Opelika Observer 11-06-19 E-edition

Vol. 12, No. 05

Wednesday, Nov. 06, 2019

Opelika, Alabama

pelika Observer O

“By local people, for local people.”

Auburn University recognizes local veterans in ceremony during last week’s halftime festivities Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

Photos by Johnny Lawrence/Submitted to the Opelika Observer Auburn University held a weeklong celebration for veterans preceding last Saturday’s game at Jordan-Hare Stadium v. Ole Miss. At halftime, pictured above, World War II veterans from each branch and their families were recognized. Left, Paul Popwell and his grandson Jamie stand on Pat Dye Field during the ceremony. Paul is a U.S. Army veteran and Jamie is a former U.S. Marine, Opelika native and founder of the nonprofit Flags for Vets. More information on other area veterans is included with the Observer’s annual Veterans Day publication, which is being released this week.

Arts Association of East Alabama to present ‘The Color Purple, The Musical’ Nov. 13 at Opelika Center for the Performing Arts Special to the Opelika Observer “The Color Purple, the Musical” will be held Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Per-

forming Arts inside Opelika High School and is being presented by the Arts Association of East Alabama.

See Arts, page A2

Two ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestants Paragon Industrial celebrating rehearse at Opelika’s Make Your Move 40 years of business Performing Arts Studio last month

By Morgan Bryce Editor On the afternoon of Oct. 21, Mandy Moore of Opelika’s Make Your Move Performing Arts Studio received a phone call she wasn’t expecting - a call from representatives of ABC’s Los Angeles studios.

“One of my students came up to me and said, ‘Miss Mandy, Dancing With the Stars is calling’ and handed me the phone. I didn’t know what to think,” Moore said.

Those representatives were requesting a space in their studio for Alabama native Hannah

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

Brown and her dance partner Alan Bersten to practice their routine in advance of their Halloween-themed performance the following Monday. “(Brown) was in town for her best friend’s wedding that weekend ... and

they found us through an online search,” Moore said. “After that phone call, a bunch of moms came up here and helped us clean and get it ready.”

The duo’s identity was See Dancing, page A2

Index

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

By Natalie Salvatore For the Opelika Observer Back in 1979, Rick Bolt opened a small business. After getting married, his wife Susan joined him as co-owner. Now, Paragon Industrial is cel-

COMICS.....................................A16 SPORTS..................................B1 PUBLIC NOTICES..........................B12 POLITICS...................................B15

ebrating four decades of operation.

Paragon started out more as a janitorial service, but now, has three divisions that have developed as a result of the business’s changes over the years. Paragon also has both part and

full-time service technicians, all to aid in providing air quality services to the community.

“One of the biggest things that we are very proud about is that we have listened to what our customers See Paragon, page A3

pelika O Observer.com

What’s Up? www.doughornroofing.com • 334-744-5246

pelika O Observer Lee County Humane Society seeking support Letter to the Editor: A2

Nov. 06, 2019

during November to reclaim ‘Bark Bowl’ title Special to the Opelika Observer For the month of November, the Lee County Humane Society is in friendly competition with the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter for the winning title of the “2019 Bark Bowl Champion.”

During Bark Bowl, whichever shelter raises the most money in November will be crowned the winner, so every dollar counts.

All proceeds benefit the homeless animals of Auburn and Opelika.

The local humane society has many exciting community events planned throughout November, and there’s something for every-

Dancing, from A1 not revealed until they arrived at the studio.

For the next four hours, Bersten and Brown practiced in a closed-off room with no rolling cameras for privacy, Moore noted.

“That was all done to keep their routine from being revealed. But, we got to hear their music

one. Last year, Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter won, and the Lee County Humane Society wants to spread the word and reclaim the Bark Bowl title.

For more information or to donate, visit www.leecountyhumane.org. The shelter is located at 1140 Ware Drive. Following is a full list of remaining events for November: • Nov. 6 - Auburn Moe’s BBQ Benefit from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Nov. 8-10 - LCHS Facebook Silent Auction • Nov. 9 - Opelika Petco Adoption Event “Books & Barks” at Lee County Humane Society from 3 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 10 - Ornament painting/adoption event at Opelika Petsmart •Nov. 12 - Barberitos Benefit - all day ornament painting/adoption event at Barberitos from 4 to 6 p.m.

• Nov. 15 and 16 Lee County Humane Society Yard Sale • Nov. 20 - Barks & Brews at Red Clay Brewing Company from 4 to 7 p.m.

• Nov. 21 - Mountain High and Burgerfi benefit/adoption event from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Nov. 23 - Ornament painting/adoption event at Tiger Town Petsmart • Nov. 24 - Adoption event at the Opelika Petco from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

so we all knew what they were going to be dancing to (on Monday),” Moore said.

Afterward, the duo high-fived and hugged students and posed for pictures with them, Mandy and her sister Jamie.

“It’s probably one of the biggest things that has happened to our studio. We are just so grateful and excited that they chose this space to come rehearse and we hope they come back,”

Moore said.

As of Monday, the duo was still in contention in the dance competition. Dancing With the Stars airs each Monday on ABC beginning at 7 p.m.

For more information about Make Your Move, call 334-705-0205, like and follow their social media pages or visit www.makeyourmovedance.com. The studio is located at 1220 Fox Run Ave., Suite #212 within USA Town Center.

Thank you for the memories

A

s I read the Opelika Observer this week, one thing I read brought about a wonderful memory.

Before Clyde and I moved to Opelika, the newspaper article about us told that we were graduates of the University of Alabama. While this was not of interest to many, one very important person was the first person to “come calling,” bringing along a pound cake. It was Ms. Inez Searcy.

Whether or not the pound cake was the 100-year old recipe or not, this gesture stayed in my mem-

ory.

You see, Ms. Inez was the first woman to receive a law degree from the UA. She married into a prominent Tuscaloosa family, the Searcy’s.

I thank you for this memory. Over the years, I got to know her well and cherish that memory also.

I did not choose to leave Opelika. I chose to move here because my one sister lives in Tuscaloosa. I knew in time we would need each other. She is six years younger than I, and she has needed me at times. Now that I am 92 years

old, I call on her a lot. Our times together are special. Our father died in 1935 of pneumonia, meaning that I helped take care of her as a child.

I was 8 years old, she was under the age of 2. My family of my mother and sister became very, very close. Maybe you can see why I felt we should be together as we aged.

My friends in Opelika are still special, and I keep up, even with the football team at OHS. Thanks for the memory.

Arts,

The New York Times as a “ravishingly re-conceived production that is a glory to behold.”

In a 2018 review of the production for StageandCinema. com, writer Tony Frankel discussed the show’s brilliant production under the directorship of John Doyle.

“It’s a miracle. After seeing the original 2005 musical adaption, it seemed that nothing could fix this show,” Frankel wrote in his review. “With eagle-eye editing and intricate intimacy,

(Doyle) found the beating heart of an amazing tale — without having actors play instruments.”

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Academy Award-nominated feature film, The Color Purple leaves its mark on the soul.

For more information to purchase purchase tickets, call 334-749-8105 or visit www.eastalabamaarts.org.

The venue is located at 1700 Lafayette Parkway.

from A1 The Color Purple, 2016 Tony Award winner for “Best Musical Revival,” is the story of a struggling young woman in the American South who finds her own innercompass on a difficult but determined journey to love and triumph. Featuring a soul-raising, Grammy-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, this all-new Broadway hit was hailed by

Sincerely, Carolyn Zeanah

Subscribe to the Opelika Observer Today!

“Our Mission is Your Health”

Beauregard Drugs We do wellness screenings for local & state employees.

Call 334-364-9993 for details p 334-364-9993 | f 334-364-9997 7667 Alabama Hwy 51, Ste. A, Opelika www.beauregarddrugs.com

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pelika Observer

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

O

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

334-528-6191

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Contact: Amy Thomas Amy.Thomas@eamc.org

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

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City of Opelika announces official Christmas events lineup Special to the Opelika Observer The city of Opelika, in partnership with the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Opelika Parks and Recreation, Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Main Street, Victorian Front Porch Tour and Opelika City Schools, is excited to announce the Opelika holiday event lineup, now officially known as Opelika’s “Very Merry Christmas.”

“Opelika is truly becoming a Christmas destination. Citizens and tourists alike enjoy

coming to our beautiful community during the holiday season.

There are some 15 events that happen throughout the season.

Each one is designed to bring the magic of Christmas to the hearts of all who visit,” said City of Opelika Community Relations Officer Leigh Krehling.

“I think our community is unique because although there are many entities and organizations involved in different events, we all work closely to make the season special for both young and old.”

This year, citizens will see even more Christmas lights, pole

wraps and wreaths, additional oversized ornament settabouts at Courthouse Square, gigantic lighted reindeer and ornaments and beautiful ornaments that will adorn the downtown Christmas tree and skylines at Courthouse Square.

At main entry points, there will be new pole wreaths to welcome visitors to Opelika.

And, Opelika Main Street is working with downtown businesses to create a storefront decoration competition.

There are many events throughout the season, which will create ample opportuni-

• Opelika Christmas Parade - Dec. 7 • 10 a.m. - Dec. 8 (rain date) • 3 p.m.

• OHS/OMS Christmas Coral Concert Dec. 12 • 6:30 p.m.

• Christmas in a Railroad Town - Dec. 13 • 5 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by Kia of Auburn • Reindeer Express - Dec. 13 - 15 5 to 8 p.m.

• Victorian Front Porch Driving Tour - Dec. 11 -15 • 5 to 10 p.m.

• Victorian Front Porch Cycling Tour Dec. 12 • 6 p.m.

• Collinwood Luminaries - December 13 • 5 to 9 p.m.

• Victorian Front Porch Walking Tour - Dec. 14 • 6 to 9:30 p.m.

• Victorian Front Porch Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Dec. 15 • 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Fa-La-La Festival - Dec. 21 • 10 a.m. to noon • Christmas Movie Marathon - Dec. 23 • 10 a.m. - close For more details on each event, please visit www.OpelikaChristmas.com.

For more information, contact Krehling by calling 334-7055136 or sending email to lkrehling@opelikaal.gov.

Chicken Salad Chick acquired

by Brentwood Associates last week

Paragon, from A1 have wanted and have added services there,” Susan said. “But, we always try to operate so that the customers feel they’re getting what we said we were going to provide.”

They still have their janitorial supply division, selling janitorial supplies in their showroom. Products consist of anything one could need in the janitorial field, including toilet paper, hand towels, mops, brooms, buckets and gloves. Guests can stop by the showroom or receive their products via Paragon delivery.

Their service division offers cleaning services for restaurant hoods, dryer vents and heavy commercial needs.

The third division of the business focuses on indoor air quality.

Services include testing for mold, cleaning air ducts, as well as diagnosing indoor air quality issues that may make people feel unhealthy. They work to provide recommendations on how to make people feel better.

The business’s original location was in one of the old Andy’s Motels. The couple moved locations in 1991, where they have been since.

Susan said there is an interesting history that comes with Paragon’s time in the community.

Currently, the business covers the East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia area. However, they used to have crews that went out to 10 different states. In 2006, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce recognized Paragon as the Small Business of the Year.

“We have found that operating with integrity, treating people the way you want to be treated, and staying on the cutting edge of technology, have all contributed to our business success,”

ties for people to share their joy and holiday spirit. A full listing of all Opelika Holiday Events is below: • Holiday Open House - Nov. 3 • 12 to 5 p.m.

• Small Business Saturday - Nov. 30 • Christmas in Camelot - month of December 4:30 to 10 p.m.

• Decorations Swap Dec. 2 - 5 to 7 p.m.

• OHS/OMS Chrismas Band Concert Dec. 3 - 6:30 p.m.

• Sno-Pelika - Official kickoff and tree lighting- Dec. 4 - 5 to 8 p.m. - (Sponsored by East Alabama Medical Center)

Special to the Opelika Observer

Rick said.

The pair are also Auburn University alumni. “Both of us are Alabama HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) certified. We hold several mold and indoor air quality certificates, as well as being Level 1 thermography certified,” Susan said.

Moreover, Rick used to be on the Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board. Susan currently serves on the State of Alabama HVAC board.

“Over the years, we have gained a lot of training and knowledge about indoor air quality issues and are one of only a very few companies in the country that combine certifications in Air Conditioning, Mold and Indoor Air Quality and Thermography,” Susan said.

Paragon Industrial is

located at 1401 Fitzpatrick Ave. in Opelika. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The business features a reader board sign out front that customers love and appreciate. It advertises the products for sale, as well as makes people smile. “We have people say that they ride by and look forward to seeing what is on the sign. Just this past Sunday, someone at church commented about it,” Susan said.

It is part of what makes Paragon an unforgettable part of the community.

For more information, call 334749-3850, or email paragon@paragonindustrialllp.com.

Customers are also encouraged to stop by and visit for more information.

Brentwood Associates, a consumer-focused private equity firm, announced it acquired a majority interest in SSRG Holdings, LLC “Chicken Salad Chick” or the “Company” from Eagle Merchant Partners earlier this week. Terms of the deal are confidential.

Chicken Salad Chick has 137 locations throughout 16 states predominantly in the Southeast and is a leading fast-casual restaurant company. It has earned numerous accolades, including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious; Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers and Entrepreneur's Top Food Franchises for two consecutive years. QSR recognized the company

as one of the “Best Franchise Deals” and Nation's Restaurant News named it to the Next 15 in 2019.

Chicken Salad Chick was founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown when they opened the first restaurant in Auburn. The brand is famous for its madefrom-scratch and healthy chicken salads as well as its authentic service.

All Chicken Salad Chick restaurants feature more than dozen distinct chicken salad flavors made fresh daily and served by the scoop, sandwich or bowl.

Chicken Salad Chick restaurants offer dine-in, take-out, drive-thru and catering. Chicken Salad Chick is led by CEO Scott Deviney, who will continue to lead the business going forward.

“We are very excited to partner with

Brentwood on the next chapter for Chicken Salad Chick,” Deviney said. “Brentwood’s long track record of working with leading restaurant companies coupled with their understanding of our business objectives and strategy make them the perfect partner for us to continue executing on our robust growth and expansion plan.” “(Their) model fits well within our strategy of investing in highgrowth, best-in-class consumer businesses.

We look forward to working with Scott and the Chicken Salad Chick team to build upon their success in the markets they serve,” said Brentwood partner Rahul Aggarwal.

For more information, visit www.brentwood. com or www.chickensaladchick.com.

22nd Annual “Bill Anthony Memorial, Battles for the Armory” Civil War Reenactment in Tallassee, Alabama November 8th, 9th, & 10th, 2019

Sponsored by The Tallassee Armory Guards, SCV Camp 1921 Gibson’s View Plantation Tallassee, AL School Day November 8, 2019 ($5 per student) “Bill Anthony Memorial, Battles for the Armory” Reenactments start @ 2PM on Saturday & Sunday School Day Reservations: Call Nan Todd @ 334-324-8655 or email wacqradio@elmore.rr.com or call Randall Hughey @ 334-283-6888

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T

Travel: Dahlonega, GA

Dog Park

aking your dogs to a dog park can be a fun and exciting experience, especially if your dogs are clinically deranged like mine.

We have a nice dog park near our house. And after a day spent in this nicely maintained park, my dogs are kinder, happier, more relaxed and less likely to destroy my baseball cap.

The exact moment we enter the park, the party begins. My dogs transform into wild creatures who are so excited they forget about normal things like behaving, using good manners, not digging unnecessary holes and not peeing in communal water bowls.

The park is a beautiful spot surrounded by a big wooden fence and pine trees. It is the official “hangout” for local dogpeople. But my favorite thing about this place is watching the dog world in action.

There are natural laws in the dog kingdom that dogs somehow know to follow.

For example: When I open the gate and present my dogs to the other dogs, they must smell each other. Must with a capital “M.” Modern experts tells us that this is an ancient custom dating back to the primal civilizations of miniature lap dogs who

By Sean Dietrich once coexisted peacefully with early man and always chewed on early man’s Atlanta Braves baseball caps.

Among dogs, this mass butt-smelling maneuver is a simple ritual, full of nuance and intrigue. Imagine 58 dogs gathering around one tail. Which sets off a chain reaction of sniffing within the pack. Dogs begin placing their noses into the private regions of everything located within a 10-foot radius—including oak trees, certain species of ferns, and me.

Once this is finished, new arrival dogs are then issued W9’s by veteran dogs and expected to become tax-paying members of dog society.

