-By Tacos • Jeffersons • Niffer’s at the Tracks
Tuesday - Friday 128 Columbus Parkway
FALL TERM 2018 Classes begin September 24th Open Registration September 5th-17th
9:30 am to 3:30 pm at Sunny Slope 1031 South College Street, Auburn, Alabama
Fall Term Catalogs Available August 13th
For details, visit the OLLI website at www.olliatauburn.org
Special to the Opelika Observer Longtime Sundilla favorite Pierce Pettis returns to Sundilla Aug. 24. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, though as always attendees are invited to bring whatever food or beverage they prefer. "Pierce Pettis has probably played Sundilla more than anyone else," said Sundilla organizer Bailey Jones. "And we don't always get to say this when announcing his next visit: He might be bringing his brand-new CD with him. His latest is finished, and now he's just waiting for his record company to choose a release date." Pettis, adored by both critics and public alike, is one of this gen-
eration's most masterful songwriters. His music is distinguished by his uncanny ability to capture universals in human experience by drawing on the humor and trials in daily life. Pettis' music can simultaneously pull on our hearts and keep us laughing. The beautiful harmonies, inventive yet subtle percussion, strong guitar, and Pierce's rich vocals are a constant throughout his body of work. Pettis has performed in all 48 continental states as well as in Canada and Europe, appeared nine times on American Public Radio's Mountain Stage, been featured on National Public Radio's E-town, Morning Edition and World Café, and appeared on VH-1, CBS News and the Nashville Network.
During his long career, Pettis has been a writer at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama, recorded for Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York, won the prestigious New Folk songwriting competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and was a staff songwriter at Polygram/ Universal Music Publishing in Nashville. He has received numerous songwriting awards including a 1999 ASCAP Country Music Award for "You Move Me" -- a #1 hot for Garth Brooks. After three critically acclaimed albums on the Windham Hill/ High Street label, Pettis joined Compass Records in Nashville, releasing five albums. This new recording will be the sixth for Compass, and it has been too long in coming... but will be well worth the wait. The concert will be held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, with showtime set for 7:30 p.m. Admission at the door will be $15, but $12 tickets are available at Spicer's Music, Blooming Colors, World Cup Coffee and online at www. sundillamusic. com.
How to Feel Great at EAMC.
Volunteer!
Call 334-844-3102 or 844-3105
AUXILIARY
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
334-528-5923 • www.eamc.org
Contact: Victoria Beasley
Volunteer Coordinator Victoria.Beasley@eamc.org
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band, Walter Thompson, who had graduated from the University of Georgia with a major in theater. He was in LA pursing an acting career. “We both went to a sports bar in LA that shows SEC games on Saturdays,” says Thompson. “It was 8 in the morning. I walked in wearing my orange and blue, and he was wearing red and black. We started going each week to watch games.” Walter’s grandmother, aunt and uncle attended Auburn. She discovered her grandmother and his grandmother both grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and knew each other. “My Dad was so happy when I called to tell him I met someone from Georgia,” she remembers. “I think it gave him hope that one of his daughters would end up back in the South.” After finishing culinary school, Thompson went to work for a cookbook author in LA, Amelia Saltsman, who has written three cookbooks and writes for the LA Times. She took Thompson to farmers markets to teach her how to shop and develop recipes. She showed Thompson how to have a food career that wasn’t at a restaurant. Thompson started her blog Dixie Caviar. “The name is from my mother-inlaw. The first time I met her, she served Dixie Caviar, her signature dish, which is a dip with blacked-eyed peas and corn. I wanted the name of my blog to be southern but sound upscale.” She started creating southern casseroles from scratch without using canned soup, making her own béchamel and mushroom soup. However, she lost the domain when she did not know her credit card had expired. While she is working to get it back, she has a website linked through Square Space. Walter began finding more acting jobs in Atlanta Pasta Salad with Gouda, Red Peppers and Artichoke Hearts Serves 8 to 12 For the dressing: 1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup olive oil 2 large garlic cloves, pressed 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar 1 heaping Tbsp. adobo sauce form canned chipotles 2 tsp. honey 1 tsp. kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper For the pasta salad: 1 lb. (16 oz.) gigli or penne pasta, cooked al dente (See Recipe Notes) 1 (12 oz.) jar fire-roasted red peppers, rinsed and chopped (1 heaping cup) 1 (6 oz.) jar artichoke hearts, rinsed and chopped (heaping 1/2 cup) 3/4 lb. (12 oz.) smoked gouda, cubed (See Recipe Notes) Fresh herbs, such as basil or Italian parsley, roughly chopped For the dressing,
and asked her to move with him. “It was a huge draw to see my parents” she says, “so we moved to Atlanta eight years ago.” She did research to find the best chef in Atlanta to ask for a job. She was hired by chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, who own Bacchanalia and Floataway Café, among other restaurants. Thompson decided to work in the front of the house at Floataway. “I am all about emailing people I don’t know,” she says. “I applied for The Kitchn website. While they did not have an opening, they did six months later.” Then, she got a position with the Cooking Channel, as a writer, developing recipes and doing food photography for their website. She worked for different food brands developing recipes, which is her favorite thing to do. Five years ago, she began working at Sur La Table. Almost two years ago, she was promoted to resident chef. She had five chefs to help her teach and a staff to clean up. Now that Thompson is at the Cook’s Warehouse, a privately-owned group in Atlanta, she will be designing teaching menus, creating catalogue, working with Atlanta chefs. Thompson credits her success to her parents. “My Dad had a career he loved flying planes. He always wanted us to have careers that we love and are interesting. My parents let us fail, make the wrong decisions and always guided us when we did. “I knew I had to have a job that made me happy. I have a financial degree from Auburn, but I knew I did not want to sit at a desk all day. I had rather have the dream job and make less money. “I love Opelika and Auburn,” Thompson adds. “There are many great things happening in Opelika. I am so happy to come home and see all that is happening. It was a great place to grow up.” Ann Cipperly can be contacted at recipes@cipperly. com. combine mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, adobo sauce, honey, and salt in a small bowl, and whisk thoroughly. Season generously with black pepper. For the pasta salad, toss the cooked noodles, peppers, artichokes, and gouda together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and mix to combine. Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate overnight (allow 30 minutes to warm to room temperature before serving). Taste and adjust any seasonings, if necessary. Recipe Notes Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, shaking to remove excess water. Drizzle with a few Tbsp. of olive oil and toss to coat. Spread noodles on a sheet pan and transfer to refrigerator to cool. Smoked gouda can be purchased from the deli/meat department of a well-stocked grocery store.
A9 August 15, 2018
Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad) Serves 4 to 6 as a side 2 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil 4 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels (from about 5 medium ears) 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped 3 Tbsp. crumbled Cotija cheese, plus more for garnish 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise or Mexican crema 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the corn to cool for a few minutes. Transfer the corn to a large bowl. Add cilantro, jalapeño, Cotija, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder and stir to combine. Top with additional Cotija and serve warm or at room temperature. Recipe Notes Make ahead: The corn can be cooked up to a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for about 15 minutes before assembling the salad. Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Penne alla Vodka Serves 4 to 6 2 Tbsp. olive oil 3 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto, finely chopped (optional) 1/2 medium sweet onion, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. tomato paste 3 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed in a garlic press or minced 28 oz. can diced tomatoes (I like chef’s cut) 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, to taste 2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/3 cup vodka 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 lb. (16 oz.) penne pasta Parmesan cheese, for serving Chopped parsley, for serving Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook until softened and golden-brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and garlic, stirring to combine, and sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir tomatoes, red pepper flakes, sugar and salt into the onion mixture. Stir in the vodka and increase heat back to medium-high. Briskly simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the alcohol flavor has cooked off. Reduce heat to low and whisk in heavy cream. While making the vodka sauce, bring a large stockpot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water before draining. Gently fold the cooked penne and reserved prosciutto into the vodka sauce and continue cooking on low heat for another couple of minutes. (I actually use a little less than one lb. of pasta because I like mine very saucy, but it is easier to just cook the lb. and add it to the sauce to taste.) Toss with a bit of pasta water if sauce is too thick. Season with additional salt and red pepper flakes, if desired, and serve with fresh Parmesan and chopped parsley. French Silk Pie Serves 10 to 12 1 (9-inch) pie crust, cooked and cooled 4 oz. good-quality bittersweet chocolate 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. espresso powder (optional) 1 cup cold heavy cream 1 1/2 sticks (6 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 3 large organic or free-range eggs, pasteurized if desired Additional whipped cream, for topping Heat the chocolate in a micro-
Weeknight White Chicken Chili Serves 6 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced 1 (4 oz.) can fireroasted green chiles (do not drain) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 4 cups (32 oz.) lowsodium chicken broth 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 (15 oz.) cans white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini, drained and rinsed 2 cups fresh or frozen yellow corn kernels 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk For serving (optional): Sour cream 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 medium jalapeño, seeds removed and thinly sliced Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy stock pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper, and cook until very soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in the green chiles, garlic, cumin,
chili powder, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the chicken breasts, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through about, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a cutting board. Shred the meat with two forks, then return the chicken to the pot. Stir in the beans and corn, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until completely combined. The mixture will look like wet sand. Cook until the mixture begins to dry out and turn goldenbrown, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in a little bit of the milk until smooth, then whisk in the remainder until smooth. Pour into the chili and stir until completely incorporated and smooth. Bring to a boil, then cook, stirring frequently until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with sour cream, scallions, and cheese, if desired. Recipe Notes Storage: Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.