My two dogs have a unique set of skills which they offer the rest of the dog world.

Thelma Lou (bloodhound) specializes in smells. She is highly skilled when it comes to aromas. She takes every single smell with grave seriousness. During our

nightly walks, she can’t walk more than a few steps without finding scents that, judging by her reactions, might affect national security. Some of these smells are even located beneath her own tail.

Our other dog, Otis (alleged Labrador), has a completely different collection of talents. Namely, he eats stuff. If it needs eating and moderate digesting, Otis is your guy.

In the dog park, Otis follows Thelma when she is on an important trail. To the untrained eye, my dogs might look like ordinary dogs, out for a joy ride.

But, they are all business.

In this park, there are two canines crusading for truth and justice.

(Cue “Charlie’s Angels Theme.”)

They run, full speed.

Thelma sniffs dirt, making urgent zig-zags toward God-knows-where. Otis follows, pausing occasionally to eat pine cones, mud, and the pant leg of a teenage boy named Phillip.

Then. Otis finds something.

“BARK! BARK!” Otis says.

Literal translation: “Captain, I’ve found something!”

Otis has done it. He’s See Dietrich, page A6

L

ast week, we celebrated my husband’s 40th birthday. When he turned 30, I threw him a big party with family and friends and a Johnny Cash tribute band. It was a blast. However, this year he requested no party.

My husband, Isaac, also known as “The Farmer” and sometimes even George, is a man who prefers the backroads of life. He loves a fun occasion but would rather grill chickens in the backyard with his kids and have the five of us seated at his dinner table.

Besides country roads, Isaac loves fine wine.

Many folks find this odd for a bonafide countryman, but it’s true. If I bring home a bottle of Pinot Noir to go with his home cooked meatloaf at night, he is tickled to pieces and happy as a clam.

To celebrate this special birthday, I rented us a house in Dahlonega, Georgia and decided to take him on a Georgia wine tour. Backroads, wine and just the two of us. He was smitten and off we went to adventure together.

I’m a fall girl - the leaves and mountains

By Bradley Robertson

of Georgia is what first brought the idea to my attention. I also wanted something calm and low-key to relax our souls from the busy days we live. A sweet escape for us both, close to home and something new and inviting.

OLD BEAR LODGE My first step was to find the perfect hideaway. I reviewed houses and lodging for weeks online till I stumbled upon a darling little cottage I found on VRBO. Old Bear Lodge. I read excellent comments and contacted the homeowner. It was a match for our dates and our budget.

We pulled up to a tiny, sweet cottage at the end of a dirt road greeted by a black lab. “Look Honey, we even have a friendly dog to show us the way,” my husband said. We both chuckled and among tall trees of red, gold and brown we walked up to our little house in the woods.

Old Bear Lodge is owned by an Atlanta realtor. It’s the perfect home for a couple, one bedroom, one nice bath, a small kitchen and adjoining living room with a gas fireplace. The interior was all white with shiplap galore, warm leather furniture and wood panel ceilings. We quickly found a small juke box and pressed play to find Willie Nelson on deck.

Can you think of anyone better to play you a tune in the colorful mountains of Georgia than Willie Nelson?

Time stood still. We danced cheek to cheek, knowing what a blessing and gift it is to have each other. We soon headed out the back door to find a large screen porch overlooking the woods.

It held a lovely sitting space and opened to a porch.

We ventured out the back and could hear rushing water in the distance. We found luscious trials and paths, colorful trees reaching tall and covering the earth in all directions. Splashes of fall color all around us from sky to ground.

We found a rushing river with canopies of See Robertson, page A6

Watch out for sharks (and vending machines)

E

arlier this summer, I was standing in waist-deep, warm Gulf water so clear I could count my toes, when this big guy wades out to me and asks, “Ever see any sharks?”

Now, there is a certain beach protocol that says that grown men don’t just wade out to other grown men in waist deep water unless they know each other, but I could see from his pale skin that he had just arrived, so he probably hadn’t read the handbook. Then I noticed children standing on the beach watching him, and quickly deduced that he was a daddy out to make sure the water was safe be-

O

ne Approach Road and Central Park West, both of these, with benevolent spirit caress. Throughout my early career, the first of these became my lifelong companion. I often return and trace the Approach Road. Around each bend, I discover greater depths that I need to continually reach beyond mere existence. I walk with him, the grand architect; his cascading paths and canopies are framework of divine design transcend both the lifetimes of he and I. This sacred affair between parkway lands, wilderness and the artist, is a story told for the ages. It is relived time

fore he sent in the kids.

Reasonable.

And since I was in the water, he came out to ask.

Now, I could have told him, “yes, I have been up on the top floor of high-rise condos and seen sharks lined up like cordwood, 500 yards out, just beyond the second sandbar,” which would have sent him and his kiddies scampering back to the motel pool, and I would have been to blame for them missing the whole reason from coming to Gulf, which is, of course, the Gulf, Or, I could have told him, “yes, I’ve seen a few, but the ones that come in close are usually small nurse sharks trying

to travel from point A to point B, so just get out of their way. Besides, they only feed at sunset so if you don’t go in the water when it is getting dark you will be OK.” Only I wouldn’t stop there. No, I’d add, “but just to be safe, leave your shiny jewelry on the beach” and he would go back and tell his waiting family to get rid of their jewelry and not stray beyond the breakers – which judging from all their floats and fol-de-rol was where they ought to stay anyway.

Or, I could have told him that, “yes, they are around, but at the beach you stand a better chance of being killed by a

By Hardy Jackson falling vending machine than by a shark.”

I kid you not. According to a recent survey, all along America’s lengthy coast (counting Hawaii), the score was sharks 10, vending machines 13.

But, he looked like he could be in the vending machine business back home, and I sure didn’t want him to think that I was going around spreading stories about the dangers associated

with his line of work, so I didn’t.

However, I would have considered it my Christian duty to add that if he and the family did decide to go in the water, they stood a better chance of getting sharkbit in Florida, where we were, than in any other state with a coastline. (A man needs all the facts to make an informed decision, don’t cha think?)

And finally, just to give him one more thing to consider, I could have added that despite what he might have seen on the Discovery Channel, the biggest danger right then and there was not sharks, but the smack of jellyfish that had washed in close to shore to sting

families like his. Only then, I would have had to explain that a smack is what jellyfish travel in, like whales in a pod, herring in a siege, mullet in a school, and I figured that was more information than he wanted or needed and he would probably think I was just showing off, which I would have been.

So I let that one slide.

Then, I noticed that his little kids had been joined by some older kids -- teenage boys -plus some young men in their 20s. A smack, pod, siege, school, cluster of them.

Not looking at the water but at the lovely, See Jackson, page A6

The Artist’s Gate | Central Park and again. The work of Olmsted and Vaux is a living American epic providing sanctuary, solace and places for all to run.

On a Friday October morn, I stood near The Artist’s Gate to plot my course. Earlier, I’d taken an extended promenade along the park via 5th Avenue with a longing to explore more.

Through the gate around noon, I did embark.

Passing the boulders and then the carousel, later Balto (the sculpture of the legendary sled dog) and then, Literary Promenade. The Bethesda Fountain, the Rink, Tavern on the Green and Strawberry Fields. Amid all of this, I regressed

By Sarah West from the crowds to observe this park as it lives.

Central Park, certainly considered one of Olmsted and Vaux’s crown jewels, truly is a marvel belonging to everyone. The sacred space is far more than just a recreational place. To homeless, it’s home, to the business

executive, a lunchtime escape, to the director a stage and to the artist, a haven of dreams suspended within its natural energy. She is an icon to conservancy, and an integral organ which quietly keeps time with the city’s heartbeat.

Her fountains and bridges are pendants.

Her walking paths are the arteries through which people find renewed ways to breathe.

Her open spaces host marches, leisure picnics and passionate protests.

She is a canvas upon which convictions, artistry and escape are exhibited.

Along the river banks, o’er the watersheds and amid the forests and

meadowlands, the work of men like Olmsted, Vaux, Pinchot, Schenck and Bartram are forever visible.

Follow the path to Strawberry Fields. Imagine your footsteps mirror the many great men who took this promenade before you. In memoriam, draw from them the lessons that made their lives and work exemplary. Ever more when visiting the parks, whether Central, Prospect, Druid or beyond, gather there the energy which propels you farther on.

May we walk each day among the trees that we aspire to be.

Sarah West serves the Opelika Observer as a contributing colum-

nist, with written works of Cultural Arts relevance and prose. She is a preservation and conservation advocate, activist and visual artist of American Illustration with a focus on regional narrative painting. She is the founder of the Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, a center for cultural arts, Smiths Station’s premier fine-arts destination. She is the appointed official artist to the city of Smiths Station, a Lee County syndicated columnist and the director of her art center’s Cultural Arts Outreach Initiative.

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

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A5 Nov. 06, 2019

Samaritan’s Purse gifts home to Smiths Station family on Friday

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer Samaritan’s Purse donated a home to Smiths Station residents David and Eddie Ashcraft Friday afternoon. Representatives from Alabama Rural Ministries and the American Red Cross of Lee County were also present.

Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity representatives, community sponsors dedicates Home #67 last week Special to the Opelika Observer Last Wednesday, Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity representatives dedicated Habitat Home #67 on 1419 Branch Street to Anna Pace, Thomas Clark and their family.

According to information provided by executive director Mark Grantham, partner families work hard to contribute 500 volunteer hours, save a down payment, make a nonprofit mortgage payment and participate in home owner and financial classes.

The house payments are then recycled to

help build more homes in our community.

“Thank you to our Habitat board members, EAMC, Mayor Gary Fuller, Council President Pro-Tem Councilwoman Patsy Jones, all of our volunteers and everyone else that came to support the newest members of our Habitat family despite the rainy weather!

We would also like to thank ACI Worldwide, EAMC Foundation, Dr. John and

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Roberta Hand, the Lee County Association of Realtors, Teresa Burns Estate, The Moore and Burns

Families, City of Opelika, and Jacquelyn Dixon with Real Life Builders for sponsoring this home. We

truly appreciate your support!” Grantham wrote in a press release.

For more informa-

tion or updates, call 334-745-2123 or like and follow the organization’s Facebook page.

Chattahoochee Fuller House Center dedicating new home in Smiths Station on Nov. 8 Special to the Opelika Observer

The Chattahoochee Fuller Center will be dedicating its newest house build in Smiths Station on Nov. 8 at 3:30 C.S.T. The new Fuller House in Smiths Station is sponsored by the Community Foundation of East Alabama and the City of Smiths Station.

The Smiths Station home to be dedicated comes only a couple of weeks after the Chattahoochee Fuller Center built 17 new homes in the heavily damaged community of Beauregard. Todd Rauch the new vice president of the Community Foundation of East Alabama, spoke about the Community Foundation’s passion about helping

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer those affected after the March 3rd tornadoes.

“The Community Foundation was one of the main verified organizations accepting donations from people all around the world and are focused on spending every single penny on long term tornado recovery efforts.”

Rauch said, “Families are still hurting after the tornado and we’re happy to have the opportunity to show Smiths Station we haven’t forgotten about them,” Rauch said.

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The Community Foundation of East Alabama has a seat on the MEND Long Term Recovery Council, which meets weekly. Along with numerous other charities and organizations like the United Way, East Alabama Medical Center Foundation, Catholic Social Services and 10th Street Church of Christ; the Community Foundation of East Alabama helps fund some of the communities’ needs that are related to the March

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3 tornadoes. Additionally, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) along with Alabama Rural Ministries (ARM) helps MEND’s long-term recovery council by aiding with much needed case management, volunteer efforts, and construction support.

“This build would not have been possible without the guidance and expertise from the Chattahoochee Fuller Center and the relationships Mayor Bubba Copeland has fostered during his tenure as Mayor of Smiths Station,” Rauch said. “Every single donation after the tornadoes along with all the volunteers from the City and Schools in Smiths Station, as well as the City of Columbus and the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce have made this build successful.”

pelika O Opinion

A6 Nov. 06, 2019

Local author Dr. Robert Jackson to host book discussion event Nov. 16 at Auburn Public Library Special to the Opelika Observer Fans of thought provoking but heartfelt literary science fiction tales will enjoy Ages of Entanglement, written by local author Dr. Robert Jackson.

Jackson will be at the Auburn Public Library on Nov. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. to discuss the book with interested readers. Through the story of an individual’s trek through a fallen world, the book explores the spiritual, psychological and scientific entanglement between humans, and if they should and can truly escape it.

Three decades have passed since a mysterious illness brought

on by quantum entanglement suddenly decimated the human population. Quantum entanglement is a strange and counterintuitive phenomenon, even though it is scientifically proven. This connection between two materials allows for instantaneous control regardless of the distance between the materials. By harnessing quantum entanglement, mankind had tapped into a dangerous power able to alter the very matter of our existence. The story of the main character, Samson, explores the metaphorical relations between human connections and quantum entanglement.

Dietrich, from A4 found something dead. Yes. There it is. It is dead. Otis has found a dead thing. Or it could actually be a tube sock. But, it’s a dead tube sock. Or it could be a used breast implant. Whatever it is, it’s the most awesome thing he’s ever seen.

Thelma comes for a closer look. She sniffs the implantslash-tube sock which appears to be filled with stinky, squishy, poop-like matter. She concurs with Otis - it is definitely dead.

And in an attempt to shed more light on the situation, Thelma rolls on the object until juices begin seeping out.

Otis barks again.

Translation: “WHOOP! THERE IT IS!” Then, Otis lifts his leg on the object and officially declares this case closed.

Roll the credits.

So we can see that the dog park is fun. But in truth, it is short- lived. Because after four or five minutes of unsupervised activity, Thel and Otis become bored. I can see indifference wash over their faces. They can’t explain why, but after only six

Jackson, from A4 half-clad girls strolling by.

And I thought, maybe I should suggest that there was more to fear back on the beach and tell him about a recent study that proved conclusively that the cognitive skills of men diminish when they are confronted by an attractive woman in a small bikini.

Which may explain those falling vending devices -“Vern, look at that honey in the red thong. Think toppling this coke machine will get her attention?”

So I did what any man

Samson long ago gave up searching for his family and now wanders the earth with no purpose, while avoiding entanglement with other souls. But then he meets Selene— an orphaned, but strong and independent girl.

She sees in him what he has forgotten. They journey together toward a utopian island merely rumored to exist. The only evidence is a brochure of the island’s lighthouse and a handwritten message. Along the way they meet others also seeking to overcome the obstacles of the age, but in their own ways. This includes a village aiming to rebuild the world, a ghostly ferryman who

minutes this place has lost its charm.

Then.

My two dogs see me. They notice that I am not paying close enough attention to them. Which is unacceptable. To my dogs, an important part of their enjoyment is being watched. After all, what’s the point of rolling on a poopy sock if nobody is watching?

Thelma and Otis run toward me. They are barking. Tongues hanging out. And so help me, I believe they are smiling.

They are not slowing down. I brace for impact. They are wet, muddy, gross, smelly, wild, loud, demonic and covered in drool.

They tackle me. I fall. It is death by licking. Thelma Lou steals my hat and runs for the hills.

And I love them so much it hurts.

My baseball cap is completely ruined.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, the Tallahassee Democrat, Southern Magazine, Yellowhammer News, the Bitter Southerner, the Mobile Press Register and he has authored seven books. standing in waist deep water would do if some pale guy he did not know waded out and asked “ever see any sharks?”

I told him “no.”

Early the next morning I went out, stood on the dune walkover, and looked down at the water. There was a shark.

About five feet long. It swam about a bit and was gone.

Then I looked for the guy, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Hope a shark didn’t get him.

Or a vending machine.

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is professor emeritus at Jacksonville State University.

He can be reached at hjackson@cableone.net.

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carries his passengers across a glassy lake; a rock star without an audience, and gladiators of devolved sporting events.

Will Samson help Selene to make her way in this dangerous world, and will she help him to find his lost humanity?

Or is Samson already too far gone, a relic of the previous age?

In addition to being available at the library on Nov. 16, Ages of Entanglement is available at several local businesses such as 10,000 Hz Records in downtown Opelika and several online retailers, including Amazon.

Auburn Public Library is located at 749 E. Thach Ave.

Robertson, from A4 trees seen near and far. Beside the river stood an old red barn, set perfect with a pair of white Adirondack chairs in view.

It was a beautiful scene like something out of a movie.