Zesty Tortellini Salad Serves 6 to 8 2 (9 oz.) packages cheese tortellini 1 cup very thinly sliced red onions (or Vidalias) 1 medium red bell pepper, diced 4 oz. Genoa salami, sliced into thin strips 1/3 cup good-quality red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. good-quality olive oil Squeeze of lemon juice 1 heaping Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini. Drain and run briefly under cool water to cool the tor-
tellini down. While the tortellini are cooking, soak red onions in a small bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini, drained onions, bell pepper, and salami. Whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then toss with pasta until combined. Taste and season with additional vinegar, salt, and pepper if necessary. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving. This recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance. Add chopped parsley and a few more splashes of red wine vinegar and olive oil before serving, to taste.
wave on medium power (about 45-90 seconds) or over the stovetop on medium-low until melted. Whisk in the vanilla and espresso powder, if using, and set aside to cool. In a medium bowl beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until needed. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for one minute. Add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the cooled chocolate to the
butter-sugar mixture and beat until incorporated. Add 2 eggs and beat on medium speed for three minutes. Add the remaining egg and beat for another three minutes until the mixture is silky and smooth. Fold the chilled whipped cream into the chocolate filling until no visible white streaks remain. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and smooth with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, but preferably overnight. Decorate the pie with freshly whipped cream or dollop a spoonful onto each slice.
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A10 August 15, 2018
Community Calendar: Events around town
Ongoing: • Village Friends/Village Values is a nonprofit organization that supports seniors who prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older. For info or to schedule a presentation to your group, call 334-209-4641. For the website, Google “village friends village values.” • The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR chapter is appealing for sweaters, jackets, trousers, shirts and socks, women’s clothing, soft soap in individual containers, shaving supplies, disposable razors, denture cleanser, toothpaste and toothbrushes, DVDs, games, books and magazines to take to veterans at the CAVHCS in Tuskegee. The Martha Wayles Jefferson DAR Chapter regularly visits veterans living in assisted living, the homeless domiciliary and psych (trauma) ward in Tuskegee. Donations are tax deductible and will be much appreciated. Pick up is provided. Please call Linda Shabo at 887-6659 or at 256-307-1449. Mondays: • “Gimme A Break” Support Group for parents whose children have autism will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. This is a monthly event on the first Monday of each month for parents to connect with each other. • 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 2975581 or visit www.nonukesforiran.org. • The Lee County Voters League meets the first Monday of every month at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1335 Auburn St. in Opelika. • 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 334528-4197 or deborahowen@ eamc.org. • The fourth Monday of each month a Community Grief Support Group meets from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone is welcome. For more information call 826-1899 or 502-0216. • T.O.P.S (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss support group, meets every Monday night from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave., Opelika. For more info contact Mary Johnson, 749-1584. • The Lee County Commission meets the second and last Mondays of each month at the courthouse beginning at 5 p.m. • The Commercial Horticulture Extension Team organizes webinars to provide quick updates for producers on various topics of interest. Whether you are interested in the proper way to plant fruit trees or have questions
in turf management, these webinars cover a wide range of subjects. Webinars are streamed live via Panopto on the last Monday of every month starting in January and ending in November. During the presentation, participants can send questions via email. The webinars also are recorded and stored in the archive on the Beginning Farmer website. Webinar topics include: trap cropping for reducing squash insect pests, cowpea curculio updates, nutsedge control, introduction to potting mixes in ornamental container production, dealing with drought in commercial horticulture crops, and many more. To view the full schedule, please visit www.aces. edu/anr/beginningfarms/ webinars.php. Please send questions during the presentations to Ann Chambliss, thameae@auburn.edu. For questions regarding the webinar series or for providing suggestions, please email Dr. Ayanava Majumdar at bugdoctor@auburn.edu. Tuesdays: • Ballroom Dance Classes at the Opelika Sportsplex from 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday. Instructor is Cody Wayne Foote. For more info call Diane at 749-6320. • A monthly educational program on topics for autism parents, caregivers and teachers will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Ave., Opelika from 6-7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided, but reservations need to be made by contacting Maria Gutierrez at mariag@ leecountyautism.com to make sure there are enough volunteers. • 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 6:30-6:45 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 6–8 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 706-518-9122. • The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol meets every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit 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 10-11 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.
Fuller,
newborn with typhoid fever, or Rubella didn’t stand a chance. I was reminded of how blessed we are. My heart sank, and my head was whirling. Everywhere I turned was another tiny headstone that simply read “Infant.” I felt the pain of the mothers and fathers who were buried right beside their little ones. I gently brushed each headstone with my hand while looking ahead to the next lonely marker. I found myself whispering prayers of peace and comfort for these little
souls. I was startled back to reality when I heard a baby crying. I quickly realized it was my own. It was already starting to get dark. How long had I been there? What time was it? It’s amazing how time becomes so still and easily forgotten, almost frozen, in the land of the buried. I looked at my wrist and it was gone. My watch was gone. I retraced my steps carefully out loud as we loaded ourselves back into the car. I
frantically looked under the passenger seat but to no avail. We decided to go back to the beginning. So we went home, regrouped and planned our excursion for the lost watch. We went back down to the creek. We looked on the dirt road. We drove to the lonely graveyard at Punkin Hill. We searched the dirt road where I had leaned out of the car to take pictures of the incredible sky. We returned to the solitude of Lebanon Cemetery where my heart ached once more for those
from A4 with the Confederate and American flags and paid notice to the ones that had no flag to celebrate their service. I saw more infant graves than I think I ever have, or ever wanted to, in one cemetery. These young angels only graced this earth for a brief moment. Some, I assumed, passed during childbirth, while others made it almost a year. During their time, a
• Every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at the Bottling Plant Event Center from 5 - 8 p.m. Thursdays: • 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. • TNT – Teens N Transition is a monthly program for teens and young adults ages 14 and up. The group uses this time to learn social skills as well as connect with others on the autism spectrum. They have enjoyed cooking, bowling, laser tag, movies and game nights. This event is held the third Thursday of each month. Visit leecountyautism.com for more information. • Opelika-Auburn Newcomers’ Club provides a variety of programs for the betterment of the Auburn/ Opelika community to assist women transitioning into the area or to help women adjust to recent lifestyle changes. The club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a luncheon at various local restaurants. Please call or email Cheri Paradice at 334-737-5215 or cheri.paradice@gmail.com for more information or luncheon location of the month. • The Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group meets at the Health Resource Center at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each 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. • 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. • Auburn/Opelika MOPS & MOMS next Summer Play Dates • August 30: Meet us at George’s Farmers Market for a fun day on the farm. • The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art in Smiths Station is now offering summer studio art classes. The weekly classes are open to all skill levels, and cost of registration covers the cost of art supplies. For more information, call 334-480-2008. • The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art holds evening and after-school studio art classes year-round. Open to
all skill levels, art supplies are included with the cost of registration. Call 334-4802008. Early enrollment for afterschool art classes taught by Michele and Sarah West of the Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art are now open for the 2018-19 school year. The course is available and open to all skill levels, and art supplies are provided. For more information, call 334-480-2008. • Aug. 17-19, 23-26 - ACCT’s production of “Silent Sky” at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center in Auburn. Visit www.AuburnACT.org or cal 334-332-0881 for more information. • Aug. 19 - “Economic Opportunities in a Changing Climate,” will be presented Aug. 19 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. in room 109 of the CASIC Building, 559 Devall Dr. in Auburn. The forum will be free, factual, nonpolitical and nonpartisan. All voters, candidates and office holders at all levels are invited. A parking permit is not required. Four members of the faculty of Auburn University will provide presentations and will answer questions. The event will be moderated by Mike Kensler, Director, Office of Sustainability at AU. The presentations and all-volunteer faculty are: - “Four Simple Questions to Understand What’s Happening in the Atmosphere”, by Dr. Martin MedinaElizalde, Associate Professor, Geosciences - “Climate Impacts of Our Urbanizing Community and What We Can Do About It”, Dr. Chandana Mitra, Associate Professor, Geosciences - “Local Farmers Benefit by Understanding Climate Science”, Dr. Brenda Ortiz, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist (Precision Ag), Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences - “Renewable Energy in Alabama: Resources and Opportunities”, Dr. Sushil Bhavnani, Professor, Mechanical Engineering • Aug. 21 - The August meeting of NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will take place at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 East Glenn Avenue 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.
tiny graves. Nothing. We spent hours searching cemeteries for lost souls that day. We then searched those same cemeteries for hours upon end for my watch. Isn’t it kind of funny that the living and the dead are both constantly searching for time? All of a sudden, I was rudely awakened by this realization. I didn’t find my watch that evening, but I found the cold hard truth of life. What a shuddering outlook I now viewed of my time on Earth.
We are always searching for time. My time was found in, of all places, the freezer three days later. I reached in for ice and pulled out my frozen watch. It still worked. Time well spent is time never wasted. Lucy Fuller is a lover of nature, animals, gardening, and old houses. She is a fulltime mother and wife. She currently resides in Opelika with her husband, two daughters, 3 dogs, and cat. She may be reached at fullalove2017@gmail. com.
Email editor@opelikaobserver.com to place your community events.
pelika O Observer St. Paul,
from A1
a one-night, family-friendly affair that will feature food and beverage from local establishments, live music, night market and more. “Kids 12 and under will be able to come in for free ... and this is an event geared towards everyone. It’ll be family oriented and just really, really fun,” said Cottonseed Studios owner Richard Patton. Following is a breakdown of the band, full event schedule and ticketing information. “Old school revivalists” Formed in 2012, the now six-piece band consists of members Paul Janeway (vocals), Browan Lollar (guitar), Jesse Phillips (bass), Andrew Lee (drums), Al Gamble (keys) and Allen Branstetter (trumpet). Influenced by gospel and soul singers like Joe Ligon, Al Green and Otis Redding, the band was described in a Paste Magazine review as “an outfit that seems to mine the very fiber of that classic soul sound. Theirs is music of celebration, of exhortation (and) the sound of pure pop.” To date, the band has released four studio efforts, and is about to drop its fifth Sept. 7, a release titled “Young Sick Camellia.” “... it’s an old-school, R&B, soul-and-groove experience you get when you see them live. It harkens back to those kind of bands from the 60s
and 70s that put on those long shows that you wanted to dance through the whole time,” Patton said. Evening festivities The street between 7th and 8th Streets along 1st Avenue will be blocked off the night of the performance in order to maintain adequate parking and access to downtown merchants, according to Patton. The market will open at 5 p.m. Organized by Abby Griffin of Griffin Goods, it will feature an “eclectic” array of offerings. Show gates will open at 7 p.m., and a yet-to-be-named band will open for St. Paul and the Broken Bones at 8 p.m. Janeway and company will take the stage at 9 p.m., and are expected to perform until 10:30 p.m. Currently, Almost Anything, John Emerald Distilling Company, Mama Mocha’s Coffee Emporium, Red Clay Brewery and Resting Pulse Brewery are sponsors, but Patton said they are seeking additional sponsors and market vendors for the event. Early bird tickets are sold out, but there are still general admission and VIP tickets available through eventbrite. com, for $40 and $100, respectively. VIP privileges include private, front-of-stage viewing and provision of food and drink. For more information or to inquire about becoming a sponsor, visit concourse.live or www.cottonseedstudios.com. Interested vendors can RSVP through Griffin’s website, www.shopgriffgoods.com.
Restaurants,
from A7
soil. Good traditions for good people, a neighborhood place perfect for conducting business, relaxing with friends or making memories with family,” according to a statement on their website. During the last five years, Bancroft’s work has earned him national recognitions, including winning Food Network’s “Iron Chef” television show title earlier this year, Southern Living’s “South’s Best Restaurant 2018” award, and a member of the Best Chefs in America board, among others. “Simple, but not too simple” Southern Living named Chicken Salad Chick as having “America’s Best Chicken Salad” in a recent online posting. Following an exhaustive search and sampling of chicken salad establishments across the Southeast, the chain’s “Fancy Nancy” style proved to be too stiff a competitor. “The ‘Fancy Nancy’ recipe starts with a tried-and-true base of shredded chicken, mayo and seasoning,
A11 August 15, 2018 but gets its signature flair from chopped apples, grapes and pecans. It’s perfect because it’s simple, but not too simple,” according to an excerpt from the article. “Each bite either gives either crispiness from the apples, sweet crunch from the grapes or nuttiness from the pecans. Like we said, perfection.” Founded in 2008 by Auburn resident Stacy Brown, Chicken Salad Chick has blossomed into a restaurant chain 85 locations across the Southeast. “We’ve always been incredibly proud of our chicken salad, and
know we have something special,” Brown said. “To have our Fancy Nancy be recognized as the best chicken salad in America by a renowned publication like Southern Living, well, that’s the ultimate complement.” Below are links to the articles. For more information, visit both restaurant’s websites and social media pages. www.opentable.com/ lists/best-southernrestaurants-2018 www.southernliving.com/meat/chicken/ best-chicken-saladchick-fancy-nancy
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A12 August 15, 2018
Council,
from A5
for demolition was approved by the council, however, Ward was granted four weeks to
bring forth plans showing adequate plans for renovation in order to prevent the demolition of the structures. Four local community members were reappointed to government appointed boards. Haley Wilder and
Richard Patton were both reappointed to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority Board, with their new terms ending Aug. 7, 2024. John Marsh and Debbie Purves were reappointed to the Historic Preserva-
tion Commission, with their appointments ending Aug. 19, 2021. Councilwoman Tiffany Gibson-Pitts abstained from voting on these reappointments, citing her concerns of the lack of diversity on these and other boards. She stressed the importance that these boards reflect the make-up of the city and she issued a challenge for the city council and the administration to come up with a better process to find ways to diversify these boards. "Until we can diversify our boards, I will abstain my vote,” Gibson-Pitts said of her decision to abstain. All four individuals were approved with a vote of 4 yeas and 1 abstain. In other business, the council: •Approved road closures for the following entities: - First Baptist Church of Opelika requested a closure between 8th and 9th Streets on Aug. 15 - I Run Opelika requested a road closure for their race to be held on Aug. 18 - Opelika Main Street requested a road closure on Aug. 24-25 for the 'concourse/
south' event - Opelika Chamber of Commerce requested a road closure for the Christmas Parade to be held Dec. 1 •Approved a bid to lease a new forklift. The annual lease payments for the forklift will be $11,321 for three years and there is an option to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease for an additional $32,245 • Approved the request for a liquor and beer license for 10,000 Hz Records • Approved expense reports from city employees • Approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford F150 Pickup for $19,682 • Approved the purchase of LED lighting for the new pickleball facility for $36,500 • Approved Weed Abatements for the following properties: - Lot 71 Bay Ct. - 105 Vaughan Ave., - 201 Ave. C, - 404 S. 2nd St. - 504 S. 4th St. - 509 1st. Ave. - 514 Old Columbus Road., • Approved a Special use permit request by Verizon at 2002 Steel St. • Approved a hunting
permit for 2833 and 3001 Sundance Road • Approved the transfer of a wastequip baler to Auburn University • Approved a transit agreement with Auburn University for the 2018 Football season • Approved the PY2018 CDBG Action Plan • Authorized grant application to ALDOT for intersection improvements at 4th, 6th and 7th Streets where they intersect Columbus Parkway. The proposed improvements include the construction of roundabouts at these intersections. • Approved Ordinance 012-18 • Approved an amendment to City Code, Chapter 10, Subsection 10-57(G) to eliminate the $100 fee that lawn care companies are currently paying to the city • Approved an amendment to change the City Code Chapter 14 - Door-to-Door Solicitation to increase the license fee to $50. • Approved to adjust the compensation of the mayor and council members in November 2020. The last adjustment of compensation was made in 2008.
Opelika Schools & Sports Inside • opelika schools • lee county schools • community sports
Opelika native reflects on Boys and Girls Club experiences
I
t was the summer before my 6th grade year when I first walked through those blue doors at the Potter-Daniel Unit located in Opelika. I was nervous, and honestly, a little intimated. Would these kids like me? Would they make fun? Like most pre-teens, I was very worried about what people thought of me. But unlike most pre-teens, I had been going through some very tough times that unfortunately would get tougher as I got older. You see, I had just moved to Opelika from LaFayette, after being tossed around for years from living with my mom to living with my grandmother. My mom had a problem with drugs. She tried the best she could, but my life with her and my two younger sisters was unstable and volatile at times. That summer it was decided that me and my two sisters should permanently live with my grandmother in Opelika. So that day as I walked through those blue doors, I hoped people wouldn’t notice my emotional scars and would accept me for who I was. I was shy, but it didn’t take long for the staff to
Little get me to open up a bit. I gradually began to make friends with the other kids there. It was a happy atmosphere and after coming from so much negativity, it was a relief. I looked forward to walking through those blue doors every day after school my 6th grade year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County had become my safe place. It was my safe place emotionally. I was able to participate in programs that rebuilt my self-esteem, like Smart Girls that taught me about healthy relationships with others and myself. I was able to build positive relationships with staff that expected more out of me than anyone had before. I was expected to make good grades and was held accountable. If I was struggling in a subject, there was always someone there that would assist me,
tutor me and most importantly, encourage me. As I entered my high school years, I graduated into the clubs Teen Program where our teen director and other staff took us around the southeast to tour different college campuses. I started to believe that maybe college would be an option for me. During this time, I was still attempting to build a relationship with my mom as she continued her struggle with drug abuse. My sisters and I would spend some nights and weekends with her. She would have her ups and downs, but we always encouraged her that she could overcome this obstacle and she always encouraged us to be better. It was the end of my junior year and we were all hopeful that she had kicked the habit for good this time My sisters and I were planning to stay with my mom one summer night, but a last minute event came up – so we didn’t end up going. That night, June 10, 2017, my mom was murdered by a man who wasn’t ready for her to change her See Little, page B6
East Alabama Predators to hold tryouts Aug. 19,26 By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor The East Alabama Predators of the Gridiron Developmental Football League will be holding two open tryouts Aug. 19 and 26 at the Covington Recreation Center field. Members of the GDFL’s Xtreme South division, the Predators are coming off a
5-3 season and postseason appearance. The tryout fee is $10, and those coming to the event are encouraged to bring cleats. Registration starts at 3:15 p.m., followed by the tryouts at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.gdfl.org. The field is located at 213 Carver. Ave.
Turn to B14 for photos from Opelika’s fall football camp
Opelika Middle School teachers return from overseas Holocaust seminar
By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Two Opelika Middle School teachers recently traveled overseas for the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous’ “2018 European Study Program” to learn more about the history and atrocities of the Holocaust. Following their involvement
in the JFR’s “Advanced Seminar” in Newark, New Jersey, in February, Kate Gholston and Tricia Skelton both said they saw the summer program as a chance to physically view the sights and places where the genocide occurred. From July 8-16, Gholston, Skelton and 10 other educaSee Holocaust, page B6
Hornets aim for second state title in three years in 2018 By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor
Offense Defenses across Beauregard’s region can Continuing Beaureall take a collective gard’s gridiron domisigh of relief knowing nance is the mission that Webb will not be of Coach Rob Carter a fixture in the Horand his Hornet squad net backfield. During as they enter the 2018 his three years as a Carter season. starter, he rushed for Two seasons a total of 6,750 yards, removed from winning both maintained a career rushing averthe school’s and Lee County’s age of 10.2 yards per carry and first-ever state championship in scored 101 total touchdowns. football, the Hornets will strive “You can’t replace someone to return to high school football’s like Webb. But you don’t go biggest stage in 2018, though to replace any kid when they without key pieces like star runleave,” Carter said. “You got ning back La’damian Webb and other kids who bring different tackling machine/stud middle talents … and as someone who’s linebacker Hunter Feaster. been in this profession awhile, I Following is a unit-by-unit know as a coach that we have to breakdown of the Hornets, with move on and work with what we information on key departures, got.” returnees and newcomers to watch during the coming season. See Beauregard, page B5
B2 August 15, 2018
pelika O Observer
Opelika City Schools welcomes new teachers for 2018-19 school year
Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer The Opelika City Schools welcomed 56 new teachers for the 2018-19 school year. Elementary teachers include: Pictured first row (l-r): Sara Schiller, Caitlyn Daniel, Alyson Rogers, Nicole Roach, Elizabeth Messina, Cristina Caple, Katherine Jenkins, Lacey Basgier, Ashley Anne Cahalan, Meagan Shelnut, and Susan Kirk. Second row (l-r): Kristina Griffin, Maggie Fox, Stephanie Cervantes, Michelle Hughes, Davis Ann Speigner, Maria Gilleland, Courtney Green, Taylor Foutz, Crystal Agar, Laken Dennis, Nicole Beasley, Zuri Lepper, and Bethany Keel. Third row (l-r): Abby Posey, Lauren Stewart, Haley Thornhill, Bethany Barnes, Laura Spina, Paige Mitchell, Kathleen Arnold, and Ashlee Newton. Not pictured: Ann Collins, Lorie Evans, and Olivia Rider. Pictured right are the new secondary teachers, who include: pictured first row (l-r): Shannon Dickey, April Neese, Anna Laura Campbell, Tamekia Torbert, Garvin Edwards, Sierra Stiles, and Samantha Gilson. Second row (l-r): Thomas Traylor, Jeremy Pickens, Hannah Carroll, Kristyn Bush, Maria Ray, Hannah Olson, Heather Barksdale, Kelsie Nabors, and Stephen Nesmith. Third row (l-r): Kelvin Philpot, Brett Hazelrigs, and Corey Harris. Not pictured: Marta Harrison and Hibisca Kimura.