We stood still for a bit, taking in the glory of the view.

We were only three hours from home, yet we felt like we were in a whole, other world. Wind blowing and leaves falling all around us. It was spectacular. I love it when we get to stop and see the wonders of our world.

So often we just pass on by the beauty around us. We have to stop, open our eyes and see, or all of it will just pass us by.

KAYA VINEYARDS & WINERY Before long we traveled back up the hill to set off for our first wine tasting, Kaya Vineyards and Winery.

We made this stop on Sunday afternoon, eager to taste their wine and eat from their Bistro style menu.

We pulled up to a farm-style lodge atop acres and acres of green grape vines, set neatly in rows. Once inside, the warm feel of the lodge caught our attention, and we soon were sipping our first glass of red wine.

We learned you order a tasting in a “flight.” We had a choice of which “flight” we preferred: sweet wines, more red wines or a mix. We chose the red wine flight which included a free Port tasting at the end.

We tasted and laughed and shared and soon found our favorite one. We ordered a glass each and took our party outside for food.

We sat down to a cheese tray, a turkey panini with pasta salad and perfect burger for the Farmer. The porch setting was filled with music from a local guitarist, people galore laughing and enjoying afternoon

Jackson

friends.

We toasted to 40 years of Isaac Robertson. Forty years of life. We forget to stop and think, of the gift we are given each day. This day we savored and celebrated. The gift of each other and time to see it clearly.

MONTELUCE VINEYARDS The following day we took the wine and food route again to Monteluce Vineyards. This place was exquisite. I have never been to Italy, but the Tuscan beauty of this magnificent place gave me all the Italian feels.

The estate went on forever and we finally arrived at what looked like a large Italian chateau.

We entered into a great room lined with hundreds of bottles of wine made on site. It was Monday mid-day, not very busy, made perfect for us.

We were served our flight by an adorable young woman, chatty and knowledgeable of all the details. She was a delight and knew everything there was to know about Monteluce wine.

This was my favorite atmosphere of all the three wineries we visited. Grand and lovely but relaxing and calm. The wine was delicious, all of it.

We took a few tastings to the back veranda overlooking the vineyard. You could see grape vines far into the distance, perfectly in rows and a deep pond sat beneath the hill.

We soon seated into the dining room, a refined menu of café style food with a European elegance added into the mix. We ordered a Chef’s special as an appetizer. Potato ravioli with a bacon cream sauce. It melted in our mouths and paired perfectly with our wine.

I ordered a fall salad with cranberries, grilled chicken and bacon. Isaac ordered their simple house specialty of grilled cheese on homemade sourdough bread with a side of tomato bisque.

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We gobbled it all up in delight, feeling as though we stepped into a book. Our own fairy tale of southern charm and romance. I will choose to go back here 100 times if I could. If there is but one place to enjoy in Dahlonega, it is Monteluce.

FROGTOWN CELLARS Isaac and I first visited this vineyard soon after we married in 2005. Pulling into the driveway brought back memories of young hearts and easy days.

This is a smaller-style vineyard than Kaya or Monteluce but the wine is fantastic. The tasting room was donned with dark wood with large upper beams and ceilings. The back side was all glass windows and doors opening up to their veranda.

The gentleman serving our flight was quite charming and comical. You could tell he had worked here a while by the love for the wine he was serving.

It was bold and tasty, light and clean. This was Isaac’s favorite wine of the entire trip.

We laughed and talked of how much we had changed since our first visit over 10 years earlier.

Doesn’t 10 years go by so fast? You think it is so slow but when you look back you see it went to soon.

There is so much reward from adventuring together with your loved one. Time to escape and hang out and simply be friends again.

Where are you wanting to travel to with your loved one?

It doesn’t have to be fancy or even far away, it’s just the joy of being together and seeing life new again.

Robertson is a local mother, wife and creative. She’s an Auburn University graduate, loves good food and getting outside with her family. Bradley enjoys feature writing, as well as Southern culture and lifestyle writing.

Opelika E vents, Society, & Food

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

• Nov. 9 - Auburn CHILI Fest • Nov. 11 - Cities of Auburn, Opelika’s Veterans Day Services • Nov. 11 - Webb Wilder at The Sound Wall • Nov. 13 - The Color Purple, The Musical at the OPAC

Carol Pridgen enjoys preparing fall dishes, decorating, crafting Ann Cipperly’s

Southern

Hospitality

B

rilliant yellow chrysanthemums and autumn décor provide a warm welcome at the home of Carol and Keith Pridgen of Opelika. The fall decorations continue indoors along with the sweet aroma of caramel. Carol has a love of decorating, crafting and cooking that is reflected in her lovely home for each season and holiday.

Carol savors being at home. She homeschools their son, Cade, who is 13 years old, and tutors students in various grades in the afternoon. Keith is a financial advisor with the Wilson Investment Group.

cooking at an early age.

When she was a senior in high school, she would have dinner cooked when her parents came home from work. Her interest in baking has grown over the years.

After college, Carol taught at Jeter School for 20 years, a school she had attended growing up.

When their son Trace was in high school, Carol learned she was expecting another child after she had been told it would be impossible. “When Cade was born,” Carol said, “I decided I wanted to stay home with my miracle child.”

When Carol is baking, Cade is helping to measure ingredients. Sometimes, it is part of his math lesson.

She especially enjoys baking and keeps the freezer full. Carol will freeze slices of cakes in individual servings to pull out for dessert on hectic days.

Since she bakes so much, she will share with friends. Sometimes, when friends need a dessert, they will call to see what she has in the freezer.

Carol and husband Keith both grew up in Opelika. With her mother, Becky Stillwell, being a good cook, Carol developed an interest in

Photo by Ann Cipperly Carol Pridgen and her son, Cade, are pictured with a platter of Candied Apples that they made together. Cade enjoys helping his mother in the kitchen and measures the ingredients. Carol has a love of cooking, crafting and decorating. She is sharing a variety of her family’s favorite fall dishes.

Trace and his wife, Annie, live in Marietta, Georgia. He is the student worship leader at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, while Annie is a vet.

Both of the sons and her mother have birthdays in the fall. Carol will bake and decorate cakes for the celebrations. “We get excited about fall,” Carol said. ”We start getting the decorations out the first day of fall. Cade will help

put decorations around.”

Carol creates a great deal of the decorations.

She has a silhouette machine that imprints lettering on platters, mugs, trays and other items. She makes wreaths and mailbox swags.

Her creations are available at local festivals and craft shows. She will be at the Auburn United Methodist Church arts and craft sale Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to

2 p.m.

She received her love of cooking from her mother, who also enjoys cooking. Along with giving exercise classes at Oak Park, her mom works in the boutique at the Spencer Cancer Center, has a boutique at the Magnolia on Main in Lafayette and an online boutique called the Willow Tree.

See Cipperly, page A11

Tickets now available Annual 'Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun for the ‘Back in Time Run' returns to downtown Auburn Dec. 7 Dinner’ Dec. 14 Special to the Opelika Observer

Special to the Opelika Observer

The 4H History Seekers will once again present their “Back in Time Dinner” Dec. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The purpose of this dinner is to bring awareness to the county’s shared regional history and Alabama’s Bicentennial, as well as to lend support and visibility

to the Lee County Historical Society.

The third year of Alabama’s three year bicentennial celebration (2017, 2018 and 2019) is reserved for honoring the people and events responsible for the state’s formation.

Guests will learn about some of the historic events that shaped the state they call home through special visitors attend-

ing that evening, who will help share these stories. Join President James Monroe as he describes his visit to Huntsville, and then his return back home to Washington D.C. where soon he signed the documents making Alabama a state.

William and John Bartram will relate how a trail-blazing, adventurous spirit led to a better understand-

See Dinner, page A9

The annual "Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun Run" are back in 2019 on Dec. 7, so guests are encouraged to bring out their ugly sweaters as they help ring in the holiday season in style.

The run will begin at 7 a.m. at Toomer’s Corner. The Jingle Jog 5k will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Toomer’s Corner. Registration for both races began on Sept. 2.

A schedule of registration fees are as

follows: Santa Stroll Fun Run: Registration: Nov. 1 to Dec. 2: $20 Day-of Registration: Dec. 7: $35 Jingle Jog 5k: Registration: Nov. 1

to Dec. 2: $25 Day-of Registration: Dec. 8: $40 In order to be guaranteed a T-shirt, participants must have See Jog, page A15

Join us for our

Grand Opening Celebration Saturday Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be Games, Music, Raffle and Ice Cream.

Monday-Saturday 11 AM - 8 PM 907 2nd Ave Suite A Opelika, AL 36801

pelika O Observer

A8 Nov. 06, 2019

Szlachetka, Sarah Aili visiting The Sound Wall Nov. 21 Special to the Opelika Observer Up-and-coming folks artists Szlachetka and Sarah Aili will perform at The Sound Wall on Nov. 21, beginning at 7 p.m.

This is a bringyour-own-beer event.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased on www.eventbrite. com. The venue is located at 605 Ave. B. About the artists: Rolling Stone hailed SZLACHETKA as one of the “10 New Artists You Need to Know,” describing one of his recent album’s “a soundtrack for both the highway and the heartland… a collection of roaddog roots-rockers and Americana ballads inspired by the people (and places) he’s left behind in the rearview mirror.” SZLACHETKA (pronounced SLA-HET-KA) draws a fan’s gaze back to a simpler time when music was less about stylized production and more about its experiential nature.

His songwriting finds inspiration in the threads that connect us, weaving a tapestry of familiar moments that pay homage to

the past while leaning into a future that promises both wonder and grace. Now based in Nashville, SZLACHETKA grew up in New England and began his career as the frontman for the acclaimed roots-rock band, The Northstar Session, with whom he recorded five albums and appeared in the second season of NBC’s “Parenthood.”

After nearly a decade of touring, he left the band and struck out on his own, releasing his first solo album in 2014, “Waits for a Storm to Find.”

SZLACHETKA’s sophomore album (produced by Grammy-winning producer David Bianco), “Heart of my Hometown” was released in early 2018.

Throughout his travels, SZLACHETKA has shared the stage with the likes of Mike Campbell (from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Chris Isaac, Brandi Carlisle, Huey Lewis & The News, John Waite, Pat Green, Brandy Clark, Deana Carter, Tommy Emmanuel, Albert Lee, Doyle Dykes, Chris Hillman, Laurence Ju-

ber, John Jorgensen, Lee Roy Parnell, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Matthew Sweet, Greg Laswell, Johnette Napolitano, Hanson, Fishbone, The English Beat, Madi Diaz and The California Honeydrops.

For more information, visit www.szlachetkamusic.com.

Sarah Aili Nashville artist and songwriter Sarah Aili has built a career upon her ability to multitask, bridging the gap between different disciplines — especially the worlds of music and theater — along the way. She’s a creator of scripts, stories and songs, often juggling multiple projects at once. She embraces the full spread of her influences with her newest EP, shining a light not only upon her mix of Americana, jazz and classic popular music, but also the ways in which her artistic interests intersect.

Aili’s newest recording is the latest chapter in her ongoing artistic story. It’s a story that continues to unfold with each new project, including

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

an upcoming album with Radney Foster, an original musical written with Eric Erdman, a recent role in Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of Avenue Q and an upcoming role in the World Premier of Ahrens & Flaherty’s new musical, KNOXVILLE, directed by Frank Galati at Asolo Rep. Theatre.

For Aili, these projects represent different sides of the same artist — an artist who’s happy to embrace all of her creative interests under the same umbrella.

For more information, visit www.sarahaili. com.

About The Sound Wall In 2016, husbandand-wife folk/rock duo Martha’s Trouble (aka Rob and Jen Slocumb) purchased an historical Victorian house, originally built in 1907, in downtown Opelika, and they rehabbed the abode into a creative studio space in their hometown over the course of a year. The idea for The Sound Wall was born out of the couple’s experiences with touring and performing.

“Artists get a place to stay, a place to create, a place to record, a place to have great meals

Szlachetka

Aili together, and there is the walking-distance proximity of what downtown offers, too.” The Sound Wall is located right off

Interstate 280 and it is nearly one and a half hours from Atlanta and two hours from Birmingham.

pelika O Observer

A9 Nov. 06, 2019

Yard sale, 'Second Saturday' and flower show slated for Nov. 9 in Loachapoka Special to the Opelika Observer The Lee County Historical Society will host a fall museum sale inside the old Fred’s Feed and Seed Store in Loachapoka on Nov. 9.

During the years, the LCHS has accumulated many antique and heirloom items that cannot be displayed in the museum. Some of these items were part of the old Fred’s Feed and Seed Store.

All proceeds will be used in the restoration of the old warehouse barn into a new community music center

to be named, “Fred’s Music Hall" after the late proprietor, Fred Lord, who was also an accomplished musician.

Items for sale will include several musical instruments, including three pianos, large tool collections, furniture, old records and more.

After browsing the sale, guests are encouraged to visit Pioneer Park next door to enjoy its Second Saturday activities. Teresa Paglione and friends will be helping visitors create their own holiday wreaths out of muscadine and kudzu

vines and also crafting wreaths made from local greenery.

There will be a basket-making group that enjoys sharing their skill with visitors.

Guests can also visit any of the five gardens at Pioneer Park, see blacksmiths working at the forge. Spinners and weavers are in the textile center and other activities can be found throughout the park.

All venues are open and free to the public.

At noon, someone will be cooking a 19th century meal in the Cook House and all visitors are invited to join.

Auburn Civitans smoking turkeys and hams for the holidays Special to the Opelika Observer The Civitan Club of Auburn will continue a 48-year holiday tradition by smoking turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, Civitans smoked 120 turkeys and 90 hams at the Elks Club smoking pit on Opelika Road.

“Turkeys and hams will be available hot off the pit on Nov. 24 and again on Dec. 21. They are the most delicious $40 (smoked meats) you will find anywhere,” said Auburn Civitan Club President Kirk Iversen.

Orders can be placed with any Civitan member or by calling Laurel Hendrix at 334545-0069. Customers are asked to leave their name, order (turkey or ham) and contact infor-

mation. Both turkeys and hams are $40 each.

Orders can be picked up at the smoking pit behind the Elks Club on Opelika Road after noon on Nov. 24 or after 2 pm on Dec. 21.

All turkeys and hams must be pre-ordered.

Charles Mitchell, another Auburn Civitan, has been involved in smoking turkeys for more than 28 years.

He says the best part of the ham is what’s left after all has been consumed.

“Don’t forget the bone from the smoked hams. Save this to season your holiday collard greens or turnips, or freeze it to cook later with your New Year’s Day blackeyed peas and collard greens,” Mitchell said.

“It converts a ho-hum dish into a gourmet meal.”

The Auburn Civitan Club is part of Civitan International, a civic club headquartered in Birmingham. Funds raised from this annual event help civitans support projects for children and adults with disabilities including the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin and Special Olympics. The Civitan Club of Auburn also provides the American flags that are displayed in downtown Auburn on holidays and is a sponsor of the Bicycle Safety Program in Auburn City Schools and Auburn’s annual Bike Bash.

Civitans meet regularly at local restaurants for interesting programs that help to build good citizenship.

Pioneer Park is located on Alabama Highway 14 in Loachapoka and is an outreach project of the Lee County Historical Society whose mission is historic preservation, presentation and education.

'A-O Men’s Camellia Club to host fall show' The Auburn-Opelika Men’s Camellia Club will host its 60th anniversary Fall Camellia Show and Sale on Nov. 9 at Loachapoka's Pioneer Park. The club has been promoting the culture of these easyto-grow, flowering shrubs for 60 years.

Normally, most camellias bloom in the winter and early spring, but club members have been treating their camellias in order to get earlier, larger and more spectacular flowers in the fall. The show will begin at 9 a.m. and end around 4 p.m.

At the same time, the club will have a selection of prize-winning camellias for sale.

These selected varieties range in color from pure white to crimson red and in size from one-inch blooms to more than six inches, and have been nursery-

grown just for the Auburn-Opelika area.

Club members present will be able to talk about the culture and beauty of Alabama’s State Flower. While at Pioneer Park, guests may visit the Heirloom Camellia Garden that features dozens of camellias that were grown in Alabama more than 100 years ago.

For more information, like and follow the historical society’s Facebook page or visit www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. The park is located at 6500 Stage Road.