H O S T E D B Y C O R N E R S T O N E F A M I L Y C H I R O P R A C T I C
8th Annual
BACK2 SCHOOL BASH Friday, August 17 4-7pm airport plaza GAMES * LIVE MUSIC * FOOD * GIVE-AWAYS
BENEFITING...
Opelika
Family & R
B3 August 15, 2018
eligion
When the bully’s day is over T Hunley Group Lambert Transfer & Storage An Interstate Agent for North American Van Lines 1102 Fox Trail Opelika, AL 36803 745-5706
he Dr. Blake Mysteries is a television series set in the 1950s in Ballarat, Australia. It was on ABC for five seasons, but I didn’t watch it until Netflix acquired the first three seasons. Dr. Blake is a police surgeon who works with local law enforcement in a 1950s forensic sort-of-way. He has a live-in housekeeper, as well as two younger boarders, and they share meals, specials moments and murder cases. They have refreshingly good manners, strong work ethics, and a healthy interdependency. The town of Ballarat seems to reflect much the same qualities, although as with all tv-murder-mystery towns it suffers from an alarmingly inordinate rate of homicides.
voy and his One of cronies were the main administercharacters ing a beatin the series ing. McAis Chief Suvoy hasn’t perintendent changed at all Matthew By Bruce Green over the years Lawson. Teaching Minister at and now He works 10th Street Church of abuses the closely with Christ in Opelika students at Dr. Blake, school. He is vacillating between aggravation and also Deputy Headmaster and stands to be proappreciation for the surgeon’s unorthodox ways. moted so Lawson quickly In one episode, the head- arrests him even though there’s insufficient evimaster of a local school dence. During his quesis murdered. One of the tioning, McAvoy tries to suspects is a sadistic intimidate Lawson who teacher, Donald McAacts uncharacteristically voy, who had bullied petty toward him. It’s Lawson in his younger years when the two were evident that his normally good judgment has been growing up together. blurred by what transLawson was given the pired in the past. As the nickname “Splashy” by investigation progresses, McAvoy after losing control of himself on one it becomes clear that McAvoy didn’t commit occasion when McA-
Church calendar
• Aug. 15 - Trinity Presbyterian Church of Opelika will hold a “Family Fun Night” Aug. 15 at AMF Auburn Lanes. The event is open for all ages. No food can be brought inside, but concessions will be offered during the evening. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. Forms can be filled out on www.tpcopelika. org. The bowling alley is located at 719 Opelika Road in Auburn. • On Aug. 19 at 2 p.m., Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, located at 201 South 4th St. in Opelika, will celebrate its 150th anniversary. The guests will be Rev. Michael Stiggers, and the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Family from Lafayette. Aug. 20-22 at 6:30 p.m. will be their annual revival featuring Rev./Dr. Eddie Hunter from Miracle Baptist Church, in Alexander City. • Trinity United Methodist Church will host their next membership class on Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. •First Baptist Church of Opelika will host “DivorceCare” each Wednesday this fall. The weekly seminar/support group will focus on helping members heal from the hurt in a warm, caring environment. The
Catch ‘On the Mark’ with D. Mark Mitchell and Jeff Sasser weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m.
ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 1311 Second Ave. #758-6749 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Bridge Church 1000 Lee Road 263, Cusseta #742-0144 AME Mount Zion AME Church West Point Hwy #749-3916 St. Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St. #749-1690 St. Paul AME Church 713 Powledge Ave. #745-6279 Thompson Chapel AME Zion 187 Columbus Pkwy #749-8676 BAPTIST Abundant Life Baptist Church 1220 Fox Run Ave. Suite B #7064421464 Airview Baptist Church 2301 Airport Rd. #745-6670 Antioch Baptist Church 605 W. East Morton Ave #742-0696 Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St. #745-7528 Bethel Baptist Church Hwy. 29 Sasser Rd #745-4865 Central Baptist Church 1611 2nd Ave. #745-2482 Community Baptist Church 154 N. 16th St. #745-6552 Cornerstone Missionary Baptist 500 N. Railroad Ave. #742-2008 Eastview Baptist Church 1208 Spring Dr #749-9595 Farmville Baptist Church 3607 Alabama Hwy N. #887-7361 First Baptist Church of Opelika
first session will be held Aug. 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Room AE-203 (two-story red brick building across) from the sanctuary. Workbooks are $15. For more information, call 334745-5715. FBCO is located at 301 S. 8th St. • The popular contemporary Christian group Big Daddy Weave will perform at First Baptist Church of Opelika Sept. 14 as a part of their “Jesus, I Believe” tour. Brandon Heath will serve as the show opener. Visit ticketfly.com for tickets or call 334-745-5715. • Pepperell Baptist is offering a Wednesday evening ministry program from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for preschool and elementary Children called “Wow-Worship cn Wednesday.” The evening program of music, Bible messages for children, crafts, fun activities, and snack begins on Sept. 5. Registration forms are filled out on the first evening. Contact Ryno Jones Childrens’, Youth Minister or Beth Pinyerd at 334-745-3108.
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
the crime and the chief is forced to release him. After the investigation is over he goes to the school to see McAvoy and return some evidence to him. When Lawson finds him, he is the process of bullying a student. The chief confronts McAvoy and the Deputy Headmaster calls him “Splashy” and physically confronts him. Lawson stands up to him and tells him, “If I hear one more word of complaint against you, I will break all your teeth. Got it?” McAvoy fearfully nods his head. The bully’s reign is over! As Lawson walks away, he thrusts his chest out and a smile comes across his face. He’s finally free of someone who has haunted him the better
part of his life. Don’t you love that? Disciples know all too well about the bully known as Satan. Although his day has been finished through Jesus and though in Him we have victory, he still has his way with us from time to time. There is a day coming though when that will be over. There is a day coming when God enabling, we will be able to turn on our heel, stick our chest out and smile because the bully has finally been put in his place never more to bother us again. Trust me, that day is coming for all those who follow Jesus. Bruce has written an entry level book on Revelation called The Thrill of Hope. It is available through Amazon.
Verse of the Week
“When you’ve done everything you can do, that’s when God will step in and do what you can’t do.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
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
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
Fresh Foods...And A Whole Lot More!
603 Pleasant Pleasant Drive 603 Drive Opelika, Opelika, ALAL 36801 749-1333 Mon- Sat7am 7am-8pm Mon-Sat - 8pm Sun 12pm-6pm Sun 12pm - 6pm
The Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home Gospel Train Sunday mornings from 6-10 a.m.
pelika O Observer
B4 August 15, 2018
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES EDWARD SHAW, deceased IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NUMBER: 2018-B-091 LETTERS TESTAMENTARY The Will of JAMES EDWARD SHAW, deceased, having been duly admitted to probate and record in said County, Letters Testamentary are hereby granted to Charles Shaw, who has duly qualified as Executor, named in said Will, and who has complied with the requisites of the law, and is authorized to take upon herself the execution of said Will. Witness my hand, and seal this the 17th day of July, 2018 /s/ Bill English, Probate Judge STATE OF ALABAMA, LEE COUNTY I, Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true, correct and complete copy of the Letters Testamentary issued to Charles Shaw, as Executor of the Estate of JAMES EDWARD SHAW, deceased, as the same appears of record in my office and remains in full force and effect. This the 17th day of July, 2018. BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 8/1/18, 8/8/18 & 8/15/18
STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT CASE #2017-B-233 ESTATE OF MICHAEL T. FRANDSEN, DECEASED NOTICE OF HEARING ON REPORT OF INSOLVENCY The Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of the Probate Court of Lee County has set September 5, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. as the proper time for a hearing on the correctness of the Report of Insolvency of the Estate of Michael T. Frandsen, deceased, filed by Angela Jana Rainey, Personal Representative of the Estate of Michael T. Frandsen, deceased. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate or who otherwise have an internet in the estate, and wish to make an issue as to the correctness of the Report of Insolvency should do so in writing to the Probate Court at or prior to such hearing or the same will be barred. Jeffery A. Hilyer, Attorney for the Estate Legal Run 8/1/18, 8/8/18 & 8/15/18
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF RAYMOND ROBINSON, SR., Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO.: 2018-B-068 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of RAYMOND ROBINSON, SR., deceased having been granted to Raymond Robinson, Jr., on the 2nd day of August, 2018, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Raymond Robinson, Jr., Legal Run 8/8/18, 8/15/18 & 8/22/18
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2018-B-103 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VIRGIL SANDERS,
DECEASED/ NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of VIRGIL SANDERS, deceased having been granted to BETTY JOYNER on the 31st day of July, 2018, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BETTY JOYNER Legal Run 8/8/18, 8/15/18 & 8/22/18
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SUSAN S. HOPSON, 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 1st day of August, 2018, 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. CLIFTON HOPSON, JR. Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 8/8/18, 8/15/18, & 8/22/18
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE WHEREAS, default has been made in the terms of the mortgage executed on the 1st day of March, 2014, by Leigh Jones, as Mortgagor in favor of Hardwood, LLC, as Mortgagee, as recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Mortgage Book No. 2387, at Page No. 186, and said default continuing, the mortgagee, under power of sale contained in said mortgage will sell at auction for cash to the highest bidder on the steps of the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, Alabama, on the Friday, the 7th day of September, 2018, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate embraced in said mortgage, situated in Lee County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 46, Beauregard Estates, Phase II, as shown on the recorded Plat 23-112, located in Section 6, Township 17 North, Range 27 East. More commonly known as 107 Lee Road 2101, Opelika, AL 36804. Said sale is made for the purpose of foreclosing of said mortgage debt, the costs and expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. Notice to: Leigh Jones 107 Lee Road 2101, Opelika, AL 36804 Mortgagee reserves the right to bid on the subject property. Said mortgage is a first mortgage and is not junior to another mortgage of record. Said sale is also subject to unpaid taxes or assessments whether of record or not. Hardwood, LLC Mortgagee P.O. Box 2262 Opelika, AL 36803 Legal Notice Run 8/8, 8/15 & 8/22/2018
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA. ESTATE NO. 20180B137 IN RE: ESTATE OF IVIE LEE
LEGALS
MESSER, DECEASED PETITION TO PROBATE WILL NOTICE Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of IVIE LEE MESSER, deceased, having been granted to the RICHARD E. MESSER, on the 30th day of July, 2018, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. s/Raymond L. Jackson, Jr./ Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. Attorney for RICHARD E. MESSER Executor of the Estate of IVIE LEE MESSER Legal Run 08/08/18, 08/15/18 & 08/22/2018
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 18, 2018, 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 12491 (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 “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) 280 Land Company, LLC heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled Hidden Lakes Subdivision South PUD on approximately 205.84 acres. (b) The proposed development is located in a R-3 District (lowdensity residential district) and is located on the south side of Sportsplex Drive and north of West Point Parkway. (c) The property described in Section 3 below will be developed as a unified, mixed residential and commercial development consisting of 351 single-family lots, 42 townhouse lots/units, a commercial support component and a chapel/event center. (d) The amenities for the development will include two (2) recreational lakes, walking trails, managed recreational areas and open spaces. (e) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing on the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development. (f) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a unified mixed residential and commercial development. Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required
by Section 8.18N of the Zoning Ordinance of the City. Section 3. DESIGNATION OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-3 district (low-density residential district) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City. A tract or parcel of land containing 205.84 acres located partly in Section 4, Township 19 North, Range 27 East and partly in Section 33, Township 20 North, Range 27 East, Lee County, Alabama, and being more particularly described as follows: Commence at the southwest corner of said Section 33; thence N87°53’57”E 294.89 feet to the point of beginning; thence N88°22’05”E 1919.36 feet; thence N22°53’11”E 989.57 feet; thence N00°54’33”W 395.00 feet to the south right-ofway limit of Sportsplex Road; thence along said right-of-way limit N89°09’39”E 377.01 feet; thence continue along said rightof-way limit S00°50’21”E 25.00 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit N89°09’39”E 250.00 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit N00°50’21”W 25.00 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit N89°09’39”E 244.65 feet; thence southeasterly along said right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 4940.00 feet, an arc length of 568.50 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S87°32’32”E 568.19 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit S05°45’17”W 25.00 feet; thence southeasterly along said rightof-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 4915.00 feet, an arc length of 80.00 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S83°46’45”E 80.00 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit N06°41’14”E 25.00 feet; thence southeasterly along said right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 4940.00 feet, an arc length of 293.24 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S81°36’44”E 293.20 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit S79°54’42”E 567.98 feet; thence southeasterly along said right-of-way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 1940.00 feet, an arc length of 300.56 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S75°28’24”E 300.25 feet; thence leaving said Sportsplex Road right-of-way S01°08’10”E 695.49 feet; thence S29°02’36”W 363.82 feet; thence S20°07’40”E 300.26 feet to the north right-of-way limit of West Point Parkway; thence along said right-of-way limit S55°28’34”W 103.42 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit S34°59’51”E 9.76 feet; thence continue along said right-of- way limit S55°02’47”W 360.33 feet; thence southwesterly along said right-of- way limit along a curve to the right having a radius of 3234.00 feet, an arc length of 582.51 feet, and a chord bearing and distance of S61°32’22”W 581.72 feet; thence continue along said right-of-way limit S66°39’57”W 1815.47 feet; thence leaving said right-of-way limit N00°15’13”W 215.42 feet; thence S69°16’30”W 81.27 feet; thence S71°03’53”W 80.20 feet; thence S72°13’04”W 62.82 feet; thence S73°51’57”W 78.95 feet; thence S75°17’41”W 78.35 feet; thence S00°32’02”W 15.51 feet; thence S77°27’08”W 81.62 feet; thence S78°49’18”W 81.23 feet; thence S80°48’37”W 81.31 feet; thence S81°21’42”W 80.11 feet; thence S83°30’09”W 80.40 feet; thence S85°09’22”W 88.21 feet; thence S86°28’53”W 60.34 feet; thence S88°23’10”W 87.88 feet; thence N01°57’55”W 59.99 feet; thence S88°08’27”W
199.70 feet; thence N01°42’37”W 399.93 feet; thence S88°11’51”W 316.33 feet; thence S87°55’54”W 343.45 feet; thence S01°38’20”E 659.51 feet to the north right-of-way limit of West Point Parkway; thence along said right-of-way limit S88°03’50”W 78.02 feet; thence N76°02’11”W 235.15 feet; thence N66°03’10”W 88.33 feet; thence N01°16’21”W 1517.23 feet to the point of beginning. Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection. Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law. Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. WITNESS my hand this the 15 th day of August, 2018. /s/ R. G. Shuman CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA Legal Run 8/15/2018
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 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers in the Public Works Administrative Building located at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: 1. A public hearing on a request by Richard Patton, property owners, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Southside Opelika, Phase 1, Redivision of Lots 3, 4, and 5 subdivision consisting of 4 lots accessed at 501 South 8 th Street. 2. A public hearing on a request by Joshua Howard, authorized representative for WIKA Holdings, LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Pride of Pepperell, Phase 1, Revision of Lot 1C subdivision, consisting of 1 lot at 2195 First Avenue. 3. A public hearing on a request by Pace Burt, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of The Estates subdivision, Second Revision, consisting of 3 lots accessed at 4150 Academy Drive. 4. A public hearing on a request by Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for Sam Price, CEO of East Alabama Medical Center, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Village Professional Park, Redivision of Lot 2-B subdivision, consisting of 3 lots at 2500-2600 Village Professional Drive. 5. A public hearing on a request by Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for Chul Kim, CEO of Car Tech, for preliminary and final plat approval of the Crooked Creek Industrial
Park, Redivision of Lot 2-A-1 subdivision consisting of 2 lots at 600 Car Tech Drive. 6. A public hearing on a request by Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for Mary E. Page, property owner, for preliminary and final plat approval of the LLC Subdivision, Second Revision, consisting of 1 lots at 2501-2327 Lee Road 183. 7. A public hearing on a request by Josh Hallmark for conditional use approval for a church/private school at 2201 Executive Park Drive. 8. A public hearing on a request to amend the text of the Wyndham PUD Master Plan to allow the following land uses at 3150 Wyndham Industrial Drive (northwest corner of the intersection of Wyndham Industrial Drive and Gateway Drive): Commercial-retail inside a fully enclosed building and retail with display of goods outside, truck and tractor sales, commercial greenhouse with on premise sales, restaurantstandard, indoor fitness center, and day care center. 9. An agenda item to consider a recommendation to the City Council on the request by James Duane Small, property owner, to annex 13.9 acres into the City limits located at 465 Lee Road 174. Zoning request, R-1. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/ public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council. Please contact Lisa McLeod, 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 8/15/2018
NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE SALE To be held on Monday, September 10, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Best 4 Less at 2509 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801. 1NXBR12E52Z616149 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA 1G3WH52MXVF349901 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 2FABP74F8JX177268 1988 FORD CROWN VIC LEGAL RUN 8/15 & 8/22
NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE SALE To be held on TUESDAY, September 11, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Best 4 Less at 2509 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801. JT2BF22K4Y0255238 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY LEGAL RUN 8/15 & 8/22
NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE SALE To be held on WEDNESDAY, September 12, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Best 4 Less at 2509 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801. 1FTNX21L11EB69356 2001 FORD F250 LEGAL RUN 8/15 & 8/22
See Legals, B5
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pelika O Observer Beauregard,
from B1
The Hornets also lose Webb’s backup Jacob Callaway to graduation, but will have a three-man race in Kyle Hugley, Ashton Moss and LaDarius Ray vying for time and carries at running back. Signal caller Jaichis Holmes also graduated, but longtime backup Quatavious Seroyer and senior transfer Sam Harris from Lee-Scott Academy bring experience and knowledge of the position to the table as they battle in fall camp. Lean, lightning-fast receiver Isaiah McKissic returns, along with Jared McDonald and Antavi-
ous Martin. Their mixture of speed and height will be able to stretch the field vertically and cause mismatch issues for opposing secondaries. In the Hornets’ spread attack, there is no designated tight end, but Carter said there is solid competition for the T-back position, a hybrid tight end/fullback role. The offensive line returns several key cogs, including tackle Drew Copeland and guard Cole Sansone, who Carter said might see time at center. Because of depth, some lineman will be expected to play both ways or rotate throughout games. Carter said fans can expect a more balanced attack this fall as they break in new players at running back. Defense
The Hornets will break in a new defensive coordinator with Shane Lake, who was hired to replace Mike Glisson after he accepted the head coach opening at Smiths Station High School. Lake, a Beauregard alum, will continue the Hornet’s defensive philosophy of playing assignment-sound football, according to Carter. “He’s been under me since I got here, and he’s just done a great job. He’s learned from two good previous (defensive) coordinators, and I promise you, he wrote everything down,” Carter said. “He’s a very organized guy and very dedicated to improving these kids and I believe he’s going to do a great job.” Lake will inherit a defense with a stellar
secondary featuring the likes of McDonald and Martin at safety. Callaway’s and Feaster’s departures leave a hole in the linebacking corps, but Carter said the hard-hitting Keon Cochran will maintain a tenacious presence from his mike position. Six-foot, two-inch, 255-pound Quintavious Whitlow will be a key cog on the defensive line, along with noseguard Tyler Torbert who Carter said will contribute a major push from the Hornet’s front four. Special teams Samuel Mendoza and an unnamed German exchange student will vie for kicking duties this fall. McKissic will handle punting duties, and Martin and McDonald will serve as the key return
B5 August 15, 2018 men. Schedule Reclassified to the AHSAA’s 5A Region 2, Beauregard will face a challenging schedule. Overall, their opponents compiled a 62-37 overall record, and eight of the 10 teams advanced to the playoffs last season. Carter said he and his team’s main focus is their Aug. 24 season opener v. Benjamin Russell, a longtime foe and consistent program that will test the mettle of his players from the opening snap. “Benjamin Russell is constantly putting together some very good football teams. It’s always been very physical games and I don’t expect anything less,” Carter said. “We will take things one week at a time
… but our ultimate goal like it is every season is to win the region and win the state title. Having won it all in (2016), we have a proven track record that we can get to the mountaintop.” The Hornet’s schedule is split evenly, with five home and five away games. Below is Beauregard’s full schedule: Aug. 24 - @ Benjamin Russell Aug. 31 - v. Eufaula Sept. 7 - @ Valley Sept. 14 - v. Rehobeth Sept. 21 - @ Charles Henderson Sept. 28 - v. Montgomery Catholic Oct. 12 - v. Greenville Oct. 19 - @ Carroll Oct. 26 - v. Tallassee. For more information or updates on Beauregard athletics, visit www.lee.k12.al.us/Domain/9.