Former Galactic front-woman Maggie Koerner to perform at Waverly's Standard Deluxe on Nov. 9 Special to the Opelika Observer Enjoy a performance by Maggie Koerner at the Standard Deluxe on Nov. 8. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Little House.

Koerner is a singersongwriter who has performed with big names such as Charles Bradley, Trombone Shorty, Widespread Panic and Gov’t Mule. She also spent the majority of 2013

and 2014 as the lead singer and front-woman for the legendary New Orleans funkband Galactic.

After spending 2015 back on the road as a solo artist, Koerner released “Dig Down Deep (EP)” in 2016.

She eventually signed a deal with Concord Records and is releasing singles this year and a full length project in spring 2020.

The show is a bringyour-own-beer event, however, no glass is

allowed in the venue.

Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online at www.standarddeluxe.com. No physical tickets will be mailed, so guests must select "Will Call" in the shipping information at checkout.

For more information, call 334826-6423 or visit the venue's website.

Standard Deluxe is located in the heart of downtown Waverly at 1015 Mayberry Ave.

Koerner

Dinner, from A7

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

ing and documentation of Alabama’s rich natural resources, and the flora, fauna and native peoples of the region. Native American leader Timpoochee will share the events that impacted Creek populations. A local nurse, dedicated to tending the casualties of war, will tell her difficult tale of The Civil War. The exciting arrival of the railroad to communities and its noteworthy impact on commerce will be told by a newspaper reporter, train conductor, hobos and various merchants living and working all

along the tracks and at depot stops. Judge John Jackson Harper, his son and future daughter-in-law will describe founding “Sweet Auburn!

Loveliest Village of the Plain” while Drs. George Petrie, Charles Allen Cary and John Hodges Drake along with Julia Tutwiler, Willie Gertrude Little, Katherine C. Broun and Margaret Kate Teague, will share how higher education first started and became established in this area. The challenges of providing early childhood education to all of Alabama’s children will be demonstrated as we enter the classroom of two different, yet similar, country schoolhouses. George

Washington Carver will help us celebrate the resilient forgiving spirit of a man whose commitment to bettering mankind resulted in an agricultural revolution benefiting those impoverished farmers of the South.

“Back in Time” is endorsed by Alabama200 and sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities. Tickets are $50 each (plus an online processing fee) with all proceeds considered donations to the Lee County Historical Society.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. The park is located at 6500 Stage Road.

pelika Observer O

A10 Nov. 06, 2019

‘Empty Bowls’ returns to Opelika, pre-sale launches Nov. 21

By Morgan Bryce Editor Denson Recreation Center will be the destination for this year's Empty Bowls pre-sale, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 through Dec. 3.

Each year, the city of Auburn's and Opelika's parks and recreation departments swap hosting duties for this fundraiser for the Food Bank of East Alabama. At the pre-sale, patrons will be able to select the soup bowl of their choice, with a price range of $10 to $35.

With each bowl is a tasting ticket to the Empty Bowls event on Feb. 1, 2020. There, patrons will be able to purchase soups made by

some of the area's best chefs.

In year's past, the event has raised upwards of $14,000 for the food bank, which serves more than 70,000 people in a seven-county region. Every dollar raised by Empty Bowls helps further their mission in those areas.

“With every dollar that we receive in funding, we are able to distribute the equivalent of seven meals, and so it has a pretty tremendous impact on our ability to acquire food and distribute it to people in need,” said Food Bank of East Alabama executive director Martha Henk in a 2017 interview with the Observer. “I love the concept of an empty

bowl … I’m literally reminded everyday that somebody in my community has an empty bowl that needs filling, but also that there is something very concrete that can be done about making sure people have enough to eat. I’m very mindful of the fact that every one of those bowls, someone has handmade, put their time into creating the bowl, and through this event, are able to fill other people’s bowls.”

For more information, call Sherie Spain at the Denson Recreation Center at 334-705-5558 or see the Empty Bowls Facebook group. The center is located at 1102 Denson Drive in Opelika.

Photo by Kitty Green/Special to the Opelika Observer

Annual 'Turkey Trot' on Nov. 28 will benefit Food Bank of East Alabama

Check Out Our New Tiger Town Location

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Special to the Opelika Observer The Moore’s Mill Club's annual "Turkey Trot" returns on

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

AuburnBank’s Tiger Town Kroger location has

Thanksgiving morning, starting at 8 a.m.

The trot takes runners over a gently rolling course on the back nine holes of the club's

scenic golf course. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Food Bank of East Alabama. There will be one and threemile runs/walks available for participants.

The cost is $15 plus a $3 registration fee in advance. Those who register by Nov. 17 are guaranteed a T-shirt.

Late registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the club's pavilion before the event.

All ages are encouraged to attend and participate.

For more information, call 334-826-3744 or email info@auburnturkeytrot.com. The club is located at 1957 Fairway Drive.

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certificates of deposit and numerous electronic products and services.

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

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pelika O Observer Cipperly, from A7 Carol travels with her mother as her assistant on organized travel bus trips.

During the fall season, Carol enjoys baking apple and pumpkin desserts and creating festive snacks for Cade. She doesn’t have time for long recipes. She prefers to cook goodies

Recipes Candied Apples 2 bags Kraft caramels 2 tsp. water Apples Chocolate candy melts Heath Bits, Mini M&Ms and miniature chocolate chips White candy melts Wash apples and drop them in boiling water for about a minute or two to remove wax.

Place stick in apples.

Melt caramels melted with 2 tsp. water. Dip apples in melted caramel. Place in refrigerator for about an hour for caramel to get firm.

Dip apples in melted chocolate candy melts.

Then roll in Heath Bits, Mini M&M’s or mini chocolate chips.

Melt white candy melts and pipe them around the top.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake 2 cans apple pie filling 1 box yellow cake mix 2 sticks melted butter 1/2 cup caramel sauce ( ice cream topping ) Whipped cream or ice cream Mix apple pie filling in a 9 x13 greased pan.

Pour apple pie filling into bottom of prepared pan.

Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over caramel and apples. Drizzle melted butter over dry cake mix, covering well.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Let cool slightly before and serve with ice cream, or whipped cream.

Drizzle caramel sauce over ice cream.

Pecan Pie Cobbler Butter-flavor cooking spray 1 box refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box 2 1/2 cups light corn syrup 2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted 4 1/2 tsp. vanilla 6 eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans 2 cups pecan halves Vanilla ice cream Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 -inch three qt. glass baking dish with shortening or cooking spray. Remove 1 pie crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Roll into 13x 9-inch rectangle. Place crust in dish; trim edges to fit.

In large bowl, stir corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs with wire whisk. Stir in chopped pecans.

Spoon half of filling into crust-lined dish. Remove second pie crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Roll into 13x9 rectangle. Place crust over filling; trim edges to fit. Spray crust with butter-flavor cooking spray.

Bake 14 to 16 mins or until browned. Reduce oven temp. to 350 degrees.

Carefully spoon remaining filling over baked pastry; arrange pecan halves on top in decorative fashion.

Bake 30 mins longer or until set. Cool 20 minutes on cooling rack. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A11 Nov. 06, 2019

that are easy to prepare but taste delicious. The Pumpkin Patch Cookies uses a sugar cookie mix.

For each season, she combines a snack mix to keep on hand when friends stop by. The Fall Candy Snack Mix has pretzels, orange and black Reese’s Pieces and other candies.

Another fall favorite is the Healthy Candy Corn Cups, which are prepared with pineapple and mandarin oranges to provide

the colorful look of candy corn.

“We enjoy the seasons,” adds Carol. “It has been more fun with Cade helping in the kitchen. I enjoy getting ready for the seasons and changing menus. It is important for the family to be together for meals.”

She is sharing two of her go-to make ahead dishes, Baked Spaghetti and Chicken Enchiladas, that are ideal for

fall dinners. She serves the Chicken Enchiladas with Almond Salad and 7-up Biscuits or Cheesy Ranch Bread. While the enchilada recipe called for the chicken filling to be rolled in tortillas, she found it is easier to serve if she breaks the tortillas into strips. She assembles this a day ahead or freezes it.

The biscuits go together quickly and are simply patted out, cut

into squares and baked.

The Almond Salad makes a tasty side dish that adults and children will both enjoy. She generally doubles the almonds to have extra for snacking.

Carol is organized and plans menus ahead. She prefers to cook meals that will be enough for two nights. She uses Alexa on an Amazon Echo to keep the shopping list and send it to her phone.

Cade and Keith can tell Alexa to put items on the list. This prevents her from having to run to the grocery store at the last minute for an ingredient. She also keeps her to-do list on Alexa.

Clip and save Carol’s recipes for scrumptious meals and baked treats during the fall season for your family.

Ann Cipperly can be reached at recipes@cipperly.com.

32 oz. chicken broth 2/3 cup ranch dressing or can use one pkg. dry ranch dressing.

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 pkg. mild taco seasoning 14 oz. pkg. frozen corn mix southwestern blend Add all ingredients to pot and place over medium high heat and allow to come to slow boil.

Reduce heat to low.

Cover partially with lid and cook for 20 minutes.

For the last 5 minutes of cooking time remove the lid and allow it to continue to simmer.

Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with cheese and tortilla chips.

Can be cooked in crockpot.

5 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix 15 oz. can solid pack pumpkin 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.

Fold in thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Healthy Candy Corn Cups 1 can chunk pineapple, drained 1 can mandarin oranges, drained 1 small container Cool Whip or whipping cream Layer pineapple chunks, Mandarin oranges in a clear glass. Top with dollop of Cool Whip or whipping cream.

Frost with chocolate icing of your choice.

Untwist two Oreos, then carefully push two brown candies onto the white part of the Oreos.

Place the Oreo eyes onto the cupcake. Then put an orange candy on its side between the eyes to make the owl beak.

Baked Spaghetti 1½ lbs. ground beef 1 small onion, diced 1 jar (any kind) spaghetti sauce 1 (8 oz.) box angel hair pasta 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese Cook ground beef with onion until done.

Mix with spaghetti sauce. Cook and drain angel hair pasta; drain.

Place pasta in a 9 by 13inch dish. Spread meat sauce over noodles.

Mix cream cheese and sour cream together. Spread over meat sauce. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until bubbly.

Freezes well.

1 Tbsp. baking powder 4 Tbsp. flour 1 cup melted butter 1 Tbsp. vanilla Peel carrots. Chop into 1-inch cubes. Boil until fork tender; strain.

Mash carrots with potato masher. Put butter in carrots; mix.

Add dry ingredients. Beat eggs, then temper eggs by adding some of the carrot mixture.

Add mixture and blend well.

Pour into 9 by 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle 2 (14 oz.) pkg. gingerbread mix 1 (5.1 oz.) pkg. cook and serve vanilla pudding mix 1 (30 oz.) can pumpkin pie filling 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 tsp. cinnamon 1 (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping or whipping cream Bag of gingersnaps Bake gingerbread according to directions.

Cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool.

Stir the pumpkin, sugar and cinnamon into the pudding.

Crumble one batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a trifle bowl.

Pour 1/2 pudding mixture over gingerbread.

Repeat.

Then add a layer of whipped topping.

Sprinkle top with crushed gingersnaps.

Refrigerate overnight.

Fall Candy Snack Mix 4 cups coarsely chopped pretzels 1/2 cup light brown sugar 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar 2/3 cup dry milk powder 1½ sticks unsalted butter 1 bag Reese’s Pieces, fall M and M&M’s, or Halloween chocolate chips Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt butter and pour into a large bowl.

Stir in the sugars and milk powder until fully combined. Stir in pretzels and spread them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes until lightly brown and fragrant.

Allow pretzels to cool completely before breaking them apart and adding them to chocolate candies.

Store in airtight container.

Pumpkin Fluff Dip 16 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Pumpkin Patch Cookies These are nice to have for children on the Thanksgiving dessert table.

1 pkg. sugar cookie mix 1 stick butter, softened 1 egg Sugar, several tablespoons Chocolate candies (Chocolate Kiss), unwrapped Marshmallow pumpkins Mini cupcake liners and mini cupcake baking pans First, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Mix first three ingredients together until a soft cookie dough forms.

Take 1 rounded teaspoonful of dough and roll it in sugar. Drop each one into the cupcake liners.

Then, bake cookies for about 7-8 minutes. Pull out pan and press a piece of chocolate into each cookie.

Place cookies back in the oven and bake for another 2-5 minutes until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden.

(Note: The baking time may vary depending on your oven and size of your cupcake pan.)

Remove cupcakes from the oven and immediately press a marshmallow pumpkin on top of the chocolate pieces.

The chocolate should be slightly melted, and the pumpkins will stick to the chocolate securely.

Allow cookies to cool in the pan before you remove them.

Apple Brickle Dip 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup white sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 8 oz. pkg. toffee baking bits 16 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced Beat together cream cheese, sugars and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.

Stir in toffee bits.

Store in refrigerator.

Owl Cupcakes Chocolate cupcakes Chocolate icing Bag of Oreos Bag of Reese Pieces or M&M’s Make your favorite chocolate cupcake or use store bought cupcakes.

If making cupcakes, use brown cupcake wrappers.

Hot Vanilla Drink For each hot vanilla: Microwave 1 cup milk and 2 or more tsp. sugar in a mug until hot (about 90 seconds). Stir in 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Top with a dollop of chocolate cream (recipe below) and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Chocolate Cream In a medium bowl beat 1/2 cup whipping cream until frothy. Add 1 Tbsp. chocolate syrup.

Continue beating until peaks form. Makes enough to top about 6 drinks.

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas 2 kiwis, peeled and diced 2 golden delicious apples, diced 8 oz. raspberries (optional) 1 lb. strawberries, chopped 2 Tbsp. white sugar 3 Tbsp. fruit preserves, any flavor In a large bowl mix fruit, sugars and preserves.

Cover and chill at least 15 minutes. Serve with Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas 10 (10-inch) flour tortillas Butter flavored cooking spray 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat one side of each tortilla with butter spray.

Cut into wedge shapes.

Arrange on single layer on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Spray again with butter spray. Bake 8-10 minutes. Can cut tortillas into shapes for holidays.

Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce 2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, grated 1 (3 oz.) can (mild) chopped green chilies 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 pint sour cream 1/2 lb. cheddar cheese, grated 1 pkg. flour tortillas, sliced in strips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 by 13inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place layer of tortillas on bottom of pan.

Toss together chicken, Monterey Jack cheese and chilies.

Then add soup and sour cream. Spread layer of chicken mixture over tortillas. Top with layer of cheddar cheese. Finish with layer of tortillas and sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Can prepare a day ahead and bake or freeze.

Almond Salad Red leaf lettuce 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley (optional) 1 can mandarin oranges, drained Caramelized almonds (recipe follows) Caramelized Almonds 2 Tbsp. sugar in a heavy pan 1/4 cup slivered almonds Stir over low heat until sugar melts, turns brown and collects on almonds. Takes 5 -10 minutes. Remove from heat. Break apart.

Dressing 1/4 cup oil 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 2 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. vinegar Few dashes of Tabasco Combine all ingredients.

7-Up Biscuits 2 cups Bisquick mix 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup 7-Up 1/4 cup melted butter Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Cut sour cream into Bisquick mix. Add 7-Up. This will make a soft dough. Sprinkle counter with Bisquick.

Add dough. Roll or pat it out. Melt butter and pour into a 9-inch baking pan.

Cut biscuits into squares with knife.

Place them on top of melted butter. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cheesy Ranch Bread 1 loaf French bread 1 (8 oz.) pkg. grated sharp cheese 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 1 pkg. dry ranch dressing Cut French bread in half lengthwise. Place on cookie sheet.

Mix cream cheese with as much of dry ranch as desired.

Spread mixture on bottom half of bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until crispy.

Carrot Casserole 3 lbs. carrots 2 cups sugar 6 eggs

Sugar Coated Pecans 1 egg white 1 Tbsp. water 1 lb. pecan halves 1 cup white sugar 3/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease one baking sheet. In mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt and cinnamon.