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Legals,
from B4 NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO: 2018-B-155 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of FRANK LAMAR MOORE, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in
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LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS FetchMe Delivery FetchMe Delivery is hiring an office manager! You will be responsible for coordinating activities and helping people reach their full potential as we ensure excellent customer experience. Excellent communication, organizational, leadership and problem solving skills are vital. This position is paid, part-time and comes with a wonderful opportunity and chance to help the way people get their the LEE COUNTY Probate Office by KELLY ANN MOORE GARDNER on August 7, 2018, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent. BILL ENGLISH, PROABTE JUDGE Legal Run 8/15/18
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA FAMILY COURT DIVI-
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SION: DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASE NO. DR 2018-900249 IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: WHA MING WANG, Plaintiff, VS. GIA WANG, Defendant. NOTICE OF ACTION Notice is hereby given that Gia Wang, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the Complaint for Divorce of Wha Ming Wang within thirty (30) days of the date of the last publication of this notice, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against her in Case No. DR-18-900249, Circuit Court of LEE County. Legal Run 8/15, 8/22, 8/29 & 9/5/2018
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SAM ENLOE SCHUESSLER, 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 13th day of August, 2018, 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
Affordable office space Located in downtown Opelika for low traffic allowed by law or the same will be barred. STACY MARET SCHUESSLER Personal Representative Adam Leavitt Sanders Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 8/15, 8/22 & 8/29/2018
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH P. BOYD, DECEASED. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent hav-
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ing been granted to the undersigned on the 10 th day of August, 2018, 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. TIMOTHY A. BOYD Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 8/15, 8/22 & 8/29/2018
pelika Observer O
B6 August 15, 2018
OBITUARIES Brenda Davis Ponder Brenda Davis Ponder of Opelika, Alabama was born to the late Fred and Mary Frances Davis on December 18, 1948 and passed away at her home on August 8, 2018. She was 69 years old. Brenda worked for over 30 years at Ampex where she retired. She served as the Church Hostess and Walter Howard Nelson Mr. Walter Howard (Pete) Nelson, of Opelika, died Friday, August 10, 2018 at EAMC, after a brief illness. Memorial services were held Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel with visitation one hour before service, beginning at 2 p.m. Reverend Mike King officiated. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Opelika Building Fund. Pete retired from Uniroyal and currently served as an auxillian at EAMC for many years. An Army Veteran,
worked at Preschool at Providence Baptist Church for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Huey Don Ponder; Three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara McAnally (Joey), Misty Silven (Benjamin); grandchildren, Joshua McAnally, Anna McAnally, and Austin Tapley; sisters, Linda
Henderson (Stanley), Margie Witherington; brother, James Register (Lucy); special nephew, Jeffery Henderson, and special niece, Angela Johnston (Scotty). A graveside service was held on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home directed.
he served his country in Korea with basic training in Ft. Jackson, S.C. He officiated local high school football for many years. He loved fishing and making his own fishing lures. He loved Auburn sports, Braves baseball, and the Green Bay Packers. Pete was a member of First Baptist Church of Opelika and the Ledbetter Sunday School Class. Affectionately known as Pete, he was preceded in death by his former wife of 54 years, Catherine Brooks Nelson of Opelika; father, Walter H. Nelson of Sylacauga; mother, Lera Thornton Nelson of Sylacauga; and son-
in-law, Steve Torbert of Society Hill. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Betty Jo Long Nelson; children: Cathy Spates of Opelika, Sharon Torbert of Society Hill, Gregory (Ramona) Nelson of Opelika, Randy (Beverly) Long of Auburn, and Charlotte Long (Al) Bennett of Chattanooga; grandchildren: Ashlyn (Jon) Fordham of Opelika, Abby Torbert (Wes Gibson) of Wadley, Stephen Torbert of Society Hill, Brandon Sherling of Auburn, and Tara (Joe) Meadows of Chattanooga; great-grandchildren: Hunter and Reed Fordham of Opelika.
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Holocaust,
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tors traveled through the Nethlands and Germany, where they met with Holocaust experts and discussed the methods of teaching the Holocaust to students in both countries. Trip highlights included a visit to a Holocaust memorial in the town of Frankfurt, Germany; discovering the difference among concentration, slave labor and transit camps in the towns of Weimar, Buchenwald, Dora-Mittelbau, Westerbork and Amsterdam, as well as a study of Anne Frank’s journey through the event. Both teachers shared their memories and thoughts from the trip, one that served as a sobering and eye-opening experience. “Being there) weighs on you emotionally. What was so eye-opening is that these camps
Little,
from B1 life. My sisters and I were heart-broken and devastated. As I walked back through those blue doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs after my mom was killed, some of those same 6th grade insecurities came creeping back up. But the staff, my club friends, everyone there had become like family to me. As I entered my
and ghettos and places of internment were in the heart of, or very close to, the centers of villages and cities ... sometimes even just yards away from ‘normal’ daily life,” Gholston said. “It just hit home that it was very obvious that people saw what was happening, knew what was happening, and often just carried on with their daily routines as if that was just the way things were.” Skelton said she was fascinated to learn of the difference among the various types of camps that existed in Nazi Germany. “I really only knew about the work and death camps. I was unfamiliar with how the transit camps worked,” Skelton said. “I didn’t know that the people there were actually treated well. They were able to work, make money, get treatment for illnesses, and could come and go as they pleased. This was a way to make it seem like the camps weren’t
that bad at all. Little did the people know how much their lives would change when they were sent to another type of camp.” Gholston said she and Skelton plan to incorporate the knowledge they acquired from the trip into future lessons they teach their students to prevent another event like the Holocaust. “As human beings, we are capable of so much good and so much evil. It is frightening to see how a civilized, educated, cultural, and advanced society fell to the grips of prejudice and hatred to the point that an entire population of people was almost wiped out,” Gholston said. “Sadly, you can look at many situations around the world and see hatred causing similar horrific outcomes. It is so important to know the past to try to make the future a better place.” For more information about the JFR and its mission, visit www.jfr. org.
senior year, the Boys & Girls Clubs helped me through one of the darkest times of my life. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County showed me that I had other options in life and if I worked hard, I could actually help people like my mom, like me. I’m proud to say that I was the Potter- Daniel Unit’s 2018 Youth of the Year, I graduated from Opelika High School in May of this year and on Aug. 20,
I will officially begin the next chapter of my life, studying Marriage & Family Pre-Social Work at Auburn University Montgomery, (coincidentally was the first campus tour I went on thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs). One of the programs that we participate in with the Boys & Girls Clubs is called Real Cents Real Change. In this program, we learned about financial responsibility including basic checking, savings, credit use, investments and returns on investments or “ROI’s.” I am sharing my story with you today to say “Thank you” for investing in me and to let you know that I am your ROI. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County saved my life. I am the first person in my immediate family to attend college. I am excited for this next chapter of my life as I study to become a social worker so I can help youth just like me. As I transition from Boys & Girls Club member to Boys & Girls Club Alumni, I ask you ... will you invest in a kid that is walking through those blue doors for the first time this fall? Will you invest in the opportunity that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County gives to so many. I can promise you, your return on that investment truly is life changing. It was for me. Sincerely, Shanecia Little Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County Alumni Note: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County is a partner with United Way and they encourage people to contribute to United Way.
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Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Ivey names 200 Alabama Bicentennial Schools
Inside the Statehouse By Steve Flowers
T
he appointment of a United States Supreme Court Justice is one of the most profound legacies that a U. S. President can achieve. The opportunity that President Donald Trump was given to appoint Neil Gorsuch to the High Tribunal last year will be a monumental achievement of the Trump administration. The chance to name a second Supreme Court appointment will be a colossal legacy for the Trump presidency. The appointment of two seats on the Supreme Court has given Trump an indelible place in U.S. presidential history. The leftist detractors of the Trump presidency are moaning. However, the conservative base of American politics has got to be rejoicing with hallelujahs. The quiet, conservative Americans who voted for Trump probably never realized how impactful their vote for Trump was in November 2016. For within
less than two years after casting that vote, they will have placed America on a more stable conservative path for not only the rest of their lives, but possibly for the next generation. President Trump’s appointment and subsequent confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to replace the deceased Antonin Scalia was a profound choice. However, his selection of Brett Kavanaugh to replace the retiring jurist Anthony Kennedy is equally brilliant. If Trump does nothing else during his tenure in the White House, if you are a conservative American, Trump’s presidency has been a rousing, overwhelming success. When the last votes were counted in November 2016, and it became obvious that Donald Trump had defeated Hillary Clinton, conservative Americans were exuberant. Many had turned out to vote for one reason. The possibility of naming a conservative to the Supreme Court was their primary reason for
voting for Trump. The naming of two within two years was beyond their wildest dreams. With the conclusion of the eight-year reign of the liberal Obama era and Trump’s defeat of Clinton, President Obama made one last simple, profound statement, “Elections have consequences.” That epitaph has become prophetic. The court had been drifting leftward out to sea with the two extremely liberal Obama appointees, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, coming on board. However, the “Supreme Court Ship of State” has taken a turn to the right under the helm of Captain Trump. Brett Kavanaugh is an excellent selection. He has impeccable credentials. He is only 53 years old, which means that he will be a sensible mainstream conservative voice of the court for probably three decades. Brett Kavanaugh’s resume reads like a See Flowers, page B9
Special to the Opelika Observer On Aug. 3, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Carver Primary School and West Forest Intermediate School have been selected as official Alabama Bicentennial Schools in a ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol. Carver Primary and
West Forest Intermediate are two of 200 schools selected to receive this special designation and will receive a grant to fund a community projects that they conceptualize. Launched by Governor Ivey in December 2017, the “Alabama Bicentennial Schools Initiative” encourages all public, private, home-school students
and teachers to participate in the celebration of Alabama’s 200th anniversary of statehood in 2019. In early 2018, all K-12 schools in Alabama were invited to submit a proposal that engages in outreach and improvement projects to connect their classrooms with their local communities. See Ivey, page B11
Alabama Together to host candidate forum for AL House District 3 Special to the Opelika Observer Alabama Together will host a forum on issues important to constituents in Alabama House District 3 Aug. 16 from 6-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend the discussion at the Southside Center for the Arts in Opelika, located at 1103 Glenn St. The event is designed
to give voters a chance to ask questions and learn more about the candidates on the ballot for U.S. Congress in House District 3, Mallory Hagan (D) and Mike Rogers (R). Hagan has confirmed attendance, but Rogers declined invitations to participate. “Hearing from the people of Alabama has been a priority for me throughout this campaign. After all, if
you’re asking people for their trust and their vote, you should take time to listen to them,” Hagan said. “Our entire campaign has been accessible and available to the people from day one. Forums are a critical part of that process and give people an opportunity to ask a question or voice a concern. Not only will I be at this town hall, but I See Forum, page B9
Senator Doug Jones Headlines Rally for Brian McGee Candidate for Alabama House District 38
1:00-3:00 CST Saturday, August 18th American Legion Post 18, Opelika Stop by to talk about kitchen table issues with Candidate Brian McGee and Senator Doug Jones. Brian McGee Senator Doug Jones
Donate: www.ElectMcGee.com Suggested donation to help to elect Brian McGee: $50 Paid for by the Committee to Elect Brian McGee PO Box 435, Valley, AL 36854
Jackie McGee
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Sen. Doug Jones to speak at rally for Brian McGee Special to the Opelika Observer
Sen. Doug Jones will be headlining a rally for Alabama House District 83 Democratic candidate Brian McGee Aug. 18 from 1-3 p.m. at American Legion Post 18 in Opelika. McGee ran against Jones in the special election last year before dropping out and endorsing him. “Senator Jones is extremely busy and I am honored to have him help highlight my campaign for the Alabama House and my fight for the people in District 38,” McGee said. “My campaign
Lee County's Hornsby, Miller graduate from A.L.F.A. Leaders Program motto is ‘Leave No One Behind,’ and that is what I am pledging to do.” Suggested campaign donations are $50. It is expected that a number of the other Democratic candidates in the area will be attending. For more information or to donate to
McGee’s campaign, go to www.ElectMcGee.com. The venue is located at 710 West Point Parkway. (Note: The American Legion is a nonpartisan organization and events held at their hall should not be construed as an endorsement.)
Special to the Opelika Observer Lee County’s Beth Hornsby and Russell Miller, both of Auburn, graduated from the two-year Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) program in Montgomery Aug. 2. The 17-member A.L.F.A. Leaders Class IV was recognized at the 46th Commodity Producers Conference hosted by the Alabama Farmers Federation, which sponsors the program. Members attended six institutes from Montgomery to Washington, D.C., to Spain during A.L.F.A. Leaders, which stressed personal development, communication, political involvement and an in-depth understanding of the Federation. Left to right are Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Hornsby, a vegetable farmer and Miller, a forest systems management specialist at Auburn University.
SUSCC to dedicate Edge Archive Room Special to the Opelika Oberver Southern Union State Community College will dedicate the Marian Edge Archive Room on Aug. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Resource Center on the Wadley Campus. Named in memory of Marian Edge, a longtime librarian at SUSCC who also served as the
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college’s archivist, the room is located on the first floor of the Resource Center. Southern Union began in 1922, and carries the distinction of being the second - oldest community college in the state of Alabama. The College Archives are committed to preserving the college history for future generations and to provide information
and resources to continue the rich traditions of the college. There will be a short program on the main floor of the library followed by hors d’oeuvres in the Lakeview Room. For more information, please contact Kathy Reynolds, Director of Library Services, at kreynolds@suscc.edu.
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profile of someone born to be a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Like most Supreme Court members, he graduated from a prestigious Ivy League Law school. He is a product of Yale undergraduate and Yale Law School. Kavanaugh was the favorite for the appointment from the beginning. He was always on the top of Trump’s short list and the choice of the Republican legal establishment in Washington. He is a former law clerk of the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Although Kennedy had been appointed by Republican Ronald Reagan, he was considered the one moderate on the court. There are four bona fide liberal justices and four stalwart conservatives. Kennedy was the swing vote in the middle. Trump’s appointment of Kavanaugh will replace a swing vote on the nine-member court with a staunch conservative. Kavanaugh served in George W. Bush’s administration and has been a distinguished jurist in the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit for over a decade and has written more than 300 opinions. Therefore, his record as a jurist has been thoroughly reviewed and scrutinized. He is looked
upon as a top legal scholar and strict constitutional adherent with a record of following judicial precedence. Kavanaugh will be confirmed along pretty much the same partisan lines as Gorsuch. Trump is blessed with a Republican majority Senate. Leader Mitch McConnell will put the confirmation hearings on a fast track and have Kavanaugh approved by the end of October, prior to the mid-term elections. The Republicans have a thin 51-to-49 majority. All 51 Republican Senators appear to be on board for confirmation. Our Sen. Richard Shelby has given a big thumbs up to Kavanaugh. In addition to the 51 Republicans, Kavanaugh is expected to pick up four Democratic Senate votes of moderate Democrats from red states. The big question is how does our new accidental anomaly, Democratic Sen. Doug Jones vote. He is considered a longshot to win in 2020. However, a yes vote on confirmation could give him a glimmer of hope. A no vote would guarantee his not being elected to a full term. 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
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Hagan: Alabama families care about healthcare Their voice in Washington should, too Special to the Opelika Observer Mallory Hagan, candidate for Congress in Alabama’s third congressional district, responded to comments by U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who laid bare his willful ignorance on healthcare this week. When asked about rural healthcare and Medicaid expansion, all Rogers could tell the Alexander City Outlook was, “I’m just not conversed in this,” and deferred comments until he had a chance to speak with Washington insiders and special interest lobbyists like the nation’s largest drug manufacturers who have a financial interest in keeping healthcare costs high for Americans. “Patients, doctors, and healthcare experts in our district have stories and suggestions about how to improve the healthcare in East Alabama,” Hagan said. “These folks – those Rogers supposedly represents – feel the impacts of his ignorance every time they can’t see their doctor, pay a
Forum,
from B7 pledge to hold them regularly when elected so the people of the Third District will finally have a representative brave enough to
spike in their insurance premiums, or learn that the hospital they rely on for care is going to close. These families are hurting because Rogers can’t be bothered to be “conversed” in the number one issue of our district. Alabama families care about healthcare. Our voice in Washington should, too. “ Nearly 65,000 people in Alabama’s third district don’t have health coverage according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center. That’s more than nine percent of Rogers’ constituents. Comparatively, states like Arkansas and Kentucky, which expanded access to coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have seen dramatic drops in that rate to under seven percent. Rogers has voted multiple times to undo the effects of the ACA, and with the tax bill, will likely send insurance premiums higher for Alabama families. Failure to expand Medicaid has detrimentally affected rural hospitals, which rely on reimbursements to cover the
face their constituents.” Alabama Together also invited all local Democrat and Republican candidates for the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives to attend. The public will have an opportunity to personally interact with those candidates in atten-
costs of care they provide. These hospitals often absorb the costs of overuse of emergency rooms, especially when preventive care by a general practitioner could have avoided those stays. “While any change to our health care system should be made cautiously and with the best possible information, to vote without knowing anything about the impacts of your actions is simply irresponsible,” Hagan said. “We can see from the data that states with expanded Medicaid, especially in the South, have kept more rural hospitals open for everyone and gotten more people insured so the taxpayer isn’t footing the bill for expensive emergency procedures. It’s Mike Rogers’ job to know this and act on it. To say he knows nothing about rural healthcare after 16 years on a job shows how out of touch he is with Alabama values, or really anyone living in Alabama. He’s just another career politician and Washington insider.”
dance at the end of the forum. Debra ArmstrongWright of Alabama Together said, “We are sponsoring this forum so that voters can ask questions of candidates for office, particularly those seeking to represent us in Washington. We hope all voters in
the area will attend.” Alabama Together is a concerned group of Alabama residents and voters who support democracy, transparent governance, and an inclusive society that honors all people. For more information visit: www.alabamatogether.org.