Add pecans to egg whites; stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove nuts and toss them in sugar mixture until coated. Spread nuts out on prepared baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

Food Ratings Highway 80 Barn Restaurant 25250 U.S. Highway 80 Opelika Score: 100 Outback Steakhouse 2115 Pepperell Parkway Opelika Score:99 Guthrie’s 505 2nd Ave. Opelika Score: 98 Captain D’s 1800 Opelika Road Auburn Score: 97 Backwater BBQ 5330 Lee Road 379 Salem Score: 95 Veggies To Go 1650 S. College St. Auburn Score: 95 China Palace 2450 Alabama Highway 14 Auburn Score: 95 El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant 814 Geneva St. Opelika Score: 91

pelika O Observer

A12 Nov. 06, 2019

Friday's 'Night of Prayer' event will focus on Christian unity, wisdom for local, state and national leaders

By Morgan Bryce Editor Opelika’s Mustard Seed Faith Center Ministries will be the site of the “Night of Prayer” event on Nov. 8, which begins at 9 p.m.

The central theme of this event comes from the passage of 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which reads “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings,

and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

While most of the evening’s activities will be spontaneous, Opelika pastor Tom Tippett said the event is about promoting unity among local Christian congregations and praying for wisdom for local, state and national leaders.

“In terms of the outcome of this event, we are hoping, praying and seeking for

more unity for our local community and churches and among all Christians in Lee County. We will also be praying for peace to come in our land and for wisdom for those that God has placed in authority,” Tippett said.

Those needing more information can call Tippett at 334524-9148 or Hamlet Barnes, Mustard Seed’s pastor, at 334787-0436. The venue is located at 109 16 St.

Tickets on sale now for Dr. David Jeremiah’s April 30, 2020 visit to Auburn University Arena

Photo sumbmitted to the Opelika Observer Tickets are now available for Dr. David Jeremiah’s visit to Auburn next April as part of a nationwide speaking tour. They cost $15 each and can be purchased via www.fbcopelika.com or www.davidjeremiah.org.

OBITUARIES Betty Jean Smith Neel A memorial service for Betty Jean Smith Neel of Opelika, Alabama, will be held Wednesday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, following interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Gainesville, Alabama, on Tuesday, November 5 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Chris Duncan of Trinity Presbyterian officiating.

Mrs. Neel, who died Thursday, October 31, 2019, was born January 4, 1938, in Conchas Dam, New Mexico. Though born in the far west and spending her earliest years at points across Karen Lee Bandley Barnes Mrs. Karen Lee Bandley Barnes was born September 22, 1941 in Provo, Utah to Homer and Maline Bandley.

She passed away at the age of 78 at her home in Opelika, AL on Monday, October 28, 2019.

Mrs. Barnes was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her nine grandchildren were the joy of her life. As she taught school for over 40 years, she was passionate about reading and shared that love with them.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Velma Christene Davis Velma Christene Davis of Opelika was born to the late Lewis and Lorine Ivery Davis on May 18, 1934 and passed away at Arbor Springs on November 1, 2019. She was 85 years old.

She was preceded in death by her hus-

the country because of her father’s service in the Corps of Engineers, she grew up in the midst of extended family in Sumter County, Alabama.

She married following three years at Auburn, then completed her degree at Livingston University in 1964. A loving wife and a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she dedicated her life to her family and to the service of her Lord.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, David S. Neel, her son David S. Neel, Jr. (Emily), daughter Betty Schuster (Chris), daughter Melissa Carrell (Dale), brother Hadden B. Smith

III (Karen), grandchildren Joshua Schuster (Stephanie), Amy Schuster Jaeger (Mitch), Caroline Neel Wesley (James), Will Carrell (Hilary), Thomas Neel, David Carrell (Laura), Sarah Schuster Steed (Patrick), Andrew Carrell, Laura Schuster, Jake Carrell, and Emmanuel Nkoueleue (Lauren), great grandchildren Caleb Schuster, Levi Jaeger, Wesley Schuster, Lucas Jaeger, Wyatt Wesley, Lawson Jaeger, and William Wesley, Sawyer Steed, and Sadie Steed.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

Latter-day Saints and truly followed her Savior as she served and loved others.

Mrs. Barnes is survived by her husband of 54 years: William Joseph Barnes; two daughters: Amy Young and Lori (Craig) Gregson; grandchildren: Grace (Greg) Fitzpatrick, Emma (Riley) Salter, Eli, Becca, Olivia Young, Lily, Luke, Clarissa and Mollie Gregson; sisters: Michale Joan Bandley and Nancy (Robert) Taylor.

Mrs. Barnes was preceded in death by her parents Mr. Homer Bandley and Mrs. Maline Bandley; brother, Richard Bandley and sister,

Helen Houghton.

Visitation services were held Friday, November 1, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 510 Groce Street. Visitation at 9:30 CST followed by the funeral at 11:00. Interment was at 2:00 p.m. at the LaFayette City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Jean Dean RIF (Reading Is Fundamental), 1105 Fitzpatrick Avenue, Opelika, AL 36801. http:// www.jeandeanrif.org/Donation/donate.php Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

band, Spec Wright; brothers, John Davis, Roy Davis, and Jack Davis; sister, Merline King.

She is survived by her children, William J. Murphy (Sametra) of Salem, Alabama and Ruth Carreca (Michael) of LaFayette, Alabama; grandchildren, Jamie Scott, Shane Bledsoe (Jaclyn), Nikki

Morgan (James), Drake Bledsoe, and Lynn McGroder; great grandchildren, Justin Scott, Logan Morgan, Dylan McKnew, Lydia McGroder; sisters, Catherine Bowen, and Jean Arrington (Wendell).

Visitation will be held Monday, November 4, 2019 in the Parlor at Fred-

erick-Dean Funeral Home from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.

Funeral service will be held in the Chapel at FrederickDean Funeral Home Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother, Wayne Prickett officiating. Interment will follow at Garden Hills Cemetery.

To have your loved one’s obituary published in the Opelika Observer, email editor@opelikaobserver.com or call 334-749-8003

Velma Christene Davis Velma Christene Davis of Opelika was born to the late Lewis and Lorine Ivery Davis on May 18, 1934 and passed away at Arbor Springs on November 1, 2019. She was 85 years old.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Spec Wright; brothers, John Davis, Roy Davis, and Jack Davis; sister, Merline King.

She is survived by her children, William J. Murphy (Sametra) of Salem, Alabama and Ruth Carreca (Michael) of LaFayette, Alabama; grandchildren, Jamie Scott, Shane Bledsoe (Jaclyn), Nikki Morgan Barbara Leiko Woolley Barbara Leiko Woolley, beloved wife of Wallace Kendall Woolley, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning on Sunday, Oct. 27. Barbara said that she was lucky to have so many loved ones including her husband, her son and his family, and especially her grandchildren.

For the first nine years of her life she lived in Honolulu. After that she lived in many places including Germany but mostly California. She married in 1967 and soon moved to Maine with her Air Force husband. After six years there, she came to Auburn to go to college. She was admitted Pat H. Nobles July 19, 1936 - October 30, 2019 Pat H. Nobles of Fortson, Georgia was born on July 19, 1936 and passed away on October 30, 2019. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Crumpton Nobles; son, Chris Nobles (Jayne); daughters, Cheri

(James), Drake Bledsoe, and Lynn McGroder; great grandchildren, Justin Scott, Logan Morgan, Dylan McKnew, Lydia McGroder; sisters, Catherine Bowen, and Jean Arrington (Wendell).

Visitation was held Monday, November 4, 2019 in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.

The funeral service was held in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother, Wayne Prickett officiating.

Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.

to medical school and attended The University of Alabama in Birmingham. After residency she practiced obstetrics-gynecology in Fort Walton Beach until her retirement. She and her husband retired in Opelika.

They were members of First United Methodist Church of Opelika.

Her funeral was held at 3 p.m. Nov. 3, at First United Methodist Church of Opelika, visitation was at 2 p.m.

She is survived by her husband; son: Kendall Tuckerman; son-inlaw: David Tuckerman; grandchildren: Lowell Tuckerman, Whitney Troxtell, Jacob and Carter Tuckerman who are the loves of her life.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

Corser, Chase Burnett (Ronnie), and Charli Nobles; 7 grandchildren; sister, Kay Nobles Sanders of Osh Kosh, Wisconsin, and Sue Nobles Crawford (Glenn) of Hendersonville, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Nancy Carroll Nobles, of Prattville, Alabama. There will be no public funeral service.

F

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Nov. 06, 2019

eligion

Living with our eyes wide open

he glorious spiritual truth tucked behind the ragged realities of Paul’s ministry was that they always carried “around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body” (v. 10). The “death of Jesus” refers to them “being given over to death for Jesus’ sake” (v. 11).So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you (v. 12).

In their ministry as jars of clay, their regular brushes with destructive forces enabled the treasure (the message about Jesus) to shine through.

How exactly did this work?

It had to do with what people heard about Paul and what they heard from Paul.

They heard about (and perhaps even witnessed some of) the life-threatening situations Paul was in and how he was constantly being delivered from them.

The stories of what looked like his death for Jesus became stories of life through Jesus.

This is exactly what Paul bore witness to (see 1:8-10). When people get to the limit of their earthly resources, you find out what they are about—what is at their core. For some people, it is exactly what they are in normal circumstances, but for others, it is something else entirely. Either way, tough times reveal our true character. Paul’s setbacks and sufferings provided a window for people to hear about and see his dependence upon the living Christ

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

in a way that confirmed everything he said. People with unveiled faces were able to see such things.

They also heard from Paul himself. He calls in Psalm 116—a psalm of thanksgiving where the psalmist offers praise to God for delivering him when “the cords of death entangled me” (v. 3, see also v. 8). The psalmist’s faith caused him to speak out even in the midst of his

Church calendar

• Pepperell Baptist’s youth program meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. This is an evening of prayer, Bible Study and discussion. For more information, contact youth and children’s pastor Ryno Jones at 334-7453108.

• Nov. 4 to 8 - Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church will conduct their “Annual Fall Revival” Nov. 4 to 8 each night at 6:30.

The church is located at 2255 Wrights Mill Road in Auburn. All are welcome to come. Bernard Anderson serves as Mt. Moriah’s pastor.

• Nov. 6 - The Korean Children’s Choir will

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

A13

ANGLICAN Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd 2312 Center Drive Unit D #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

perform at First Baptist Church of Opelika, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

• Nov. 10 - The David Phelps Family Band has rescheduled their performance at First Baptist Church of Opelika. The concert begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call 334745-5715. The church is located at 301 S. 8th St. • Nov. 17 - Lakeview Baptist Church will host Dr. Danny Akin for a “Doctrine of Christ Seminar” Nov. 17. For more information, call 334-887-7094.

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

affliction (v. 10). This is the spirit that Paul possessed as well, so he used his hardships as an opportunity to point people to Jesus.

He knew a death story for any disciple was ultimately a life story (2 Corinthians 4:14) and that the Corinthians would benefit, and God would be glorified (v. 15).

He finishes with a flourish. Despite the hardships that were his, he repeats his earlier conclusion that “we do not lose heart” (v. 1, 16).

In the bigger arc that Paul sees, the ministry is part of God’s overall mercy toward them.

Furthermore, as he has shown, God sustains them in their sufferings and reveals Jesus through them.

Rather than losing heart at his diminishing outward state, Paul was inwardly

renewed on a daily basis by understanding the work of God around Him and through him. The difficulties they had which some argued were grounds for disqualifying them as true messengers of Christ were actually working for him to “achieve an eternal glory” (v. 17; Romans 8:18).

Paul’s unveiled face meant that he looked at things in a decidedly different way.

He refused to fixate on appearances but rather stayed focused on unseen eternal realities.

It’s amazing what you can see when you remove your veil.

Green has written a two-volume work on the prophets called Known Intimately Loved Ultimately.

They are available through 21st Century Christian.

Verse of the Week

It is the Lord who goes before you.

He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

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 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

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

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

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A14 Nov. 06, 2019

Community Calendar: Events around town

• Nov. 7 - 5 to 7 p.m. - CenterState Bank - Business After Hours • Nov. 18 - Hull Properties / Auburn Mall Pop Ups - Ribbon Cutting

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 334-2094641. 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 8876659 or at 256-3071449.

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

at Bethesda Baptist Church located at 201 S. 4th St. Opelika • The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary meets the third Monday of every month 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.

• 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 deborahowen@ eamc.org.

• The fourth Monday of each month, a community grief support group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary; everyone is welcome. For more information, call 8261899 or 502-0216.

• T.O.P.S (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss support group, meets every Monday from 5:30 to

7 p.m. at the Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Ave., Opelika. For more info contact Mary Johnson, 749-1584.

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

• The Commercial Horticulture Extension Team organizes webinars to provide quick updates for producers on various topics of interest.

Whether you are interested in the proper way to plant fruit trees or have questions in turf management, these webinars cover a wide range of subjects. Webinars are streamed live via Panopto on the last Monday of every month starting in January and ending in November. During the presentation, participants can send questions via email.

The webinars also are recorded and stored in the archive on the Beginning Farmer website. Webinar topics include: trap cropping for reducing squash insect pests, cowpea curculio updates, nutsedge control, introduction to potting mixes in ornamental container production, dealing with drought in com-

mercial horticulture crops and many more.

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

Tuesdays: • Ballroom Dance Classes at the Opelika SportsPlex from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday.

Instructor is Cody Wayne Foote. For more info, call Diane at 749-6320.

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

• The Opelika City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are preceded by nonvoting work sessions that typically begin between 6 and 6:45 p.m.

• Every second Tuesday, a country, gospel and bluegrass music jam session is held at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Beauregard. The event is free and open to the public. Those who play an instrument should bring it and plan to join in. The jam session is held from 6 to 8 p.m. 8685 Alabama Highway 51.

• A Grief Support Group meets at Oak Bowery United Methodist Church Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone

Upcoming Events • Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

Kids eat for 99 cents at Niffers • Nov. 5 at 5 p.m Burger Night at The Bottling Plant Event Center • Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.

Brains and Brews Trivia at Red Clay Brewing • Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.Burger Night with half-pounder burgers and a side for $6.99 at Niffers • Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. Wine Down Wednesday at The Bottling Plant Event Center • Nov. 6 - Build your own burger and side starting at $5 at La Cantina • Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

-Trivia Night at Niffers • Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Zach Williams of The Lone Star at Red Clay Brewing Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Sweet Young Twang at John Emerald Distilling Company • Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. The Mix Tape at The Corner Bar • Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.

Darren Knight at The Bottling Plant Event Center • Nov. 9 - Auburn CHILI Fest • Nov. 11 - Cities of Auburn, Opelika’s Veterans Day Services • Nov. 11 - Webb Wilder at The Sound

Wall • Nov. 13 - The Color Purple, The Musical at the OPAC • Nov. 19 - The November meeting of NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, located at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy.

There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited.

dealing with the pain of loss and feeling the need for support on their journey as they attempt to bring order and wholeness back into their life.

Attendance and participation is strictly voluntary for any and all sessions. There are no fees or charges involved. The church is located on U.S. Highway 431 – eight miles north from Southern Union State Community College and Opelika High School.

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

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

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

• East Alabama Gem & Mineral Society meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:45 p.m.

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

Wednesdays: • The second Wednesday of each month, a Community Grief Support Group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at the EAMC Health Resource Center. No reservations are necessary. For more info call 8261899 or 502-0216.

• The John Powell American Legion Post 18 and Auxiliary hosts Bingo every

Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Call 334-528-1076 for more information.

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

Auburn-Opelika ‘Mothers of Preschoolers’ group to host several events during month of November Special to the Opelika Observer

“House full, Hands full, Heart full” is the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) theme this year.

The Auburn-Opelika chapter has started off a full year of exciting, helpful programs and fellowships.

In October, the mothers invited Rita Smith of the Lee County Emergency management Agency to present a program on “recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit for their families.” The seasonal craft for October was making toilet tissue paper pumpkins.

On Nov. 7, “Marriage, working on your togetherness rather than your problems” is the program being presented by Odonda EzellWhiddon, counselor and MOPS Coordinator.

On Nov. 9, Auburn/Opelika MOPS will be having a yard sale at 267 Lee Road inOpelika, starting at 7 a.m.

On Nov. 21-”Keeping Our Children on Track” is the program. Both programs last from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church on 800 2nd Ave. For more information or to sign up for childcare, contact “Auburn/Opelika MOPS” Facebook page or call 706-244-5620.

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Opelika SportsPlex hosted annual ‘Fall Festival’ last week, drew large crowds

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

Auburn-Opelika Emblem Club makes donations to local libraries last month

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer The Auburn-Opelika Emblem Club #280, on behalf of the Alabama State Association of Emblem Clubs, made a donation to local libraries. Pictured left, Auburn Public Library employee Leslie Johnston with A-O Emblem Club President Sandra Sanders. Pictured right, Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library Director Rosanna McGinnis with A-O Emblem Club member Kay Spriggs.