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‘Futral Artifact Show’ held last Saturday at Village Event Center
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer The first local “Futral Artifact Show” was held last Saturday at Opelika’s Village Event Center. Prehistoric items ranging from arrowheads to pottery were for sale, as well as Civil War artifacts, fossils and other related items. Some of the proceeds from the event were donated to Handley High School teacher Meredith Sears to help fund an archaelogical dig she and her students plan to begin later this year. For more information about the event, visit www.futralshow.com.
pelika O Observer Ivey,
from B7 From a competitive pool of nearly 400 proposals, 200 schools were selected to be official Alabama Bicentennial Schools and receive $2,000 grants to support the implementation of their projects. Additionally, 56 schools received hon-
Hope,
from A5 become a medical center, thousands of lives have been impacted since it’s official incorporation in 1983. “As a faith-based nonprofit organization, we provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and prenatal care along with parenting and life skills classes and a fatherhood
Cemetery,
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would do anything like that in the first place. Obviously, the loved ones of the interred are the ones that had that done in the memory of their family member, and with any type of vandalism like that, I fail to see any logic or reasoning,” Jones said. “Our efforts are concentrated on identifying and arresting individuals who engage in any activity that results in vandalism to any
Bee,
from A1
methodically spell out the words, contestants in the Great Grown-Up
Target,
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store teams to help us understand exactly what their guests want so we can build relevant experiences around that. And we’re always testing, learning and adjusting, so the whole process keeps evolving and getting even better as we go. Perdew: We start by putting the guest at the center of everything we do, and think about the human, physical and digital aspects of the experiences we want to deliver. It’s like a blank canvas each time. We have to use all of our assets—the building spaces, fixtures, interior design, lighting, products—to tell a story and make the whole shopping trip as easy and inspiring as possible for guests. What will I see when I walk in the doors? Contrucci: No matter your store format, guests can expect elements that will enhance the shopping experience. Think brighter lighting, a more modern feel and dynamic
orable mentions and $500 grants. Schools were chosen through a review process involving committees of local educators, community leaders, and private citizens. Representing all corners of the state, the selected schools have developed a wide variety of projects that will make meaningful contributions to their local communities.
program, where individuals earn free material resources to care for their babies,” says Monroe. For the future, Women’s Hope plans to meet changing needs by including counseling and mentor resources as well as begin to facilitate adoptions. For more information about attending Women’s Hope Medical Clinic’s 35 th -anniversary fall fundraising banquet, visit 35YearsOfHope.org or call (334) 502 – 7000. of our cemeteries around Lee County. I can’t go into details, but we are taking measures to prevent similar things like this from happening in the future.” To date, more than $250 of the $600 needed to complete the project has been donated. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to: Lee County Cemetery Preservation Commission, c/o Edna Ward 1319 Clearmont Circle Opelika, Alabama 36801. For more information or photos, like and follow the LCCPC Facebook page.
According to Maggie Cooper, OCS Parenting Coordinator and Bicentennial Coordinator for Carver and West Forest schools, “Sweet Home Opelika” is a project designed by the staff members at Carver Primary and West Forest Intermediate schools to inform and spark curiosity in Opelika City Schools’ students about the wonderful
Waitr,
from A5 from their favorite restaurant … then sends a Waitr driver to deliver it right to their door. Waitr is seen as the industry’s top food delivery service for customers and businesses alike. Since launching in 2015, Waitr has quickly grown to serve more than 200 cities across the South, including the Alabama cities of Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Mobile, Huntsville, Prattville and Madison. Waitr has also seen success in the nearby city of Columbus, Georgia. It currently boasts more than 5,000 restaurant partners and already has over one million users. Additionally, restaurants joining forces
town that they live in. “Through partnerships with local organizations and city groups, the schools hope to build relationships that will foster long-term involvement. There will be four programs at each school throughout the year that will involve community members, private citizens, and parents sharing about our great city,” Cooper said.
with Waitr see an average increase in overall business by 18 percent. Dozens of Auburn and Opelika restaurants that have already signed with Waitr include Wild Wing Cafe, Hamilton’s, Momma Goldberg’s, El Patron, The Mason Jar, Rock N Roll Sushi, Newk’s Eatery, Gigi’s Cupcakes, and Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe. Many more are expected to be added in the coming weeks. To celebrate Waitr’s Auburn and Opelika debut, anytime a customers use the app through Aug. 19, they can get their food delivered for free by using the promo code “THEPLAINS” at checkout. “The Auburn and Opelika communities and restaurant owners saw the excitement and success of our food delivery in its nearby cit-
B11 August 15, 2018 Each school will also create an outdoor classroom area to enhance the students’ learning experience. “The Bicentennial Schools Initiative is not only a special way for students to take part in celebrating our 200 years of statehood, but also an opportunity for them to engage within their communities. It fosters a love for the state they call home,
and it instills in them the courage to make a difference,” Ivey said. The initiative is presented in partnership by Alabama 200, the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Alabama State Department of Education. For a complete list of official Bicentennial Schools or for more information, visit www.alabama200. org.
ies and wanted to be part of it,” said Whitney Savoie, Market Development Director for Waitr. “We’re thrilled we can now meet that demand here.” Savoie says customers rave about how convenient Waitr is to use, as well as its more favorable pricing – specifically the $5 delivery flat fee with no minimum required or distance charge. In addition, menu prices are the same on the app as they are at the restaurants. Other unique, practical features include live monitoring of deliveries and full-color photography of every menu item. Waitr’s appeal goes directly to those who don’t want to – or cannot – leave their home or office for their favorite restaurant meal.
In addition to its Alabama and Georgia cities, Waitr has proven to be wildly popular throughout Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana. Waitr is looking to hire drivers in Auburn and Opelika. Those interested can apply at https://waitrapp.com/become-adriver. Waitr is an ondemand restaurant platform designed to connect local restaurants to hungry consumers. Waitr’s mission is to develop the local food culture for communities across the United States by expanding the reach of local restaurant menus. Available on the Web, on iPhone and Android devices, Waitr is the most convenient way to discover, order and eat great food from the best local restaurants.
Spelling Bee are given two minutes to spell as many words correctly as they can. Members for OLLI at Auburn - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn volunteered
as spell checkers for the event. Judges for the event were Lee County Sheriff, Jay Jones, Kim Hudson, cofounder of the Hudson Family Foundation and local comedian, moti-
vational speaker and writer, Jody Fuller. Rod Bramblett, host of the Auburn Football Review Show, served as the word pronouncer and Opelika Chamber of Commerce Director
Pam Powers-Smith was the emcee. The funds raised from this year’s event will be used to continue to provide the programs and materials for assist young people and adults
in achieving their educational goals. The LCLC is located at 1365 Gatewood Dr. #519 in Auburn. For more information about the program, visit www. leecountyliteracy.org.
vignettes with the latest seasonal trends, exclusive brands, design partnerships and more for guests to discover as they spend time exploring our aisles. Some stores have a renovated Starbucks near the entrance too, so guests can pick up a latté on their way in or out. Perdew: Every store is different. If yours has two entrances, one will be designed around “ease” and the other around “inspiration.” The “ease” entrance might have features like Drive Up parking spaces, an online Order Pickup counter, self-checkout lanes and grab-and-go grocery and essentials right there as you walk in—everything the guest needs to get in and out quickly. What are some of the new features my store might get? Perdew: Expect to see exciting new things inside and out. Guests will find beautiful, enhanced merchandise displays that create ‘shops’ throughout the store. Some stores will even get a center aisle treatment that winds through
the middle of the store with displays at varying heights to make them even more eye-catching. The Beauty department looks like a specialty shop that inspires and invites guests to try the products, and in Home, products are on display in lifestyle settings so guests can imagine what they’ll look like in their own homes. We add concrete floors and wood-plank walls to some stores, incorporate materials like steel and glass and a pop of Target red into the décor, and use pendant and circular lighting treatments with energy-saving LED lights. And those are just a few examples—all to create a warm and inviting experience that’s hip and cool. How are you investing in my community and the team members who work at my store? Contrucci: Taking care of our team is so important, because they’re the ones who bring our guests those exceptional experiences every day. We’ve dedicated hundreds of thousands of payroll hours to train
them in specialized roles and develop their expertise to better serve our guests, while also giving them the chance to advance their careers. We also raised our minimum hourly wage to $12 this year, and made a commitment to increase it to $15 by the end of 2020. Perdew: And of course, our investments go far beyond what we’re doing in our store buildings. All year round, we work closely with partners in the surrounding community to provide grants and product donations for local organizations that support families, and our
team members volunteer thousands of hours in their neighborhoods. That’s very important to us—we always want to be good corporate citizens and support the communities where our team members and guests live and work. Can I still come in and shop while the transformation is underway? Contrucci: Yes! Your store will stay open during the entire remodel process. You might see certain areas of the store temporarily emptied or curtained off as things shift around, or hear a little background noise from the construction—
and we know that can be frustrating, so thanks for bearing with us! We try and work on the different parts systematically to make shopping as easy as possible, and our teams go through special trainings to help keep disruption to a minimum while the work is underway. If you have any questions, our team members are always ready to help. And once the remodel is complete, be sure to stop in to check out all the great new features and celebrate with the team. For more information, visit corporate.target. com.
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Last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answers:
8-8 SCRAMBLER ANSWERS: 1), Wither 2) Patrol 3), Reckon 4), Method Solution: Homework
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COMICS
When people are laughing, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re generally not killing each other. ~Alan Alda
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Opelika readying for Aug. 24 season opener at Callaway
Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Pictured are highlights from Opelikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall camp last week. The Bulldogs will open the season with a road trip to Callaway Aug. 24.
MUNICIPAL COURT APPEARANCES MOVE TO SOUTHSIDE FOR PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING BEGINNING TODAY, AUGUST 15 Southside Center for the Arts at 1103 Glenn Street, Opelika August 22, 8:30 a.m. - Groundbreaking ceremony at police department at 501 South 10th Street, Opelika. Parking available at the Southside Center for the Arts. During construction, please note that there will be NO PUBLIC ENTRANCE to the police department. There will be one rear entrance for police operations only. The public will need to visit either the City Annex building for police reports or walk-in complaints; or they will need to report to Southside Center for the Arts for court appearance. In addition, the sidewalks on 10th Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard will be closed during construction. Anticipated completion of this project is approximately 18 months. For more information, please contact the Opelika Police Department at 334-705-5200, or Municipal Court at 334-705-5190.