Jog, from A7 registered by Nov. 22.

A limited number of T-shirts will be available to late and raceday registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Race-day registration will begin at 6 a.m. in front of Pieology. Dayof registration ends at

6:45 a.m. for the Santa Stroll and 7 a.m. for the Jingle Jog. The Santa Stroll will not be scored. The Jingle Jog 5k will have awards for the following categories for men and women: Overall (first through third), 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-plus. Awards will be presented by 9 a.m. at Toomer’s Corner.

Routes are available at activeauburn. org, auburnalabama. org/parks and on the race website. Early packet pickup for both races will be on Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Harris Senior Center. Race-day packet pickup will begin at 6 a.m.

For more information, send email to activeauburn@auburnalabama.org.

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

A16 Nov. 06, 2019

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COMICS

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

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

Lee County Board of Education will meet Nov. 12 6 p.m. at the Central Office 2410 Society Hill Road Opelika, AL 36804-4830 Friday’s Football Schedule Opelika v. McAdory @ 7 p.m.

Lee-Scott Academy at Monroe Academy @ 7 p.m.

Local politicians make $15,000 donation to Smiths Station High School last week

On the Mark

By D. Mark Mitchell

OHS Cross Country headed to State Meet

T

he Opelika High School boys and girls squads will head to the State Cross Country Meet on Nov. 7 in Oakville after qualifying in the sectional meet. The OHS girls finished first, second and third and Breckin Gould won the meet two seconds ahead of teammates Paola Torres and Margaret Bice. Following are results for the rest of the girls squad: Jul’ecia Beard (sixth), Susan Gaston (eighth) and Jhenny Hoover finished ninth.

The boys were led

by Chas Brewer’s 14th-place finish.

Winston Tufts (32nd), Michael Hart (40th) and Evan Goodman (42nd) also finished in the top-50.

The two teams will run in the AHSAA State Cross Country Meet this weekend in Oakville.

OHS FOOTBALL TO HOST MCADORY IN FIRSTROUND, 6A AHSAA PLAYOFF GAME The OHS football team will host McAdory in the first round of the class 6A Alabama High School Athletic Association football playoffs this Friday at 7 p.m.

See Sports, page B5

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer Special to the Opelika Observer Reps. Chris Blackshear and Debbie Hamby Wood, along with State Sen. Randy

Beulah ends season on winning note, claws McKenzie 56-6

By Morgan Bryce Editor After a major midseason slump that cost them a shot at the postseason berth, Beulah ended its season on a strong note by demolishing the visiting McKenzie Tigers 56-5 Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.

The first quarter and a half of football saw

both teams play at an even keel.

Bobcat running back Chris Person ran 32 yards for a touchdown on Beulah’s opening drive early in the first quarter. The Tigers’ special teams helped put them on the board, as sophomore defensive back Zanderion Cook returned a blocked punt 40 yards to tie the score 6-6.

Both teams missed their respective pointafter tries.

Donquavious Moreland helped swing the momentum back in his team’s favor fewer than two minutes later, bolting 49 yards for a TD and a lead they would never relinquish. The Bobcats would pad on two more scores to enjoy a See Beulah, page B5

Price, presented a check for $15,000 last week to Smiths Station High School to be used for various academic and athletic programs as well as

band. Pictured back row: Coach Mike Glisson and Male Athletic Director Brian Nelson. Pictured front row left to right: Blackshear, Fe-

male Athletic Director Shana Johnson, Principal Joaquin Richards, Price, Wood, Band Director Gene Butler and Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland.

Smiths Station ends season with 41-14 home loss to Eufaula

By Morgan Bryce Editor

Twenty-six seniors ended their final season at Smiths Station with a 41-14 loss to Eufaula, their eighth-consecutive defeat after a 2-0 start with wins over Russell County and Valley.

Eufaula quarterback Hess Horne carved up the Panther defense, throwing for nearly 300 yards and

lighting up the scoreboard with four touchdowns.

Leading 38-0 at halftime, Eufaula erased any doubts that they were the inferior team.

The Tigers only added a field goal in the second half and led 41-0 entering the final quarter.

Smiths Station’s offense finally began to click, as the Panthers would score twice on a two-yard run from junior quarterback

Jacob Blackmon and on a one-yard run from senior running back L.C. Harris.

No statistics were available for this game.

With the loss, the Panthers finish the season with a 2-8 record, their worst showing since the 2017 season when they finished 0-10. Coach Mike Glisson’s record now stands at 8-12 overall in two seasons at Smiths Station.

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B2 Nov. 06, 2019

Opelika Crush soccer program brings Beauregard Player of the Week home multiple state championships Special to the Opelika Observer The Opelika Crush Soccer Club finished up the fall club season setting club records with six teams qualifying for the championship tournament, two champions and five teams advancing to the championship Sunday.

Coach Eric Faison’s U15 Girls, who won the state cup last year came into the tournament as the #2 seed, finishing the regular season 4-1-1. In the semifinals, Opelika faced the Gulf Coast Rangers out of Mobile/Daphne and won 2-0 pushing them to the championship game where they faced BUSA Alabaster. Alabaster led 1-0 until Scarlett Podasas beat the goalkeeper with the equalizer in the 62nd minute.

The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation sending the game to extra time. With fewer than 30 seconds in the final period of extra time, Alabaster found the back of the net ending Opelika’s run to a second-straight state championship.

After failing to qualify last year, the U15 boys came into the tournament as the #5 seed, with a 5-2-1 record. After winning 4-1 in the first round, they faced the #1 seed and previously unbeaten BUSA Alabaster team in the semifinals and won, 6-1 with

goals coming from Austin Marlin, Dexter Graham (two) Andy Roberts and Carson Long (two) to advance to the championship game where they fell to Briarwood soccer club 1-0. Jaxon Kerley had 14 saves during the course of the tournament.

The U19 boys in the second division coached

by Ed Conwell entered the tournament as the second seed with a 5-1 record. In the semi-finals, they beat Birmingham United 2-0 with two goals from Tyler Suggs assisted by Haydn Schwind and Ian Costello.

In the championship game, the boys faced Tuscaloosa Soccer Club. Senior Taylor Ransom scored a hat trick and Ryley Sims scored the fourth goal to give the team a 4-1 win in the championship game.

The U16 boys had a dream season after failing to qualify for the tournament last year. This season, they went undefeated through league play with an 8-0-1 record and scored 4.2 goals per game and headed into the tournament as the #1 seed. With a first-round bye, they drew Huntsville FC in the first round who advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Prattville United.

In the semi-finals, Opelika got goals from Dylan Millar and Ayden Green to advance to the championship with a 2-1 victory. In

the championship game, Opelika faced the #2 seed Shoals Soccer Club whose only defeat was to Opelika in the first game of the season. For the first time in the season, Opelika was held scoreless and fell 3-0.

The U19 boys in the top division finished the season with a perfect 8-0 record for a second-straight season and went into the tournament as the #1 seed.

Coach Steve Charlot had his team prepared this year for another run. In the semi-finals, they faced Marshall United FC and doubled their season 3.5 scoring average with a 7-2-win. Charlie Garcia had four goals, while Dima Hawkins, Johnathan Mendoza and Israel Zuinga each had one. In the finals, Opelika faced River City United out of Madison, Alabama. Opelika dominated possession and managed to outshoot River City 18–3, yet Garcia was the only player to find the back of the net in a 1-0 victory. Grant Parham had the clean sheet in the championship game with three saves.

The only team advancing to the tournament not to make the championship game was the U19 Girls competing in the top bracket, instead placing third in the tournament with a consolation victory over the Briarwood Soccer Club.

In two previous Beauregard Player of the Weeks, Cason Blackmon was listed as Hunter Gasaway because of a swap in uniform numbers mid-season. The Observer staff would like to apologize for this mistake and any inconveniences this may have caused.

of the

Week Congratulations from

Lee Co. Revenue Commissioner Oline Price Opelika 215 S. 9th St. Opelika 334-737-3655

Smiths Station 2366 LR 430 Ste. 140 Smiths Station 334-664-0296

Auburn 1266 Mall Pkwy Auburn 334-737-7298

Beulah Player of the Week

Junior linebacker and running back Donquavious Moreland was selected as the Beulah Player of the Week. In Friday’s 56-6 regular-season finale victory over McKenzie, he rushed 10 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior running back L.C. Harris was selected as the Smiths Station Player of the Week. He rushed for a touchdown in Friday’s 41-14 season-finale loss to Eufaula.

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Gratitude and sweet attitudes in children

Beth Pinyerd

A

s families and schools embark on the month of November, we stress gratitude and the importance of caring for others. In our lives, we look back on certain altars in our lives and learn from them.

One day, my 10-month-old son Gus and I were looking outside our kitchen window at a man who was bagging pecans underneath a tree near our apartment home.

My toddler kept star-

A

uburn has been my home my entire life. In 1983, at 3 years old, my parents built a home on Terrace Acres Drive and set roots in this oncetiny town. I still remember splashing in mud puddles made by the builders, with the smell of saw dust lingering and a few broken bottles lying around.

I remember visiting Felton Little Park when there was still a merrygo-round, and my father taking us to Sani-Freeze at sunset. We’d sit on a small wall, just tall enough for children to perch, laughing and gobbling down ice cream till the stars appeared. My dad always got a chocolate malt; I was a sucker for the bubble gum ice cream.

I remember once my father taking my sister and me to paint on Samford Lawn. We laid in the grass, the three of us, daring to paint the picture of Auburn etched in our young souls.

On one particular occasion, I recall riding my bike to Toomers Corner for the official “rolling” of the toilet paper after a big win.

We had been watching the game at home and my parents filled our ears with shouts and excitement as the game came to an end.

All of a sudden I heard my mother, “Kids, grab your bikes, we’re going to Toomers.” And off we went, a parade of three children and one adult, to the center of town to celebrate with our Auburn family.

The feelings and emotions of these days are still on the surface, as if it wasn’t really that long ago. Truth be told, it wasn’t long ago at all.

Auburn is indeed a special place, filled with

ing and pointing at the man. The man looked like he was struggling and having a hard time.

I decided it would be good to fix the man a couple of sandwiches with an apple and water.

My son and I went and gave the man the bagged lunch. Tears came into the man’s eyes as he gobbled down the sandwich quickly. The man was hungry. The reason he was gathering pecans under the tree was to

sell them across town from his bicycle.

A big smile came across his face as he looked at Gus. My son smiled back and realized in his young heart that he had met a need.

The man shared some pecans with us as he bicycled off to sell his pecans before Thanksgiving.

This early outreach in my son’s life planted a path in his life to be sensitive to the physical and hunger needs of others, as he has joined mission outreaches to feed the homeless in his adolescent and adult life.

How can we teach children to learn and care for others? Here are a few tips that I would like to share with you.

Keep in mind that the first five years are for value and moral development. This continues throughout our lives, but we as parents and teachers can take these early years to

teach children morals and values. We have to look at age and child development as we assess what children can actually understand.

In working with infants and toddlers who are 8 to 20 months old, they do realize that they can make another child happy by being gentle and helpful.

Praise the child when they do this positive action.

They also understand they can hurt another child by hitting, pushing or grabbing. Immediate correction is needed when this happens by saying “no” or letting them know by verbal or facial expression that we don’t hurt others.

When a child is 2 or 3 years old, they can understand and empathize the feelings, frustrations and hurts of others. When I see a child this age gently outreaching to another by sharing a toy, blanket or hug, it melts

this teacher’s heart to witness kindness from one so young.

Late threes and fours definitely understand the importance of being kind and sharing with others.

Children 5 years old and older develop values like honesty, respect and kindness and are able to understand moral judgments.

As parents and teachers, what can we do to teach values? Spend time and simply talk with children about different circumstances and situations they have had with other children. Role play different situations with your child or children.

For example, if a child’s friend bumped into something or fell down and got hurt, discuss with your child or children on how they may think the other child may have felt with these accidents. In addressing your child or children, ask them how they helped their

friend. With older children, ask for their ideas on how they could outreach and help.

With the holidays coming up and families and friends making plans to come together, talk to your children beforehand about situations that could arise where they could help.

There could be intergenerational situations of outreach between young and older family members.

As parents and teachers, we are modeling morals and values that we want our children to learn. Modeling appropriate ways to help others and to be thoughtful is the best teacher.

Happiness happens when we look for ways to help others. During the month of November, create an outreach project of kindness in your family where you outreach to each other in the family as well as friends. Teaching children to care will be planted in their hearts.

Auburn Game Day - The Local Table tradition, fellowship and family, the Auburn family.

From the words of my dear friend Mary Boyd, “We have our own holidays here in Auburn - it’s Game Day!” This is true. Nothing compares to Auburn Game Day on the Plains.

We eat. We laugh. The kids play. We catch up. We spend time together with people we love and people we’ve missed all year.

It is truly a holiday, but what is so ever present that brings us all together? Is it really the football? Is it the band, the crowds, the excitement, the cheerleaders? Do we come for Malzahn or Bo Nix or Aubie? Or is it something sweeter and never changing?

My grandfather, Joe Frey, in 1973, would roll into Auburn on Game Day at 6 a.m. and stake his claim of space by the old Eagle’s Cage.

Looking up towards Jordan-Hare, he’d pull out his old tin folding table.

He’d open it up, stand it up straight and grin.

The rest is history. I can only imagine the rest of his story on Game Day, many years ago. Food, friends, laughs, a good bourbon and coke, family and football, and it all started with a simple table.

I’m pretty sure all of life’s goodness and glory is shared around a table. Football isn’t any different. In fact, I’d claim the football tailgate as one of the most prized hospitality occasions in the country.

How genius is it that we take our sacred tables outside and open them up to receive others?

This is the South. This is football, and this is the Auburn Family.

Although tailgating

looks a lot different than 1973, the tables are still present. We don’t see them of course, nor think of them. They are covered in cookies stolen by little hands, plentiful with dips and finger foods and often decorated with flowers and Auburn décor.

Tables once donned with radios are now the stage for a television.

Today, we are widely impressed with campers, large tents and the famous Tailgate Guys.

For a monetary fee, Tailgate Guys will set up anything and everything you need to tailgate, including your own tailgate banner and name. It is forever impressive.

I joined a table recently on Payne Street.

Payne Street is historical to Auburn and is set only a mile away from the stadium. You can hear all the commotion form Jordan-Hare on Payne, and should we win, Payne Street is only two blocks from Toomers Corner.

My friend Mary Boyd lives here. Mary is also an Auburn native, born

Bradley Robertson and raised on Hamilton Road. Her lawn and porch make the perfect setting for an Auburn tailgate.

Mary’s got the right idea. Her favorite dinner table remains on her front porch year round. Can you think of anything more inviting than that? She is a true woman of southern hospitality.

“Auburn is home,” says Mary. “Auburn is comfort. Auburn is roots. This is a town we all share, old Auburn or new Auburn, we are all family.”

Mary is a host to her entire village of Payne Street and beyond. She

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lavishes over fellowship and community. Mary is always open to sit and chat life on her porch swing, while sipping a cold glass of chardonnay.

Mary is also a fantastic cook. She will prepare an old recipe of her grandmother’s with ease and a polished plate. She can also take an everyday item like bacon, rub it in brown sugar, bake it and have something even more tasty and fancy than before.

When creating tablescapes, Mary is quick yet thoughtful. She gathers up sweet items from long ago, pairs

them with new décor, adds in a few snips from her garden, and she has fashioned something lovely and timeless.

“Sharing food around a table is really about giving thanks. It’s about celebrating life and fun events. It’s more than football - it’s love for your neighbor. It’s tradition. It’s just who we are.”

No matter where the table is, or what is on it, it’s the beginning of memories. It sets the stage for laughs and comfort and often, even tears. We share life, we value each portion, and the bonds created are not forgotten. Our tables offer up our own personal stories, stories of greatness, children, time passing and plans ahead.

Perhaps this is why we Auburn villagers are so quick to say “the Auburn family.”

Families share space and smiles. Families tend to each other.

Families listen and families laugh. Families create newness and share stories of the past.

Families begin and end around a table.

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pelika Observer O Opelika City Schools celebrates ‘Red Ribbon Week’ B4

Nov. 06, 2019

By Beth Pinyerd For the Opelika Observer “Red Ribbon Week” is an initiative by the government and people of the United States for the prevention and education of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Opelika City Schools emphasized Red Ribbon Week with classroom activities

and assemblies Oct. 28 through Nov. 1.

Dr. Pam Fourtenbary, principal of West Forest Intermediate, shared that the students and teachers have integrated Red Ribbon activities into the classroom day. School Counselor Carla Wiley coordinated essay contests, poster contests and activities for the students to write and

draw about “saying no to drugs.”

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated throughout the week.

Monday - Backwards Day; Tuesday - Silly Sock Day; Wednesday - Hat Day; Thursday - Sunglasses Day and Friday - Wear Red Day. A Red Ribbon Assembly for the school was held last Friday.

The Opelika High School Band played as the student body was welcomed at the door by Opelika High School athletes. The older student body of the Opelika City Schools did a wonderful job in mentoring the younger student body about not using drugs and taking care of themselves.

The different houses

of West Forest Intermediate School, Uvumilivu (orange); Veritas (blue); Sam’mana (green) and valor (red), got up during the assembly and did their character-building chants. Thomas Sherfield, who mentors and coaches students, was the main speaker at the assembly. He encouraged the children about running the race of life

by staying healthy as they prepare for their futures.

The assembly concluded by announcing the poster winners: Tristian Hodge - first place, Maggie Puckett - second place and Emunah Weaver - third place.

For more information about Red Ribbon Week, visit www. redribbon.org.

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

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer

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pelika Observer O Alabama and Auburn compete in American Red Cross blood drive B5

Nov. 06, 2019

Universities host friendly competition to help save lives Special to the Opelika Observer

The University of Alabama and Auburn University are on a lifesaving mission with the American Red Cross and need the community’s help.

Sponsored by Alpha Epsilon Delta – The Health Preprofessional Honor Society - each school wants to collect the most pints of blood for hospital patients in need and win bragging rights.

Auburn University will hold blood drives Nov. 12 to 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center.

The University of Alabama will hold blood drives Nov. 12

Beulah, from B1 comfortable 28-6 lead at halftime.

While Beulah’s potent rushing game helped the Bobcats move the ball throughout the evening, quarterback Kaleb Abney made a number of key

to 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ferguson Center.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sicklecell disease.

“We are excited to be able to use the football rivalry between Auburn University and The University of Alabama to benefit these blood drives,” said Robert Powers, service programs advisor for the Office of Student Involvement at Auburn University. “Through throws, including a 24-yard scoring toss to Billy Wayne Sikes.

The Bobcats would go on to outscore the Tigers 28-0 in the second half, adding another passing touchdown and two more scores on the ground.

Offensively, Beulah finished with 520 total yards, including 445 on the ground. Moreland

this friendly competition we will be able to help save lives and that is the ultimate goal.”

Presenting donors will receive a custom T-shirt, pizza and chances to win gift cards and raffle prizes, while supplies last.

“This friendly competition is a great way for students, faculty, staff and fans to show school pride and help ensure a stable blood supply,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region.

Donors of all blood types are encouraged to make an appointled all rushers with 154 yards on 10 carries for three TDs. Sondrekius Cooper ran six times for 105 yards and a pair of scores and Chris Person added 93 yards on 16 rushes along with another TD. Abney finished 8-of14 passing for 75 yards and two TDs to Sikes and Jaquavion Johnson.

Defensively, Stanley

ment. Eligible donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are urged to make a Power Red donation. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor

Washington finished with four tackles, including one for a loss.

Christopher Latham contributed three tackles (two for a loss) and Quinton Hale notched three tackles (one for a loss).

With the win, Beulah finishes 4-6 overall, down from 8-3 overall last season.

Auburn University College of Education, O Grows receive $500k grant from California company

By George Littleton Special to the Opelika Observer Compound Solutions, Inc. of Carlsbad, California has announced a $500,000 investment in Auburn University’s College of Education. CSI is an innovative company representing and distributing unique, patented nutraceutical ingredients that improve the health and performance of individuals.

“CSI’s commitment to maximizing human potential is evident in both its business and philanthropy,” said Duante Stanton, director of the College of Education’s Office of Development. “As stewards of their generosity, we are looking forward to maximizing their impact on our students and community by empowering our first-class experts to do great work. This gift will touch the lives of Auburn University faculty and students, Lee County residents, and scholars around the world.”

CSI’s gift will have a positive impact on three distinct areas of the college: teaching, research, and outreach, including an expansion of the O Grows garden initiative located at the Brown School.

A large portion of the gift will endow a professorship with the mission of advancing the field of molecular and applied science.

The endowment will provide an important boost in the college’s recruitment and retention of talented faculty members dedicated to research and mentoring top graduate students in the field.

CSI’s gift will also provide unrestricted support for the college’s Molecular and Applied Sciences

Lab, housed in the School of Kinesiology and directed by Michael Roberts, Ph.D. Roberts’ research focuses on how nutrition and exercise affect the molecular environment of muscle and fat tissues; how aging affects the genetic architecture of skeletal muscle; and how weight-training affects intra-muscle cell adaptations.

Roberts will use the funds to provide scholarship support for students in need, and continue to fund ongoing research projects and dissertations for outstanding graduate students.

CSI has also elected to support the college’s O Grows program, housed in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology. CSI has a deep commitment to nutrition and connecting people to the earth, which aligns well with the O Grows mission of service to others. With the unrestricted support to O Grows, Sean Forbes, Ph.D., will establish a new community garden at the Lee County Youth Development Center (LCYDC). In its new location, O Grows will continue incorporating innovative practices with expertise in the areas of prevention, intervention, and residential care. The primary O Grows facility in Opelika carries out these functions through its work with students in the alternative school and its community market. The two installations in Lee County will complement each other, and bring an important resource to the LCYDC. “With their operations thousands of miles away, CSI’s investment in the youths residing at LCYDC and their neighbors is a model of altruistic corporate

giving,” Forbes said. “The gift also speaks to CSI’s commitment to their educational outreach program, the Farmacy Initiative. The initiative promotes communitybased food production, cooking, and nutrition.”

“The Farmacy Initiative and O Grows share a mission of growing food and community. We achieve both of these through our collaboration with residents who are among the most marginalized in our area.”

Through its work supplying effective, science-based, quality ingredients to sports nutrition, functional food, and nutraceutical manufacturers, CSI has long been committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with global customers and suppliers. Some of CSI’s patented and trademarked brands include TeaCrine, Dynamine, PeakO2, and goBHB. “We chose Auburn because we and our partners value the cuttingedge technology and research coming from Dr. Mike Roberts’ lab,” said CSI CEO Matt Titlow.

“The lab is second to none, and Auburn’s mission and prestige is an ideal match.”

“As dean, I am grateful for such generous support from a partner who values our research and outreach,” said College of Education Dean Betty Lou Whitford. “The endowed professorship has generated great excitement throughout the college, and the additional location for O Grows will provide much needed research and outreach into food nutrition and sustainability – all of which contributes to our mission of improving the lives of others.”

code for Alabama blood drives: beatauburn; sponsor code for Auburn blood drives: beatbama or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good

health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.

To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. For more information, visit www. redcross.org.

Sports, from B1

ticket office opens at 5 p.m. Friday. You can listen to the game on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM, kickerfm.com and on the iHeartRadio app. Coverage begins at 6:30.

The winner advances to the second round of the AHSAA Playoffs on Nov. 15 against the winner of Lanier and St. Paul’s.

Look for St Paul’s to make a return trip to Opelika after beating Lanier. The Saints play in a tougher region and have played a harder non-region schedule.

WRESTLING Opelika High Wrestling Coach Jim Davis released the roster for the 2019-20 season, which currenly conists of only six grapplers: - Benjamin Daughtry - James Dawson - Julian Favors -Adam Phillips -Jackson Shoemaker -Chris Willet -Cameron Williams.

The Wrestling Bulldogs open the season on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. against LaGrange and Russell County.

BASKETBALL OHS Girls Coach Devin Booth and boys coach John Wadsworth plan to release their rosters and full schedules in the coming days.

The Lady Bulldogs will open the season Friday versus G.W. Carver (Birmingham) in the first round of the “Hazel Green Tip-off Tournament.”

Both of Opelika’s varsity teams will play at Beauregard on Nov. 14.

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

at Bulldog Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets (6-4) finished fourth in Region 4 behind Hueytown, Bessemer City and Paul Bryant.

McAdory is coached by Bart Sessions, who is in his first season as Jackets head coach. He spent three seasons as head coach of McGillToolen, Tuscaloosa County and Gadsden City.

Opelika and McAdory did not play last week, using the week to prepare for a potential five-game stretch. Classes 1-6 play four rounds prior to Super 7, while 7A teams play three rounds prior to Super 7. The Bulldogs have played a tougher nonregion schedule than McAdory. Opelika plays two of the top 7A programs in Central and Auburn every year. McAdory’s non-region games included Selma, Dallas County, Greensboro and Helena.

The Bulldogs are the better football team and should advance to the second round after Friday’s game. McAdory is a good football team but not ready to play 6A playoff football or playing in the hostile confines of Bulldog Stadium. I look for the Bulldogs to use a physical defense and a balanced offense to beat the Yellow Jackets. The rushing game for the Bulldogs may be enough to keep the Jacket offense on the sideline.

Fans can purchase tickets at Bubba’s Medicine Shop and Victory Design for $8 until noon Friday.

Bulldog Stadium

pelika O Observer

B6 Nov. 06, 2019

Sen. Tom Whatley makes donations to Auburn High School

Photos submitted to the Opelika Observer Sarah Morgan Smith, Aquatics Division sophomore, presents a check for $4,000 to FFA teachers Rebecca Balkcom (Aquatics) and Lucinda Cleaver (Agriculture) from the office of Sen. Tom Whatley.

The following teachers from Auburn High School were just some of the recipients of a generous donation from the office of Sen. Tom Whatley. Pictured left to right are Lucinda Cleaver (FFA Agriculture), Rebecca Balkcom (FFA Aquaculture), Rebecca Holder (Mathematics), Donna Yeager (Debate), Bentley Stephenson (Volleyball) and Chris Brandt (Basketball).

Waverly will be the site of the inaugural ‘2019 Harvest Discovery Experience’ Nov. 9 Special to the Opelika Observer Join AO Discover, AuburnOpelika Children's Hands-on Science Center and R&R Landscaping in Waverly for the 2019 Harvest Discovery Experience on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature food, drinks, nature explorations, photo opportunities, music, special guests and STEM, art and music activities for children.

Tickets are $15 for those 12 and up; children 12 and under get in free. Tickets will enter individuals to win one of 10 prize packages.

All proceeds from ticket

sales go to support the nonprofit AO Discover, which is opening the Auburn-Opelika Children's Hands-on Science Center in spring 2020. The science center will offer permanent exhibits, hands-on instructional explorations, STEM Building challenges, traveling exhibits, community days and STEM camps.

Guest’s donations will help them to bring these hands-on science experiences to children and families in the AuburnOpelika area and Lee County.

For more information, send email to Murrah at ao.discoverscience@gmail.com or visit www.aodiscover.com.

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pelika Observer O

B7 Nov. 06, 2019

Beulah, Smiths Station football squads conclude seasons Friday

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

pelika Observer O

B8 Nov. 06, 2019

Auburn University student Ragan joins federation as livestock show intern

By Marlee Moore Submitted to the Opelika Observer The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed intern Madden Ragan to its Montgomery home office in October.

The DeKalb County native will assist with preparations for the Jr. Beef Expo (JBE) March 19-21.

As show coordinator intern, the Auburn University (AU) senior will help with data entry, exhibitor correspondence, volunteer organization and other

show management aspects.

“I’m passionate about the agricultural industry and teaching youth how important it is to our communities, state and nation,” said Ragan, 20, who is an animal science major. “I grew up competing in reining horse contests and am excited to grow my livestock show experiences with JBE.” Ragan was raised on a farm in Fort Payne.

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Brady Ragland said Ragan’s experience on the show

circuit will be an asset preparing for JBE. “Producing highquality livestock events such as the Alabama JBE takes a lot of planning and coordination,” said Ragland, a commodity director who oversees the Federation’s youth livestock shows.

“Madden will get a firsthand look at all the moving parts that major shows entail.

We will be counting on her organizational and customer service skills to help make the 2020 event a success.”

Ragan is pursuing minors in agribusiness and crop and soil science. At Auburn, she is involved in AU Young Farmers; Collegiate FFA; the Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Club; and Collegiate Cattlemen and Cattlewomen. She has also helped coordinate Dairy U and Beef U programs for youth interested in agriculture.

Ragan, a graduate of Fort Payne High School, is the daughter of Celeste and Derwood Ragan.

Ragan

Michael O’Neill to be Auburn’s Nine local students graduate during Troy University’s Term 1 of 2019-2020 academic year featured speaker for fall Submitted to the Opelika Observer Troy University is pleased to recognize students who completed the requirements for graduation during Term 1 of the 2019/2020 academic year. Term 1 graduates include students at Troy's campuses in Dothan, Phenix City and Montgomery, along with teaching sites outside of Alabama and online.

Local students who graduated during Term 1 include:

-Andrew Denzik of Smiths Station -Matthew Evans of Phenix City -Jeffrey Gilbert of Phenix City -Chandler Henderson of Phenix City Kalandria Ivey-Smith of Auburn -Margalena Remington of Phenix City -Mamie Richardson of Salem -Shecoiah Sanders of Opelika and -Sheinoura Wise of Phenix City.

About Troy

graduation ceremonies Dec. 14 Special to the Opelika Observer

University Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni.

Students choose Troy

for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding facult and flexible in-class and online class offerings.

Doug Horn roofing Co., LLC

P.O. Box 141 • 1603 Blackhawk Drive Opelika, AL 36801-0141 since 1957 jcrowder1022@gmail.com Owner: Jeremy Crowder www.doughornroofing.com

Renowned actor and Auburn alumnus Michael O’Neill will be the keynote speaker for Auburn University’s fall commencement exercises on Dec. 14. O’Neill will deliver his commencement address before a graduating class of nearly 2,000 students and their families.

A native of Montgomery, O’Neill launched his acclaimed film and television career after graduating from Auburn in 1974 with a degree in economics. With a career spanning nearly four decades, O’Neill holds more than 120 acting credits to his name and is known to audiences for his roles in award-winning films including Dallas Buyers Club, J. Edgar, Seabiscuit, Transformers and Traffic.

In addition to his celebrated film career, O’Neill’s television credits include memorable roles

O’Neill on prominent shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Rectify, Extant, Bates Motel, Jack Ryan and The West Wing. Delivering an address titled The Unexpected, O’Neill will discuss the challenges and rewards that come with life’s unexpected journeys.

A degree in economics doesn’t ordinarily lead to acting, but he’ll discuss Auburn’s role in a long career in the entertainment industry.

Auburn’s fall commencement ceremonies will be held in the Auburn Arena at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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B10 Nov. 06, 2019

pelika Observer O

Auburn hangs on to beat Ole Miss 20-14, improves to 7-2

Photos by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer

pelika O Observer

B11 Nov. 06, 2019

Gov. Kay Ivey announces Alabama’s participation in the 2020 ‘Girls Go CyberStart Challenge’ Special to the Opelika Observer Gov. Kay Ivey announced last week that Alabama will participate in the 2020 Girls Go CyberStart Challenge. The Girls Go CyberStart Challenge is a skills-based competition designed to encourage girls to pursue cyber-based learning and career opportunities.

“Initiatives like the Girls Go CyberStart Challenge are critical because they help the next generation of women in Alabama

close the gender gap in STEM related fields,” Governor Ivey said.

“With so many techbased firms choosing Alabama as their new home, it is extremely important that we encourage our state’s youth to hone their tech-based skillsets, which give them the best opportunity to have fulfilling careers in this high-demand field.”

The Girls Go CyberStart Challenge is an online game that consists of a series of challenges that places students in the role of a cyber protection agent

charged with solving realistic problems and puzzles. The program is open to girls in grades nine through 12.

“The Girls Go CyberStart Challenge addresses the most important intersectional needs in STEM – the growing demand for more cybersecurity and computer science specialists in the workforce, equity and diversity opportunities that engage more women in the most high demand and high need career areas,” CoChairman of Governor Ivey’s Computer Science Advisory Council

Dr. Jeff Gray said. “The Girls Go CyberStart Challenge provides young women with an engaging and fun competition that fosters collaboration and exploration to develop the most in-demand skillsets as society relies more on digital services. Young women in Alabama are emerging as national leaders in this area and are very competitive each year.”

Alabama had 418 girls from 23 schools participate in the 2019 Girls Go CyberStart Challenge. Three Alabama schools qualified

for the National Finals Championship and the Alabama state winner achieved rank number 16 out of 120 schools nationally.

“The Girls Go CyberStart Challenge is an engaging way to introduce young women to cybersecurity through digital puzzles and team-based learning opportunities,” Chairman of Governor Ivey’s STEM Advisory Council Dr. Neil Lamb said. “Nearly every industry is impacted by cybersecurity, and the CyberStart challenge opens the door to a host

of career opportunities for these Alabama learners.”

Registration opens Dec. 2, with online gaming commencing on January 13, 2020.

Additional details and preregistration can be found at www.girlsgocyberstart.org.

Teacher information and student practice programs are available now and can be found at medium.com/ girls-go-cyberstart/ mrsgcyberstarttips/ home. To see the types of challenges the students will face, visit go.joincyberstart.com.

pelika O Observer

B12 Nov. 06, 2019

PUBLIC NOTICES FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Whatley Construction, LLC Contractor, has completed the Contract for Construction for ALDOT Southeast Region District 66 Complex Phase II, Salem, Alabama for the State of Alabama Department of Transportation, Owner, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in corUlection with this project should immediately notify Robinson and Associates Architecture, Inc., 906 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, in writing.

Whatley Construction, LLC 710 Fox Fun Parkway PO Box 137 Opelika, AL 36803 Legal Run 10/16/19, 10/23/19, 10/30/19 & 11/06/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF AKISSEA ARROYO CASE NO.: 2019-B-174 PUBLICATION NOTICE TO: Any potential unknown fathers, address unknown.

Please take notice that a petition for adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Akissea Arroyo on October 8, 2019, for the adoption of H.G.A. born on October 6, 2019 in Columbus, Georgia to Jasmine Symone Arroyo.

A hearing has been set for the 18th day of December, 2019 at 10 o’clock am Central time in the Probate Court, Lee County Courthouse, 215 South 9lh Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Brett Smith, 369 S College Street, Auburn, AL 36830 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published, or appear on the date of the hearing as set above to contest said Petition.

Dated on this the 9th day of October, 2019.

Bill Patel HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Legal Run 10/16/19, 10/23/19, 10/30/19 & 11/06/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2019-B176 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WARREN S. MARTIN, DECEASED. NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that Letters testamentary of the Estate of WARREN S. MARTIN, deceased, having been granted to WENDY K. MARTIN on the 26th day of September, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama: Notice is hereby given that all persons having cliams against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Wendy K. Martin Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of William Glenn Ridgeway, deceased Probate Court Lee County Case No: 2019-B-239 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTMENTARY of William Glenn Ridgeway deceased having been granted to Mary Susan Ridgeway Lovelace on the 10th day of October, 2019 , by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Mary Susan Ridgeway Lovelace James M. Ivins, Attorney at Law 1408 Broad Street Phenix City, AL 36867 Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF JAMES WILLIAM CARROLL Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Patricia Cook Carroll on the 11th day of October , 2019, 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.

Patricia Cook Carroll Legal Run 10/23, 10/30

& 11/06/19 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF LIZZIE PEARL MARSHALL, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH THE WILL ANNEXD of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 11th day of September, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having cliams against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Christopher A. Thomlinson, Administrator Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF OTIS DEWITT ALSOBROOK, III, DECEASED LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Phillip E. Adams, Jr., as Personal Representative of the Estate of Otis Dewitt Alsobrook, III, deceased, on the 11th day of October, 2019, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

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

Phillip E. Adams, Jr. / Personal Representative PREPARED BY: Blake L. Oliver Adams White & Oliver, LLP 205 S. 9th Street, P. O. Box 2069 Opelika, AL 368032069 (334) 745-6466 Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JESSIE L. PINK GUARDIAN - CONSERVATOR’S FINAL SETTLEMENT AND RESTORIATION OF COMPETENCY NOTICE This day came Edward B. Raymon, as Guardian-Conservator of the estate of Jessie L. Pink, and filed his account, vouchers, evidence and statements for Final Settlement of said GuardianshipConservatorship estate and for Restoration of Competency.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the 18th day of November, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., is appointed as the day on which to make such

settlement and restoration, in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, at which time all persons interested can appear and contest same if they think proper.

WITNESS my hand this 21st day of October, 2019.

BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19 STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY DOCKET NO. 2019-C-026 RE: ESTATE OF DENA LEE BARNES, DECEASED: NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of October, 2019, by the Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Diana Lou Barnes, Personal Representative Claud E. (Skip) McCoy, Jr., Esq. Attorney for Personal Representative Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy, LLC 117 North Lanier Avenue, Suite 201 Lanett, Alabama 36863 (334) 644-1171 Legal Run 10/23, 10/30 & 11/06/19 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT COURT OF PROBATE ESTATE OF JUDY H. REEVES A/K/A JUDITH VONCILE REEVES Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of October 2019, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand, and dated this the 24th day of October, 2019.

JAMES E. REEVES, III Legal Run 10/30, 11/06 & 11/13/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE ESTATE OF: MAMIE KOON, DECEASED NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th day of October 2019, by the Hon. Bill English,

Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hand, and dated this the 24th day of October, 2019.

CRAWFORD S. MELTON, Executor Legal Run 10./30, 11/06 & 11/13/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF VONCILE BIRCHFIELD, An Adult in need of a Conservator.

Case No.: 2016-B-014 NOTICE OF PARTIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that Stephen Ray Birchfield, Conservator of Voncile Birchfield, an incapacitated person, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, his accounts, vouchers and statements for a Partial Settlement of the Conservatorship of Voncile Birchfield. A hearing has been set for the 12th day of December 2019, at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, in the Court Room of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Done this the 31st day of October, 2019.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 11/06/19, 11/13/19 & 11/20/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF TEDDY RAY BIRCHFIELD, An Adult in need of a Conservator.

Case No.: 2016-B-013 NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that Stephen Ray Birchfield, Conservator of Teddy Ray Birchfield, an incapacitated person, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, his accounts, vouchers and statements for a Final Settlement of the Conservatorship of Teddy Ray Birchfield. A hearing has been set for the 10th day of December , 2019, at _11:00 a.m., Central Time, in the Court Room of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Done this the 30th day of October 2019.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 11/06/19, 11/13/19 & 11/20/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALA-

BAMA STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE IN RE: The Matter of FLYNNE OWEN MITCHELL Case No.: 2009-A-107 NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that Thomas C. Mitchell, Conservator of Flynne Owen Mitchell, an incapacitated person, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, his accounts, vouchers and statements for a Final Settlement of the Conservatorship of Flynne Owen Mitchell.

A hearing has been set for the 12th day of December 2019, at 1:00 p.m., Central Time, in the Court Room of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Done this the 31st day of October, 2019.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 11/06/19, 11/13/19 & 11/20/19

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: BAYARD RODNEY BECK, SR., Deceased Case No.: 2019-C-038 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Susan T. Beck, Personal Representative on the 25th day of October 2019,

by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Susan T. Beck Legal Run 10./30, 11/06 & 11/13/19

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF SYLVESTER ROBINSON, JR, DECEASED PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Steven Lee Robinson on the 24th day of October, 2019, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims againts said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Steven Lee Robinson Legal Run 11/06, 11/13 and 11/20/19

pelika O Observer

B13 Nov. 06, 2019

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pelika Observer O

B14 Nov. 06, 2019

Like crossword puzzles? Sudoku?

Play online at www.opelikaobserver.com/puzzles/

This week’s Scramblers Answers: 1. Reckon; 2. Simper; 3. Terse; 4. Solid - Today’s Word: LIPSTICK

Even Exchange Answers 1. Nation, Notion 2. Chili, Chill 3. Degree, Decree 4. Pluto, Plato 5. Candy, Handy

6. France, Prance 7. Sauce, Saute 8. Elite, Elate 9. Pierce, Pierre 10. Saber, Sober

Opelika, L ee County & A labama Politics Wednesday, Nov. 06, 2019

Inside the Statehouse

Rogers on President Trump officially

The story of Dr. David Bronner, RSA and Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses on Alabama

qualifying for Alabama Primary

D

r. David Bronner has marked his place in Alabama political and governmental history.

He has headed the revered Retirement Systems of Alabama Pension Funds for 45 years.

When Bronner took his present job with RSA, the Retirement Systems had approximately $500 million of funds.

Today, the RSA has approximately $40 billion in investments, making our RSA the 50th largest public pension fund in the world.

Alabama public employees will swear by, standup for and place Bronner on a golden pedestal. They credit him with securing their retirement years with a solid foundation. Indeed, he has. Our Alabama Public Employee and Teacher Retirement Systems are financially sound and the envy of most other states.

Bronner was born in Iowa and received his elementary and high school education in Minnesota. He came to Alabama to study law.

He earned his Law Degree and PHD from the University of Alabama in 1972. Shortly after graduation, he became Assistant Dean of the Law School at the University of Alabama.

Two years later at age 29 he became head of the Alabama Retirement Systems.

Today, 46 years later, Bronner is a youthfullooking 74 with plenty of vigor and probably no plans to retire. He loves golf and good cigars. When you have

By Steve Flowers a conversation with him, it is an experience you will never forget. He is extremely vivacious and quickwitted. There is no mistaking that you are talking with someone very intelligent. He has digested your words almost before they are out of your mouth and will reply immediately with a succinct response that appears as though he has given it 15 minutes of thought.

Of course, that may be because we native Alabamians talk a little slower than he does.

The Retirement System of Alabama has contributed a great deal to the state’s economy during the last 45 years.

The RSA manages pensions for 358,000 public teachers and public employees. At the end of 2018, Bronner and RSA had $43.8 billion under management.

However, the greatest legacy that Bronner may enjoy is his creation of Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. This idea generated a profit for RSA in the first years. The brilliance of the golf trail is not only the profits the trail generates for the RSA, but also the

peripheral boost to our state’s economy.

The trail has enhanced the image of Alabama. It has also benefitted the state’s attractiveness for corporate recruitment. The economical benefits and prestige that it brings to our state are exponential.

The courses have made Alabama a tourist destination. It brings well-heeled northern golfers to our state for week long stays who spend untold amounts of money in our hotels and restaurants. Snowbird golf enthusiasts are locked out of their courses six to seven months of the year.

They journey to warm climes of the Heart of Dixie to play these world-class courses.

They might look at the adjoining hole and see Bronner playing, chomping on his everpresent cigar.

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s first seven sites were constructed in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Opelika-Auburn, Dothan and Greenville.

These seven were completed from 1990 to 1994. The Prattville site opened and the Lakewood Club courses in Point Clear joined the trail in 1999. The premier Hoover site at Ross Bridge appeared in 2005.

RSA resort hotels were developed in affiliation with six of the golf trail complexes.

The Grand Hotel is adjacent to the Lakewood See Flowers, page B16

Located in Historic Downtown Opelika

334-745-4618

Special to the Opelika Observer Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) made the following statement last week after President Donald Trump officially qualified for the Alabama primary on March 3.

“I stand proud in unwavering support of President Trump’s reelection.

“The 2020 election will be absolutely critical in defining America’s future.

The radical Democrats want to destroy our economy with their brand of socialism. They promote a radical abortion agenda

and want to take away the Second Amendment.

They prioritize health care for illegal immigrants over health care for hard working Americans. They want open borders and sanctuary cities. They disrespect our brave police.

And they want to control our speech and erase our common history. And the radical Democrats have the Deep State and liberal media on their side who are constantly pursuing their sham witch hunt.

“We must fight for our president. President Trump made us all a promise in 2016 to Make America Great Again and

he kept his word. Thanks to President Trump, our economy is booming, unemployment is at record lows, our military is being rebuilt, ISIS is obliterated, more conservative judges have been appointed to protect our deeply held values, and the list goes on.

“In 2020, more than ever before, we must vote for President Trump in order Keep America Great. Every vote counts.

We must turn out in record numbers to vote for President Trump to show the nation that Alabama is Trump country,” Rogers said.

Senator Jones and colleagues introduce bipartisan legislation to protect pensions, social security and medicare Special to the Opelika Observer U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Alabama), alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues, has introduced the Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts (TRUST) Act, which would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds, like pensions, Social Security and Medicare.

“This important legislation creates a bipartisan path forward that gives us the tools we need to put our budget on the path to fiscal responsibility and upgrade our decaying infrastructure,

protect pensions and Social Security benefits for retirees, and ensure that Medicare remains strong for seniors for generations to come,” Jones said.

Without legislative action, the government’s trust funds, which include Highway, Medicare Hospital Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, will be exhausted in the next 13 years.

The legislation was also sponsored

by U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and U.S. Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Ed

Case (D-HI), William Timmons (R-SC), and Ben McAdams (DUT) have introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

How the TRUST Act works: U.S. Treasury would have 30 days upon passage of the legislation to deliver to Congress a report of the government’s major, endangered federal trust funds.

Congressional leaders would appoint members to serve on “Rescue Committees”—one per trust fund—with the mandate to draft legislation that restores solvency and otherwise improves each trust fund program.

See Jones, page B16

pelika O Observer

B16 Nov. 06, 2019

Sen. Doug Jones leads colleagues in new push to renew funding for minorityserving institutions of higher education Special to the Opelika Observer Sens. Doug Jones (D-Alabama) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) are leading a group of 36 of their colleagues in a new push to pass funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the senators called for the immediate passage of Senator Jones’ bipartisan FUTURE Act legislation, which would reauthorize $255 million per year in mandatory federal funding – which expired on Septem-

Flowers, from B15 Club in Point Clear, The RSA Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Riverview are near Magnolia Grove in Mobile, The Marriott at Capitol Hill in Prattville and the Montgomery Renaissance serve Capi-

Mandatory federal funding

Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (DWisc.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (DIll.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Richard Blumenthal (DConn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Debbie Stabenow (DMich.).

expired on Sept. 30 with no Senate vote ber 30, 2019 – for an additional two years.

The House of Representatives approved the legislation unanimously in September.

“HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs are an essential component of America’s higher education and workforce development system,” the senators wrote. “Given the importance of this funding to hundreds of institutions and millions of students, we request that the Senate delay no longer and take up the bipartisan FUTURE Act immediately to tol Hill in Prattville.

The Shoals Marriott in Florence serves the Shoals complex in Sheffield. The Marriott Resort at Grand National in Opelika serves the OpelikaAuburn course.

The crown jewel may very well be the Ross Bridge course and Ross Bridge Renaissance Resort Hotel and Spa. This Hoover loca-

avoid permanent damage to our nation’s historic colleges.”

Sens. Jones and Tester were joined in sending the letter by Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kamala Harris (DCalif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), tion attracts national conventions and has spawned one of the premier residential neighborhoods in the state. Ross Bridge is home to a good many of the young physicians and medical specialists from UAB. Dr. Mark Fagan has authored a wonderful book on Alabama’s Golf Trail, Dr. Bronner and the RSA. It is entitled, “Alabama’s

Public Pension Fund Growth and Economic Expansions since 1972.”

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.

Duffy Stewart - REALTOR

Auburn University honors soldiers missing in action and POWs with dedication of ‘Chair of Honor’ at last Saturday’s game

Photo by Robert Noles/Opelika Observer Auburn University dedicated a Chair of Honor for “Prisoners of War or Missing In Action” during Saturday’s game v. Ole Miss. According to a plaque beside the chair, “this chair (will) remain unoccupied to symbolize that those still listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action will always have a seat awaiting them at Jordan-Hare Stadium when they return home.

Thank you for your service to America and for the betterment of Auburn.”

Rep. Jeremy Gray attended ‘Learning to Lobby Day’ at Auburn University last week

1810 E. Glenn Ave. Suite 130 Auburn, AL 36830 Cell 334-444-8041 Office 334-826-1010 Fax 334-826-1049 duffystewartrealtor@gmail.com

Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer

www.BHHSPreferredAuburn.com Jones, A member of the franchise system of BHH Affliates, LLC

from B15 Rescue Committees would ensure bipartisan consensus by requiring at least two members of each party to report legislation.

If a Rescue Committee reports a

This week’s puzzle answers:

qualifying bill for its trust fund program, it would receive expedited consideration in both chambers. While 60 votes would be required to invoke cloture for final passage in the Senate, only a simple majority would be needed for the motion to proceed, which would be privileged.